Monday, August 13, 2012
Music Can Move Your Feet: Become a Member of the Lake Charles Symphony!
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| Music can move your feet and guide your steps on a sonic adventure with the 55th Lake Charles Symphony's Season - Journeys! |
Hey, are YOU a member of
the Lake Charles Symphony?
The 55th Season - Journeys
(BTW, mark Sept. 22 on your calendar!)
-by Angie Manning
To be honest, it never even dawned on me to become an actual member of the Lake Charles Symphony until this year. (It totally never occurred to me), and I figured that maybe other people needed to get that memo too!
It’s a no-brainer for a music lover, and the 55th season is going to be fantastic. It’s called Journeys, and each of the concerts will concentrate on a series of songs that will take audience members on a musical adventure. Classical music is more of a sonic journey anyway, which is why I personally adore it. The first concert the “Journey from the Czech Republic to New York City” will be Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Did you mark that on your calendar? Okay, good!
Back to being a member…the Symphony has all sorts of events and concerts throughout the year from the Summer Pops (which we just had), to the Wild Beast Feast and the Christmas Gala and popular Holiday Home Tour – in addition to the classical concert season. When you attend all these amazing, cultural events, you will naturally start to feel part of a larger musical community in the area. It’s really smart to become a member too because with your membership, you get tickets to the classical concerts. Plus, for first-time members, you also get a free Discovery Series pass. So, I know what you’re thinking…what is the Discovery Series?
The Discovery Series is a sneak preview of the concert on the books. It’s when our brilliant conductor, Bohuslav Rattay and several musicians from the symphony perform in someone’s home. Pretty cool, huh? It’s an intimate mini concert with explanations, and further insight into the pieces that will be performed at the concert. So, not to be confusing, but it is generally a separate membership, which is $20. But, for a first-time Symphony membership, the Discovery Series is thrown in as a bonus. Score! (No pun intended!)
So, if you love music and culture, step out onto the wild side and become a member of the Lake Charles Symphony. An individual membership is $50 and includes tickets to each classical concert. You can order your membership online here: http://www.lcsymphony.org/order-online.html, or you can call the Symphony office at 337.433.1611.
For an overview of the Symphony, go to www.lcsymphony.org. Don’t forget to “like” the Symphony on Facebook www.facebook.com/lcsymphony or follow @lcsymphony on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lcsymphony!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Jump on the Soul Train!
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| Breaking out the polyester are Ann Barilleaux, Richman Reinauer, Nomica Guillory, Billy Edwards &Angie Manning. |
LAKE CHARLES SYMPHONY
GOES MOTOWN - JULY 14
(Time to get your Summer Pops tickets!)
-By Angie Manning
GOES MOTOWN - JULY 14
(Time to get your Summer Pops tickets!)
-By Angie Manning
Are you ready for this?! The Motown musical era boasts some of the all-time greats like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and The Supremes. This year, the Lake Charles Symphony invites everyone to jump on the “Soul Train” and take a nostalgic trip through the sixties for the Summer Pops Motown concert next Saturday, July 14.
For music-lovers who have never made it to a symphony concert, it’s a perfect way to experience the orchestra for the first time and meet the symphony’s conductor, Bohuslav Rattay, beginning his third season with the symphony. You can also meet some of the locals who are involved in supporting and promoting the symphony like co-chair of the Summer Pops, Richman Reinauer.
“It has been a blast working as co-chair of the 2012 Summer Pops. This group was determined to bring to Lake Charles a night combining the best of what a local symphony means to the community...some fun...some friends and family...some toe-tapping and most importantly some musical culture. Our Motown theme will bring some of the best national talent combined with our acclaimed local symphony to create a unique night of artistic fun,” said Reinauer.
Joining the party will also be Broadway stars! Singing the tunes that topped the Billboard charts during the sixties will be Broadway’s Ramona Keller, Destan Owens, and Kimberly JaJuan. Keller made her Broadway debut in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and originated the role of Radio 1 in Tony Kushner’s “Caroline or Change.” She revived this role in London at the Royal National Theater. Destan Owens starred on Broadway in “Rent,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in “Dreamgirls” with Jennifer Holliday. Kimberly JaJuan has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Ragtime.”
So, what’s important? You need to mark your calendars, make plans and get your tickets! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. Riser seats are $20 and $25. Mr. Gatti’s will provide pizza which may be ordered in advance for reserved tables and seats, or purchased that evening. A cash bar is available.
FOR TICKETS, call the Symphony Office at (337) 433-1611 or order online at www.lcsymphony.org. Follow the Symphony on www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com/lcsymphony and www.lcsymphony.blogspot.com. Don't miss the Soul Train!
Sponsors: First Federal Bank is the Title Sponsor of this year’s Summer Pops with major support from La Lottery, Sasol, NAI Lake Charles and Mr. Gatti’s. Funding is also provided through a Partnership Grant from the City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and also a Marketing Grant from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
For music-lovers who have never made it to a symphony concert, it’s a perfect way to experience the orchestra for the first time and meet the symphony’s conductor, Bohuslav Rattay, beginning his third season with the symphony. You can also meet some of the locals who are involved in supporting and promoting the symphony like co-chair of the Summer Pops, Richman Reinauer.
“It has been a blast working as co-chair of the 2012 Summer Pops. This group was determined to bring to Lake Charles a night combining the best of what a local symphony means to the community...some fun...some friends and family...some toe-tapping and most importantly some musical culture. Our Motown theme will bring some of the best national talent combined with our acclaimed local symphony to create a unique night of artistic fun,” said Reinauer.
Joining the party will also be Broadway stars! Singing the tunes that topped the Billboard charts during the sixties will be Broadway’s Ramona Keller, Destan Owens, and Kimberly JaJuan. Keller made her Broadway debut in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and originated the role of Radio 1 in Tony Kushner’s “Caroline or Change.” She revived this role in London at the Royal National Theater. Destan Owens starred on Broadway in “Rent,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in “Dreamgirls” with Jennifer Holliday. Kimberly JaJuan has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Ragtime.”
So, what’s important? You need to mark your calendars, make plans and get your tickets! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. Riser seats are $20 and $25. Mr. Gatti’s will provide pizza which may be ordered in advance for reserved tables and seats, or purchased that evening. A cash bar is available.
FOR TICKETS, call the Symphony Office at (337) 433-1611 or order online at www.lcsymphony.org. Follow the Symphony on www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com/lcsymphony and www.lcsymphony.blogspot.com. Don't miss the Soul Train!
Sponsors: First Federal Bank is the Title Sponsor of this year’s Summer Pops with major support from La Lottery, Sasol, NAI Lake Charles and Mr. Gatti’s. Funding is also provided through a Partnership Grant from the City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and also a Marketing Grant from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Billy Edwards – Busted as a Lake Charles Symphony Supporter!
(Learn more about Billy’s involvement & thoughts on the Symphony’s Motown Summer Pops Concert, July 14)
-By Angie Manning
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| Billy Edwards - Musical Undercover Agent - Busted as a Lake Charles Symphony board member and lover of classical music! |
There are loads of people in the community who are in some ways like undercover agents, working to support the symphony. But, no one really “knows” this or understands who is involved. It’s like a secret society of devoted people who want classical music thrive in the area. This blog entry exposes one of those undercover agents – Billy Edwards. (He’s so busted! Secret agent cover – blown!)
In his first year as a member of the Symphony Board, Billy worked to attract the younger generation of music lovers to concerts by hosting the first Symphony After Party at The Porch Coffee House where audience members were able to socialize with conductor Bohuslav Rattay and orchestra members. With the Summer Pops Goes Motown on the horizon, I checked in with Billy to find out his take on the Lake Charles Symphony and the Motown Sound.
So, why are you involved in the Lake Charles Symphony?
Billy: “I believe music is a common denominator within communities. The symphony is such a big part of Lake Charles. When people think of the symphony, many think of concerts on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons, when in fact, it is so much more. It is a living organization which has many facets in our community, for example, the outreach with our youth in our public school systems. To see how many lives the symphony can touch each day, month, and year is why I am part of such a great organization.”
What do you enjoy about classical music?
Billy: “This is a hard one to answer in one sentence. I am a music major from McNeese, and I have grown up my entire life either listening to or playing classical music. For me, it is an escape. Learning the history of each piece, why the composer wrote it...and it’s as if each time I hear a piece, I learn something new. How great is that? How many things do you come across that provide such an experience?”
With the Motown Summer Pops concert coming up, July 14, what's your favorite Motown group?
Billy: “I believe music is a common denominator within communities. The symphony is such a big part of Lake Charles. When people think of the symphony, many think of concerts on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons, when in fact, it is so much more. It is a living organization which has many facets in our community, for example, the outreach with our youth in our public school systems. To see how many lives the symphony can touch each day, month, and year is why I am part of such a great organization.”
What do you enjoy about classical music?
Billy: “This is a hard one to answer in one sentence. I am a music major from McNeese, and I have grown up my entire life either listening to or playing classical music. For me, it is an escape. Learning the history of each piece, why the composer wrote it...and it’s as if each time I hear a piece, I learn something new. How great is that? How many things do you come across that provide such an experience?”
With the Motown Summer Pops concert coming up, July 14, what's your favorite Motown group?
Billy: “This is a loaded question. Where do I start? Favorite groups/artists: Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding (thanks to my Dad), The Isley Brothers (thanks again, Dad), the Supremes, and the list could go on forever. Motown stands for so much. When most people think of Motown, they might first think of that ‘Motown Sound.’ That sound which brings memories back no matter how old you are. You always remember where you heard it. Most importantly for me, Motown was the cannon that was instrumental in blasting down the walls of racial segregation in music.”
What is your favorite event that the symphony puts on, or do you have several that you like?
Billy: “Without a doubt it is the Summer Pops. Until this past year, it was my single favorite, but now with our Gala in December, I have two. Oh, and Beast Feast. So, I guess there are three. I love the energy at each, and it gives a new perspective to the diversity of the symphony.”
What is your favorite event that the symphony puts on, or do you have several that you like?
Billy: “Without a doubt it is the Summer Pops. Until this past year, it was my single favorite, but now with our Gala in December, I have two. Oh, and Beast Feast. So, I guess there are three. I love the energy at each, and it gives a new perspective to the diversity of the symphony.”
Anything that you would like to add?
Billy: “I would also like to challenge everyone to go to at least one symphony event, and while doing so bring at least one friend. The other thing that I would like to add is bring a child. Introduce them to the world of live music and performance. It is something they will cherish forever. For once the love of music is in you, you can never shake it!”
Mark your calendars for the Summer Pops Concert – July 14! Get tickets and more information at www.lcsymphony.org.
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