Music in Van Wert

By: Paul Hoverman 

There is absolutely no denying summer has arrived (finally) a little early.  This past week has been gorgeous weather and I would imagine has everyone looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  I also imagine many of you are looking forward to all the fun Fridays in Fountain Park this summer.

The Van Wert County Foundation has once again designated funds for the Fountain Park Summer Music Series and we are looking forward to bringing enjoyable family concerts for everyone to enjoy on Friday nights beginning at7:00 p.m.  The Van Wert Area Concert Band gets things started early this year in the park by presenting a concert of band music this Friday, May 24.  I understand there will not be food served, so eat ahead or bring your picnic to the park to enjoy this 7:00 p.m. concert.

 The VWCF Fountain Park Summer Music Series kicks off Friday, June 7 with the always fun, fun, fun Phil Dirt & the Dozers.  This is also the Peony and ArtRageous on Main Festival weekend.  The good times start early Friday with art and craft shows, food vendors and a car show as the day goes on.  And this all leads up to the Phil Dirt & the Dozers concert in the Fountain Park amphitheater.  It has been nearly five years since we last had the Dozers in Fountain Park.  They bring a lot of fun with them when they come to the park and this year will be no exception.  They have been waiting to return and have a great show planned for Van Wert.  They love coming to Van Wert.  You will know every song and the beach balls will be flying through the crowd as we rock away to those great oldies everyone loves.

 After a week off for the All-Star football game in Eggerss Stadium, just across the Van Wert River, we return in the park with a group which is creating quite a buzz: Bostyx.  This band features the music from two of the greatest rock bands of the 70’s and 80’s, Boston and STYX.  As a matter of fact, Bostyx features David Victor, current guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the current band, Boston, who just finished a 40 date tour of North America.  He will now lead this talented band with all the hits from these two popular bands.  Don’t miss them in Fountain Park on Friday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m.

 The following week, we bring some of the best swing and dance music of the big band era performed by the very talented Toledo Jazz Orchestra.  An antique car show will put you “In the Mood” (excuse the pun!) as you sit back and relax, or get up and dance to some of the most memorable big band music of our time.

 The complete schedule of summer concerts is listed below.  Let the good times roll in Fountain Park.  It won’t be long!

June 12 is a big day at the Niswonger and for the entire region.  A press conference will be held at noon in the First Federal Lecture Hall announcing the upcoming NPAC season.  I am thrilled with how the upcoming season came into place and I think you will be excited to hear who will be coming to town next season at the Niswonger.  If you would like to join the media and our many regional and local sponsors and underwriters for this announcement, just call the box office to RSVP your spot in the Lecture Hall.  It’s a free event, but limited to the first 175 who respond.  We will serve lunch to everyone and then have the exciting details of what I think will be the biggest and best season ever at the NPAC!  You can be among the first to find out how you can get tickets to the hottest shows and concerts at the Niswonger.

Now- here’s the summer FOUNTAIN PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES line-up:

May 24            VW Area Concert Band

June 7              Phil Dirt & the Dozers

June 21            Bostyx

June 28            Toledo Jazz Orchestra

July 5               Lima Pops Orchestra Celebrates America!

July 12             VW Area Concert Band

July 19             Minute by Minute (Doobie Brothers Tribute Band)

July 26             Ted Vigil with Steve Weisburg (John Denver Tribute Band)

August 9          The Ides of March

August 16        VW Area Concert Band

Music in Van Wert

By: Paul Hoverman 

Are you looking for a classy, laid back, musical concert to enjoy?  Do life’s activities prevent you from enjoying the really good things of life?  If so, I believe Community Concerts at the Niswonger is the answer. 

The perfect example is this Sunday when pianist, Thomas Pandolfi takes the stage at 3:00 p.m.  This Julliard trained pianist brings a program of Chopin and Gershwin to the Niswonger.  Hailed as one of the most promising up and coming piano virtuosos, he has toured all over America and recently completed his second tour of China.  Although equally adept at many styles of piano music, he is especially known as one of the leading interpreters of Gershwin’s music.  The entire second half will be devoted to this, including his interpretation of “Rhapsody in Blue.”

This concert not only concludes this season’s Community Concert Series, but also will be used to announce next season’s exciting line-up.  If you have attended any of this season’s CC performances, you should be receiving the brand new brochure announcing the concerts for 2013-14.  This allows you to come this Sunday prepared to renew for next season.  There are certain deadlines which are listed in the brochure and we will be there to answer any questions you may have.

As a special recognition to those who have been Patrons, Sponsors. Directors or NPAC Members, we are hosting a pre-concert reception with all kinds of surprises, including desserts by Kristi Bidlack, a PERKS coffee bar, and special gifts.  Mr. Pandolfi is even planning on making an appearance before his concert to greet and thank everyone for their extra support to our series and his performance.  I will talk about the new season during this reception as well.  We especially want to thank our sponsor for this reception, our friends at the Vancrest Health Care Center. 

The aspect of our Community Concerts that I have always appreciated is that, although the average person may not be familiar with the performer, they oftentimes are the most talented people we put on stage.  Now, this new season will bring someone nearly everyone knows as our headliner, while the other concerts offer exciting options I know you will enjoy. You will see once you receive the brochure.  Next week, I can explain for everyone else and hope you may want to purchase the series and become a member too.

May 11 concludes our Niswonger season with a spectacular production.  The Music of Queen: A Rock & Symphonic Spectacular, features stars from London’s hit musical “We Will Rock You!”  They join forces with the Lima Symphony Orchestra to present one huge finale to our season.  Many people don’t think of orchestras with Rock music, however, if you really listen to what I call, sophisticated Rock, you hear strings, woodwinds and brass which really make the music come to life.  This is what we will re-create on the Niswonger stage on May 11.  Get you tickets now!

Brochures are now available for the Fountain Park Summer Music Series.  You can also see us on Facebook and at www.vanwertcountyfoundation.org, www.npacvw.org, as well as Van Wert Parks & Recreation. Look forward to a fun summer of music in the park.

In the meantime, I hope to see you this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for Thomas Pandolfi’s concert and pre-concert reception which will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Upper Lobby of the Niswonger.

Music In Van Wert

BY Paul Hoverman

Let me assure you that a big phat band is not one that needs a little more time on the treadmill!  In this case, this Big Phat Band belongs to Gordon Goodwin and you can experience their music at the Niswonger on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. 

Gordon Goodwin is the band leader, pianist, sax player, and writer of some of the most incredible music written of this time.  Some of the comments that have been made about him are: 

“Listening to Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, I was immediately taken by Gordon’s contemporary musical viewpoint, the dynamics of his “Big Phat Band,” its bevy of superb soloists, and the exhilaration of its sound.” —Quincy Jones 

He is a man of exquisite musical taste. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.” —Johnny Mathis

“Whenever I hear your music, I get the sudden urge to retire!” —Sammy Nestico

These comments come from some of the most respected musicians of our time!  Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is a big band, much of the style of Doc Severinsen’s big band that performed for years on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show or the late Buddy Rich Big Band.  Gordon’s band is today’s contemporary big band, filled with an all-star cast of musicians in every section: saxes, trombones, trumpets, and rhythm.

As a keyboardist and woodwind player, Goodwin has built a larger-than-life reputation throughout the music industry for his composing, arranging and playing skills. Ray Charles, Christina Aguilera, Johnny Mathis, Toni Braxton, John Williams, Natalie Cole, David Foster, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Brian McKnight and Quincy Jones are just a few of the artists with whom he has worked. Goodwin has also conducted world-renowned symphony orchestras in Atlanta, Dallas, Utah, Seattle, Toronto and London.

Goodwin’s cinematic scoring and orchestration craft can be heard on such films as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Escape to Witch Mountain, Get Smart, Glory Road, National Treasure, The Incredibles, Remember The Titans, Armageddon, The Majestic, Con Air, Gone In 60 Seconds, Enemy of the State, Star Trek Nemesis and even the classic cult film Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes. Goodwin’s soundtrack to Looney Tunes’ Bah HumDuck! – a wacky Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck riff on the classic A Christmas Carol – also features the Big Phat Band’s patented sound.

We not only want to present this “very hot” band in performance, but we also want to make available a special lecture/clinic where Gordon will talk about how he composes music for all these mega-hit film scores.  It will run from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Call our box office (419-238-NPAC 6722) or check out our website (www.npacvw.org) for details on how you can be included in this special offer prior to the 7:30 p.m. concert that night.

Okay- now you know what a Big Phat Band really is.  If you are looking for a definition of phat, I think the dictionary will tell you it’s both “cool” and “hot”! How can that be?  Come and find out for yourself.

JOEL SARTORE WILD{about}LIFE Photo Contest

He's been around the world with his camera and he will be at the Niswonger to tell the stories behind the pictures on Sunday, April 21 at 3:00 PM. A WILD about LIFE Photo Contest is announced and offered for all age groups with the winning entries receiving a FREE admission to the Joel Sartore event on April 21. Here's how to take part:

1. CAPTURE A SHOT Using a camera or digital phone, capture an image of nature or animals. The picture submitted can be a past or present work.

2. SUBMIT Images can be submitted in various ways to accommodate all entries. Images will be received beginning Thursday, April 11 and ending Friday, April 17. The entry must be submitted with a name and contact information. The image will be displayed with the photographers name unless indicated otherwise. No-Photo-Left-Behind Submission Options: Option 1: Traditional Method - By mail or personal delivery to NISWONGER Performing Arts Center, c/o Joel Sartore Challenge, 10700 SR 118 S, Van Wert, OH 45891, Box Office hours for submission: Noon - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday.

Option 2: Email Option - Submissions can be emailed to marketing @npacvw.org.

Option 3: Social Media- Using Facebook, posts can be linked to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in the post description. To do this one must first LIKE the Niswonger Facebook page. Images can also be messaged through Facebook. Using Twitter, tweets should be tagged with @NISWONGERpac or tagged with #NPACVW. Using Instagram, posts must be tagged #NPACVW. Be certain to share contact information for notification of winning.

3. WIN! Winners will be chosen daily beginning April 15-19. Winners will be chosen subjectively based upon image creativity. The daily winner will receive a FREE ticket to experience Joel Sartore on Sunday, April 21 at 3:00. The winning images will be displayed in the Grand Lobby display case on the day of the Joel Sartore event. All entries will be displayed via slideshow on the Grand Lobby Monitors.Winning recipients tickets will be held in will call. The winning image will be posted to the Niswonger social media pages daily. All entries will be collected and displayed in an album on the NISWONGER Facebook page.

Ready... Set... GO! Be part of the fun. Capture nature's beauty. Before taking shots, be inspired by the amazing works of Joel Sartore www.joelsartore.com.

Be Amazed! Tickets available for the Joel Sartore, April 21 event through the Box Office 419-238-6722 or online www.npacvw.org.