Yes, it’s still January, but the Nice Folks at the Puyallup Fair already have come out with the first concert date for The Fair’s 2009 edition.

Country star Jason Aldean will play a Sept. 11 show on The Fair’s opening night. He’ll take the stage at the conclusion of the 6:30 p.m. Puyallup Pro Rodeo PRCA Playoffs . Tickets range from $50 to $30, and for that you get both the rodeo and the concert.

More shows for The Fair’s 2009 mainstage series will be announced in the coming months.

More later … — MM

The Bremerton Symphony ‘s performance Feb. 7 will feature violinist Rachel Wong , winner of the Seattle Symphony Young Artist Invitational, playing the concerto of Jean Sibelius.

That soloist and selection are two of the changes to the original program, titled "Perpetual Motion" (as opposed to the original "Perpetual Motion vs. Pathetique"). Intact will be the "Zais" Overture by Rameau. There also will be a Tchaikovsky symphony on the 7:30 p.m. program at the Bremerton Performing Arts Center (1500 13th St.), but it will be the No. 5, in place of the originally scheduled No. 6.

The Sibelius concerto replaces the violin concerto of Samuel Barber. That piece was scrapped when the soloist, Seattle’s Ron Patterson , withdrew.

Wong is no stranger to the Sibelius — it’s the same piece she played en route to the Seattle Symphony Young Artist Invitational’s top prize in 2007.

Alan Futterman , known around Kitsap in part for serving as musical director for Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s annual "Nutcracker" production, will conduct the program.

More information is available by calling the Symphony office at (360) 373-1722, or bremertonsymphony.org.

More later … — MM

Kitsap Opera is casting some roes for a June production of “Il Trovatore.” Auditions will be Jan. 26, by appointment, at Olympic College’s music room (120).

The company also is looking for choristesrs with ensemble experience, especially men. A meeting will be Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m., also at Olympic College’s Music 120.

For information, or for an appointment, call (360) 876-4373.

More later … — MM

The annual Wintergrass festival, which packs Tacoma about as full of bluegrass, folk and Americana music as a town can get, is coming up Feb. 21 and 22.

The big news so far is that bluegrass stars Blue Highway will be on hand to headline, also kicking off a four-week mini-tour that also will take them to California, Virginia and Tennessee.

We’ll have more details on Wintergrass as they become available.

More later … — MM

I’ve started doing some research for a preview of the Feb. 7 Admiral Theatre concert by Sophie Milman . On the basis of what I’ve heard (ain’t YouTube great?), this is gonna be a great show. Milman sings an eclectic blend of jazz standards and other, unexpected gems (from the Guess Who’s "Undun" to Kermit the Frog’s "It’s Not Easy Being Green") with a voice that could melt Tungsten, and a sense of style and phrasing that belies her tender years (she’s 25).

I sampled the tunes from her latest CD, "Make Someone Happy," on the Web, and saw some concert footage of her, as well as an NPR interview with Scott Simon. And I’m convinced. She’s a star, and the Admiral is a perfect place to see her.

Just save a ticket for me.

Information: (360) 373-6743, admiraltheatre.org, linusentertainment.com.

More later … — MM

This from M. Anne Sweet and Dawn Smart :

Still on the Path
Gathering for Chuck Smart
and
Final First Friday at Studio 608

Dawn Smart and Anne Sweet invite you to
an informal gathering to remember and celebrate Chuck
and his passion for life, art and music.
In addition we will be honoring the productive collaboration
that has been Studio 608 for the past four years.

Please join us at Studio 608 for First Friday Artwalk,
on Friday, February 6, 2009, from 5 to 9 p.m.
608 Fourth St., Bremerton
(about a five block walk from the ferry dock)

While the spirit of Studio 608 will continue with Anne as Studio 68,
our working studio at 608 Fourth St. will be closing at the end of February.
Please stay tuned for future developments.

Also, please be sure to stop by Collective Visions Gallery to visit the 2009 CVG Show. Collective Visions is located at the corner of Fourth Street and Pacific Avenue in Bremerton. It is just a half block down the street from Studio 608; or if you come by ferry, you will pass by it on your way to or from the ferry dock.

As you may remember Chuck won Best in Show for his piece entitled "Garden of Eve" at last year’s CVG Show. His piece entitled "Life and Death" was accepted for this year’s show. Chuck’s piece was one of 131 pieces selected from over 800 entries from across the state. It promises to be an excellent show again this year, and we hope you might consider voting for Chuck’s piece for the People’s Choice award while you’re there. Votes for the People’s Choice award will be accepted up until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, with the winner to be announced that evening at 7:30 p.m. The show opens on Feb. 1, noon to 5 p.m., and will then be open to the public during the gallery’s normal business hours for the entire month of February.

For those who will not be able to join us in person due to distance or for other reasons, we hope you will raise a glass to Chuck wherever you are.

We do hope that many of you will be able to join us for this evening of remembrance and celebration of a life that was lived to the fullest extent in art and music, a life lived completely in the style of one of Chuck’s favorite lines: "Creativity starts for me when my foot touches the floor in the morning." — Miles Davis

With love from, Dawn and Anne

More later … — MM

Game-show host ("Deal or No Deal," "Howie Do It") and comedian Howie Mandel , 53, checked into and out of a hospital Tuesday to be checked out for an irregular heartbeat.

Since it apparently turned out to be nothing serious, I wonder if the attending doctor had the wherewithal to point at Howie and ask:

"Pain? … Or no pain? "

_____

I can hardly wait to see talented C&W singer-songwriter Taylor Swift act, which she’ll apparently get the chance to do on an upcoming episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation " (the real, original one, set in Las Vegas, not the two cheesebag spin-offs).

Reports say Swift, 19, will play a "strange teenager." Not exactly a stretch for the country wunderkind , but it’s a start. On that show, it’s a positive any time you don’t have to play dead.

If you recall, I’ve been a fan of Swift since I saw her rock out with Def Leppard on the CMT show "Crossover."

_____

On the subject of young country stars, I heard a bit of an interview with Kellie Pickler on my favorite morning radio show (Bob Rivers and Co. on KZOK). I tried for a long time not to like Pickler, because she emerged from the venal "American Idol" ranks. But I have to admit I like her music, even her twangy voice, and in the interview she came off as really intelligent and — especially — down to earth.

Now I can just sit back a spell and wait for Miranda Lambert to do something, so I can blog about her, too …

More later … — MM

Got this via e-mail Tuesday morning; too late to get it into the next print edition of Kitsap A&E, but in plenty of time for me to whomp it up here on the blog:

A New Choral Experience for the residents of
Port Orchard and surrounding communities!

Many of us have fond memories of the days we spent singing in our school choirs – learning new music, challenging ourselves, making life-long friends. And many of us have continued to enjoy singing with our church choirs, in the shower, driving down the road; but nowadays it seems that most of these opportunities are few and far between. That is about to change for the residents of Kitsap County. The new Kitsap Community Chorale is having an informational meetings January 18 and 25 at 7pm in the choir room at South Kitsap High School. The Chorale sees itself as a group that is destined to distinguish itself through dynamic performances and professional presentations of many styles of demanding choral literature – from traditional to classical to show tunes to jazz, pop, and world music. All experienced singers are encouraged to join the chorale and become a founding member of this dynamic new community group. Rehearsals will take place Sunday evenings at 7 PM at the high school beginning the first Sunday in February.

The chorale will be directed by Mr. Donald Dilley, longtime resident of Port Orchard. Mr. Dilley has a wealth of experience in directing community music groups, including community choirs, musical theater, youth choirs, and church choirs. He holds a Bachelors of Music from Western Washington University, with graduate studies in Choral Conducting at Oklahoma State University. While striving for excellence and desiring to challenge those who sing under his direction, Don also insists that the experience be fun for all invovled and brings a sense of joy to each rehearsal and performance.

Participation in the chorale is open to all adults and students who are able to commit to weekly rehearsals and occasional performances. The chorale is an auditioned choir (short and painless), for more information visit their website: kitsapcommunitychorale.org <http://kitsapcommunitychorale.org> or contact Don Dilley at 360-908-9916

More later … — MM

This from the folks at Collective Visions Art Gallery:

SECOND ANNUAL CVG SHOW to feature over 100 artworks

One hundred and thirty one artworks by 122 artists from across the state of Washington will be on view at the Collective Visions Gallery in the 2009 CVG Show during February. The exhibition juror, noted painter, art critic, author and co-founder of Seattle’s Gage Academy of Art, Gary Faigin, selected the show from over 800 pieces submitted. He also will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes of $1,000, $300, and $100 respectively will be awarded each of three categories of Art: 2 Dimensional Art, 3 Dimensional Art and Photographic Arts, and the $1500 “Mayor’s Award” for best of show. In addition, the Kitsap County Arts Board will select artworks to receive an $2,000 in purchase awards for the Kitsap County Public Art Collection. All award winners will be posted when the show opens at noon Sunday, February 1st. except for the $300 People’s Choice Award. The viewing public will cast votes for this award during the first week of the show.

The gallery will host a series of gallery talks and music designed to enhance the public’s appreciation and understanding of the broad array of art and ideas that is represented in this exhibition. The following is a schedule of these events all of which are free to the public:

February 1 at 3p.m.—“Visual Arts in Washington-an overview”—
Ken Van der Does, Painter
February 6, 5- 9 p.m.—First Friday Gallery Walk Opening Event—
7:30 p.m.—“Announcement of the People’s Choice Award” –
Alan Newberg, CVG exhibition coordinator
February 12 at 7 pm.—“Photography: Vision and Technology”—
Kit Sims-Taylor, photographer.
February 15 at 3:00 pm, —“Expression and Idea in 3 dimensions”—
Michael Kilgore, Sculptor
February 20 at 7p.m. —Piano & Violin Gallery Concert —
Patrick and Sophia Stoyanovich ($15 in advance, $17 at door)
February 26 at 7:pm., —“Invention and Innovation in Art”—
Ron Harper, Research Artist

The exhibition closes on February 27 at 5 p.m.

Collective Visions Gallery is located at 331 Pacific Avenue in downtown Bremerton. Hours are 10 to 5 Tuesdays through Saturdays and during February, from 12 to 5 on Sundays.

NOTE: the Collective Visions Gallery will be closed to the public from January 18 through January 31 to facilitate preparations for this exhibit. Opportunities for press photographers might include shots of artists as they deliver their artwork to the gallery on January 23 and 24, and shots of the gallery members as they install the show during the week of January 26 though January 30th.

For details call the gallery at (360) 377-8327 or Alan Newberg at (360) 692-3981.

More later … — MM

December peformances of Bainbridge Performing Arts ‘ "Once Upon a Mattress " that were postponed by all that snow and ice have been rescheduled. There’ll be two shows, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4.

It’s a wild, funny show, with lots of great performances and lots of yuks. So if you missed it before, here’s your chance. Tickets for the postponed performances will be honored at the Jan. 4 show, but the theater is asking that you call ahead and exchange them, so they’ll know how many seats are available for newbies.

Information: (206) 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org

More later … — MM