Vibrant Orange City, Iowa

Community band brings back ABBA and other favorites, directed by Carla Van Beek
2012-07-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Step into the past with director Carla Van Beek : This summer Carla Van Beek, community band director and director at Unity Christian High, celebrates 15 years of directing the band. In honor of these past years, she invites the audience to step back into 1970s, when the Orange City Arts Council began, with music from ABBA and other classics. The Onstage Orange City concert featuring the community band will be July 11 in Orange City’s Windmill Park. (Photo courtesy of the Sioux County Capital-Democrat)

by Kristen Daily
ORANGE CITY – ABBA on Broadway, Mamma Mia! and Grease!

Music classics featuring a wide variety of songs by ABBA, including Mamma Mia!, plus music from Grease!, will be performed by the Orange City Area Community Band on Wednesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, Orange City.

As part of the Onstage Orange City series, the community band concert offers a wide variety of music appealing to a crowd of all ages. This concert will bring you back to the summer nights of the seventies, and will also feature a number of marches from Henry Fillmore and Sousa.

The community band is made up of outstanding local musicians, and is directed by Carla Van Beek, who has served as the director for 15 years. This summer Carla commemorates these past years by selecting music that was performed in 1977 when the Orange City Arts Council began.

She talks about the community band tradition, saying, “Community bands are great reflections of their community. We strive to present enjoyable, entertaining, and musically rewarding concerts to our audiences. I am proud to be part of this tradition. Thanks to all who come out and show their support of the Orange City Area Community Band.”

This event is free of charge thanks to the City of Orange City and the Orange City Arts Council.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

Clarinets: The Orange City Area Community Band features musicians from Orange City and surrounding towns, including these clarinetists, Liz Van Maanen, Susan LeMahieu and Amanda Van Wechel. The second 2012 community band concert is July 11 at 7 p.m. in Orange City’s Windmill Park. (Photo courtesy of the Sioux County Capital-Democrat)

For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or contact 707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Celebrate the 4th of July with a carnival and concert!
2012-07-04
Bella Ruse performs at the 4th of July celebration: This renowned indie duo features Joseph Barker and Kay Gillette. The music features guitars, typewriters, a suitcase organ, a glockenspiel, kazoos, and Gillette’s wonderfully unique voice. 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. Join us for a concert by Bella Ruse on July 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Orange City’s Windmill Park.

by Kristen Daily
ORANGE CITY – Kids’ Carnival. Parade. And concert by Bella Ruse.

The celebration begins at 3 p.m. with a carnival complete with a bouncy castle, face painting, dunk tank, photo booth, Mr. Twister, and many more games! Decorate yourself, your pet or your bike and come to Windmill Park to be judged. (Show up at the windmill between 3 and 4:30) Prizes from Wheely Good Ice Cream will be given to the top three entries. Then show off your creations in an old-fashioned parade on Central Avenue starting at 4:45 p.m.!

Join us for supper at 5 p.m. in the park with grilled burgers or hot dogs, with chips & lemonade. Freewill donation to help fund Onstage Orange City.

Later in the evening, Onstage Orange City presents Bella Ruse performing from 6-7:30 p.m. Bella Ruse features Joseph Barker and Kay Gillette, from the Twin Cities. For the past two years, this duo has been travelling across the country in their vegetable oil – powered van and opening for Sarah McLachlan, Heart, and Kate Nash along the way. Their music is described as “airy folk and crunchy pop”. Gillette’s voice and Barker’s guitar blend beautifully, and they occasionally add a typewriter, a suitcase organ, a glockenspiel, or kazoos for a truly unique indie pop sound. Be sure to come for a great show!
This event is free of charge thanks to the Orange City Arts Council’s Onstage Orange City, the Orange City Chamber, CIVCO Medical Solutions, and Quatro Composites™, with help from many volunteers.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or contact 707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

4th of July in Orange City!! See more photos on facebook.com/ocArts. Like us! Thanks to everyone for a great day, especially all of the kids & adults in the parade. Winners: first place, Emily Vogel & Megan Brower & dogs (Scout & Piper); second place, Rachel Korver and Marley dressed as Statue of Liberty; third place, Jose Martinez & Estephen Trejo – robots; Honorable mention: Lisa , Doug, Tessa, Sera and Ben Burg; Abigal, Allison, and Anna Wallinga, daughters of Mike & Meagan; and Norelea Martinez. (Thanks to Sioux County Capital-Democrat for photo!)

Bella Ruse’s Kay Gillette: Kay Gillette, the voice of Bella Ruse, has been described as “a mix between Kate Nash and Regina Spektor”. Gillette describes the duo’s music as "feist plus a little jazz; Ella Fitzgerald plus a little folk; Yael Naim minus the accent. Or, sometimes we like to call it Cute Rock." Prior to becoming a duo, Gillette trained as a classical singer at Hope College in Holland, MI.

Bella Ruse’s Joseph Barker: Joseph Barker, one of the award-winning composers for Northwestern College’s musical, Terror Texts, plays guitar for Bella Ruse. His mournful melodies blend with Gillette’s unique voice to carry you deep into their musical world.

Local talent performs at grand opening of Prairie Winds Event Center
2012-06-27 | Prairie Winds Event Center, 908 8th St SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Orange City’s Got Talent! On Wednesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. Orange City’s second annual talent show will take place at the grand opening of the Prairie Winds Event Center. Lois Estell, one of the emcees for the evening, says, “If it's anything like last year, we are in for a real treat! It's going to be an exciting night of great entertainment.” Pictured is Collin Korver, from the juggling/ unicycle group Eenwieler, which took second place at last year’s Orange City’s Got Talent.

ORANGE CITY – Orange City’s Got Talent!

Do you sing? Dance? Juggle? Whatever your talent may be, we want to see it! It’s not too late — auditions for Onstage Orange City’s second annual talent show will be held on Saturday, June 23. Please call 737-4208 Monday thru Friday between 9 and 5 to schedule an audition appointment.

Make sure to attend the City’s Community Appreciation Meal (5 to 7 p.m.) before sitting down to a night of entertainment with Orange City’s Got Talent! Lois Estell and Dr. Laird Edman will emcee the event. Prizes of $100, $75 and $50, as well as trophies, will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the talent show. Judges will be Melody DeWit, Dan Mangold and Becky Donahue.

The talent show will take place Wednesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at the Prairie Winds Event Center as part of the Onstage Orange City series and in conjunction with the grand opening of the events center.

This event is free of charge thanks to the Orange City Arts Council, Iowa State Bank, Quatro Composites™ and Windmill Park Jewelers.

For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or contact 707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Summer Suites: Monday, June 25
2012-06-25 | Three backyard gardens, Orange City IA, 51041
Doc Neumann to tell stories at Summer Suites: Dr. A. J. Neumann, veterinarian, amateur historian and storyteller, will entertain Summer Suites audiences with stories of life in Sioux County from 1949 to the present. The annual event features backyard gardens, performers and sweets. Advance tickets are necessary. Contact Orange City Arts Council, 707-6514.

ORANGE CITY – The Orange City Arts Council’s annual celebration of flowering gardens and music – and irresistible sweets – is coming soon. The 2012 Summer Suites will be held Monday, June 25 in three backyard gardens.

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m.

The “progressive concert” will feature Rebecca and Laremy DeVries with vocals and guitar, Jon Haverdink on cello, dancer Claire Foughty and storyteller Dr. A. J. Neumann.

Rebecca and Laremy DeVries will grace one of the Summer Suites gardens with guitar and vocals, with maybe some mandolin and drums. Bluegrass is their style, old-fashioned music with easy harmonies.

These Dordt graduates like the feel of Gillian Welch music – one of the award-winning artists in O Brother, Where Art Thou. They will play some Welch, also some Paul Simon and Emily Lou Harris. Hopefully everyone will recognize at least one piece.

The DeVries couple lived in the Netherlands for a year, but don’t claim any Dutch influence on their music. Laremy did learn to play the mandolin when they lived in Annapolis, where they did a lot of jamming with other musicians. They miss that, but there’s not much extra time with two children in the picture: Corrie, 4, and Nico, 5 months. Plus Rebecca teaches English at Unity Christian High and the duo owns The Fruited Plain in Sioux Center.

Music by Rebecca and Laremy DeVries on June 25: Bluegrass? Yep, Rebecca and Laremy DeVries like the Gillian Welch style, old-fashioned music with easy harmonies, they said. Even when they lead music at church, they can't avoid bringing in a taste of bluegrass. Orange City Arts Council's Summer Suites will include music by the DeVries duo.

Cellist Jon Haverdink to perform: One Summer Suites performance on June 25 will be Jon Haverdink on the cello. Last year Haverdink took first place at Orange City's Got Talent, and he was a semi-finalist at the Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. One of Haverdink's pieces will be The Swan by Saint-Saëns, accompanied in dance by Claire Foughty.

Jon Haverdink, cellist, is a 2012 graduate of MOC-Floyd Valley High and has been a member of the Iowa All State Orchestra for two years and the All State Choir for one year. Last summer, Haverdink took first place at Orange City’s Got Talent and was a semi-finalist in the Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair.

The son of Greg and Laura Haverdink and a cello student of Mr. Joe Shufro of Morningside College, Haverdink has played in the Sioux City Youth Symphony, plus participated in many music, theatre and speech activities at MOC-FV. He plans to attend UNI and earn a degree in cello performance/ pedagogy/ composition.

Claire Foughty began dancing when she was 3 years old, and has been taking dance lessons ever since. She is currently attending Iowa State University, where she has been able to continue dance studies including ballroom dancing. Claire is studying elementary education at Iowa State University, where she is focusing on K-12 English as a second language. She hopes to one day be able to teach English overseas.

One of Haverdink’s pieces at Summer Suites will be The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns, accompanied in dance by Claire Foughty. He also plans to perform a Kabalevsky concerto. Accompanist will be Laura Haverdink.

Dr. A. J. Neumann will tell stories at one of the Summer Suites gardens – stories about veterinary practice in Sioux County from 1949 to the present and stories about Orange City.

“Those days are gone forever,” said Doc Neumann, 86, referring to veterinary practices like Sioux Vet Clinic, where Neumann made 30 or 40 calls a day. He and his fellow vets each put 90,000 miles per year on their work vehicles – seeing a lot of life in rural northwest Iowa.

Doc and Mary Neumann’s children decided not to follow his footsteps, their son saying, “Dad, you spend too much time in your truck.” But the Neumanns’ three children are all working in medicine.

Summer Suites will be held in the gardens of Darrel and Karla Kroese, Tom and Jen Olsen and Leroy and Jasey Van Kekerix. Desserts will be exceptional, as usual, said the Orange City Arts Council’s Janine Calsbeek.

Corporate sponsor of Summer Suites is Pizza Ranch.

Advance tickets are necessary. Discounted tickets are available June 14-21, at $7.50 for adults, $5 for students, and $22 for families, at the Orange CIty Arts Council office, Orange City town hall and Dove Christian Book Store. After June 21, ticket prices are $10, $7 and $30. Maps and schedules are provided to ticket purchasers.

For more information, contact Orange City Arts Council, 712-707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Audition now for Orange City’s Got Talent!
2012-06-23 00:00 - 23:00
ORANGE CITY – June 27 is the day. The Prairie Winds Event Center is the place. It’s Orange City’s Got Talent!

The Orange City Arts Council’s Onstage Orange City announces auditions for its second annual talent show.

This year the event may be an even bigger deal than 2011, since it not only coincides with the city’s community appreciation meal, but also with an open house at the new Prairie Winds Event Center.

Local performers of all ages may audition to be part of the upcoming talent show. Auditions will be held Sat., June 23, for the June 27 performance. Audition appointments can be made by calling 737-4208 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded.

Sponsors of Orange City’s Got Talent! are Iowa State Bank and Quatro Composites™, with support from Windmill Park Jewelers.

For more information, contact Janine at the Orange City Arts Council, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712.707.6514.

Regional musicians perform favorites, directed by Carla Van Beek
2012-06-20
Fifteen years of excellence: On Wednesday, June 20 the Community Band will celebrate 15 years of performances under Carla Van Beek’s leadership, and the Orange City Arts Council’s 35th year. The program features movie classics including music from Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., and Rocky. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, part of the Onstage Orange City series. Shown is the community band from a previous concert.

By Kristen Daily
ORANGE CITY – Star Wars. Jaws. E.T. and Rocky.

Music from movie classics such as Star Wars, E.T. and Jaws as well as the theme for Rocky will be performed by the Orange City Area Community Band on Wednesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, Orange City.

As part of the Onstage Orange City series, the community band concert offers a wide variety of music appealing to a crowd of all ages. With movie theme songs and A Day At Disneyland, kids will be entertained, and the program also includes a Florentiner March and a concert band medley from Mancini! including Moon River, Baby Elephant Walk, and Hatari. And more.

The Community Band is made up of some of the most accomplished musicians in the area, and is directed by Carla Van Beek, who has served as the director for 15 years. Van Beek is hoping to recognize the Orange City Arts Council as it celebrates its 35thyear, by playing some pieces from 1977.

Carla Van Beek celebrates 15 years of directing: This summer Carla Van Beek, Community Band director and band director at Unity Christian High, celebrates 15 years of directing the band. And the Orange City Arts Council, sponsor of the summer series Onstage Orange City, is 35 years old. In commemoration of this, Van Beek has selected some pieces from 35 years ago, 1977.

This event is free of charge, thanks to sponsor Diamond Vogel Paint.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

For more information, contact 707-6514 or ocArts@orange cityiowa.com.

A cappella group Six Appeal to perform for Onstage Orange City
2012-06-13
It's Six Appeal, an a cappella group of six Twin Cities guys with a cheeky name but amazing vocal dexterity and a far-reaching repertoire. And they're funny. Don't miss Onstage Orange City Wed., June 13 at 7:00 pm at Windmill Park, sponsored by Quatro Composites™, D & L Plumbing & Heating and Orange City Arts Council.

ORANGE CITY – Don’t miss next week’s Onstage Orange City!

Wednesday, June 13 is the date, 7:00 pm is the time, Orange City’s Windmill Park is the place. The group? Six Appeal, the 2012 National Harmony Sweepstakes Champions.

The six-member a cappella group – with a cheeky name – competed in May in San Rafael, CA with ensembles from seven regions of the U.S., from New York to Chicago to the Pacific Northwest.

Six Appeal not only took first place, but also the awards of “audience favorite” and “best original song” for their piece, On Your Love.

The sweepstakes features quality vocals and high levels of artistry, but also originality and creativity, pushing to keep a cappella music fresh, innovative and highly entertaining. That’s Six Appeal.

The group began a few years ago as a collegiate hobby at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Now from Minneapolis, they’re Jordan Roll, Michael Brookens, Trey Jones, Nathan Hickey, Reuben Hushagen and Andrew Berkowitz, and they sing everything from classic oldies to current chart toppers to catchy original tunes.

Come to be surprised and captivated… and to laugh!

It’s another in the Orange City Arts Council’s series, Onstage Orange City. After the first ’12 show, someone told the Arts Council’s Janine Calsbeek; “Fabulous show! I don’t know how you pull in people like that!” She’s bound to hear more such comments after Six Appeal’s performance, Calsbeek said.

Sponsors are Quatro Composites™ and D & L Plumbing & Heating. There is no charge to attend.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

Listen for Six Appeal on speakers in downtown Orange City. Find weather-related announcements on orangecityarts.net. Questions? Email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.
Links to Six Appeal videos:
Six Appeal
Harmony Sweepstakes
Six Appeal – “On Your Love”
Six Appeal at Minnesota Fringe Fest
Six Appeal’s website

Festival Latino! Music, dance & food June 6
2012-06-06 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Festival Latino begins at 5:00pm at Orange City's Windmill Park Wed. June 6, with games, food, arts and music. At 7:00pm, the featured show starts: two dance troupes from Sioux City: Estrellas de Jalisco and La Perla Tapatia. The event is free, sponsored by Advance Pierre Foods and the Orange City Arts Council's Onstage Orange City. Support is also provided from the Sioux County Community Foundation.

ORANGE CITY – It’s a celebration! Festival Latino is scheduled for Wed. June 6 at Orange City’s Windmill Park, part of the Onstage Orange City series.

The fun begins at 5:00pm with many free activities: arts and crafts, face and nail painting, bingo/ loteria and a bouncy castle. Planned also are music, puppets, stories, and dance lessons.

All budding artists are welcome to enter the piñata design contest. Bring your homemade piñata at 5:00pm, including a string for hanging. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups, and announced at 7:00pm.

Authentic Latino crafts will be displayed, and fair trade crafts from Guatemala and other Central and South American countries will be available for sale.

And a soccer challenge is planned, on Arizona Avenue west of the shelter.

Mexican food will be served from 5:30-6:30pm, at a small charge: $3 for adults, $1.50 for children under age 10.

The featured entertainment begins shortly after 7:00pm. Two dance troupes from Sioux City will perform, an adult and a junior troupe: Estrellas de Jalisco (The Stars of Jalisco) and La Perla Tapatia (The Pearls of Guadalajara). One crowd-pleaser is a dance featuring both girls and boys, The Santa Rita Polka. Directors are Rosa Loza and David Lillie.

Mexico’s traditional dances have been influenced by Europeans – Spanish, German and French – plus indigenous groups. Folkloric groups are often formed by Mexican-Americans to pass cultural traditions to their children.

Rosa Loza moved to the States from Mexico – from Atengo, Jalisco – when she was 19. She began a traditional dance troupe in Sioux City in the early 90s, when her daughter was three, first learning the dances of Jalisco, done to mariachi music. Later Loza learned elegant dances, charro and caporal dances – those of ranches and farmlands. She designs and sews costumes, and does embroidery.

Sponsors of Festival Latino are AdvancePierre Foods and the Orange City Arts Council, with support from the Sioux County Community Foundation.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

For more information or weather-related announcements, see orangecityarts.net or facebook.com/ocArts.

Summer art classes
2012-06-04 08:00 - 2012-07-13 17:00
Check out summer art classes 2012. The Orange City Arts Council is sponsoring five classes for children: Creating Portraits; Ceramics; Zip, Zap, Zog: Exploring Theatre; Exploring Theatre on Stage; and Beginning Guitar. For adults, the Arts Council is offering one class: Try Your Hand at Portraits.
Classes are scheduled between June 4 and July 13.
And Missoula Children’s Theatre is coming this year! Cinderella is the show, the dates are July 16-21.
Click on CLASSES on the Arts Council home page for details about 2012 classes & Missoula Children’s Theatre.

2012 Onstage Orange City to begin May 30
2012-05-30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
ORANGE CITY – Kelley Hunt, Lionel Young, Blame Sally, Brother Trucker and Bella Ruse are all part of the line-up for Onstage Orange City 2012.

The Orange City Arts Council has announced its schedule for shows in Orange CIty’s Windmill Park for the upcoming summer season.

The series will feature 13 Wednesday nights of entertainment, beginning with May 30 and the Lionel Young Band from Boulder, CO, a double-winner of the International Blues Challenge.

Season opener: Lionel Young Band… The Lionel Young Band, the first ever double winner at the International Blues Challenge, will perform its distinctive brand of blues on May 30, as the season opener for Onstage Orange City. The Orange City Arts Council, with support from local businesses, sponsors the Wednesday night series in Orange City's Windmill Park.

Other artists include the young a cappella group Six Appeal June 13, the comedian and magician Jerry Frasier July 18, Americana roots rock band Brother Trucker July 25, Kelley Hunt and her band singing blues, roots and gospel August 8 and countrified folk-rock band Blame Sally August 22.

Kelley Hunt to perform August 8: Kelley Hunt's blues, roots and gospel come with a refreshing originality. From Lawrence, KS, she brings her band to Onstage Orange City on August 8.

Festival Latino is scheduled for June 6, and will feature Estrella de Jalisco and La Perla Tapatia from Sioux City. Local favorite Bella Ruse will perform July 4, following an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration.

The SchoolHouse Company returns again on August 15, bringing family-friendly theatre. On June 27, the second annual Orange City’s Got Talent! show will be featured, in conjunction with the open house of Prairie Winds Event Center. And the Orange City Area Community Band brings more local talent to the stage June 20, July 11 and August 1.

Contributions from local businesses and individuals, with help from the Orange City Arts Council and City of Orange City, fund Onstage Orange City.

Most shows begin at 7:00pm at Orange City’s Windmill Park.

For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council at 712-707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. Onstage Orange City fliers are available at the city hall & Chamber office.

Blame Sally: Coming to Onstage Orange City from San Fransisco, these four earthy women play what's been called "countrified folk rock." Their show ends the Orange City Arts Council's summer season in Windmill Park – on August 22.

Lionel Young Band show moved to City Hall
2012-05-30
International Blues Challenge winner performing May 30: From Boulder, CO to Orange City comes the Lionel Young Band, performing for the initial Onstage Orange City event Wed., May 30 at 7 pm at OC town hall. Sponsors are OC Sanitation and the Orange City Arts Council. The event is free.

ORANGE CITY – The first double champion in the International Blues Challenge is performing for Onstage Orange City Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00 pm. The event has been moved to the Orange City town hall because of the threat of rain.

Lionel Young opens Orange City’s summer series… a high energy performer with the soul of a bluesman.

Young won the International Blues Challenge solo award in ’08 in Memphis, then his band took the IBC championship in ’11.

The classically-trained Young will bring his distinctive brand of blues on the electric violin, playing originals plus interpretations of blues classics by T Bone Walker, Willie Dixon, Freddy King, Sam Cooke, and more. The band is known for the strength and passion of Young’s playing, plus strong vocals and unique arrangements.

Born in Rochester, NY, Young began taking violin lessons at the age of six at the Eastman School of Music. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Opera-Ballet Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra which commissioned him to play bluegrass and blues on a tour of Japan, Taiwan, and Korea during the ’88 Summer Olympic Music Festival.

Young has won awards from the Pittsburgh Symphony, Carnegie-Mellon and the Denver Chamber Orchestra. He has had the honor of working with Count Bassie, Stevie Wonder, Doc Severenson, Linda Ronstadt and Woodie Herman.

Young’s band features Ricardo Peña, piano, organ, vocals; Andre Mali, trumpet; Dexter Payne, sax, clarinet, harmonica; Kim Stone, bass; and Jay Forrest, drums, vocals.

Of the Lionel Young Band, Blues Blast Magazine said: “Brilliant!” “Must-see and must-listen!” said Colorado Music Buzz.

Onstage Orange City is a series of shows sponsored each Wednesday this summer, in Windmill Park. Sponsor of the Lionel Young Band is OC Sanitation, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. There is no charge to attend.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

For more information or weather-related announcements, see orangecityarts.net or facebook.com/ocArts. Young’s website is lionelyoung.net.

Quilting in NW Iowa: An Evolving Tradition
2012-05-17 09:00 - 2012-05-19 18:00 | Bultman Center, Northwestern College, Industrial Bypass Road, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Quilt show adds workshops May 17-19: Quilting in Northwest Iowa: An Evolving Tradition will be part of the Sioux Prairie Quilters' annual Tulip Festival quilt show May 17-19. Workshops will be held twice daily, on quilting traditions and stories, hand quilting and appliqué, and patterns and colors, featuring members of Sioux Prairie Quilters. Left to right are presenters: Linda Feikema, Orange City; Barb Tazelaar and Laurey Zwart, Sioux Center; Marcia Van Oort, Doon; Kathy Fictorie, Sioux Center; and Kathy Kelly and Carolyn Elder, Orange City.

ORANGE CITY – Six local quilters will give workshops, Quilting in Northwest Iowa: An Evolving Tradition, at the Sioux Prairie Quilters quilt show during Orange City’s Tulip Festival May 17-19.

Curious about quilting? Intimidated by the experts? Come for informal talks about choosing fabric, picking patterns, and selecting colors. Learn what makes a good quilt from some of the best, and hear the family stories embedded in the quilts. Watch daily demonstrations and try your hand with a practice quilt.

Featured workshops on Thursday will be Evolving Traditions by Carolyn Elder of Orange City and Marcia Van Oort of Doon.

On Friday, workshops are Hand Quilting and Appliqué, featuring Linda Feikema and Kathy Kelly, of Orange City.

Saturday’s workshops will be Patterns and Colors, with Barb Tazelaar and Kathy Fictorie, of Sioux Center.

Bed turnings, featuring stories about quilts, will be held daily following the workshops. Laurey Zwart and Pat Jongewaard of Sioux Center and Mary Zagaeski of Rock Valley will lead the bed turnings.

The 45-minute workshops will be moderated by Dr. Riki Saltzman, the Iowa Arts Council’s folklife coordinator.

All presenters are members of Sioux Prairie Quilters, which has a 30-year history in northwest Iowa. Founded in the 80s by six quilters, the group grew and spawned new clubs in Sheldon and Le Mars. Now the guild has 44 members, mainly from Sioux and Lyon counties – young and old, beginners and masters. The quilt show has become a defining feature of the guild.

Most of the workshop leaders learned to quilt from their mothers or grandmothers. “I grew up thinking quilting was a Dutch art form,” said Linda Feikema with a smile. “I now know better, but I think Dutch women in particular have a deep understanding of the need to use each scrap of fabric wisely.”

The quilt show will be held 9:00am to 8:00pm Thursday and Friday, and 9:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, at the Bultman Center at Northwestern College. Workshops will be held daily at 10:00am and 4:00pm. Admission to the quilt show is $5.

The program is sponsored by the Sioux Prairie Quilters, the Orange City Arts Council, the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts: Folk & Traditional Arts Program. Saltzman will also record several members of Sioux Prairie Quilters for the Iowa Roots radio program and the Iowa Folklife Collection at the State Folk Arts archives.

Similar programs will be held in Storm Lake May 19 and Council Bluffs June 10.

For more information, contact ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

MORE INFORMATION:
Quilting in Western Iowa: Evolving Traditions
Riki Saltzman, Folklife Coordinator
Curious about quilting? Intimidated by the experts? Take this opportunity to visit with master quilters in Orange City, Storm Lake, and Council Bluffs. You’ll learn what makes a good quilt from some of the best and hear the family stories embedded in the quilts. As well, visitors can watch demonstrations and try their hand with a practice quilt.
The Iowa Arts Council is pleased to announce a series of three public quilting programs in Western Iowa in May and June of this year at the Sioux Prairie Quilters’ Show at Northwestern College’s Bultman Center during Tulip Festival in Orange City (May 17-19 at 10 and 4 each day), at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake (May 19 at 1:30), and at The Center in Council Bluffs (June 10 at 2).
Traditional quilting in western Iowa really is about community and giving back, which the NEA-funded Iowa Folklife Survey really brought home. According to folklorist Andrea Graham, who documented folk & traditional artists during 2008-9, “One of the strongest traditions throughout [western Iowa] is quilting. There are quilt stores in Council Bluffs, Storm Lake, Carroll, Exira, Le Mars, Harlan, Elk Horn, Cherokee and Creston, and . . . many more I didn’t see. Many . . . towns also have organized quilt guilds—Harlan, Walnut, Glenwood, Cherokee, Orange City and Storm Lake, to name a few. I heard of or visited church quilt groups in Panama, Manning, Harlan, Cherokee, Storm Lake, Shenandoah, Le Mars, Correctionville, Portsmouth and Earling, and that just scratches the surface. But the most interesting quilting traditions I saw were the church groups who hand-quilt for other people as a fundraiser for their church, or make tied scrap quilts for charity, both local and overseas.”

Featured quilters at the different programs include Carolyn Elder, Linda Feikema, and Kathy Kelly (Orange City), Marcia Van Oort (Doon), Barb Tazelaar, Kathy Fictorie, Laurey Zwart, and Pat Jongewaard (Sioux Center), and Mary Zagaeski (Rock Valley) at the Orange City event; Carole Suhr, Leann Baumhover and Ruth Anderson in Storm Lake; and Jeanine Williams, Rachel Summy, and Karen Hochom in Council Bluffs.

Collaborations with the Orange City Arts Council, Friends of the Storm Lake Library, Witter Gallery, Bluffs Arts Council, the Sioux Prairie Quilter’s Guild, and the Southwest Iowa Piecemakers as well as with local quilters have made these public programs possible, as has support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council.
For further information, please contact folklorist Riki Saltzman, Iowa Arts Council, at riki.saltzman@iowa.gov or 515/242-6195; Janine Calsbeek, Orange City Arts Council, at 712-707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com; Elizabeth Huff, Storm Lake Public Library, at 712-732-8026; and Laural Ronk, Bluffs Arts Council, at 712-328-4992.

Watoto Children’s Choir: Beautiful Africa
2012-05-03 19:00 - 20:30 | First Reformed Church, 420 Central Ave NW, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Watoto Children's Choir to perform in Orange City: They're an energetic fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm, and share a message of transformation, said Watoto founder Gary Skinner. The popular and widely acclaimed Watoto Children's Choir is returning to Orange City, and will perform at First Reformed Church in Orange City Thursday, May 3 at 7:00pm, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.

ORANGE CITY – The Watoto Children’s Choir will present their energetic music and dance show in Orange City Thursday, May 3 at First Reformed Church.

The 7:00pm show features original and vibrant African music with dance routines and life-transforming stories. The program is entitled “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation.”

The globally acclaimed choir was born from the holistic care program, Watoto, initiated to serve a variety of needs of the African people, especially those of children orphaned as a result of war, poverty and HIV/AIDS. “We share a message of transformation,” said Watoto founder Gary Skinner, “telling the story of Africa’s rescued orphans and women.”

Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents, and all live in Watoto Children’s Villages.

The choir hopes to reach audiences “with the message of Christ’s healing power,” said Skinner.

This tour began in Dallas, TX and the 22 children and 10 adults will travel for six months, visiting San Antonio, Tulsa, Wichita, Little Rock, St Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago.

Since the tour’s inception in 1994, 50 choirs have traveled globally, providing the children with an opportunity to broaden their world view. They have done shows in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S., and have performed for royalty and national leaders.

The May 3 concert is free, but an offering will be received for Watoto.

A school assembly will be held at First Reformed Thursday afternoon, May 3. For more information, contact the sponsor, Orange City Arts Council, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712.707.6514.

Visit watotochoirs.wordpress.com for regular updates on choirs on the road – choir 54. For additional information, see watoto.com/choir.

Iowa Watercolor Society Exhibit in Orange City
2012-04-10 - 2012-05-03 | Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, 809 Albany Ave SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Green Horizon by Jan Vander Linden took first place at the Iowa Watercolor Society juried exhibition. The Society's traveling show will be on exhibit at the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center in Orange City April 10 to May 3, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council. Meet some of the artists the evening of April 28, prior to the Northwestern College theatre production, Mama D.

ORANGE CITY – An art exhibit in April in Orange City will feature the work of 26 Iowa watercolor artists.

The 2011-12 Iowa Watercolor Society traveling show is being exhibited in several northwest Iowa communities this spring, including Orange City April 10 to May 3 at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, is being held in conjunction with the Northwestern College theatre production, Mama D. A “meet the artists” reception will be held from 6:45 to 7:25 pm Saturday, April 28, prior to the final night of Mama D. Exhibiting artists from northwest Iowa hope to attend.

The juried exhibit features 30 paintings by artists from 16 Iowa towns and one from Nebraska, including watercolors by Barbara McGee of Peterson and Rose Kelly Peterson of Sioux City. Top place winners are Jan Vander Linden of West Des Moines, Missi Paul of Lincoln NE, Delores Frederick of Clear Lake, Jane Baty of Ames and Sarah DeLong of Grinnell.

Gleeful by Martha Rhoades

Last year’s Iowa Watercolor Society juried exhibition featured Sojourners by Judy Thompson of Orange City, first place winner.

The Iowa Watercolor Society has been active for 35 years, and annually sponsors a juried exhibition. Don Andrews of Fairhope AL and three-time winner of awards from the American Watercolor Society, juried the 2011-12 show. He is the author of several books on watercolor and conducts painting workshops across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa.

Andrews looks for visually exciting pieces with originality of concept and design organization, he said.

To reserve tickets for Mama D for April 19-21 or 26-28, email boxoffice@nwciowa.edu or phone 712-707-7098, beginning April 10. For more information on the Iowa Watercolor Society exhibition, contact the Orange City Arts Council at 712-707-6514 or OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

The exhibit will move to Spencer for May and June, then Storm Lake for July and August.

See Food Diet by Barbara McGee

Pianist, Storyteller, Composer to perform in Orange City
2012-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 1405 Albany Ave NE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – David Nevue’s music is like listening to a prayer.

Those were the words of someone who heard Nevue on the piano. His music provides “the gift of emotion in every moment,” another said. “Magical and beautiful.”

Nevue will present a piano concert in Orange City Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, sponsored by the Orange CIty Arts Council.

As a young boy, Nevue (pronounced NEV-Yoo, rhymes with nephew) sat at his grandma’s piano and figured out melodies. He “faked” his way through three years of formal piano lessons, he said.

His college music theory class opened his eyes. Once he understood the patterns of the keyboard, he said, he was able to teach himself to play the music he’d been hearing in his head.

He played with a few rock bands in his early years, then turned to his true love – the piano. He completed his first album of original piano works at age 25. Now he lives in Eugene, Oregon and works full-time in the music business.

Nevue writes through improvisation, “just playing around on the piano until an interesting chord progression or melodic riff catches my ear,” he said. He plays all of his pieces from memory.

He calls his style neoclassical. He has been influenced by everyone from progressive rock bands like Rush, Pink Floyd and Kansas, to Kate Bush, Clannad, Jeff Johnson and early U2. He loves classical musicians Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Debussy.

And there’s George Winston. “Were it not for my being introduced to the music of pianist George Winston, I don’t think I would have ever considered writing for solo piano.” Now his music is compared to Winston’s, also to Jim Brickman’s and David Lanz’s.

His love of the theatre brought him experiences on stage, and his two-hour piano show will include the stories behind the songs. The theme of the concert will be “living life to the fullest… finding joy everywhere,” he said.

Nevue’s music is heard on over 220 radio programs worldwide. He has recorded 13 CDs. His album “Overcome,” was named the best instrumental piano album of 2005 by Lifestyle Music Awards. His album, “Adoration”, a collection of traditional hymn arrangements, reached number one of the NAR (now Zone Music Reporter) album charts in May 2008. This year his album, “A Delicate Joy,” is a finalist for the Zone Music Reporter’s best instrumental piano album.

Nevue authored “How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet” and founded The Music Biz Academy, an educational website for musicians. In 2003, he launched Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio, an internet radio program.

To listen to Nevue, check www.davidnevue.com and click on “Listen.”

Tickets for the March 29 concert are $5 for adults and $3 for students in advance at Dove Christian Bookstore, Immanuel Christian Reformed Church (1405 Albany Ave NE) or the Orange City Arts Council. At the door, tickets are $8 and $6. For more information, contact OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or call 707-6514.

Pianist David Nevue to perform in Orange City: Pianist, composer and storyteller David Nevue will present a piano concert Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. Hear his original pieces and arrangements of hymns at www.davidnevue.com. The event is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.

Nevue will also do a benefit concert for Cary Christian Center March 17 at 6:30 pm at Dordt College’s BJ Haan auditorium in Sioux Center.

Do IMPROV! with Black V
2012-03-15 16:00 - 17:00 | First Impact, 120 First St. SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Improv with Black V: Yep, some of them are a bit crazy, an essential ingredient in improv. Northwestern College's improv team, Black V, will teach a free class for middle schoolers after school Thursday, March 15 at First Impact in Orange City, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.

ORANGE CITY – An improv class for middle schoolers, Do IMPROV!, will be held Thursday, March 15 from 4 to 5 p.m. at First Impact in Orange City.

Aaron Bauer and Black V, the improv team from Northwestern College, will lead the class. These improv gurus know how to put on side-splitting shows. Try it yourself! No pressure. Just show up March 15.

The March 15 class is free for students grades 6-8, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and First Impact. Those interested in signing up for more improv classes may register March 15.

First Impact is located on First Street, south of Don’s Food Center and Evie’s Hallmark.

For more information, contact Jamie Jeltema at jamie.jeltema@nwciowa.edu or Janine Calsbeek at the Orange City Arts Council, OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Mozart’s The Magic Flute to be presented by Des Moines Metro Opera
2012-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre, 809 Albany Ave SE, Orange City IA 51041
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

Coming to Orange City: Celtic and country, fiddles and step-dance
2012-02-25 19:30 - 21:00 | MOC-Floyd Valley High School auditorium, 615 8th St. SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
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

Puppet class in January/ February
2012-01-28 09:00 - 2012-02-04 11:55 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – Sign up for a puppetry class!

Lisa Laird of Pockets Full of Fun puppets is offering another class in puppet making and performing at the Orange City town hall community room. Dates are Saturday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Feb. 4. Children, grades K-5, will make several types of puppets. The classes will conclude with a show for parents and friends.

According to Janine Calsbeek of the Orange City Arts Council, after Laird’s puppet classes last year, the children requested more classes. And after hosting Laird at Orange City Christian School, a teacher said, “The hardest part was to get students to STOP making puppets!”

Two class sessions will be held, meeting from 9 to 11:40 a.m. on both Saturdays, with the program at 11:45 a.m. Feb. 4.

Fee is $25 per child prior to Jan. 23. After Jan. 23, the fee is $35.

Sponsor is the Orange City Arts Council. Send registration information – name, grade, parents’ names, address, email, phone – and payment to Orange City Arts Council, PO Box 202, Orange City IA 51041, or drop it off at the Orange City town hall. For more info, call the Arts Council at 707-6514 or email OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

An Evening of Dance
2011-12-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – Dance teams from MOC-Floyd Valley and Unity Christian High schools, and students from Just For Kix, will do a one-hour show Saturday, Dec. 10.

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.

“A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” to be presented in Orange City
2011-12-08 00:00 - 2011-12-17 23:00 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
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.

Bella Ruse November 19
2011-11-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Old Factory Coffee Shop, 110 4th St SW, Orange City, 51041
Mark your calendars! Bella Ruse at Old Factory Coffee Shop in Orange City, November 19 at 8 p.m. Enter the video contest and win a $50 gift certificate to The Hatchery and a gig opening for Bella Ruse! Check out bellaruse.com/contest

Bella Ruse to perform at The Old Factory Coffee Shop
2011-11-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Old Factory Coffee Shop, 110 4th St SW, Orange City, 51041
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.

Author and illustrator of children’s book to visit
2011-10-14 15:30 - 17:00 | Orange City Public Library, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
The Juggler comes to town: Meet The Juggler. Actually, he's a wanna-be juggler, who can't seem to set aloft anything but cabbages. Jeanette Hopkins is the author, and along with her husband Bruce, will read and talk in local schools October 10-18. The work of Stormy Mochal, illustrator, will be on exhibit at the Orange City Public Library Oct. 14-28. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 14 at the Orange City library, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

ORANGE CITY – The author and illustrator of a new children’s book, The Juggler, will be presenting their works in schools, a retirement community and the Orange City library in October.

A reception will be held Friday, Oct. 14 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Orange City Public Library for Jeanette Hopkins of Sioux City, the author of The Juggler, and Stormy Mochal of Dubuque, the illustrator.

Hopkins and her husband Bruce, an environmental writer, will speak in schools October 10-18, and Mochal’s art will be on exhibit at the library Oct. 14-28.

The Juggler is a story about Henri, a young farmer who dreams of juggling almost everything, but is heart-broken at only being able to set aloft a few cabbages.

Filled with rhyme, rhythm and repetition, the story includes a visit to the circus, air-borne “piggies,” and colorful and detailed illustrations.

“Henri enchants as we dream with him, learn with him, overcome our fears with him, and find him sharing his gift with the world,” said Amy Robbins-Wilson, The Lullaby Lady, Amazon.

Hopkins, a semi-retired educator, wrote The LadyBug Waltz, which was published in 2009 by Ice Cube Press in North Liberty. The Juggler was published by Ice Cube Press this year.

Hopkins and her husband travel throughout the U.S. sharing insights about reading and writing with students of all ages. They’ve been in 150 schools since 2009.

The Juggler began when Hopkins purchased a print of a colorful juggler created by Mochal, and was inspired to write a story. “She creates wonderful and whimsical drawings of magical people,” said Hopkins. Both a children’s book and a relationship were born.

Mochal is an artist inspired by the country of Iowa: farmhouses, starry skies, birds, flowers. Art, she said, is her “connection to the inner child… a playful, not-so serious self.”

She studied painting and art history at Loras College in Dubuque, has taught art classes at NICC Community College and in her home studio, and has exhibited widely. She co-owns Outside the Lines Art Gallery in Dubuque, selling her own work, and the work of other regional artists..

The Juggler is her first children’s book.

Jeanette and Bruce Hopkins’ workshop schedule includes Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community on Oct. 10, where Bruce will talk about his book, When Foxes Wore Red Vests, a blend of essays, poetry, drawings and photographs.

Other school and library sessions include Rock Valley Elementary Oct. 11, Ireton Christian Oct. 12, MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary in Orange City Oct. 13, Northwest Iowa Home Educators Oct. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Orange City Public Library, and Northwest Iowa Reading Council at the Orange City library Oct. 18. The public is invited to the Oct. 14 session at the library.

“The children have loved The Juggler,” said Hopkins, “and they love learning the first step to juggling.” She leaves each student with directions and a bag of three colored balls.

All are invited to the reception Oct. 14. Refreshments will be served. Sponsor is the Orange City Arts Council. For more information, contact OCArts@orangecityiowa.com, www.orangecityarts.net, 712-707-6514.

Check out www.tracysilverman.com
2011-10-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Northwestern College Chapel, 601 Central Ave SE, Orange City IA 51041
A local couple won tickets to the October 7 Tracy Silverman concert. Winners were Pam and Loren Visser of D & L Plumbing and Heating. Their names were was drawn among donors to the Orange City Arts Council.
The concert, to be held Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Northwestern College Chapel, features electric violinist Tracy Silverman. His show is eclectic, featuring everything from jazz, rock, and contemporary to classical and Brazilian pieces. He will play a Led Zeppelin medley with “Stairway to Heaven,” his own version of Bach, and a Gershwin piece, “Bess, you is my woman now.” He will also play Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, John Adams, Latin rock, Brazilian-style choro and several of his own compositions.
The show will also include one number performed with 28 students from MOC-Floyd Valley, Unity Christian and Western Christian high schools.
Tickets are available from Dove Christian Bookstore, Orange City Arts Council and town hall, and the Northwestern Music Department. Advance tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for students. At the door, tickets are $12 and $7.
Concert sponsors are the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College Music Department.
A feature story on Tracy Silverman was published in the Sept. 29, 2011 Sioux County Capital-Democrat: “Musical pioneer will take the stage in Orange City” by Crystal Snieder.

An evening with Tracy Silverman
2011-10-07 19:30 - 21:00
Electric violinist Tracy Silverman is in a class of his own, according to the LA Times. He performed with Jim Brickman at the Sioux Falls Washington Pavilion in December, and will perform with the Nashville Symphony in Carnegie Hall in May. His concert at Northwestern College's Christ Chapel will be Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College.

ORANGE CITY – BBC Radio says he’s “the greatest living exponent of the electric violin.”

That’s Tracy Silverman. He graduated from the Juilliard School in 1980, then built one of the first ever six-string violins. Since then he’s been a musical pioneer – designing, building and performing on an instrument that did not previously exist.

And he’s coming to Orange City – October 7.

Eight years ago, Pulitizer Prize-winning composer John Adams’ electric violin concerto “The Dharma at Big Sur,” written for and with Silverman, single-handedly legitimized the electric violin. Adams called his work with Silverman “the closest thing to a genuine collaboration I’ve ever done with a performer.

“Tracy has developed his own unique style of violin playing – a marvel of expressiveness,” said Adams.

At the premier of the symphony, the LA Times raved, “Inspiring. Silverman is in a class of his own.” The Chicago Tribune wrote of Silverman’s “blazing virtuosity. You will be astonished that anybody can play a fiddle like that.”

Silverman has performed the piece everywhere from the Lincoln Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Silverman performed with pop pianist Jim Brickman at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls in December. He’s recorded with everyone from Roy Wooten of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to Terry Riley, Zakir Hussein, Rachel Barton Pine and Daniel Bernard Roumain.

And, the Nashville Symphony commissioned a new electric violin concerto for him, which will be performed by Silverman and the Symphony at Carnegie Hall in May.

The Oct. 7 performance brings together new music with world and pop influences, Silverman’s reinventions of Bach, Hendrix and others, plus works by Adams and Riley.

The concert will be held at Northwestern College Christ Chapel Friday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for students, and are available at the Northwestern College Music Department, Dove Christian Bookstore and the Orange City Arts Council. At the door, tickets are $12 and $7.

Silverman will conduct a master class for MOC-FV and Unity high school strings players from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on October 7, at MOC-Floyd Valley High School. The students will join Silverman at the concert in “Blue Fire Fiddler.”

For more information on the concert or master class, contact the Orange City Arts Council, OCArts@orangecityiowa.com, www.orangecityarts.net or 712.707.4885. Read more and hear Silverman’s music at www.tracysilverman.com.

HARLEM STRING QUARTET TO PERFORM IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
2011-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 | MOC-FV Middle School & Unity Christian High, Alton & Orange CIty, IA, United States
Harlem Quartet to perform at MOC-FV Middle School and Unity Christian High: "Energetic, passionate, fun and… extremely musical." That's what the Kansas City Metropolis said of the Harlem Quartet. The Orange City Arts Council is sponsoring two school performances of the Harlem Quartet on Monday, Sept. 26. Pictured, left to right, are Juan Miguel Hernadez, viola, Paul Wiancko, cello, Melissa White, violin, and Ilmar Gavilan, violin.

ORANGE CITY – Panache: flamboyant confidence of style.

The New York Times used the word “panache” to describe the Harlem String Quartet’s recent performance.

Others rave on the Harlem Quartet too. Cincinnati.com said, “You haven’t lived until you have heard the Harlem Quartet play Billy Stayhorn’s ‘Take the “A” Train.’”

Kansas City Metropolis said, “Their program of rip-roaring all-string fare was energetic, passionate, fun and most importantly, extremely musical.”

The Harlem Quartet has played in the White House and on NBC’s Today Show. Their mission is to advance diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences through the discovery of varied repertoire. These performers/ teachers bring life to Ravel, Haydn, Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea.

Quartet members are Ilmar Gavilan, violin, who began studies in his native Cuba at the Havana Conservatory; Melissa White, violin, who debuted with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra at age 14; Juan Miguel Hernandez, viola, who, in ’09, took the first prize at the 16th International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria; and Paul Wiancko, cello, who, in ’06, was the only American to be invited to compete in the Lutoslawski International Cello Competition in Poland, winning second prize.

The Orange City Arts Council is sponsoring two school performances of Harlem String Quartet on Monday, Sept. 26. In the morning, the Quartet will do an assembly as MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School in Alton. In the afternoon, they will perform at Unity Christian High for strings students from Western Christian, Sioux Center Christian and Unity.

The Quartet will do an evening concert in Storm Lake Monday evening.

For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council, www.orangecityarts.net, OCArts@orangecityiowa.com, 712-707-4885. Or visit the website www.harlemquartet.com.

AFRIZO is coming to Orange City and Sioux Center
2011-09-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Northwestern College Christ Chapel, 101 6th St SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Afrizo is coming!

On Friday, September 23, the African gospel-style music ensemble, Afrizo, will perform at Centre Mall in Sioux Center at 9:30 a.m., Dordt College Campus Center at 11 a.m., and Northwestern College Christ Chapel in Orange City at 7:30 p.m.

Afrizo, from Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, sings in English, Swahili and African tribal languages, worshiping the Lord in a unique variety of languages and styles. Director is Daystar faculty member Hellen Mtawali.

The September 1 through November 22 tour takes Afrizo members from Minneapolis to Rapid City, Portland and Missoula, next to the Midwest, New York and the East Coast, then to Nashville, Dallas, Albuquerque and Pasadena.

Daystar University was founded 35-plus years ago, and now has over 4,200 students from 20 African countries. The emphasis in the Christian liberal arts school is servant leadership, and Daystar trains students to work in government, business, media, community development, education and the church. Many return to their communities empowered to address difficult issues: HIV/AIDS, poverty, and civil strife.

The concerts are free, but donations will be received for scholarships for Daystar students. The full cost for tuition, room and board for one year is approximately $5,800.

Afrizo’s visit is sponsored by Dordt College, Northwestern College, the Orange City Arts Council and the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council at 712.707.4885 or check the Daystar website: www.daystarus.org/. Hear music samples at http://www.daystarus.org/afrizo-music.html. See a music video at http://www.daystarus.org/afrizo-video.html.

DAKOTA BAROQUE & CLASSIC COMPANY to perform in Orange City
2011-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Northwestern College Christ Chapel, 101 6th St SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – Step back to the 17th century to a European city. Enter a king’s court and be treated to chamber music written by the greats. Enjoy period instruments: a fortepiano, a viola, a classical clarinet, a natural horn.

The Dakota Baroque and Classic Company presents music written by and for people in the 17th and 18th centuries. The four-person ensemble comes to Orange City from the National Music Museum on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion, a museum which houses 14,000 American, European and non-Western instruments.

Their performance will be Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Northwestern College Christ Chapel.

The characteristic soft, clear sound of the period instruments gives a new perspective to the music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Arian Sheets will perform on an historic viola. Susanne Skyrm, Deborah Check Reeves and Gary L. Reeves will perform on authentic copies of original instruments – fortepiano, classical clarinet, natural horn.

The concert will feature solo works, duos and trios, along with commentary about the instruments, composers and music… with explanations on the differences between early instruments and their modern counterparts.

Following the program, the audience will have the opportunity to view the instruments closely and ask questions.

Dakota Baroque has been featured on PBS nationally. Skyrm, professor of music at the University of South Dakota, has appeared as a recitalist in England, Scotland, Belgium, Italy and across the States. Her acclaimed CD features music recorded on the National Music Museum’s rare Portuguese fortepiano.

Deborah Reeves, curator of education at the National Music Museum, has taught in colleges and universities in Alabama, Oregon, Michigan, Utah and S.D. She is an active recitalist, chamber musician and soloist on the classical six-key clarinet.

Gary Reeves teaches at the University of South Dakota, and is principal horn of the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the South Dakota Brass, and participates each summer with the Page Five Woodwind Quintet in Marquette, MI.

Curator of stringed instruments at the National Music Museum, Sheets has played with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater, Classical Arts Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony, Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra and the South Dakota Symphony.

The performance in Orange City is free, but donations will be received. Sponsors are the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College Music Department. Workshops demonstrating recorders through the years will be held in local schools.

For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council: 712-707-4885 or OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Recorder workshops in five local schools & the OC library, thanks for Deborah Reeves from the National Music Museum.

Mariachi band to perform in Orange City
2011-08-25 19:00 - 20:30
Mariachi band to perform in Orange City: Mariachi Ameca from Hawarden is returning to Orange City for the second year, as part of the Onstage Orange City performance series in Windmill Park. The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. (Photo courtesy of the Sioux County Capital-Democrat)

ORANGE CITY – Onstage Orange City will get a musical taste of Mexico again on Thursday, August 25. Mariachi Ameca, the lively and colorful family band from Hawarden, will perform at the Orange City Windmill Park at 7 p.m.

Mariachi Ameca is the final performance of Orange City’s 2011 Onstage Orange City summer concert series. There is no charge to attend.

AdvancePierre Foods is sponsoring the band’s appearance. Concessions will be available.

A drawing will be held for a bicycle given by The Bike Store of Orange City. Adults and children may sign up for a chance to win, and the winner will be able to select a specific style and size of bike.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Rain location is the Orange City town hall. For more information contact the Orange City Arts Council at OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712-707-4885.

Dancing to the music: Children loved the beat of Mariachi Ameca last August… and took over the Orange City bandshell's grassy lawn as a dance stage. The Hawarden mariachi band will perform at 7 p.m. August 25 in Orange City's Windmill Park. (Photo courtesy of the Sioux County Capital-Democrat)
