Randolph Community Arts Center Announces 2009/10 Family Concert Series

PHOTO CAPTION: This year’s family concert series at the Randolph County Community Arts Center includes from left, Greg Kennedy, Innovative Juggler on December 5 at 7 p.m.; Cashore Marionettes on January 9 at 7 p.m.; and the Boilermaker Jazz Band Saturday, February 20 at 4 p.m. For ticket information call 304-637-2355.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center will bring a world-class juggler with aerial acrobats, an innovative puppetry company and a New Orleans style jazz band to the Great Hall stage this 2009-2010 Family Concert season for three exciting and diverse performances. Although the first performance is set for Saturday, December 5, both individual and discounted series tickets are on sale now.

“We hope to bring back the magic we enjoyed last year during our family concert series and attract people of all ages to the performances,” said Beth King, RCCAC executive director. Families and grandparents are encouraged come to the Arts Center for an enjoyable afternoon or evening out with their children or grandchildren. “The productions are a great way to get different generations together to see live entertainment in a family-friendly environment,” King said.

The first performance of the season features Greg Kennedy, Innovative Juggler, Saturday, December 5 at 7 p.m. As with last year’s sold out Zany Circus performance, Kennedy will also use aerial acrobats in his production of Spherus and transform the Great Hall. He is known for his ability to fuse logic, creativity and humor to build unique and refreshing performances.

Kennedy is a two-time international juggling champion, has been featured on the cover of Juggling Magazine, and has had multiple television appearances. He uses the principles of geometry and physics to create groundbreaking work with original apparatus. “Master juggler Greg Kennedy is outstanding,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The internationally renowned Cashore Marionettes will perform Saturday, January 9 at 7 p.m. Unmatched in artistry, grace and refinement of movement, this group redefines the art of puppetry. They will perform “Simple Gifts,” a wonderful collection of marionette masterworks that are stunning in their intensity, beauty, creativity, and humanity. Set to classical music by such composers as Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Copland, Simple Gifts presents comic and poignant scenes that take audience members on an imaginative journey celebrating the richness of life. One reviewer said, "Experience this journey into genius... this event is so exquisite in detail and impact that description is inadequate."

Joseph Cashore has received a 1996 Pew Fellowship for Performance Art, a Citation of Excellence from UNIMA-USA (the highest honor an American puppeteer can receive), and numerous other awards for his artistry.

The final performance of the series will be a special Family Concert by the Boilermaker Jazz Band on Saturday, February 20 at 4 p.m. The Boilermaker Jazz Band is an ecstatically fun band performing authentic hot jazz and swing. The group has a wide repertoire that can make an audience swing to a classic jazz standard, get sentimental over an old-time ballad, boogie to a hot jump tune, or get low-down with a gritty blues. From concert halls to dances, festivals to family parties, listeners and dancers agree — with their infectious beat and enthusiasm this band can make any crowd move!

Everywhere they go they deliver the good feelings that real jumpin’ jazz can create. The Boilermakers have been featured on radio shows across the country and overseas, including a National Public Radio Jazz Series that was broadcast on over 50 stations.

As with the Evening Concert Series, the RCCAC is indebted to its many sponsors, both locally and on an agency level. “Without their support, we couldn’t provide such high quality arts programming,” King added. “We are fortunate to be able to provide these opportunities for right here in Randolph County.” Sponsors for the Family Series are WDNE Radio, The Inter-Mountain, Graceland Inn and Conference Center, Elkins Motor Lodge, Family Dental Practice, Mac Pritt, Allegheny Insurance, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, The West Virginia Commission for the Arts, Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

Tickets for these individual concerts are $5 each. However, a series ticket for all three performances is only $10, a $5 savings (or one free ticket). A single performance family pass, which includes tickets for two adults and four children, $20. A series family pass for all three performances is only $45, which is a $15 savings. Tickets can be purchased by credit or debit cards and make great gifts.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization promoting and supporting the arts in Randolph County and surrounding areas, is located at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins. The RCCAC is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the National Endowment of the Arts and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

RCCAC is committed to providing accessibility to individuals with disabilities. If you are in need of an accommodation, please contact our office in advance. Call the RCCAC office at 637-2355 or log onto www.randolpharts.org for more information.

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