For the latest Stagelights news please visit our Facebook page:  STAGELIGHTS.

FUNDING FOR SOUND SYSTEM

Jan. 24, 2012:

Stagelights has a limited-time opportunity to purchase a used sound system that will help the nonprofit continue to host music events, classroom and youth music activities in 2012. A generous person has already donated $250, but we need another $750. If you or anyone you know can help, please ask them to send an email to stagelightsmusicarts@gmail.com or call Scott Graves at 541-469-3123. Thank you!

Open Mic Saturday, Jan. 21, in Brookings
The public and musicians of all levels and musical styles enjoyed some great music at  Stagelights Musical Arts Community monthly Open Mic in Brookings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Event Center, 800 Chetco Ave. The open mics happen the third Saturday of every month and musicians are welcome to perform original and cover songs.

As part of Stagelights’ “Music in the Classroom” program, professional percussionist Mombo Hernandez visited Kalmiopsis Elementary School on Jan. 18, 2012, for a drum workshop. Mombo lead third graders as they played on a variety of hand drums and learned about various percussion instruments and their uses in concerts, TV and movies. Here are two videos:

Stagelights offers group music lessons starting Jan. 30

Want to learn to play the guitar? Harmonica? Banjo? Fiddle? Bass guitar? Autoharp or recorder?

Stagelights Musical Arts Community is offering affordable, beginning group lessons for those instruments beginning Jan. 30. Registration deadline is Jan. 26.

The classes are open to students ages eight and older.“This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning a new instrument to do so in a fun, casual group environment,” said John Webster, Stagelights’ education and lesson program coordinator.

Each class is designed for beginners and includes an introduction to an instrument, how to hold/play it, basic music notations and class materials.The classes are $60 for five weekly lessons (except the harmonica class, which is $50 for four lessons).  Class size is limited to 10 students and a minimum number of students must register in order to hold each class. The classes are taught by local instructors and will happen at Stagelights Studio in Brookings at 619 Chetco Ave. (next to the Redwood Theater). Students are expected to bring their own instruments.

The deadline to register and pay for a class is Thursday, Jan. 26. Registration forms are available at Chetco Music Co., 615 Chetco Ave., the Curry Coastal Pilot, 507 Chetco Ave, and Earl E. Books, 511 Fern Ave.

The schedule of weekly group lessons is:

Introduction to bass guitar (acoustic/electric): Mondays, 5:15 to 6 p.m., instructor Rick Weaver.

Introduction to banjo: Mondays, 6 to 6:45 p.m., instructor Carl Rovainen.

Introduction to fiddle: Tuesdays, 6 to 6:45 p.m., instructor Carl Rovainen.

Introduction to harmonica: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., instructor Jef Hatch.

Introduction to guitar (acoustic/electric): Wednesdays, 7 to 7:45 p.m., instructor Jacque Graves.

Introduction to recorder: Thursdays, 5 to 5:45 p.m., instructor John Webster.

Introduction to autoharp: Thursdays, 6 to 6:45 p.m., instructor George Layton.

For more information about these and future group music lessons, send an email to stagelightsmusicarts@gmail.com or leave a message at 541-469-8832. Stagelights Musical Arts Community is a Brookings-based non-profit focused on music education and outreach in the community. More information about Stagelights and its programs is available at www.stagelights.us.

Tickets are now on sale for the “Rock the Redwood New Year’s Eve Concert” Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Redwood Theater in Brookings.The major rock show, a fundraiser for Stagelights Musical Arts Community, is for all ages. It will feature two bands, special effects and some high-priced raffle prizes.The event, scheduled for 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., will feature the Eugene-based Eastman Band, winner of this year’s Last Band Standing competition. The opening act is South Coast’s up-and-coming rock band Tsunamic.Tickets are $5 for young people; $8 for those 18 and older. The event is presented by the nonprofit Stagelights Musical Arts Community.Tickets are available at the Redwood Theater, Fred Meyer, Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart, the Curry Coastal Pilot, Chetco Music Co., and Earl E. Books. “The idea was to provide a professional rock show at a great price for people of all ages,” said Graves. “We hope to draw a huge crowd of teenagers, families and adults.”No alcohol is allowed at the event, Graves said.“Typically, the only place to enjoy live music on New Year’s Eve is at a local bar, but not everybody is old enough to get into a bar or, if they are, wants to hang out in one,” he said.The Eastman Band has agreed to travel from the fertile college music scene in Eugene to play one show on the coast at a discounted fee, Graves said. Proceeds, after costs, will benefit Stagelights’ music education and outreach programs in Curry County, he said.Tsunamic, a five-piece band consisting of musicians from Brookings, Gold Beach and Crescent City, will open the night, playing a mix of old and new rock cover songs.“We’re really excited about this concert; we’re going to put on a rock show that Brookings has never seen before,” said Tsunamic’s lead vocalist, Steve Racham.A number of local businesses have donated prizes that will be awarded during the event. The prizes include a Cal-Ore $500 helicopter ride for three people, a $100 pizza party at Zola’s Pizzeria, and a $75 gift card for Fred Meyer. “We expect to sell out the Redwood Theater so buy your tickets now,” Graves said.Stagelights Musical Arts Community is a Brookings-based nonprofit that focuses on music education and outreach in the schools and community. For more information about Stagelights and events, visit its Facebook page or www.stagelights.us.

Stagelights Holiday Music Showcase set for Saturday, Dec. 17

Nearly three hours of live music performed by a celtic/jazz trio, a barbershop quartet, a pop rock band and a world music duo will fill the Harbor Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 17, as part of Stagelights’ Holiday Music Showcase.“As with past showcases, we always aim to make it new and different each time,” said event coordinator and Stagelights board member Gordon Later. “This event is going to be one of our most eclectic ones to date!”The free event starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. A local group of musicians will lead the audience in Christmas carol singalongs between acts. Song books will be available. Everyone is invited to bring canned food for the local food bank.The theater is located is located at 97900 Shopping Center Avenue in Harbor.Artists schedule to perform are the Pistol River Trio (bass, guitar and keyboard), the Coastal Tones (all-female barbershop quartet), and Snapshot (pop/rock originals). Playing prelude music starting at 6:45 p.m. is Hither, Thither and Yon, a duo consisting of Michael Mavris and Cheryl Simon, who will play traditional Greek and Spanish music on guitar and bouzouki.The nonprofit Stagelights Musical Arts Community has been hosting its popular community music showcase for several years, offering something different every time. Donations are welcome and will help Stagelights fund music outreach and education projects in local schools and the community. The goal of the showcase is to bring together many different combinations of musicians, of different ages, to demonstrate the talent and versatility that exists in the community.For  information about Stagelights, its programs, sponsorships or to make a donation call Scott Graves at 541-412-3404 or visit http://www.stagelights.us.

ROCK THE PARK – Sunday, Sept. 25

Stagelights Presents “Rock the Park,” a free three-hour rock concert featuring two bands on stage at Azalea Park at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25.

The 5-piece rock band Point Taken will perform a mix of cover songs by artists such as Santana, Tom Petty, Eagles, Beatles, Rolling Stones, ZZ Top and Bad Company. The band, with members from Brookings and Crescent City, have entertained crowds at various festivals and public events in both cities.

The Joint Chiefs, from Crescent City, is known regionwide for its funk-driven psychedelic jams with a touch of blues, rock and even rap. The four-piece band features two guitarists, a drummer and bass player who often break into spacey, extended improvisational versions of originals and cover songs.

Concert-goers should bring their own seating or blankets. Low-priced refreshments will be available, with all proceeds benefit Stagelights Musical Arts Community. All city park rules must be observed, including that dogs must be on leashes and no alcoholic beverages.

In case of bad weather, the concert will move indoors to The Rink, at the corner of Railroad and Center streets in Brookings.

Stagelights Musical Arts Community is a nonprofit organization operated by a volunteer board  focused on music outreach and education programs as well as presenting live music events. For more information visit www.stagelights.us, or call 541-469-8832.

Music Festival: July 2/3

Stagelights will sponsor two days of live, local music from 11 a.m. to dark on Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3, on the boardwalk at the Port of Brookings Harbor. The music festival is part of the “Party at the Port American Style” event happening from July 1-4. There will be a beer garden, vendors, food, helicopter rides, a kids bouncy and more!

Here is the current list of the bands scheduled to play:

Saturday, July 2
11 to noon – Toni Land (vocal teacher) and Stagelights students
12 to 1 pm – Gil Kirk (piano pop)
1 to 3 pm – Slow Children (rock)
3 to 5 pm – Mudsharks (surf and blues)
5 to 6 pm – SnapShot (jazzy soft pop/rock)
6 pm to dark  – Hot Mess & Trouble Acting Normal (alternative rock)

Sunday, July 31
1 to 12 noon – Giraffes on a Raft (swing/standards of the 1940s and 50s)
12 to 1pm – Marshal Thompson/Scott Graves (acoustic rock/folk)
1 to 2 pm – Jurassic Country (traditional country)
2 to 3 pm – SnapShot (Jazzy soft pop/rock)
3 to 5 pm – Spectrum Sound (classic rock/pop)
5 to 6 pm – Joint Chiefs of Stash (alternaitve jam rock)
6 to closing – The Spence Brothers & Friends (Texas-style blues rock)