Wednesday, May 21, 2008

First United Methodist Presents "An Evening of Vocal Artistry"

On June 21 Fayetteville First United Methodist Church located at 175 East Lanier Avenue, Fayetteville, Georgia will present a concert, An Evening of Vocal Artistry, directed by Rick Massengale and featuring many well known Broadway melodies along with a selection of more serious vocals and even a touch of opera. The concert will begin at 5:00 pm and will be immediately followed by a “meet the artists” reception, complete with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, coffee and tea! Now you no longer have to drive downtown and pay high gas prices for an evening of great entertainment and fun. Tickets are $20.00 and are on sale now. For additional information or to purchase tickets please contact the Church Office (770) 461 4313 or Sharron Singletary (770) 461 1519.

National Endowment for the Arts Announces 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Recipients

National Endowment for the Arts Announces 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Recipients The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) today announced the 2008 recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowships, the country's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Eleven fellowships, which include a one-time award of $20,000 each, are presented to honorees from eight states and Puerto Rico...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Decatur Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir Selected to Perform at Piccolo Spoleto for Third Consecutive Year

MM Note: Spoleto is a wonderful cultural event in Charleston, SC. There are many wonderful performers in the various arts. Take time to go become "enriched"-- you'll be singing all the way home.

BUSINESS WIRE--Decatur Presbyterian Church today announced that for the third consecutive year the Chancel Choir under the direction of Choirmaster and Organist Matthew McMahan, has been selected to perform at Piccolo Spoleto. The choir will be performing various sacred selections for an afternoon of Divine Harmony on May 31, 2008 at 12:00 Noon at St. Matthews Lutheran Church located at 405 King Street in Charleston, SC, as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Piccolo Spoleto, an official outreach program of Spoleto Festival, U.S.A., is administered by the City of Charlestons Office of Cultural Affairs.

We are honored to have been invited to perform at Piccolo Spoleto again for a third year, said Matthew McMahan. I believe this years offering titled Divine Harmony provides a refreshing and unique mix of sacred selections that includes the inspiring Messe Solennelle by French Composer Louis Vierne, and music by Gibbons, Hogan, Bruckner and Gawthrop. We are delighted to be returning to Charleston again this year to participate in one of the worlds finest and most diverse cultural events. I would like to thank the Church Council, clergy and staff of St. Matthews, especially the Reverend James Blacock, Sr. Interim Pastor, Douglas Ludlum, Music Director and Suzy Stephens, Facilities Manager for the grand measure of hospitality extended to us for our visit to Charleston.

The chancel choir of Decatur Presbyterian Church (DPC) is an auditioned ensemble, composed of volunteer and professional singers. The choir is devoted to the performance of the finest classical and contemporary literature through vibrant traditional worship services and concerts. The Choir has long been a mainstay of the metropolitan Atlanta area and has performed broadly, including singing for the American Guild of Organists in Atlanta and Charlotte, Washington National Cathedral, a European concert tour and most importantly Piccolo Spoleto.

The choir is often complimented for its purity of sound a result of emphasis on equal blending of the written harmonies and the minimalization of vibrato. The choir has been honored to represent the Church in ministry beyond its walls through invitations to sing for other churches, professional and community events.

About Piccolo Spoleto

Piccolo Spoleto, the official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA, was founded by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in 1979. The Piccolo Spoleto Festival is funded in part by grants from the City of Charleston; Charleston County; South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Piccolo's mission is to provide access to the Spoleto Festival experience for everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances and to provide the opportunity for excellent local and regional artists, writers and performances to be presented in Piccolo's "local venue." Piccolo Spoleto offers something wonderful for everyone - from classical to contemporary, from traditional to cutting edge. One of the unique aspects of Piccolo Spoleto is the accessibility to the Spoleto Festival experience. Half of Piccolo's events are admission-free, and the rest are offered at very modest ticket prices.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Ridge Davis to Perform at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church

Ridge Davis will present his senior flute recital at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 25, at 2:00 p.m.

Ridge will just have graduated “with distinction” from Whitewater High School on Friday, but his list of accomplishments is already long. He has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony of Emory University since 2004. For four years he was selected for GMEA All-State Orchestra and Band. He won concerto competitions sponsored by three different orchestras. He was awarded scholarships by Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (twice). He was first-place winner in the inaugural Lexus Scholarship for the Stars. In 2006 he was selected to appear on the National Public Radio show, From the Top. At Whitewater he was a member of National Honor Society and Beta Club. In the fall he will be a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Ridge’s teacher, Christina Smith, Principal Flute of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, will perform with him on Sunday. His accompanist will be Peter Marshall, a piano professor at Georgia State University. His recital repertoire includes works by FaurĂ©, Messiaen, Widor, Bozza, and Frank Martin, as well as by living composers Robert Muczynski and Henri Dutilleux.

The public is invited. The church is at the corner of Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway.

---
http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
---

Sunday, May 18, 2008

4th Annual Friends & Family Concert

The Southern Nights Chorale will present its 4th Annual Friends & Family Concert on Friday evening, June 20th. This year’s performance will be held at Peachtree City First Baptist Church, 208 Willowbend Road off Hwy. 54.

The chorale will present perennial favorites and showcase new songs for the 2007-08 Season, including “Georgia on my Mind,” “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In,” Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria,” plus a musical extravaganza that is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

The program starts at 7:30PM; coffee and dessert will be served afterwards. Admission is free, but a love offering will be taken to benefit Fayetteville's Joseph Sams School for developmentally challenged children.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

31st Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival

31ST ANNUAL ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL
ATLANTA, GA

MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 31, 2008
31 YEARS | 31 DAYS | ATLANTA

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION
MAY 24 THROUGH MAY 26

SATURDAY, MAY 24 – 2 PM TO 10 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 25 – 2 PM TO 10 PM
MONDAY, MAY 26 – 2 PM TO 10 PM

The Atlanta Jazz Festival, an annual musical showcase, celebrates jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz greats in venues throughout metro Atlanta during the entire month of May and culminates in a 3-day music festival on Memorial Day Weekend at Woodruff Park. 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 31st annual Atlanta Jazz Festival builds on the success and heritage of previous festivals by continuing to offer 31 days filled with jazz performances and events again this May.

WHEN: 31 Days of Jazz – May 1 through May 31, 2008.
Atlanta jazz Festival Memorial Day weekend Celebration – May 24 through May 26, 2008.

WHERE: Various venues throughout Atlanta. Neighborhood Jazz Series includes venues in Castleberry Hill, Virginia Highlands and Midtown. Memorial Day Weekend Festival is at Woodruff Park, Atlanta, GA.

COST: Admission to the Memorial Day Weekend Festival is FREE. Other events during the 31 Days of Jazz may have a cost.

ACTIVITIES: More than 100 entertainers perform during the 31 Days of Jazz and the Memorial Day Weekend concert series. Events throughout the month include various daytime and nighttime events in Atlanta area parks, free and ticketed evening events at nightclubs, concert halls, eclectic venues and restaurants in Atlanta.

The 2008 Memorial Day Weekend concert series includes many legendary jazz sensations, as well as the newest up-and-coming artists on the jazz scene today. This year’s line-up will features such critically acclaimed artists as Rua 6, Bernard Linnette Interactive featuring Charito, Serenata Band, Gordon Vernick & the GSU Faculty Jazztet, Joe Jennings & Howard Nicholson’s Lifeforce, the Ojeda Penn Experience, Ron James and the Truth, Jaspects and Mike Phillips. In addition to the great Atlanta artists, this year’s festival will feature the Future of Jazz Competition winners and the Youth Jazz Band Competition winners.

Unique jazz events take place throughout the city the entire month of May. Our Neighborhood Jazz Series will highlight three neighborhoods in the city limits; Castleberry Hill, Virginia Highlands and Midtown. Each neighborhood will host an array of events in several different categories. Our Nightlife Series includes live jazz at bars and nightclubs, including Studio 281, Vino Libro, Apache Café and The High Museum of Art. Jazz lovers can also enjoy music in eclectic Atlanta spots such as Fernbank Museum of Natural History, The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, as well as diverse lunchtime jazz performances on Broad Street in the beautiful, historic Fairlie-Popular district of Downtown Atlanta.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION: Experience the best in jazz with performances Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26 from acclaimed local favorites! Taking place in Woodruff Park with artist vendors, fantastic festival food options and great jazz makes the Memorial Day Weekend festival a perfect event for the entire family! Visit www.atlantafestivals.com for the most updated schedule of performances and events.

MARTA: While limited street parking is available on a first come basis, we suggest taking Marta. There are two train stations adjacent to opposite ends of the park, Five Points Station and Peachtree Center Ave Station.

SPECIAL NEEDS: Woodruff Park is fully accessible for wheelchairs. The most accessible entrances will be the Peachtree St entrances of the park.

SPONSORS: The Coca-Cola, Budweiser Select, Publix, Brand Atlanta, MARTA, WCLK 91.9 FM, JazzTimes, Spelman College, BET J, Atlanta Convention & isitors Bureau, Central Atlanta Progress, and Epiphone, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, SmartMusic, TD Entertainment, JW Pepper.

WHAT YOU SHOULD LEAVE AT HOME:
•No Pets
•No Grills
•No Tents
•No Bicycles
•No Skating
•No Staking

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Community News You Can Use
Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Tyrone

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Spivey Hall Young Artists and Children’s Choir to Perform this Weekend

The Spivey Hall Young Artists and the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir will be performing this coming weekend on the campus of Clayton State University.

Performances will be held in Spivey Hall on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 17 (3 p.m.) and Sunday May 18 (also 3 p.m.) Admission for all three shows is $20 per person.

Starting on May 16, the Spivey Hall Young Artists’ spring concert showcases the achievements of the Young Artists, who will cap off their year with a program that includes performances with the Spivey Hall Children's Choir. The Young Artists sing with spirit and beauty under the direction of Craig Hurley and are accompanied by Steven Wooddell.

Dr. Martha Shaw will then conduct the Children's Choir performances on May 17 and May 18, bringing their year and the 2007/2008 Spivey Series to a close with two wonderful concerts -- demonstrating once again why the Spivey Hall Children's Choir Program under the direction of Shaw and accompanist Judy Mason enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence. The advanced singers of the Tour Choir, Spivey Hall's musical ambassadors, will also give a preview of selections to be performed on their upcoming annual summer concert tour.

The program for the Spivey Hall Young Artists with the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir is:

HENDERSON Psalm 100; Cantate Domino; BACH Bist du Bei Mir; Laughing and Shouting for Joy, duet from Cantata No. 15; CHILCOTT Can You Hear Me?; The Truth is Great; All Things Pass; The Gift to Be Simple; TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL, arranged by Earlene Rentz, The Turtle Dove; arrangement by Andre Thomas John Saw Duh Numbuh; LEEK Goolay-yali; TRADITIONAL, arrangement by Stephen Hatfield, Amazing Grace; RUTTER All Things Bright and Beautiful; DALEY The Lake Isle of Innisfree; CALDWELL / IVORY Hope for Resolution.

The program for both Children’s Choir performances is:

HENDERSON Psalm 100; Cantate Domino; BACH Bist du Bei Mir; Laughing and Shouting for Joy, duet from Cantata No. 15; CHILCOTT Can You Hear Me?; The Truth is Great; All Things Pass; The Gift to Be Simple; TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL, arranged by Earlene Rentz, The Turtle Dove; arrangement by Andre Thomas John Saw Duh Numbuh; LEEK Goolay-yali; TRADITIONAL, arrangement by Stephen Hatfield, Amazing Grace; RUTTER All Things Bright and Beautiful; DALEY The Lake Isle of Innisfree; CALDWELL / IVORY Hope for Resolution.

General information about the Children’s Choir is available at: http://www.spiveyhall.org/education/index.php?secID=3&subSecID=7

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

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Lindee Link

Last year Lindee Link, age 12 at the time, wowed everyone at the Peachtree City Veterans Day event. Since then I've heard her sing a number of times and each time she seems to get just a bit better. Not only is she an accomplished performer, she also writes! It's been a while since we made the following video but we thought we'd share it just in case you missed it. We're also including one of her recent songs now that she has her own YouTube site and we can easily grab them. She'll be singing in Peachtree City on Memorial Day...





Pops in the Park and Pizza n' Pops!

The Peachtree Wind Ensemble will perform at a "Pops in the Park" Concert at Senoia City Park in downtown Senoia on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will also feature the East Coweta High School and Lee Middle School bands. The Peachtree Wind Ensemble is made up of adult volunteer musicians from throughout the southside area. Any adult who plays an instrument or used to play an instrument and would like to play with a group again is invited to come and have fun making music. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Peachtree City. For more information about the group, go to www.peachwind.org. Come join us under the stars for a musical evening!

June 9, 7:30 p.m. - The Peachtree Wind Ensemble will present music for your picnic on the patio at a "Pizza 'n Pops! Concert" at Partners II Pizza in Peachtree City. Enjoy your picnic on the patio or in your golf cart while listening to some great music played by friends and neighbors. Adult musicians are welcome to join the fun by coming to rehearsals at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Peachtree City on Monday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. For more information about the group, go to www.peachwind.org.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Can A Music Video Change The World?

A band, a song, a website, and hundreds possibly thousands of music lovers worldwide will soon join forces to produce a user-generated music video about taking their "Leap of Faith."

What is a "Leap of Faith?" First, it is an inspirational song by Indie rock band Kindred Souls that is about overcoming obstacles and achieving personal triumphs.

"The song is about saying to yourself, 'I believe in you!' It means taking a great leap towards believing in yourself and what you can accomplish," says Kindred Souls singer-songwriter Jeff Rafferty.

Kindred Souls joined forces with international media social network website www.fotki.com to ask people to share photographs of their "Leap of Faith" - whatever that means to them. Fotki.com is based in 215 countries. This is an opportunity to collaborate on producing a video with people around the globe including photographers, proud parents and grandparents, students, athletes, performers, and non-profits.

To be in the music video, visit www.fotki.com or www.kindred-souls.com. Download the song for free, and submit a photo and a brief story about your "Leap of Faith."

The contest starts May 7 and photos will be accepted for two weeks. After that, fans will be asked to vote for their favorites. The photos will be compiled into a music video for the song "Leap of Faith" and launched on YouTube and on www.kindred-souls.com.

"We will include as many photos as possible in the video and donate $100 to the favorite charity of whoever submits the most popular photo," says Kindred Souls songwriter and keyboardist Lon Bachrach.

What inspired Leap of Faith? Band founders Rafferty and Bachrach agree it was drawn from overcoming some of their own personal struggles, which includes trying to achieve success for their music.

Playing in clubs ranging from Asbury Park's Stone Pony to New York's Knitting Factory, Kindred Souls is an all-original rock-n-roll band whose music has shades of blues, jazz, R&B, funk, and soul. The band features bassist Stan Quincy Adams, guitarists Ted Heman and Jeff Samet, and drummer Paul Lavenhar.

"There isn't anything else that I can do but make music. Being a musician is who I am," says Bachrach. "Part of our message is to tell other artists and folks of vision, who are the carriers of creativity's torch, don't stop! Continue to share, to create, and to believe. Take your leap of faith!"

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Sommerville Releases New Album May 12


Atlanta trumpeter Joey Sommerville is on the up and up after signing with Three Keys Music. Sommerville's album 'Like You Mean It' has ridden the indie jazz charts to the top and will be released worldwide on May 12th.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Fayette Middle School's Cub Chorus Takes First Place!

Spring Concert May 15th at Sams Auditorium

Many of Fayette Middle School’s 7th and 8th grade chorus students recently returned from a 4-day trip to Orlando, Florida. The Cub Chorus performed at the The MusicFest competition in Orlando. The Fayette Middle School Cub Chorus came in First Place (Junior High Choral Division). Additionally, the Chorus was also named Superstar Champion - for the highest scores in the choral division (Jr. High & Sr. High combined). This was a first for Fayette Middle Chorus! Ms. RisĂ« Rudy, the Chorus Director stated that the students who performed provided the evidence of what hard work and dedication can achieve and she was proud of the their commitment to excellence in their art.

The Fayette Middle School’s final Spring Concert is Next Week - Thursday, May 15, 7:00 PM at Sams Auditorium.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Matt Elliott Homes to Contribute $2,500 for Voices

Matt Elliott Homes reaches out to support Voices and its community, for another year, in the upcoming programs for the summer and fall of 2008.

“We are glad to join Voices once again,” explained President, Matt Elliott. “We have shared this journey since its inception and are excited to support them in their artistic endeavor. We feel that the sophistication of their productions is unrivaled in the local community. Voices has the special ability of blending an eclectic mix of musical styles, cultures, languages, and ages of talent. This unique quality enables them to transport their audience beyond its imagination. Ms. Ugarte, as Founder and Artistic Director, has created a vehicle to share, enlighten and develop the local community and talent based on her multi-cultural classical training, performance and teaching experience. As a Platinum Sponsor, we look forward to Voices announcement for the upcoming programs of 2008 and we would like to encourage the community to participate and support in the continued growth of this performing arts organization.”

Matt Elliott Homes believes that “quality is in the making” and that “it is an emotion which you experience in art and lifestyle.” “We invite you to experience this feeling” and preview 105 Adams Park Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214. This newly constructed, Craftsman style basement home is situated on two acres in a secluded subdivision and is 20 minutes from the airport. It features 5 bedrooms, master and additional bedroom on main, extensive trim, and hardwood floors and stairs. Details and specifications are a must see. Participating co-op agent is offered 3% commission on the sale of this home. Please contact Jan Spell with Harry Norman at 404-402-5963 for showings and reference Voices. This home is ready for immediate move in. Matt Elliott Homes will donate $2,500 to Voices at closing on or before May 31, 2008. Please visit www.MattElliottHomes.com for a virtual tour.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

The Pick of the Pickers at the Marietta Bluegrass Festival

The Marietta Bluegrass Festival will be held on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at Jim Miller Park, home of the North Georgia Fairgrounds. The music starts on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon. The bluegrass festival is held inside the climate controlled comfort of Exhibit Hall A. Ticket prices are $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday, or $20 for the weekend.The second oldest Bluegrass Festival in Georgia is the one to pick for the best in bluegrass music. The Marietta Bluegrass Festival began in October 1969 as the Cobb Bluegrass Festival. While the festival is one of the oldest, it is the bands making their first appearance at the Marietta Bluegrass Festival that are the talk of the town.

A total of 13 bands are scheduled to perform, six of which will be making their first appearance at this event. The first-timers include The Wilson Family of Folkston, GA, NewFire of Simpsonville, SC, Joe and Melanie Johnson of Muscadine, AL, and local favorites The East Dixie Boys, Smokey’s Farmland Band and Flat Pickin’ Inc. Returning by popular demand is Southern Lite of North FL, Randolph County of East AL and Georgia’s own Broad River, Whoa Nelly, The Honey Creek Boys, The Larios Brothers and Potter’s Clay.

If you enjoy good, clean family fun, quality music and mixing and mingling with down to earth people, there’s no doubt that you’ll find it at the Marietta Bluegrass Festival. Come see for yourself and bring some friends with you.

Among the Festival sponsors are D. Geller & Son Jewelers of Smyrna and Kennesaw, Norman Campers and Red Roof Inns of Marietta.

For more information, please visit www.JackGrass.com or telephone 770-961-5974.