Get in the swing of things

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

By Robyn Vincent

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-If you have an open mind and a willingness to try new things, swinging might be for you. But don’t start peeling your clothes off just yet; this type of swinging doesn’t involve promiscuity or excessive nudity.

On Friday, June 27, the Jackson Hole Jazz Foundation will host “Friday Night Music and Dance”- a monthly shindig for hip cats, jazz enthusiasts, movers, shakers and those looking for some eastern swing in the midst of a western land.
The Jazz Foundation’s Big Band will serve up the beats while Jackson Hole’s Dancers’ Workshop kicks out swing-savvy instruction.

After mastering the mechanics of bebop grooving, expect a sultry smidgen of Salsa, when the Big Band will turn Latin, and the Dancer’s Workshop will provide Salsa lessons.
An event like this threads together a diverse congregation of community members, who can immerse themselves in the experience, explained Jazz Foundation conductor and lead tenor, Jason Fritts.

“People really dress up for these nights. You’ll see whole groups of people dressed up in period costumes. It’s great for the musicians to see this, too.
“We see older people, who lived during that time, to 20-somethings with piercings and tattoos. It’s a real cross dissection of people who share the commonality of wanting to dance swing,” he said.

The Jazz Foundation is always on the hunt for new additions to their community-based ensemble. They encourage musicians to wipe the dust off old instruments they played in high school, college or at home, and rediscover their auditory ambition through participation with the foundation.

“My goal is to provide an outlet for musicians in Jackson, who aren’t pros but play as a hobby. I try to provide an outlet for people who want to continue playing their instruments.

“There are community organizations like this all over the country. It’s a social thing for some and a chance for others to play their instruments. We just try and keep jazz and music alive in Jackson,” Fritts said.

Friday Night Music and Dance kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27, at the Center for the Arts in DW Studio One. Admission is $5 at the door.
To learn more about joining the Jackson Hole Jazz Foundation call 699-0102.

Charlie Williams breaks the silence at Teton County Library
From the moment he parts his lips, Charlie Williams - “The Noiseguy,” will incite grins and giggles with his vocal briefcase of amusing anecdotes. The zany voice impersonator is performing two shows, one for children and one for teens at Teton County Library on Friday, June 27. An event geared towards youth but with the promise to charm adults, Williams can emulate over 100 different sounds from crying infants, to automobiles, to flushing toilets and chainsaws.

Williams is a children’s’ author, illustrator and comedian. He has spent much of his time around kids and connects with children through the force of funny.
“I have seen him perform at least a dozen times, and he is absolutely a riot. He relates well to kids, having been a children’s librarian in Rawlins and Casper as well as the Seattle area,” said Debbie Schlinger, youth services education and program coordinator for Teton County Library.

After meeting The Noiseguy at a Wyoming State Convention, Schlinger’s own levels of laughter prompted her to book Williams in Teton County. “He kept all the librarians in stitches. … He has done three programs at our library over the past years and is always one of our most requested and enjoyed presenters,” Schlinger said.

Williams puts a silly spin on storytelling, engaging and impressing his audience while illustrating the importance of finding humor in everyday life.

Charlie Williams, “The Noiseguy” will perform “Bug Mania” for children at 10:30 a.m., and “Making Noise in the Library with Charlie Williams” for teens at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27, at the Teton County Library.

Photo Courtesy www.jfjh.org
Jackson Hole Jazz Foundation’s Big Band supply swinging tunes and buzzin’ grooves.

PERMALINK:
Get in the swing of things | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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