David Nevue, pianist, composer & storyteller, will perform at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 1405 Albany Ave NE, Orange City, on Thursday, May 29 at 7pm.

His music is heard on over 220 radio programs worldwide. He has recorded 13 CDs and performs concerts across the USA. His album, Overcome, won “Best Instrumental Piano Album” at the 2005 Lifestyle Music Awards. Please bring your friends to this evening of piano music and storytelling that will inspire you!

Listen!  http://www.davidnevue.com/listen.htm

POSTER 2012 David Nevue Click to see full-size poster!

David Nevue fact sheet  Click to read David’s fact sheet & FAQ.

I'm Yours, Folsom Prison Blues, The Devil Went Down to Georgia – they're all on the program for The Hunts' show in Orange City Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 at the MOC-Floyd Valley High auditorium. The family show features a family of nine, performing Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and original tunes, with fiddling, vocals, percussion and step-dancing. Check out huntsontour.com. Sponsor is the Orange City Arts Council.

ORANGE CITY – In 2005, they were “The Hunt Family Fiddlers,” playing violin and performing Irish dance.

Now “The Hunts” – this family of nine – are not only champion fiddlers and step-dancers, but have added drums, djembes, ashikos and cajóns, acoustic and electric guitar, plus mandolin, piano and vocals.

They’re performing in Orange City Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the MOC-Floyd Valley High School auditorium. Sponsor is the Orange City Arts Council.

The Hunts’ Feb. 25 show will feature Celtic reels, original numbers and a collection of favorites: Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours, and the Charlie Daniels Band’s The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Five years ago, Josh Hunt, 20, bass player for The Hunts, represented the U.S. in the World Championships of Irish Step Dancing in Glasgow. Jonathan, 18, keyboard player, has danced in Ireland and Scotland; Jordan, 17, drummer, was the lead dancer for the Hunts at the Busch Gardens, Williamsburg; and JJ, 13, competed at age 10 in the world championships of Irish Step Dancing in Philadelphia.

Jessi and Jenni Hunt, 22-year-old twins, fiddle, sing and write music for the family, and Justin, 15, plays guitar and percussion. Parents Clint and Sandy encouraged the children to begin the family ensemble years ago, by performing in hospitals, nursing homes and talent shows.

The family, of Chesapeake, VA, has performed in Scotland, Ireland, Canada and all over the U.S., including an opening for the Virginia Symphony and a performance for Queen Elizabeth during her most recent visit to the States. They’ve recorded five CDs and authored two books.

The music, dance and light show will be a hit for all ages.

Tickets are available at Dove Christian Book Store and the Orange City Arts Council. In advance, the general admission tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for students. At the door, tickets are $12 and $8.

For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council, 712-707-6514 or OCArts@orangecityiowa.com. Hear the Hunts at www.huntsontour.com. Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF4EMnJAI6E

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv8zGyboZsg

Papageno, Prince Tamino, the Queen of the Night… in The Magic Flute: It's the most delightful introduction to opera for every child, or every child at heart: Mozart's The Magic Flute. See the touring troupe from the Des Moines Metro Opera on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Northwestern's DeWitt Theatre. Reserved seating tickets are available from Dove Christian Book Store. Pictured are Prince Tamino playing the flute, with Papageno and the ladies, part of the 2011 cast.

ORANGE CITY – Star-studded ladies, bird-catchers, a brave hero and heroine, a noble priest – see them all in Mozart’s The Magic Flute on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in Orange City.

One of the most beloved operas of all time, The Magic Flute almost defies definition, said Anthony Freud of Lyric Opera of Chicago. “Mozart wrote nothing more legendary, more unforgettable, more moving, more enchanting,” he said.

The Magic Flute is actually a “singspiel,” or “play with music,” and was an immediate success at its debut in 1791. Mozart himself conducted the performances until overtaken by an illness that would eventually lead to his death. The Magic Flute enjoyed 67 consecutive performances during the composer’s life.

“It’s a light-hearted fairy story, a pantomime, a raucous knock-about comedy, and a profound and moving analysis of the human condition,” said Freud.

Each character sings music to suit his or her own level of sophistication: the Queen of the Night, Pamina and Tamino singing 18th century Italian opera; Papageno, strophic songs of a folk nature; and Sarastro, the austere simplicity of a hymn.

The Des Moines Metro Opera’s touring troupe, Opera Iowa, will present a two-hour version of The Magic Flute, in English, on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre.

Opera Iowa will also present Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing, an entertaining opera with colorful characters taking a musical journey from Rome to London to New York. Workshops will be held for students at Orange City Christian School, followed by the performance of Sid the Serpent. Those who would like to attend the OCCS show at 1:45 p.m. should contact the Orange City Arts Council by Feb. 24.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Des Moines Metro Opera. Opera Iowa has performed in nine states, plus Japan and China.

Amazingly, opera is the fastest growing art form in the U.S. among young adults, age 18-24.

Reserved seats are available for The Magic Flute in advance at Dove Christian Book Store, 125 Central Ave NE, Orange City, at $8 for adults, $4 students. At the door, tickets are $11 and $7.

For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council, OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or phone 712.707.6514. Support for The Magic Flute and Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing has been provided  by the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The 2012 Opera Iowa team, from Des Moines Metro Opera.

An intro to The Magic Flute: http://www.lyricopera.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=10254

"He's a blues-belting white boy (who) can even bring soul to Billy Joel songs." That's the Midwest Records Re-cap of Tom Hunter's latest recording. Hunter and friends, with vocals, piano, guitar and drums, will belt out jazz, blues and gospel at the Northwestern College Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20.

ORANGE CITY – He’s dripping with soul.

That’s what Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater said about Tom Hunter. And “Blues on Stage” said: “When Hunter really gets wound up, watch out!”

It will be an evening of blues, jazz and gospel, featuring Twin Cities’ Tom Hunter on piano, organ and “big, booming baritone” vocals, with Donald “Hy-Pockets” Robertson on drums and Jon “Gunner” Gunvaldson on guitar. They’ll be in the Northwestern College Christ Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20.

Hunter’s passion for music was born in his childhood church in Cornwall, NY, singing in the choir and watching his sisters and great-grandma at the piano. The preacher’s son taught him to play the blues, he said. But Hunter didn’t discover his piano talent until later, serving in the Navy.

He has played extensively with Bill Perry, also with Pete Kanaras, Murali Coryell, Little Sammy Davis, Big John Dickerson, Bernard Allison, Big Bang and Blue Chamber. In ’99 he joined Mary Cutrufello in support of The Allman Brothers Band 30th anniversary tour.

According to “Blues on Stage,” at one show, playing with Eddy Clearwater, Hunter “deftly handled everything the band was throwin’ down. At one point, Eddy even walked over and leaned on the piano, just watching Tom and smiling.”

Hunter does over 300 shows a year and has produced three albums, covering the musical spectrum from “smoky jazz to gut-bucket Chicago blues.”

His repertoire includes “Fly Me to the Moon,” Tom Waits’ “New Coat of Paint,” Ray Charles’ “Drown in My Own Tears,” Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” Doc Pomus’ “The Night is a Hunter” and Sonny Rollins’ “Tenor Madness.”

For sound clips, check www.tomhunterblues.com.

Advance tickets are available at Orange City Arts Council and Dove Christian Bookstore, at $4 for adults, $3 for students. At the door, tickets are $7 and $6.

The concert is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College. Hunter will also perform at the Northwestern College chapel service Friday morning at 10:05. The public is welcome.

For more information, email OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or phone 712-707-6514.

The Hunts come to Orange City for a show Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.

The Hunts are coming to Orange City Saturday, Feb. 25 – for a 7:30 p.m. show at the MOC-Floyd Valley auditorium.

They’re a family of nine whose performances cover a wide spectrum of musical genres, ranging from Celtic to country to rock and include a diverse repertoire of original compositions. Champion fiddling is mixed with a percussive blend of world-ranked step dancing, drums, djembes, ashikos, and cajons. Acoustic and electric guitars, and fiddles, accompany piano melodies and vocal harmonies. This is true family entertainment for all ages.

The Hunts have performed from Scotland to Ireland to Canada and all over the United States. They have opened for the Virginia Symphony and performed for Queen Elizabeth during her most recent visit to the United States. They have played at performing arts centers, festivals and schools across the country.

Tickets for the Orange City show will go on sale in February.

WWW.HUNTSONTOUR.COM

LINKS:

The Hunt Family videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rimf2KKnOs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF4EMnJAI6E

Tom Hunter music sample: www.tomhunterblues.com/samples/1-8goingdownslow.mp3

The Hunt Family: fiddles, piano, guitar, vocals, step-dancing. Feb. 25. 7:30p. MOC-FV High auditorium. Adults: $9. Students: $5. At the door: $12 and $8. www.huntsontour.com

Opera Iowa presents The Magic Flute. Feb. 28. 7p. NWC England Theatre. Adults: $8. Students: $4. At the door: $11 and $7. www.desmoinesmetroopera.org/opera_iowa

Tom Hunter: jazz, blues, gospel. Jan. 20. 7:30p. Northwestern Christ Chapel. Adult: $4. Student: $3. At the door, $7 and $6. www.tomhunterblues.com

It's a miracle – even Ebenezer Scrooge can laugh! See for yourself at "A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play," Dec. 8-10 and 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orange City Town Hall. The show is presented by The SchoolHouse Company, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. The cast includes (l-r) Meghan Aardsma, Linda Dykstra, Jack Bonnecroy and Lois Estell, with John Brogan as Scrooge. Seating is general admission: $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Email theschoolhousecompany@gmail.com or phone the Arts Council at 712-707-6514. Tickets are also available at the door.

ORANGE CITY – Remember Bob Cratchit, Ebenezer Scrooge and Scrooge’s nephew Fred?

Cratchit: But sir, Christmas is a time for giving… a time to be with one’s family.

Scrooge: I say, Bah humbug!

Fred: I don’t care! I say, Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas!

Cratchit: [clapping] Well said, Master Fred!

Scrooge: Cratchit, what are you doing?

Cratchit: [stops clapping] I was just trying to keep my hands warm, sir.

The Charles Dickens classic is coming to life in Orange City, as a live radio show.

The SchoolHouse Company, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council, is presenting “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” in the Orange City Town Hall December 8-10 and 15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

The SchoolHouse Company brought “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the stage in December 2010, another radio drama. And who can argue with success?

This year’s cast includes John Brogan as Ebenezer Scrooge, plus Meghan Aardsma, Jack Bonnecroy, Linda Dykstra and Lois Estell. And yes, like last year, there will be live music, thanks to Dykstra, and sound effects, courtesy of Brendan Foughty and Michael Kuiken. Greg Haverdink is in charge of lights and sound.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, and may be reserved by emailing theschoolhousecompany@gmail.com. For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or email OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

The SchoolHouse Company has presented theatre and theatre classes in Orange City and Sioux Center for the past 3-1/2 years.

“A Christmas Carol” will be aired at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24, on KIWA Radio of Sheldon, 105.3 FM and 1550 AM.

The 6 to 7 p.m. performance will feature a variety of dance styles, under the leadership of dance instructors Becky Donahue and Melissa Knobloch. The show, featuring kick, poms and jazz dance, will be held at the Orange City Town Hall.

The show is a celebration of the art of dance, said Donahue. Many families are part of the dance community, but Donahue and Knobloch wanted to share the dancers’ talents with the broader citizenry.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to see some great young dancers,” said Donahue.

An Evening of Dance will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Orange City Town Hall, featuring young dancers from Just For Kix, Unity Christian High and MOC-Floyd Valley High (pictured). The free show, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, will be held from 6-7 p.m.

Admission is free. Those who attend will receive $1 off tickets to “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” that evening at 7:30 in the town hall, presented by The SchoolHouse Company in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council.

An Evening of Dance is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council. See www.orangecityarts.net or email OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Dancers from the MOC-Floyd Valley and Unity Christian High dance teams will perform at An Evening of Dance Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Orange City Town Hall. Also, young dancers from Just For Kix (a few pictured here) will add their performances to the show. The free program will be from 6-7 p.m.

Onstage Orange City mini questionnaire… fall 2011

Thanks to everyone who helped make Onstage Orange City 2011 a success! Would you give your input?  Thanks!!!  Email to OCArts@orangecityiowa.com

Deadline: November 23, 2011

1. What were the positives about Onstage Orange City 2011?

2. What could be improved?

3. Do you have suggestions of groups for 2012?

4. Are you interested in being a sponsor, donor or volunteer for 2012?  yes, no, maybe.  Comments:

5. Your name:

They've opened for Sarah McLachlan, Kate Nash and Heart. Their songs have been heard on MTV and Showtime, and their recent album Kuhzoo, spent eight weeks on the CMJ Radio Top 200. They've been a Needle in the Haystack artist on MTVmusic.com. They're playing at the Old Factory Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. Admission is $2.

ORANGE CITY – The date is November 19, the time: 8 p.m. Come for music and coffee at the Old Factory.

Bella Ruse is doing a show.

VIDEO LINK: An Animal, A Natural: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5I2IeBRyuA

HEAR Push On: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyFsQNOKFR8

For two years, Joseph Barker and Kay Gillette have been traveling across the country in a van powered by vegetable oil. They’ve opened for Sarah McLachlan, Kate Nash and Heart. Their songs have been heard on MTV and Showtime, and their most recent album, Kuhzoo, spent eight weeks on the CMJ Radio Top 200.

Plus, in early 2011, they were a Needle in the Haystack artist on MTVmusic.com.

Prior to becoming a duo, Gilette trained as a classical singer at Hope College in Holland MI, Barker was one of the award-winning composers for Northwestern College’s musical, Terror Texts. Now they hail from the Twin Cities, and surround themselves with a laboratory of instruments: guitar, suitcase organ, glockenspiel, typewriter, kazoo.

According to Gilette, Bella Ruse is “fiest plus a little jazz; Ella Fitzgerald plus a little folk; Yael Naim minus the accent. Or, sometimes we like to call it Cute Rock.”

Want to hear what others say about Bella Ruse?

MTV: “Vocally reminiscent of the 20s.”

Performer Magazine: “Kuhzoo wonderfully exemplifies their minimalist folk/indie music. With a sound like a mix between Kate Nash and Regina Spektor, Kay Gillette’s voice is truly unique.”

CityBeat: “Singer Kay Gillette and guitarist Joseph Barker make colorful, catchy, folksy pop with an ethereal glaze and eye-contact directness.”

And the veggie-oil-powered van? They watch for restaurants – often Chinese – which throw used oil in a separate dumpster. If it looks good, they ask the owners if they can scoop up the grease. Usually the restaurateurs are happy to part with it.

Good Show Great Show won the video contest. They will open for Bella Ruse and be awarded a $50 gift card, courtesy of Orange City’s The Hatchery.

The November 19 concert will be held at Old Factory Coffee Shop, 110 4th Street SW, Orange City, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, orangecityarts.net.

Admission is $2. Coffee and the regular Old Factory beverages will be available for purchase.