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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
Page 4 | Center Stage | Florence Events Center | www.EventCenter.org | 541-997-1994 SEAcoast entertainment Award-winning ‘Cantus’ to open season From it’s beginning 36 years ago, SEAcoast has been brininging top qual- ity performers to audiences in Florence — and this season is no different. “This upcoming season continues that tradition,” said Linda Gargis, SEA board vice-president. “We have seven fantastic shows, including midweek concerts, plus a new ‘Dinner and a Show’ package available for season ticket holders.” The season opens Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m., with “Cantus,” one of the pre- mier vocal groups in the United States. This all-male ensemble will highlight the camaraderie, bonding and honor of the Armed Forces. SEA will partner with local veterans groups to help set the tone for Veterans Day. Cantus is a full-time, professional vocal chamber ensemble, made up of nine men singing in a tenor, tenor, bari- tone, bass (TTBB), changed male voice arrangement. The artists are self-led, with program- ming and musical direction coming from within the group itself, making each peformance unique and exciting for audiences. The ensemble is known for innovative concert programming, often tying together works of numerous genres to explore a selected theme, including clas- sical music, orchestral-vocal repertoire, A LL - MALE ENSEMBLE “C ANTUS ” WILL OPEN THE SEA COAST 2016-17 SEASON O CT . 5. folk music, art song, popular songs, spir- The ensemble began as a student-run and 30-40 education/outreach activities ituals and newly commissioned works. The vocal group maintains a schedule in a given season, both in the United organization at St. Olaf College in 1995. After a successful northeast tour in the of around 70 live concert performances States and abroad. summer of 1998, Cantus transitioned into a professional ensemble and non- profit organization by 1999, based out of Minneapolis, Minn. The ensemble received the 2009 Chorus America Margaret Hillis Award, the first collaborative ensemble to do so. The ensemble’s regular work with stu- dents nationwide also garnered Chorus America’s Education Outreach Award in 2011. Cantus was selected by Minnesota Public Radio to be Artists in Residence for the 2010–11 season. The residency included supported touring, radio co- hosting, and international broadcasts via Performance Today. In recent seasons, Cantus has been featured with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Boston Pops, and on “A Prairie Home Companion” with Garrison Keillor. 2014 marked the final year of the group's critically acclaimed collabora- tion with Theater Latte Da, All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, which tells the true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, when World War I sol- diers set down their arms to celebrate the holidays with the enemy. Tickets can be purchased at the Florence Events Center box office, 715 Quince St., or by phone at 541-997- 1994 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Artist profiles, show times, links to video clips, and more are available at www.SEAcoastEA.org. special events Come enjoy a bit of Bavaria during Oktoberfest The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce promises authentic German food, bier and entertainment as staples of this year’s annual Oktoberfest set for Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Florence Events Center from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $7 for the all-day event. Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance at the Chamber Visitor Center, 290 Highway 101, beginning in mid September. Florence Mayor Joe Henry will offi- cially tap the keg, kicking off a day of Bavarian music, traditional German food and lots of bier and wein. Don’t miss the highly popular weiner dog races at 3 p.m. The third annual races gives something for the furriest members as the family. This year, there is a larger race track for the short-legged little friends who be will racing their hearts out to please the crowd. This will be followed by Happy Bavarian Hour for kleines biers, with weiner wraps and plenty of fun festival games. At 6 p.m., the fun will get amped up in the Festhalle for the international indie musical flavor of T-Club. Live performances and games make a full day of entertainment for the entire family. Throughout the day and into the evening, attendees will enjoy the talents of the Scandinavian dancers and Alpine bands. During the entire festival, participants can enjoy German bier, brats, local wines and other delicious authentic German food, served up by local non- profits. And don’t forget your leiderhosen for the “Best Dressed” contest for adults and children, as well as a “Liter Holdin’” contest for strong adults. More information, including a full entertainment line-up, can be found at the Visitor’s Center or at florencecham- ber .com. “Gemutlichkeit!” Come Join the Friends! Volunteer – Event Planning – Fundraising 541•999•6078 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FACEBOOK.COM/PETERSENAUTODETAIL 715 Quince Street | www.eventcenter.org 541-997-1994 | 888-968-4086
