Elation Center for the
Arts presents a unique concert featuring
the wonderful sounds of marimbas and xylophones
by The Woodwork Percussion Ensemble,
Woodwork is the brainchild
of Dr. John Pennington, Professor of Music
at Fort Lewis College and Artistic Director
of the Animas Music Festival. Pennington
performs in the ensemble with five music
performance majors at the college: Kevin
Martin, Michael Pratt, Sean Statser, Chance
Harrison and Grayson Andrews.
Along with the ensemble’s
incredible collection of marimbas and xylophones,
it also performs on glockenspiel, vibraphone,
croatales and a wooden box called a cajon,
playing a wide range of music including classical,
jazz and ragtime from the late 1920s and
'30s, and music from various other cultural
traditions.
Pennington is an orchestral
percussionist who performs all over the world.
Locally, he performs with Music in the Mountains,
the San Juan Symphony and The Woodwork Percussion
Ensemble. Woodwork is the fulfillment of
his dream to perform and record with his
most advanced students.
The ensemble has performed dozens of concerts
in schools, festivals and concerts.
Advance discount tickets,
for $12.00, are available through elationarts.org
and at WolfTracks Coffee House. Tickets at
the door are $15.00 for adults. Children
with parents, $5.00.
Desserts and coffee
will be provided at intermission. Please
bring a dessert to share if you wish.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse
is located at 230 Port Avenue in the Vista
subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160 to
Vista Blvd. Turn north on Vista and left
on Port.
ECA offers life enrichment
programs focused on preserving our cultural
heritage. Proceeds from this concert help
support these programs. ECA’s community
concerts have been upgraded with professional
sound, stage and lighting. For more information,
log on to elationarts.org or call 731-3117.
Our
December 2006 Event:
"A
Classic Christmas "
June
Marquez and
Jessica Espinosa
John
Graves
The gala, second annual,
family event features the musical talents
of John Graves, Debbie Tucker, The Other
Side of the Mountain Singers, Bob Nordmann,
Joy Redmon, The Tuller Family Band, Salley
Yates, June Marquez, Jessica Espinosa, D’Ann
Artis, Sue Diffey and the Santa and His Elves’ Theatrical
Ensemble.
John Graves will inaugurate
this year’s “A Classic Christmas,” performing
on an acoustic piano donated by Shoffner's
Piano Service. Vocalists will render classic
carols and classical musicians will compliment
the mood with elegant melodies. Rumor has
it that the audience will also be performing
on some of the songs. The story of this special
holiday program unfolds in the next two weeks
Please keep tuned.
ECA’s community
concerts have been upgraded with professional
sound, stage and lighting. Donated by the
Pagosa Community Choir, the elevated stage
provides concertgoers with a much better
view. Professional lighting, made possible
by contributions from ECA supporters, artistically
lights the stage.
Come enjoy “A
Classic Christmas,” 6pm, Saturday,
December 23rd at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
Desserts and coffee will be provided at intermission.
Please bring a dessert to share if you wish.
Please note this concert begins an hour earlier
than usual.
Advance tickets, for
$8, are available through elationarts.org
and at WolfTracks Coffee House. Tickets at
the door are $10 for adults and free for
young people, 18 and under.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse
is located at 230 Port Avenue in the Vista
subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160 to
Vista Blvd. Turn north on Vista and left
on Port.
Elation Center for the
Arts serves the people of the southwest region
of the USA and beyond by cultivating an appreciation
for the arts. ECA offers life enrichment
programs focused on preserving our cultural
heritage. These programs include community
concerts, music assemblies and performance
residencies for schools, performance opportunities
for accomplished and aspiring artists and
classes in the arts for students of all ages
and backgrounds. Proceeds from this concert
help support these programs. For more information,
call 731-3117.
Our
November 2006 Event :
Jazz in Pagosa
with Teresa Ross and The Actual Proof Quartet
Teresa Ross
Extraordinary jazz vocalist Teresa Ross performs
in Pagosa Springs with an exciting jazz ensemble,
The Actual Proof Quartet, on November 25th, 7pm,
at Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse. The concert is produced
by Elation Center for the Arts.
According to jazz piano
virtuoso John Graves, “Teresa Ross has a
rare ability to bring any lyric to life. Through
her amazing timing, articulation and control, she
expresses an unerring sense of romance, drama and
comedy.”
The Actual Proof Quartet
consists of Lee Bartley, piano; Bob Newnam, trumpet
and flugelhorn; Bob Cordalis, bass; and Brad Tarpley,
drums.
This upcoming concert
features “talented and trained musicians,” according
to Graves, “blending tight, well-rehearsed
arrangements, (featuring inspired ad lib solos
by all the instrumentalists), with the swinging,
sophisticated style of Ross. Their play list includes
straight-ahead jazz, classic standards, bossa novas,
a scattering of bebop, and occasional special material.”
Pianist, composer, arranger,
and recording artist Lee Bartley is well known
to local audiences as Graves’ keyboard partner
in the group Rio Jazz. “He plays with the
technique and assurance of a classical artist,
but his innovative arrangements and jazz solos
bring a distinct identity to The Actual Proof Quartet,” says
Graves.
Other comments by Graves:
“Bassist Bob Cordalis has played with just about every kind of musical
group in the area: blues, rock, jazz - and he was even principal bassist for
the San Juan Symphony. His powerful driving beat and inventive solos reflect
this versatile background.”
“Bob Newnam's trumpet and flugelhorn will not blast your eardrums with
screeching high notes. But every mellow note he plays will reflect his good
taste and creative instincts.”
“Percussionist Brad Tarpley, unlike many drummers, can play with subtlety
and nuance, or with wild abandon - whatever the style and the arrangement requires.”
Come enjoy Jazz in Pagosa
with Teresa Ross and The Actual Proof Quartet,
on November 25th, 7pm, at Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
Advance tickets, for $12, are available through elationarts.org
and at WolfTracks Coffee House. Tickets at the door
are $15 for adults and $5.00 for young people, 18
and under.
Desserts and coffee
will be provided at intermission. Please bring
a dessert to share if you wish.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse
is located at 230 Port Avenue in the Vista subdivision
of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160 to Vista Blvd. Turn north
on Vista and left on Port.
Elation Center for the
Arts serves the people of the southwest region
of the USA and beyond by cultivating an appreciation
for the arts. ECA offers life enrichment programs
focused on preserving our cultural heritage. These
programs include community concerts; music assemblies
and performance residencies for schools; performance
opportunities for accomplished and aspiring artists;
and classes in the arts for students of all ages
and backgrounds. Proceeds from this concert will
help support these programs. For more information,
log on to elationarts.org or call 731-3117.
Sylvia
Zurko’s performances have been well received
at concerts and festivals throughout the Four Corners
area for many years. She sings traditional Irish
folk songs and plays the Celtic harp, concertina
and lap harp. Zurko lives in Durango. This will
be her first concert in Pagosa Springs.
Zurko has a master’s degree in music education,
and she has worked to further the appreciation for
folk music and dance in Durango, organizing a concerts,
festivals and dance groups since 1988. Believing
in the healing power of music, especially harp music,
Sylvia volunteered for several years in her local
hospital, playing regularly for both patients and
staff. Last year she traveled to France where she
gave a concert in a 12th century church. She has
recorded several CD’s of her harp music.
Other performers on the bill for “In the Celtic
Tradition” are John Graves, Carla and Paul
Roberts, Bob Nordmann, dancers Susan and Peter Coe
and Sally Yates and other special guests.
Photo of the Badly
Bent: left to right: Mark Epstein on banjo,
Bill Adams on dobro, Robb Brophy on mandolin,
Jeff Hibshman on bass, and Patrick Dressen
on guitar.
ECA
Presents Bluegrass Concert Sept. 30th
Article by Paul Roberts
The Badly Bent is known for its brilliant instrumental compositions, fine vocal
harmonies and friendly stage presence. It is comprised of Mark Epstein (banjo),
Patrick Dressen (guitar), Robb Brophy (mandolin), Bill Adams (dobro) and Jeff
Hibshman (bass).
Last year The Badly Bent took first place in the coveted Telluride Bluegrass
Festival band competition, winning the prestigious award over a field
of bands from all over the world. This year the band has performed at
Telluride and other music festivals throughout the West. It has also
performed concerts at Ft. Lewis College and the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown.
The group’s self-titled CD is receiving international airplay and
the group’s banjo player, Mark Epstein, was a recent guest with
the San Juan Symphony Orchestra.
Bluegrass music is truly an American form, inspired by the music of the Scots-Irish
immigrants of Appalachia and the music of rural African-Americans. The
name of the style came from Bill Monroe's band, The Bluegrass Boys, formed
in 1939. With the innovations of 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs,
bluegrass developed during the mid 1940s as an amalgam of old-time music,
blues, ragtime and jazz. Traditional bluegrass relies on acoustic stringed
instruments and affords musicians a marvelous format to explore vast
possibilities for variation and improvisation.
Please join us Saturday, September 30th, 7pm, at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse,
for an exciting opportunity to experience the authentic sound of The Badly
Bent.
“ An
Empty Bench” is a one-act original musical,
produced with a second half cabaret, or olio. This
preview will highlight the local talent of Pagosa
Springs. Showtime is 7 pm.
“An
Empty Bench” Presented by ECA - reprinted
from the Pagosa Springs Sun
By Paul Roberts
Audiences love musicals.
But these days it’s unusual to see an original musical production. Local
luminary John Graves has composed songs for his original
one-act musical play, entitled An Empty Bench. The first public presentation
of this delightful love story will take place at Stage Under the Stars, Pagosa’s
exciting new performing arts venue, August 22 and 23 at 7pm.
Through its superb music and lovely story, An Empty Bench evokes the tradition
of the Golden Age of Broadway. The second half of the production is a
variety show - in a cabaret setting - featuring the fabulous, multi-talented
cast: Matthew and Tiffany Brunson, June Marquez, Sally Yates, Larry Elginer,
Kimberly Judd and Honor Nash-Putnam.
“ I’ve only written six songs in my seventy-two years of performing,” says
Graves. “I wrote them in the ‘60’s and just a few months ago,
I discovered that if I put all those songs together in a certain order, they
tell a story.”
Graves scripted the storyline with his longtime co-producer and collaborator,
John Porter, director and producer of An Empty Bench. Since Graves and
Porter met in Pagosa ten years ago, their many creative contributions
have included musical theater, straight theater, concerts, radio programs
and vaudeville shows. Two of their notable productions were “Boom,
Bust and Battle,” music and the culture of the 20’s, 30’s
and 40’s, and “The Hills Are Alive,” a tribute to Rogers
and Hammerstein.
“ We did several benefits, raising money to try to start a performing arts
center,” says Graves of his collaboration with Porter. “We work very
well together. He’s a great detail man, a nuts and bolts guy. I’m
just the opposite. I don’t want to deal with nuts and bolts, so it works
out pretty well. His function as a producer is to make sure everything is where
it’s supposed to be, everyone knows what they’re to do and that the
costumes, lights and sound – everything is taken care of. He’s very
good at that.”
Porter, a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, has been directing and
performing in plays since 1959. He is a prolific playwright; over 40
of his original plays have been performed.
Tickets to An Empty Bench can be purchased in advance for $15, at Wolftracks
Coffee House, or at the performance for $20. Seating is limited.
Stage Under the Stars is located at 3700 Piedra Road. Directions: Highway 160
to Piedra Road; 3.7 miles north on the left side.
An Empty Bench is presented by Elation Center for the Arts. For more information,
call 731-3117.
Graves
is a consummate performer, composer, dramatist,
producer, teacher, artistic consultant and tireless
supporter of all things artistic. Born in Porterville,
California in 1928, he was a child prodigy, composing
songs and performing on piano for school and vaudeville
type shows by the age of eight.
Graves has had a distinguished career as professional musician, television
and movie producer and college professor. Throughout his various life pursuits,
Graves’ love and devotion to music has remained constant. Even during
the thick of his television and movie production days, he performed several
nights a week at private parties for the likes of Judy Garland, Groucho
Marx, Danny Thomas, John Wayne and other stars. He has accompanied George
Burns, June Christy, Rosemary Clooney, Rudy Vallee, Redd Foxx, Arthur Duncan,
Jimmy Durante and other musical celebrities. He also performed on television
for the Betty White show and was musical director for the Gloria Hart Show.
While working with NBC, Graves supervised such shows as Bonanza, I Dream of
Jeannie, Ironside, The Man from Uncle, Then Came Bronson, The Debbie Reynolds
Show, The Monkees, and a series shot in London with Lord Lew Grade called
The Strange Report. He was the executive in charge of the award-winning
Medical Center, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, GE Monogram Documentaries,
and several syndicated talk shows. He produced Assignment Vienna, with
Robert Conrad, an eight-hour miniseries filmed on location in Vienna, Austria
for MGM-TV and the ABC Television Network.
Graves was the executive producer for critically acclaimed Picnic at Hanging
Rock, a successful feature film. He was also responsible for the BBC's feature
Storm Boy, the re-editing of Sunday Too Far Away, and a TV feature movie, The
Sound of Love.
Later, Graves taught at Central Missouri State University, retiring after ten
years as Professor Emeritus of Mass Communication.
Local
Legend John Graves accompanies songs from his
upcoming musical
John will perform many beautiful songs written for his
new musical "An Empty Bench". Where
in the World is Home is about
a lonely boy looking for love and wondering
if he can ever find it, and An
Empty Bench is asong
about a girl who has lost her lover.
Music, Mirth
and Muses pays homage to the inspiration of the
muses through musical performances, dances, poems
and comedy Saturday, June 17th, 7pm, at the Pagosa
Lakes Clubhouse.
Local
legend John Graves (in the guise of Sire John
the Bard) weaves together the variety show with
his characteristic wit, wisdom and style. Joining
the bard will be celestial
harpist Natalie Tyson, actress
Sally Yates,singers Matthew and Tiffany Brunson, soulful
saxophonist Bob Nordmann, concertmaster/vocalist/trumpeter
Larry Elginer, vivacious singer June Marquez,
flautist extraordinaire Joy Redmon, and ECA founders
Paul and Carla Roberts.
Dancers
include Deb Aspen and Charles Jackson, Sally Yates,
Shanti Johnson and Peter Coe.
Admission is $8 for adults and $4
for children under 18. Tickets will be available
at the door. Please bring a dessert to share, if
you wish. For more information, or call 731-3117.
Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse is located at 230 Port Avenue
in the Vista subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160
to Vista Blvd. Turn north on Vista and left on Port.
Matthew
and Tiffany Brunson
The
Brunsons have toured internationally
in professional music ensembles and also
have extensive backgrounds in musical
theater. They have performed together
for 6 years. “We have a very eclectic
approach to our music,” says Matthew. “We
love it all.” John Graves will
accompany the couple at the performance
on piano. Join the Brunson’s and
a stellar cast of musical performers
for an inspiring evening of musical brilliance!
Join us for an exciting
spring festival of folk music and dance coming
to Pagosa Springs the weekend of May 5th and 6th.
During this two-day immersion in the performing
arts, performances, demonstrations, workshops and
classes will take place at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
Bruce
Hayes appearing at our Songwriters
Showcase Friday, May 5th, 7:00 pm
John
Graves performs songs from his new musical "AN
EMPTY BENCH". This concert
of all original songs includes Larry
Elginer (Jazz and Country Western), David
Snyder and Denny Finn (Topical Humor)
and more.
John
Graves
May 6th,
7:00 PM
Concert$8.00
A
WORLD OF MUSICwith
special guests
The festival culminates with a Saturday evening concert of
world music by Paul and Carla Roberts and special guests. The
Roberts extraordinary range of musical expression is a synthesis
of many folk and classical influences, a journey around the
world through sound and song. more
about the Roberts
Paul
and Carla Roberts
WEEKEND
WORKSHOPS & CONCERT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
SCHEDULE MAY
5th
3:00 "The
Evolution of Popular Music" talk
and demonstration with John
Graves -$3
Friday,
May 5th SONGWRITERS
SHOWCASE CONCERTMAY
5th, 7:00 PM
NEW! Bruce
Hayes appearing at our Songwriters Showcase
Friday
Local
Legend John Graves with songs from his upcoming
musical
John will perform two beautiful songs written for his
new musical "An Empty Bench". Where
in the World is Home is about
a lonely boy looking for love and wondering
if he can ever find it, and An
Empty Bench is asong
about a girl who has lost her lover. John
will also play some lively music for the "Dance
Jam" following the songwriters
showcase starting at 8:30 PM.
Featuring
the eclectic historic humor of David Snyder
Arbolean
David Snyder is a known for his clever and
often poignantly funny poetic descriptions
of life in Pagosa. His song Shamba
Eagle Soar Free was well
received on the "Local Gatherings" PSAC
CD. Other favorites he will perform are Propane
and Chef's Surprise
Denny
Finnand the Amazing Percussive
Apparatus
Another
Arboles resident Denny Finn will demonstrate
his unusual invention that was created to
give his original comedy related songs an
amazing one man band treatment. His song Motor
Home was an audience favorite
at the Durango Talent Search in 2005 and
made it to the finals. The historical ballad Boats
in the Sky chronicles the impact
on the lives of the families displaced by
Navajo Lake.
"Perfessor
Bonehead's amazing organic percussive apparatus,
model #4"....The thing with the leather
straps sitting on the smaller drum, attaches
to my leg, this is a new addition to the
devise and is called a "Boneknee"
Percussive
Apparatus
Jessica
Espinosa sings contemporary Christian songs
She's
been singing all her life and has participated
in many local musicals, dinner theatre and
concerts. Jessica brings us two heartfelt
ballads,Loves
to Dance andLight
a Fire in Me. Jessica has her
own CD of these lovely contemporary Christian
ballads.
also
Stetson Adkinson, country and blues inspired
songs for voice and guitar
Larry Elginer, Music
Educator and Professional Performer
Instrumentally,
vocally and and conducting, Larry Elginer
can do it all! We will hear two new songs,
one with the flavor of the classic jazz vocal,
and another with a country western twist.
Larry's fine trumpet playing will also grace
our Dance Jam at 8:30 PM after the songwriters
showcase. He is preparing a wonderful workshop
for us so stay tuned for details.
Bill
Hudson, topical songs in a folksy style
Bill
Hudson, past producer of the 'Whistlepig" house
concert series, is also a singer/songwriter
in the contemporary folk tradition. His
songs range from delightfully silly children's
songs to poignant ballads, all with the
touch of a dedicated wordsmith.
For
this songwriters' showcase ECA invites local singer/songwriters
to perform one of their original pieces in a concert
setting starting at 7:00 PM, May 5th. If you would
like to perform, please call 731-3117 to sign up
in advance. Admission for this Friday evening concert
is $5.00 and children under 18 are free.
Paul
Roberts lifelong interest in
world music has taken him to many countries,
including India, where he had the honor of
studying with Usted Rais Khan, one of the greatest
living masters of the sitar.
His original compositions on the
guitar, banjo and mandolin are full of lyricism
and sensitivity
inspired by the beauty of the mountain west. On instruments like the
mandocello, Turkish saz and Andean charango, his playing style, honed
over forty years of performing, conveys the pure joy of music making
that has guided his career.
Carla
Roberts' beautiful, vocal flute
stylings on the recorder (all sizes) capture
the heart and soul of international melodies.
Her sweet contralto voice glides effortlessly
over the terrain of songs in several languages.
Bruce Springsteen’s manager/record producer,
Jon Landau, described Carla’s voice as “immediately
appealing.”
A
highly devoted performer with over 30 years of
professional experience, Carla plays many string,
percussion and wind instruments from around the
world. These include the cheng from China; dumbek
and chalil from the Middle East; the entire family
of recorder flutes; marimba,hammer dulcimer; Irish
bodhran; banjo; harp; and more.
Join
Paul and Carla Roberts and their "World
of Music" Saturday, May 6th, 7:00 pm,
at Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse. Bring a dessert to share
at the intermission if you wish.
The clubhouse is located at the PLPOA complex, 230 Port Avenue, in
the Vista subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160 to Vista Blvd. Turn
north on Vista and left on Port.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $4
for children 18 and under. For further information,
call 731-3117.
A
dynamic presence on the stage, June wants
the younger generation to know something
about their roots. She will sing two very
old traditional Hispanic Rancheros for
the Saturday evening concert.
Marquez
has deep roots in southwest Colorado. In
the late 1800’s, her great great grandfather,
Francisco Marquez, was one of the many Spaniards
to settle in the Rosa, NM, which is now covered
by Navajo Lake.
Larry
Elginer
Joy
Redmon
Bob
Nordman
Lori
Sadira, World Beat Dance
Lori
Sadira has a deep passion for the dance
arts, healing arts and martial arts. She
is a Nia Practitioner, a World Beat dance
performing artist and Tai Chi instructor.
CINCO
DE MAYO CELEBRATION FREE SATURDAY MATINEE PERFORMANCE
The weekend will include the Spanish
Fiesta Club's Cinco de Mayo celebration at 2:00
pm. This free family event highlights the beautiful
Hispanic cultural heritage of our region. A variety
of local performers share the stage at the Pagosa
Lakes Clubhouse, 230
Port Avenue.
Celebrate
the Joy of Movement - a Nia experience
taught by Lori Sadira Saturday, May 6th
at 4pm
The
excitement of Dance, The spontaneity
of Play,
The sweat of Exercise, The mindlefulness of Meditation
For
over 20 years Lori has inspired audiences
to move their bodies and to rekindle“ the
joy of movement”. Expect to have
fun, play, dance, make noise and to sweat
. No previous experience is required.
All body sizes and shapes admired.
Lori
Sadira
Elation
Center for the Arts is proud to present an exciting
movement workshop with Lori Sadira this Saturday
at 4 pm. The workshop is part of a two-day music
and dance extravaganza entitled A World of Music
Festival to be held at the Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
Sadira is one of the Southwest’s most accomplished
movement specialists and dance performers. Her
workshop, “Celebrate the Joy of Movement,” offers
a safe environment to experience the joy of movement
and rekindle the passion of dance and is geared
towards any level of dance experience. The fee
is $5.00 per person and is open to adults and teenagers.
She will also perform in concert this Saturday
night at the festival.
Elation
Center for the Arts is a qualified tax exempt nonprofit
organization designated as a 501 (c) (3) organization
by the Internal Revenue service.
Elation
Center for the Arts Mission Statement
Elation
Center for the Arts preserves the folk heritage
of music and dance from around the world, and utilizes
these traditions as a basis for new explorations
in the performing arts, by:
1.
Developing and implementing cultural enrichment
programs for children.
2.
Providing community concerts for under served rural
populations in the Southwest.
3.
Providing a community outreach through the arts,
by serving children from low-to-middle income families
and senior citizens.
4.
Serving as an advocate for arts in education, through
presentations that explain the importance of the
arts in childhood development.
5.
Providing schools with arts-in-education programs,
which enhance the social studies curriculum, by
teaching students about music and dance from different
cultures.
Program
Directors
Elation’s
program directors, Carla and Paul Roberts, use
international folk dance and music as a basis for
new explorations in the performing arts. The Roberts
have devoted themselves to the cultural enrichment
of children for over 20 years. Their school assemblies
and performing arts residencies are popular throughout
the Southwestern US.
Volunteer
Opportunities
ECA
welcomes volunteer involvement. Our precious volunteers
help set up and clean up before, during, and after
events, give us invaluable advice and assistance,
and give of their time and expertise in many ways.We
couldn't do it without you!
If
you live in Pagosa and would like to be on our
team, please give ECA a call at 731-3117
Events
Most
of our Concert and Workshop Events are held at
the a Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse.
The clubhouse is located at the PLPOA complex, 230 Port Avenue, in
the Vista subdivision of Pagosa Lakes. Take 160 to Vista Blvd. Turn
north on Vista and left on Port. Tickets are sold at the door. Come
early to get the best seats. Our ECA information number is 731-3117.
Admission
Prices
We
help fund our community based programs through
donations and Concert proceeds. This helps to keep
the cost for admission down. Concerts are generally
$5.00 to $8.00. Special events and workshops may
vary in price. Children's admission varies, many
times they are free. Classes are $5.00 unless noted.
Check specific event for details on admission.
