Mr Williamsburg, Blogging on Life and Real Estate in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads Virginia

Thanks to the Hampton Roads area’s concentration of armed forces, we are blessed with an abundance of professional musical talent. .

In June, a pair of dueling, Thursday-night events will start up up, one at Fort Eustis, another at Fort Monroe.

The 81st season of the U.S. Army’s free concert series begins June 6, 2013 and will continue most Thursday evenings through Aug. 29.

Music Under the Stars at Magnolia Park is presented by the U.S. Army TRADOC Band and features various configurations of that ensemble. The concerts take place 7 p.m. at Magnolia Park at Fort Eustis in Newport News. Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

Magnolia Park is a beautiful site featuring abundant shade and an excellent family atmosphere, and patrons are welcome to bring picnic dinners and lawn chairs. We expect many new listeners from Williamsburg and Yorktown, and look forward to seeing some old friends, our devoted audience from Fort Monroe.”

Here is  the 2013 Lineup:

June 6 — 81st season opener

June 13 — 238th Army birthday celebration*

June 20 — "A Night in New Orleans"

June 27 — "Music of Big Bands"

(July 4 there will be no concert. The TRADOC Band will perform at Town Point Park in Norfolk at 8 p.m.)

July 11 — "Wind Dances"

July 18 — "Stage and Screen"

July 25 — "Festiva Latina!"

Aug. 1 — "British Invasion"

Aug. 8 — "Yesterday: An Alumni Concert"*

Aug. 15 — "Marches, Musicals, Movie Music and More"

Aug. 22 — "Jazz Side of Us"

Aug. 29 — "Overture 1812" (Start time 7:30 p.m. Rain date is Aug. 30)

* In the event of inclement weather, events marked with an asterisk will be moved to Jacobs Theater on Fort Eustis.

For more information and updates, visit the U.S. Army TRADOC Band website.

Concert goers who do not have a Department of Defense identification card should arrive early with photo identification and proof of auto insurance and registration to secure a day pass. To learn more about the concerts, or to sign up for the TRADOC Band’s newsletter and concert announcements, visit www.tradocband.com , or call 757-501-6944.

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Come party in downtown Williamsburg all summer long in celebration of Merchants Square’s 85th anniversary. The 22^nd annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concert Series begins Wednesday, June 19 and runs weekly through August with a blockbuster lineup of bands. In addition, the Square will host a special birthday bash concert on the eve of An Occasion for the Arts, Friday, October 4. Unless otherwise noted, the free outdoor concerts are held on Wednesdays beginning at 7 p.m.

June 19: Williamsburg Classic Swing Orchestra                                         7–9 p.m.
The WCSO is a 16-piece authentic big band playing all the best swing music from the height of the swing era as well as some popular swing hits of today.

June 26: Party Fins                                                                                               7–9 p.m.
Showcasing the songs of Jimmy Buffett, Van Morrison and other longtime favorites,

                        the Party Fins are a tropical/jam-rock festival band that specializes in audience engagement.

July 2: Independence Day Concert                                                  6:30–7:45 p.m.

(Tuesday)     U.S. Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band—
Back for the 22^nd year, the full Heritage of America concert band will play
American favorites and patriotic tunes in honor of Independence Day.

July 10: Butter                                                                                                        7–9 p.m.

Audiences love to dance to this 4-piece high-energy rock band. Based out of Virginia Beach, the name Butter has become synonymous with music at the Beach over the past seven years.

July 17: Kings of Swing                                                                                      7–9 p.m.

This versatile dance and show band from Richmond plays beach music, Motown favorites and everyone’s favorite music of the 1970s – 90s.

July 24: RareMixx                                                                                                7–9 p.m.

RareMixx entertains audiences with a wide variety of music from the 60′s to the present. Whether your preference is soft jazz, standard dinner music, or high-energy dance RareMixx plays it all.

July 31: Slapnation (Formerly the original Slapwater Band)                7–9 p.m.

                        Virginia’s premier party and dance band! Bring your dancing shoes and lawn chair as Slapnation boogies down in Merchants Square.

Aug 7:            US Army TRADOC Rock Band                                                   7–8:30 p.m.

A versatile and energetic ensemble, TRADOC Rock brings contemporary styles          
such as classic rock, pop and country music to soldiers and audiences worldwide.

Aug 14: USAF Heritage Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble                   7–8:30 p.m.           

A versatile 13-piece ensemble, Rhythm in Blue performs a wide variety of jazz, blues and funk.

Aug 21:          US Army TRADOC Jazz Band                                                     7–8:30 p.m.

Audiences of all ages are enthralled by the classics, ballads, blues, soul,

                        bossa nova, and contemporary tunes performed by this jazz combo.

Aug 28:         USAF Blue Aces Ensemble                                                          7–8:30 p.m.

                        The energetic productions of this 10-piece ensemble encompass a wide variety of musical styles.

  Oct 4:           Special 85^th Anniversary Concert                                                   7–9 p.m.

Right On Band

                        Specializing in Motown, disco, and 70′s funk, Right On Band has been keeping the 70′s alive for 20 years.

Beginning with the June 19 concert, Merchants Square also offers children’s entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. including face painting, bubble making and clowns. There will be no children’s entertainment during the Independence Day concert.

For more information about weather-related cancellations, please see the Merchants Square website, www.merchantssquare.org, or call the events hotline on concert days: (757) 565-8889.

All concerts are free, and are  sponsored by Merchants Square, and the City of Williamsburg

Map/ Directions

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Audience favorite Stephen Bennett returns to the Williamsburg Library Theatre for a concert of original music ranging from rollicking to reflective on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library and students and $10 for those under 17, and can be reserved by calling the library at (757) 259-4070. This is another in the Williamsburg Regional Library’s Dewey Decibel Concert Series.

Stephen Bennett was born in Oregon, grew up in New York and lived in Virginia for three decades before recently moving to Connecticut. Since his 1987 first-place win at the National Flatpicking Championship in Winfield, Kan., he has become known as a versatile guitarist who consistently garners critical praise and audience enthusiasm for his compositions and live performances.

Stephen is noted for his music on the six-string guitar, but is also one of the world’s premiere performers on the Harp Guitar. As a composer and arranger, he has created an enduring repertoire and a significant body of recorded work for this instrument. Slide guitar work on his 1930 National steel guitar is also an important part of Stephen’s instrumental diversity.

With his stellar musicianship, a relaxed stage presence and quick wit, Stephen has won many fans throughout the United States and Europe, as well as in Canada, Australia and Japan. He has 30 recordings to his credit.

Read more about the Williamsburg Library Concert series here

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This year, the Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary will host the Second Annual TribeFest for the Cure, a music festival benefitting the Tidewater affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Last year’s inaugural event was attended by over 500 people and raised over $8,500 for breast cancer research, education, and advocacy – all while keeping the funds in the local area.

It is truly an event for the whole community, as attendees included students from the College’s graduate and undergraduate programs, as well as members of the Williamsburg community both young and old.  There is something for everyone at TribeFest: face painting and moon bounces for kids, educational materials for the curious, a silent auction and a wine auction for the philanthropically inclined, live local bands for audiophiles, beer for adults and the older college students, as well as local food for everyone.

If you want to get involved, you can do so in several ways.   First and foremost, you can – and should – come.  You can become a sponsor by donating a monetary amount.  You can also donate food or beverages, as our friends at Paul’s Deli and Williamsburg AleWerks did last year.  You can also donate wine for the wine auction or other items for our silent auction, including gift certificates and prize packages.  There is no maximum limit on donations – feel free to give as much as you or your company are able.  You will be supporting a great cause and will be able to see the immediate impact you have on your community.

​TribeFest for the Cure will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013  from 2:00-8:00pm in the courtyard of Miller Hall at the College of William & Mary.

Want to go:

Tickets Types are as follows:

​Adult: $10.00 (13 years of age and older)
Children: Free ( 12 and under)
Student/Faculty/Staff: $5.00 (Must show William and Mary ID upon entering the event with this ticket type)

Pints from the Beer Garden, provided by Williamsburg AleWerks, will be sold at an additional cost.
You will need to bring your confirmation page to the will call table at the event in order to pick up your tickets.

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013

Time: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Address:
William J. Fields Courtyard
Miller Hall
101 Ukrop Way
Williamsburg, VA 23185

Click HERE to purchase tickets.

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Sweet Honey in the Rock will perform at the Williamsburg Lodge on March 9, 2013 from 8  to 10 pm.

Colonial Williamsburg’s celebration of Women’s History Month and the Steadfast Spirits Weekend will include the Grammy-award winning a cappella group whose repertoire includes a range of genres including gospel, jazz, hymns, and hip hop. The group will perform in the Northeast after leaving Virginia and launch its overseas tour.

    The group will celebrate its 40th birthday this fall. So the group continues to change as audiences change. “One of the greatest compliments we can receive is someone (especially a child) telling us that it was the end of the first half before they realized there were no instruments,”Barnwell said in a Feb. 2003 interview in Ink 19. “It means that our voices have filled every space that the ear wants to hear as we sing. The voice rules!”   

Given the group’s uniqueness, it is not surprising that the ensemble has performed at the White House, for NPR, and overseas. The group also performed with the National Symphony in 2011 and 2012. Their vocal have appeared in many animation segments including Sesame Street on PBS. In April its latest CD debuted, Affirmations.

Ticket info here

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The Virginia Arts Festival returns to Williamsburg for its 2013 season. Enjoy  performances by Arturo Sandoval; Bravo Broadway, featuring Debbie Gravitte, Christiane Noll, and Doug LaBrecque; and the hot jazz sound of Hot Sardines. Subscription tickets for three or more performances on sale now through the Virginia Arts Festival box office. Single tickets to all 2013 performances will go on sale at Ticketmaster on February 8, 2013.

2013 Festival Williamsburg Events Include :

Arturo Sandoval at the Williamsburg Lodge

Experience one of the most dynamic and vivacious live performers of our time! Winner of eight Grammy Awards and an Emmy, this legendary performer and composer is at home in every style of music, from his beloved jazz to classical."Whether firing volleys into the stratosphere or unspooling long, luscious melody lines, trumpeter Sandoval tends to dominate any room he’s in. Add to this Sandoval’s exuberant stage patter, warmly romantic pianism, robust timbales playing and gleefully maniacal singing, and you have an artist who instantly raises the emotional temperature- Friday, May 24, 8PM

Bravo Broadway

One of Festival Williamsburg’s most popular events, the Broadway Spotlight Series in Williamsburg features dazzling stars of Broadway and cabaret! This year, hear Debbie Gravitte, who has charmed audiences from Broadway ("Les Miserables") to the movies ("The Little Mermaid"); Tony-nominated singer/actress Christiane Noll ("Ragtime," "Jekyll and Hyde"), and Doug LaBrecque, who has thrilled theater audiences in "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Showboat."

Saturday, May 25, 5:30PM & 8PM

Hot Sardines -May 26 -7:00 PM

Le jazz hot of Paris meets N’Awlins! Hot jazz, salty stride piano, and the kind of music Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller used to make: straight-up, foot-stomping fun (literally–the band includes a tap dancer whose feet count as two members of the rhythm section). Put a tap in your step and a smile on your face with this beguiling band! Part of Festival Williamsburg.

Classics at the Vineyard will present the Miami String Quartet and Andre-Michel Schub on Thursday, May 23 at the Williamsburg Winery. "Music on the Menu" features the same artists on May 24 for a dinner/concert experience.

Classics at the Vineyard -Thursday, May 23, 6PM

Music on the Menu -Friday, May 24, 11AM Music on the Menu – Miami String Quartet Andre-Michel Schub

@ Williamsburg Winery

This enhanced concert experience begins with light hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting, followed by the concert-virtuoso musicians performing great works by master composers. After the performance, browse a brunch buffet of offerings from area restaurants and sample from the Winery’s award-winning wine collection.

Subscription tickets for three or more performances are on sale now through the Virginia Arts Festival box office.

Single tickets to all 2013 performances will go on sale at Ticketmaster on February 8, 2013.

More info here

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Colonial Williamsburg and the Virginia Arts Festival continue their expanded partnership to bring nationally known performers to Williamsburg with a series of concerts throughout the year.

Grammy-award-winning singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash headlines a winter concert weekend with one performance in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Seating in the Virginia Room is theater-style. Tickets are $35 and $45, available from the Virginia Arts Festival box office at 877-741-2787, at vafest.org or through Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787. Ticketmaster fees apply. Military and seniors receive a 10 percent discount, and AAA members can receive a 15 percent discount when purchasing tickets by telephone.  For more information, visit colonialwilliamsburg.com

Friday evening in the Lodge lobby lounge, vocalist and songwriter Ruth Moody, best known for being a founding member of The Wailin’ Jennys trio, performs timeless songs with her rich soprano voice from 7:30 to 10 p.m. with no cover charge.  

Rosanne Cash has recorded 11 number one singles, blurring the genres of country, rock, roots and pop. She has received one Grammy award and 12 Grammy nominations, among other awards and accolades, including an honorary doctorate from Memphis College of Art. A prolific writer, she has authored “Bodies of Water” and “Penelope Jane: A Fairy’s Tale,” edited the book “Songs without Rhyme” and recently penned her memoir “Composed.” Her album, “The List,” based on a list of country songs her legendary father Johnny Cash gave her when she was 18, won the Americana Music award for Best Album of the year and was a critical and commercial success.

Ruth Moody is a two-time Juno Award-winning songwriter from Winnipeg. Although best known for her work with The Wailin’ Jennys, Moody is an artist of exceptional depth and grace in her own right.  Former lead singer of the Canadian roots band Scruj MacDunk, she has performed in sold-out venues around the world, made numerous critically-acclaimed albums, and has appeared more than a dozen times on the American national radio show “A Prairie Home Companion.”  In 2010, she released her highly anticipated solo album, “The Garden,” to rave reviews.

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Next week, the Gentlemen of the College and One Accord will give a whole new meaning to “Jingle Bell Rock.”

The two men’s a cappella groups from William & Mary competed with others from across Virginia to be part of the “A Cappella Sing-Off,” which will take place on Dec. 6 at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. The music and merriment start at 7:30 p.m., and general admission is $25.

In the park’s Globe Theatre, 10 a cappella groups – including groups from James Madison University, Christopher Newport University and the University of Richmond — will compete for $4,000 dollars in cash prizes.

Sponsored by SunTrust, the “A Capella Sing-Off” will give all proceeds from the event to Williamsburg Choral Guild and Literacy for Life, a program housed in William & Mary’s School of Education that teaches literacy skills to adults.

The members of Rockapella will serve as judges for the event.

“We are really excited to be a part of this concert,” said Alexander Blaha ’13, business manager for the Gentlemen of the College. “It is awesome to see a cappella, which can often be seen as silly or even superficial, as a means towards meeting deeply important needs in the community.”

The competition will be hosted by WHRV-FM radio personality Cathy Lewis, and the members of professional a cappella group Rockapella will serve as the judges.

While Rockapella will be judging the participants for the cash prizes, a capella fans can show their support by going to the event’s website and voting for their favorite groups. Each vote costs $1. With enough votes, fans can help their preferred a cappella groups win the “Fan Favorite” award.

“We are also interested in the competitive aspect of this event,” said Blaha. “The Gentlemen have not competed in many years — not since well before I joined the group — so this will be a completely new and educational experience for us.”

Win or lose, everything about the event makes it worth doing, said Blaha.

And he promises a fun, blast-from-the-past treat for those fans who can make it there in person to show their support.

“I promise you’ll get to hear us sing one of the great 90′s boy band hits,” he said.

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June 1, 2012

The annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concert Series returns for the 21st year, featuring special bands and great music. This year the annual Independence Day concert, featuring the U.S. Air Force Heritage of  America Band, will take place on July 1. The free outdoor events take place Wednesdays from July 11 to Aug. 29., 2012

• U.S. Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band - Back for the 21st year, the full Heritage of America concert band will play American favorites and patriotic tunes in honor of Independence Day. 6:30–7:45 p.m. Sunday, July 1.
• Central Virginia Jazz Orchestra – This selective 19-member orchestra specializes in big band jazz, and will feature the talented jazz vocalist Sharon Rae North who performed in the Square in 2011. 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, July 11.
• Kings of Swing - This versatile dance and show band from Richmond plays beach music, Motown favorites and everyone’s favorite music of the 1970s – 90s. 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, July 18.
• Slapwater - Virginia’s premier party and dance band, a.k.a. “The Lords of Longevity,” has earned numerous awards while delighting crowds in Hampton Roads for more than 30 years. 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, July 25.
• USAF Heritage Brass Ensemble - From classical to jazz and popular music, from Bach to the Beetles, the quintet brings its brilliant brass sound to all music genres, providing a variety of music that’s as educational as it is exciting. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
• USAF Heritage Ramblers Ensemble – Heritage Ramblers bring the New Orleans and Chicago styles of traditional jazz to life in each performance. 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8.
• USAF Blue Aces Ensemble - The energetic productions of this 10-piece ensemble encompass a wide variety of musical styles. 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15.
• U.S. Army TRADOC Band – The Fort Eustis-based Army concert band plays a mixture of old favorites and modern works. 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22.
• USAF Rhythm in Blue Ensemble – A versatile 13-piece ensemble that performs a wide variety of jazz, blues and funk. 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29.

Beginning with the July 11 concert, Merchants Square also offers children’s entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m. including face painting, bubble making and clowns.

For more information about weather-related cancellations, please see the Merchants Square website, www.merchantssquare.org, or call the events hotline on concert days: (757) 565-8889.

All concerts are free, and are sponsored by Merchants Square, the City of Williamsburg and the Legacy Financial Group

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Sunday, May 27, 2012 the Broadway spotlight is on Jane Krakowski, the Tony award-winning and Emmy-nominated star of NBC’s “30 Rock,” who will perform classic Broadway hits under the musical direction of Rob Fisher. Ms. Krakowski has appeared on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Grand Hotel,” “Company,” “Once upon a Mattress,” “Tartuffe” and “Starlight Express.” In 2003, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Carla opposite Antonio Banderas in the musical “Nine.” Tickets are $65 and $45 for reserved table seating at 5:30 and 8 p.m. in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge.

On Friday May 25 at 8 p.m., the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra brings the authentic Big Band sound to life. Dedicated to keeping the spirit of swing alive and thriving, the orchestra pays tribute to the great composers and band leaders of the swing era: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Pops Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Earl Fatha Hines, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton and more. The New York Times calls their sound “potent music, tailor-made for dancing.”

(more…)

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The Mason School of Business MBA Association and Tidewater affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the cure are teaming up to host the W&M TribeFest for the Cure on Saturday, March 31, 2012. TribeFest for the Cure is a family-friendly, day-long music festival designed to bring the local community together to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer education and research.

The event will take place at Alan B. Miller Hall on the campus of William & Mary from 2 to 11 p.m. and feature two stages of live music, food from Paul’s Deli and Smithfield Foods,Williamsburg AleWorks’ craft beers, a kid’s activity zone and a breast cancer informational exhibit presented by the Tidewater affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Tickets are $10 per adult (13 and older), $20 per family (two adults and all children), and $5 for William & Mary staff, faculty and students. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.tribefestforthecure.com or at the event.

In Layman Terms will kick off the main stage in the Fields Courtyard at Miller Hall at 2:15 p.m. followed by W&M Intonations and The Kari Velandria Trio. Local breast cancer survivors will share remarks on the stage at 5:45 p.m. followed by The Lef Dovers and headliners Rich Whiskey Audition at 7:30 p.m. The Brinkley Commons stage will commence at 2 p.m. with MaryKate Heron Galke followed by Stephen Christoff and special guest Robin Jester, The Delvers, Jocelyn Oldham and the Ron Fetner Band.

For a complete schedule and additional information of the performers, please visit the event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WMTribeFest.

The TribeFest Grille will feature a menu of delicious items from Paul’s Deli.

Williamsburg AleWorks  the official sponsor of the TribeFest Beer Garden,  will provide a selection of its offerings at an additional cost to guests 21 and older. Additionally, a representative from Williamsburg AleWorks will be on hand to educate guests on the brewing process and different styles of beer the local brewery crafts.

The Lil’ Tribe Kids Zone will feature an assortment of fun activities for children including outdoor games, professional face painting, balloon art, a caricature artist, a moon bounce and more.

Also planned are hourly wine raffles, a silent auction with donated items from local individuals and businesses, and an exhibition area for event sponsors.

The Susan G. Komen local affiliate will receive 75% of the proceeds from TribeFest for the Cure. Funds are set aside to provide breast health educational materials and funding to non-profit programs that save lives and support women’s health. The remaining 25% of the net proceeds will go to the Komen Award and Research Grant Program. No local money goes toward national administrative or operating expenses.

For additional information on TribeFest for the Cure, or to purchase tickets, please visit:www.tribefestforthecure.com.

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The Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg presents SHAMROCK the BLOCK sponsored by ESG, International. Join us for a blockbuster event! For the second year in a row, we’re throwing a St. Patty’s Day party a little early, Saturday, March 10, 2012. We’ll be celebrating with the popular band,The Fighting Jamesons. YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!

When: Saturday March 10, 2012 – Doors open at 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Where: Legacy Hall 4301 New Town Ave Williamsburg
Why: To benefit Avalon, Bacon St and Jamestown 4H. See below for links to these agencies.
Ticket Price: Adults $15.00 (must be 21)

Only 300 tickets will be sold.
For more information and the ability to purchase tickets online -

For more information, click here

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One of the three world-famous Irish Tenors, Anthony Kearns, performs a solo concert at Colonial Williamsburg’s Kimball Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21. His appearance is part of a U.S. spring tour that also includes stops in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C.

Revered pianist Patrick Healy serves as an accompanist for Kearns. Selections range from the traditional songs of his homeland, well-known classics, to beautifully rendered opera and classical pieces. The duets with the young tenor and his accompanist are charming bits of theater, much enjoyed by concert attendees.

Kearns was born in Kiltealy, Ireland. He was selected as an original member of the famous Irish Tenors in 1998 at age 27, and his vocal range has added significantly to the sound and popularity of the group. With the Irish Tenors, he has appeared at many international venues including Wolf Trap, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and in a 10-part series for Ireland’s national radio and television broadcaster, RTE television, “The Irish Tenors and Friends.” The Irish Tenors have recorded numerous best-selling CDs and audio performances and continue to “sell out the house” in live performances. Their most recent Christmas Tour played to 15 venues across the United States and gave their audiences a full measure of “comfort and joy.”

(more…)

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Sunday, May 27, 2012 the Broadway spotlight is on Jane Krakowski, the Tony award-winning and Emmy-nominated star of NBC’s “30 Rock,” who will perform classic Broadway hits under the musical direction of Rob Fisher. Ms. Krakowski has appeared on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Grand Hotel,” “Company,” “Once upon a Mattress,” “Tartuffe” and “Starlight Express.” In 2003, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Carla opposite Antonio Banderas in the musical “Nine.” Tickets are $65 and $45 for reserved table seating at 5:30 and 8 p.m. in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge.

On Friday May 25 at 8 p.m., the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra brings the authentic Big Band sound to life. Dedicated to keeping the spirit of swing alive and thriving, the orchestra pays tribute to the great composers and band leaders of the swing era: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Pops Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Earl Fatha Hines, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton and more. The New York Times calls their sound “potent music, tailor-made for dancing.”

(more…)

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