MONROE - The annual Showcase of Talent Performances are scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center. For a 13th consecutive year, the Monroe Arts Center (MAC) will present area performers a chance to showcase their talents in a evening of lively, family-oriented entertainment. Country recording artist Snuffy Smith will also be performing as a special guest.
Smith has been writing and performing country and contemporary songs for many years. Born and raised in southwest Virginia but now living in Albany, Smith's roots run deep in country music. Like many artists, Smith began singing in church at an early age. With his Virginia roots and ties to the legendary June Carter family setting the stage, his love of music grew as a young boy when he first heard Hank Williams Sr. and George Jones. That experience, combined with the influences of "Outlaw" country, southern rock, and blues by artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash, resulted in a voice that resonates with gospel, country and soul.
Smith is a former ICM (Inspirational Country Music) Award finalist for Male Vocalist of the Year, and a winner of the 2006 MAMA (Madison Area Music Awards) Best Country Artist, the Q106 Country Pick-Off, and the Colgate Country Music Awards.
In celebration of MAC's 35th anniversary season, the 2011 Showcase will take on a new twist: Hosted by Ron Spielman, "MAC Radio Live" will follow the same premise of a live radio variety show, complete with commercial jingles and a house band. In addition, Saturday night's performance will be broadcast live on Big Radio.
"I feel privileged to be able to direct the Showcase using this new radio show format. It is exciting to be on the cutting edge of change," said Showcase director Nadine Whiteman. "Both the studio and radio audiences will appreciate the variety and top-notch level of performances, creating that immediate rapport between the audience and what's happening on stage."
Acts will include vocalists with songs both serious and comical, instrumentalists, dance segments, and a few surprises.
The cast of performers is comprised of individuals from Albany, Argyle, Brodhead, Juda, Monroe, New Glarus, South Wayne, and Stockton, Ill. The scheduled performers for MAC Radio Live 2011 Showcase of Talent include: Chris Antos, Dan Baldwin, Judy Bennett, Henry Blumer, Trevor Boll, Tracy Bristow, Marcia Davis, Ally Einbeck, Anika Einbeck, Kayla Einbeck, Haylee Espinoza, Hugo Espinoza, Cammi Ganshert, Ryan Getz, Lori Grinnell, Kristen Hendrickson, Lauren Hlubek, Jeff Ingebritsen, Chris James, Madeline Knutson, Todd Lorenz, Allison O'Brien, Nick Quinn, Tony Blum Seitz, Smith, Tim Soddy, Studio M Dancers, The Cheesemakers, Craig Tuttle, John Waelti, Amy Whiteman, Anna Whiteman, Nadine Whiteman, and the Rappin' Parkside Elementary School Teachers, Terri Anderson, Sara Bille, Liz Dagel, Jill Leuzinger, Jennifer Neuenschwander, Mike Schmidt, Andrea Skalmoski, Marsha Soper, Deb Thompson, Shelly Trupke, Dyanna Turnell, and Toni Wellman.
The Showcase Radio house band Betty and the Bee Stings, featuring musical director Peggy Miller Sheffer on keyboards, Dave Carper and Craig Tuttle on guitars, and Tom Salamone on drums, will lend live accompaniment to many of the acts and help provide the overall feeling of a live radio show.
As a not-for-profit organization, MAC is supported, in part, by granting agencies as well as donations from individuals and businesses. The revenue from this event helps to support the ongoing MAC operations. Live performances, gallery exhibits, and educational outreach for students and senior citizens are part of the many activities provided by MAC.
General admission tickets for MAC Radio Live 2011 Showcase of Talent are now available and may be purchased at the Monroe Arts Center box office. All tickets are $10. For more information or tickets, contact MAC at (608) 325-5700 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by season underwriter The Swiss Colony, and season media underwriter Monroe Publishing and Big Radio. Additional underwriting is provided by Monroe Clinic, Ron and Jennifer Spielman; Paul and Sue Barrett; Pete Guenther and Barb Woodriff; and Rick and Nancy Maliszewski.
Smith has been writing and performing country and contemporary songs for many years. Born and raised in southwest Virginia but now living in Albany, Smith's roots run deep in country music. Like many artists, Smith began singing in church at an early age. With his Virginia roots and ties to the legendary June Carter family setting the stage, his love of music grew as a young boy when he first heard Hank Williams Sr. and George Jones. That experience, combined with the influences of "Outlaw" country, southern rock, and blues by artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash, resulted in a voice that resonates with gospel, country and soul.
Smith is a former ICM (Inspirational Country Music) Award finalist for Male Vocalist of the Year, and a winner of the 2006 MAMA (Madison Area Music Awards) Best Country Artist, the Q106 Country Pick-Off, and the Colgate Country Music Awards.
In celebration of MAC's 35th anniversary season, the 2011 Showcase will take on a new twist: Hosted by Ron Spielman, "MAC Radio Live" will follow the same premise of a live radio variety show, complete with commercial jingles and a house band. In addition, Saturday night's performance will be broadcast live on Big Radio.
"I feel privileged to be able to direct the Showcase using this new radio show format. It is exciting to be on the cutting edge of change," said Showcase director Nadine Whiteman. "Both the studio and radio audiences will appreciate the variety and top-notch level of performances, creating that immediate rapport between the audience and what's happening on stage."
Acts will include vocalists with songs both serious and comical, instrumentalists, dance segments, and a few surprises.
The cast of performers is comprised of individuals from Albany, Argyle, Brodhead, Juda, Monroe, New Glarus, South Wayne, and Stockton, Ill. The scheduled performers for MAC Radio Live 2011 Showcase of Talent include: Chris Antos, Dan Baldwin, Judy Bennett, Henry Blumer, Trevor Boll, Tracy Bristow, Marcia Davis, Ally Einbeck, Anika Einbeck, Kayla Einbeck, Haylee Espinoza, Hugo Espinoza, Cammi Ganshert, Ryan Getz, Lori Grinnell, Kristen Hendrickson, Lauren Hlubek, Jeff Ingebritsen, Chris James, Madeline Knutson, Todd Lorenz, Allison O'Brien, Nick Quinn, Tony Blum Seitz, Smith, Tim Soddy, Studio M Dancers, The Cheesemakers, Craig Tuttle, John Waelti, Amy Whiteman, Anna Whiteman, Nadine Whiteman, and the Rappin' Parkside Elementary School Teachers, Terri Anderson, Sara Bille, Liz Dagel, Jill Leuzinger, Jennifer Neuenschwander, Mike Schmidt, Andrea Skalmoski, Marsha Soper, Deb Thompson, Shelly Trupke, Dyanna Turnell, and Toni Wellman.
The Showcase Radio house band Betty and the Bee Stings, featuring musical director Peggy Miller Sheffer on keyboards, Dave Carper and Craig Tuttle on guitars, and Tom Salamone on drums, will lend live accompaniment to many of the acts and help provide the overall feeling of a live radio show.
As a not-for-profit organization, MAC is supported, in part, by granting agencies as well as donations from individuals and businesses. The revenue from this event helps to support the ongoing MAC operations. Live performances, gallery exhibits, and educational outreach for students and senior citizens are part of the many activities provided by MAC.
General admission tickets for MAC Radio Live 2011 Showcase of Talent are now available and may be purchased at the Monroe Arts Center box office. All tickets are $10. For more information or tickets, contact MAC at (608) 325-5700 or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by season underwriter The Swiss Colony, and season media underwriter Monroe Publishing and Big Radio. Additional underwriting is provided by Monroe Clinic, Ron and Jennifer Spielman; Paul and Sue Barrett; Pete Guenther and Barb Woodriff; and Rick and Nancy Maliszewski.