UPDATE:
Click here to check out this video of Deadwood Revival on the TLT Stage!
A barn dance fundraising benefit will be held on-stage at Tacoma Little Theatre Friday, March 6th at 8:00 PM. Tickets are only $10.00 and can be purchased at Tacoma Little Theatre. Taking the stage is the hot regional band DEADWOOD REVIVAL in celebration of Tacoma Little Theatre’s 90th anniversary.
As mentioned in Rosemary Ponnekanti's blog in GO ARTS - this event is a blatant fundraiser for Tacoma Little Theatre - My wife, Julie Campbell, is the DwR fiddler. According to the band's manager, Carol Pope, "Deadwood Revival creates some of the most unassuming, honest, "feel good" music on the planet, filled with the spirit of old-time Appalachia, soulful American roots and a hint of jam-band improvisation. Their foot stompin’, banjo pickin’, spirit liftin’ original and traditional tunes are quite simply irresistible."
“It was impossible to squelch a smile throughout the set. They bring an effortlessly cheerful energy to every song.” –Performer Magazine
Jason Mogi's clean, imaginative clawhammer banjo, along with Kim Trenerry and Ches Ferguson’s driving rhythm on acoustic guitar and electric bass along with the fierce fiddling of Julie Campbell, provide the musical backdrop for Kim and Jason's powerhouse vocal harmonies that give Deadwood Revival, winners of the Northwest String Summit Band Competition, and the People’s Choice Award from Florence’s Winter Folk Festival, its unique and unmistakable sound.
"You can tell from the first note that they are crowd-pleasers. They're fun, adventurous and yet true to their roots” -Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.
This started out as a desire for Lakewood Playhouse to have a party to say farewell to me after nearly a decade with that wonderful company. TLT wanted a party to greet me, and I wanted to raise some money and build some community. Julie and the rest of the band were gracious to come on out and join in the fun.
I hope you can join the fun, too!
The TLT Barndance Benefit is sponsored by our neighbors -- The Parkway Tavern.
Drop by the Parkway before and after the show! Tickets can be purchased by calling the TLT Box Office at 253-272-2281 Tuesday – Saturday from 3-6 pm or at the door. The Show Begins at 8:00 PM. Tacoma Little Theatre is located at 210 North I Street in Tacoma’s Stadium District.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Oldest Theatre in the West
Tacoma Little Theatre is 90 years old this season making it TLT the oldest theatre west of the Mississippi -- right here in Tacoma. The theatre has been in its current location for over half a century. During the end of my first week at TLT, I brought my daughter Sydney to the theatre and we explored. TLT has some amazing costumes stored in little slivers of rooms, a high perched hat room with ancient hats – all lovingly stacked and labeled. There is a faint sweet smell of an entire century in those rooms. The tangible remains of nearly a century of theatre by and for the community.
There is a photo display in the TLT Lobby depicting shows from the past 90 years. Those images hold lessons for us today. It is interesting to note that during the great depression the theatre seemed to be thriving. When times are hard – people still attend theatre. Folks like to go out before and after seeing a good play. That boosts the local economy with local money.
So many stories are shared here – and created here. Family stories. Stories about our community.
Just last week, Pad Finnigan walked into the theatre. Pad is on the Lakewood City Council, and I know him from my years working with the city of Lakewood as a member of the Lakewood Arts Commission. Pad and his wife Chris (also on the Arts Commission) are both great supporters of the arts.
After he congratulated me on my new position he told me, “I heard there was a picture of my mother up in the lobby. My mom acted here when she was young .. . my parents met here.”
Pad’s story is a perfect example of deep roots TLT has in this community. For nearly a century this organization has inspired our citizens to dream, walk in another person’s shoes, to form friendships, and even fall in love. This theatre is filled with stories – I look forward to hearing them all.
There is a photo display in the TLT Lobby depicting shows from the past 90 years. Those images hold lessons for us today. It is interesting to note that during the great depression the theatre seemed to be thriving. When times are hard – people still attend theatre. Folks like to go out before and after seeing a good play. That boosts the local economy with local money.
So many stories are shared here – and created here. Family stories. Stories about our community.
Just last week, Pad Finnigan walked into the theatre. Pad is on the Lakewood City Council, and I know him from my years working with the city of Lakewood as a member of the Lakewood Arts Commission. Pad and his wife Chris (also on the Arts Commission) are both great supporters of the arts.
After he congratulated me on my new position he told me, “I heard there was a picture of my mother up in the lobby. My mom acted here when she was young .. . my parents met here.”
Pad’s story is a perfect example of deep roots TLT has in this community. For nearly a century this organization has inspired our citizens to dream, walk in another person’s shoes, to form friendships, and even fall in love. This theatre is filled with stories – I look forward to hearing them all.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Journey Begins
As I embark on my journey with Tacoma Little Theatre, I am humbled by this company’s 90 years of theatre, and honored to lead the organization into the future.
As the Artistic Director, I feel it is important to articulate a vision of what I believe theatre to be all about. In a nutshell, there are four elements to great theatre: great scripts, great performances, great designs, and most importantly -- great audiences.
All theatre is about community. The very art of theatre hinges on community – reflecting and challenging the values in the context of the community in which the art is produced. Theatre is a gathering place for diverse people and diverse ideas.
Great live theatre, close to home, invigorates our community. That’s a value we all share. More than ever, in this 21st century, we need to witness our stories – live!
I applaud the Board of Directors, the wonderful work of Interim Artistic Director Doug Kerr, and the top-notch staff at TLT. Help us continue the ongoing task of making Tacoma Little Theatre the kind of theatre YOU want it to be. I hope to spend the next several weeks listening to members of this community and discovering what a 21st century live theatre means you.
Please drop me a line – I value your thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
