The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the largest performing arts organization in Southwest Washington, is now in its 33rd season offering Classical Concerts and Special Events through Spring 2012.

It’s a “Bold New Beginning” for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra this year. Still providing world-renowned classical music and promoting young artists, this year they will also offer a Chamber Music Series and Music Alive!

“For the first time ever, we are excited to launch Music Alive!, a performance collaborative for Southwest Washington. This new initiative will elevate the arts and music through key partnerships with organizations such as Vancouver Children’s Opera, the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Columbia Dance and others, while providing an array of opportunities for involvement through outreach, education, entertainment and community. As a part of Music Alive! The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra launches a Chamber Music Series with more exciting plans in the works. More than ever before, The VSO is making music heard well beyond Skyview!” ~Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Concert Guide

Classical Concerts, held in the Skyview Concert Hall, will take place January 28 and 29, April 14 and 15, and May 26 and 27, 2012. The VSO Chamber Group Special Events will take place on February 3 and March 23, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church (309 W 39th St, Vancouver); and February 5 and March 25, 2012m at Zion Lutheran Church (824 NE 4th Ave, Camas). The 18th Annual Young Artists Concerto Competition will take place on February 19, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

For more information on upcoming events, including tickets, please visit the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

This post: “Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 33rd Season” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

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The Couv’ Groove benefit concert with Alisa Williams & Friends will take place Friday, December 16, 2011, 7 pm at Mill Plain United Methodist Church (15804 SE Mill Plain, Vancouver) . This concert is FREE and open to the public.

People are encouraged to bring hard goods like canned foods to support the local food bank and HUGS which stands for new hats, undies, gloves and socks to support local homeless shelters. There will be a Love Offering where money gifts will support the Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) Shelter and the Friends of the Carpenter (FOC).

The WHO Shelter is a homeless shelter that provides a safe place for the homeless during winter’s coldest months. Not only are guests offered a warm place to sleep, but also food, a hot shower and the warmth of volunteers caring to provide the most basic of human needs. The Friends of the Carpenter is another local organization that supports the homeless population by providing a welcoming community in their 20,000 sq. ft. workplace. The FOC have numerous activities available some of which teach people wood working techniques and make beautiful wood pieces which are available for purchase through their workshop.

The Couv’ Groove benefit concert with Alisa Williams & Friends is one local community supporters’ offering to help our local homeless population during this time of year. Alisa says, “I have always been very grateful for everything I have and I know it does not take much to find another in a worse situation. I hope that this benefit concert will become a regular annual community event and that people will make it a part of their many holiday traditions.”

For more information, call Alisa Williams at 971-219-4991, or email alisa@acelineupathletics.com.

This post: “The Couv’ Groove Benefit Concert” was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

The 14th Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 26, 27, and 28, 2011 at Esther Short Park. This three day event is a “celebration of the Musical, Enological, Visual and Culinary Arts, and brings together the best in the Pacific Northwest…international & local jazz artists, world-renowned wines, fine artists and delicious local cuisine in a 1st-class city: Vancouver, Washington!”

Junkyard Jane will kick off the event Friday night, with weekend performances by Al Jarreau, Arturo Sandoval, Spyro Gyra, Diane Schuur, Stanley Jordan, Coco Montoya, Bill Frisell, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and John Hammond. In addition to the music, attendees can sample wine, enjoy some fabulous foods, and shop local art.

Bring your low back chairs or blankets for seating, and feel free to bring the kids! “We are a “family friendly” cultural arts event.  We WANT kids to hear the music and see all the fantastic fine art—maybe there is a budding jazz musician or fine artist out there!  So, kids under 12 are free — but they MUST be accompanied AT ALL TIMES by an adult parent or legal guardian.”

“The Festival is a true arts festival, in that we present American jazz music, fine arts and crafts, premium wines and great food” says Dr. Michael Kissinger, Artistic Director. “Our goal is to create a rich cultural and artistic environment, a palate from which people can sample and hear great music, drink a nice Northwest wine, purchase a piece of art, and just immerse themselves in an arts-rich weekend.”

Bravo! Vancouver produces the  Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival which is “one of the most important jazz festivals on the west coast.” Advance discounted  tickets are on sale now, but tickets will also be available at the gate.

This post: “Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival 2011″ was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

The Skyview High School Choirs and Orchestra will be presenting their Storm Forecast Concert on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7 pm, at the Skyview High School Auditorium (1300 NW 139th St, Salmon Creek).

The concert is free and open to the public and will feature music they have prepared for the competitive season.

This year, in conjunction with the concert, will be Skyview’s Art Walk from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Skyview Commons. Come see the talented young artists we have here in Salmon Creek, and maybe even buy a piece to take home!

Misty River and guest artist Doug Smith are set for a March 13 benefit concert at Skyview H.S. The concert is a fund-raiser for the Salmon Creek Kiwanis Club, which again is partnering with Columbia Credit Union to produce the show, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Skyview High School (1300 N.W. 139th St.) in Salmon Creek.  Proceeds go to various programs and charities that help local needy children and families.

Misty River, the popular four-woman Northwest band with a repertoire of Americana songs ranging from the smile-on-your-face, toe-tapping variety to the somber and poignant, is returning for its seventh consecutive winter concert in Vancouver. They have produced 5 CDs and played all over the U.S., blending folk, bluegrass, country, Celtic and original music into a seamless and highly distinctive Americana sound.

This year there is an added attraction: Grammy-winning guitarist Doug Smith will be a guest performer. He has produced several CDs and is acclaimed for his skill and variety as a finger-picking guitarist. In 2005 he won a Grammy in the “Best Acoustic Pop Album” category for his part in the album “Henry Mancini – Pink Guitar.” In 2006, Doug won the prestigious International Finger Style Guitar competition.

The Misty River Band has done concerts for Salmon Creek Kiwanis every winter since 2005, regularly drawing 950 – 1,100 enthusiastic fans who leave the auditorium with smiles on their faces. Proceeds have gone to a variety of charities, including, but not limited to: Vancouver School District Foundation; Battle Ground School District homeless-students program; Clark County YWCA; Walk & Knock; Eisenhower Elementary School principal’s emergency fund; Sara J. Anderson Elementary School principal’s emergency fund; Babies in Need; Bridge the Gap (foster children program); summer playground meals-and-backpack program; Open House Ministries and the Skyview High School Key Club.

Tickets are on sale at all Columbia Credit Union branches and these retailers: Music World, 502 E. Main St., Battle Ground; Music World in Hazel Dell across from JM Plaza; Garside florist, 6610 E. Mill Plain Blvd.; River City Music, 13215 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., and Beacock’s Music, 1420 S.E. 163rd Ave.  Advance-purchase price is $18, or two for $35. Price at the door will be $20.

For more information, please call Kiwanians Ken Rowe, (360) 989-0642; Bob Kuzma, (360) 574-2504, or Gregg Herrington, (360) 574-3747.

Clark College will be the celebrating the best young musical talent in Clark County and surrounding areas, and honoring an American art form at the 50th Anniversary of the Annual Clark College Jazz Festival January 26-28, 2012. This Festival attracts over 60 high school vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles for a three day competitive event, with special 50th Anniversary events you won’t want to miss.

Competitions and performances will begin on Thursday and three high school vocal jazz ensembles will  be invited back to perform in the evening Clark College Jazz Festival Vocal Jazz Showcase. On Friday and Saturday, high school jazz ensembles will perform for the privilege of returning to perform in the evening finals competition where they will be ranked for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. On Saturday evening of the festival, one band from the entire festival will be selected to receive the Clark College time honored tradition, the coveted Sweepstakes Trophy.

“As we celebrate this once in a lifetime event, we want to recognize the generations of families from the community who have participated in the festival on and off stage as well as honor the man who founded the festival, the late Mr. Dale Beacock. To honor the generations of community involvement, we are extremely excited to host, The Clark College Golden Alumni Jazz Band under the direction of retired Clark College Band Director, Mr. Chuck Ramsey.

The Clark College Golden Alumni Band will perform at 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday after the last high school performance in the afternoon. This all-star big band will feature students from three generations of Clark band directors and will be a fitting tribute to the legacy of the festival.

Another special event for this year’s festival will be two jazz clinics presented by Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Washington State University in Pullman and Clark alumni, Dave Hagelganz. These clinics will take place on Friday and Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the Ellis F. Dunn Community Room in Gaiser Hall. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this added bonus to our 50th anniversary line up.

Finally, please join us and members of the Beacock family on Saturday evening as we pay tribute to the man who started it all, Mr. Dale Beacock, with a historic special announcement.” ~ Richard Inouye, Clark College Jazz Festival Director

General admission to the festival is $5 per day. Clark College students and children under 12 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Gaiser Hall is located on the northwest corner of the main campus on Fort Vancouver Way, between McLoughlin Blvd. and Fourth Plain Blvd. Audience members should enter through the North entrance (by the Book Store) or the South entrance.

Welcome to Clark County Live!, all about the People, Places, Activities and Events that make Vancouver, USA and Clark County WA such a great place to be! Thanks for stopping by, we hope you’ll “Like” it.

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What’s your idea of a fun Friday night? Dinner and a movie? A little wine and music?  Hanging out in the backyard with friends? How about if you could combine all those things together? Well, that’s what the folks at Rusty Grape Vineyard have done; and you’re invited!

Start your evening with some wine tasting, then get ready for Marianne’s Open Mic Friday from 7 to 9 pm, or get up onstage yourself and sing a song or two. When the music is over, it’s time to settle in for this weeks movie on the lawn, Star Trek. Don’t forget to bring a sweatshirt or blanket, once the sun goes down, it can get a bit chilly!

Hungry? Visit the Rusty Grape’s own Patina’s Cucina for some artisan breads, spreads, cheeses, and even some imported and domestic beer. (Yes, beer, at a winery ). Also, Galeotti’s will be there grilling up some delish dishes (and the most awesome cheesecake ever!), or feel free to bring your own picnic or pizza with you.

The details: Rusty Grape Vineyard (16712 NE 219th St); Friday Night, August 27, 2010; Tasting Room opens at noon, Open Mic at 7pm, Movie at 9 pm. Wine Tasting, Music and Movie are complementary. Food and wine available for purchase.

This post: “Rusty Grape Offers Friday Night Fun”
was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

Hot jazz, fabulous wines, fine art, and delicious cuisine…experience it all at the 13th Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival taking place in the heart of Vancouver, USA, Esther Short Park, on August 27,28, and 29, 2010.

This year’s Festival features a diverse lineup of American “jazz legends”—including blues, fusion, Cajun, straight ahead and contemporary bands. Local and regional jazz bands will also be performing, and the Festival’s Jazz Education Stage will also provide an opportunity for middle school and high school musicians to perform on the same venue as the Grammy winners. More than 20 bands will be featured throughout the weekend!

In addition to the music, the Festival features over 200 wines from around the world. Attendees can sample wines, or purchase a glass to sip while enjoying food from 9 restaurants. The cuisine ranges from Northwest to German, Lebanese and Italian fare. Art lovers can shop the 40 fine artists from California, Idaho, Washington & Oregon. “The Festival is a true arts festival, in that we present American jazz music, fine arts and crafts, premium wines and great food” says Dr. Michael Kissinger, Artistic Director. “Our goal is to create a rich cultural and artistic environment, a palate from which people can sample and hear great music, drink a nice Northwest wine, purchase a piece of art, and just immerse themselves in an arts-rich weekend.”

Bravo! Vancouver produces the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival which is “one of the most important jazz festivals on the west coast.” Advance discounted tickets are on sale now, but tickets will also be available at the gate.

This post: “13th Annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival”
was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!

Celebrate Happy, er, I mean, Yappy Hour with your pooch! Enjoy live music, wine and food with like-minded people who love animals just like you!

On Friday, August 20 from 3 to 7 pm, bring your well-behaved dog and a blanket or lawn chair with you to East Fork Cellars Winery and Tasting Room (24415 NE 10th Ave, Ridgefield) for Yappy Hour and enjoy! There is no charge for this event, but a $5 donation to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington is suggested.

On Saturday, August 28, Beastie Boutique is organizing a BUNCO Yappy Hour from 4 to 7 pm at East Fork Cellars. Please call 360-574-6400 or stop by the Beastie Boutique store in Salmon Creek to sign up. The $5 BUNCO entry fee will benefit Second Chance Companions.

Feel free to stop by next door at Pacific Northwest Best Fish Company and order some lunch or dinner. You can either eat it there, or get it to go and eat it at East Fork Cellars, they don’t mind!

I’ll have my lunch “to go” with a side of music, please. Every Wednesday (until August 11) you can enjoy free live concerts at Esther Short Park at the Terry Lee, Attorney Noon Concert series. The music starts at noon and lasts about an hour, with a different musical talent featured each week.

July 14:      Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer
July 21:     Justin Klump
July 28:     Misty Mamas
August 4:   Key of Dreams
August 11:  Rising Violet

Bring your own lunch or grab a bite to eat from one of Vancouver’s local vendors that will be on site: Chewy’s Really Big Burritos, For the Grill of It, Jo Food Catering, Ice Cream Renaissance, Pizza Della Terra, and Divine Bites.

This post: “Noon Concerts in the Park”
was originally featured at Clark County Live!

For more detailed coverage of the People, Places, Activities and Events throughout the neighborhoods of Clark County, please visit Clark County Live!