Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Hill Country Youth Ranch presents - I Used to Dream

The Hill Country Youth Ranch Fine Arts Department and the Children’s Music Project proudly present a brand new show at the Ranch’s Turner Blackbox Theatre August 8-10th. I Used to Dream, named for the showcase song in the play, not only tells the stories of HCYR children, but features them as dancers, singers and actors, alongside talented young actors from the community. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the HCYR front desk, or by simply reserving your tickets by calling 367-2131.

In the late 1990s the Hill Country Youth Ranch experimented by taking songs from their acclaimed CD Broken Wings Can Fly and used the stories told in those songs to create a theatrical production by the same name. After a five-year run, each year featuring new production numbers, Broken Wings was retired.

But now, with the success of that production in mind, the Ranch has embarked upon a mission in the summer of 2008 – to create a brand new dramatic production based on the songs from the new CD Heart Like a Flower, which was produced by professional music producer Tony Young and which just arrived from the press this week.

Twenty-five eager children and adults from the Youth Ranch and from the community have worked daily since late May to not only rehearse and bring the production to an appreciative audience, but to actually create the show as they work.

The residents of the Youth Ranch have benefited beyond measure by working with talented folks from the theatre-and-music-rich Kerrville-Ingram-Hunt community. Among those lending their talents are Playhouse2000’s Singin’ in the Rain star Jake Asbury, who not only will sing and dance in the show, but has also helped teach dancing to some of the children. Recent Ballet Magnificat attendee Camille Priour has created a dance for the title song with a young lady who resides at the Ranch. And John Dean Domingue, hyper-talented young dancer/writer/actor has choreographed another song for the show, and worked directly with the dancers to bring an elegance to their work.

In the acting department, local up-and-coming actresses Genie Iness, Madison White and Brittney Whitten, will portray caseworkers in scenes that serve as prequels to each showcase number. They have been instrumental in encouraging and inspiring the children to achieve their best. And the kids were also treated to individual work with ITM graduate and now performance student at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, Lillian Beaudoin.

And in perhaps the Ranch’s proudest moment, also featured will be recent ITM graduate and college bound Ranch resident Jacob Favela, an aspiring rapper, who will perform his songs Forgiven and For the Kids. Jacob has had a whirlwind year after his music videos became popular through word of mouth and via YouTube. He was invited to speak at a National Conference in Denver, awarded the CPS Youth of the Year in a ceremony with Lance Armstrong, Andy Roddick and Elton John, and met Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a visit to the US Capitol. This will perhaps be his last performance at the Ranch.

ITM Theatre Department, Guadalupe Stage Quartet and Point lighting guru Dan Schmidt has designed the lighting for the show, with the help of Gary Priour, and will be assisted by ITM Thespian lightmaster Jordan Spradling. Carol Priour, HCYR Fine Arts Director, is the costumer and she, Marcy Dorman, and Schmidt have worked long hours as Assistant Directors to fine tune the show.

Most of the songs being showcased in I Used to Dream are from the Children’s Music Project’s CD Heart Like a Flower, although the show will feature at least one completely new song destined for a future CMP CD. The songs, written by professional songwriters such as Dana Cooper and Scott Boland, also feature such world-class musicians and singers as Monte Montgomery, Flaco Jimenez, Stephen Bruton and Benita Arteberry-Burns. Copies of the new CD will be available at the show, with all proceeds going towards helping the Ranch continue its mission of helping foster children.

“We have always known that children who have undergone trauma best express themselves through the arts – painting, music, writing poetry – but we found a new energy and transformation in these kids when we put them onstage and allowed them to tell their own stories,” said show director Tony Gallucci. At the earlier show, Broken Wings Can Fly, audiences were transformed by learning about the resilience of kids wounded by those they most trust.

“Each of these art forms in and of itself is a form of story-telling – a child may tell their story by simply writing it out, or they may translate it into a verbal picture through poetry, or sometimes the visual depiction works best for them through drawing. Music has been a means of conveying of loss since long before Nashville slicked it up and made millions off of it. But sometimes the layperson doesn’t recognize that people can tell a story also through dramatic expression or dance, and those are the kinds of stories we also wanted to tell – the physical stories. Each scene tells the story of children who have suffered emotional trauma and how they find their way in the world, and we tell that story through singing, acting and dance.”

“By taking one person’s story and creating a song we have already created a new story – an interpretation of the original as viewed by another soul. Taking it another step and adding dance creates yet another story, and making it a dramatic representation yet again adds a layer. So, in creating a scene for a production, the children suddenly are privy to the depths of a story from the eyes of several creators, and their own creative juices begin to flow from depths they had not yet plumbed.”

“The title I Used to Dream comes from the centerpiece song of the show, written by Carol Priour and brought to musical life on the CD by Mike Cross. It tells of the journey from despair to hope, which is the same journey we hoped to express with the show itself – that kids born into traumatic circumstances still have their whole lives ahead of them to turn to wonderful purpose.”

The show will be presented at the Turner Blackbox Theatre on the HCYR Campus, 1 mile N of Ingram off of Highway 27, Friday, August 8th at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 9th at 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 10th, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5, and may be reserved by calling 367-2131, or purchased in advance at the Hill Country Youth Ranch Administration Building. Unreserved and standby tickets may be available at the door ten minutes prior to curtain time, but please be aware that previous BCYR shows have sold out. Reservations are recommended.

NB House Concerts Special Event


NB House Concerts invites you to come spend Sunday afternoon, August 3rd from 5:00 to 8:00pm at a special appearance of Shake Russell and his band. If you're one of the people who has never heard him, you've surely heard songs he's written such as "Put Yourself in My Shoes" co-written with Clint Black, along with many, many others. Shake's had a song go up into Space with the Astronauts (Deep in the West), composed a theme song for a PBS travel series called "Traveling Texas" and has even written a theme song about the San Marcos River (River of Innocence). We are so lucky in Texas that Shake has decided to continue to work the road, playing hundreds of gigs a year and carrying on the tradition of the troubadour singer-songwriter. Touring with fellow veteran musicians, Doug Floyd on mandolin and Mike Roberts on bass, you're sure to enjoy getting a chance to hear this group up close and personal.

In addition to the music, you will also get to meet Daniel Boone, retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, who is running for Texas House District 73. Dan is passionate about the preservation of the Hill Country and its water resources, citizen input into issues such as toll roads and the proposed loop, and public education.

There is a suggested cash donation of $15/person collected on behalf of the performers. 100% of this donation goes directly to the performers. For information, reservations and directions, call 830-625-0859. Attendance is limited so reservations are highly recommended (but are not required).

For those new to the house concert concept, we provide a quiet listening environment in our private home where you are can join Shake, Doug, Mike and Dan in a gathering as friends and guests and enjoy live acoustic music, fellowship, and food. There will be two sets of music with a potluck dinner between the sets. Just bring something to add to the potluck. Coffee, iced tea, plates, tea, etc. are provided by the host. Doors open at 4:30pm.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Bluegrass Roots concert in Fredericksburg this coming weekend...


Fans of bluegrass will enjoy four distinct styles of this American original music at the next Roots Music concert at the Pioneer Museum on Saturday, July 26 in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Between 5 and 6 p.m., the Southwinds Dulcimer group will perform near the food court. This 12-piece orchestra is made up of adult non-professional musicians from the Kerrville area. They perform a selection of classic mountain dulcimer tunes.

From 6 to 6:45 p.m., Cross Mountain takes the stage. The Fredericksburg-based quintet is newly-formed, and plays bluegrass gospel with lots of tight harmonies and acoustic instrumentals.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the Double Eagle String Band will perform for the live simulcast on radio. Their sound is straight from the Appalachian mountains, with twin fiddles, banjo, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and bass.

Finishing out the evening is the South Austin Jug Band, appearing in Fredericksburg for the first time. This nationally-recognized band mixes acoustic, folk, roots, and swing into an award-winning style they call "newgrass."

The bluegrass-themed day begins in the afternoon with a free jam session under the trees from 2 to 5 p.m. Musicians of all ability levels are invited to bring their acoustic instruments and join in.

From 5:30 until it runs out, guests can enjoy a catered meal by Vickie Bonewitz of My Own Chef. The menu offers Grilled Pork Chops with Black Pepper Plum Glaze, Fresh Tomato & Cheese Grits Casserole, Whole Okra in Brown Butter, with Rolls & Butter. For the first time, there will be a Lite Summer Dinner Option of CKC Marinated Goat Feta, Homemade Foccacia Bread, and Fresh Berries. Beer, wine, water and soft drinks will be available for purchase, as well as a commemorative half bottle of wine with the 2008 Roots Music label.

Gates for the concert open at 5 p.m. Admission is $10, with tickets sold at the gate. Students age 17 and younger are free.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 309 West Main Street in Fredericksburg. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

This is the 7th season of the successful Roots Music series, a set of live, open-air concerts featuring emerging and established artists in an informal, family setting. Remaining 2008 concerts are August 16, Western Swing featuring Billy Mata and the Quebe Sisters; and September 27, Celtic & New World with the Blaggards.

Proceeds support the mission of the Gillespie County Historical Society. More information is available by calling 830-997-2835.

Photo:
The South Austin Jug Band combines many roots styles of music to create its distinct "newgrass" sound. The group will perform this Saturday, July 26, along with Cross Mountain, Southwind Dulcimers, and the Double Eagle String Band at the Pioneer Museum's Roots Music concert in Fredericksburg.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

July Mixer - Bulverde/Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce

The July mixer for the Bulverde/Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce will be a gala event! Not only will the evening be fun-filled, but there will be structured networking with other area businesses.

The mixer will be July 24th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the new Bulverde/Spring Branch Public Library. Dinner will be served in three courses with a changing of tables to facilitate your meeting with multiple other community business representatives. This will afford the introduction of your company’s service or products to others and vice versa.

There is no cost for this dinner/meeting, but seating is limited. So mark your calendar and call (830-438-4285) or email (bsbacoc@gvtc.com) your RSVP to ensure your reservation.

Bring 20 business cards to use in the networking exercises and be prepared to have a fast-moving, fun-filled time that will promote your business and introduce you to other community leaders that may very well become your customers or clients.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Sam Baker & Walt Wilkins - We'll Take Europe Tour

The Uptown Marble Theatre and GTT Entertainment proudly bring a preview of what two of America’s finest poets will be unleashing on the Old World. Walt Wilkins and Sam Baker are heading out on a three week trek across Europe to play the songs, tell the stories and paint the pictures using only words, six steel strings and two lifetimes of experiences most people just read about. The setting for this collage of verbal visuals is the beautiful Uptown Marble Theater, 218 Main Street, Marble Falls Texas. The show is a Sunday matinee and starts at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $12.00 in advance, $15.00 day of show, and are available by phone at 830-693-9996, or at the R-Bar & Grill, 904 3rd St, Marble Falls, TX. Call the theater for information about limited table seating in front of the stage for $20.

Walt Wilkins has been called the heir apparent to the Texas Songwriters legacy tradition established by Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Billy Joe Shaver. His 2007 CD release (Diamonds in the Sun Palo Duro Records) with the Hill Country Super Band “The Mystiqueros” strengthens Wilkins’ reputation as a strong performer and band leader. Holding a place on the Americana Music Chart for over 50 weeks since the debut in 2007 (with 9 weeks in the top 10) is only one more example of the large net that Walt Wilkins’ talent throws. Chet Flippo of CMT’s website calls Diamonds “one of the Top 10 Best of 2007”. The CD made several “Top of 2007” lists.

Sam Baker may not be a household name in the U.S…..That may be by design. Sam’s two independently released CDs “Mercy” and “Pretty World” have enjoyed amazing acceptance in Europe with “Pretty World” Charting at #1 before it was even released in the United States. Both Recordings were Co-Produced by Wilkins. Joining Walt & Sam may be various Mystiqueros and some special other surprise guests.

For tickets and info call 830-693-9996.