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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, November 24, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 13, 2003 Ringo Starr, other big names highlight Britt By BILL VARBLE Mail Tribune Ringo Starr, Julio Iglesias and Garrison Keillor headline the Britt Festivals’ 2003 season announced Wednesday. Singer/pianist Marcia Ball kicks off the season June 6, and jazz guitarist George Benson wraps it up Sept. 7. In between are 31 pop concerts, three dance and musical theater programs and the thing that started it all four decades ago, a two-week classical festival. "It’s probably the biggest season we’ve put out," Britt’s Ron McUne says. McUne says Britt has tried to get Starr for several years, narrowly missing the ex-Beatle last year when he chose Portland instead. If there’s a theme this year, it’s variety. Concerts range from classic rock (The Moody Blues) to modern rock (Hootie and the Blowfish) to jazz (Yellowjackets, Dave Brubeck) to blues (Etta James, Robert Cray) to country (Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill) to soul (James Brown) to folk (Suzanne Vega, Taj Mahal) to bluegrass (Old and In the Gray) to New Age (Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller) to comedy (Garrison Keillor, The Smothers Brothers). The classical season, which runs Aug. 1-16, was announced earlier and features the Manhattan Transfer Aug. 10-11. Tickets go on sale to members Tuesday, and to the general public May 1. With all the big names on the bill, Britt has limited members in all membership categories to four reserved tickets for a number of shows. Ticket prices continue their climb, topping out at $82 for reserved seats for Starr. Ticket prices for more than half the shows break the $50 mark, although some shows still have seats under $30. McUne acknowledges it was "a little scary" booking so many pricey acts in the current economic climate. He says about two weeks ago a number of big-name opportunities seemed to open suddenly. In addition, Britt has had a strong membership drive going, with member numbers up, and patrons expecting Britt to raise the bar. The most expensive shows always sell out first, he adds. Some bargains are still to be had, with lawn seating available for less than $30 to many shows and even under $20 to some attractive acts (The Django Reinhardt NY Festival June 14, Suzanne Vega and Leo Kottke July 26, BeauSoleil Aug. 30). Following Marcia Ball and Elvin Bishop June 6, Hootie and the Blowfish bring ‘90s rock June 7, with Big Head Todd and the Monsters opening. The Smothers Brothers return June 8 with their unique comedy. The Moody Blues bring their spacey rock stylings June 11, and country smoothy Vince Gill visits June 12. New Age music pioneers Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller roll in June 13. On June 14, The Django Reinhardt NY Festival brings music in the spirit of the great Gypsy jazz guitarist of a half-century ago. Progressive country singer Chris Isaak comes to town with a guest June 19. Joe Cocker brings his sandpaper voice and stage hysterics June 18. Two nights later, the pendulum swings to jazz with the great Dave Brubeck. Soul godfather James Brown visits June 21, and a special guest is promised. Old and In the Gray re-unites the surviving members of Old and In the Way, which with founder Jerry Garcia made the best-selling bluegrass album of all time. Returning are David Grisman, Vassar Clements and Peter Rowan along with new members Herb Pedersen and Bryn Bright. Bluesmeister Robert Cray returns to Britt June 28, an Oregon original. The jazz-rock-fusion Yellowjackets cut a hot groove in ‘80s R&B and never quit as they grew jazzier. They’re on the hillside June 29. Lyle Lovett returns July 1, bringing his Large Band, quirky style and country-crossover tunes. Etta James visits July 3, with Susan Tedeschi opening. Taj Mahal brings his Hula Blues Band July 5. July 6 finds Steve Winwood on the hill. Grammy-winning India Arie brings urban sounds July 24 followed by the New Orleans sound of Pete Fountain the next night. Diva Suzanne Vega performs July 26, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited July 27. After the classical festival, Bela Fleck makes another Britt visit Aug. 18. Dance takes over Aug. 22 with Swing! a show brought by the Rogue Valley’s Independent-minded Productions; Aug. 23 with the Trinity Irish Dance Company; and Aug. 24 with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Chanteuse k.d. lang performs Aug. 28, and Grammy-winning popster Olivia Newton-John Aug. 29. BeauSoleil brings Cajun music Aug. 30. Alison Krauss visits Sept. 1. Ringo Starr and His All Star Band take the stage Sept. 2, in maybe your closest look at an ex-Beatle. The Doobie Brothers return Sept. 5 with Norton Buffalo and Friends. Julio Iglesias performs Sept. 6, and George Benson puts a period to the season Sept. 7. Call 773-6077, or visit www.brittfest.org . Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. 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