The UL-Lafayette Opera Theatre is holding open auditions for Too Many Sopranos, a contemporary opera by Edwin Penhorwood, on Thursday, August 6th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm in Room 143 in Burke Hall on the UL campus. There is a cast of 12 people and all are welcome to audition.  Production dates are November 5th, 6th and 7th in Burke Theater on the UL-Lafayette campus.  The singing roles available are:

• St. Peter - bass-baritone
• Dame Doleful - mezzo-soprano
• Madame Pompous - soprano
• Miss Titmouse - coloratura soprano
• Just Jeannette - soprano
• Sandman - soprano
• Unnamed Bass - bass-baritone
• Enrico Carouser - tenor
• Gabriel-Angel - silent
• Nelson Deadly - tenor
• Orson - bass

There is one non-singing acting role (actor or dancer)  who must be flexible and able to move well.  Rehearsals for this production will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. 

Auditioners are asked to bring an operatic aria in any language (English preferred).  

The Music of Acadiana Performance Series in Arnaudville focuses on historically-rooted genres, with unique rhythms and personalities that have been transformed with modern sounds, instruments and musicians. We also provide opportunities for independent singer/songwriters. To name a few, Honky Tonk, Old Time, Irish, Gospel, Blues jam sessions and suppers.

Essentially, we present music sessions (jams) every Sunday followed by dinner concerts. Each Session has a lead musician that provides for a musician/mentoring segment and takes place in Café NUNU overlooking historic Bayou Teche. Sessions are free and open to the general public. Any and all musicians are encouraged to participate. Following each Session, focus shifts to the Frederick Stage and the Performance component in NUNU's Nightlite where local musicians are featured.

The last weekend of the month we focus on indigenous music including-Cajun, swamp blues, swamp pop and Creole (which later influenced zydeco). This component of the Music of Acadiana Performance Series is part of the over-arching initiative, “Nous autres, on est fier de parler français” whereby varied opportunities to use French are available including: a conversation table (La Table Française d’Arnaudville), French Catholic mass at St. Francis Regis Church and coming in September, a house dance (Bal de Maison) and film series.

Culinary Artist Roxanna Marks prepares delicious fare. $12 includes dinner, music and dessert, $6 for kids 12 and under. Beverages including Arnaudville’s local brew LA 31 Pale Ale, the Green Mary and an assortment of Organic teas are available for purchase.

Products:

• July 4th
Indie Supper
Singer/Songwriter--Al Guilliot
will lead the jam--1pm
Singer/Songwriter--Al Guilliot
will perform--4-6pm

• July 11th
Old Time Supper
Richard Burgess
will lead the jam, 1pm
Richard Burgess
will perform, 4pm-6pm

• July 18th
Gospel Supper
Felicia Comeaux
will lead the jam, 1pm
Members of the Pine Grove Baptist Male Choir
will perform, 4pm-6pm

• July 25th
Le Souper Francais
Lache Pas
will lead the jam, 1pm
Creole Musician--Joe Hall
will perform, 4pm-6pm

• August 1
Celtic Supper
Steven and Michael Barney
will lead the jam, 1pm
Celtic Circuit with TBA
will perform, 4pm-6pm

PASA seeking new Executive Director

The board of directors of the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) announced today that it has begun a search for a replacement for its executive director Jacqueline Lyle, who will move to the role of creative director.

"For the past 20 years under Jackie Lyle's direction, PASA has consistently brought a stellar line-up of performing arts entertainment to Lafayette.  We are looking to the next 20 years as we begin the search for a new executive director," says Donald Johnson, board president.

"Serving as PASA's executive director has been very exciting, fulfilling and gratifying.  I cannot imagine what else I could have done with my professional life that would have been this rewarding and satisfying," says Lyle. "We are fortunate that we live in a community whose generosity continues to support all of the work that PASA does."

The search is currently under way and PASA is seeking applicants. The full job description can be viewed online atwww.pasa-online.org.  Interested individuals should submit their resumes to ed@pasa-online.org.

ABOUT PASA

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA), based in Lafayette, LA, began in 1989 and has presented performing artists of many genres - dance, opera, chamber music, comedy, theater, jazz, and popular music. Violinist Itzhak Perlman, comedians Lily Tomlin and Bill Cosby, pop singers Tony Bennett and Roberta Flack, and the annual tours of the New York City Opera National Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater rank in PASA's history.  Additionally, PASA has commissioned new music and new dance, spawning projects that have enjoyed critical acclaim around the world.

PASA has consistently grown within its mission of providing local access to great performing arts, developing an annual series of daytime performances for students; a thriving musical instrument recycling program that benefitsmiddle school students; free programming for senior citizens; in-school residencies; and PASA in the Park, a free annual outdoor event. The latest PASA initiative is the Louisiana Regional Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Ensemble Festival, a partnership with the school of music at the University of Louisiana Lafayette and Festival International under the auspices of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington program.

Drums Across Cajun Field

Ten Elite Drum Corps will visit Cajun Field!

The Concord Blue Devils and The Phantom Regiment lead off with 8 other top-notch corps. Visit www.dci.org or www.ulbands.com for full details.

Date:	Monday, July 26, 2010
Time:	6:30pm - 10:30pm
Location:	Cajun Field
Street:	201 Reinhardt Dr
City/Town:	Lafayette, LA

Tickets go on sale May 17. Premium tickets $20, Super $15. Group tickets $13. Band Directors get Premiums for bringing groups. Go to ulbands.com for details. 

OLT changes plans for summer musical

The Opelousas Little Theatre was denied the rights to Beauty and the Beast because of the extended national tour.  So the committee has decided on an alternate production, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. The audition times previously scheduled for Beauty and the Beast will be used instead forInto the Woods.  The dates and times are Wednesday, April 28th from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday, May 1st from 4 to 6 pm.

For more infomation, contact Duncan McBride at 337-351-3822 or Dana Reed at 337-351-2591.

Shelton's Jazz Groove Project Plays Jazz Night at Bisbano's

Shelton's Jazz Groove Project consists of:
     Shelton Skerrett - guitars
     Denny Skerrett - saxophones
     Paul Tassin - keyboards
     Frank Kincel - drums
     Ed Coussan - bass

The band plays purely improvisational jazz, straight from their collective mind, to the mind of the audience.  The band is influenced by Joe Zawinul, Weather Report, Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Michael Brecker, John Scofield, John McLaughlin, and other great music from around the world.


The band will start at 10 pm at Bisbano's Cellar Door Underground Bar on Thursday, April 29th.

The UL-Lafayette School of Music presents the Louisiana Brass Quintet in recital

The UL-Lafayette School of Music is presenting the Louisiana Brass Quintet in recital of The More, The Merrier.  This Spring recital features pieces that require more than the usual complement of 5-- they add Mark Duhé, trombone, for Ingolf Dahl, and Jeff Crabtree, trumpet, for the Böhme Sextet.  The concert takes place this evening (Tuesday, April 27th) at 7:30 pm at Asbury Methodist Church (101 Live Oak in Lafayette).

The LBQ, music faculty at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette includes Paul Morton and Joshua Moorer, trumpets, Catherine Roche-Wallace, horn, Mark McLain, trombone, and Scott Landry, tuba. Since its inception over 25 years ago, the LBQ has brought its eclectic style of brass playing to audiences throughout Louisiana. In addition to their formal recitals, the LBQ acts as "brass ambassadors" for the UL School of Music, presenting programs in high schools across the state.

The concert is free, the public is cordially invited to attend.