Welcome to WOOD RIVER'S

 PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SERIES

Made Possible by
The Donna Lee Moyer Performing Arts Gift


2011-2012 Celebrate wood River Events
WOOD RIVER RURAL HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
13800 W Wood River Road, Wood River, NE
All Performances are free and open to public

Click here to print off a brochure

Cost: All performances are offered FREE to the public. A freewill offering is accepted at the event to make future programs possible.
Contact: Georgene Smidt, smidt63@yahoo. com, or Vince Boudreau, mvboudreau@aol.com .
In case of inclement weather, please call Georgene Smidt at 308-583-2606 or Vince at 308-583-2961 for cancellation information. 

David Marsh
Monday, August 29, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Join us for this fun season kickoff event geared toward children and parents or grandparents! Using over a dozen instruments, David Marsh will perform positive, uplifting and humorous songs and stories. Mr. Marsh plays the accordion, banjo, bagpipes, autoharp, percussion, harmonica, and piano to name a few. He’ll weave in messages along the way including character, friendship, sportsmanship, acceptance, self-respect, and the joys and struggles of parenting. Musical selections will come from around the world. Don’t miss out!
 
“Ben Franklin Live!”
Thursday, September 15, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
We’re thrilled to bring Christopher Lowell, an internationally-known historian and Ben Franklin fi rst-person interpreter, to central Nebraska! Lowell fl eshes out Franklin’s life in an engaging, accessible way, giving audiences an intimate look at what made our most revered Founding Father tick. Chris’s energy and wealth of knowledge make Ben’s role in our history come alive in this wonderful program. Audiences hear refl ections and anecdotes from Ben’s remarkably diverse life that surprise and delight. Chris reveals many sides of Ben’s personality as he takes the audience through these important stages in Franklin’s life.
• his youth and apprenticeship in printing
• his business career as printer and writer
• his scientifi c interests and inventions
• his civic contributions
• his evolution from loyal Briton to ardent American Patriot
• his contributions to the writing of the Declaration of Independence
• his work in France as our nation’s fi rst ambassador
• his role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787
Unlike some other historical presenters, Chris always leads a lively interactive session with the audience after the monologue, answering questions in costume and character. Suitable for families and presented with the enthusiasm for life and learning that marked Ben’s extraordinary contributions, “Ben Franklin Live!” has brought audiences to their feet across America.
Nebraska Brass
Sunday, November 20, 2011, 2:00 p.m.
Get into the holiday spirit with music from The Nebraska Brass, one of the Midwest’s most popular brass quintets. Audiences young and old enjoy the group’s serious musicianship and light-hearted humor as they present a variety of music ranging from classical to popular, Dixieland, and jazz. Founded in 1987, the group includes fi ve accomplished musicians on the trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba. The Nebraska Brass will perform traditional holiday favorites and festive arrangements that are sure to warm the hearts of audiences on even the coldest Nebraska days

 
The Toasted Ponies
Saturday, January 28, 2012,
7:00 p.m.
Yahoo! The Toasted Ponies will present a fun mix of Bluegrass music, Cajun, Western Swing, Gospel and Celtic tunes to keep things interesting! Look for great harmony singing and hot instrumentals in this Ponies performance. These are seasoned professionals who love playing their music and it shows. Just try to see this Toasted Ponies show without tapping your toes—it can’t be done!
“Voices from Ellis Island”
Friday, April 20, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
 The Gateway to America, the front door to freedom, the Island of Tears. From 1890 to 1930, Ellis Island was the fi rst experience of life in America for millions of immigrants. Their stories are amusing, frightening, inspiring, and true. Persons young and old will want to come hear Pippa White portray the Ellis Island experience. Before returning to solo performing, White had an extensive career in theatre and television on the West Coast. She calls her productions “part theatre, party storytelling, part history”. Audiences call them unique, captivating and touching! Don’t miss out on this season-fi nale event.

Wood River All School Play
April 13 & 14, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
A perennial favorite! Come out and enjoy the production from the Wood River High School drama department. We’re certain you’ll enjoy the talents of our young adults…you may even catch a rising star! 

Weekend Friendship Gatherings
An informal gathering for friends old and new, young and old, to explore and reminisce.
We'll gather at Wood River Rural High School in the Theater lobby at 9:30 a.m. Come early for coffee and goodies prior to the presentation .
Saturday, September 17, 2011 • 9:30 am
Wood River resident, Don Snodgrass will present and discuss his collection of Indian artifacts. One-of-a-kind articles will be highlighted which will stir much interest and intrigue.

Saturday, October 15, 2011 • 9:30 am
Wood carvings has been a long-time hobby of fellow Wood River resident Buck Jackson. Join Buck as he presents his pieces and shares his creativity through this unique talent.

Sunday, December 11, 2011 • 2:00 pm
Christmas Cantata. Enjoy the local talent of the Wood River Community Choir as they present their annual Christmas Concert.



 		 Saturday, January 21, 2012 • 9:30 am
Join the Hy-Vee dietician in a lively discussion surrounding the Nu-Val™ system. The NuVal™ System is a food-scoring method that helps consumers see – at a glance – the nutritional value of the food they buy. The NuVal™ System scores food on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the NuVal™ Score, the higher the nutrition.

Saturday, March 17, 2012 • 9:30 am
Learn the tricks of the trade to beautiful fl oral design with Nina Skeen. She will share her special talents and provide excellent pointers for you to put to practical use.

Sunday, April 1, 2012 • 2:00 pm
Easter Cantata. Celebrate the joy of Easter with the Wood River Community Choir.
       The Celebrate Wood River Committee was formed in January 2006 and is made up of roughly twenty individuals from the community. We represent all ages and all walks of life. Our mission has been to make the dream of providing entertainment and enrichment activities to the Wood River area come to life. This season will bring all new performers to Wood River for your enjoyment! The "Weekend Friendship Gathering" series will also provide an opportunity to explore and reminisce with friends. We thank you for your support of both series in our current season...here’s to many more!
      All events are open to the public and are provided at no charge (other than all school play admission) thanks to the generous support of our three benefactors. A free will offering will be accepted to continue the entertainment series through the years ahead. We sincerely hope you’ll enjoy yourself and bring a friend or two.
      No tickets are needed for these performances; seating is first-come, first-served. With a 450 seat theater, there is generally plenty of room. Please help spread the word to friends and family — these entertainers love full theaters!
      Suggestions for future events and volunteers are warmly welcomed by contacting any committee member or Georgene Smidt 583-2606, Vince Boudreau 583-2961. Dare to dream a little with us, and let’s see what happens in the years to come!

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
                                - Abraham Lincoln

Celebrate Wood River logo courtesy of SCORR Marketing, Kearney NE
 
The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, supports this program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org  for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.