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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us February 16, 2006 LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT SOU MUSIC Department Chair Paul French directs the Repertory Singers in a recent rehearsal. All photos submitted Repertory Singers hit a high note at 2006 premier Audience favorites and an alumni chorus to be featured Staff reports The Southern Oregon Repertory Singers celebrate 20 years of performing their choral repertoire with two 20th anniversary concerts, the first on Saturday at 8 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Holly St. in Medford, followed by their Ashland premier Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall on Mountain Avenue. There will be a pre-concert lecture by Ed Wight, 2 at 2 p.m. prior to the Ashland performance. The 20th Anniversary Concerts feature audience favorites (based on an audience survey) “Hymn to Saint Cecilia” by Benjamin Britten and “Les Chansons des Roses” by Morten Lauridsen. Former repertory singers are invited on stage for the Alumni Chorus to perform the poignant culmination piece “I Have Had Singing” by Steven Sametz. Additionally, the concert will feature new commissioned works by Composer in Residence Craig Kingsbury; Laurie Hunter, guest harpist, accompanying James Bassi’s settings of Shakespeare’s poetry; and a set of American folk songs. Under the direction of Paul French, SOU music department chair, the Repertory Singers bring together strong artistic abilities in a small ensemble of trained voices. “Everything from the high level of musicianship of the director, to the accompanist, to the individual members (make the group stand out),” said event organizer Don Mathews. “Audiences have rated the Repertory Singers among the premier choral groups of the Pacific Northwest.” The Repertory Singers commissioned composer-in-residence, Craig Kingsbury, to create special work for its 20th Anniversary concerts. Kingsbury’s “A Mind of Winter” is set to the Wallace Stevens poem “The Snow Man.” Significant to the composition is a line from Stevens’ poem: “One must have a mind of winter/To regard the frost and the boughs... “ French describes the composition, set for choir and harp, as, “quiet and Coplandesque — very atmospheric and beautiful.” Another previously commissioned work by Kingsbury for the Repertory singers will feature the poetry of Christina Rossetti. An anniversary concert would not be complete without audience favorites. In a recent survey patrons voted overwhelmingly that they wanted to hear Benjamin Britten’s “Hymn to Saint Cecilia.” Britten’s work is based on W.H. Auden’s poem, “Anthem for St. Cecilia’s Day.” He composed this work, as he says, in a “small, miserable, and airless” cabin of a freighter crossing the Atlantic in March 1942 during the second world war. The piece was first performed on St. Cecilia’s Day in 1942. French observes that “The story of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, and the fact that Britten was born on St. Cecilia’s Day, November 22, is quite a coincidence.” Another audience favorite “Les Chansons des Roses” by Morten Lauridsen, is based on a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke, who “explores all the variegated essences of roses,” says Ed Wight in his program notes, French adds, “The Chansons are lush and romantic in a very French understated way. I think the pure enjoyment of the sensuous sounds of the French language and lush harmonies are a draw.” “People enjoy beautiful melodies and both these favorites are quite lyrical,” French said. “Both have interesting, high-quality poetry and are well crafted. Britten uses the power of music to transport one out of the ordinary with the theme of loss of innocence, while the Chansons depict sensuous introspection.” Tickets to the 20th Anniversary Concert, “I Have Had Singing”, are $15 adults, $5 for students with ID. They are available at the door and at the following outlets: Paddington Station and Music Coop, Ashland; Grocery Outlet, Medford and by phone 552-0900. The mission of the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers is to promote high-quality choral music and to advocate for lifelong choral singing. It pursues its mission through a concert series and by visiting Rogue Valley public schools. The Rogue Valley Peace Choir performs under the direction of Dave Marston on Sunday. Three choirs join for peace at Ashland Middle School In honor of Presidents’ Day, three choirs dedicated to the notion that music and song can facilitate people uniting in understanding and peace will perform at the Ashland Middle School gymnasium, 100 Walker Ave., on Sunday at 3 p.m. Featured choirs are the Rogue Valley Peace Choir from Ashland, Eugene Peace Choir from Eugene, and the Emandal Chorale from Willits, Calif. Ashland’s Rogue Valley Peace Choir, under the direction of Dave Marston, has more than 100 members. The choir’s vision to inspire the community to show respect and compassion for others regardless of race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, or political persuasion is reflected through the music selected, which is designed to open hearts and minds in the celebration of life. In its third year, the Rogue Valley Peace Choir has performed at various functions and venues throughout the Rogue Valley, including Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, Ashland’s Rotary holiday dinner for shut-ins, Ashland’s Festival of Lights holiday celebration, the Lithia Park band shell on July 4, at the Youth Correctional Facility in Grants Pass and at Earth Day in North Mountain Park. The Eugene Peace Choir, under the direction of Val Rogers, is a secular community choir of 50 mixed voices ranging in age from 18 to 83. The choir’s vision is to promote the message of peace with the same intensity, quality and power as the nation’s military choirs employ to promote patriotism, heroism and militarism. By reclaiming the cultural heritage of community singing, by creating and sharing songs that promote choir members’ values, and by inspiring and supporting a spirit of action in themselves and their audience, the Eugene Peace Choir attempts to be a catalyst for social change. Reflecting many facets of a progressive worldview, the choir’s songs range in mood from meditative to humorous to motivational; the sound can be formal and disciplined, or wild and rowdy. The Emandal Chorale, under the direction of Don Willis, is a homegrown, Mendocino County, Calif., community chorus of 40 singers. The choir began 10 years ago as an entry in a local church’s Christmas performance. From the beginning, the Emandal Chorale has specialized in a capella songs from all over the world. With South African and Hebrew songs, soul and contemporary classics, Bach chorales with new words, “eclectic” describes the repertoire. From the beginning there has been an emphasis on songs of peace and social justice Don Willis writes many of the songs for the group and has arranged many others. The group is known for its joyful and passionate singing style, and is very happy to be returning to Ashland to sing for peace. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors over 65, and free for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available at the door. For more information, call 488-5768. James McBride celebrates Black History Month at SOU The Black Student Union presents award-winning writer, composer, and saxophonist James McBride as the featured speaker for Black History Month at Southern Oregon University on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rogue River Room. McBride’s memoir “The Color of Water” remained on the New York Times bestseller list for two years, has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and has become an American classic read in colleges and high schools. It is the autobiographical account of his mother, a white Jewish woman from Poland who raised 12 black children in New York City and sent each of them to college. His newest book, “Miracle at St. Anna,” which the Baltimore Sun called a “searingly, soaringly beautiful novel,” has been described as “a lyrical touching fable about the miraculous power of love,” by Publishers Weekly. The book, already climbing the bestseller list, is the story of a black American soldier who befriends a 6-year-old Italian boy in Italy during World War II. McBride is a former staff writer for The Boston Globe, People Magazine and The Washington Post. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times and Rolling Stone. He is the recipient of the 1997 Anisfield Wolf Book Award as well as several other awards for his work as a composer in musical theater. McBride’s speech at SOU is entitled “Color of Water: Search For Identity.” There will be a book signing table at 6:30 p.m. an hour before the speech. Admission is $5 for SOU students/staff and $8 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased before the event at the Raider Aid Store at SOU. For more information, call the Black Student Union office at 552-8159. Around town Members of SyzyGy practice chamber music as they prepare for Saturday’s performance. SyZyGy means music The chamber ensemble SyZyGy will perform on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St. The program of works by Northwest composers will include two pieces by Sean Osborn, who recently performed with the Rogue Valley symphony Orchestra. Performers include Scott Cole, violin, Kathryn McElrath, flute, Kristin Kessler, oboe, Marla Kasdorf, clarinet, Kathy Staller, bassoon, and Jennifer Carstenfen, horn. The music director is David MacKenzie. Tickets are $10 at the door, $5 for students. For information, call 488-5506. Disco at Standing Stone Planned Parenthood of Jackson County invites people to attend "Saturday Night Fever" on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Standing Stone Brewery, 101 Oak St. Tickets are $10 advance and $12 at the door. Ticket outlets are Music Coop; 181 A St., or at Ashland Planned Parenthood, 1532 Siskiyou Blvd. All are encouraged to dress for disco. Music is by Sights and Sounds Ltd. ‘Old-timey’ radio show features ‘O Brother’ repertoire Siskiyou Summit Bluegrass Band and special guests return for an evening of Bluegrass and American Roots music featuring the music from Grammy winning album, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Saturday. The show, appearing in both Ashland and Medford, is performed as an Old-Timey Radio show complete with Old-Timey Radio Show Host “Pappy Lunn.” “O Brother, Old-timey Radio Show” will have two performances on consecutive nights; Friday at the Bellview Grange, 1050 Tolman Creek Road in Ashland, and on Saturday at the Roxy Ann Grange, 1850 Spring St. in Medford. Show time is 7:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years of age at the door. Advanced ticket sales locations are Nelson’s Brake & Alignment 1303 N. Riverside in Medford and The Music Coop at the A Street Marketplace in Ashland. Siskiyou Summit is made up of former Foxfire band members Glenn Freese on guitar and Jeff Jones on mandolin, Rick Nelson on banjo, upright bass player Jim Calhoun and Crystal Reeves on fiddle. Helping the band in the show are several well-known performers from the Southern Oregon region including Nancy Spencer on the musical saw, Lisa Spencer and Lorna Wolvin on vocals, Bob Evoniuk on Dobro, Julian Jones on fiddle, the Goldman Family Band and Paul Jones as radio announcer “Pappy Lunn.” The audience is encouraged to dress in 1930s period clothing or as characters from the “O Brother” movie as well as sing along on their favorite numbers. For information call 488-0178. Storyteller at the Ashland Library Described by the Oregonian as a storyteller of “boundless imagination and endless wit,” Will Hornyak will visit the Children’s Library bringing that imagination and wit to Ashland’s elementary-aged children and their parents or caregivers. This free event, part of the Third Tuesday at the Library series, is scheduled for Tuesday with after-school with snacks at 3:15 p.m. and the performance continuing at 3:45 p.m. Hornyak possesses the ability to transport children into exciting imaginary worlds. Adults, too, love his ability to bring depth to his stories — stories that allow audiences to both laugh and think. Coming to storytelling through newspaper reporting and a love for the spoken word, Hornyak draws his stories from all around the globe. He especially loves the oral traditions of Latin American as well as those of Europe and Africa, which means the Library storytelling program will be full of memorable characters and unforgettable plots. Hornyak believes a storyteller is a craftsman of language, gesture and timing — someone who knows how to gauge an audience and think on his feet. Hornyak can reach into his “bag of stories” and pull out tales perfect for six year olds, college students, or business professionals. For the Ashland Library program, designed as it is as an after-school event for elementary-aged children, Hornyak has promised to include one of his signature pieces, the participation story called “The Adventures of Medio Pollito,” in which children will join a one-legged, one-winged, one-eyed chicken as he sets out from his barnyard to seek fame and fortune. For further information, call the Ashland Branch at 774-6995. Siskiyou Views MALTZ “Pictures for the People: Refining Tastes and Values in Outcast London, 1883” by Diana Maltz, 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Hannon Library Meese meeting room 305. SOU Associate Professor of English and Writing Diana Maltz presents the next in the Siskiyou Views series, discussing themes from her new book “British Aestheticism and the Urban Working Classes, 1870-1900: Beauty for the People,” published by Palgrave Macmillan. She will also share slides illustrating attempts in the late Victorian era to enhance the lives of the poor through exposure to the arts. Beginning in the 1870s, a group of British philanthropists sponsored free art exhibitions in the impoverished district of Whitechapel in East London. Persuading the most acclaimed artists of the day to lend their paintings, these activists wrote penny-guides for their poor audience and acted as docents for the many illiterate among them. But what were the content of these tours, and what was fine art supposed to do to the working-class spectator? In her 1883 essay “Pictures for the People,” curator Henrietta Barnett praised the moral value of the exhibitions and characterized art as a spiritualizing resource for the poor. Recreating Barnett’s “tour” using color slides of the same paintings, Maltz highlights the strategies Barnett used to record and correct the responses of laboring men and women to the art. This presentation begins with visual documentation of poverty and philanthropy in late-Victorian East End, and features oil paintings by G. F. Watts, Herbert Schmalz, Joseph Israels, and others. Maltz teaches classes in nineteenth-century British literature and culture at SOU. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Stanford University, and has been the recipient of postdoctoral fellowships through the Ahmanson-Getty Foundation at UCLA and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art in London. Most recently, she was awarded a Paul Mellon Centre Research Support Grant to pursue new research in Italy. Dr. Maltz has published articles in Victorian studies and her work spans the disciplines of literature, history, and art history. The public is invited to this free lecture at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the Meese Meeting Room (305) at SOU’s Hannon Library. For information call 552-6835. Film steps into shoes of kids with gay parents There will be a free screening of “In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents,” Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at Meese Auditorium on the Southern Oregon University campus The film was produced by Colage, an organization providing support and activism by and for people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents, according to event organizers, who describe the documentary as follows: “In a time when LGBT families are debated and attacked in the media, courts and congress, from school houses to state houses across the country, five young people give you a chance to walk in their shoes — to hear their own views on marriage, making change, and what it means to be a family.” Immediately following the screening will be a panel discussion made up of local LGBT families and facilitated by SOU students Matthew Reynolds and Katie Fitzmaurice. Members of the Queer Resource Center of Southern Oregon University first encountered this film at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference in November of 2005. Since then, they have been showing the film in small group settings in the QRC. For more information on the screening, contact the SOU Queer Resource Center at 541-552-8328 or e-mail inquiries to [email protected]. For more information on Colage, go to www.colage.org. Hip Hop party Sunday at the Historic Ashland Armory The Souls of Mischief from the Heiroglyphics Crew perform Sunday at the Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St.. This is an all-ages venue and the doors are at 8 p.m. and show is at 9 p.m., with Bukue One opening. From Oakland, Calif., four artists combine to form Souls of Mischief; a feisty band of microphone marauders and beat plunderers. The Souls of Mischief have been honing their skills for nearly two decades in the Oakland area. They all hail from the same area in East Oakland and have attended school together since elementary; their lasting friendship strengthened by their mutual interest in music. Battling hosts of MC’s from far and near, and gaining fame as stunning lyricists, these four young men; A-plus, Opio, Phesto and Tajai, along with their musical family, Heiroglyphics, have worked at their craft until it has become like a sharp-edged sword, cutting through boundaries of sound and style. “We started out trying to be definitely different, and most definitely better than the stuff that’s out there” remarks the energetic, mad scientist-like Phesto. The Souls’ first LP, “93 ‘Til Infinity” (Jive, 1993) debuted at No. 14 on Billboard’s R&B charts, placing at 109 in the top 200. Their second album, “No Man’s Land” (Jive, 1995) came in at No. 27 on the R&B charts. Although both albums were received well by the Hip Hop community, neither achieved the type of success enjoyed by more mainstream acts. “We just want to make good music” says Tajai, “sales are important, but we aren’t going to compromise our music’s quality to sell.” This attitude is central to the Souls’ unique style and appeal. Atypical of what has been dubbed the “West Coast Sound,” the Souls’ music, lyrical structure and content challenge the listener to actually listen to what is being said and pay attention to the subtle nuances of beat and scratch which accent their lyrics. The Souls’ lyrics and production can currently be heard on the Heiroglyphics debut LP, Third Eye Vision (Hiero Imperium, 1998) available through their own Hiero Imperium label. This project represents a new direction for the Souls, as they are able to team up with their Hieroglyphic brethren (Casual, Del, The Prose, Domino) and create more energetic rhythms and styles. As the first release on their own independent label, Third Eye Vision has enabled the Souls to have complete creative and marketing control over their own material. Advance tickets can be purchased in Ashland: Lowdown and Music Coop, in Medford at Bad Ass Coffee; in Williams at the General Store; and in Grants Pass at Listen Here, in Mt. Shasta at Mountain Song and also at all Ticketswest outlets. Online at www.renegadeshows.com, ticketswest.com and jambasetickets.com. For more information or credit card phone order contact Renegade Productions at 530-583-2801. Plunging into the presidency Celebrate the Great American Way with Uncle John’s unbiased mix of inspiring quotes, historic tales, hilarious trivia, and grade a dirt as we celebrate our nation’s leaders this Presidents’ Day The Bathroom Readers’ Institute aims to entertain and inspire the public this Presidents’ Day with “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into the Presidency,” an informative, impartial and unabashed look into the Unites States’ highest office. “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into the Presidency” provides Americans with an appropriate read on this day of recognition. With every move today’s presidents make under scrutiny by the public eye, Uncle John has dug up compelling, confounding and entertaining information about our nation’s chief executives. Offering readers a comic look inside the nation’s most powerful house, the book is full of fascinating articles and factoids about the lives and vitals of each U.S. president, as well as the legends, culture, digs, and dirt of the office of the U.S. presidency. Notable features include fascinating facts and tales about presidential style, first ladies, poli-talks, presidential parodies, forgotten men (vice presidents), and more. The book contains factoids such as: • The four presidential faces in Mt. Rushmore are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall • Ulysses S. Grant began each day with a breakfast of cucumber soaked in vinegar • Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson are the only Presidents to appear on both paper money and metal coins • Gerald Ford once said “I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators” “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into the Presidency” is available wherever books are sold at the publisher’s suggested retail price of $12.95. Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series is a long-running, humor collection. With more than 7 million copies in print, Uncle John taps into a vast resource of hidden readers — the 66 percent who admit to reading in the bathroom. For more information see the Web site www.bathroomreader.com. Heavyweight Dub Champion Heavyweight Dub Champion plays The Mobius Friday. A Shamanistic Wall of Lyrical Dubtronica: dub, trip-hop, rock, and R&B opening w/ Jah Firm and Dr. Israel Friday, 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m., $10 Described as "A Shamanistic Wall of Lyrical Dubtronica", Colorado's Heavyweight Dub Champion is a self-described collective of interdimensional warriors devoted to the Arrival of the Last Champion. Their live performance is an exhibition of musical power fused with interdimensional frequencies, generated from a vast array of instruments including three soundboards, tape delays, vintage synths, saxophones and two outstanding vocalists. Opening with Brooklyn's own Dr. Israel. This new incarnation of the Dub sound is like nothing else you've heard.The good Dr. has created possibly his most accessible effort to date — an entirely new dub sound. Think Massive Attack vs. Fugees. Heavy heavy bass lines, thundering beats, beautiful melodies, pristinely produced vocals, and conscious lyrics paint an over-all soundscape which is as powerful as it is unique. Poetry Slam XV Saturday, sign ups 7:30 p.m. slam at 8 p.m., $5 A fun and interactive event with a diverse mix of Ashland locals. Judges are chosen randomly from the crowd and audience participation is encouraged. For those interested in performing original poetry, sign ups are at 7:30 p.m. $50 cash prize for the slam champion. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey & The Dead Kenny G’s Jazz with Skerik, Jason Smart, Brian Haas, Reed Mathis & Mike Dillon Tuesday, doors 8 p.m. show 8:30 p.m., $10 Peppered with earthy humor and boisterously alert, the Dead Kenny Gs play something new — not an easy feat in a world that cultivates conformity. There's nothing hemmed in or safe about the Gs. Dissonance and melody are given equal sway. Band members include Brian Haas and a pair of musicians who have played together in Critters Buggin': saxophonist Skerik and percussionist Mike Dillon. A tight, adventurous trio that can change time on a dime and stretch jazz to its outer limits. Haas is at the center of the storm, an animated, shoulder-swinging presence as fun to watch as to hear. The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (10:15 p.m. to midnight) trio of pianist Brian Haas, bassist/effects meister Reed Mathis and drummer Jason Smart occupies a rather unique place in the jazz world. They generate a self-contained, all-inclusive emotional, mental, spiritual and physical experience for the listener, an experience that moves you beyond any preconceived notions of musical interpretation and expressive artistic freedom. The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is the evolution of an ongoing musical conversation that's been developed over countless tours. Their music grows from their breathing, vital interplay and their shifting, roiling rhythm. Haas’ piano explores a series of increasingly pivotal moments, the total of which is memorably greater than the sum of its parts. Mathis’ bass emotionally invests itself into the varying rhythms and Smart’s percussion is, in and of itself, a self-generating inquiry into musical genres at the highest levels, coursing through The Flaming Lips, Hendrix, Brubeck and original compositions like “Halliburton Breakdown” with abandon. Together they erase the boundaries of all classification and offer a unique sound that leaves you with a glimpse into a rare moment of abstract musical freedom and inquiry, a masterful musical experience that is bereft of duality. The Bump Foundation Old school funk and new school grooves Feb. 23, 9 p.m. $7 general, $5 students Come get down to old school funk and new school grooves with the retrofuturistic sounds of The Bump Foundation. Coming from humboldt county, this well seasoned band mixes tight instrumentals with sultry vocals for a night guaranteed to make your body move. The Mobius is at 281 Fourth St. For information see the Web site www.themobius.com or call 488-8894. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams