The Siuslaw news., March 02, 2016, WEDNESDAY EDITION, Page 15, Image 46

Glenn Miller Orchestra swings into Florence
FLORENCE — Glenn Miller; the name instantly
brings to the ear the amazing music of the 1940s, and
to mind the sights and sounds of USO shows,
jumpin’ and jivin’ ballrooms, crackling radio broad-
casts and the best swing-dancing music ever per-
formed… or recorded.
“It’s been a few years, so it’s time to bring one of
Florence’s — and the world’s — favorite dance
bands back to the Florence Events Center,” says
Maggie Doud, a SEAcoast Entertainment Association
board member and producer for this concert.
SEAcoast Entertainment opens the Florence Event
Center’s flat floor so you can enjoy big band music
the way it was intended — with dancing and cabaret-
style seating — on Friday, March 18.
There is limited “open” seating and attendees are
urged to get their tickets soon.
“The Glenn Miller Orchestra stays ever-true to its
founder’s exacting sound, with the original mix of
trombones, saxophones, trumpets… rich, powerful,
melodious and unforgettable,” Doud adds. “Dial
Pennsylvania 6-5000 to travel back to that glorious
era aboard the Chattanooga Choo Choo to Tuxedo
Junction and get In the Mood for an all-American
Patrol of Big Band classics. Don’t miss a beat!”
Doud explains that Miller’s signature sound “is
created by the clarinet holding the melodic line, dou-
bled or coupled with the tenor sax playing the same
notes; and the harmonies produced by three other
saxophones, while growling trombones and wailing
trumpets add their oo-ahs.”
“The Glenn Miller Orchestra is on the road longer
and more continuously than any other in the world.
The band covers more than 100,000 miles a year,
working most every night for 48 weeks out of every
52.
“They play nearly 300 dates, performing for an
estimated half-million people annually. We’re fortu-
nate to get them here,” adds Doud.
The first Glenn Miller Orchestra was a total and
absolute economic failure. But Miller knew what he
wanted, held to that dedication and relentlessly
worked to succeed.
L AST R ESORT P LAYERS
FLORENCE — In this powerful, inti-
mate adaptation of “The Diary of Anne
Frank,” the audience finds itself going
back in time to enter an era when human
moral is shattered by horrific changes.
But somewhere in a small annex, a lit-
tle girl finds the courage to survive.
During two years of hiding, Anne Frank
records daily activities and conversations
with wit and astonishing honesty.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
He launched his second band — the one that lives
on today — in March of 1938. Miller disbanded his
musical organization in 1942 at the height of its pop-
ularity to volunteer for the Army.
There, he organized and led the famous Glenn
Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to
entertain servicemen performing numerous live and
radio shows.
On Dec. 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a sin-
gle engine plane to precede his band to Paris, disap-
pearing over the English Channel, never to be seen
again.
The release of the 1954 movie The Glenn Miller
Story featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, led
the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the
present Glenn Miller Orchestra.
On June 6, 1956, under the direction of drummer
Ray McKinley, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra
performed its first concert and has been on the road
ever since, playing many of the original Miller
arrangements both from the civilian band and the
AAFB libraries.
The SEAcoast concert season continues with a rare
Thursday night concert April 7, with Shuffle, a group
so multitalented they let the audience select the
pieces they will play from Baroque to classical and
romantic; from jazz, to pop and Broadway.
Then, on Friday, May 13, you’ll be in luck when
The New Hot Club of America comes to “wow”
Florence. This dazzling ensemble is comprised of
some of today’s top gypsy jazz artists in North
America.
You’ll want to tango in your seat as they recapture
the sound, style, and spirit of the 1930s-era Hot Club
of France.
Tickets, artist profiles, show times, video clips and
more information are available at are at
SEAcoastEA.org.
Tickets are $30, or $10 for those age 17 and under.
Tickets may also be purchased at the Florence
Events Center box office, 715 Quince St., by calling
541-997-1994 or online at www.eventscenter.org.
TO PRESENT ADAPTATION OF
We learn through a mature 13-year-old
girl that the human heart truly can defeat
the fear of death.
In this drama presented by the Last
Resort Players, audiences will be invited
to witness what life may have been like
for the Frank family.
Living a claustrophobic existence
together, eight people try to contain their
fear of what is to come, grief for what was
lost and hope for a peace where they can
go back to their ordinary lives.
History plays out before audience
members in this adaptation that is for
those who know the story well, and for a
new generation that has yet to understand
the gift that Anne Frank gave to the world
through her diary.
“When I write I can shake off all my
cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits
‘A NNE F RANK ’
are revived! But, and that's a big question,
will I ever be able to write something
great, will I ever become a journalist or a
writer?” — Anne Frank
“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be per-
formed April 22 through 30 at the
Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.
Reserve tickets by calling the FEC box
office at 541-997-1994 or visiting
www.eventcenter.org.
M A RC H 20 16 • A r ts & E n t er ta in m e nt • C OAST C ENTRAL •
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