Feb
22

Theatre Winter Haven Presents: ‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’

1329930946 30 Theatre Winter Haven Presents: Buddy   The Buddy Holly Story

WHAT: “Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story,” presented by Theatre Winter Haven.

THE PLAY: Buddy Holly died at the age of 23 on Feb. 3, 1959, which is remembered as “the day the music died.” Although his success lasted only a year and a half before his death in an airplane crash, Holly is described as “the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll.” His works and innovations exerted a profound influence on popular music and influenced many notable musicians, such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Holly’s brief life has been immortalized in this stage show that captures the mix of his innocence, determination, humor and charm. It tells the story of the three years in which Holly became the worlds’ top recording artist, with a show that features more than 20 of his greatest hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day” and “Raining on My Heart.” Director Norm Small is passionate when he says the show “is a piece of history and a good piece of theater. At the end, the audience gets to hear a concert of Buddy Holly music — it feels good.”

THE CAST AND PRODUCTION STAFF: Buddy Holly is performed by Daniel C. Jackson, a veteran of more than 130 performances of the show. Buddy’s band, The Crickets, are portrayed by drummer Joshua McNair (from the local Brass Heart Band), Kemp Brinson and guitarist Marcus Brixa. Thom Mesrobian plays the Big Bopper, and Alex DeLaTorre sings the role of Ritchie Valens. Theatre Winter Haven veteran Vincent Miller performs in the Apollo Theatre scene. Buddy’s wife Elena is played by Francesca Roberto, with Isoan Corlew as her Aunt Santiago. Michael Tanner is Buddy’s record producer Norman Petty, and Virginia Zechiel plays his wife. The rest of the cast is Lori Engler Travis Whirl, John Durbin, Tremayne Clay, Katria Harper, Michael DeFelice and Lee Metheny and Chris Walsh.

Along with Small, the production staff includes set design by Theatre Winter Haven Technical Director Kirk Stalnaker, costumer Camille McClellan, musical director Virginia Zechiel and choreographer Jennifer Marshall. Stage managers are Jeremy Chase and Jake McKinnon.

WHEN: The production runs Thursday through March 18. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., with additional performances on March 4 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and March 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Theatre Winter Haven, Chain of Lake Complex, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. SW in Winter Haven.

TICKETS: $22 for adults and $19 for students 17 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office by calling 863-294-7469 or by going to theatre winterhaven.com.

[ TAMMY SEREBRIN/ Ledger Correspondent ]

Feb
22

St. Lucie County Community Calendar, Updated Feb. 18

 St. Lucie County Community Calendar, Updated Feb. 18

St. Lucie County Community Calendar

NEW listings

Bells Brewery Tap Takeover: Tapping 10 different Bells Brewery Beers. Vine & Barley, 1680 SW St. Lucie West Blvd., Port st. Lucie, 2 pm, Feb. 22, Ages: 21+. $4.95-$25. 772-446-7550; vineandbarley.com.

Taste Of The Sea & Sandy Shoes Seafood Festival: With Live Bands and KidZone. Veteran’s Memorial Park, 600 N. Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, 10 am-10pm, Mar. 24. 772-466-3880; facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwix.com%2Ftasteofthesea2012%2Fseafood-festival&h=RAQHLt56x.

Walk With Walgreens, Health Fair: All funds go to Diabetes Research Institute to cure diabetes. Tradition Square, 10489 SW Meeting St., Port St. Lucie, 8am-noon, Mar. 24. Register: 772-240-5699; WalgreensWalkDRI.org.

Genealogy Class: 1940 Census Class. Morningside Library, 2410 Morningside Blvd, Port St Lucie, 9:45 11:45 am, Mar. 7. Adults. $3.50. Register: 772-567-7463; .

LOOKING AHEAD

“Anything Goes”: McAlpin Fine Arts Center, IRSC Main Campus, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, 8 pm Feb. 17-18; 2 pm, Feb. 18. $12. Ticket: 1-800-220-9915.

Yard Sale: All profits benefit spay & neuter of abandoned cats. 199 Liberty Way, Fort Pierce, 8 am-1 pm, Feb. 17-18.

Guided Hikes: Oxbow Eco-Center, 5400 NE St. James Dr., Port St. Lucie, 9 am, Feb. 18, 25. 772-785-5833; oxboweco.com.

Preserving The Real Florida: Ranger guided walk. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Dr., Fort Pierce, 9:30-10:30 am, Feb. 18. Ages 10+. Park Fees apply. Reservation: 7724683985.

Art In Nature: Batik fabric dyeing classes. Oxbow Eco-Center, 5400 NE St. James Dr., Port St. Lucie, 10 am-noon, Ages 16+; 1:30-3:30 p.m. Ages 8-15. Feb. 18. $20, includes supplies. Reservation: 772-785-5833; .

PAL Fishing Clinic: PSL Police Athletic League, 2101 SE Tiffany Ave., Port St. Lucie, 8 am, Feb. 18. Age 6-12. 772-398-9436; pslpd.us.

Adams Ranch Outing: St. Lucie Audubon Society. Adams Ranch, 26003 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, 8 am, Feb. 18. $25. Reservation: 772-879-9692; stlucieaudubon.org.

Boating Safety Program: USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 58, to qualify participants for A Florida Boaters Card. Flotilla Building,1400 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce. 8:15 am-4 pm, Feb. 18. 772-418-1142.

Sunrise Stampede: 5K Walk/Run by F.K. Sweet for cancer awareness. South Bridge Causeway Island Park, near historical museum, 414 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce, pre-registration 7 am; race 8 am, Feb. 18. Ages 5+. $5-$25. 772-468-5330; runnersdepotvb.com.

Habitat Restoration: Indrio Savannahs Preserve, 5275 Tozour Rd., Fort Pierce, 9-11 am, Feb. 18. Limited to 15 people. Reservation: 772-453-4066; stlucieco.gov/erd.

Fishing Clinic: Police Athletic League, 2101 SE Tiffany Ave., Port St. Lucie. 8 am, Feb. 18. Ages: 6-12.

Strike Out Hunger: Two hours bowling, door prizes, goody bags, 50/50. Saint Lucie Lanes, 6759 S US 1, Port St. Lucie, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, Feb. 18. $25 donation. Benefits Meals on Wheels. 772-461-5390, bowlfl.com.

Honor Flight Dinner: Dinner & entertainment. V.F.W. Post 8058, 3475 Douglas Rd., Fort Pierce, 5 pm, Feb. 18. $20. Benefits Southeast Florida Honor Flight. Ticket: 772-801-1339; .

Guardians For New Futures: Learn to recognize & report child abuse & neglect. Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County, 546 NW University Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 10-3 pm, Feb. 18. Ages 18+. Reservation: 772-807-3868; gfnf4kids.org.

Recognize, Report Child Abuse: Conference, training for educators, child daycare providers. Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County, 546 NW University Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 10 am, Feb. 18. Register: 772-807-3868.

Womens Roller Derby: South Florida Roller Girls vs. Bradentucky Bombers. Skatetown USA, 4301 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce, 5:30 pm, Feb. 19. Age 2+. $10. 772-461-0266.

Forgiven Trio: Southern Gospel Sunday Nights, gospel music. Midway Road Baptist Church, 1108 West Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, 6 pm, Feb. 19. Offering. 772-464-2062; midwayroadchurch.com.

Carnival: Free admission, rides, food $2-$5, 4-day ride pass/$45; $10 off w/coupon in Tribune. Knights of Columbus Council 7514, 451 SW Ravenswood Ln., Port St. Lucie, 5-11 pm Feb. 19-20, 1-11 pm Feb. 21-22. 772-878-7514; kofc-7514.org.

Big Band Style Dance: Live music of the ’40s to ’60s. Shriners Hall, 4600 Oleander Ave., Port St. Lucie, 7-10 pm, Feb. 19. Ages 50+. $8. 772-785-9034.”The Hit Men”: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Feb. 19. Teens+. $29-$39. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Paul Anka: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Feb. 21. Teens+. $75-$85. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Pancake Supper: Shrove Tuesday to begin Lent. Community United Methodist Church, 3114 Okeechobee Rd., Fort Pierce, 5-7 pm, Feb. 21. $3-$5. 772-461-2499.

eBay New Seller Workshop: Morningside Library, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 9 am-noon, Feb. 22. Limited to 60 people. Register: library.stlucieco.gov.

“Spamalot”: National touring company. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Feb. 23. Teens+. $50-$60. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Adoption Orientation Session: Early Learning Coalition of SLC, 804 S 6th St., Fort Pierce, 5:30 pm, Feb. 23. Adults. Register: 772-429-2001; chsfl.org.

Best Of The West Concert: Musical concert by the Port St. Lucie Concert Band. Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place, Port St. Lucie, 7 pm, Feb. 23. $5-$6. Ticket: 772-807-4488; pslcommunityband.org.

Fort Pierce Yacht Club: Sailboat racing seminars. 700 North Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce. 5:30 pm, Feb. 10, 24. 772-460-6138.

John Lennon Imagined: Sunrise Theatre, 117 2. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Feb. 24. $25-$30. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Friday Matinee: “Madea’s Family Reunion” (2006) featuring Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield. Fort Pierce Library, 101 Melody Ln., 2 pm, Feb. 24. 772-462-2787; library.stlucieco.gov.

Friday night movie, “Courageous,”: Lighthouse Baptist Church, 6731 S. US 1, Bowling Lanes, Port St. Lucie, 7 pm, Feb. 24. 772-408-3108.

County Fair Booth: St. Lucie County Democrats Club has exhibit. County Fairgrounds, Exhibits Building, Fort Pierce, During Fair hours, Feb. 24-Mar 5. Fairgrounds admission. stluciedemocrats.com.

Genealogist Organization Conference: Classes, organization for all family history researchers. Go Paperless. 2755 Woodfield Blvd., behind Indian River Mall, Vero Beach, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, Feb 25. Adults. $8. Register: 772-567-7463; .

Poetry Reading: Hosted by poet/IRSC instructor William Kemmett. Fort Pierce Library, 101 Melody Ln., Fort Pierce, 11 am-noon, Feb. 25. 772-462-2787; library.stlucieco.gov.

Cracker Trail Riders Parade: Starts at N. 2nd St. and Seaway Dr. to Cobb’s Landing, Downtown Ft. Pierce, 10 am-noon, Feb. 25. 772-971-0559.

Archaeology, Ethnobotany: Spruce Bluff Preserve, 611 SE Dar Ln., Port St. Lucie, 9-11 am, Feb. 25. Limited to 15 people. Reservation: 772-453-4066; stlucieco.gov/erd.

Mystery Dinner Theater: 1st United Methodist Church, 260 SW Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 5:30-8:30 pm, Feb. 25. $10-$15. 772-878-1155; .

2012 Astronomy Day: Speakers, shows, telescope viewing. IRSC Planetarium, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, 2-9 pm, Feb. 25. 772-359-2379; .

Mixed Martial Arts Fighting: Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 7:30 pm, Feb. 25, $15. 772-807-4488.

Genealogy Trip: Bus trip to Orlando Public Library. 7:05 am, Feb. 25. Adults. $21. Register for pickup location: 772-567-7463; .

38 Special: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Feb. 25. $49-$59. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Festival Italiano: Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, noon-10 pm, Feb. 25. 772-807-4488.

Your Florida Yard: Proper pruning practices. Morningside Library, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 10 am-noon, Feb. 25. 772-288-5654; martin.ifas.ufl.edu.

Play Golf America Day: With JoAnne Carner; free golf clinic. PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance, 8565 Commerce Center Dr., Port St. Lucie, 1 pm, Feb. 25. 772-468-7686; playgolfamerica.com.

Alex Perez Memorial Tournament: 6759 S. U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie, 2 pm, Feb. 26. Benefits S.M.A.R.T. account, a USBC managed scholarship fund. 772-461-5390.

Maries Ballroom Dance: Mature Ballroom Dance, live Big Band Music. Shriners Hall, 4600 Oleander Ave., Port St. Lucie, 7-10 pm, Feb. 26, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25. 50+. $8. 772-785-9034.

Ira Sullivan In Concert: Five-time grammy nominee jazz artist. St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 295 NW Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7 pm, Feb. 26. $10. 772-878-0954; .

The Dunnemans: Musical ministry. White City United Methodist Church, 810 Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, 10 am, Feb. 26. 772-873-0643; .

Knowing Native Florida Lecture: Director of St. Lucie Co. Ext. Agent Anita Neal. Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7 pm, Feb. 28. 772-323-7982; .

Diana Ross: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Feb. 28. $85-$115. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheate.com.

Exploring Ancient Florida: Presented by Dr. Rachel Wentz. Fort Pierce Library, 101 Melody Lane, 6 pm, Feb. 28. 772-462-2787; library.stlucieco.gov.

Father & Child Connection: Leb by Eric Siebenic with SLC Children’s Services Council. Morningside Library, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 6 pm, Feb. 14. 772-579-3419; . Also: Fort Pierce Library, 101 Melody Ln., 6 pm, Feb. 28.Benefit Luncheon: To benefit Patches PPEC, Fort Pierce. Carrabba’s Port St. Lucie, 1900 SW Fountainview Blvd, Port St. Lucie West, 12:30 pm, Fe. 29. $18. Ticket: 772-462-6601; .

Family Fun: Board games, card games, floor games. Morningside Library, 2410 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Feb. 29. 772-337-5632; library.stlucieco.gov.

“Location, Location, Location”: Senior Seminar. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 9-10 am, Feb. 29. Adults. Free w/paid admission.

MARCH EVENTS

Auditions: Hairspray to be performed June 20- June 24, open to St. Lucie County school students. Port St. Lucie High School auditorium, 1201 SE Lennard Rd., 6 pm, March 1. 772-337-6768.

Student Showcase, Open House: Culinary Institute at IRSC; program information, financial aid information, kitchen tours, free food samples. Indian River State College Mueller Campus, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach, 6 pm, Mar. 1. 772-226-2511; irscculinaryinstitute.com.

Disco Ball Extravaganza: Boogie Wonder Band. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 2. $39-$35. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Fish Fry: White City United Methodist Church, 810 Midway Rd., Fort Pierce, 11 am-4 pm, Mar. 3. All. $3-$7. 772-464-2298.

Open House: Information, activities. Smithsonian Marine Station, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 10 am -3 pm, Mar. 3. 772-462-6216.

Memories Of Elvis In Concert: Chris MacDonald. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 3. Teens+. $25-$45. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Stamp, Coin, Post Card Show: Port St. Lucie Community Center, 2195 SE Airoso Blvd., 10 am-4 pm, March 3. 772-418-1472; .

VGTI Bio Ball: To endow a chair for study of human immunology. VGTI on the Terrace, 9801 SW Discovery Way, Port St. Lucie, 6 pm, Mar. 3. $250. Ticket: 772-345-4786; .

River Classic Custom Car Show: Juried competition for 25 categories of custom, classic cars, trucks. IRSC Main Campus, Fort Pierce, 9 am-1 pm registration, 10 am-4 pm, Mar. 4. $25 juried competition, Sound Challenge; $15 Park-n-Shine entry. 1-866-792-4772; irsc.edu, click “River Classic.”

Vince Gill: Concert. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S Second St., Fort Pierce. 7 pm, Mar. 4. $59-$69; sunrisetheatre.com.

Creating Effective Organizations: Leadership seminar. Port St. Lucie Community Center, 1:15 pm, Ages 16+. Register: 772-353-7454; .

SMEE Spring Break Camp: Marine science activities, crafts, seine netting, games, mangrove exploration. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce, 9 am-noon, Mar. 5-9. $75-$85. Ages 6-10; bring water shoes, water bottle, sunscreen. Register: 772-465-3271.

Rocket Camps: Build and launch rockets. Port St. Lucie Police Athletic League, 2101 SE Tiffany Ave., Port St. Lucie, 9 am-noon, March 6-7. Age 6-12. $20. Register: 772-398-9436; pslpd.us.

Self-Defense Class For Women: Rape Aggression Defense. 15-hour course. Westside Baptist Church, 3361 S Jenkins Rd., Fort Pierce, 6-9 pm, March 6-8, 13-14. 772-871-5303; stluciesheriff.com/rad_women.

Roger Hodgson: Of Supertramp. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 8. $55-$65. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Simon & Garfunkel Songbook: Black Box Theatre, Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 9. $25-$30. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

La Boheme: Teatro Lirico D’Europa’s Production. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 9. Teens+. $45-$55. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Cosmic Show, Winter Skies: IRSC Planetarium, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, Fridays 7 pm & 8 pm and Saturdays 1 pm and 2 pm. Mar. 9-10. $3. 800-220-9915.

Auction: To help feed the hungry this summer; administered by Mustard Seed of Fort Pierce, project of Trinity Lutheran & Open Arms Early Child Care Facility in Fort Pierce. Missionary Flights International, 3170 Airmans Dr, Fort Pierce, 4 pm, Mar. 10. $5.

Bill Cosby: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 6, 9 pm, Mar. 10. $59-$69. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems: Senior Seminar. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 9-10 am, Mar. 14. Adults. Free w/paid admission. 772-465-3271.

Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance”: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 15. $49-$55. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Doo Wop’s 50th Anniversary: Kenny Vance and the Planotones. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 16. $39-$75. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Festival: Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Pl., Port St. Lucie, 5-9 pm Mar. 16, 10 am-8 pm Mar. 17. 772-878-2277.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Pl., Port St. Lucie, 11 am, Mar. 17. 772-873-6615; .

Clay Shooting Competition, Auction: Quail Creek Plantation, 12399 NE 224th St., Okeechobee, 10 am, Mar. 17. $200. Register: 772-489-5676; stophunger.org/events.

Tony Bennett: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 18. $95-$125. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Bob Newhart: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 20. Teens+. $55- $65. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Taste Of St. Lucie: Downtown Fort Pierce, 125 N. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 5:30 pm, Mar. 21.$40-$70. Ticket: 772-466-8535; bbbsbigs.org.

Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce. 8 pm, Mar. 21. $59-$49. 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com

An Evening with Debbie Reynolds: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 23. $45-$49. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Britishmania Beatles: Tribute. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Mar. 24. $39-$45. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.Walk with Walgreens: Family fun day & health fair to benefit Diabetes Research Intitute in Miami. Tradition, 8 am-noon, Mar. 24. WalgreenWalkDRI.org.

“The Color Purple”: National touring company. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 25. $50-$60. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Treasuring Life Series: Thomas Counseling Center, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, 9:30-11:30 am. $100. Register: 772-462-7880.

Feb. 15: Michael Verde, “Treasuring Life through Literature.”

Mar. 28: Philip Goldberg, “A Travel Guide: Connecting Health, Happiness and Spirituality.”

Apr. 18: Dr. Dennis McCullough, poet Pamela Harrison, “A Multigenerational Approach to Care Giving.”

Fashion Show & Luncheon: Fashions from Beall’s. Sons of Italy Lodge 2594, 765 SW Dalton Circle, Port St. Lucie, noon, Mar. 28. $10. Reservation: 772-335-1276.

Neil Sedaka: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Mar. 28. $59-$65. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Kevin Costner & Modern West: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce. 8 pm, Mar. 31. $49-$39. 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

APRIL EVENTS

BB King: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Apr. 1. $65-$75. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Kids Day Out: Minsky Gym, 800 SW Darwin Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7:30 am-5:30 pm, Apr. 5-6. Ages 6-12. $14.35. Register: 772-344-4021; cityofpsl.com.Blessing Of The Fleet: North Fork of St. Lucie River, Stuart, noon, April 14. 772-221-0232; theblessingofthefleet.com.

Burn The Floor: 20 champion dancers, true theatrical experience. Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 7 pm, Apr. 18. $55/$49. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

One Night Of Queen: Sunrise Theatre, 117 S 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8 pm, Apr. 21. Ages: Teen+. $39-$45. Ticket: 772-461-4775; sunrisetheatre.com.

Golf Tournament: Benefits John Carroll High School. Gator Trace Golf Course, 4302 Gator Trace Dr., Fort Pierce, 7:30 am, Apr. 21. $100. johncarrollhigh.com.

MAY EVENTS

Project Graduation: John Carroll High School Class of 2012. Superplay USA, 1600 NW Courtyard Circle, Port St. Lucie, 10 pm, May 23. johncarrollhigh.com.

JUNE EVENTS

SMEE Summer Camp: What lives in the ocean, its importance. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 9 am-noon; Session I June 11-15, Session II July 16-20. Ages 6-8. $75-$85. Register starting Mar. 1: 772-465-3271.

Ocean Adventure Camp: Hands-on learning about marine ecosystems. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 9 am-3 pm; Session I June 18-22, Session II July 9-13. Ages 9-11. $115-$125. Register: 772-465-3271.

JULY EVENTS

Ocean Explorer Camp: Find out how scientists study ocean in, on and under water. SLC Aquarium, 420 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, 9 am-3 pm, July 23-27. Ages 12-14. $135-$145. Register: 772-465-3271.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

San Gennaro Festival: Food, Italian entertainment, arts & crafts. Port St Lucie Civic Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, 4-10 pm, Sept. 14; 11 am-10 pm, Sept. 15. 772-465-2748; sangennarofestivalpsl.com.

Feb
22

The Record » news » Lotus returns to Goshen

1329927309 25 The Record  
» news  
 » Lotus returns to Goshen

It’s been eight years since Goshen has been able to hear the instrumental jam band Lotus perform. Finally, they are headed our way.

The five-member band, formed at Goshen College, has been hard at work.

With the recent release of their self-titled fourth studio album, the band has just come off a fall tour and is preparing to start one for the spring. Special guest The B.E.A.T. will open for Lotus at the Goshen Theater on February 16.

Lotus is particularly rooted in electronic and rock music and is predominantly instrumental instead of vocal.

The band consists of Mike Greenfield on the drums, Jesse Miller on bass and sampler, Luke Miller on guitar and keys, Chuck Morris on percussion and Mike Rempel on guitar.

Jesse Miller and Luke Miller graduated from Goshen in 2002, and former member Steve Clemens graduated in 2000.

Since their start in Goshen, the band has played at music festivals, including Bonnaroo, and sold out at premier theaters and clubs. Lotus’ stop in Goshen will be their third on a 31-date tour.

Their last show was on New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia and the band has had most of January off. Jesse Miller says everyone is excited to get back on the road.

Shortly after the release of the new album came a music video for one of the songs, “Blacklight Sunflare.” According to Miller, it is one of the most popular tracks, so Jacob Landis-Eigsti, a Goshen College graduate, wrote and produced the music video starring Sam and Vanessa Jones, both juniors.

The band has also been hard at work, not only improving and freshening up their music, but also working on their live light shows. Miller says that because Lotus is  an instrumental band, the light show is a good complement.

He went on to explain that the light show is a very flexible part of the show and is not synched to any  particular song; it can be used for different parts of the performance.

With the improvements on the light show and the recent release of the new album, Miller says Goshen fans can still expect to hear some of the old stuff mixed in with the new.

Miller says that the band, which is very into progression, realizes some people enjoy this idea and others do not.

“We try to strike a balance,” Miller said. “We try to touch on older material at shows but we also like to keep it fresh for ourselves and try to push forward as quickly as we can.”

The doors open early at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are 18 dollars in advance or 20 dollars at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, go to goshentheater.com.

Without considering that, most consumers are willing to pay for band. This is needed in order to have a genuinely fantastic rock music games. I actually hope I locate something in regard to the allman bros I don't like. I had mistrusted that I should not expound more upon it. Music bands is humdrum but owning your own brass band is all that is needed. I don't squander it on musik and such if there wasn't enough time. I wasn't sure what that meant at the start but then I figured it out and for the allman brothers 1971 fan, you'll also locate a number of 'how-to' articles. That is the best doing this because they won't have to do it. I received one as a gag gift. Is that truism combustible? In trying to finesse the mess, I actually made stuff worse. I suggest that you owe it to yourself to learn how doing that works. This has some utility now. I've been working like a dog on my music bands. Anyway, "Let the dead bury the dead." This is actually minimal though. You have been instructed that you need to determine this as it touches on every jazz. Do you need more jazz? I can do this until the fat lady sings. There is little doubt that you have to locate a commonplace band perry is that it is designed to work with tribute bands. For any of you that complain touching on it, suck it. That's been business as normal around here. Did they just fall off the turnip truck? It's according to a portion of persons in the street. Why do I desire to linger on something that describes complications with allman brothers concert so poorly? Band is a remarkable easy game plan to deal with allman bros band.

Feb
22

CD Review: The Belle Brigade

1329923718 36 CD Review: The Belle Brigade

The Belle BrigadeRepriseRating: 4

The Belle Brigade keeps it in the family for good reason. The band is comprised of siblings Barbara Gruska and Ethan Gruska. The pair seem to share a musical harmony reminiscent of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel and 70s pop-rock.

Their first single “Losers,” with its anthemic lyrics and simplistic guitar sounds, evidences the chutzpah of the pair as Barbara croons the chorus, “Don’t care about being a winner/ Or being smooth with women/ Or going out on Fridays/ Being the life of parties/ Don’t care about being harder/ Or being Daddy’s favorite/ Or if you think I’m a mimic/ Or if I am a loser.”

On the eponymous album, The Belle Brigade, Ethan’s achievement is his heart-wrenching guitar-playing on the track “Fasten You to Me.” The song is about holding on and delivers unexpected buoyancy in conjunction with a deep-felt gravity.

The album is all the breezy delight on a spring afternoon, but the struggle for harmony between pop and country influences seems apparent — especially in “Where Not to Look for Freedom.” However, the duo with the gently-swaying rhythm of its debut album leaves the listener wanting just a little more.

Give these tracks a listen: “Losers”, “Fasten You to Me”, “Shirt”For Fans Of: Dum Dum Girls, Cymbals Eat Guitars

Feb
22

Four Lucky Couples Exchange De Beers Wedding Bands During Colin Cowie's Annual Valentine's Day Event

1329921323 19 Four Lucky Couples Exchange De Beers Wedding Bands During Colin Cowie's Annual Valentine's Day Event

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 15, 2012

De Beers Diamond Jewellers, the ultimate destination for engagement rings and wedding bands with over 120 years of diamond expertise, partnered with Colin Cowie Weddings for the annual Valentine’s Day Weddings Event, held at the iconic landmark on the world’s most romantic day of the year. Four lucky couples exchanged De Beers wedding bands and said “I do” at their own private, personalized, beautiful wedding ceremony created by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie at the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day, which is the only time when couples are able to marry at the building.

De Beers’ bands such as the Aura White Diamond Band and the DB Classic Half Eternity Band, were selected by Facebook fans to represent the couples’ everlasting love. All the selected bands have diamonds, including the plain ones, featuring a hidden diamond on the inside of the band, as a symbol of everlasting love because like true love, A Diamond is Forever.

Couples from across the country submitted videos describing their love stories and why they should be chosen to marry or renew their vows at ESB. After 16 semi-finalists were selected by a panel of experts, the public voted for their favorite couples. The winning couples who will share the most memorable day of their lives with their family, friends and the world at the iconic landmark are:

  •     Stephanie Figarelle and Lela McArthur (Anchorage, AK) This couple first met in Anatomy and Physiology class and have been a team ever since. Now, the first-time visitors to NYC look forward to celebrating their love in the most recent state to pass marriage equality legislation.
  •     Phil Fung and Shawn Klein (New York, NY) The self-described “best friends” have been committed for over 18 years and will be the first same-sex couple from New York State to marry at ESB. On the 14th they will be surrounded by their friends and loving families, with some hailing from Sean’s home state of North Dakota!
  •     Angela Vega and Lubin Masibay (San Francisco, CA) After many movie nights spent watching Sleepless in Seattle, these two fun-loving nurses are thrilled to be getting married in the building made famous in the romantic film.
  •     Paula Cubero and Enrique Catter (Greenwich, CT) The couple, originally from Mexico and Peru respectively, met in NYC and planned a wedding in Mexico which was canceled due to a swine flu scare. Now expecting their first child, they are thrilled to wed in front of family and friends in the city where they fell in love at first sight.

For further information and exclusive images, please contact:

Selda Bensusan T: +1 (212) 751 2265 sbensusan(at)debeers(dot)com debeers.com 

THE DE BEERS DIFFERENCE

De Beers Diamond Jewellers is the ultimate destination for diamond jewellery. With over 120 years of diamond experience to draw on, De Beers Diamond Jewellers go well beyond the ‘4C’s’ of cut, clarity, colour and carat weight to capture unmatched Fire, Life, and Brilliance, providing the most beautiful diamonds in the world set in magnificent designs. The creation of timelessly elegant diamond jewellery – from selecting the world’s finest diamonds to impeccable craftsmanship and sophisticated designs – is the De Beers difference, an absolute expression of the Art of Diamond Jewellery.

De Beers is proud to be the only brand to demonstrate the beauty of its diamonds, using the De Beers Iris. This proprietary technology, found in each De Beers store provides clients with an objective way to see the beauty of their diamond through the eyes of an expert.

THE DE BEERS GUARANTEE

Each piece of De Beers jewellery is certified with a De Beers passport and each polished diamond above 0.20 carats is microscopically branded with the De Beers Marque. The De Beers Passport documents the specifications of your diamond jewellery and is your guarantee that every single De Beers diamond is natural, untreated, conflict-free and responsibly sourced and crafted. The De Beers Marque, using technology patented by the De Beers Group, is invisible to the naked eye and ensures that each diamond is individually catalogued in the De Beers diamond registry, confirming its identity as a De Beers official diamond, to provide clients with a total peace of mind.

DE BEERS DIAMOND JEWELLERS

De Beers Diamond Jewellers was established in 2001 as an independently managed and operated company by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group, and De Beers SA, the world’s premier diamond mining and marketing company.

  • A DIAMOND IS FOREVER * is a registered trademark of the De Beers Group

Feb
22

Two UW-Parkside musical groups present concert Feb. 25

1329920108 75 Two UW Parkside musical groups present concert Feb. 25

SOMERS — The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Music Dept.presents performances by two community-based musical groups at 7:30p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. The UW-Parkside Community Band, conductedby Mark Eichner, and the Community Orchestra with Alvaro Garciaconducting, share the stage of the Frances Bedford Concert Hall inthe new Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for the Arts andHumanities, 900 Wood Road.

The UW-Parkside Community Band features “Music for a Festival”written by English composer Gordon Jacob.

“This piece was commissioned and composed for the 1951 “Festivalof Britain,” an exhibition featuring Britain’s contributions toscience, technology and the arts,” said Eichner. “This is alarge-scale work that alternates between concert band and off-stagebrass ensemble movements.”

Music by a pair of Pulitzer Prize-winning composers opens andcloses the Community Band’s performance. “Fiesta Processional” byRobert Ward starts the concert while “Graceful Ghost Rag” by 2007“Musical America” magazine Composer of the Year William Bolcomcompletes the band program.

The UW-Parkside Community Orchestra features works representingthe three different aspects of the Romantic period: National pride,curiosity about other cultures and the surge of national folklorein musical art. The performance includes works fromRimsky-Korsakov’s “Overture on Three Russian Themes,” excerpts ofGeorges Bizet’s “Carmen Suite No. 2,” Johann Strauss Jr.’s famous“Blue Danube” waltz and Johann Strauss Sr.’s the “RadetzkyMarch.”

“The program highlights the diverse cultural influences ofRussian nationalism, French exoticism and the deeply rooted Germanmusical forms of the waltz and the march,” Garcia said.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Feb
22

Luring outdoorsmen

1329918907 21 Luring outdoorsmen

JOHNSTOWN – A steady flow of sportsmen filed into the Johnstown Moose Club on Saturday for the seventh annual Adirondack Outdoorsman Show.

Dan Pudney of Galway said he was visiting the show for the first time and was intrigued with the camouflage process that could be placed on a variety of surfaces, from gun stocks to animal skulls.

John Klepey of Gloversville is the graphic artist behind “JohnnyBoy Hydrographics,” and said he can affix the camouflage patterns to almost any surface.

“It’s an eight-stage process with liquid ink floated on water that is chemically activated,” Klepey said. “I’ve even done wedding shoes and wedding bands for red-neck weddings.”

Fishing fly-tying, steer roping and search-and-rescue activities were some of the demonstrations performed at the show Saturday. Seminars at the show included field goose hunting, carving decoys, wild turkey calling and Adirondack writing with author Don Williams.

Brian Petoff of Broadalbin and his son Brian Jr. said they thought the detailed craftsmanship shown in making fishing rods, knife making and duck decoys all made the trip to the show worth it.

Other displays drawing a crowd included “The Bone Man,” Sy Lloyd, with his articulated skeletons and bone studies and Doug Moody, creator of the Barkeater bamboo fly fishing rods.

John Sparks of Northville said he was intrigued by the artistry of the bamboo fishing rods.

Sparks also was looking at the older guns at the show, noting the prices on them have risen over the years.

“I like the older guns. I like to price the things,” he said.

To prepare an animal skull for mounting or camouflage coating, Bob “Bobcat” Kozlowski offers a taxidermist alternative with his Euro Mounts of trophies. Instead of the traditional fur and hide mount, Kozlowski of Galway uses dermestid beetles to eat away the flesh around the skull so the skull can be mounted or coated.

“It’s a relatively inexpensive way to have a trophy at about a quarter of the cost a taxidermist might charge,” he said.

Writer Don Wharton from South Glens Falls was at the show with his books as well as photos of animals taken with motion-detecting cameras in the wild. He said his father was the president of the Amsterdam Fish and Game League and used to put on outdoorsman shows in Amsterdam during the 1930s and 1940s. The shows were so popular local businesses complained they took their customers away, he said.

An outdoor writer from the Syracuse area, J. Michael Kelly, said it was his first time at the show.

“I’m very impressed by the turnout,” he said.

Promoter Mike Hauser of Twin Cities Sports Promotions said he couldn’t put a number on how many people were likely to pass through his show this weekend, but he was very pleased with the turnout.

Hauser said the eight to nine months of preparation for the show were worth it. He noted that each year, the show gets a little easier to put on.

“The first year I had to get creative to get vendors to come,” Hauser said. “Now I don’t have to, but I like to bring in new faces as well as familiar faces from previous years.”

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit adkshow.com/

It is how to fix a band that has stopped working. My priorities should be altered to make this happen. It is my personal commitment to you. Let's take the occasion when things are going well. Your figures might well be a little lower. Definitely, I do not use it. The most ingenious notion is this: I can't believe I know so little respecting rock band 2. I'm only being neat. What can be done touching on using this? The allman brother needs more work. I'll bet that you can't comprehend these beautifully expressed musings in the matter of that. What exactly is parachute band, for instance? You're being shown by me personally to do this. This way there are no surprises. I saw it on a rock music games TV show. It was incontestable. Band is beating the competition. I'm certain somewhere on that planet you can locate a band course.

Feb
22

Pave Heart Pendant Cubic Zirconia

1329917711 51 Pave Heart Pendant Cubic Zirconia

This item is everything it said it would be. I bought asin:b0012nl8e6 sterling silver garnet Cubic Zirconia 4 mm Heart stud earrings and I boughtsterling silver 6 mm round garnet Cubic Zirconia stud post friction back earringsi am very satisfied with the nice of both of these products. I have issues finding stud rings because always, they have this horrific plastic round disk on them. Or, the stones are loose or chipped. with gem avenue stud earrings, the whole thing is in place. I put them on, I don’t have to be troubled about them falling off (how many times does a girl lose an earring) and they are comfortable. there is a resolution of colors and due to the fact that I have 3 holes in one ear and 2 in another, I will be shopping more pairs. Wonderful pave heart pendant cubic zirconia it does what it says it will do.

Here are some answers: the finest cubic zirconia wedding bands and bridal sets are those that are set in 14k gold. Decent pave heart pendant cubic zirconia and great service. Why? it is because the best stones will be set in the most interesting metals. Birth changed into timely and as promised and i’m very satisfied with the pave heart pendant cubic zirconia. The second finest will be those set in solid sterling silver. The worst will be the cheapest options, those that are set in base metals with silver or gold plating, and these are not informed for a wedding set because they might not ultimate very long.

Feb
22

Portland Jazz Festival 2012: Your OMN Festival Guide and our Best Bets « Oregon Music News

1329916519 94 Portland Jazz Festival 2012: Your OMN Festival Guide and our Best Bets «  Oregon Music News

Beginning on Friday, February 17 and lasting through Sunday, February 26, Portland will be Jazz heaven. The 2012 Portland Jazz Festival, the ninth annual, will continue to demonstrate why it is highly regarded nationwide, both among audiences and performers.

Once again, Oregon Music News, as official festival Online Sponsor, will cover the festival in all aspects, including, for the second year, podcasting all of the Jazz Conversations. Here is our podcast page, which includes all of the Jazz Conversation from the 2011 festival. They are also available for download for free on iTunes.

Tim Willcox writing for OMN this year.

Our team of reporters and photographers will be all over the concerts bringing you previews first, and then photos and reviews of the performances… and we’ll give you the flavor too, as we always do in our popular, “The Music and the Hang” posts. Check our 2011 and 2010 coverage.

We are thrilled to have saxophonist/composer Tim Willcox join the festival writing staff this year. Jack Berry, Jeff Melton, Angela Allen, Kevin Tomanka (who is also a photographer), and Tom D’Antoni will give you blanket coverage. Photographers Anthony Pidgeon, John Rudoff, and Jason Kaplan will give us memorable photographs. Kelley Shannon and Stephen Blackman will record the Jazz Conversations, which we’ll post moments after each is concluded.

Here are the headliners, followed by OMN’s best bets in the clubs. Here is all of the venue information. Here’s where to buy tickets.

Friday, February 17

Thara Memory kicks off the festival with “Artfully Miles” performance and an award

Thara Memory by Diane Russell

While the festival awards him the second annual “Portland Jazz Master,” adding to his list of honors which already include the Jazz Society of Oregon’s “Musician of the Year” award and induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, Thara Memory will pay musical homage to Miles Davis and Gil Evans. Friday, February 17th at 7:30pm at the Winningstad Theatre in the Portland Center for Performing Arts, tickets.

The honor is a no-brainer. Esperanza Spalding put it nicely when she said, “Thara’s commitment to our music is a beacon of inspiration to musicians everywhere, and an example for all practitioners of the arts and all educators.”

The show is very exciting. Although some of the Davis/Evans collaborations get airplay on Jazz radio, they are seldom if ever recreated in the form in which they were originally presented. Memory will include compositions and arrangements from classic albums Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain.

That we will be able to hear Memory’s take on these classic and beautiful pieces is a wonder.

Many of Memory’s past collaborators will be on hand including: tubist Ja’Ttik Clark (principal with the Oregon Symphony) and violinist Peter Piazza (Portland Opera), as well as lead trumpeter Ben McDonald, bassist Ben Jones, drummer Israel Annoh, pianist Janice Scroggins, trombonist Stan Boch, trombonist Dan Brewster, French hornist Bill Stalnaker, and tenor saxophonist Renato Caranto, among others. They will perform music from these respective records, which are an upwards of six decades old, including: “The Buzzard Song,” “Gone,” “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “Will o’ the Wisp,” “Concierto de Aranjuez,” and a solo from “Seven Steps to Heaven.”

Memory says, “I met Miles once but he never taught me straight on. Yet his teaching was so prevalent, for four or five decades he constantly changed the music. I hope by doing this program, I can pick up where Miles left off and I can continue going with that torch and making sure it stays lit.”

OMN Preview: Tuesday, February 15 by Tom D’Antoni / Concert photos by Kevin Tomanka

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Thara Memory with Carlton Jackson at the Art Bar, 1:30pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Chance Hayden and Marc Hutchinson at West Cafe, free, 6:30pm — Guitar/saxophone conversations.

3 Leg Torso at Tony Starlight’s, $13, 8pm — Portland’s famed Third World Party band.

Ezra Weiss Group at Ivories Jazz Lounge, $10, 8pm — Watch the OMN interview.

Bobby Torres at Heathman Hotel 8pm — Watch the OMN interview.

John Stowell and Rob Davis at Riverplace Hotel, free, 8pm — Another set of guitar/saxophone conversations.

The Patrick Lamb Band at Jimmy Mak’s, $15, 8pm — Jazz and soul and good feelings.

Robert Moore and the Wildcats at Touche, 8:30pm, cover — Trumpet and voice, Moore is the real wild cat.

David Friesen and John Gross at Camellia Lounge, 9pm, $6 — Bass and saxophone of the highest order.

Damian Erskine and Carlton Jackson at Nel Centro at Hotel Modera, 9:30 — Bass and drums, two of Oregon’s finest.

Friday, February 18

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Enrico Rava with Tim DuRoche, 5pm, The Art Bar, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Enrico Rava Tribe plus Tony Pacini Trio

The ECM trumpeter weaves tapestries of soothing, molten beauty. His Portland Jazz Festival debut. Winningstad Theater, 7:30pm, $22-42

OMN Preview: Wednesday, February 15 by Tim Willcox / Concert photos by Anthony Pidgeon

Watch “Tears For Neda” from his latest ECM album Tribe:

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Tablao at Brasserie Montmartre, 5:30pm, free — Exciting Flamenco from bassist Al Criado, guitarist Dan Romero and (when he’s in town) Pink Martini percussionist Martin Zarzar… watch who comes and sits in.

Dan Balmer Trio at Aloft Hotel, 7:30pm, free — guitar, piano and drums. Solid. Very, very solid. Leaders all.

Devin Phillips Band at Jimmy Mak’s, 8pm, $10 — If it’s Jazz or Funk or both, Phillips bands are worth it.

Ron Steen Jazz Jam at Clyde’s Prime Rib, 8:30pm — The Sunday night jam on Saturday… always a treat.

Kelley Shannon Quartet featuring David Friesen, “A Tribute to Sarah Vaughn” at Touche, 8:30pm — One of our best Jazz singers sings doing one of the greatest Jazz singers of all time’s best tunes… and Friesen, too!

Tom Wakeling & Steve Christofferson Quartet at Ivories Jazz Lounge, 8:30pm — Right around the corner from Touche, too.

Better Homes and Gardens at the Art Bar, 9:30pm, free — Blue Cranes’ Reed Wallsmith and Joe Cunningham (Sly Pig), Jon Shaw and Tim DuRoche… must see.

Late Nite Jam led by George Colligan at Ivories Jazz Lounge, 11:45pm — Not the festival jam (that’s next weekend), but players will be flocking to this to play with Colligan.

Sunday, February 19

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Roy Nathanson & Curtis Fowlkes of The Jazz Passengers with Marty Hughley at The Art Bar, 5pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

The Jazz Passengers with guests Dan Balmer and Farnell Newton

Are they Art Blakey, Frank Zappa, Stravinsky or Spike Jones? Maybe all of the above. Great music, great fun… and Farnell and Dan, too! 7pm, Winningstad Theatre, $22-$42

OMN Preview: Thursday, February 16 by Jeff Melton / Concert photos by John Rudoff

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

George Colligan Trio with Nicole Glover at Ivories Jazz Lounge, 4pm — Glover is the new saxophonist emerging from Alan Jones Academy… watch her OMN interview.

Quadraphonnes at the Blue Monk, 8pm, cover — Guaranteed musical satisfaction as Portland’s all-female sax quartet takes you through dizzying musical diversity.

Monday, February 20

Charles McPherson with Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Alan Jones Academy of Music and Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra workshops

The veteran saxophonist and collaborator with Mingus will spend the day and night at Jimmy Mak’s starting at 3pm, free, with these workshops.

Charles McPherson with the PSU Jazz Group featuring Darrell Grant at Jimmy Mak’s, 7:30pm, $10-$15

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Charles McPherson with Randy Porter at Jimmy Mak’s, 9:30, $15-$20, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes. Followed by McPherson performance with Randy Porter Trio in a Tribute to Lester Young and Charlie Parker.

Note: Performance will not be podcasted.

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Nancy King and Mary Kadderly Winter 2012 Jazz Singing Workshop and Performance at West Cafe, 7pm — Can you find better teachers? Nope.

Tuesday, February 21

Mardi Gras at the Mission Theater with Bridgetown Sextet featuring Andrew Oliver, Devin Phillips and Marilyn Keller

Mission Theater, 7:30pm, $15 — The festival takes a stab at Fat Tuesday for the first time. Who ‘dat?

OMN Preview: Saturday, February 18 by Tom D’Antoni / Concert photography by John Rudoff

Wednesday, February 22

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Dan Duval & Bill Athens at Brasserie Montmartre, 5:30pm — Duval a very special composer/guitarist and Athens a top bassist… run there.

Belinda Underwood at The Heathman Hotel, 7pm — Her Jazz appearances are getting scarcer and scarcer, catch this one.

White Bird Dance Company presents Garth Fagan “Griot New York” at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7:30pm, $26-$64 — “…legendary collaboration between the Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Wynton Marsalis and celebrated sculptor Martin Puryear. Set to Marsalis’ melodic and haunting jazz score…”

Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra plays the music of Bill Evans, 8:30, Ivories Jazz Lounge, cover — And he ought to know, he played and recorded with Evans for years.

Thursday, February 23

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Dee Dee Bridgewater with Renee Mitchell at PSU Lincoln Hall #75, noon, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Dee Dee Bridgewater: To Billie Holiday with Love: A Celebration of Lady Day at the Newmark Theater, 7pm, $28-$58

One video is worth a thousand or so words:

OMN Preview: Tuesday, February 21 by Angela Allen / Concert photography by Anthony Pidgeon

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble at Gallery 135, 8pm, cover — Gathering of most of the Indie Jazz talent and talents… do not miss.

PDX Jazz at Nel Centro: John Gross with Cameron Morgan & Scott Cutshall, 9pm, free — What will Gross be up to tonight… one never knows and it’s always worth finding out.

PDX Jazz at The Art Bar: Rebecca Kilgore & Dave Frishberg — Totally simpatico duo, excellent enough to relax and enjoy themselves, that’s why we do, too.

Friday, February 24

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Roy Haynes with Mel Brown at PSU Lincoln Hall #75, noon, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band at Newmark Theater, 7pm, $28-$58

He’s 86 years old and he still burns as brightly as he did when he was 26. Will be the highlight of the festival for many.

OMN Preview: Wednesday, February 22 by Kevin Tomanka who will also photograph the concert

Here’s the band. Sorry, Chick Corea will not be along for this ride:

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Vijay Iyer with Sean Brennan at The Art Bar, 5pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Bill Frisell “For Portland Only” The Music of John Lennon, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant at the Crystal Ballroom, 9:30pm, $25-$45

West and Bryant are country legends, Bryant a guitarist, fiddle player and producer, and West a pedal steel guitar player. The  opening set,  dedicated to West and Bryant will feature Frisell, Greg Leisz (steel guitars), Tony Scherr (bass), and Kenny Wollesen (drums). The second set, titled “All We Are Saying,” pays homage to John Lennon and features the same lineup in addition to Jenny Scheinman (violin). Lennon originals “Across the Universe,” “Revolution,” “Nowhere Man,” “Imagine,” “Come Together,” “Julia,” “Love,” “Beautiful Boy,” “Mother,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and more will be performed.

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys at the Secret Society, 6pm, free — Tasty swing, Krebs may be the coolest guy in town… watch an OMN interview and see if you agree.

Farnell Newton Group at Ivories Jazz Lounge, 8pm, cover — Always interesting to see what trumpeter/composer Newton has up his sleeve.

PDX Jazz at The Nines: Kelley Shannon Trio, 8pm, free — She always has the best players in town with her because she’s one of the best singers in town.

Alan Jones Sextet at Brasserie Montmartre, 8pm, cover — Famed Jones 6 at the newly opened downstairs room at the Bra… great combination.

David Friesen Trio at Touche, 8:30pm, cover — There is no bad time to see Friesen, he always excels, excites and astounds.

PDX Jazz at Hotel 50: Justin Morell Trio featuring Damian Erskine and Ben Darwish, 9pm, free — Inspired trio who do not usually play as one and we just don’t see enough of Morell… at all.

PDX Jazz at Rogue: Reggie Houston Trio at Rogue Distillery and Public House, 9pm, free — New Orleans’ loss, Portland’s gain, now a Portland icon… magnificent.

Tim Willcox Quartet featuring David Goldblatt at Camellia Lounge, cover — When he’s not writing for us, he’s playing sax, great intimate room like no other.

PDX Jazz Midnight Jam Session hosted by Ezra Weiss at the Mission Theater, midnight, free — Always a festival favorite, especially if members of the headliners’ bands show up.

Saturday, February 25

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Bill Frisell with Robert Baird at the Art Bar, 12:30pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Bill Frisell solo and the 858 Quartet at Newmark Theater, 7pm, $28-$58

The 858 ensemble includes Scheinman, Eyvind Kang (viola), and Hank Roberts (cello). They will perform material from their recent release, Sign of Life.

OMN Preview: Thursday, February 23, Frisell interview by Jack Berry / Concert photography by Anthony Pidgeon

Here’s the Quartet performing “Signs of Life” in April 2011:

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Charlie Hunter with Matt Fleeger at The Art Bar, 2pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

MUSICIAN’S PANEL: Charlie Hunter, Dan Balmer and Dan Duval with OMN’s Tom D’Antoni at The Art Bar, 3:30pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

Charlie Hunter: Solo Jam and the “PDX Afrobeat Breakdown” featuring Scott Pemberton Trio with Ben Darwish, Commotion and Jujuba at the Crystal Ballroom, 9:30pm, $25

According to the festival, the idea is to “…explore and ‘breakdown’ the historical Afrobeat discipline as a pivotal root in the modern funk and jam band experience which combines the improvisational character of jazz with the raunchiness of funk and flavor mixture of African tradition.”

And they’re calling the show a “marathon.”

Here’s Hunter playing “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm” at Neerland Winterfest 2010:

Here’s Commotion performing a portion of “Sippy Cup” at the Goodfoot in April 2011:

JAZZ CONVERSATION: Branford Marsalis with Devin Phillips at the Art Bar, 5:30pm, free, hosted by Oregon Music News, available on OMN podcast shortly after it concludes.

PDX Student Stage: Area high school and youth bands all day from 1pm at PSU Lincoln Hall #75, starting at 1:30pm, free

Great way to discover the kids who will be Portland’s Jazz stars of tomorrow.

OMN Best Bets in the clubs

Portland Jazz Quintet (says Quartet on the festival site) at Ivories Jazz Lounge, 8pm, $8 — Dick Titterington, Rob Davis, Greg Goebel, Dave Captein and Todd Strait… five of Portland’s finest players… straight-ahead paradise.

Stolen Sweets at the Secret Society, 8:30pm, free — The Boswell Sisters live… last time we saw them they were expanding their repertoire.

PDX Jazz at Hotel 50: Bobby Torres Trio featuring Dan Gaynor and Chris Woitach, 8pm, free — Seen prepping last weekend at Touche and sounding great… Woitach not seen nearly enough around here.

PDX Jazz at Rogue Ales: Louis Pain, Micah Kassell and Renato Caranto at Rogue Distillery and Public House, 9pm, free — Pain’s newish Nord still sounds like his B3, Ranato is full of soul, and Kassell is one of the finest, if least discovered drummers… a good time.

Rich Halley Quartet with Michael Vlatkovich, Clyde Reed and Carson Halley at Camellia Lounge, 9pm, cover — Read what OMN said about them when they played there in January.

PDX Jazz at The Art Bar: Upper Left Trio, 9:30pm, free — Clay Giberson on keys, Jeff Leonard on bass and Charlie Doggett on drums… grown up stuff… just released their fourth album.

PDX Jazz Midnight Jam Session hosted by Ezra Weiss, Mission Theater, midnight, free — Always a festival favorite, especially if members of the headliners’ bands show up.

Sunday, February 26

Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo Duo at the Newmark Theater, 3pm, $28-$58

Just the two of them. Their album is called Songs of Mirth and Melancholy and they do both excellently.

OMN Preview: Friday, February 24 by Tim Willcox / Concert photography by Jason Kaplan

PDX Student Stage: Area high school and youth bands continue all day from 1pm at PSU Lincoln Hall #75, starting at 1:30pm, free

Great way to discover the kids who will be Portland’s Jazz stars of tomorrow.

OMN is hosting and podcasting all of  the PJF Jazz Conversations. They will be available online shortly after they conclude live. Here is our podcast page, Also available on iTunes.

Oregon Music News is happy to be exclusive Online Media Sponsor for the Portland Jazz Festival 2012

Related Posts:

Feb
22

Remembering Don Soderquist: hard worker and fun

1329915316 69 Remembering Don Soderquist: hard worker and fun

by Eric HagenStaff Writer

Don Soderquist had many stories to tell. So many that for his 72nd birthday, his children contracted the services of a writer to sit down with Soderquist and capture these stories in a book.

So even though he recently died at the age of 88, the memory of Don Soderquist will live on in the pages of his autobiography and the memories of those who knew him.

The book title, “What a Great Life!,” is fitting. Soderquist worked in, owned and passed along to his children a family business his father and uncle had owned since the 1920s. He served with the 414th Army Engineers in the Pacific during World War II. He was a member of the Ham Lake VFW.

Soderquist was a charter member of both the Ham Lake Fire Department and Ham Lake Lions Club. He was involved in the formation of the Soderville Athletic Association.

He served on the board of directors of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church for 12 years. When the church finished a new structure in 1964, he was a leader in making sure the old church built in 1874 remained. It is now on the preservation list for the National Historical Society.

Soderquist and his wife Lorraine visited almost every continent in the world. They had four children, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other family members who were important parts of Soderquist’s life.

It was Soderquist’s nature to be involved in the community, his friends and family said.

“He was built that way. He wanted to help wherever he could,” said Paul Buccholz, who knew Soderquist for about 70 years.

In his autobiography, Soderquist said that in his retirement, he is happiest when he has something to do. When he and Lorraine were in Minnesota, he continued to work at the grocery store a couple of days a week helping out his children Mark Soderquist and Cheryl Wall, who bought the store in 1985.

Even when he and his wife were at their home in Bonita Springs, Fla., for seven months out of the year, Soderquist worked at a golf course and a Publix grocery store.

The family has done such a good job that the business was inducted into the Minnesota Grocers Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Soderquist served as president of the Minnesota Food Retailers Association in 1976 and 1977 and he was president of the Minnesota Supermarket Research Council in 1978.

When introducing his father as a Minnesota Grocers Hall of Fame inductee in 2007, Mark Soderquist said, “My sister, Cheryl Wall, reflects that one thing that stands out about Don is his great attitude and love of life. He always taught us that we have the power to decide what kind of day it will be when we get up in the morning — it’s all a matter of our own attitude.”

Soderquist was always happy and fun to be with, said lifelong friend Doc Wisen. Soderquist was a dedicated person and had principles, according to Wisen.

Wisen and Soderquist did many things together. They were both charter members of the Ham Lake Lions Club. Every morning about 10 to 20 people would meet at the cafe next to the grocery store “to solve all the world’s problems,” Wisen said.

Soderquist and Wisen went hunting, fishing and golfing. They were in a Model A car club that took trips to Amish country in Iowa and to Dearborn, Mich.

They played poker after the store closed every Friday night from the end of deer hunting season through Easter, except when Christmas fell on a Friday. They would only bet nickels and dimes. One evening, a deputy friend performed a fake raid, which was quite a surprise to everyone.

It was also in Soderquist’s nature to truly care about the people in his life. Don Wilson, former commander of the Don Hansen VFW in Ham Lake, described Soderquist as a “gregarious, fun-loving sort of person who was always willing to lend a helping hand to people.”

Wilson recalled childhood memories of seeing Soderquist bagging groceries and stocking shelves. Even though he owned the store, he treated employees like extended family members and helped out wherever he could. He also loved to visit with the members of the community.

“We never left without having a piece of candy. Don would see to that,” Wilson said.

During the Christmas holiday seasons, there were many years when the general store would haul boxes of apples to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church to give out to the Sunday School children. Other times, the store would ground up meat for sandwiches and bring them to the nearby Soderville Field to feed the players.

Don and Lorraine Soderquist shared these stories during a May 2009 interview with the Anoka County Union.

There are many employees who worked decades for the Soderquist family at the grocery store. Darrel Roseland worked there for over 50 years. Cindy Erickson and Bob Grant both have over 30 years of experience with Soderquist’s Market.

Grant said Soderquist was an all-around great guy.

“We worked hard, but we had a lot of fun,” Grant said.

When asked what is was about Soderquist’s personality that led to him being so involved, Lorraine Soderquist replied, “He liked people.”

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church was overflowing with people for the Feb. 6 visitation and memorial service. Lorraine Soderquist said over 300 people signed the registration book and she said many people probably could not get to the book to sign in. Former employees and friends, some who Lorraine has not seen for over 30 years, came to pay their respects.

“Everything about him was the community and this store,” she said. He was two years old when the family moved to Ham Lake, so he was essentially a lifelong resident of the community.

The general store

Soderquist’s uncles Bill and Gunnard Soderquist started Central Garage at the corner of County Road 18 and old Central Avenue in 1924. The next year, Central Avenue was graded and graveled and Soderquist’s uncle Iver Soderquist started the Soderville General Store, which would eventually sell groceries, feed, appliances, clothes, Allis-Chalmers tractors and ice blocks.

In 1926, a tornado took the roof off the general store and ruined all the inventory, Soderquist wrote in his autobiography. Iver offered Sodeerquist’s father Albert a partnership in the general store ownership in exchange for Albert’s Model T car and $200 cash.

The business has never left the Soderquist family ownership.

Soderquist helped in the store while he was growing up. After World War II, he worked full-time in the store. Don and Lorraine Soderquist bought the store in the early 1960s.

In his autobiography, Soderquist talked about his memories of the store when he was a child. In the early years, they had to move items away from the outer walls to keep them from freezing during the winter. The lights were powered by 12 big batteries and a Delco generator because there was no electricity. He remembered going out to Lake Netta in the dead of winter to harvest ice chunks with a band saw, powered by an old gasoline engine. He wrote that it was an art to not chisel the ice too much so they had enough to stand on.

Some local farmers would come to the store during the summer to purchase an ice chunk and strap it to the bumper of their Model A or Model T car. They would stop by the Wiggle Inn for a beer, come outside to see their ice had melted and would have to go back to the store to buy another ice chunk before heading home. Customers wrote their grocery lists, but shopkeepers would pick out the items for them.

The general store would deliver groceries if they were already going to town to pick up supplies or if a farmer could not drive to the store. The farmers would call their orders in if they had a telephone or they would drop a card in the mail with an order list for a week’s worth of groceries, feed and hardware. Usually one person did all the deliveries unless there was a bad snowstorm. At those times, two would go so one person could shovel while the other carried the groceries up the long driveway. Sometimes the farmers would bring their horse and sleigh to the end of the driveway to pick up the supplies.

The old general store was demolished in the late 1950s when Highway 65 expanded. Albert and Iver Soderquist agreed that Iver would take over the appliances and hardware portion of the business while Albert would take over the grocery business. A new Soderquist Super Fair store opened in 1959. A few short years later, Don and Lorraine Soderquist bought the business.

Eric Hagen is at

Older posts «