Thank goodness for community college

First, because some won't appreciate the paragraph below: go see Hanford Drama's production of "The Music Man" this weekend! They put on consistently excellent shows and you will be glad you went.

I'm so grateful that we have Columbia Basin College in our community, which is able to produce theatre that doesn't have to be sugar-coated. They don't have to be as concerned about ticket sales as community theatre groups, so they have the freedom to do shows that are more challenging to the audience, and we don't need to worry that the language has been tampered with to make it more palatable to the sensibilities of this community. I'm sorry there isn't another weekend of their production of "The Maiden's Prayer." More people should have the chance to see this well-done drama that deals with some ugly and painful issues, but human issues and not Disney issues.

Sleuth

Be sure to go see Sleuth at Richland Players this weekend or next. It is definitely one of the best-acted shows I've seen there.

We should be hearing soon about the casting for Dearly Beloved, and ACT is holding auditions for West Side Story (age 13 and up) next week.

Catch the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers singing the National Anthem at the Tri-Cities Americans hockey game this Saturday!

Happy New Year

There is no waiting around for arts activities around here: the Richland School District music teachers are doing a concert to showcase their own considerable talents, Thursday night at 7:00pm at the Hanford High School auditorium. Also, auditions are coming up at ACT and Richland Players, so get your courage up and do it!

The news from Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre is that this Spring's production of Camelot has been replaced by Cinderella, casting from the auditions that have already taken place.

Be sure to listen to Jeff and Stevie on AM610 Saturday morning at 10am to hear more info about upcoming arts events in our area.

Hallelujah!

If you missed the CUP Oratorio Chorus' "farewell performance" of Handel's Messiah last weekend, well too bad for you. The soprano soloist was especially fine. But you have one more chance to hear this Christmas staple when the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers join the Walla Walla Symphony, conductor Yaakov Bergman, and the WWU I Cantori for what will be one of the best performances of Messiah in our area this season.

And be sure to support the Mastersingers at their Barnes & Noble Book Fair tomorrow. We'll be at the Columbia Center Barnes & Noble all day, performing carols and music from our upcoming concert. Noon will be a GREAT time to show up.

And Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre is offering one last chance to audition for Camelot on December 14. I'm refraining from any RenFaire-esque comments. I just won't do it.

Looking for family-friendly things to do this weekend? You have your pick of multiple showings of The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast and A Little Princess. Go crazy. It's the thing to do during the holidays.

Break a Leg

The Tri-Cities has dinner theatre - did you know? This time around it's dessert theatre, but in my opinion that's even better. Broken Leg Entertainment opened their 4th production at the Kennewick Red Lion this weekend: Neil Simon's California Suite. The great ensemble cast not only nails the comedy, but Katrina Carlson and Steve Montgomery are amazing in the scenes that dig deeper. Go see this show so Broken Leg can keep going - can't wait to see what they will do next!

Shows are this weekend and next: July 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30pm, July 10 and 17 at 2pm. Tickets are $25 and include a great dessert buffet and coffee - there is also a cash bar.

Out with the Old, In with the New

The 2010-11 arts season is drawing to a close, and the new season is starting already. If you haven't heard about RLOC's upcoming auditions for "The Wedding Singer" then you haven't been listening. Auditions are Sunday June 19 or Tuesday June 21 at 7pm at the Battelle Auditorium.

Also, Justin and I just got back from the Chorus America Conference in San Francisco, and we are ready to go full steam ahead on the new Mastersingers season. In addition to all the great informational sessions on running an arts organization, we got to hear some amazing choirs, including Chanticleer and the San Francisco Girls Chorus - just incredible!

Also, don't forget to see Neil Simon's "They're Playing Our Song" at Richland Players this weekend!

Tri-City Performing Arts Center Presentation May 18

As many of you may know, recent WA state legislation has allowed for the formation of regional Public Facility Districts (PFDs) that can combine the resources of individual city PFDs to build larger-scale projects for our communities. A Tri-City regional PFD has been created and is now weighing four potential building projects: the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center, expansion of the Toyota Center/Three Rivers Convention Center campus, an Aquatics Center, and a Performing Arts Center (PAC).

For the past few months, individuals representing the multitude of arts groups here in the Tri-Cities have been meeting and working together to create a unified stance on our support of a PAC. Several task forces and committees have been hard at work reviewing former endeavors related to this project and have outlined a powerful new proposal.

On Wednesday night May 18 starting at 5:45 PM at the Three Rivers Convention Center, the regional PFD committee will be hearing public proposals from two of the four projects: an Aquatics Center and a PAC. Although the meeting starts at 5:45 PM, the PAC presentation is second on the agenda and will begin closer to 6:30 PM.
We are planning a performance element that will take place during this presentation. To the best of your ability, please reserve this evening and plan to join us with your voice. More details to follow.

It is important for us as representatives/advocates of the performing arts community here in the Tri-Cities to make a strong, positive public statement at this meeting. The regional PFD needs to know how many of us there truly are who are excited about this project and ready to do whatever is necessary to make it happen. Furthermore, we intend to communicate the significant benefit it would provide not only to our local arts groups, but also to the economic development, tourism industry, and ongoing growth of the Tri-Cities.

Please join us next Wednesday night May 18 as we unveil the official kickoff of the campaign to build a proper home for the arts here in our area. Following the meeting, a recital will be given by Renee Heitmann and John Cooper, guest vocal soloists on the May 21 Sea Symphony concert.

Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions, and be sure to share this information with your social circles of influence!