Vibrant Orange City, Iowa

Revival’s Pet Costume Contest and Omaha’s Funk Trek in Orange City July 31
2013-07-31 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Omaha’s Funk Trek to play in Orange City July 31Funk Trek, a jazz-fusion band from Omaha, performs for Onstage Orange City Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00pm at Orange City’s Windmill Park. Beginning the evening at 6:00pm is Revival Animal Health’s pet costume contest.

ORANGE CITY – They’re a funk/ jazz fusion band from Omaha, and they’re coming to Orange City Wednesday, July 31: Funk Trek.
It’s Onstage Orange City, in Windmill Park.
The night opens at 6:00pm with the evening’s sponsor, Revival Animal Health, inviting locals to bring their costumed cat, dog or other beastie for the annual pet costume contest. Prizes will be awarded by Revival.
Revival will also sell ice cream bars and water to raise funds for local vets in need.
Funk Trek takes the stage at 7:00pm. They’ve been labeled jazz/ funk, jazz fusion and soul jazz, and are famous in the Omaha area for their “insuppressible groove and their smooth blend of funk, jazz and experimental music.”
Cousins Tom Murnan and Dan Pflug, along with friend Andrew Wahl, began Funk Trek in 2007, and the band now focuses on instrumental music, with guitar, bass, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, keyboard and percussion.
Not only are they regulars at The Slowdown and The Waiting Room in Omaha, Funk Trek has opened for several other funk bands – including Dumpstaphunk and Euforquestra. In June 2013, they had the privilege of opening for O.A.R. at the NCAA 2013 Men’s College World Series opening ceremonies.
Their albums are Purify and Voyager, the latter in tribute to their early name, “Funk Trek Voyager,” a take-off of Star Trek Voyager.
Onstage Orange City, a series of free shows each Wednesday evening through August, is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
To link with Funk Trek’s music, click here: http://funktrek.com/#media. (Click on Media.) For more information, email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or call 712-707-4885.

One of Japan’s leading handbell choirs returns to perform in Orange City
2013-07-26 19:30 - 21:00 | Northwestern College Christ Chapel, 101 6th St SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – One of Japan’s leading handbell choirs is returning to northwest Iowa, and will perform Friday, July 26 at the Northwestern College Christ Chapel.
The Glee Handbell Choir from Meiji Gakuin Higashimurayama High School in Tokyo, tours the United States biennially, and last performed in Orange City in 2011. On July 26, the concert will be held at 7:30pm.

Leading Handbell Choir from Japan to performThe 14-member Glee Handbell Choir from Tokyo will perform at the Northwestern College Christ Chapel Friday, July 26 at 7:30pm. The free performance is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern College Intercultural Affairs.

The handbell choir has been part of the ministry of Meiji Gakuin since 1981, and earlier the school had a glee club, which also toured the States as part of a home stay program. Rev. Norimichi Odate, current exchange program director, was one of the members of the glee club in 1975, and later became a Northwestern College student, graduating in 1980. Ron Korver began the school’s exchange program, said Odate.
Directors of the Glee Handbell Choir are Mr. Takanobu Onoda and Mr. Kazuyoshi Inagaki.

2013 Glee Handbell Choir from Meiji Gakuin Higashimurayama High School in Tokyo

The choir has performed for enthusiastic audiences in the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA, at the Handbell Exploration in Phoenix, and on television and radio in Japan.
This year the choir includes 14 young ladies, who will be staying in homes in northwest Iowa July 25 – 28, including Sioux Center and Orange City. Their five-week tour begins July 19, and takes them to Minneapolis, Worthington, Philadelphia, Omaha, Pella, Cedar Grove, WI, Lafayette, IN, Hudsonville, MI, Auburn, CA and San Francisco. The choir members will present concerts, sightsee, and get acquainted with American culture via host families. “The choir is here to show our school’s appreciation to the host families, host churches and contact people,” said Odate.
The choir will also present a concert at Carmel Reformed Church on Sunday, July 28 at 7:00pm, and tentatively at the Sioux Center mall on Saturday, July 27. In Orange City, the choir members will also tour Northwestern College. The concert July 26 is sponsored by Northwestern College Intercultural Affairs and the Orange City Arts Council.

2011 performance in Orange City

No admission will be charged for the concert, but a freewill offering will be received to assist with the school’s 2015 tour, and for maintenance of the handbells.
For more information, contact coordinators Janet and John Renes of Sioux Center (712-722-0327), Northwestern College Intercultural Affairs (gracelo@nwciowa.edu) or the Orange City Arts Council (712-707-4885, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.)
Photos from the 2011 visit of Glee Handbell Choir to Orange City here:
http://orangecityarts.net/2011/08/glee-handbell-choir-in-orange-city/

Onstage Orange City presents OC Area Community Band
2013-07-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
ORANGE CITY – Guest conductor Michael Kensak is taking the stage with the Orange City Area Community Band on Wednesday, July 24. The concert, featuring adult and student musicians from the area, will be held in Windmill Park at 7:00 pm, part of the Onstage Orange City series.
It will be the third and final community band concert of the summer.
Kensak, who teaches English and German at Northwestern College, is a trombonist for the community band. He is filling in for the band’s director Carla Van Beek this week, and has an entertaining evening planned, including “Under the Sea,” “West Side Story – Highlights,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The band will also perform “Jupiter Hymn” from The Planets, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “Exaltations” and “Amazing Grace.”
This free concert is sponsored by Orange City Communications and Quatro Composites™, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council.
Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
For more information, contact 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. The Onstage Orange City series continues each Wednesday through August 21.
Pictured here are Drew Lemke and Daniel Clemens, performing in a 2012 community band concert.

Onstage Orange City presents Malek’s Fishermen Band
2013-07-17 18:40 - 20:30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
One of the finest polka bands in the Midwest performs for Onstage Orange City Wed. July 24 at 7:00pm at Windmill Park. Learn to polka with experts. (Lessons begin at 6:40pm!) Come early to purchase pizza and pop from Pizza Ranch!
youtube.com/watch?v=LZFodEyweAs
Sponsors: Diamond Vogel Paint & Pizza Ranch Restaurant
For more info, see http://orangecityarts.net/2013/06/onstage-orange-city-presents-one-of-the-finest-polka-bands-in-the-midwest/

Onstage Orange City presents OC Area Community Band
2013-07-10 19:00 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Orange City Area Community Band to perform July 10:The clarinets will be featured in a polka Wednesday, July 10 at Orange City’s Windmill Park. It’s the next concert in the Onstage Orange City series, this week featuring the Orange City Area Community Band. Pictured are three of the clarinet players from one of the 2012 community band concerts.

ORANGE CITY – The clarinets will be the centerpiece at the Orange City Area Community Band concert Wednesday, July 10. Pie in the Face Polka by Vinson will feature the band’s top-notch clarinet section.
The band will do a medley of polkas too, called Big Band Polka… which includes Pennsylvania Polka, My Melody of Love and Beer Barrel Polka.
The concert, featuring adult and student musicians from the area, will be held in Windmill Park at 7:00 pm, part of the Onstage Orange City series.
Director Carla Van Beek has a fun evening planned, including Music from Glee, like Don’t Stop Believin’, Alone, Sweet Caroline and You Keep Me Hanging’ On. The band will also play El Capitan by Sousa, Whither Must I Wander? by Vaughan Williams and A Day at Disneyland.
This free concert is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and City of Orange City.
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 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

4th of July celebration!
2013-07-04 03:00 - 19:30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
In Capable Hands: comedy & juggling show featuring Steve Russell & Kobi Shaw

MORE INFO: http://orangecityarts.net/2013/06/onstage-orange-city-sponsors-an-old-fashioned-4th-of-july/

Celebrate the 4th with the entire family! The fun begins at 3:00pm with a mini-carnival for kids – bouncy castle, dunk tank, face painting, and more. Decorate your bike, pet or self for an old-fashioned parade, with prizes for the most creative! Supper will be available too, for a freewill donation. The entertainment begins at 6:00pm: a comedy/ juggling show, In Capable Hands. They’re Steve Russell & Kobi Shaw from Eau Claire WI… seasoned pros trained by Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Top-notch technique, quick-witted banter, genuine hilarity!

Sponsors: Quatro Composites & Van Engelenhoven Agency
www.glberg.com/in_capable_hands/

Onstage Orange City features soul & blues star Terry Evans
2013-06-26 06:00 - 20:30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
ORANGE CITY – Hailing from the Mississippi Delta and a veteran of church choirs, a cappella groups, and soul bands, comes Terry Evans – a musician visiting as part of the Onstage Orange City series. Evans and his band will sharing a selection of soul, blues, and gospel on June 26 at 7 PM in Windmill Park.
Exposed to music at an early age in junior choir and church choir, Evan’s influences also included Elmore Jones, Little Walter, Albert King, and B.B. King.
Terry Evans has worked in the music industry for over 40 years, collaborating with artists including Ry Cooder, Joan Armatrading, John Lee Hooker, Boz Scaggs, Maria Muldaur, and Pops Staples. Working with renowned musician Bobby King in the early seventies, Evans was introduced to Ry Cooder, one of the world’s preeminent guitarists.
Evans and Cooder went on to work together on several albums including Chicken Skin Music, Get Rhythm, Show Time, and Slide Area; the pair also toured extensively as a duo.
Evans’ album Mississippi Magic was nominated as “Best Soul Blues Album of the Year” at the WC Handy Awards 2002… now the Blues Music Awards, widely regarded as the highest honor for blues artists in the U.S. He sang lead vocals on the song “Down in Mississippi,” which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Crossroads, and he sang the title song in the actual film. Link to Ry Cooder and Terry Evans performing “Down in Mississippi” : click here.
Now from Los Angeles, Evans will be playing with a four-piece band on the 26th. Come early for a free grilled pork sandwich from our evening’s sponsors Joe’s TV & Appliance and Fareway – 6 PM to 7 PM. The Onstage Orange City concessions stand will offer beverages and chips for sale as well.

Terry Evans and band to perform in Orange City June 26Terry Evans’ journey has taken him from the Mississippi Delta to Los Angeles, from performing with Bobby King to Ry Cooder, from singing lead vocals on the song “Down in Mississippi” to a nomination as best soul blues album of the year in 2002. Evans and his band will perform in Orange City’s Windmill Park Wed. June 26 at 7PM, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, Joe’s TV & Appliance and Fareway.

Onstage Orange City, a series of free shows each Wednesday evening, is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.
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, or email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Mural to be dedicated in memory of Becky Kleinwolterink
2013-06-13 09:30 - 09:50 | Orange City Floral, 117 Central Ave SE, Orange City, 51041, United States
The newest mural in Orange City will be dedicated Thursday, June 13 at 9:30 am, at the mural site: south of Orange City Floral and Siouxland Realty.
Artist Mark Alsum is a Northwestern College graduate with a degree in art. He grew up in Alton.

He and his wife Rebecca will be moving to Duluth at the end of June.
This mural, Mark’s second in Orange City, will be dedicated to the memory of Becky Kleinwolterink, former Orange City Arts Council board member. Becky was an energetic and proactive member of the Arts Council, giving many hours to further the arts in the Orange City area.

Thanks to the Orange City Arts Council, Kevin Lammers of Orange City Floral, the city of Orange City and betterment board, and Diamond Vogel Paints for their generous contributions to the mural project.

Onstage Orange City: Lionel Young Band
2013-06-12 19:00 - 20:30
by Sarah Kugler
ORANGE CITY – One might not think that classical violin melds well with soulful blues, but this distinct, high-energy brand of music is Lionel Young’s specialty. He returns to Orange City’s Windmill Park on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 PM for what promises to be an evening of fun entertainment from world-class performers. http://lionelyoung.net/music
Born in Rochester, New York and classically trained on the violin at the Eastman School of Music, Young crafted his own unique style by combining elements of blues classics with his talent on the electric violin.
His work has thrilled audiences and critics alike, earning him prestigious awards including The Pittsburg Symphony’s Young Artist Award, Carnegie-Mellon’s Concerto Contest, and The International Blues Challenge’s solo award; The Lionel Young Band’s subsequent victory at the IBC made Young the first repeat champion in the award’s history.
In addition to his impressive repertoire of awards, Young has shared the stage with a number of well-known performers ranging from Robert Plant and Jimmy Paige to Stevie Wonder to Homesick James.
The Lionel Young Band, of Boulder CO, includes AnDré Mali on trumpet, Dexter Payne on sax, clarinet, and harmonica, Kim Stone on bass, and Jay Forrest on drums and vocals.
Young brings interpretations of blues classics by Willie Dixon, Leadbelly, and Stevie Ray Vaughan to his show as well as his original work, which includes the award-winning piece “Brown Cloud Over Denver.”
Members of the Orange City community who attended last year’s late May show in the Orange City town hall, raved about the performance, saying:
“FANTASTIC SHOW! Great world-class musicians, wonderful crowd interaction, and dancing by kids and adults!”
“Best blues performance we’ve ever seen, and in Orange City, Iowa!”
“Amazing performers. Orange City needs another chance to see these guys.”
This free event, part of the Onstage Orange City series, is sponsored by Quatro Composites™ and Diamond Vogel Paint, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. Lionel Young replaces the originally scheduled band, Lil’ Brian and the Travelers.
Concessions will be offered. 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, or email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. Young’s website is lionelyoung.net.

Summer Suites: music, dance, gardens, goodies
2013-06-06 18:30 - 20:45 | three Orange City gardens, P.O. Box 202, Orange City IA 51041, IA, 51041, United States
Summer Suites to feature violinist from Twin Cities:Violinist Erika (Van Den Hul) Hoogeveen, with the Mill City String Quartet of the Twin Cities, will perform at the Orange City Arts Council’s Summer Suites on Thursday, June 6. Three musical ensembles will perform in three backyard gardens. Desserts will be served. Tickets are available at the Orange City town hall and Dove Bookstore. Corporate sponsor is Pizza Ranch.

ORANGE CITY – Three lovely gardens will be featured in the Orange City Arts Council’s annual Summer Suites, along with a variety of music and dance. Summer Suites will be held Thursday, June 6 from 6:30 – 8:45 pm.
The progressive concert/ garden tour will be held at the homes of Jonathan and Glenda Grossmann, Arlyn and Bea Schaap, and Gary and Amy Vande Vegte. Refreshments include rich chocolate desserts, buttery cookies and fresh fruit.
Corporate sponsor of Summer Suites is Pizza Ranch.
From the road, Jonathan and Glenda Grossmann’s yard is oaks, maples, flowering crab apples and spirea. But drive in, and you’ll find dozens of other trees, shrubs and perennials: including rhododendron, hydrangea, magnolia, birch, serviceberry, autumn purple ash, and Colorado blue spruce. Their oak leaf mountain ash has orange berries; they have five varieties of apple trees. The old-fashioned lilacs are blooming, and the semi-dwarf Miss Kim Korean lilacs are just beginning.
At the Grossmann garden, Trevor McMahan, Coralyn Kutzner and Ann Calsbeek will perform ensemble and solo pieces on marimba, plus pieces featuring other percussion instruments: the cajon, the djembe, and, of course, the cow bell. Kutzner will do a solo on the toms; McMahan and Calsbeek will do a marimba duet by Alice Gomez; the three plan to perform McMahan’s arrangement of Such Great Heights.

Dancers to perform with Summer Suites:The Orange City Arts Council’s Summer Suites will feature a marimba solo accompanied by dancers Martina Hoogland, left, of rural Sioux Center, and Ava Grossmann, of Orange City. Other Summer Suites performers will be violinist Erika Hoogeveen and The Bluestem Players: Andy Juhl and Bridget Durst. Gardens are at the homes of Jonathan and Glenda Grossmann, Gary and Amy Vande Vegte and Arlyn and Bea Schaap.

One of the marimba solos will be accompanied in dance, by Ava Grossmann and Martina Hoogland. Students at Unity Christian High, both were part of the Unity drill team which went to state. Grossmann, of Orange City, has taken dance for 12 years, and Hoogland, of rural Sioux Center, for eight years, both from Robin’s School of Dance. They both love hip hop… but their dance at Summer Suites will be lyrical.
The Vande Vegte garden will feature violinist Erika (Van Den Hul) Hoogeveen, originally from Sioux Center, now from St. Paul. She will perform selections from three pieces: Partita No. 3 in E Major for Solo Violin by Bach, Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin by Ysaye, and The Art of Bowing by Tartini.
Gary and Amy Vande Vegte also have a beautiful yard, with a huge variety of plants, including euonymus, geranium, nepeta, parthenocissus, peonia, stachys, wielgelia, gergenia, climbing hydrangea, columbine, echinacea, Karl Foerster grass, sedum, tricolor beech tree, primrose, asiatic lily, daffodil and pulmonaria.
The Vande Vegtes have two porches, accented with flowers, and a brick patio on the east. Their large yard is filled with a variety of hostas: blue angel, Francee, golden tiara, big daddy, guacamole, paradigm, minuteman and sum & substance.
The other plant-lovers featured during this year’s Summer Suites are Arlyn and Bea Schaap.
The Schaaps love roses, and have many tea roses on the south side of the house. Their new shade garden has been a necessity, because of the linden tree… so they’re enjoying hostas, astilbes and the delicate coral bells. They also have a small herb garden, and a fountain featuring two children and a dog, symbolizing their love for their 12 grandchildren and the many children they’ve known during Mr. Schaap’s 40-plus years of teaching and serving as a school administrator.
The Schaaps also have hand or footprints of each of their grandchildren, in the island in the center of the backyard, “Grandpa’s Garden.” And they love birds, even the beautifully-colored blue jays. The cardinal has become a Noah’s rainbow to them, said Bea, symbolizing God’s faithfulness.
Performing at the Schaaps will be Andy Juhl and Bridget Durst, The Bluestem Players. Juhl, from rural Marcus, plays guitar and harmonica, and Durst, from Cherokee, plays ukelele, to accompany their unique and beautiful vocals. Hear them at andyjuhl.com.
Advance tickets are necessary for Summer Suites. Discounted tickets are available through June 3, at $7.50 for adults, $5 for students, and $22 for families, at the Orange City town hall and Dove Christian Book Store in Orange City and True Vine Christian Book Store in Sioux Center. After June 3, ticket prices are $10, $7 and $30. Maps and schedules are provided to ticket purchasers.
At the Grossmanns, people are requested to park at Landsmeer Golf Club parking lot to the south. Valet service will be available in the Grossmann’s driveway for those who have difficulty walking.
For more information, contact Orange City Arts Council, 712-707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. For more information, see: http://orangecityarts.net/2013/05/summer-suites-music-dance-gardens-goodies/

Ukelele, guitar, harmonica and vocals:
Another Summer Suites musical group on June 6 is The Bluestem Players. Andy Juhl and Bridget Durst are singer/ songwriters from rural Marcus and Cherokee, respectively, and will perform with ukelele, guitar, harmonica and vocals. The third backyard garden in Orange City will feature music by three percussionists. Two local dancers will perform a piece with one of the Summer Suites ensembles. See orangecityarts.net .

Percussionists to perform at Summer Suites:Ann Calsbeek, Trevor McMahan and Coralyn Kutzner (l-r) will perform at the third Summer Suites garden on June 6. The three will play solos, duets and a group piece, featuring the marimba, plus toms, the cajon and more.

Onstage Orange City: Orange City Area Community Band
2013-06-05 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Onstage Orange City features the Orange City Area Community Band: outstanding musicians from the region, directed by Carla Van Beek. Windmill Park, Orange City. 7:00 pm on Wed. June 5, 2013. Rain location: Orange City town hall. Sponsor: Iowa State Bank
For details, click here.

2013 Onstage Orange City line-up announced
2013-05-29 17:00 - 23:00 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
ORANGE CITY – Blues, polka, funk, jazz and barbershop harmony are all part of the line-up for Onstage Orange City 2013.

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

The series will feature 13 Wednesday nights of entertainment, beginning with Festival Latino on May 29. It will be the second annual Festival Latino, following last year’s successful event, and including food, dance, music and activities for all ages.

Onstage Orange City artists include Terry Evans with his soul and blues band June 26, and Lil’ Brian and the Zydeco Travelers June 12. A virtuoso of both the large piano note accordion and the old-style diatonic accordion, Lil’ Brian is serious about showing how this instrument can be as hip as any in contemporary music. Lil’ Brian has roots in East Texas, Terry Evans in Mississippi.

Funk Trek: "Insuppressible groove & smooth blend of funk, jazz and experimental music!" Funk Trek comes to Onstage Orange City Wednesday, July 31. The Orange CIty Arts Council, with support from local businesses, sponsors the Wednesday night summer series in Orange City's WIndmill Park.

Malek’s Fishermen Band brings polka music – and an invitation for all to dance – on July 17. Funk Trek from Omaha performs July 31, with its smooth blend of funk, jazz and experimental music. August 14 is the date of the 35-member Riverblenders barbershop chorus from Mankato.

Co'Motion Dance Theatre: Contemporary dance has not graced the Windmill Park stage often, but Ames dancers are coming this summer, on August 7. Onstage Orange City shows will be held May 29 through August 21, 2013.

New this year is Co’Motion Dance Theatre on August 7, a professional contemporary dance company from Ames, performing a show for all ages.

Favorites returning again are the Orange City Area Community Band June 5 and July 10 and 24; the SchoolHouse Company theatre troupe August 21; and Orange CIty’s Got Talent on June 19.

There will be no show on Wednesday, July 3. Instead an Independence Day celebration will feature a mini-carnival, parade and food on Thursday afternoon, July 4, followed by the comedy/ juggling duo, In Capable Hands: Steve Russell and Kobi Shaw.

Comedy/ juggling duo on July 4th: Once again Onstage Orange City presents an old-fashioned 4th of July celebration, with a mini-carnival, a children's parade, and food. The evening will end with the comedy/ juggling duo Steve Russell and Kobi Shaw.

Contributions by local businesses and individuals, with help from the Orange City Arts Council and City of Orange City, fund the line-up of shows – all free to the public. Most shows will begin at 7:00pm in 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 will be available in late April.

Festival Latino 2013 in CITY HALL
2013-05-29 17:00 - 22:00 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Festival Latino 2012 (photo courtesy of Sioux County Capital-Democrat)

May 29: Festival Latino Onstage Orange City 2013 begins on May 29 with Festival Latino, to be held in Orange City’s town hall (because of threatening weather). The fun begins at 5:00pm with lots of activities: face painting, bingo, soccer challenge, cooking class, dance, Zumba, music, piñata design contest and more! Mexican food will be sold. At 7:00pm, Mariachi Luna y Sol of Omaha takes the stage. Click here for details: http://orangecityarts.net/2013/05/festival-latino-opens-onstage-orange-city/

Touring Production of VANG: A Drama about Recent Immigrant Farmers
2013-05-04 | Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre, 809 Albany Ave SE, Orange City IA 51041
A Vang, a Hmong farmer of Des Moines. Photo by Dennis Chamberlin.

ORANGE CITY – Poet Laureate of Iowa Mary Swander, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Dennis Chamberlin, and ACT Kennedy Center award-winner Matt Foss collaborate to create a drama called Vang (meaning “garden” or “farm” in Hmong). The production will be presented at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre on Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 pm, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.
More info: http://orangecityarts.net/2013/04/touring-production-of-vang/
The show will also be presented at the Betty Strong Encounter Center/ Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center May 4 at 2:00 pm, and at the Estelle Siebens Science Center 126, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake Sunday, May 5 at 7:00 pm.

Swander and Chamberlin documented recent Iowa immigrant farmers, then Swander wound their words together to form a verbatim play that captures the immigrants’ journeys to the States. Hmong, Mexican, Sudanese, and Dutch immigrants all speak of their struggles, survival skills, and their intense desire to return to the land. Chamberlin took stunning photos of the immigrants in their greenhouses, farms, and dairy barns. Foss added his theatrical brilliance to the production, bringing Vang to life on the stage. And Michael Ching, past executive director of the Memphis opera, composed music to underscore the play’s message.

The immigrant farmers in this production came from four continents, speaking over six different languages, with multiple experiences of the world. In their own ways, they adjusted to life in America. Some of these immigrants came to the U.S. as refugees from war-torn parts of the world. Others came fleeing poverty in their homelands. Still others came with money, invited to join agribusiness ventures. Many of these immigrants landed in the U.S. and took the only jobs they could find—in meat-packing plants and auto repair shops. But all of these immigrants had grown up on farms and wanted to once again assume the livelihood that they had known in the past, the work that had formed the foundation of their cultural roots.

The play features two actors, Matt Foss – a native of Orange City, a graduate of Northwestern College and currently a theatre instructor at Iowa State – and Annie Feenstra – a native of Sioux City and ISU theatre student. The two take on the parts of all eight immigrants. Dennis Chamberlin’s photos of the immigrants are projected on the walls of the theatre, bringing both artistic grace and reality to the performance.

With the aid of a grant from the ISU CEAH, Swander, Chamberlin and Foss hope to tour the play not only throughout Iowa, but across the U.S. and to Europe.

Tickets will be available for sale in mid-April. For more information, contact the Orange City Arts Council, 712-707-6514 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Dorine & Jan Boelen, Dutch dairy farmers of Brooklyn, Iowa. Photo by Dennis Chamberlin.

Bios:

Dennis Chamberlin:
Photojournalist, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Dennis Chamberlin’s photos have appeared in such prestigious places as The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The Economist, and Newsweek. Chamberlin is an associate professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State University. He holds an M.F.A. in photography from Indiana University. He lived much of his adult life in Poland.

Matt Foss:
Matt Foss’ production of Six Characters received 5 Kennedy Center ACT Festival Awards in 2012 including: National Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Lighting Design, 3 Distinguished Performance Awards, and Distinguished Production and Performance Ensemble Award. Foss studied theatre at Roosevelt University in Chicago and in Moscow. He received his Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 2013. Currently, he is a lecturer in theatre at Iowa State University.

Mary Swander:
Mary Swander is the Poet Laureate of the State of Iowa. She has published over thirteen books of poetry and non-fiction, in addition to plays, radio and television scripts and magazine articles. She has appeared in such places as The New York Times Magazine, National Public Radio, The New Yorker, and Poetry Magazine. Swander’s plays Driving the Body Back and Farmscape have toured the U.S. Swander is a Professor of English and Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University. She holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland.

Annie Feenstra:
Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Annie Feenstra is an award-winning Iowa State student actor. She has had major roles in Alice in Wonderland, Rent, and Street Car Named Desire.

Bottom Line Duo: April 9 & 10
2013-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Unnamed Venue
ORANGE CITY – They play from the bottom line – the bass clef. They’re a bass – cello duo from Seattle. They’re performing in Orange City April 9 and 10.

“Elegant. Their simple, rich instrumentation gives them the freedom to explore the whole musical spectrum,” said the Seattle Weekly.

“Most intriguing must see!” That’s the word about Bottom Line Duo from Seattle’s biggest arts festival, Bumbershoot.

And they add humor. “Their program was marvelously varied and wide-ranging, but throughout there was a sense of fun; of telepathic rapport born of abiding intimacy with a jazz-like playfulness and creativity,” said Jack Frymer of the Bellingham Music Club.

Bottom Line Duo is Traci and Spencer Hoveskeland. They’ll be here in April thanks to the Orange City Arts Council, with support from Frank Vogel and the Northwestern College Music Department. The duo will do assemblies and workshops at Orange City Christian School and MOC-Floyd Valley High, plus a workshop at Unity Christian High. Orchestra students from OCCS and Unity will join the Hoveskelands in a couple of pieces at the public concert Tuesday, April 9.

The concert will begin at 7:00pm at Northwestern College’s Christ Chapel. Advance tickets, at $8 for adults and $5 for students, will go on sale in late March. At the door, tickets will be $10 and $7.

Contact the Orange City Arts Council for more information, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712-707-6514.
Read more and listen to Bottom Line Duo at bottomlineduo.com
Here’s Walk Like an Egyptian: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyILYcFmKlw

Bottom Line Duo: "They have a flair for playing with excitement and humor." "Critics… will be believers after hearing the Hoveskelands skillfully survey almost every style of music." "High energy and timeless variety." That's what the critics say about Bottom Line Duo, a twosome to present a concert in Orange City April 9.

Flying Pans Steel Band to perform March 10
2013-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Maurice First Reformed Church, Maurice
See photos of the MOC-Floyd Valley residency with Flying Pans Steel Band at facebook.com/ocArts !!!!

MAURICE/ ORANGE CITY – The Flying Pans Steel Band from Central College will perform at Maurice Reformed Church Sunday, March 10 at 7:00 pm. A workshop will be held for the public from 5:30 to 6:30, prior to the concert.

The events are sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, in conjunction with Maurice Reformed Church.

The Flying Pans Steel Band, from Pella, was founded and is directed by Stanley E. Dahl of the Central College music department. The steel pan drums, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, will be played by the 28 band members – music majors and non-music majors, most of whom hadn’t played steel pans before coming to Central.

Flying Pans has traveled extensively throughout the Midwest, presenting concerts, workshops and clinics. They have performed for the Iowa Days of Percussion, Iowa Music Educators, Iowa Bandmasters Association, International Association of Pan, Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

They have worked with Chris Wabich, Liam Teague + Robert Chappell, Ken “Professor” Philmore and Andy Narell.

The Flying Pans perform diverse styles, from traditional calypso, soca and reggae to Latin, disco, techno, and rock and roll to hymns.

People of all ages are welcome to come early for the workshop, 5:30-6:30 pm, for hands-on experience with the steel pans. The concert begins at 7 pm. There is no charge to attend, but an offering will be received to assist with expenses.

Maurice Reformed Church is located at 410 Main Street in Maurice.

Flying Pans will be working with students at MOC-FV Elementary in Orange City Monday morning, March 11, prior to continuing their spring trip to Vermillion SD, Cheyenne WY, Morrison CO, Denver CO and Council Bluffs IA.

For more information, contact ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712-707-6514. Or see:
http://www.central.edu/finearts/ensembles/flyingPans.cfm

Artists’ Showcase: OC Arts Council’s Regional Exhibition: COMEDY OF ERRORS
2013-02-15 - 2013-02-23 | Northwestern’s DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, 809 Albany Ave. SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Comedy of Errors art exhibit to be at Northwestern College Feb. 15-23: Filet of Pike by Judy Thompson of Orange City will be one of the 19 works featured at the The Artists' Showcase: Orange City Arts Council's Regional Exhibition Feb. 15-23 at the Northwestern DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. The exhibit, Comedy of Errors, is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, in conjunction with the Northwestern art and theatre departments.

ORANGE CITY – An art exhibit, Comedy of Errors, in February in Orange CIty will feature the work of 15 regional artists.

The Artists’ Showcase: Orange City Arts Council’s Regional Exhibition will be held Feb. 15-23 at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, in conjunction with the college production of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

An artists’ reception will be Saturday, Feb. 23 from 6:30 to 7:25 p.m., prior to the final performance of The Comedy of Errors. The public is invited.

The exhibit complements Shakespeare’s comic farce, which features everything from slapstick and mistaken identity to reunions and reconciliations. Artists submitted their own interpretations of Comedy of Errors.

Iowa Insect Series: Cicada by David Versluis and Roy R. Behrens

The juried show includes work by Dale Boone, Bob Huibregtse, Vanessa Reusch and Judy Thompson of Orange City; Joanne K. Alberda and David Lammers of Sioux Center; Margo and Rein Vanderhill of Alton; Timothy J. Arand-McIlrath of Okoboji; Kayla Vetter of Storm Lake; Katlyn Loeschen of Algona; Paul Soderquist of Sibley; Ya-wen Liu, an MOC-FV High School student in fall 2012, from Chung-Li City, Taiwan; and collaborative works by David Versluis of Sioux Center and Roy R. Behrens of Dysart.

The exhibit of 19 works features a variety of media: acrylic, oil, ink, oil pastels, watercolor, montage, giclée, photography, fabric, collage, yarn, screen printing, computer graphics, and sculpture of metal, wood and ceramics.

How the world is changed with you! by Rein Vanderhill

Jurors for the show are Phil Scorza, Emily Stokes and Yun Shin, faculty members of the Northwestern College art department. They will award a “best of show” at the opening of the exhibit.

To reserve tickets for the production, The Comedy of Errorsfor Feb. 15-16, 20-23, phone 712-707-7098 or email boxoffice@nwciowa.edu. Director is Jeff Barker.
http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3362/nwc-to-present-shakespeare-play
http://www.nwciowa.edu/news/press/3368/northwestern-to-host-art-exhibit

The Comedy of Errors exhibit is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, in conjunction with the Northwestern College art and theatre departments. For more information, call 712-707-6514 or email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Wandering by Ya-wen Liu

Call for Art Deadline Jan. 21: Artists’ Showcase: Orange City Arts Council’s Regional Exhibition: Comedy of Errors
2013-01-21
Artists’ Showcase:
Orange City Arts Council’s
Regional Exhibition
Comedy of Errors
A CALL FOR ENTRIES
Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center
Orange City, IA
Exhibit: February 15-23, 2013
Submission Deadline: January 21, 2013
THE EXHIBITION
The second Artists’ Showcase: Orange City Arts Council’s Regional Exhibition offers an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work February 15-23, 2013 at the Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center in Orange City IA, in conjunction with the production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Regional artists (from Iowa or within a 300-mile radius of Orange City, IA) are invited to submit work to the juried exhibition, Comedy of Errors. The exhibition’s work is to be inspired by the theme, Comedy of Errors. Jurors will select the works that best display both facility and conceptual cohesiveness as applied to the exhibition’s theme.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
January 21, 2013
VENUE
DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, Northwestern College, 809 Albany Ave. SE, Orange City IA 51041
THE PRODUCTION: COMEDY OF ERRORS
The award-winning theatre department at Northwestern College is presenting Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors February 15-16 and 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. Shakespeare wrote this comic farce sometime before his 30th birthday; it’s considered the panoply of classic silliness, one of his favorite laugh-fests. Director is Jeff Barker.
ELIGIBILITY & MEDIA
This exhibit is open to any adult, college or high school-age artist, from Iowa or within a 300-mile radius of Orange City, Iowa. Artwork must be original in concept, composition and execution. Artwork may not have been shown previously in an Orange City Arts Council exhibit. All 2-D and 3-D media will be considered, and must be ready to hang/present. (Sawtooth hangers are not allowed.)
THEME OF EXHIBITION: COMEDY OF ERRORS
Shakespeare’s play, Comedy of Errors, features everything from slapstick to mistaken identity, reunions to reconciliations. Artists are asked to submit their own interpretations of Comedy of Errors, related to the play’s theme or their own conception. If desired, include a written statement for the jurors on the relationship of submitted art to the theme.
INSURANCE
The Orange City Arts Council will exercise all reasonable care in handling and hanging the art, and do have limited insurance coverage. However, the Orange City Arts Council assumes no responsibility for damage or loss to works submitted. Insurance is the responsibility of the exhibiting artist.
AGREEMENT
Works accepted for exhibition may not be withdrawn prior to the close of the show.
The Orange City Arts Council reserves the right to install the works in any manner deemed necessary for exhibition or security purposes.
SALES & REPRODUCTION
The Orange City Arts Council will finalize any sales of exhibited artwork at a price that is set by the artist. Sales are subject to a 20% commission, so prices should be set accordingly. Works not for sale must be clearly marked “NFS.”
The submission of entries presupposes that the right is granted to photograph accepted works for education and publicity purposes. Otherwise, taking photos of the artwork during the exhibit is prohibited.
ENTRY PROCEDURES
Entrants are limited to three entries. Sets, e.g., diptych, may be classified as one entry.
There is no entry fee.
We request digital images only. Submissions for jurying must be quality jpg images – 200 dpi and no larger than 2 MB.
Email the images to ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.
The image must be a true representation of the work submitted. The Orange City Arts Council reserves the right to reject work accepted which does not conform to the quality represented by the submission.
With each submission, also include artist’s name, address, email, phone number, title of work, medium, size, and date of production.
A COMPLETED ENTRY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. jpg image.
2. artist’s name, address, email, phone number.
3. title of work, medium, size, date of production.
SUBMIT ENTRY MATERIALS TO:
Email: ocArts@orangecityiowa.com
Contact: Janine Calsbeek, director, Orange City Arts Council, 125 Central Ave. SE, P.O. Box 202, Orange City IA 51041.
Phone: 712.707.6514
Website: www.orangecityarts.net
NOTIFICATION
Artists will be notified of acceptance by email on February 4, 2013. Approximately 20 works of art will be accepted, from 20 different artists.
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS, JURORS’ CHOICES
All artists accepted for exhibition will be given two complimentary tickets to the Northwestern College Theatre Department’s production, Comedy of Errors.
Jurors will select the “best of show” and “honorable mention.”
TIMELINE
Monday, January 21, 2013: Deadline for submission. All entries must be received via email.
Monday, Feb. 4: Acceptance notification emailed to artists.
Wednesday, Feb. 13: 10 a.m. to noon: Art must be hand-delivered to DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, Northwestern College, Orange City. Or prior arrangements may be made to ship or hand-deliver art to arrive by noon on Feb. 12 to Orange City Arts Council, 125 Central Ave. SE, Orange City IA 51041. Contact Orange City Arts Council, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.
Friday, Feb. 15: Exhibition opens.
Thursday, Feb. 21 or Saturday, Feb. 23: 6:30-7:25 p.m.: Artist reception prior to the production of Comedy of Errors. Date of reception TBD.
Saturday, Feb. 23: Exhibition closes. Artists must pick up their artwork between 9:30-10:30 p.m., unless prior arrangement is made. Contact Orange City Arts Council, ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.
JURORS
The exhibit will be juried by artists from the Northwestern College art department: Phil Scorza, Yun Shin and Emily Stokes.
NOTE
Additional tickets to the Northwestern College Theatre Department’s production, Comedy of Errors, may be ordered by phoning 712-707-7098 or emailing boxoffice@nwciowa.edu. Ticket prices are $7/adults, $4/children.
SPONSORS
The Orange City Arts Council is the sponsor of the exhibit, in conjunction with the Northwestern College art and theatre departments. We appreciate your submission. Please share this Call for Entries with other area artists.

The SchoolHouse Company presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
2012-12-13 19:00 - 2012-12-15 20:15 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
The Herdmans: They're the worst kids in the history of the world. And they're also in the local Christmas pageant. See the hilarious and touching production, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, in Orange City Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. Performing as the Herdman kids are (left to right) August Hubbard, Grady Zerse, Sydney Krommendyk, Juliana Tien and Micah Culpepper. Absent is Jacob Christiansen.

ORANGE CITY – It’s a tradition in Orange City: a Christmas show produced by The SchoolHouse Company.

After two years of live radio plays, this year SchoolHouse Company, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council, is presenting a full-scale production. And it’s a holiday classic: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Director is April Hubbard of Orange City. The cast numbers 36 actors and actresses from area towns.

Performances will be held Dec. 6 – 8, and 13 – 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orange City town hall.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is based on the book by Barbara Robinson and stars the Herdmans, “the worst kids in the history of the world.” They lie, cheat and give conks to the head. And, this year, they are part of the annual Christmas pageant. Everyone is convinced that it will be a disaster.

Everyone is surprised.

Cast members include Juliana Tien, Grady Zerse, August Hubbard, Micah Culpepper, Jacob Christiansen and Sydney Krommendyk as the Herdeman kids, and Jadeyn Veltkamp, Joey Bylsma, Susan Veltkamp and Kenton Pauls as the Bradley family.

The additional adult cast includes Lois Estell, Kara Smit, Brande Pals, Amanda Vander Stelt, Carla Larson, Micah Foster, Jonathan Foster, Darin Dykstra and Linda Dykstra.

Additional children in the cast are Haley Smit, Megan Bylsma, Lindsay Kuiper, Rachel Korver, Eli Dykstra, Dillion De Jong, Maria Ruiz-Stands, Ashley Huizenga, Anna Karen Pauls, Bella Drissell, Veroneca Ruiz-Stands, Briseyela Martinez, Hannah Culpepper, Ciara Dean, Nora Vande Brake, Colton Smit and Katherine Pauls.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The classic holiday show hits the stage at the Orange City town hall Dec. 6-8 and 13-15, sponsored by The SchoolHouse Company, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. Playing the Bradley family in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are (left to right) Susan Veltkamp, Jadeyn Veltkamp, Joey Bylsma and Kenton Pauls. Director is April Hubbard.

Stage manager and assistant stage manager are Emily Wohlers and Lisa Haldeman.

The SchoolHouse Company has presented theatre and theatre classes in Orange City and Sioux Center for the past 4-1/2 years.

Tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever may be reserved at theschoolhousecompany@gmail.com or purchased at the door. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Group discounts are available.

For more information, see facebook.com/SHCTheater.

Twenty-five kids in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: In December, twenty-five local children will be part of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, sponsored by The SchoolHouse Company in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council. Performances will be Dec. 6-8 and 13-15 at 7pm at the Orange City town hall. Tickets may be reserved by emailing theschoolhousecompany@gmail.com. Children in the production include, standing, left to right: Lindsay Kuiper, Rachel Korver, Megan Bylsma, Katherine Pauls, Colton Smit, Ashley Huizenga, Hannah Culpepper, Jadeyn Veltkamp (behind Hannah), Anna Karen Pauls, Haley Smit and Juliana Tien. Kneeling / sitting are (left to right) August Hubbard, Grady Zerse (kneeling behind August), Micah Culpepper, Veroneca Ruiz-Stands, Sydney Krommendyk, Briseyda Martinez, Joey Bylsma, Eli Dykstra and Dillon De Jong. Absent for the photo are Jacob Christiansen, Mario Ruiz-Stands, Nora Vande Brake, Ciara Dean and Bella Drissell.

The SchoolHouse Company presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
2012-12-06 19:00 - 2012-12-08 20:15 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY – It’s a tradition in Orange City: a Christmas show produced by The SchoolHouse Company.

After two years of live radio plays, this year SchoolHouse Company, in conjunction with the Orange City Arts Council, is presenting a full-scale production. And it’s a holiday classic: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Director is April Hubbard of Orange City. The cast numbers 36 actors and actresses from area towns.

Performances will be held Dec. 6 – 8, and 13 – 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orange City town hall.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is based on the book by Barbara Robinson and stars the Herdmans, “the worst kids in the history of the world.” They lie, cheat and give conks to the head. And, this year, they are part of the annual Christmas pageant. Everyone is convinced that it will be a disaster.

Everyone is surprised.

Cast members include Julianna Tien, Grady Zerse, August Hubbard, Micah Culpepper, Jacob Christiansen and Sydney Krommendyk as the Herdeman kids, and Jadeyn Veltkamp, Joey Bylsma, Susan Veltkamp and Kenton Pauls as the Bradley family.

The additional adult cast includes Lois Estell, Kara Smit, Brande Pals, Amanda Vander Stelt, Carla Larson, Micah Foster, Jonathan Foster, Darin Dykstra and Linda Dykstra.

Additional children in the cast are Haley Smit, Megan Bylsma, Lindsay Kuiper, Rachel Korver, Eli Dykstra, Dillion De Jong, Maria Ruiz-Stands, Ashley Huizenga, Anna Karen Pauls, Bella Drissell, Veroneca Ruiz-Stands, Briseyela Martinez, Hannah Culpepper, Ciara Dean, Nora Vande Brake, Colton Smit and Katherine Pauls.

Stage manager and assistant stage manager are Emily Wohlers and Lisa Haldeman.

The SchoolHouse Company has presented theatre and theatre classes in Orange City and Sioux Center for the past 4-1/2 years.

Tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever may be reserved at theschoolhousecompany@gmail.com or purchased at the door. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Group discounts are available.

For more information, see facebook.com/SHCTheater.

An Evening of Dance: December 1
2012-12-01 17:30 - 18:00
An Evening of Dance: An Evening of Dance will be held Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Orange City Town Hall, featuring young dancers from Just for Kix and MOC-Floyd Valley High (pictured). The show, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council, will be held from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

ORANGE CITY – The dance team from MOC-Floyd Valley High and students from Just For Kix will do a 30-minute show Saturday, Dec. 1.

The 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. performance will feature a variety of dance styles, under the leadership of dance instructor Becky Donahue. 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 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.

Admission is $1 for adults, free for students through college.

December 1 is Sinterklaas Day in Orange City, so the public is invited to come early for Sinterklaas activities, beginning at Windmill Park at 3:00 p.m.

An Evening of Dance is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council. For more information, see www.orangecityarts.net or email OCArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Movement theatre & mime artists: Kirsten & Dean
2012-11-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, 809 Albany Ave SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Kirsten Stephens & Dean Hatton, Movement Theatre & Mime Artists.
November 26 and 27. Creative, innovative, playful… mesmerizing. Poetic, energetic, funny.

ORANGE CITY – There is no white face. There is no French black and white striped outfit. But there are lots of laughs. There is a great deal of beauty. And there’s food for thought.
That’s the Twin Cities Daily Planet, talking about movement theatre and mime artists, Kirsten Stephens and Dean Hatton. They’re coming to Orange City and Sioux Center November 26 and 27, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.
Stephens first discovered the magic of physical theatre in her church in Oklahoma City, then spent three years studying with Marcel Marceau at his Paris school: L’Ecole Internationale de Mimodrame de Marcel Marceau. She spent a year and a half touring Europe with Mime de Rien.
Hatton also studied with Marceau, in the States, and at the Goldston and Johnson School for Mimes in Gambier, Ohio. He has performed in schools across the country. More recently, the two became a performing duo, based in the Twin Cities.
Their inspirations include not only Marceau, but also Red Skelton, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball and Monty Python.
Stephens and Hatton will do a public performance – a tribute to Marceau – Tuesday, November 27 at 7 p.m. at Northwestern College’s DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. Tickets are $4 for adults and $1 for students, at Dove Bookstore, Orange City Arts Council and Northwestern’s Theatre Department.
The ensemble will do an assembly at Sioux Center Christian School, a short performance at Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community, and workshops at MOC-FV High and the Sioux Center Public Library Monday. On Tuesday they will do a performance as part of the Northwestern College chapel service, workshops at Northwestern and Dordt colleges, and an evening public performance.
Contact the Orange City Arts Council for more information: phone 712-707-6514 or email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.
Sponsor of the residency is the Orange City Arts Council, with support from Patrick and Susan Giannantonio and the Northwestern College Theatre Dept.

“Mime is a much-maligned theatrical form. Dean Hatton and Kirsten Stephens … clearly know that, but they also know that magic can be created with invisible props and scenery. Leaving painted faces aside in favor of openly expressive ones (as well as elastic limbs), the duo has created five scenes with a keen sense of the overlap between comedy and tragedy. They may pull every mime trick out of the trunk in an opening chase scene, but they also use the form to take audiences to far deeper places.”
-Ron Hubbard, Pioneer Press

“Don’t look away, you just may miss a small surprise,” said the Twin Cities Daily Planet. “The story lines twist and turn, as nimble as the performers’ antics.”

SCHEDULE
Monday, Nov. 26
Sioux Center Christian School: 10:40-11:40 am: 45 -minute performance
Landsmeer Retirement Community: 1:45 to 2:15 pm: performance
MOC-FV High School: 2:53 pm – 3:53 pm: workshop
Sioux Center public library: 4:30 – 5:30 pm: workshop (preregistration required)
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Dordt College theatre students: 9:25 – 10:25 am: workshop
Chapel at Northwestern College: 11:05 am: performance
Northwestern College theatre students: 3:30-4:30 pm: workshop
Northwestern DeWitt Theatre: 7:00-8:30 pm: public performance followed by Q & A

kirstenanddean.com

Photos of Kirsten & Dean’s performances & workshops at Northwestern College, Dordt College, Sioux Center Public Library, Sioux Center Christian School, MOC-Floyd Valley High School & Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community. See more photos at facebook.com/ocarts

Mary Van Rheenen book signing & reception
2012-11-27 | Orange City Public Library, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Mary Van Rheenen will be signing her recently published book, The Treasure Team, in the Rieckhoff Room at the Orange City Public Library on Tuesday, November 27, 4:30-5:30. The Treasure Team, an adventure book for middle readers, combines Van Rheenen’s interests in history, anthropology, and creative writing.
Van Rheenen graduated from Northwestern College with a student-determined major in history and writing. She then did research for the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, Louisiana, for two years in the mid-1980s. The action of The Treasure Team takes place during this time period. The author has woven stories from actual oral history collected for the tribe into The Treasure Team. Though the book is a work of fiction, Van Rheenen aims to give an accurate portrayal of the community’s unique history and heritage. According to at least one community elder who previewed the book, she succeeded.
“I love that book. This is my life.”
Another commented on the Tribe’s Facebook page, “I enjoyed the book. The young characters could have been most anyone of us who grew up in the area. . .. Thanks Mary for your book and to the council for bringing her to the Tribal Office for a signed copy from her.”
The Treasure Team debuted this October with a book signing at the Ebarb Tribal office.
The traditionally Spanish-speaking Ebarb-Zwolle community dates back to Spanish colonial settlement in what is now northwest Louisiana. Both Choctaw from the east and Lipan Apache from the west mingled here. The book contains stories of country dances, Native American stickball games, working in the woods . . . and hunting for treasure.
The lively narrative of the book is enriched by the depth of Van Rheenen’s knowledge of local lore. After working for the Choctaw-Apache Community, Van Rheenen earned a master’s in cultural anthropology from Louisiana State in Baton Rouge. She did fieldwork for her master’s thesis in the Ebarb community.
Van Rheenen has won awards for both scholarly and creative writing. While living in Orange City, she was a founding member of “The Live Poets’ Society” and wrote a Christmas program performed by the Trinity Reformed Church Sunday school. She taught writing at a medium security prison in Illinois before teaching in Northwestern’s anthropology/sociology department. She and her husband Keith Holmes then opened the Havergraan Baking Co. in Orange City with an adjacent coffee-shop/bookstore. Since 1996 they have lived in the Netherlands with their two daughters where they serve as resource coordinators for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s mission team to the Romany (Gypsies) of Europe.
Young people and adults are invited to the reception/ book signing. Van Rheenen will also do short readings throughout the event.
The book signing is sponsored in part by the Orange City Arts Council. The Treasure Team will be available for the special book signing price of $12. A portion from the sale of each copy will be donated to the Choctaw-Apache’s Scholarship Fund. For additional information about the book, go to www.treasure-team.com or e-mail the publisher at jar-of-oil@online.nl

U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors to present free concert
2012-11-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Northwestern College Christ Chapel, 101 6th St SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—The internationally acclaimed U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors of Washington, D.C., will continue its long history of presenting free public performances when it appears at Northwestern College’s Christ Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
The Jazz Ambassadors’ concert is sponsored by Northwestern College and the Orange City Arts Council. Free tickets may be obtained at Northwestern College’s DeWitt Music Hall, Orange City’s Town Hall, the Orange City Arts Council and the Dove Bookstore in Orange City. To receive tickets by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your request to Nora Verburg, Northwestern College Music Department, 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA 51041.
As the premier touring big band for the Army, the Jazz Ambassadors travels thousands of miles each year throughout the nation and abroad. Since its formation in 1969, the ensemble has appeared in all 50 states and throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Members of the Jazz Ambassadors are selected by highly competitive audition and represent some of the finest musical talent in America.
The Jazz Ambassadors presents a diverse program of big band swing, Latin music, contemporary jazz, popular tunes, standards, Dixieland and patriotic selections. Conductor Marvin Hamlisch, during a joint concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, exclaimed, “I can’t think of better ambassadors for our country!”
The Washington-based ensemble will perform works by Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones, Ernie Wilkins’ “Basie Power,” “Interloper” by Thad Jones, Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse’s “Feeling Good,” a variety of selections portraying a visit to New Orleans, and a salute to U.S. armed forces, among others.
Master Sgt. Marva Lewis will be the featured vocalist on “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Originally a petroleum supply specialist during the Persian Gulf War, she was “discovered” while singing karaoke at a unit function in Korea. She was subsequently selected to perform at bases around the world with the Army Soldier Show and became a vocalist with the First Cavalry Division Band and the Jazz Knights of the U.S. Military Academy Band. She has been with the Jazz Ambassadors for 13 years.
The 19-member ensemble is conducted by Chief Warrant Officer William McCulloch, who enlisted in the Army in 1991 as a percussionist and was appointed a bandmaster in 2000.
Past performance highlights include the Montreux, North Sea and Newport Jazz Festivals; World War II 50th anniversary commemorations in the United States and Europe; and performances in India and Japan. After performing with the Cincinnati Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote that “the musicianship was superb … The Jazz Ambassadors are polished and seamless virtuosos.”

Contempo Physical Dance: Afro-Brazilian & contemporary dance
2012-09-29 08:00 - 2012-10-02 17:00 | Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, 809 Albany Ave SE, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
Contempo Physical Dance

ORANGE CITY – “One of the fiercest and finest movers in the Twin Cities” – that’s what the Minneapolis StarTribune said about Marciano Silva dos Santos.

“With an action-figure physique and a reputation for fluid lyricism, Brazilian-born dos Santos has erupted on many Twin Cities stages.”

Dos Santos and his ensemble, Contempo Physical Dance, will perform and teach classes in Orange City, Alton and Sioux Center September 29 through October 2.

Contempo Physical Dance’s work is a fusion of Afro-Brazilian dance, capoeira and contemporary dance. Dos Santos studied at FAFI, a professional performing arts school in Vitória, Brazil. He worked with three dance companies in Vitória, an Afro-Brazilian, a ballet and a contemporary dance company… earning international critical acclaim. He has been part of the Minnesota dance community since ’06, named “Best Dancer” by City Pages in ’09 and “one of the most graceful movers on any Twin Cities stage” by the StarTribune in ’10. He directs Contempo and teaches dance at the University of Minnesota.

Contempo’s work is based in Afro-Brazilian dance and capoeira, said Roxanne Wallace-Patterson, a member of Contempo. “But there is nothing like it here,” she told the StarTribune. “It is so fresh and original. It’s like Marciano has taken the language of all these styles and is speaking in his own … voice.”

Contempo Physical Dance’s schedule begins with a 60-minute dance workshop and exercise session on Afro-Brazilian dance, designed for Zumba lovers and anyone, at Orange City Physical Therapy at 9:00 am Sept. 29. Taught by dos Santos. Location: 101 3rd St. NW, Orange City.Cost is $5.

Two 90-minute classes will be held for dance students, at Robin’s School of Dance, 1602 1st Ave. SW, in Sioux Center. The classes will focus on dance technique, and feature Afro-Brazilian dance. The class for ages 8-12 begins at 3 pm and the class for ages 13-18, at 4:30 pm, both on Sat., Sept. 29. Cost is $10 in advance, $13 at the door.

That Saturday evening, dos Santos will perform a short dance as part of the Northwestern College RUSH dance shows at 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm, at DeWitt Theatre.

On Sunday evening from 7-8:30 pm, students and adults are invited to try Brazilian social dance – the Samba and more. The free dance session will be held at Northwestern’s DeWitt Theatre.

MOC-Floyd Valley middle school physical education students will meet with Contempo Physical Dance the mornings of October 1 and 2, for hands-on workshops on capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music.

Afro-Brazilian dance company to perform: Contempo Physical Dance will perform Monday, Oct. 1 at 7:00 pm at Northwestern’s DeWitt Theatre. Contempo’s work is a fusion of Afro-Brazilian, contemporary dance and capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. Classes will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Sponsors are Orange City Arts Council, Northwestern College, Stange Chiropractic, Joiner Family Dentistry, Dr. Mark & Lisa Muilenburg and Arts Midwest Touring Fund.

A public performance featuring eight Contempo dancers will be held at Northwestern College’s DeWitt Theatre at 7 pm on Monday, Oct. 1. The show will be followed by a brief question and answer session. Admission for the Oct. 1 show is $5 for students, $8 adults in advance, and $8 and $11 at the door. Tickets are available at Dove Christian Bookstore, Orange City Arts Council and the Northwestern Theatre Department.

Sponsor of Contempo Physical Dance is the Orange City Arts Council, with support from Northwestern College Theatre Department, Joiner Family Dentistry, Stange Chiropractic and Dr. Mark and Lisa Muilenburg. This engagement is also supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, which is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts with additional contributions from the Iowa Arts Council.

For more information, see orangecityarts.net, email ocArts@orangecityiowa.com or call 712-707-6514.
(See http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/stageandarts/138575339.html?refer=y)
(another great link:
http://minnesotamist.blogspot.com/2012/02/contempo-physical-dance-standing.html )
LINK after the show: http://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/paf/spotlight/november-2012

SchoolHouse Company presents “Waiting for the Parade”
2012-09-06 08:00 - 2012-09-08 21:30 | Orange City Town Hall, Orange City, IA, 51041, United States
The drama “Waiting for the Parade” is being performed by The SchoolHouse Company, Sept. 6, 7 & 8 at the Orange City town hall. “The audience is invited to share the lives of 5 women, as each survives, in her own way, the Second World War at home in Canada. The tragedy of war is there, of course, but also a lot of humor & comradeship.” Directed by April Hubbard, the cast is Linda Dykstra, Lois Estell, Amy Korver, Jeri Schelhaas & Shelby Vander Molen. Tickets available at the door. $5 students. $7 adults.

Ben Steneker, father of Dutch country music, to perform in Orange City
2012-08-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Windmill Park, 200 Central Ave NW, Orange City IA 51041
Country star from the Netherlands performing in Orange City August 25: Ben Steneker, the father of Dutch country music, has performed in the States over 30 times, and for many years at the National Old-Time Music Festival in Le Mars. This year he's adding Orange City to his tour, and doing a show at Windmill Park August 25 at 7 p.m.

ORANGE CITY – Ben Steneker, country music star from the Netherlands, is doing a show in Orange City Saturday, Aug. 25.

The free performance is at Windmill Park at 7 p.m.

Steneker, dubbed “the godfather of Dutch country,” introduced country music to the Netherlands. This native of Friesland began his career over 50 years ago, after winning talent contests, then recording a single that made number four in the Dutch Hit Parade.

In ’81 he was invited to the States by Bob Everhart, and has performed 30-plus times here, from Nashville to Indianapolis. He has become a regular at Everhart’s Old-Time Music Festival, and is coming again this month, to the 37th festival in Le Mars Aug. 27-Sept. 2.

Steneker is a great entertainer with “an incredible voice,” said Everhart, and versatile too, even singing opera in the Netherlands. A Dutch fan of Steneker’s, Jaap Van Aalst, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, received his last wish in 2011. Van Aalst was able to travel from his home in the Netherlands to Le Mars, to hear Steneker & his daughter Carmen perform. Van Aalst loved the Stenekers’ songs, especially “Until the Answer Comes,” a gospel tune about praying continuously, and “The Gift,” about a poor girl whose gift to Christ is all she has: a tiny bird with a broken wing.

The magazine Texas Proud honored Steneker as “best foreign artist of the year” in ’81. In ’94, Steneker was inducted as the only European in the Mid America Country Hall of Fame, and in 2010 Ben and Carmen’s album, Homeland, was awarded international CD of the year by the Rural Roots Commission.

Now Steneker and his wife Irene live near Haaksbergen, and in the Netherlands he is a household name, like Johnny Cash in the States. In fact, Steneker has shared the stage with Johnny Cash. In 2000, Steneker was named the first member of the “Dutch Country Hall of Fame.” He has received honors from the mayor of Haaksbergen and Queen Beatrix, and in ’07 celebrated his 50th year as a country-western singer with a sold-out, televised show.

The August 25 event is free of charge, thanks to Precision Alignment of Maurice, Four-Way Roofing of Alton and the Orange City Arts Council.

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 712-707-6514 or 712-540-6025 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Onstage Orange City presents Blame Sally, San Francisco music phenomenon
2012-08-22 19:00 - 20:30
All-female folk-rock ensemble from San Francisco takes the stage: On Wednesday, August 22 at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, Onstage Orange City presents the all-female folk-rock ensemble, Blame Sally. The band's members, Monica Pasqual, Pam Delgado, and Jeri Jones (left to right) bring a unique combination of country, folk, rock, Celtic, and classical to the stage. Their fourth member, Renee Harcourt will be unable to attend, but Blame Sally will be joined by Rob Strom on bass. The San Francisco Chronicle raves that Blame Sally "recalls the artful romanticism of Jane Siberry, the rich folk harmonies of the Indigo Girls, and the percolating soulfulness of Joy of Cooking.”

By Kristen Daily

Country, folk, rock, Celtic, and classical originality.

Onstage Orange City presents the Bay area group, Blame Sally, on Wednesday, August 22 at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, Orange City.

This all-female folk-rock ensemble brings a compelling sound to the stage. Blame Sally’s Pam Delgado, Renee Harcourt, Jeri Jones, and Monica Pasqual challenged the traditional music scene when they began performing together in their late 30’s and 40’s. They disregarded conventional wisdom, beginning Blame Sally “to represent the spirit of music for its own sake–and not necessarily for fortune and fame,” says Diane Urbani de la Paz, from the Peninsula Daily News.

Their lyrics and harmonies tell tales of life’s tragedies and triumphs, and as Vintage Guitar Magazine says, “There’s a lot of Stevie Nicks in Blame Sally’s countrified folk rock, but these veterans are less full of themselves, earthier, more self-assured – and more fun, too.” Their unique instrumental blend of drums, organ, guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano, and accordion combines with soulful vocals to make the sound that is Blame Sally. Their performance promises passion.

These talented women mark the leg of their August tour as a homecoming, as they are returning from their third tour in Germany. They have performed all across the U.S., sharing festivals with the likes of Los Lobos, Ani DeFranco, Joan Baez, Roseanne Cash and Greg Brown.

The latest news: the motorcycle show, originally scheduled for Aug. 22, has been postponed until September. The usual concessions will be available, including ice cream sundaes, but no hot dogs will be served.

The final 2012 Onstage Orange City show also brings the conclusion of the Blue Mountain – Orange City Arts Council raffle. Entries may be purchased yet that evening to win a chef’s table for six or hog roast for 60, prepared by Blue Mountain Culinary Emporium. Drawing for the winner will happen at intermission.

This show is free of charge, thanks to Quatro Composites™, the Community Bank of Alton & Orange City, and the Orange City Arts Council.

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

For more information, contact 707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

LINKS: www.blamesally.com
Interview & music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pviNwu0yNpM
Listen to the beautiful Pajaros Sin Alas, fifth song on this CD: http://blamesally.com/music/speeding-ticket-and-a-valentine/
Sponsors: Community Bank of Alton & Orange City & Quatro Composites™

The Princess and the Goblin presented by the SchoolHouse Company; Film Dolphin Tale at dusk
2012-08-15 19:00 - 22:00
The SchoolHouse Company presents George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin on Wednesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. in Windmill Park Orange City, part of the Onstage Orange City series. Local actors and actresses make up the cast. Grab a slice of pizza before the show from our sponsor, Pizza Ranch Restaurant!

by Kristen Daily
ORANGE CITY – A classic story comes to life on stage.

On Wednesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. The SchoolHouse Company presents George MacDonald’s classic tale, The Princess and the Goblin, otherwise known as Irene & Curdie, in Windmill Park, Orange City. The show is part of the Onstage Orange City series.

The cast features local talent, including Hannah Norton, Virginia Davis, Jenna Beeson, Trevor McMahan, Zach Wright, Brendan Foughty, Drew Lemke, Amanda Vander Stelt, Jessica Giannantonio, Schuyler Pals, and Lois Estell. As narrator, Estell says, “It’s a family-friendly show that has adventure and humor for all ages!”

The play, by Matt Buchanan, is based on MacDonald’s novel about a young princess, Irene, who is threatened by a goblin. Suddenly, she is thrown into an evil world of goblins who are bent on destroying her father’s castle. With the help of a boy named Curdie and a magical great-great grandmother, Irene must warn the castle before the gathering storm. But will anyone believe her? It’s a tale of fantasy, adventure and friendship.

Before the show begins, be sure to grab a slice of pizza! Pizza Ranch will be selling slices of bronco, round-up, pepperoni, and cheese pizza beginning at 6:30 p.m. In addition, Orange City Recreation will be sponsoring a film, Dolphin Tale, at dusk.

The show is free of charge, thanks to Pizza Ranch Restaurant and the Orange City Arts Council.

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

For more information, contact 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.

Sponsor: Pizza Ranch Restaurant
facebook.com/SHCTheater

CAST:
Hannah Norton: Irene
Virginia Davis: Lootie
Jenna Beeson: Great-Great-Grandmother, Miner, Chancellor, Man-at-arms
Trevor McMahan: Goblin, Helfer, Sir Walter, Prince Harelip, Goblin Animal
Zach Wright: Goblin, Glump, King Papa, Goblin Animal
Brendan Foughty: Curdie
Drew Lemke: Peter, Goblin King, Man-at-arms
Amanda Vander Stelt: Miner, Goblin Queen, Man-at-arms, Mrs. Peterson
Jessica Giannantonio: Mrs. Glump
Schuyler Pals: Goblin, Man-at-arms
Lois Estell: Narrator

TECH:
Sound Design: Keely Wright
Set Construction: Greg Haverdink
Paint Design: Robert Wohlgemuth
Costumes: Lois Estell, Amanda Vander Stelt, Hannah Norton
Props: Lois Estell, Amanda Vander Stelt, Bruce Vander Stelt, Karen Barker, Brendan Foughty, Trevor McMahan, Hannah Norton

Kelley Hunt performs for Onstage Orange City. Opening act: Ann Zimmerman
2012-08-08 18:00 - 20:30
Kelley Hunt

ORANGE CITY – Passionate blues, scorching soul and gospel traditions.

On Wednesday, August 8 Onstage Orange City presents one of the highlights of 2012: Kelley Hunt and her band, plus Ann Zimmerman, all performing in Windmill Park, Orange City. Ann Zimmerman will open from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and Kelley Hunt will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Kelley Hunt, a Roots R&B/ Americana singer/ songwriter/ piano player/ guitarist, an artist who is truly difficult to define, has “muscled her way onto the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/ roots/ gospel tradition and a refreshing originality.” Her career path speaks of a story of “fierce independence, incredible will and unassailable credibility as a blistering live performer.” Her performances are renowned across North America, including our own Sioux City’s Saturday in the Park. She has appeared six times on American Public Media’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion.’

Hunt recently performed at the Sioux Falls and Kalamazoo jazz & blues festivals, and she’s scheduled for festivals in Telluride CO, Duluth MN, and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in the Caribbean in January.

The Onion in Denver CO said, “Hunt delivers her socially charged lyrics with a voice that’s part powerful gospel yearning and part bawdy soul shouter.”

Of Hunt’s recent album, The Blues Revue wrote, “Hunt’s vocals and captivating piano-playing work together to lift each composition to gravity-defying heights. With each new release – this is her fifth – Hunt’s velvet-smooth voice is further defined.”

And the Minneapolis Star-Tribune added, “Surprises don’t often crop up on the well-trodden blues circuit. So welcome Kelley Hunt. This Kansan is a full-blown phenomenon: Powerhouse singer, hardboogieing pianist, polished songwriter…”

Hunt has a huge fan base in northwest Iowa, so Jane Vogel of Bird House Rentals is honored to be sponsor of the evening.

And there’s more. Ann Zimmerman, renowned folk musician also from Kansas, sings of life on the prairie, performing in the plains states as well as New York, Seattle, Boston and Alaska. She has won the People’s Choice award in the Wildflower! Festival singer- songwriter contest near Dallas, and has been recently nominated for a “grass-roots grammy” in the Just Plain Folks national song contest. She “sings the prairie into universal language,” singing about the joy, sorrow, grandeur and silliness of life. Her music combines rich vocals, piano and guitar, painting pictures for the audience. Singer magazine says, “She has the ability to seamlessly blend humor and sadness in that unique way that makes you want for more.”

The event is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available, including ice cream sundaes! Rain location is the Orange City town hall.

The Orange City Arts Council sponsors Onstage Orange City. For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or contact 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. Also check kelleyhunt.com and annzimmerman.com.

Ann Zimmerman

Sponsor: Bird House Rentals

Onstage Orange City presents one of the highlights of summer 2012: Kelley Hunt. Kelley Hunt and band take the stage Wed. August 8, featuring Hunt’s music steeped in blues, roots and gospel traditions, but with a refreshing originality. Hunt’s concert begins at 7 p.m. in Windmill Park, Orange City. Opening for Kelley Hunt is another local favorite, Ann Zimmerman, also of Kansas. Zimmerman performs from 6 to 6:45.
