The Division of Fine and Performing Arts presents five free music concerts and a fully-produced musical in the next five weeks. Save the dates for some great free entertainment!
PVCC Classical Music Ensembles Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
CPA Mainstage Theater
Admission: Free
Featuring performances by the North Valley Chamber Orchestra, PVCC Community choir, PVCC Flute Ensemble, PVCC Piano Ensemble and much more!
New York Rock Band Johnny Society
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
CPA Mainstage Theater
Admission: Free
About Johnny Society www.johnnysociety.com
In music, the cheap stuff doesn’t stick around long. Whether it’s the current crop of teen fluff or the latest disposable dance-music trend, almost immediately after it appears it’s already discarded in favor of the next big blip on the media radar. What does last is music that’s well performed, well recorded, and, above all, well written. Timeless music that totally grabs you every time you hear it and stays in your head long after that. The kind of music New York band Johnny Society’s been making for nearly 20 years. With its soulful hard-pop sound, Johnny Society has drawn critical gushing and found rabid fans in listeners who gravitate toward the real thing—such as famed producer Rick Rubin, the Kinks’ Ray Davies, and Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. “These guys are true walking art forms with music running through their veins,” raves Zander. And it’s that same heartfelt, roots-heavy music that pumps its way straight from the band’s pulsing arteries and out through your speakers the instant you drop the needle on Johnny Society’s astonishing sixth album, Free Society.
Kenny Siegal (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards) began Johnny Society in 1995. With drummer Brian Geltner and bassist Gwen Snyder he forms the core of the band, which over the years has been augmented by numerous revolving guests. Free Society’s stellar participants include adjunct band members keyboardist Ed Pastorini (101 Crustacean, Elysian Fields, Joan as Policewoman) and trombonist Sam Kulik (Skeletons, Nervous Cabaret), and studio contributors singer Langhorne Slim, legendary keyboardist Garth Hudson (The Band), and others.
Jazz Under the Stars
7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29
CPA Outdoor Amphitheater
Admission: Free
Featuring performances by the PVCC Big Band and the Puma Jazz Ensemble
Singer/Songwriter Casey Hurt & Friends
6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
CPA Outdoor Amphitheater
Admission: Free
About Casey Hurt - www.caseyhurt.com
Casey Lee Hurt is the only son to a rebellious, God fearing ex-preacher. At an early age he was handed a pawn shop guitar and an old hymnal and they haven’t left his side since. He’s black coffee honest from the history in his voice to the heart on his sleeve and his music reflects that. Artists like Van Morrison, Ryan Adams and Ray Lamontagne resonate in his soul and have uniquely shaped the sound and story that is Casey Hurt.
Casey spent most of 2010/2011 either on the road touring or in the recording studio. His most recent album “Mended Souls” debuted in the top 25 on the iTunes singer songwriter charts. Also, Casey’s song “Come To Me” was featured on the CW’s “One Tree Hill” along side of artist like Ray Lamontagne, The Black Keys and The Carey Brothers. Casey has also had music featured on shows like Bar Karma and Current TV.
While on tour last year, Casey created quite the buzz for himself. He played a sold out show at the legendary Hotel Cafe’ with Tyrone Wells. He also sold out shows in Santa Monica and Santa Cruz California as well a Corvallis and Portland Oregon. His music has also been featured on radio stations up and down the west coast like Seattle’s KEXP and Los Angeles’s KCRW.
The Vespus Marimba Band
5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10
CPA Outdoor Amphitheater
Admission: Free
The Vespus Marimba Band is engaging ensemble of virtuoso musicians who perform traditional Latin, Afro-Cuban and novelty marimba music. Their festive sound features music from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and the Caribbean, as well as jazz, ragtime, and classical styles.
This talented group originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but is now bringing its unique sound to all corners of North America. Vespus has toured throughout the United States to enthusiastic audience all critcal response. Their self-titled CD was released by Big ‘n Schwartz Records this past summer, is available for purchase at performances. Vespus is a one-of–kind ensemble with a unique musical accent that appeals to everyone! Young and old, everyone will love the uniquely warm and joyous sounds of these instruments! Come and join the fiesta!
The 25TH Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn • Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Andrea Robertson
7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
2 p.m. Nov. 11, 18
Special “Parent-Teachers Conference” (R-rated version)
9:45 p.m. Nov. 17
Admission:$15 adults; $12 seniors; $10 students/military; $8 children
Advanced ticket purchase recommended. Additional $2 charge for tickets purchased at the door.
www.paradisevalley.edu/cpa
The competition is intense. The words are hilarious. Let the spelling begin! “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, overseen by grownups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. The show’s Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. Before every performance four audience volunteers are recruited to participate on-stage as guest spellers. Come and try out your spelling!