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Plant and Art Rock Sale To Benefit Branson Regional Arts Council

May 5th Plant and Art Rock Sale To Benefit The Branson Regional Arts Council.

NO ADMISSION FEE… COME ENJOY THE SIGHTS AND SMELLS OF SPRING!
 
Just in time for Mother’s Day (or any special occasion), participate in a FUNraiser for the Branson Regional Arts Council and select your choice of many beautiful and flowering pre-planted pots and succulents!
 
You’ll also find hand crafted birds, exotic animals, wildlife and Faith based art painted on native Arkansas Sandstone by ArtThatRocks4u.com.
 
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE BRANSON REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL
 
Directions: Take 76 Highway toward Kimberling City, then LEFT on Hwy 13. Turn LEFT on DD Highway and go 6.5 miles to the DD Community Center and turn RIGHT. Keep going straight until you see the PLANT SIGNS and park on the street. You will be shuttled to the sale and returned to your car! EASY!
 
COME EARLY AND SUPPORT THE BRANSON REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL.
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Win A Cruise Aboard A State Park Marina Pontoon Boat

The Branson Regional Arts Council is excited to announce the support of our friends at State Park Marina on beautiful Table Rock Lake.  Their Boathouse Boutique is providing the nautical themed hats and many costume pieces for our upcoming production of Anything Goes at the Historic Owen Theatre.

In addition, two lucky winners will each receive a FOUR HOUR CRUISE aboard a private PONTOON BOAT courtesy of State Park Marina.

All ticket holders for Anything Goes will receive one entry for each seat purchased into the contest, but additional “raffle tickets” may be purchased online to greatly increase your chances of winning.

$5 - BUY 2 RAFFLE TICKETS   $10 - BUY 5 RAFFLE TICKETS   $15 - BUY 10 RAFFLE TICKETS   $20 - BUY 15 RAFFLE TICKETS

BUY TICKETS FOR ANYTHING GOES

 

The winning tickets will be selected at random during the intermission of the Sunday, April 29th 2pm show, however, you do not have to be present to win.  If you are unable to attend the show, you may also just purchase a raffle ticket and still be in the running for the prize. There will also be a variety of smaller prizes drawn at the show as well.

 

All proceeds from this raffle benefit the community theatre program at the Historic Owen Theatre, and help make it possible for us to continue to grow and expand our arts activities.

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Invitation To Artist Reception at Branson Convention Center Gallery

The Branson Regional Arts Council invites the public to attend a FREE Community Event, this Friday (April 13th) from 7-9pm at the Branson Convention Center Art Gallery on the 2nd level concourse. 

Join in celebration of 12 area artists, featuring dozens of new works now on display at the gallery. Featured artists include: Kwaku Addai, Glenda Roberson, Jane Parker, Galina Nikiforova Foulconer, Raine Clotfelter, Jim Tindall, Mary Arneson, Dee Giles, Marty Goodnight, Alpha Morrow, Thia Schuler, and Meadows Images.

The Branson Convention Center Gallery is about to begin it’s 3rd season and has been visited by approximately 100,000 people annually, according to General Manager Marc Mulherin. Several of the current featured artists will be attending the reception to discuss their work, and members of the Branson Regional Arts Council Board will be there to answer any questions. Refreshments will be available as well.

Bring yourself, or a group of friends and enjoy this FREE community event.

 

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Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon Reunion Concert Announced

After many years, The Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon are excited to announce a reunion concert in Branson, Missouri for TWO SHOWS ONLY!

  • Saturday, November 24th at 8pm, and Sunday, November 25th at 2pm.
  • $25 (plus transaction fee) Reserved Admission for all seats at BransonArts.org/lennon.  (No discounts available)

LENNON REUNION CONCERT TICKETS

Enjoy authentic swing harmony, inside of Branson’s oldest and most historic entertainment venue!

This concert will not only be fun for Lennon fans of all ages, it will also be of benefit to the Branson Regional Arts Council and their new visual and performing arts programming being developed at the Historic Owen Theatre.

If you love the vocal swing harmony that was America’s favorite music in the 30’s and 40’s…you need look no further than The Lennon Brothers and Gail Lennon.

The Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon

The Lennons capture the sound of legendary performers such as The Modernaires, The Pied Pipers, The Delta Rhythm Boys and The Four Vagabonds. They sing the works of some of the greatest American composers… Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin and more.

Brothers Dan, Bill, and Joe grew up in Los Angeles as members of a celebrated musical heritage. Their father, Bill, was the lead singer in the original Lennon Brothers, who performed in the 1940’s and 50’s. It was their sisters, however, who sang their way into America’s hearts as young performers on The Lawrence Welk Show. The Lennon Sisters’ “girl next door” beauty and charm endeared them to millions, but it was their harmonies that led them to be inducted into The Vocal Group Hall-of-Fame in 2002.

The boys have been singing from the time they were born. And as the times were a’ changing so was the music. They sang The Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash, Jefferson Airplane…but also the music of an earlier time: Al Jolson, The Mills Brothers, and the original Lennon Brothers.

Bill, Dan, Joe and Gail Lennon

In 1983, Bill met his wife-to-be Gail. Gail was among the top studio singers in L.A. at that time. They discovered a mutual love for the music of the Swing Era and, with brother Dan, put together a vocal group called The Fatells. This was the fore runner of The Lennon Brothers of today.

In 1994, thirty members of the Lennon family moved to Branson, Missouri to perform at the new Welk Resort. The brothers and Gail opened the resort with a morning show that The Chicago Tribune hailed as “The BEST show in Branson!” The show featured not only a hot live band and tight swing harmonies, but also the brothers’ “…Monty Python meets Vaudeville” style of comedy.

Gail was voted “Female Vocalist of the Year” in 1994 at the Branson Entertainment Awards. Over the next several years, the group won awards so often they were given a spot in the Branson’s “Hall of Fame”.

The critics agreed:

St. Louis Dispatch “..one of Branson’s most respected shows.”
Tulsa World “…subversively hip!”
Springfield News Leader “Smoothly entertaining…Branson’s best!”
Chicago Tribune “The BEST show in Branson!”

And so did their fellow performers:

Andy Williams “…the best four-part vocals I’ve heard in years!”
Pete Fountain “They’re the best…unbelievable talent…the show was over way too soon!”
Les Brown Jr. – Band of Renown “Gail is a wonderful singer!”
Sunny Spencer – Sons of the Pioneers “They’re my favorite singing group in the whole world!”

The Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon have released 3 CD’s: “Swing Away!”, “Swing Sandwich”, and “The 9:30 Special”. In The Groove magazine praises the recordings “…outstanding quality” and called the groups performances “…amazing!”

Since last headlining in Branson, the group has traveled for special events. They’ve been the headline performers at the “Indian Wells Jazz Festival”, have performed on the S.S. Rotterdam and have played venues throughout the Midwest and West Coast.

The Lennon Brothers & Gail Lennon Reunion Concert will be an exciting event for area locals and Branson vacationers alike.  Early purchase of tickets is highly recommended as both performances are expected to completely sell out. Visit BransonArts.org/lennon.

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Auditions For Anything Goes This Week At Historic Owen Theatre

  • dateMarch 13, 2018
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
  • commentNo Comments
  • view1947 Views

The Branson Regional Arts Council announced last week, that auditions for the 2nd major musical of the year will take place this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (March 14-16, 2018) evening from 6pm until 9pm at the Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial Street, Branson, MO 65616.

Anything Goes is set aboard the ocean liner S. S. American, where nightclub singer/evangelist Reno Sweeney is en route from New York to England. Her pal Billy Crocker has stowed away to be near his love, Hope Harcourt, but the problem is Hope is engaged to the wealthy Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Joining this love triangle on board the luxury liner are Public Enemy #13, Moonface Martin and his sidekick-in-crime Erma. With the help of some elaborate disguises, tap-dancing sailors and good old-fashioned blackmail, Reno and Martin join forces to help Billy in his quest to win Hope’s heart. – Broadway.com

Following the completely sold out run of Annie the Musical, the bar has been set a bit higher for this production, but Show Producers Kim Hale and Lisa Murphy are up to the challenge, as well as Director Lloyd Alexander-Holt and Choreographer Kristen Dasto.

Casting auditions are open to actors, singers, and dancers ages 15+, sorry, there are no child roles in this production.

WHAT TO BRING
Each performer needs to prepare a one minute, uptempo and ballad vocal selection. They should also please bring sheet music in the appropriate key, or provide CD accompaniment tracks. No acapella singing will be allowed. All actors should be prepared to stay for the dance call toward the later portion of the audition schedule.

Dancers, please come prepared to do a jazz and a tap combination. Appropriate dance footware, ie Jazz and Tap shoes, is suggested. Ladies if you have character tap shoes, please wear them. NO BARE FEET.

Rehearsals will be each Sunday-Thursday from 6-9pm at the Historic Owen Theatre. Saturday rehearsals will be held from 12pm-6pm on April 7 and April 14, Tech Week begins April 21-25. Performances are April 26, 27, 28 at 7pm, and April 28 and 29 at 2pm.

Performers who are unable to attend these auditions are invited to send a video audition link to info@bransonarts.org no later than 9pm Central this Friday, March 16th.

Public performances of Anything Goes will be April 26-29th at the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson. Reserved tickets are expected to go on-sale on this website before Monday, March 19th.

Here are a few clips from the actual Broadway show for inspiration:

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Community Theatre Production of Annie Completely Sells Out

If the standing ovations and rave reviews weren’t enough, the fact that all five productions of Annie the Musical SOLD OUT before the second show, says that there is a real need for high quality community theatre in the Branson Tri-Lakes area!

“This first production of our first season in the Historic Owen Theatre shattered all of our expectations! We knew we had a stellar cast, incredible directors and an amazing production team… but we didn’t expect the unbelievable show of support from our community.  We are humbled and inspired to continue to develop performing and visuals arts programming for all residents in our area. ” – Jim Barber, BRAC Executive Director

The final performance was bittersweet for the entire cast, and tears were flowing on the faces of many as the final curtain closed. They won’t stay closed for long, however, as auditions for the next big musical production, Anything Goes, begin tomorrow… “tomorrow, you’re only a day away!”

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The Musical Annie Brings Broadway Theatre Back To Branson

The Branson Regional Arts Council production of Annie is bringing Broadway style musicals back to the Branson Tri-Lakes area!

Lloyd Alexander-Holt, Zoe Allie & Bandit

Annie, the musical, is the premiere production for the Arts Council’s first season in the Historic Owen Theatre in downtown Branson. Performances are March 8-11. 7pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 2pm, Saturday and Sunday.

  • Show: Annie
  • Place: Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO 65616
  • Date/Time: March 8-11, 7pm (Thu-Fri-Sat) and 2pm (Sat-Sun)
  • Reserved seats are required and be purchased online at BransonArts.org/tix.
The Arts Council assumed operations of the Historic Owen Theatre on January 1st and, just three weeks later, officially merged with Tri-Lakes Community Theatre in an effort to preserve the 35 year history of the organization and to provide Branson’s only year-round venue devoted to community theatre, arts and education.
The Arts Council’s Theatre Advisory Committee oversees the selection of all plays and musicals throughout the performance season. Committee members include: Justin Ables, Kristen Ables, Tina Cool Anderson, Jean Cantwell, Kimberly Hale, Jim Barber, Lisa Murphy, Roz Slavik, Greg Slavik, Patty Slicer, Sue Head, Hayden Head, Darlene Graham, Michelle Inskeep, Delyla Uebel, and Rick Uebel.

Ozarks Live! hosts, Jeremy Rabe and Kelly Smith, interviewed BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber on their daily talk show on KOLR-10 in Springfield, Missouri.They discussed how Annie the musical was selected, as well as what is in store for the Historic Owen Theatre this season.

Leading cast members of Annie include: Zoe Allie
 (Annie), Bekah Williams
 (Secondary Annie), Kelsey Bradley
 (Miss Hanigan), Lloyd Ray Alexander-Holt
 (Oliver Warbucks), and Sarah Sutherland (Grace Farrell), and Bandit (Sandy).
The Orphans are played by: Sophie Douglas, Laurie Payne, Abby Sundahl, Brynleigh Hill, Jordan Kendrick, Sami Sutlcliffe, Bekah Williams, Aleah Oltjenbrun
, Alexis Fischer
 and Emrie Straka.
Featured actors include: Kyle Bradley, Michael Horn, Sean Myers, Jordan Alexander-Holt, Jim Barber, Alex Harris, Noah Beyer, Kristen Dasto, Sarah Williams, Melissa Rivera, Dani Groff, Brenna Kellem, Haley Bertrand, Jonah Conque and Bradie Conque.
The production team includes; Producers: Kim Hale and Lisa Murphy, Assistant Producer: Roz Slavik, Co-Director & Set Design: Jacob Estes, Co-Director & Vocal Director: Lloyd Alexander-Holt, Marketing: Jim Barber and Hayden Head, Choreographer: Jordan Alexander-Holt, Dance Captain: Kristen Dasto, Piano Accompanists: Dee Uebel and Ruth Abbott, Audio Technicians: Rick Uebel and Steve Stewart, Lighting Technicians: Pamela Meadows and Brian Hissink, Stage Manager: Lori Best, Set Muralist: Larry Waggoner, Set Construction: Louis Allem, Mike Groff, Dave Yeager, Lori Best, Jacob Estes, Nick Batey, Kristen Dasto, Art Hale, KJ Soyland, Michelle Inskeep, and Lex Pearson.

Ozarks Live! host, Jeremy Rabe interviewed the stars of the show, Zoe Allie (Annie), Lloyd Alexander-Holt (Oliver Warbucks) and Bandit from Camp Little Paws (Sandy).  Warbucks and Annie then shared an uplifting song accompanied by Dee Uebel on keyboard.

Annie at the Historic Owen Theatre is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
The Branson Regional Arts Council receives some financial assistance from the Missouri Arts Council, as well as individual and business membership support. Anyone interested in sponsorship are asked to visit BransonArts.org/membership.
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Valentines Cabaret Show This Friday Evening

Love is complicated… Love is forgiving… Love is for fools… or is it?

Forte Theatrical Productions returns to the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson, Missouri for ONE SHOW ONLY this Friday evening, 8pm, with a series of musical duets and solos that will make you fall in love… with LOVE!

The large talented cast of Love Is… includes Melissa Rivera – Emcee, Tom Hallett, Tiffany and Conrad Bear, Michael Parrott, Karrah Fleshman, Tobias Nordlund, Michael Sager, Tina Cool Anderson, DeAnna Bruce, Dan Culleny, Josh and Charis Boulden, Ashlee Heyward, Justin and Kristen Ables, Mary Huff, Jenny Day, Olivia Farrell, accompaniment by Danielle Hardin, Jessica Brown, Perry Harper and Kevin Day.

This is a perfect show for couples, singles, or even entire families. As a performing troupe, Forte was featured in last summer’s Branson Regional Arts Council production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as the featured entertainment at the Arts Council’s recent New Years Eve Gala in celebration of their move into the Historic Owen Theatre.

Advance tickets are on sale now at BransonArts.org.  General Admission is $10 per person, and active Art Council Members are only $8.00. 

I WANT LOVE IS... TICKETS NOW!

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Tri-Lakes Community Theatre Merges With Branson Regional Arts Council

In an official announcement, the Branson Regional Arts Council announces that they have merged Tri-Lakes Community Theatre into their organization.

State of Missouri Secretary of State, John Ashcroft, signed the merger as official on January 23, 2018 after several months of discussion and preparation between both non-profit organizations, as well as unanimous votes of support from their active members.

“When the Branson Regional Arts Council entered into our agreement last Fall to assume operations of the Historic Owen Theatre, we knew this would create an opportunity to provide a permanent home venue for community theatre in the Branson Tri-Lakes Area,” stated BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber. ” TLC (Tri-Lakes Community Theatre) has struggled in recent years to find available performance space, and therefore, financial support to sustain it’s operations into the future. We felt that this merger, with the goal of preserving the amazing 34 year history of TLC productions, would be very beneficial to our community, and provide TLC with additional management and marketing support.  I want to thank Jean Cantwell, Harry Styron, Phoebe Fox-Head, Sean Neil Myers, Della Mason Stacy, and the Branson Regional Arts Council board, for their cooperation and vision during this merger process.” added Barber.

There were some interesting connections between the two organizations that made this merger a natural progression.  Both groups were founded by long-time Branson resident Jean Cantwell and other area arts enthusiasts.  The Branson Regional Arts Council was founded 53 years ago in 1965 as the Taney Arts Council, and Tri-Lakes Community Theatre is now celebrating it’s 35th year having been formed in 1983.  Jean was extremely excited to learn that both organizations she help give life to, would now continue forward as one, combining her love of the visual arts and live community theatre.

The Arts Council plans to document and preserve every past TLC production on it’s website, thereby preserving the historic roots of community theatre in our area.

Excitement is high for this opportunity to improve the quality of community theatre in the Branson area.  Audition turnout for the first 2018 season production of Annie, was much higher than expected, with an enthusiastic and extremely talented team of actors, directors, musicians, set designers, electricians and painters, who understand and want to participate in building a thriving theatre arts community in Historic downtown Branson.

Area businesses or individuals interested in underwriting portions of this and other theatre productions are asked to contact the Arts Council at info@bransonarts.org.

Public performances of Annie run March 8-11th at the Historic Owen Theatre.  Tickets are on sale now, and expected to sell out for each performance. Visit BransonArts.org/tix to reserve seats before they are all gone.

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Master Storyteller Featured This Saturday in Branson

Paul Haygood brings his imaginative Storytelling Workshop and Performance to the Historic Owen Theatre this Saturday, February 10, 2018. (UPDATE: This event is postponed due to bad weather, rescheduled date TBA)

BRAC Executive Director Jim Barber welcomes Paul Haygood

Storytelling is one of the earliest artforms, stimulating the creative imagination and building a sense of community between the teller and listeners. It fosters an appreciation for one’s own culture and history, while at the same time, allowing us to learn about other peoples and places.

“Paul Haygood is a master storyteller. His stories are well-researched and engaging.” – Joshua Heston, StateOfTheOzarks

Each of us has a story in the making, and the 2pm afternoon workshop will help your own stories come to life. Participants will have fun learning story preparation, picture thinking, and the difference between acting and storytelling. Finding the raw material of a story, listening as a skill, dramatic facial expression and body language will also be included. 

The 7pm evening concert performance will include a variety of engaging stories, skillfully presented by Mr. Haygood. These may include: “The Water of Life,” from Grimm’s Fairy Tales; “Iduna and the Golden Apples,” from the Norse tradition (Thor, Loki, etc); and “The Boatman and the Bear,” improbable adventures with a paddle-wheeler, a bear and a catfish, on a flatboat between St. Louis and New Orleans.

Paul Haygood was born and raised in the nature and story-rich Islands of Hawaii, and has shared his stories around the world, from New Zealand to New York. He is related to the famous Haygood family of entertainers, so you know that he is a creative performer at heart.

We are thrilled to present his inventive and entertaining storytelling right here at the Historic Owen Theatre in Branson.

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Branson Area Students Experience Symphonic Music

On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, nearly 800 young students from several Branson area schools attended a live music concert with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra as part of an annual Young People’s Concert program that the Branson Regional Arts Council has coordinated on behalf of our area youth.

The concert is provided free of charge to our area schools and is specifically designed to be an in-depth learning experience.  This year’s concert featured guest soloist Richard Todd Payne who combined his commanding and dramatic Baritone voice with the symphony to present a series of Black American masterpieces, including a moving rendition of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.  A native of Memphis Tennessee, and Assistant Professor of Voice at Missouri State University, Mr. Payne’s voice has been described as “Magnificent”,  “Impassioned”, and “Stentorian”.  He is sought after nationally for his commanding presence and ringing tones in both Opera and Oratorio.  

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Branson schools appreciate all you have done. – Sarah Ver Steegt Kirk

Each year, the Young People’s Concerts have educated approximately 4,000 fourth grade children from the Springfield and Branson area school districts, and students from private, parochial and home schools, to listen to live symphonic music and gain valuable exposure to the elements of musical styles and eras.

My students have been learning about the 1960’s and the Civil Rights Movement.  We had listened to Dr. King’s speech a few weeks ago. The LOVED to hear it set to music and to hear some of the stories behind the pieces chosen. Thank you so much Branson Regional Arts Council for this opportunity for our students!!! – Kellsey Howerton Bradley

On the day of the performance, the children arrived at the Hughes Brothers Theatre on the the famous Branson Strip by school busses, seated together by classes with their teachers, and treated to an enriching cultural experience. The music was interspersed with entertaining facts about each composition. Musical instrumentation was explained, as were the differences in musical styles.

Following each performance, the teachers follow up with each class attending in discussing important elements of the musical experience so as to integrate the concert experience into the students’ curriculum.

Major sponsors of this year’s concert were the Branson Regional Arts Council, the Titanic Museum Attraction, the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors, the Missouri Arts Council, and a handful of individual donors including Mary Kellogg, Jim Barber, Pam Davis, Craig Burnett, Leah Horn, Patty Tweedle, and Jeff Turner. This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without their generous assistance.

 

THE FOLLOWING MAJOR SPONSORS OF THIS EVENT APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.  PLEASE THANK THEM FOR THEIR FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN OUR AREA YOUTH!


   

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Arts Council Volunteer Rally This Saturday

Join us at the Historic Owen Theatre for an informational “Volunteer Rally” and find out how you can be an active participant in the Branson Regional Arts Council. We are developing a full slate of amazing events this year, and are looking for enthusiastic folks who love their community, and LOVE TO HAVE FUN!

When: Sat, January 20, 2018 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial Street, Branson, MO 65616

USHER? ACTOR? PAINTER? STAGE HAND? DIRECTOR? ARTIST? PROMOTER? GRANT WRITER?… something for everyone!

PLEASE RSVP to attend this FREE EVENT

FREE EVENT – PLEASE CLICK THE TICKETS BUTTON ABOVE TO RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND!

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