Savannah Book Festival, in collaboration with Savannah Music Festival to Host Eudora Welty Tribute Concert February 6

Five-time Grammy Award-winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, along with fellow musicians Kate Campbell, Claire Holley and Caroline Herring, will perform a unique tribute to the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Southern writer Eudora Welty in a tribute concert on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 8pm. The concert is presented by the Savannah Book Festival in collaboration with the Savannah Music Festival.

This exciting addition to the Festival schedule will feature these four celebrated singer-songwriters performing their own songs chosen specifically for and inspired by the literary legacy of Mississippi, writer Eudora Welty, whose 100th birthday would have been April 13th, 2009. The concert, which debuted at the centennial celebration for Welty earlier this year has received rave reviews, and it is in perfect keeping with the Savannah Book Festival’s mission to
promote the written word, including the work of lyricists like Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer.

Taking place in historic Trinity Church on Telfair Square in downtown Savannah at 8 pm on Saturday, February 6th, 2010, the concert will be a ticketed fundraising event for the Festival. General admission tickets for $50 will go on sale in January and will be sold through the Savannah College of Art & Design’s SCAD Box Office.

The four singer-songwriters first presented this show on April 17, 2009, at the Eudora Welty Centennial Celebration in Jackson, Mississippi. Here’s what one critic said about the show, which also took place in a Methodist Church: There is something about a church that invites a visitation from the muse. The stage was bathed in the glow of blue Fresnels that enhanced the sense of mystery and romance. Throw in the incredible artistry of four women who have the dirt, sweetness, and sweat of the South in their bones, along with songwriting abilities that summon aching memories of the pain, triumph and anguish of the South, and the profound becomes
tangible -- the impossible, possible. Georgianne Nienaber, The Huffington Post The Savannah Book Festival is thrilled and honored to be working with the world-renowned Savannah Music
Festival to add this exciting concert to the 2010 Savannah calendar.

Songwriters have been a part of the Festival since its inception in 2008, and this literary tribute to one of America’s most treasured writers will offer festival goers a unique perspective on the Southern literary tradition.

The Savannah Book Festival, which will take place February 5-7, 2010 in and around Telfair Square, is an annual, free and open to the public celebration of the written word and its role in improving the human experience. Our mission is to promote reading, writing and civil conversation. For each of the past two years, the Festival has attracted dozens of popular and critically acclaimed authors and thousands of readers from all over America to Savannah’s Telfair Square, and the culturally significant buildings that surround it—Telfair Academy, Trinity
Church and Jepson Center for the Arts. Within these beautiful venues, the Festival’s authors and their readers experience the intimacy and hospitality for which Savannah is famous.

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Cajun Masters Coming to UWG in January

In the spirit of Ballet Memphis and Jon Faddis and The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the third annual Live Art at the Townsend Center event will feature yet another unique entertainment opportunity, the Grammy-winning BeauSoleil, one of the country's foremost Cajun bands. The group will perform Saturday, Jan. 23, on the Townsend Center Mainstage with the traditional cast party to follow in the Dangle Theatre.

BeauSoleil began in 1975 in Lafayette, La. and has elevated Cajun music to domestic and international acclaim. Blending elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more, the band appears regularly on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" and has received 10 Grammy nominations. In 1998, they became the first Cajun band to win a Grammy in the traditional folk category.

The group recently celebrated its 29th release, Alligator Purse, which originated from a benefit concert assisting victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Community volunteers Michelle Morgan, Claire Cooley and Susan Fleck are co-chairing the event. According to Morgan, there are two main reasons to support the Live Art series, in addition to the obvious evening of outstanding entertainment.

"Last year, the Live Art committee was delighted to establish the P.J. Hovey Live Art Scholarship Fund for awards to the departments of art, music and theatre," Morgan said. "It is our intention to endow this fund as soon as possible."

The series was also established to provide at least one signature production annually at the Townsend Center, while raising funds to increase the premier programming each season.

"We strive for profitability and growth, and the executive committee for Live Art is pleased that the series has exhibited both during the first two seasons," said Morgan. "However, the philanthropic goal for this year's event is to take the fundraising component one step higher and raise at least $15,000 for increased quality programming at the Townsend Center and to endow the Live Arts Scholarship."

For more information on how to become involved in the Live Art event at any number of giving levels, contact Robert Jennings, director of the Townsend Center, at 678-839-4722 or rjenning@westga.edu.

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Contemporary Christian Recording Artist Melissa Pierre-Louis Releases Free Christmas e-Album, Launches Operation Touch Web Site for Free Downloads

/PRNewswire/ -- Looking for ways to celebrate the Christmas season without adding to your credit card bill? Tired of listening to six versions of "Winter Wonderland" on the radio? Contemporary Christian singer Melissa Pierre-Louis is offering free downloads of original Christmas songs on her newly launched Web site Operation Touch (www.operationtouch.org).

On Operation Touch, the 22-year-old recording artist performs three new songs: "Touch Someone," "Thank You Emmanuel," and "Sing We Noel." The songs and lyrics are available in English, as well as French and Kreyol, a tribute to Pierre-Louis' Haitian background.

"We live in difficult times in which a lot of people are struggling, but part of the beauty of Christmas is renewed hope," said Pierre-Louis. "'Touch Someone' encourages everyone - regardless of background - to reach out to others and share the gifts we each have to offer. Hopefully Operation Touch will inspire people to do just that."

The songs on Operation Touch were penned by Pierre-Louis' father, award-winning songwriter Marc-Arthur Pierre-Louis. Mr. Pierre-Louis emigrated from Haiti to the U.S. in 1981 to study mathematics and computer science at Florida Atlantic University and earned a master's degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary. His song "Bless the Memories" recently won the American Bible Society's Scripture Song Award at the Gospel Music Association's IMMERSE event.

"The joy and hope of the Christmas season shouldn't come with a price tag. I think music can reach people at such a basic level and connect them with that hope and feeling of renewal," adds Ms. Pierre-Louis. "We wanted to make that accessible to as many people as possible, whether they themselves need some inspiration, or they want to share the music with others."

Pierre-Louis' music can also be heard on radio stations in the US, Haiti and Canada.

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Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

This is wonderful, creative and fun:



Thanks to Bill Bibb, Seen Gallery Atlanta, for sharing!

"The Sound of Angels" Perfomance by the Georgia Singers at First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City December 6

Sunday, December 6
6:30 pm
First Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City


The holiday concert performed by the Georgia Singers features sacred and secular opening sections followed by delightful seasonal selections and the singing of congregational carols.

The Georgia Singers is a new force in choral music for women's voices in Fayette County. This talented group of young women is quickly establishing its artistry as a unique community resource.

The talented Peachtree City singers are directed by Dr. Franklin Green, who is nationally known for his work with young women's voices and accompanied by Mr. Rick Massengale, Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.

Free Admission
Ticket required
A free-will offering will be taken.
Childcare will be provided for ages 4 and younger.

For more information or to reserve a ticket, please call 770-487-7757 or email concerts@firstpresptc.com.

First Presbyterian Church
206 Willow Bend Rd
Peachtree City

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Atlanta Jazz Non-Profit, Orchestra Atlanta, Announces Name Change to Jazz Orchestra Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- Orchestra Atlanta, a 23-year-old, not-for-profit arts organization based in Atlanta, GA, today announces its official name change to "Jazz Orchestra Atlanta," reinforcing the organization's shift in commitment to the advancement of the best in jazz education and performance. The group continues to produce professional jazz performances by a resident repertory big band featuring high-caliber jazz musicians from Atlanta and the Southeast. Jazz Orchestra Atlanta also continues running its popular Summer Jazz Camps for metro Atlanta middle and high school students. The camp is held at Georgia State University, and in 2010 JOA will premier a Vocal Jazz Workshop featuring the internationally recognized vocal group The New York Voices, who will join JOA's big band in a special closing concert at the Rialto Theater.

"The decision to change the name officially was an easy one," says JOA Executive and Artistic Director, Dr. Brent Runnels. "Our focus really shifted over the past several years as audiences showed a great deal of enthusiasm for the jazz concerts we added to our programming. We recognized an important musical niche was not being filled in Atlanta, and our professional big band performances fill that nicely. We found we had already carved out a niche for advancing superior jazz education, so filing with the State to make the name change official was the logical next step to demonstrate our commitment to the new mission and vision for the organization. Our audience and everyone at JOA are very excited about it."

Jazz Orchestra Atlanta Strengthens Board of Directors and Fundraising Efforts

In addition, the Jazz Orchestra Atlanta recently added several new contributing members to their diverse Board of Directors. "Our board is a blend of professional men and women who represent a wonderful cross section of large and small Atlanta businesses, and local professional musicians," continued Runnels, "with common threads of enthusiasm for the art of jazz music, and the community stature we need to help us achieve our goals."

Recent additions to the board include Mark Williamson, a partner at Alston and Bird; Phil Williamson, a CPA and tax director of Mirant Corporation; Steve Brown, avid musician, pilot and project management consultant; Robert Scarr of Delta Airlines; Jerry McEver, musician , teacher and School Music Recruiting Specialist and Consultant; Greg Coile, a well-known Atlanta musician and teacher; and Joe Gransden, one of Atlanta's best known jazz musicians. "The addition of these members and their contributions further strengthen and diversify Jazz Orchestra Atlanta's board and proves the community commitment and interest in the art form of jazz and its ongoing proliferation in Metro Atlanta," said Mark Williamson, JOA Board Chair.

The JOA Board of Directors meets monthly to determine policy, programming, marketing, and resource development while encouraging awareness and interest in Jazz Orchestra Atlanta's programs.

The result of Jazz Orchestra Atlanta's work can be seen regularly at venues like Cafe 290 in Sandy Springs, where Joe Gransden and the JOA big band play shows twice monthly on the first and third Mondays, and in featured events at the Woodruff Arts Center and Spivey Hall, where Jazz Orchestra Atlanta will join with Joe Gransden to present a Big Band Christmas Show. More information is available at: www.orchestraatlanta.org

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Ring in the season with the annual GSU Gala Holiday Concert

The Georgia State University School of Music and the Rialto Center for the Arts present the 12th annual Gala Holiday Concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. at the Rialto Center for the Arts.

This year's performances will feature traditional holiday favorites as well as music with an international twist, celebrating the Rialto and School of Music's international initiatives and involvement in the community.

More than 200 student and faculty musicians will perform as part of this university-wide celebration of the season, including members of the University Symphony Orchestra, Choruses and Jazz Band.

Conductors Michael Palmer, Gordon Vernick and Jeffery Wall will lead the ensembles and soloists in a musical assortment of works by Duke Ellington, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Janowski, Handel and Holst, as well as a world premiere by Georgia State faculty member Nickitas Demos of Fantasy on Kalanta for Saint Basil.

The performances will also feature special guest appearances by members of Atlanta's diverse cultural community. Members of the Cao Ying Dance School will perform the Chinese dance, Avalokitesvara, and students from the Charles Drew R. Charter School will perform Kakilambe, a dance of healing and harvest from Guinea, West Africa, performed to instruments of the djembe orchestra.

The School of Music has had a partnership with the Drew Charter School, located in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta, since 2006, thanks to a multi-year grant from the Cousins Foundation, Inc.

The program will conclude with Sim Shalom, a Hebrew song of peace, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus and an audience sing-along. Rounding out the festivities, the Georgia State University School of Art and Design will present an art exhibit in the Rialto Lobby, where a student brass quintet will play for audience members as they arrive.

Tickets range from $22-$48 and are available in person at the Rialto Center Box Office, by calling 404-413-9TIX or online at www.rialtocenter.org. Free parking is provided at the Equitable Building deck on Fairlie Street.

For more information, visit http://www.music.gsu.edu/articleview.aspx?id=148

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