Jackson, Michigan

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Jammin' at the JSO - July 30

Melodic, experimental rock for all ages - in Jackson! 7-11 p.m. Friday, July 30th Jackson City Limits presents Cardboard Cathedral, Chinook, Jolly Roger Walrus, and Blackbird Smile at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall, downtown at 215 W. Michigan Ave. $4 cover charge.

Jolly Roger Walrus is the music of Jace Roffler. He’s a Parma native and has been writing and recording his own music for a while now. This show will be his debut. His music is comparable to that of Animal Collective or Beirut but with a certain uniqueness. In addition to singing, Roffler’s recordings feature him on a number of instruments ranging from ukulele to keyboards.

Another Jackson group, Cardboard Cathedral produces monumental sound with their unique approach to music. Drawing heavily on shoegaze and even blues influences, their sound is extremely raw with driving guitar rhythms but also technical and delicate with bubbling keyboard parts.

Chinook is a band out of Kalamazoo. With influences like American Football and Sharks Keep Moving, Chinook’s sound is very tight and technical. Drummer and guitarists pound out a fast-moving slurry of interlocking notes culminating into dense, catchy rhythms. These guys are a group you don't want to miss.

Blackbird Smile is from Romeo. The four piece's ambient, reverb laden sound is very smooth and ethereal. They are "the product of constant growth" and their appearance at the JSO on the 30th is one stop on their self-promoted tour from Detroit to Los Angeles.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Jackson Symphony Orchestra to open grandstand shows at County Fair

Hold on to your programs because you won’t believe the new twists on this year’s Jackson Symphony Orchestra Summer Pops concert.

For three years the JSO has opened the Jackson County Fair, although this year a halftime show of “post-instrumental rock music” has been added for the specific entertainment of “young people.” In a recent contest, the local band If I Were the Sun won the honor of performing during intermission.

There are other new twists to the 2010 JSO/County Fair match-up, which begins at 7:30 p.m. August 8. Sure, the program will feature the expected patriotic music, but there will be an added theme of “where have I heard that cartoon music before?” said Maestro Stephen Osmond.

Barber of Seville Overture, Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera masterpiece, and Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner’s well-known operatic battle march — featured in the 1957 Bugs Bunny animated cartoon — are among selections on the program.

“Bugs Bunny would be nowhere without the music of Rossini and Wagner,” Osmond said. “Go to You Tube and listen to What’s Opera Doc and Who Killed the Wabbit?”

Also on the program are the Jackson Chorale performing patriotic selections and hits from Richard Rodgers’ Broadway shows and guitar/piano player Steve Tucker, a member of the Gel Caps and Act III, performing Hallelujah from the sound track of the movie Shrek.

“The Jackson Chorale looks forward to once again putting on their red, white and blue clothes and joining the JSO for patriotic as well as Broadway show music on opening day of the fair,” said Chorale Director Wendy Treacher. The Jackson Chorale Children's Choir will also be performing and will join the Chorale on This Is My Country."

The disAbility Connection also will be honored on the occasion of the organization’s 85th anniversary.

$15 VIP tickets include parking, shuttle service to the fairgrounds, fair admission, concert performance, and a hot dog. For patrons who have already parked and paid admission to the fairgrounds, tickets to the concert are $5 each.

For tickets and information, please call 517-782-3221, 517-788-4405, or online.

Concert sponsors include Edward Surovell Realtors, Jackson Citizens for Economic Growth, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and National Endowment for the Arts. Jackson County Fair, Performance Underwriter.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Sing with the JSO at the Pops Concert!

Calling all Singers!

The JSO Summer Pops program to be held at the Jackson County Fair, August 8, will include several selections for Orchestra and Chorus. The orchestra and Jackson Chorale are inviting anyone with choral experience to join them for the festivities.

Selections will include patriotic works: God Bless America, Who are the Brave, This is My Country, as well as pop hits Hallelujah, You Raise Me Up and a medley of Richard Rodgers Favorites from several of his Broadway hits.

Rehearsals will be held at the very air conditioned and comfortable JSO Rehearsal Hall at 7:00 pm

 Tuesday, July 27th - 7 to 8:30 PM

 Tuesday, August 3rd - 7 to 8:30 PM

 Thursday, August 5th - 7 to 8:30 PM

 Sunday, August 8th - rehearse @ 3:00 PM (?); concert at 7:30 PM

No audition necessary - phone 782-3221 or email jso@acd.net to let us know you are planning to attend