Story originally printed in the Onalaska Life or online at www.onalaskalife.com
Published - Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Leisure news in brief
Here are a selection of brief news items pertaining to arts, entertainment, culture and other fun things to do in your spare time:
The Army Concert Tour has announced a new feature act, the Scorpions, to headline a Saturday, Aug. 9, performance at Fort McCoy. Other acts still are being sought. Ticket pricing and more information will follow soon.
The Scorpions, a German hard rock band, are best known for their 1984 anthem “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and the 1990 ballad “Wind of Change.”
Up-to-date information about the concert, including prices, additional groups and ticket kickoffs, can be found online at www.mccoymwr.com or by calling (877) 864-4969.
For more on the band, log onto www.the-scorpions.com.
The group has sold more than 22 million records (as well as other forms of music), making them one of the most successful rock bands to ever come out of continental Europe.
La Crosse Community Theatre is seeking actors for this year’s youth production, “The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood” by Mary Lynn Dobson. No experience is necessary to be involved in the show.
Auditions will be held on May 5-6 at the LCT, 118 Fifth Ave. N. People interested in auditioning should call 784-9292 to make an appointment.
The cast will include 24 males and females, ages 8 to 18, and teens are especially encouraged to audition.
The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. Scripts are available at the box office for one-week checkout with a refundable deposit.
All cast and crew will need to be present beginning June 8. Performances will run June 13-21.
A young comedian with fans across the country will bring his show to UW-La Crosse next week. Tommy Johnagin will entertain at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Cellar in Cartwright Center. Admission is free as part of the Cellar Thursday Series.
Johnagin is an autobiographical comedian with a gift for finding something funny in almost any situation. He began his comedy career at 18. By the age of 21, he had dropped out of college to pursue a comedy career full-time.
He has appeared on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham.” Find out more about Johnagin at www.tommyjcomedy.com.
The UW-La Crosse Concert Choir will give its final concert of the school year at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, in Annett Recital Hall in the UW-L Center for the Arts.
Along with the Concert Choir, the concert will feature UW-L’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble and guest high school choir, the Robed Choir from G-E-T High School conducted by UW-L graduate Ryan Stuempges. The concert is free and open to the public.
The Concert Choir will perform a diverse program featuring choral works from Serbia, Mexico, Kenya, Great Britain and the United States. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform an a cappella set featuring arrangements by Sharon Broadley and a setting of Toto’s hit “Africa.”
Music department faculty members performing with the Concert Choir include Tammy Fisher on xylophone, and Christopher Frye on piano.
Student instrumentalists will include pianists Carolyn Temanson, Ceera Machotka and Christine Walth; clarinetist Kate Haskin; violinist Nick Bailey; trumpet player Carlton Fowler; and percussionists Brooke Moerkerke and Sarah Horstmann. Pianist and UW-L graduate Alethia Kenworthy will also be featured.
The concert will conclude with all three choirs performing conductor Gary Walth’s arrangement of the spiritual, “Wade in the Water.”
Graduating seniors of the Concert Choir will be recognized during the concert as well.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Symphony Orchestra will debut a commissioned piece at its upcoming final concert of the academic year. The orchestra presents “Masterworks Concert Series IV” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.
The concert will feature three pieces. One is the debut of “From the River to the Skies” by Daniel Maske. The work was commissioned by the orchestra and the winner of the Composer in Residence Competition sponsored by UW-L and the Wisconsin Alliance of Composers. The title refers to the La Crosse area, specifically the bald eagles that live along the Mississippi River.
Beethoven’s “Concerto for Violin, Violoncello and Piano Op. 56 in C Major” will feature UW-L faculty, soloists David Phipps, Derek Clark and Mary Tollefson. Ensembles and arias from the first act of Mozart’s “Cosi fan Tutte” will highlight voice students from the music department. The orchestra is conducted by Enaldo A. Oliveira.
Suggested ticket donations are $2 for UW-L students, $4 for other students and $8 for others. Get tickets by stopping in the music department listening lab, 145 Center for the Arts, or calling 785-8415.
The UW-La Crosse Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will hold their final concerts of the school year Sunday, May 4.
The Symphonic Band concert will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the Wind Ensemble at 4 p.m. The concerts will be held in Annett Recital Hall in the UW-L Center for the Arts.
Music department faculty member Tammy Fisher directs both ensembles. The Symphonic Band concert will also feature student conductor Sarah Becker.
Admission is free; donations will be accepted at the door.
This year’s June Dairy Days Recipe Contest will be held Friday, May 30 at 1:30 p.m. at West Salem Village Hall.
The category this year is “dips and spreads.” Each contestant must bring their entry ready to serve with crackers, chips, etc. After the judging, the dips and spreads will be shared with the audience.
The recipe must contain two or more dairy products; eggs are not counted a dairy product.
Entrants must be La Crosse County residents or members of La Crosse County Association of Home and Community Education.
The entry must be brought to the West Salem Village Hall by 12:45 p.m. on May 30.
The recipe should be typed or written on an 8.5-by-11-inch piece of paper with name, address and phone number in the upper right corner. The recipe must be received by May 16 and sent to: University Extension Office, 400 Fourth St. N., La Crosse, WI 54601.
Recipes become the property of the Dairy Recipe Contest Committee. Contest entrants receive free admission while the cost to others is $2.
First place will win $30, second place will win $25 and third will win $20. Fourth through sixth places will receive $15, $10 and $5, respectively.
The June Dairy Day Recipe Contest is sponsored by the LAHCE.
Mississippi Valley Conservancy will host a spring nature hike in the Snow Bottom State Natural Area on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. The hike, which will be held on the privately owned MacGregor property, will explore one of the best examples of old-growth hardwood forest in southern Wisconsin as well as remnant prairies and bluff-top views.
Hikers will be guided by MVC conservation director George Howe and will search for spring flowers, including Dutchmen’s breeches, and returning migrant birds such as the Baltimore oriole.
Easy, flat trails are available for those interested in a relaxing stroll, while a remote ravine with spring-fed waterfall can be tackled by more adventurous hikers.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and, if possible, an item to share for after the hike. Dressing in layers with sensible shoes and bringing bug-repellant and water bottle is highly recommended.
For more information, including directions, visit the Mississippi Valley Conservancy Web site at: http://www.MississippiValleyConservancy.org/.
All stories copyright 2006 Onalaska Life and other attributed sources.