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Arts Council Announces 2009-2010 Series

     The Arts Council of Mississippi County, located at The Ritz Civic Center in Historic Downtown Blytheville, is pleased to announce four programs scheduled for the 2009-2010 Series.

     The fun will start with an evening of Big Band Era hits performed by the 18 piece Arkansas Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 7:00 pm.  Some of the most versatile musicians in any part of the country will give a concert which will have you on the edge of your seat, if not dancing in the aisles.  Drawing music from some of the greatest names of yesteryear knock your socks off!  But it does not stop there.  The Arkansas Jazz Orchestra also plays hits from current artists and composers such as The Tonight Show Band, Big Phat Band, Phil Collins Big Band, Maynard Ferguson, Sammy Nestico & Pat Metheny.  You have got to hear this group to believe them.

     Rocky Clements: “Show of Wonders” Illusion and Magic Show  will present a Halloween themed show on Saturday, October 10, 2009, at 7:00 pm.  This production is reminiscent of the old style traveling magic shows of the vaudeville era.  From the red velvet and gold tasseled stage décor to the antique props, many dating back to the early 1900’s, the show is an ornate and entertaining tribute to an almost lost art of classical magic and family fun.  This show is one of the largest touring magic shows in the United States, and will be presented to some of our area school children at The Ritz during the day on Friday, October 9^th.  The show offers an artistic alternative to those seeking something different from the usual forms of entertainment, and takes spectators to another time … once upon a stage!

   Gage Country takes the stage on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 7:00 pm.  This multi-generational family musical group will enchant the audience with their blend of Gospel/Rock/ Bluegrass, and will have your tapping you toes to the beat.  They will be joined by local artists Charles Moody and Chuck Wilder.  Don’t miss this fun night of “down-home” entertainment.  

At our November Board meeting we decided to add another program to our 2009-2010 Series. Some of you will remember Jason Thompson, who played the role of the principal of Little Rock Central High School in last season’s production of “One Ninth” presented by the Arkansas Repertory Theater. Although we saw Jason as a fine serious actor in that production, what you may not know is that one of the other hats he wears is that of stand-up comedian.
Jason recently returned from a tour entertaining our troops in Iraq , and he will be bringing his comedy to the stage of The Ritz on Friday, February 12, 2010 , at 7:00 pm . Jason’s humor deals with his experiences as a child growing up as well as his more recent experiences as a parent. He will be joined in the show by fellow comedian Eric Counts.

Route 66 will take a detour through Blytheville on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 7:00 pm as the professional touring group from “Springer Theatricals,” on national tour, presents the highly successful off-Broadway show on our stage.  Hits from the 50’s and 60’s will have your feet tapping as “the radio DJ and the service station attendants” lead you musically down the historic highway traveling from Chicago to the California coast—Route 66.  This is the same production company which brought us “A Tuna Christmas,” “The Taffetas” and “Some Enchanted Evening” during recent Series’, so this is guaranteed to be a first class production.

   On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 7:00 pm Art To Go, a program of Wildwood Park, will present a family production of their children’s introduction to theater and staged musicals.  They have developed a new show designed to bring a diversity of arts to life on stage.  The play with music takes young elementary students “into the Park for a night of adventure and learning!”  The piece celebrates self-esteem by letting us see that we can be “artists” in many ways.  Whether it is the Art of Fly-fishing or the Art of Politics, all of us are bound together by creativity, hard work (practice), and trust (friendship).  The play with music makes a point of highlighting that working with others and creating bonds of trust and friendship are among the most rewarding arts.

     Other programs for the Series are still under consideration and will be added as funding is available.  Patrons of The Arts Council of Mississippi County, as well as area Corporate Sponsors, receive tickets to each of the Series programs.  Others may purchase tickets in advance for individual programs at The Ritz, 306 W. Main in Blytheville, during regular weekday business hours, or at the door on the night of each event.  Persons interested in becoming Patrons, or those who wish to know more about the programs, may call 870-762-1744.  Individuals may call the same number to be added to the e-mail alert list and kept up-to-date on all of the programs and events of The Arts Council.