Announcements for arts & entertainment

Riverwalk Center summer season begins

The Riverwalk Center once again proudly hosts the National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) and the Breckenridge Music Festival (BMF) Orchestra, as well as a series of children’s programs, the BMF’s popular Blue River Series, a musical production from the Backstage Theatre and a variety of visiting artists for the 2009 summer season.

The Riverwalk Center Box Office opens at 10 a.m. Saturday, offering individual tickets, four-packs and season or flex passes. Please note one important change for this summer: with the exception of Saturday, box office hours for the summer are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. On days of performances, the box office will remain open until one half hour after the beginning of the performance. As in years past, the box office is closed on Mondays.

This summer, the BMF’s Blue River Series includes appearances by Pat Green, Leo Kottke, George Winston and Asleep at the Wheel. Other visiting artists include Pete Martinez, Jim Salestrom, John Adams, Peter Kater and Dominic Miller (guitarist for Sting), and Who’s Bad — the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band.

Imagination Express is the new name for children’s programming (formerly Kidz Calliope). Every Tuesday from June 23 through Aug. 11 brings a new offering of music, science or theater to delight kids of all ages. Programs alternate each week between afternoon (2 p.m.) and evening (6:30 p.m.) performances.

The Backstage Theatre will round out the season with a Labor Day weekend production of the musical “Little Me.”

Indoor reserved seating tickets to the NRO’s annual July 4th evening concert will be distributed on July 2 beginning at noon. These tickets are free and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of four tickets per person.

A full schedule of events is available on the town website at www.townofbreckenridge.com.

Backstage holds auditions for Labor Day show

The Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge seeks actors, singers and dancers for its Labor Day production of “Little Me,” showing at the Riverwalk Center Amphitheater in Breckenridge.

Auditions will be conducted on Sunday, May 24, from 1-4 p.m. and Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Breckenridge Theatre, 121 S. Ridge St., Breckenridge.

“Little Me” has been hailed by some as “the best musical you’ve never heard of.”

Based on a fantasy memoir by Patrick Dennis (who wrote “Auntie Mame”), the show boasts a book by Neil Simon (one of his best), songs by Cy Coleman (“Sweet Charity”) and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh (Peter Pan). Noted celebrity Belle Poitrine takes us through her storied life — from humble beginnings growing up in Drifter’s Row, Ind., to her crime-of-the-century trial for the accidental murder of the world’s oldest skin-flint, to her brush with fate aboard the S.S. Gigantic, to her starry film career where she played many great roles, most notably Joan of Arc in Flaming Youth.

A smart and hysterically funny riff on pop culture and the fleeting power of fame, the show was recently back on Broadway in a Tony-winning revival starring Faith Prince and Martin Short. Songs include “The Other Side of the Tracks” and “Real Live Girl.” The Backstage Theatre production is co-directed by Dustin Murphy and Christopher Willard. Murphy is choreographing. Musical direction is by Melanie Ball. Donna Debreceni is orchestra director.

“Little Me” begins rehearsals in July and will perform Sept. 4, 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. The Backstage is casting men and women, ages 16 to 60+ to play various role in the production. It’s especially seeking men who can sing and dance. Those auditioning should prepare a 1-minute comic monologue and 16 bars maximum of an uptempo musical comedy song to sing a capella or with CD accompaniment (CD player provided).

Dress comfortably and be prepared to learn a small dance combination. There are non-dancing positions available, too. Contact the Backstage Theatre at (970) 453-0199 to arrange an audition.

South Park gallery tour

The galleries in South Park will host three grand openings this Memorial Weekend, joining its four other existing art galleries.

Coyote Creek Studio Arts will offer complimentary wine and cheese to celebrate the opening of its Colorado artist co-op at 419 Front St., Fairplay. Coyote Creek is a non-profit organization that also offers classes and workshops in various mediums. For more information, visit www.coyotecreekarts.com.

South Park Arts will open its lower level gallery with Chow Down at 503 Hwy 285 in Fairplay. For more information, call (719) 836-4909.

The third grand opening will be in Alma at the House of Stiles, also Alma Realty, owned by Corrie Stiles. House of Stiles specializes in gem and minerals and local artwork and is located at 8 Main St., Alma.

Other art galleries in South Park include the Mountain Man Gallery in Como, the Cream N’ Steam at 7th and Main St. in Fairplay, the Rocking B Trading Post at 9th and Main in Fairplay, Bayou Salado Trading Post on Hwy 24 in Hartsel, and Fairplay Furniture at 532 Hwy 285 in Fairplay carries an eclectic variety of art and antiques. Take a ride over scenic Hoosier Pass and see the art that the Park has to offer this weekend.

Free Fat Fest Tickets at three20south show

What: Euforquestra & Fat Maw Rooney

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 30

Where: three20south, Breckenridge

Cover: $5

Midwest touring legends Fat Maw Rooney finally bring their high energy and creative show to Breckenridge Saturday, May 30 with a stop at three20south with Fort Collins band Euforquestra.

After building a cult following throughout the Midwest with the help of their rapidly growing festival Fat Fest, Fat Maw Rooney is taking the show on the road and will be giving free Fat Fest tickets to everyone who attends the three20south show. Fat Fest takes place Aug. 20-22 in Wabasha, Minn. For more information, visit www.fatfest.org.

Call for artists

gallery la riva, at the Lake Dillon Art Center, is seeking all forms of two-dimensional art for its June show. The theme is "Summer," and we're looking for any and all representations of the theme. This isn't a theme only representing pretty scenics of the Summit. What is your vision of summer? All artists — professional, students and amateur are invited.

There is no hanging fee for this month's show. All art will be entertained. Acceptance is at the discretion of gallery la riva and available wall space. This is the last call. 

The first fridays reception is 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 5.

Questions should be directed to Matt Lit by email: matthew@LITfoto.com. More information about the newly-formed Lake Dillon Art Center is available at: blog.LITfoto.com.

Kids' mural debuts

The Summit County Arts Council started the Focus on the Child program, funded by a grant from the Summit Foundation.

As part of the program, kids, ages kindergarten through fifth grade, designed and created a public mural at the Upper Blue Elementary School, at 1200 Airport Rd., in Breckenridge. Local artist Michelle Woods Pennisi acted as a mentor for the children.

The kids debut the mural at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Upper Blue.