Tonic Solfa: Despite flooded Iowa roadways, the nationally recognized four member a cappella group, Tonic Solfa performed as scheduled at the Elkader Opera House this past Saturday Night, June 14. The extremely enjoyable and talented group performed to a large audience. The Opera House Board provided free of charge tickets to a dozen flood victims and collected $738 dollars for the Clayton County Disaster Recovery Fund. The audience members laughed, clapped, and sang along with the quartet and many were pleased to have a well deserved respite from the emotion of last week’s devastating flood waters. Many audience members enjoyed the show so much they were already asking if the group would return to the Opera House in the future. On behalf of Elkader Opera House Theater Board, Opera House Manager, Kay Moser expressed sincere gratitude to all those who the night of the show, made donations, to the Clayton County Disaster Relief Fund. Donations for flood Relief can be made to Shepherd of the Hills PO Box 36, St. Olaf, IA 52072 Clayton Co. Food Shelf, PO Box 48 St. Olaf, IA 52072
Clayton County Disaster Recovery, PO Box 48 St. Olaf, 52072 06/08
Camp Creamery: 34 area youth participated this past week, in the Opera House Players sponsored childrens theatear camp, Camp Creamery, which was conducted by members of the Old Creamery Theater group in the Amana Colonies. Camp Creamery directors, Jackie McCall, Patrick Moyer, and Lisa Ponce directed the kids each day. The group worked on a show called, “ A Star is Born,” which featured songs from famous musicals including selections from: “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Mary Poppins,” Beauty and the Beast,” “Oliver Twist,” “Honk,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “High School Musical.” The children were thrilled to sing and dance on stage all week long and especially for their two performances to nice sized audiences this past Saturday July 18th. 07/08
Big Band Music is coming to Elkader by Joleen Jansen 01/09
On Sunday February 15th the Elkader Opera House will once again be the site for a unique form of entertainment. A small group of entertainment entrepreneurs have banded together to produce a one-of kind big band event which organizers have titled, “Benny, Glen, Tommy and Friends…A Celebration of the Big Band Era.” The group has rented the Elkader Opera House to perform their original production.
The scene will simulate an old time radio broadcast of a big band concert. Organizer and band director, Tom Chandler explains while they will obviously not actually be broadcasting the show on to the air waves, it will be in the radio broadcast format, complete with period costumes and an announcer, who will be played by Monona resident, Judd Francis. Chandler explains, Judd is perfect for the master of ceremonies job because of his very distinctive voice, sharp witt and sense of humor. As for the costumes the group has dinner jackets appropriate for the occasion for the band members to wear.
The entrepreneurial group has tackled many tasks needed for an event such as this, among those writing the script for the program. Francis will be moving the show along from their previously written script. In addition, to other jobs such as promotion for the event, costuming, research and technical video production, the Big Band organizer s had to hire a band.
The hired band members are area big band experts. The organizational group compiled list possible musicians. Each musician is either a current or former band director. Chandler put together a four deep list needed for each position and was amazed when every one of the top talent choices agreed to do the job. “It was great to have so many enthusiastic responses.”
The band will be arranged on risers on the back of the stage. It will be a full big band complete with five saxophone players, four trumpet players, three trombone players, a piano, strings and drums. Chandler will direct the band from his chair while also serving as the lead saxophone player.
Audience members will be delighted with the musical program. Big Band music lovers will relish in an afternoon filled well- performed famed musical selections. Chandler is so excited about the tunes that made the cut list he says, “One of the most difficult tasks in this project was selecting the tunes we will play; because the ones we left out would make a very fine program in their own right.” The group started with a list of about 120 songs and whittled it to two dozen or so tunes.
Some of the numbers, ticketholders can expect to hear are, Glen Miller’s, “Moonlight Serenade,” Tommy Dorsey’s, “Moonlight in Vermont and Woody Herman’s, “Wood Chopper’s Ball. “ The show features popular Big Band music spanning the time period from the late 1920’s through the 1950’s.
The show will have plenty of instrumental numbers but vocal talent will also entertain the audience. Several soloists will perform in addition to a woman’s trio which will no doubt remind Big Band enthusiast of the famous, Andrew Sisters. Another men’s trio will try to rekindle the style put forward by the illustrious Mill’s Brothers. Organizers also hope to line up a few swing dance performances.
The entrepreneurial group is really hoping to design and produce a show that will intrique the Big Band music lovers at the same time they hope to draw in a younger demographic and perhaps get them interested in the full sound of a big band. In an effort to draw out the younger theater goers the ticket price for those under 30 will $5.00 off the full ticket price of $15.00.
A unique private rental performance like this Big Band Celebration lines up will with the goals of the Elkader Opera House Board. The board is constantly seeking various uses and performances for its stage.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at Moser Pharmacy in downtown Elkader. Interested buyers can also call 563-873-2378. Details for the event are also available at www.elkaderoperahouse.com.
