QUEENSRYCHE WITH SPECIAL GUEST LITA FORD
THE FILLMORE CHARLOTTE – OCTOBER 20
QUEENSRYCHE TO ENLIST SERVICES OF LITA FORD FOR AMERICAN SOLDIER TOUR. THE QUEEN OF HEAVY METAL TO PERFORM BRIEF SONG SELECTION DURING QUEENSRYCHE SET.
QUEENSRYCHE — who have been touring since late March in support of their newest effort American Soldier (Atco/Rhino) — will be taking The Queen of Heavy Metal, Lita Ford, on the road with them for over two dozen dates beginning October 15th (see full itinerary below).
Ford will hit the stage during the QUEENSRYCHE set to perform three songs including her Top 10 Billboard hit (performed with Ozzy Osbourne), “Close My Eyes Forever,” which she will duet with QUEENSRYCHE front man Geoff Tate.
Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com, select BLOCKBUSTER stores, the Hardee’s Thickburger Box Office at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre or charge by phone 877-598-8698. 4-Packs available for a limited time.
For all songs, Lita will be backed by QUEENSRYCHE — Geoff Tate on vocals, Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren on guitars, Eddie Jackson on bass and Scott Rockenfield on drums.
“We’re elated to have Lita Ford performing with us,” comments Geoff Tate. ”I have been a fan of Lita’s as long as I can remember and look forward to the upcoming tour with her.”
The feeling is mutual as Lita comments, “I’m so excited about how we’re doing this tour. It’s a really cool way to do a show. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing my fans again as well as meeting Queensryche’s fans. It should be a real fun time for all.”
Earlier this month, the video for QUEENSRYCHE’s new single, “Home Again,” made its worldwide debut on Military.com (the largest military and veteran membership organization) and can now be seen on the band’s official website at www.queensryche.com. The video features photos submitted by service members from all over the world.
For more information, directions, or to purchase tickets go to www.livenation.com.
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$1 million each from McColls and Spanglers save the orchestra’s season, but long-term work remains.
By Steven Brown
The Charlotte Symphony’s climb toward financial security received an unprecedented boost Tuesday from a pair of $1million donations from two of Charlotte’s leading philanthropic families.
One contribution comes from Hugh and Jane McColl and the other from the Spangler family through the C.D. Spangler Foundation.
The orchestra, which has been struggling with deficits since 2002, still has a long way to go before its troubles are over, executive director Jonathan Martin said. But the two donations ensure that the orchestra will get through this season – an issue thrown into doubt in May, when the Arts & Science Council decided to cut the orchestra’s funding by at least $1million.
“That’s no longer a question,” Martin said.
Only hours before the orchestra announced the two gifts, the ASC said it will give the orchestra up to $900,000 this season. But part of it will depend on the orchestra meeting the goal of its emergency fund drive, which is seeking $1.77 million.
For private individuals to make a $1million donation toward the orchestra’s operations – not to mention for two such gifts to be finalized the same day – is unprecedented, Martin said. The orchestra’s leaders think a $1 million gift also surpasses any corporate donation benefiting a single season.
“This has been a humbling experience for us,” Martin said. “We’re profoundly grateful.”
In a statement released by the orchestra, Jane McColl said, “The Charlotte Symphony is the sound of the city. It is our hope that everyone works together to support this important institution for our region.”
Hugh McColl is former head of Bank of America. C.D. “Dick” Spangler Jr. is a businessman and former head of the University of North Carolina system. They and their families have long supported arts and philanthropic causes. Both donated toward N.C. Dance Theatre’s studio and office building under construction on North Tryon Street.
The timing of when the gifts will be paid to the orchestra has yet to be set, Martin said. So the orchestra still has to focus on the $1.77 million fund drive it launched in May – and on fundraising beyond that.
The orchestra is about two-thirds of the way toward the $1.77 million it needs to balance this year’s budget and make up for the ASC cut. Its board members have pledged $510,000, and an anonymous donor promised $500,000 if other contributors match that by Dec. 31. About $143,000 in matching donations have come in.
Over the next five years, Martin said, the orchestra needs to raise $5.6 million – including this season’s $1.77 million – to balance its budgets while it executes plans to increase box-office revenue and contributions. Including the McColl and Spangler gifts, the total for the multi-year drive stands at $3.2 million.
Earlier Tuesday, the ASC’s board gave a new turn to one of two options it created in May, when it announced it would cut the orchestra’s funding. ASC leaders said they didn’t want to keep putting money into a group they didn’t consider financially viable.
The ASC gave the orchestra until this month to present a turnaround plan. If the ASC board thought the plan could work, it said, the orchestra would get $900,000 this season – compared with last season’s $1,947,474. If not, the ASC would give only $150,000.
The ASC’s board voted Tuesday to give the orchestra a total of $525,000 in installments through December. If the orchestra by January meets the goal of $1.77 million, the ASC will give it another $375,000. The total: $900,000.
While the orchestra isn’t sure about when the McColl and Spangler donations will be paid in, Martin said, “we feel good about” the orchestra’s chances of meeting the ASC’s condition.
The orchestra’s progress with the fundraising was the main factor in Tuesday’s ASC decision, ASC president Scott Provancher said Tuesday before the two big donations were announced.
“We see the symphony aggressively working to build a bridge to a more stable and secure financial future,” he said in a statement.
Because “a key component” in the orchestra’s fund drive is the $500,000 donation that has to be matched, Provancher said Tuesday afternoon, the ASC’s leaders decided to make the success of the orchestra’s fund drive a trigger for part of the ASC’s grant.
“We felt it was a reasonable approach … to base (some of the orchestra’s funding) on meeting that challenge,” Provancher said.
Beyond the McColl and Spangler donations, the orchestra’s emergency drive has brought in “hundreds of gifts” ranging from $5 to $50,000, Martin said.
The orchestra’s leaders think that shows the community values the group.
“It feels like we’ve got the wind at out backs, not in our faces,” Martin said. “We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. But we’ve got a sense of momentum.”
Since 1964, Festival in the Park has been bringing good music, good art and good times to Charlotteans and visitors from around the world. The sounds of “big band music” drift across Freedom Park’s lake whose still surface reflects the lights strung from Camelot exhibit tents.
The scents of a variety of food fill the air, as small children with painted faces happily produce their first art work. Others find the many talented artists who can create an original work of art to grace their home or to give as the perfect gift.
First time visitors are taken by the simple, relaxed atmosphere. Old timers marvel atthe freshness of each year’s offerings, as memories from long ago festivals arerevisited. Unlike most festivals our lighting system allows us to continue into the night.
This fun filled event is designed to promote and stimulate interest in the arts. It provides the opportunity for all to see, hear, and learn from over 150 artists and crafts people who actively demonstrate and display their art.
Nearly a thousand entertainers provide free ongoing performances at the main band shell and many stages surrounding it.
Festival in the Park has been chosen as one of Sunshine Artists Magazine’s 200 BEST festivals. Over 125,000 visitors are estimated to have attended the 2008 Festival in the Park.
The Festival is made possible by many groups and individuals. A sampling of theorganizations who actively participate in bringing art and entertainment to the Festival are Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, the Afro American Cultural Center, the Carolina Clowns, the United Magicians’ Association, and the Charlotte Folk Society. We welcome them and the many others who help make the Festival possible.
We encourage all groups and individuals to participate and get involved Festival in the Park!!
Howl at the Moon’s piano players take the stage two at a time. The entertainers play for one hour and then yield the stage to two new players. At the changeover, all four piano players stay on stage for what is known as a “four-way.” The four-way occurs at the end of each hour and lasts for two to three songs. This hourly encore allows the piano players to incorporate additional instruments (drums, guitar, and saxophone) into the performance. The four-way raises the energy of the room and provides a defined transition between the piano player shifts.
Additionally, during every hour the Howl at the Moon entertainers engage in “Showtime.” During this act, all Howl service employees join in and lead the audience through a choreographed routine to animated versions of popular tunes that include nostalgic TV shows and commercial jingles. The audience participation approaches 100% during Showtime and is enhanced by the high energy level of the live music.
Howl at the Moon is a total entertainment experience where the piano players and staff do not only entertain the guests; the guests become part of the show. The customers tend to be a diverse group comprised of guests of all ages. The regular clientele of Howl at the Moon is enhanced by traveling business people and conventioneers. Howl at the Moon is a hot spot for birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations.
Located just 2 miles from downtown Charlotte, Tremont Music Hall is one of the city’s premiere clubs hosting a wide variety of the country’s hottest acts. With the largest stage in the area and a capacity of more than 1000 there’s not a bad seat in the house!
Tremont Music Hall is rapidly becoming a premier stop for National Acts specializing in Modern Rock, College Rock, Punk, Hardcore, SKA, Roots Rock and others. The Large Concert Room is a great place to see a band as you’re never more than 50 ft from the stage.
Tremont is open every Friday and Saturday and during the week as shows are scheduled.
Tremont Music Hall
400 West Tremont Ave
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-343-9494
www.tremontmusichall.com