ULL Symphony Halloween Concert

University of Louisiana-Lafayette

UL SYMPHONY HALLOWEEN CONCERT

Adults and little ones alike will get into the Halloween spirit when the UL-Lafayette Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Blaney presents its Annual Halloween Concert on Saturday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. in Angelle Hall Auditorium. Orchestra members will be wearing costumes and the audience is encouraged to show up in their favorite Halloween costumes. Musical highlights of this year’s concert include: Music from Star Wars; The Phantom Menace; The Simpsons; Borodin, Polovtsian Dances; and The Composer is Dead.

Guest appearances by the UL Dance Department and Shawn Roy. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday in a fun and entertaining way. Admission is $7 for adults, FREE for 17 and younger, all UL students, faculty, and staff with I.D. All proceeds benefit the UL-Lafayette Orchestra Program. For more information call the UL School of Music at (337) 482-6012.

Visit  www.ularts.com to view information about all College of the Arts performances.

Iconic folk singer Judy Collins--whose hits "Both Sides Now" and "Turn, Turn, Turn"made her an international star--will appear in a special evening performance presented by the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 15.  This performance will take place at the Heymann Performing Arts Center and is sponsored by The Independent and Centennial Wireless, the official wireless provider for PASA.

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folk songs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, she made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but, it was the music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked her transition to singer/songwriter. She moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar and, in 1961 at the age of 22, released her first album, “A Maid of Constant Sorrow,” beginning a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. Her top 10 hits include her rendition of the Joni Mitchell classic ”Both Sides Now”, “Send in the Clowns”, and “Who Knows Where the Time Goes.”

“Judy Collins’s range and versatility as a singer are unmatched,” says Jackie Lyle, PASA's executive director. “Her performance in Lafayette will feature everything from her immortal covers of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” and,Stephen Sondheim's “Send in the Clowns," to her most recent work.”

 In addition to being a legendary singer/songwriter, Collins has authored five books, including her 2003 memoir Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength.  In 2008, she oversaw the production and release of Born to the Breed, A Tribute to Judy Collins, which features artists ranging from Dolly Parton and Joan Baez, to Rufus Wainwright and Chrissie Hynde, covering her compositions. She is an accomplished painter, actress, filmmaker, record label head, and a longtime social activist for causes, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and suicide prevention.

In June 2010, she released her children’s book Over The Rainbow, and “Paradise” her newest solo album. “Paradise” is a collection of 10 new recordings that features her haunting song “Kingdom Come” written shortly after 9/11 as a tribute to the New York City Fire Department, as well as guest appearances by Michael Johnson, Joan Baez, and Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills and Nash).

“Great seats are still available for this performance.” says Lyle. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime to hear this great, renowned singer. Whether you are a longtime fan or just a lover of great music, this evening with Judy Collins will top your list of best live performances ever.”

Tickets for Judy Collins are on sale now through TicketMaster at (800) 866-7000 or online at www.pasaonline.org.

For more information about this and other events presented by PASA, visit www.pasaonline.org or call (337) 237-2787.

The UL-Lafayette Opera Theatre is holding auditions for Too Many Sopranos on Thursday, August 26th in Room 143 in Angelle Hall at 4:30 pm.  Auditioners should come prepared to sing a piece in English, preferably an aria. 

Too Many Sopranos is a two act opera sung in English.  Four divas arrive in heaven to discover that there is not room for all of them in the Heavenly Chorus due to the number of tenors and basses in hell.  The divas must travel to hell to try to bring back to heaven some tenors and basses to balance the Chorus.


For more information about the auditions, contact Shawn Roy at 482-5939.

PASA Music Program

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) kicks off its annual Play It Again musical instrument drive August 16 - August 31. The program which is in its sixth year supports school band programs with music instruments for students in financial need.

Since 2004, PASA has worked with area middle school band programs providing students regardless of their financial background, the opportunity to explore the joy of playing music. Instruments in the program are donated by area residents, refurbished by PASA, and donated to local schools, to be placed with students whose families have been identified has having financial challenges.

The Play It Again program provides instruments for students so that they can be a part of band programs, which encourages self-discipline, self-respect, respect for others, creative problem-solving and exact physical, mental and emotional demands of students. In addition to the life skills students learn, the school band provides students with safe outlets for comradery, entertainment and sheer fun.

  

PASA Executive Director, Jacqueline Lyle says, "Children who participate in band belong to something positive they can take with them through high school and college. “The Play it Again program is a valuable asset to all schools that participate and with continued instrument donations and financial support from the community these band programs can continue to positively affect a child’s life.”

The demand for instruments is on-going as more students choose band as an elective and discover music. PASA collects flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and other instruments in relatively good condition year-round in an effort to accommodate children who have the ambition and creativity to be part of the school band.

PASA’s Play It Again Musical Instrument program receives generous sponsorship support from Chevron. For companies interested in sponsoring the Play It Again program, contact PASA at (337) 237-2787 ext 204.

  

To support Play It Again program by donating a musical instrument, making a monetary contribution or to offer support in some other way, call the PASA office at (337) 237-2787 or visit us online at www.pasaonline.org.

Chorale Acadienne Open Auditions will be held at 6 pm on Monday, August 2nd.  Auditions will be held at First Baptist Church at 1100 Lee Ave in Lafayette.  The group is looking for people who love to sing choral music and are able to read music. To audition, singers should be prepared to sing a solo and should bring a copy of the music for the provided accompanist. 


For more information, call 269-8874 or e-mail ca@choraleacadienne.com. First Baptist Church. 

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