Monday, March 31, 2008

Visiting Trio "Czechs Out" Spivey Hall, April 2

The Czech Trio, the acclaimed ensemble from Prague with a history going back over a century, performs an all-Czech program in Clayton State University’s world-famous Spivey Hall on Wednesday, Apr. 2. The concert is presented by the Clayton State Department of Music and admission is free to the public.

The Atlanta program is an all-Czech one, featuring the Second Trio in D minor by Bohuslav Martinu, Bedrich Smetana’s Trio in G minor, and Dvorak’s “Dumky” Trio in E minor. The Martinu work was written in 1950 when the composer was living in New York and it was premiered at the opening of the Haydn Library at MIT in Cambridge that year. The Smetana and Dvorak are two of the most beloved chamber masterworks from the Romantic period.

Members of the Czech Trio are Milan Langer, piano, Dana Vlachová, violin, and Miroslav Petráš, violoncello. All three members of the Trio are sought-after teachers at the Prague Conservatoire or Academy of Performing Arts. The Czech Trio continues the work of previous famous trios of that name, whose members have been spreading the fame of the art of Czech music interpretation in almost uninterrupted sequence since 1899. The Trio’s most recent recording on the Arco Diva label, entitled “Elegiaco” includes works by Rachmaninoff, Suk and Dvorák.

This will be the Czech Trio’s third tour of the United States, with 17 performances in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia (including Macon on Apr. 1 and Hawkinsville on Apr. 5.)

For further information on the Spivey Hall performance, call (678) 466-4756. The Czech Trio’s website is: www.czechtrio.cz.

The Czech Trio is represented by Raymond Weiss Artist Management, Inc.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Clayton Community Big Band Presents “Crossing Over” at Spivey Hall, Apr. 28

The Clayton Community Big Band under the direction of Stacey Houghton presents “Crossing Over,” big band versions of popular tunes, on Monday, Apr. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall on the Clayton State main campus in Morrow. The event is free and open to the public.

“In order to make the modern big band more accessible to a wider audience, bandleaders and writers have occasionally worked with popular melodies outside of the swing tradition, converting them to a jazz format,” explains Houghton. “Our program includes jazz arrangements of non-jazz melodies from the books of such bandleaders as Buddy Rich, Terry Gibbs, and Gordon Goodwin in addition to its usual lineup of standard swing.”

Performing in “Crossing Over” are the following musicians: Sorrell Carr (Jonesboro), Marcus Outler (Morrow), Michael Terry (Meansville), James Riley (Peachtree City), and Tara Adcock (Fayetteville) on saxophone; Michael Wheeler (Forest Park), Anthony G. Bailey (Decatur), Mark Lewis (Stockbridge) and Daniel Sims (Morrow) on trumpet; Doug Murray (Jonesboro), Mark Gladfelter (Ellenwood), Amy Castillo (Jackson) and Enrique Mercado (Lake City) on trombone; Stephanie Butler (Atlanta) on piano; Tony Terrell (Lake City) on bass; Courtney Tatum (Lovejoy) and Daniel Watts (McDonough) on drums; and Chris Odom (Lovejoy), Marc Agenor (Morrow) and Caleb Halstead (McDonough) on guitar.

The Big Band also presents vocalist K.J. McKinnie on two numbers that were originally arranged for the likes of Sarah Vaughan and Diane Schuur.

The Clayton Community Big Band is comprised of Clayton State music students and talented musicians in the local community. The Apr. 28 Big Band performance is presented by the Clayton State University Department of Music. For more information, contact Houghton at HOUGHTONES@aol.com.

If you love jazz, you may also be interested in the Apr. 23 Jazz Combo tribute to musician Max Roach (1925-2007) at 7:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall. This event is also free and open to the public.

For directions to Spivey Hall on the Clayton State main campus in Morrow, visit www.clayton.edu and select Maps/Directions.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Clayton State University Jazz Combo Presents “Shades of Max” at Spivey Hall, Apr. 23

The Clayton State University Jazz Combo presents “Shades of Max” remembering Max Roach (1925-2007) on Wednesday, Apr. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Spivey Hall on the Clayton State main campus in Morrow. The event is free and open to the public.

“Max Roach was one of the most versatile and accomplished musicians in jazz history since his emergence in the 1940s,” offers Clayton State University Jazz Combo Director Stacey Houghton. “His inventive drumming has added significantly to the sounds of jazz masters Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Clifford Brown, Duke Ellington and many others.”

A large portion of the evening’s show will feature music to which Roach contributed his developmental drumming, as well as some of his own compositions and arrangements. Other highlights of the program include several arrangements and originals by Houghton written specifically for the combo, as well as an exciting vocal rendition of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” featuring guest Clayton State alumna Candace Henry (Lithonia).

In addition to Henry’s vocals, the following musicians will perform in “Shades of Max:” Michael Wheeler (Forest Park) and Wilgens Pierre (Mableton) on trumpet; Shaun Brooks (Peachtree City) on trombone; Houghton (Rex) on tenor saxophone; Chris Odom (Lovejoy) and Marc Agenor (Morrow) on guitar; Tony Terrell (Lake City) on bass; and Courtney Tatum (Lovejoy) on drums.

If the Apr. 23 “Shades of Max” concert leaves you wanting more jazz, join the Clayton Community Big Band in Spivey Hall on Monday, Apr. 28 at 7:30 p.m. for a free concert featuring big band jazz arrangements.

Both the Apr. 23 Jazz Combo and Apr. 28 Big Band performances are presented by the Clayton State University Department of Music. For more information, contact Houghton at HOUGHTONES@aol.com.

For directions to Spivey Hall on the Clayton State main campus in Morrow, visit www.clayton.edu and select Maps/Directions.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

“Riders to the Sea” Collaboration Will Include Dual Performances at Both Venues

The Clayton State University/Brenau University joint production of “Riders to the Sea” by well-known English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams will feature dual performances at both university campuses.

Brenau’s operatic version and Clayton State’s play (in effect, opera without the music) will both be performed at Brenau’s Pearce Auditorium and Clayton State’s Clayton State Theatre. The Brenau production in Gainesville, Ga., will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 11. On Thursday, Apr. 17 and Friday, Apr. 18, at the Clayton State Theatre (room 132 of the Arts & Sciences Building) in Morrow, the two performances will begin at 7 p.m.

According to Clayton State Theatre Artistic Director Phillip DePoy, Clayton State’s play will be act one for each performance, and Brenau’s opera will be act two for each performance.

The opera will showcase Brenau students and nationally known singers and will be staged and conducted by well-known Brenau Artist-in-Residence William Fred Scott. Brenau faculty, staff and students will be admitted free on Apr. 11, with general admission $10. The “Riders” play will be directed by DePoy. Admission on Apr. 17 and Apr. 18 at Clayton State is $5 for general admission, with students admitted free.

To learn more about Clayton State’s involvement in the collaboration, contact DePoy at phillipdepoy@clayton.edu or call (678) 466-4715. For further information on Brenau’s production, please call (770) 531-3119 or e-mail Cindy Wohlander at cwohlander@brenau.edu.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Friday, March 21, 2008

2008 CHARLES WADSWORTH CONCERT

On March 29 at 7:30 PM, world-renowned pianist Charles Wadsworth will host a spectacular concert celebrating the much-anticipated completion of the Charles Wadsworth Auditorium Restoration Project.

Since its original completion in 1939, Newnan's Art Deco style Municipal Auditorium has seen many years of constant use by the community. It has always been a place of special memories for local audiences. On its stage hometown folks appeared in plays, graduations. recitials, concerts, Junior League Follies, special ceremonies, and much more. Some of those memories have been inscribed in the graffiti that can still be seen on the back stage brick walls ... and with a respect for history, will not be covered with paint.

Recognizing the importance of preserving the heritage of such an historic part of Newnan, the Auditorium Restoration Project was begun in 1993

Restoration of the auditorium itself has been completed and returned to its original Art Deco beauty. Refinished and reupholstered seats have also been re-installed. They now sit in the darkened and sleeping auditorium … soon to be released from their protective wrapping and occupied by a new audience. At the present time the stage area has been completely walled off to protect the auditorium from the work being completed on and behind the stage area. A new, high, stage ceiling has already been finished. A completely new modernized steel rigging system is being made and will soon be installed. Following that, new stage curtains will be hung, and the lighting system will be installed.

Soon the auditorium will awake … ready for its grand reopening.

Renamed The Charles Wadsworth Auditorium in 1998, the auditorium will be the site of the March 29th "A Preservation Celebration" which will welcome back local son and internationally acclaimed pianist Charles Wadsworth. Throughout the restoration committee’s spearheading efforts to restore and enhance the acoustically superior auditorium, Wadsworth and other artists have participated in annual concerts to raise funds for the project. He'll return to his hometown with a stunning presentation of musical artists. Patrons and sponsors of the event will also attend a special post-concert reception. All are invited to be in attendance at this historic reopening and this grand concert by Charles Wadsworth and Friends.

WADSWORTH CONCERT BRINGS MASTER CLASSES TO STUDENTS

A new and exciting facet has been added to the Charles Wadsworth and Friends Concert on Saturday, March 29th. Two of the musicians performing in the concert will arrive a day earlier in order to conduct Master Classes for Coweta County high school and middle school string and clarinet students.

Violinest Chee-Yun and clarinetist Jose Franch-Ballester, both accomplished and world-class musicians, will conduct the Master Classes at The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Friday, March 28. The Master Classes are free-of-charge to the students. The Newnan Rotary Club will sponsor one of the Master Classes, and BB&T and Cargill will co-sponsored the second class.

“A Master Class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, dance, or any of the arts. In a Master Class, a teacher’s general comments are replaced by the far more personal, intimate, informed, and individualized instructions and comments of a practiced professional in that talent or skill.”

Newnan High School’s Band Director John Erdogan said, “Student participation in Master Classes can hone students’ skills and challenge them. Encountering musicians who play on this level can benefit students greatly by helping them develop basic techniques, reading literature, tone production... and just from the opportunity to be exposed to a developed talent who has succeeded artistically and professionally. Someone who actually does this professionally can certainly benefit students. Lots of things can come from these Master Classes.” Erdogan added, “"We are also so fortunate to have local citizens who not only appreciate Wadsworth and support his annual concert here, but also appreciate the musical arts enough to financially support a Master Class like this for our students.”

Dr. Lyn Schenbeck, Director, Centre Strings (high school) orchestra (also 6th-8th Strings, Smokey Road Middle school ) commented, "This opportunity for our students and the Centre Strings ensemble to be a part of a Master Class can be a life-altering experience. To have the opportunity to learn from someone like violinist Chee-Yun is very exciting; our students will benefit in every way. A big thank you to Newnan Rotary and to BB&T and Cargill for making this happen.”

Tickets for "A Preservation Celebration" Charles Wadsworth and Friends Concert are available at Scott's Book Store on the Newnan Courthouse Square, Morgan's Jewelers at Ashley Park, and The Bank of Coweta - Thomas Crossroads branch. General Admission tickets are $20. Student and Senior (65+) tickets are $15.
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Our Favorite Songs, Carroll County Community Chorus

Carroll County Community Chorus presents a spring concert series “Our Favorite Songs.” To celebrate Charles Allen’s tenth year as conductor, the Chorus has selected their favorite songs from a decade of performances. The most requested song “Bring Me Back to Carrollton,” was written by local composer, Ed Hogan. Additional favorites include “Pie Jesu,” “The Music of the Night,” “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,” “Somewhere Out There,” “Shenandoah,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Georgia On My Mind,” and many others. Concerts are Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are $10. Call 770-838-1083 to order by phone or for information.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Army Sergeant Deploying on First Tour a Real Rock Star

Photo: Richard Patrick (left), lead vocalist for the band Filter, and former band mate turned Army Reserve Sgt. Frank Cavanagh share the stage for a reunion song during the Operation MySpace concert at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on March 10, 2008. Defense Dept. photos by Samantha L. Quigley

It's hard to imagine that Frank Cavanagh, a tall thin Army Reserve sergeant with a shaved head, once had hair nearly to his shoulders and played bass for the rock band Filter.

Cavanaugh said he didn't tell anyone he'd gone through basic and advanced individual military training for some three years. He also didn't tell anyone in his reserve unit that he had been in a successful rock band.

"I didn't want either positive or negative attitudes," he said. "I just wanted to be a soldier and get along, just because we're all soldiers; we're all equal."

It may be hard to believe that a verifiable "rock star" would give up a successful career for a soldier's life, but Cavanagh had his reasons. "I've done everything I wanted to do in life with music," he said. "After the band went on hiatus, I was like, 'What have I not done in life?' I've got a beautiful family, beautiful kids. I love music, but I love my country.'"

So, at 35, Cavanagh, followed in his father, uncle and brother's footsteps and volunteered to serve his country. He's a "27 Delta," Army-speak for a paralegal, and said he loves his job. "There's nothing more important to me, really, than what a soldier does," he said. "You get called upon to do things, and sometimes you don't like it. But, hey, that's alright. There's a higher purpose for it."

The rock star turned soldier soon will come back through Camp Buehring on his way to Iraq for his first tour. But first, he had one more concert to get out of the way.

Cavanagh was in Kuwait to reunite with his old band, Filter, during "Operation MySpace." More specifically, the concert reunited the sergeant with Richard Patrick, Filter's only remaining original member and lead singer.

MySpace social networking Web site presented the show yesterday with cooperation from Armed Forces Entertainment, a group that brings entertainment to deployed troops, and America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families worldwide.

"We really wanted it to happen. It's a bridge between the two worlds," Patrick said. "We're coming over here to play rock music, and Frank's in the military. Let's bridge the two worlds and let everybody know it's really one world."

Though it was a happy compromise, the reunion in Kuwait wasn't quite what Patrick had originally hoped for.

"I'm a reservist, and (Rich) had called me up about five months ago and was like, 'Hey, I'm putting a new record out, and I want you to come help me with it and go back on tour," Cavanagh said. "I was like, 'Buddy, I'm going on a different kind of a tour. It's gonna be a hot one, too.'"

Cavanagh's decision to enlist was no surprise to Patrick, however. The singer knew his buddy loved his country and the military.

"Knowing everything about Frank, ... Frank's a patriot and he's going to be exactly who he is," Patrick said. "(The hiatus) gave Frank a lot of time off ... to sit and think about what else is out there. It was the (right) time for him to just go, 'Look, I have this opportunity, I'm going to do it.'

"He decided to go into the military and serve his country. I think that's great," Patrick added.

The fact that Cavanagh was going to be at the concert made it all the more meaningful for Patrick and the other members of Filter. In fact, playing for the troops was the first goal on his list when he decided to put his band back together.

"It's a total honor," he said. "You're traveling over here, and it's time zone changes, and you feel like a zombie, but when you see the people you came for, it's instantly worth it," he said. "It's a hell of an experience."

The experience paid off big for the troops when Cavanagh, sans his rock star hair, joined his former band for one song during the concert that also featured comedian Carlos Mencia, actress/singer Jessica Simpson, the bands Disturbed and the Pussycat Dolls, and DJ Z-Trip.

Now, it's back to soldiering for Cavanagh, at least for the next year.

"Of course, in a year, I would love to come back and play with Filter," Cavanagh said. "The itch to play music and be in Filter will never leave me."

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
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Stars Rock Kuwaiti Desert in Support of Troops

For more than four hours, Camp Buehring, in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert, became a hard-rocking outdoor amphitheater.

Before the music began, about 5,000 servicemembers heard a message of support and appreciation from President Bush. Both Lt. Gen. James J. Lovelace, commander of U.S. Army Central and Combined Forces Land Component Command, and his deputy, Maj. Gen. Dennis E. Hardy, visited with the performers and thanked them for their support.

Then, before comedian Carlos Mencia got the troops laughing, he gave them some words of thanks.

"You guys work every single day doing a job that other people would never even dream of doing," he said. "You do it proudly, and you do it with a smile, and I salute all of you."

Mencia's job was to keep the troops in stitches between music sets by Disturbed, Filter, the Pussycat Dolls, and actress/singer Jessica Simpson, a job at which he more than succeeded.

Then it was DJ Z-Trip's turn to crank up the volume on some special mixes.

The troops' reactions to the rock groups were quite different from they way they reacted to Simpson and the Pussycat Dolls. The latter groups elicited shouts of appreciation, and even marriage proposals.

There was no doubt the troops were excited to have the entertainers come all the way out to Kuwait just to perform for them.

"Yeah, it's breaking my heart," Indiana Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Brad Thurman joked, adding that he's looking forward to seeing Disturbed. "We'll enjoy it. We weren't expected to be here, (but) they changed us going north (to Iraq)."

Air Force Tech Sgt. Marcus Waller, deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., expressed gratitude for the celebrities' appearance.

"I just want to give a big thanks to Carlos Mencia, the Pussycat Dolls and the various artists coming out in support of our troops," Waller said. "We really appreciate it. It's good to see faces, people thinking about us. As a whole, the U.S. military, we want to give you a big, 'Thanks.'"

The artists turned the tables, saying the visit and their interactions with the troops profoundly impacted them.

"This has been a life-changing experience for us," Nicole Scherzinger, lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, said.

Simpson pointed out what the troops' service means to her. "What you guys represent is true sacrifice," she told the troops before singing her last number.

The other groups said they were honored to be performing for the troops and greatly impressed by the experience.

"We're coming over here to play rock music, and Frank's in the military, said Richard Patrick, lead vocalist for Filter. "Let's bridge the two worlds and let everybody know it's really one world."

"Frank" is Sgt. Frank Cavanagh, Filter's former bass player, who's now an Army reservist getting ready to deploy.

Disturbed's members were just happy to be able to take their support of the troops directly to the military members.

"We're happy that we finally have the opportunity to get out here and talk the talk ... and play for the troops and do what we said we've been meaning to do for the longest time. We're feeling really, really good about it," Disturbed's vocalist David Draiman said.

Z-Trip said he couldn't process all that was happening to him at Camp Buehring. "I'm probably going to be digesting this on the flight back," he said. "It'll probably all settle and make sense."

As the show concluded, all of the artists came to the stage to join Simpson in singing "God Bless America."

The concert, presented by MySpace, a social networking Web site, was streamed live on the MySpace site at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It was presented in cooperation with Armed Forces Entertainment, a group that brings entertainment programs to deployed forces, and the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families worldwide.
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Hip-Hop grows at South by Southwest

AUSTIN, Texas - South by Southwest has always been known as a music festival that flourishes with indie-rock bands, singer-songwriter types, classic blues players, metal acts and even some country artists. But hip-hop? Not so much.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080315/ap_on_en_mu/sxsw_hip_hop

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

COFFEEHOUSE NIGHTS: LIVE MUSIC AT THE LAWRENCEVILLE FEMALE SEMINARY

Visit the Lawrenceville Female Seminary on March 14 at 8 p.m. for the latest performance in the Coffeehouse Nights live music series, which features local musical artists performing various types of music. This month, local artists Ron Hipp and Carol Statella will perform their original songs.

Ron Hipp, an Atlanta native, is an acoustic finger-style guitarist, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Hipp has been performing both solo and in various band combinations since the age of 16. His rich baritone voice, fancy finger-picking, altered guitar tunings, beautiful original songs and instrumentals make his performances an inspiring experience.

Raised in Athens, GA, and at home in many musical styles, Carol Statella is a gifted violist and singer. She has played on albums as notable as Sinead O'Connor's Faith and Courage and in backup orchestras for Joni Mitchell, The Moody Blues, Harry Connick Jr., and Brian Wilson. Statella has also played in the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and currently sings with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus.

Hipp and Statella first began blending their music seven years ago, and have been regularly performing together since then.

Admission is $4 for Gwinnett History Museum members, $5 for non-members. Coffee, drinks, and desserts will be available for purchase. For more information, call 770-822-5178. The Lawrenceville Female Seminary is located at 455 South Perry St. in Lawrenceville.
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Jam Session Hits High Note With Deploying Soldier

Save for the crowd and the celebrity at its core, it could have been a day like any other for a soldier strumming his guitar in the recreation center here yesterday.

Army Spc. Richard Baxter began playing the acoustic guitar just a few years ago, but yesterday he spent nearly 30 minutes jamming with Richard Patrick, guitar player and lead singer for the industrial rock band, Filter.

"It was the opportunity of a lifetime," said Baxter, a member of 352nd Military Police Company, a reserve unit out of Maryland. "It still hasn't set in yet."

Patrick and his band, Filter, and several other musical acts are at Camp Buehring today to play a concert for the troops. MySpace, the social networking Web site, is presenting the show in cooperation with Armed Forces Entertainment, a group that brings entertainment programs to deployed forces, and America Supports you, a Defense Department program that connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving worldwide.

"I'm actually a drummer, but I don't have a drum set," Baxter said. "Actually, the first time I came over here in (2003) is when I learned how to play a guitar."

Though Baxter has served in Iraq once before, he's a little apprehensive about this tour. "This time I have a wife and a daughter, things that make it a lot different," he said.

Despite his feelings on heading to Iraq soon, Baxter said the concert that brought Patrick and his band to Camp Buehring for a concert will be good for the troops.

"Our unit leaves Tuesday, and (the bands) play on Monday, so this is something that will be in our heads when we go 'up north.' (It'll) keep the edge off," Baxter said.

Army 1st Lt. Anh-Luan Huynh, also with 352nd MP Company, agreed. "It's definitely going to be a big morale boost," he said. "People are going to be in the right mindset (after the concert). They're going to be excited, happy."

Huynh also got in on the jam session thanks to Baxter. "It was a little bit crazy because Baxter was put on the spot, like, 'Ha, ha, look at you.' And all the sudden he's like, 'Why don't you play a song?'" Huynh said. "It was a little bit nerve-wracking. Who would have thought on a deployment that you'd get to jam out with the front man for Filter?"

Baxter may well have been trying to redirect the spotlight. "Baxter was so nervous," Patrick said. "I'm like, 'Dude, you play better than me. You're fine.'"

After playing a few songs with Baxter and then Huynh, Patrick noted the guitars the soldiers were playing were hard to keep tuned, even for a short time. "The guitars were bad, and I'm going to do everything in my power to get them two brand new acoustics," he said. "I'm calling my friends at Fender and get them some new acoustics."

Army Sgt. Frank Cavanagh, one of Patrick's former Filter band mates who had been watching the jam, took his friend's thought a step further. "For every (Morale, Welfare and Recreation center) over here in theater, (Rich and I are) going to try and get a jam room," he said. "We haven't even like really discussed it yet."

Patrick's reply came with no hesitation: "I'll help you with that, no problem."

The singer took time after the jam to sign autographs and talk with troops in the crowd.

Comedian Carlos Mencia will host the Operation MySpace concert featuring DJ Z-Trip, singer and actress Jessica Simpson, the bands Disturbed, Filter, and the Pussycat Dolls.

The concert will be streamed live via Web cast on the MySpace Web site at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
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Monday, March 10, 2008

31st ANNUAL ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

31 Years 31 Days Atlanta

In the spirit of change, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is introducing a new format and new venues. This year’s festivities will be held throughout the month of May in four Atlanta neighborhoods over four consecutive weekends culminating over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24th -26th, in downtown Atlanta at Robert W. Woodruff Park, located on Auburn Avenue.

This year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival theme is 31 Years 31 Days Atlanta. “With this year’s jazz festival we are looking forward to spotlighting the depth of Atlanta’s jazz community,” says Office of Cultural Affairs Director, Camille Russell- Love, “there is an enormous amount of talent in this city.” Throughout 31 Years 31 Days Atlanta, jazz lovers will be able to enjoy 31 Days of Jazz in restaurants and cultural venues, the Future of Jazz Competition that discovers new Atlanta based artists, and the Youth Jazz Band Competition featuring middle and high school jazz ensembles. A full schedule of events and artist line-up for the Atlanta Jazz Festival will be announced at the Atlanta Jazz Festival press conference.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Atlanta Jazz Festival, an annual musical showcase, celebrates jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz greats in venues throughout metro Atlanta during the month of May and culminates in a 3-day music festival on Memorial Day Weekend. It is the mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados, young jazz enthusiasts and musical artists to the rich heritage and variety of jazz as an authentic form of traditional music. The 2008 Atlanta Jazz Festival builds on the success and heritage of previous festivals by continuing its expansion with a 31-day schedule. For more information on the Atlanta Jazz Festival, please call the information hotline at 404.853.4234 or visit the website at www.atlantafestivals.com.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Kelly Osbourne to Perform Duet With Brian Evans On New CD

Kelly Osbourne will perform a duet with crooner Brian Evans on his forthcoming debut international CD.

Osbourne will perform the song "Blue Bayou" with Evans.

"I'm obviously thrilled. When I spoke to my producer about who I'd like to perform a duet with, I really thought long and hard about it, and literally dozens of names came up. It wasn't until I was surfing the Internet, frustrated because I couldn't find someone I felt would really belt it out, that I found Kelly Osbourne to be a truly exceptional vocalist that could really bring something wonderful to this CD," says Evans. "I think Kelly has an absolutely amazing voice, and it's a true privilege that she has agreed to do this CD with me."

The CD will feature thirteen songs, eight of which Evans wrote himself. In addition, Evans will record "First, Last, My Everything" (Barry White), "Tainted Love" (Soft Cell), "Mr. Lonely" (Bobby Vinton), and "Morning Train" (Sheena Easton). A thirteenth track, "Super Spy", was written by Ahmet Zappa, which Ahmet will also produce.

"I wanted to do something different here. If I just recorded a CD with a bunch of tunes Sinatra already made famous, as my competitors are doing, I believed it would just turn out to be a big budget karaoke act, and that's not what this CD will be. This CD will capture the crooner genre while bringing something original to it, especially some much needed original material that remains faithful to the genre." Evans says. "I'm not using the crooner title as a marketing hook while I write radio friendly songs that sound nothing like the big band days. I'm sticking to the style and you'll get what you pay for."

Fifty five musicians will play on the new CD.

Evans began his career as the opening act for Dionne Warwick, Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, and Social Distortion. His music is heard on the popular television shows "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Big Shots," among others.

The news has garnered Evans more than 25,000 plays yesterday on his MySpace music site which features previously recorded material by Evans, along with an intro by Joan Rivers.
Grammy nominated producer Chris Walden will produce.

"This will be the CD that introduces the great talents of Brian Evans to the world," says publicist Mark Biltz. "It's been a long time coming."

For more information about Brian Evans, visit www.myspace.com/brianevansonline for video and music clips, and www.brianevans.com, his official website. His previously independently recorded tracks are available at www.itunes.com.
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Thursday, March 06, 2008

The Christian Community of Fayette County presents the “Hope for Life” Concert

The Christian Community of Fayette County presents the “Hope for Life” Concert

Saturday, March 29, 2p-6p

Admission is Free
Donations are Appreciated

• Silent Auction hosted by the Knights of Columbus Dist. 19
• Christian bands including “Latin Flavors”, “Edge” and Three.
• Beautiful and talented dancers from Norma’s Academy of Dance in Fairburn

Proceeds support the Hapeville Crisis Pregnancy Center,
a counseling center for women facing an unplanned pregnancy.

“Hope for Life” Concert
Saturday, March 29, 2008
2:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.
Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheatre
201 McIntosh Trail
Peachtree City, GA 30269

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Clayton State Celebrates Women's History Month

“Women’s Art: Women’s Vision.” That’s the theme for a series of event events celebrating Women’s History Month at Clayton State University.

“In this series of events we celebrate women as artists and visionaries who inspire us and move us forward,” explains Dr. Deborah Deckner, assistant professor of Psychology and chair of the Clayton State 2008 Women’s History Month Committee.

In this case, a “month” runs from a musical kick-off celebration on Monday, Mar. 10 through to a discussion on pregnancy in the workplace on Tuesday, Apr. 8. All Women’s History Month Events at Clayton State are free (with the exception of the Women’s Forum Luncheon) and all are open to the public.

The Mar. 10 musical kickoff will run from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will feature Clayton State music faculty members Dr. Michiko Otaki and Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, plus additional Clayton State University faculty and students. The Musical Kick-off Celebration will be held in the Choral Room of Spivey Hall.

On Wednesday, Mar. 12, Clayton State’s unofficial poet laureate, Dr. Brigitte Byrd, assistant professor in the Department of Language and Literature, will perform selected readings from her book, “The Dazzling Land” in room UC 272 of the James M. Baker Center from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The next day, Thursday, Mar. 13, Women’s History Month moves off-campus with Assistant Professor of Communicative Arts and Integrative Studies Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino’s reading/discussion/book signing of her new book, “Jiggle: (Re)Shaping the American Woman” at the Morrow Barnes and Noble on Mt. Zion Road. Burns-Ardolino will be appearing at the Barnes and Noble from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

On Monday, Mar. 17, Dr. Susan Copeland, assistant professor in the Clayton State Language and Literature will lecture on Georgia author Flannery O’ Connor in room UC 272 of the Baker Center from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Mar. 18, the Clayton State Women’s Forum will celebrate Women’s History Month with its monthly luncheon featuring
Cindy Cathy, who will speak on WinShape Home, which was established to provide loving, nurturing homes to children who are victims of circumstance and need a secure family environment in which to grow and mature. The cost of the luncheon, which begins at noon in room 101 of the Harry S. Downs Center, is $12. Go to
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/wom_forum/meetings/default.html for more information.
On Monday, Apr. 7, Polly McKinney, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Georgia, will be speaking on political participation in room UC272 of the Baker Center from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A voter registration table, staffed by Clayton State students from the School of Business’ Women in Leadership Class, will be available directly outside UC 272 during this event.

Finally, on Apr. 8 at noon in room UC265 of the Baker Center, Karina Bull, attorney with the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights, will speak on Pregnancy in the Workplace. Bull will discuss a range of Federal statutes that impact family planning in the work place, including FMLA, ADA, and Title VII.

For more information on Women’s History Month at Clayton State, contact Deckner at (678) 466-4836.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

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Saturday, March 01, 2008

Celtic Thunder

Wow. Just watched the PBA special on TV and was impressed to say the least. We now have tickets to see them when they're here in Atlanta in November. They'll be at the Civic Center. The CD is going to be arriving in our mailbox sometime soon, too. Here's a taste of the new CD, concert: