Britt Festivals Blog

J Boog Interview!

2012-06-28T16:52:12Z

Yesterday, I was able to talk with burgeoning international Reggae star J Boog as he took a moment out of his Backyard Boogie tour to talk to me about his young career, his musical influences, and the lessons he's learned on his latest projects. You can catch him playing live on the Britt Hill this Sunday evening.

R. Congratulations on your success with Backyard Boogie! Being the number one itunes reggae download has to feel pretty good!

J. Yeah man it's crazy! It's good to have it out of my hands and in the system, you know?

R. I have to ask you about the name. What's the story behind J-Boog?

J. J is the first initial of my real name, and boog came from boogie -- put it together and you get j boogie. I got it from my family.

R. What artists did you grow up listening to?

J. We pretty much listened to everything! We listened to the reggae, the rock, the rap. Of course we listened to a lot of Bob Marley, Dennis brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minot, Guns N' Roses, NWA, Temptations, The Dramatics. Pretty much everything!

R. Wow, you listened to a lot of music growing up! What effect did the music have on your childhood in Compton?

J. The one and only crazy Compton. Music put me in a whole different world where I could be myself. That's kind of why I listened to the radio a lot because growing up as kids doing chores around the house and stuff like that, radio was easy on the ears -- for our parents as well as us, and that was the music we could turn up and they wouldn't be mad at us, you know? And we all sang at the church, and I guess it just came around.

R. When did you really know you wanted to be a recording artist?

J. Man! I think it was about five years ago! I got to meet one of the artists we grew up listening to, his name is Fiji and he's from the Polynesian islands. He's pretty much like Michael Jackson for us and for our generation, and I got a chance to meet him. I was working at the time, and I flew out to Hawaii, got to meet him, went to a show, and the next week we started working on the Hear Me Roar album. They released it, and I flew back home to go back to work, and then I got a call from him saying I had to come back; people were liking it! That was pretty much the moment where I just left everything behind and went out to pursue music.

R. With your last album, you were able to record in the legendary Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica! What was that like?

J. Yeah, first we went out there with our company, Wash House, and we did two songs, one of which made it onto the album. It's called Watch and Learn featuring Jacob Hemphill from Soja. It was an honor just being in that studio and being in Jamaica.

R. It seems like you really love to work with other artists. You have a lot of collaborations on your last album. What do you get out of it?

J. I feed off of them, you know? Some of them have pretty much been in music forever, like Peetah Morgan. Peetah Morgan has been one of our mentors, and anytime I get stuck or anything, I'd call him up and we'd try different ideas out. Working with him, and Don, and Fiji in the studio made me grow a lot. Fiji produced Hear Me Roar, you know. Everyone I work with I learn from. I try to pick up everything they leave behind. Gettin better, and gettin better, man!

R. How has your musical vision changed since your debut album in 2007?

J. Well, we don't really have like a set plan for our albums. We just record the music and wait till we put an album together out of that. We pick the ones we really like, throw them on and make sure they flow right together before we put anything out, and we have a whole lot of singles in the meantime.

R. When you approach an album do you approach it more as a collection of singles and less of a holistic conceptual approach?

J. A little bit of both. The time we've been on the road, we've been dropping singles to keep ourselves out there and we're going to be working on the album soon and we want all fresh and new material -- to get in the studio and vibe-out together to get the sound we like, and I can't wait for that. Then, we'll be back home killin' it, recording music!

R. How long have you been on the road?

J. In the US, two weeks so far, but before that we were in Europe, and we were in Australia and New Zealand and we just keep going. We just had a major tour out there in New Zealand and Australia with Fiji, Hot Rain, Irie Love, and Peetah Morgan, and it was crazy out there! We had a lot of fun!

R. Speaking of New Zealand, what's it been like playing with Katchafire?

J. They're our brothers, man! Like, when we're not working, every show they have, we always go support and check them out, you know? It's always good to see the brothers on the road, we always run into each other, especially out in New Zealand and here in the US. It's always good to see our brothers on the road, man!

R. What motivates you?

J. My family, you know? They keep me going. And I have my brothers on the road with me. We always keep each other going, and we've been dealt some crazy situations before but now it's kind of evened out and getting better for all of us. We try to keep it cool and take it day by day, and make sure we're taking the right steps.

R. Are you finding time to write music while you're on the road?

J. We're mostly just concentrating on the live show. Any idea that I do come up with I just record the melody in my phone and save it for later. And I just got my voice back! My voice has been gone for like five days. We've been going hard, but we had two days of rest finally, and my voice caught back up. We've been going back to back to back to back. Ridin' em hard, we call it! Doing good, and we still gotta perform and do our thing! Ain't no lip syncing over here!

R. Out of all the gigs and towns you guys have played, what's been the highlight of the tour so far?

J. All of them! And we have it all documented. And we have some new videos out there in the meantime. We just released Sunshine Girl. You can find it on youtube.

R. Do you have any advice for young artists out there who are trying to make it?

J. Make sure you study on what came before you, especially the foundations of your music. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, and hit it hard! Ain't no waiting. Make sure you're doing it with all your heart.
As for us, we can't wait to come up to Southern Oregon, man!

Britt Rock Camp Inspires for a Second Year!

2012-06-28T16:45:42Z

My first taste of the Britt Rock Camp was enough to make me want to stay and join one of the new bands the kids had formed. The Incendiaries, Chromatic Colors, Black Tie Affair, and Blooming Steel are just some of the band names created by the campers at the second annual Britt Rock Camp. I was totally blown away by the talent of the young campers, and impressed with the positive atmosphere the staff had created for them.

The campers had a full week of workshops and master classes to finely hone the requisite skills one needs to adequately rock socks off. Leading the rock tutelage was LA-based band Raining Jane ( http://rainingjane.com/home.rj ). All week the ladies of Raining Jane were imparting their knowledge of Rock and Roll to the eager campers. I was lucky enough to see the band members both on stage and in the classroom. I sat in on one of the song-writing workshops and saw first- hand how enthusiastically the kids took to Rock and Roll education.

After forming bands the kids were tasked with creating band logos and then printing the logos on t-shirts. I stopped by the camp to see the campers’ handy work, and was thrilled by the progress they had made. The campers then wrote original songs and worked on their vocal and instrumental skills. The camp culminated in a great show performed at the Britt Amphitheater last Saturday where the newly formed bands got to show their stuff by playing their original pieces live. The campers from the Britt Rock Camp took the stage at 7:30, and wowed all who were within earshot with face-melting guitar riffs, gut-busting drum fills, groovy bass licks, vocal extravaganzas, and growling keyboard solos. As I stood at the foot of the Britt Amphitheater, it was easy to see the camaraderie among the kids and their various bands. Spirits were high despite a little bit of rain, and the campers put on a rock show for the ages. A whirlwind of a week, the Britt Rock Camp was yet another bright spot in an action packed summer for Britt.

A Tale of Three Picnics: Part 1 - A Rogue Valley Picnic

2012-06-14T14:55:33Z

PART 1- Keep It Local! A Rogue Valley Picnic

Some local wine from our concessions booth, such as the Viognier Blend, Trifecta by Troon Vineyard ($5.50 glass/ $15.00 bottle) will top off this local picnic nicely.

With so many amazing fresh local options, its fun to try to make the perfect picnic out of foods made and grown right in the Rogue Valley. Options featured here are just suggestions. There are many other fabulous local venues for great food and drink! Get out there and explore all the local treasures!

-    Local Produce
-    Cheese & Crackers
-    Meats and Pickles
-    Bread & Sandwiches
-    Sweets

Local Produce
On your drive to Britt, visit a local farmstand for the freshest possible fruits and veggies to fill your picnic basket. Two local favorites are White’s Produce (3939 W Main) and Fox Run Farm (3842 W Main).

Cheese & Crackers
Stop by Rogue Creamery (311 North Front Street, Central Point) to pick up some amazing artisanal cheeses. They offer a “Cache of the Caveman” sampler with Chocolate Stout Cheddar, Pistol Point Cheddar and the Caveman Blue Cheese, dry salami and 34 Degrees Crispbread crackers.

Meats and Pickles
On the way to Britt, you’ll likely pass by Gary West Meats (690 North 5th Street, Jacksonville). They have some excellent local offerings for your picnic baskets. Try Wild Bill’s Hot Dills, a perfectly tangy pickle made right in Jacksonville. The ultimate picnic friendly carnivore package, Mother Lode Sampler Jerky Sampler: traditional, teriyaki, cajun, cracked black pepper, buffalo jerky, elk jerky and certified angus beef steak strips

Bread & Sandwiches
For great whole grain breads and sandwiches, Rogue Valley locals visit Great Harvest breads (203 Genessee St. Medford). Try their Cobb sandwich on Dakota bread, or just grab a loaf to go with the Gary West meat and Rogue Creamery cheese.

Sweets
Visit Branson’s Chocolates (1670 Ashland St., Ashland) and try their gift package filled with chocolates, Grizzly Grub, truffles and turtles. This Ashland staple has plenty of offerings for your sweet tooth. Pack them in the bottom of your picnic basket, next to the ice!

Sjanna’s Cakery Kisses are new and unique. They aren’t cake pops, and they aren’t chocolates, but they are unforgettably good mini cakes drenched in chocolate! To order call (541) 538-0128.

Jazz Residency Gets Illinois Valley Kids Moving, Singing and Playing

2012-05-07T15:53:07Z

Written by Britt's Director of Education and Community Engagement, Rachel Jones

Here's a multiple choice question for you:

What do hula hoops and Jackson Pollack paintings have in common?
a. Both were featured in MoMA retrospective exhibitions
b. Both were inspiration for songs by the band Radiohead
c. Both are tools for teaching jazz

If you chose "c" you're correct! These two seemingly incongruous items are both great tools for teaching children about jazz music. And both got a workout in late April, when Britt brought jazz saxophonist Hayes Greenfield to students in the Illinois Valley for a week-long exploration of America's Artform as part of the Oregon Arts Commission's Arts Build Communities program.

Hayes' interactive program, called Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz, gets kids moving, singing, and playing - learning for themselves how fun improvising can be. Hula-hooping students provide a tangible visual example of music tempo. And looking at abstract paintings by Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko, and others helps give students a mood and a launching point for "playing what they see" - exploring their own creativity.

But the kids weren't the only ones having fun. In order to ensure that the music continues long after Hayes has departed, he held a special training workshop for teachers. The workshop was also open to teaching artists who work with the Illinois River Valley Arts Council (IRVAC) in its' after-school programs. Teachers learned how to incorporate basic music experiences, as well as jazz, into their daily curriculum and hopefully got their creativity flowing too!

Having seen Hayes in action before, I was thrilled to see him work with students from the elementary level all the way through high school. Because of budget cutbacks, these students' access to the arts is limited. They don't start any music programs until middle school, and have no vocal arts until the 9th grade. Jazz is not a part of their curriculum or something that most of these students have ever been exposed to. But Hayes Greenfield is the right person for this challenge. He makes complex music accessible and uses a whole host of tools in his approach to introducing young people to jazz.

And while the biggest thrill was introducing the young people of the Illinois Valley to jazz, it was also a treat to introduce a New Yorker to his first experience with the beauty of southern Oregon. While he was here, Hayes did some composing and I have a feeling that his surroundings provided plenty of inspiration.

Best of all, we've left behind more than the memory of this experience. To help sustain music in the schools Britt purchased 80 hand percussion instruments of various types, timbres, and tones so that the IRVAC and the schools have the ability to keep providing musical experiences for Illinois Valley students.

Evergreen Elementary School students practice active listening while learning about tempo and rhythm.

Teacher Monte Nelson learns to conduct his 4^th grade class in the improvisational piece “Dots and Lines”

Students learn the meaning of an “ensemble” as they play different rhythms, tempos, and even melody on simple hand percussion instruments.

Portrait of a Farmer Jason Fan

2012-05-03T11:14:36Z

What qualifies as a 'digging in the mud outfit'

From “Dison the Bison” to “Meadowlark in Central Park,” my 6 year old’s Cinderella karaoke boombox has been rocking out to the sounds of Farmer Jason lately. Ever since I brought the cd home and told her we get to go to his concert (June 23, 11 a.m.), she has been hooked.

She may be a typical American 6 year old in many respects: love of glittery sparkling things, tutus, being “fashionable” and the color pink. Thankfully, she also enjoys the woods, all variety of bugs, slimy salamanders and getting her tutus dirty. She usually gets bored listening to “kids music” of the wholesome variety, instead favoring sugary sweet kiddie pop.

Farmer Jason is different. She loves his “Nature Jams.” Being an aging punk myself (shh don’t tell my daughter), I enjoy the rockin’ influences of Farmer Jason’s alter-ego Jason and the Scorchers. Many of his songs have guest appearances by musicians that parents will recognize (hey Brandi Carlile!). He even sneaks in a Ramones reference here and there for our entertainment.

I take comfort in the idea that eventually my kiddo will outgrow the kiddie pop, and I have a feeling that Britt will help. This will be her first summer of shows. After Farmer Jason, we will also attend the Michael Franti & Friends family matinee, Ozokidz, The Avett Brothers and Beats Antique.

Hoping early exposure would turn my child into a music geek like her mom, I went to as many shows as possible while pregnant, including The Adolescents, The White Stripes and The Decemberists. Farmer Jason will be her first concert out of utero, and Britt will be her first venue for live music. Lucky kid, proud mama!

-by Manda Moon Reyes

The Classical Festival Host/Musician Relationship: Mikylah McTeer

2012-04-20T13:31:49Z

Photo submitted by Mikylah McTeer from her personal scrapbook

Pictured left to right are: back-row Whitney Barry, Anne Barry, Megan
Barry, and Pat Barry. Front-row Mikylah McTeer and Carson McTeer.

“I became a member of the Britt Orchestra in 1996, when I was an undergraduate at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, I often came to hear the Britt Orchestra as a child, and it was a real dream come true when I was able to start playing with the orchestra myself. I was randomly placed with Pat and Anne Barry as my hosts. We quickly discovered an incredible coincidence: we had been neighbors in Portland! When Anne was in dental school, she and Pat lived on the same street as me in SE Portland. They remembered me as a little girl!

When the 2012 festival begins, it will be my 17th season playing at Britt, and my 17th summer staying at the Barry's home. Minus the two summers off I've taken during that time (one to get married, when the Barrys traveled to Portland for our wedding, and one to move with our new baby to a new job as the violin professor at West Virginia University) I have spent 45 weeks living at the Barry's home! The Barry's have been the most incredibly generous hosts imaginable. They have not just been hosts to me, but to my parents, my brother and his family, my tuba-playing husband, and our five-year-old daughter. They have been my career counselors, my cheerleaders, and my Southern Oregon parents.

When my husband, Carson, traveled to Britt to propose to me in Lithia Park, he didn't just ask my parents' permission for my hand. He also phoned ahead and let Pat and Anne know that he would be proposing. During one summer stay with the Barrys, they asked me if there were any improvements they could make for the following year. I mentioned that, well, some of the other hosts had swimming pools. When I returned the following summer, there was quite the surprise waiting for me. A beautiful swimming pool had been installed in the backyard! The Barrys set the bar very high for other host families, it's true!

My favorite place at Britt, other than the concert stage and the Barrys house, is GoodBean Coffee. I start every morning there with a cappuccino and a trail bagel. I've played at many music festivals in the US and in Europe, and not a single one holds a candle to the Britt Festival. The three weeks I, and my family, spend in Jacksonville each summer are the highlight of our year. The music making, the family-oriented atmosphere, and most of all, Pat and Anne Barry, make it the most magical place I know.

A little about me: I am Associate Professor of Violin at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. Some Portlanders may remember me as the 1993 Portland Rose Festival Queen. My husband, Carson McTeer, is the acting principal tuba of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Our five-year-old daughter, Mazell, is a proud member of the Britt-Kid gang!”

My Britt Experience

2012-03-16T14:28:59Z

I have realized through my life that in order to be the best “Natalie” I can be, I need to do what I love each day. This love is for the simple things in my life such as a good cup of coffee, eating food, and looking at the stars. It’s the simple things that help define an experience. I have been learning to love and live my life with noticing the simple things, the things that get overlooked by the big picture. My love list is constantly growing with each new experience I take part in. Thanks to Britt Festivals, I will be adding to my love list.

I love the first days of a new job. I rarely experience that feeling of starting something new. It starts with that nervous-excited-anxious-feeling and usually ends with the question “what am I doing?!” When walking into the Britt office that was exactly the question that was running through my head at a furious pace; being out of my element tends to put me in a different state of mind. Though this was a new experience for me, the Britt staff instantly calmed me down with their warm welcomes and helpful attitudes.

I love working for a non-profit organization. I learned that to be in non-profit work it means that you love what you do. Countless times I saw this demonstrated throughout the Britt staff. They showed by their actions how much they loved their jobs. They didn’t worry about what the job brought them; they did their job because of what it brings other people. Connecting audiences to the inspirational power of classical music, helping new generations of listeners discover the wonder of music and live performance and helping make the Britt Experience magical for you and I, is what they strive to do every work day.

I love the camaraderie the work place brings. In college, being away from my family has been something I have had to get used to, but the relationships I have built at Britt has completed that family feeling I have been missing. Listening to advice be given regarding my 21st birthday plans was something I took comfort in. To know that people care about what I do in my life and want me to succeed in all my adventures and endeavors made me realize that the real world won’t be as “fend for yourself” as I thought it would be.

I absolutely loved my time with Britt Festivals. To experience a situation I have never been in before, I was able to learn more about myself and how I will react in a business world setting. My time here at Britt was an experience that will shape who I am. Yes, this was a big picture event, but looking back on the days I spent interning for Britt I loved the simple things each new day brought me.

The Beginnings of Britt

2012-03-12T15:05:14Z

It’s unbelievable that Britt Festivals is celebrating its 50th year but what is even more unbelievable is how Britt Festivals first began 50 years ago. Every organization likes to share the background story on why and how they began, but here at Britt we keep in mind that our background story has created relationships that never would have existed had it not been for certain events that unfolded the way they did. Going back and learning the background story behind Britt Festivals will enhance your Britt Experience because you will be able to see a clearer picture of what is at our core that makes Britt Festivals so unique.

Taking a cue from a Julie Andrew’s song… let’s start at the very beginning, which is a very good place to start. Britt’s story can be traced back all the way to the 1800s, when Jacksonville was just a small camp site occupied by miners trying to strike it rich in the Gold Rush. One of these miners trying to strike it rich was Peter Britt (who is now kind of a big deal). Having no luck in mining for gold, he used what little money he had, bought a camera, and began documenting the trying times of the 1800s in Jacksonville, Oregon. Through these images, Peter Britt earned wealth and respect from the community of Jacksonville. His passion and love for the Rogue Valley area was shone in his first-of-their-time photos. Our namesake had many interests and passions, including music.

Not until decades after Peter Britt died, that in 1962, musician and founder John Trudeau and his friend Sam McKinney, were visiting the Rogue Valley and discovered the acoustic qualities Jacksonville and specifically, Peter Britt’s hillside estate. From there, the idea of holding a music festival in the hills of Jacksonville was born. Through much negotiation with the Jacksonville community and planning by John Trudeau, Peter Britt’s estate became the resting ground for the first stage of the Britt Festivals. But stage in this context meant plywood boards laid down, with tin can lighting hanging from a makeshift roof. Clearly, we’ve come a long way. If it weren’t for these relationships with the community that were formed during this process of forming the beginnings of Britt, Britt Festivals would be a very different venue. This relationship that originally formed in 1963, with Peter Britt, Jacksonville, and Britt Festivals has lasted for 50 brilliant years.

What has been so great over these 50 years is being able to see the growth and change Britt has gone through to reach the demand of our audience. Britt has come a long way since the beginnings of a plywood stage with tin can lighting and the majority of the time, having more musicians on stage than listeners in the audience. Peter Britt invested his time and effort into making the Rogue Valley recognizable. By continuing to follow in Peter Britt’s efforts, Britt Festivals will strive to reach our full potential.

A milestone of 50 years later, Britt has become a Northwest hot spot for world-class musicians to perform at. Britt is fortunate to be apart of such a deep heritage with Jacksonville, Oregon and the Britt family. Our core will always be the same, based on relationships. Apart, Jacksonville and Britt Festivals are two significant sites worth experiencing but when paired together on a warm summer night under the stars, there’s not an experience worth living that can compare.

Behind the Bookings at Britt

2012-02-20T17:33:13Z

Written by Natalie Scheller, Marketing Intern

Director of Programming Mike Sturgill talks to booking agents

When you get ready for a fun night at Britt, your preparations might include scheduling a baby sitter, packing just the right balance of food that will match the particular show, throwing in some blankets, and layering upon layering clothes (after all it is Oregon weather). For Mike Sturgill, Britt’s Director of Programming, the preparations start much earlier.

I decided to get the behind-the-scenes workings of Britt and share them with our blog readers. I always thought that getting a band to play at Britt basically consisted of a simple invitation. I found out it’s quite a bit more complicated, and I sat down with Mike to see how it all works.

The process that goes into putting on the live show that you enjoy on the Britt hill starts with Mike. Finding artists, booking bands, scheduling dates, and negotiating contracts is all part of his work.

How does he decide who to book? Well, lots of things go into that. Mike’s first priority is to find artists and bands based on what the Britt audience is interested in. Britt fans are always offering great suggestions about who to bring in for the summer season. Mike asks a lot of questions when looking for the right mix—do we have enough jazz, country, classic rock, singer/song writers, etc.?

With wish lists in hand, Mike uses a number of different channels to search for bands, including artist and band agents, connecting directly with bands through their websites, and finding bands through music festivals on the west coast. Agents also pitch bands to Mike.

Then, the puzzle portion of the job comes into play-- the sudoku, the crossword. Lots of pieces must fit together for the entire show to play on. The artists have to be available, willing and interested before the next step can take place, which is negotiating artist contracts.

Negotiating artist contracts is when the saying holds true: “My people will talk to your people.” Getting to a mutually-agreeable contract can be complicated. Some bands are very specific in their requests concerning food, lighting and sound requirements. In some cases, the requests are amusing—and one example specifically: tube socks. If the schedules, artist fees, and all the nitty gritty requests work out—-ding ding ding!!! Mike can confirm the band. The band is successfully sharpied in to the summer calendar.

Completing that puzzle is a journey that Mike walks every year. He’s familiar with the steps, and it gets a little more complex every year. All of that trouble is worth it, however. When I asked Mike what is his favorite part of his job, he told me that there’s a special moment each night at Britt. That moment when the crowd can sense the main act is close, when the band finally walks on the Britt stage with the beautiful Jacksonville backdrop, when the dancing, laughter and singing begins. That’s the moment that drives Mike in his work. That puzzle he starts putting together each spring is complete in that moment. Mike relishes all that went into making a live performance transpire. Britt magic begins.

The 2012 Britt season will be announced the evening of Wednesday, April 4. I can’t wait to see what pieces come together!

Painting Captures Britt History

2012-02-03T12:27:01Z

Written by Angela Warren, Director of Performing Arts

When I first came to Britt I was captivated by stories of Peter Britt and the early pioneers of Table Rock City (Jacksonville). I was deeply moved by the story of John Trudeau’s dream and how a music festival came to life.

With each passing year, I’ve added to my collection of stories and developed great love and respect for all sorts of people who’ve used their gifts for the good of their community. Britt’s 50th is an opportunity to share some of their stories.

The story I’d like to tell here literally paints a picture. (If a picture paints a thousand words, can a thousand words paint a picture?)

In 1962, the same year that Britt’s founding conductor John Trudeau discovered Jacksonville, celebrated artist Eugene Bennett purchased the historic Eagle Brewery and Saloon just down the street from the Britt hill, and a very special half-century relationship began.

Eugene Bennett's many achievements are impressive and well-known. His work has been shown at the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the San Francisco Museum of Art and in Alba, Italy.

Born in Central Point in 1921, Eugene Bennett grew up in southern Oregon. He attended Washington Elementary School in Medford and credited his art teacher there as his first art mentor. A multi-gifted artist, Gene was also an accomplished musician, studying the piano from an early age.

Gene majored in music at the U of O, but his studies were interrupted by World War II. After a three-year stint in the Navy, he was discharged in 1946. By this time Gene had decided to forgo music as a career in favor of art, and through the G.I. bill he enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduation he taught high school art just outside of Chicago and traveled extensively to Italy and France, but visits home made him homesick for Oregon and in 1958, he returned permanently to the Rogue Valley, living in West Medford.

In 1960, he became a founding member of the Rogue Gallery & Art Center in Medford. When Gene saw the old brewery and saloon building in Jacksonville, he knew he’d found a perfect artist’s home and studio. What he didn’t know was that his passion for music was about to be re-ignited.

As Gene was settling into life in Jacksonville, John Trudeau was busy persuading the whole community to host a music festival. In August of 1963, Gene discovered an orchestra in his backyard and his lifelong friendship with Britt began.

Inspired by the music being played on the Britt hill, Gene painted Britt Festival in 1963 during the Festival’s first summer concert season. The combination of great music, the camaraderie of fellow musicians, the beautiful natural setting and easy access just a short walk from his home led Gene to sketch and paint at Britt many times over the years.

Eugene Bennett stands next to the three
Britt posters that were made from his original works.

Photo by Rob Werfel.

In 1984 when Britt decided to create an annual Fine Arts Poster, Gene offered his 1980 painting Evening at Britt (a depiction of the orchestra on stage in the newly built permanent pavilion) as the first poster. In 1992 for Britt’s 30th anniversary, Gene allowed the Festival to use his 1963 Britt Festival as the poster. And in 1996, the Fine Arts Poster again featured Gene’s work—a 1991 sepia-toned oil of six Britt musicians called The Rehearsal.

Ever present at rehearsals and concerts, Gene looked forward to the return of the orchestra each August. Musicians got to know Gene and he often invited them to his studio to rehearse so that he could enjoy the music and sketch while they played. (Britt’s late founding conductor John Trudeau’s home in Portland is full of Bennett portraits of small groups of musicians rehearsing.)

When I visited Gene in November of 2008 to tell him of John’s death, he was very sad. As I sat in his kitchen over a cup of tea, he regaled me with stories of their five decades of friendship. I always enjoyed visits with Gene—the stories and a chance to see his paintings hung throughout the house and studio.

Gene had an unmatched personal charm and I treasured our friendship. We were kindred spirits. His brilliant mind, quick wit and passion for painting and music made him a perfect companion and we often talked for hours. As I discovered several of his paintings in community spaces around the valley, I told Gene of my encounters and began to visit the paintings like old friends.

As a violinist and 20-year Britt staffer, one of my favorites of Gene’s paintings was the large oil he painted of the Britt Orchestra in its first season back in 1963. It hung in his home for nearly 50 years and was a favorite of his too. I visited it often, marveling at how he’d captured the excitement and energy of a live orchestra. I could almost here the music.

When Gene died in November 2010, his will included a bequest to Britt. It took time for the estate to be settled, but the timing ended up being perfect. With his gift, I helped Britt purchase that 1963 painting and it now hangs in our administrative offices for all to see as a special tribute to our founding season 50 years ago. I look at it and think how lucky we are to have had an artist with a musician’s heart capture a picture of that first summer.

As Britt celebrates its 50th season, I’ll be celebrating the legacy of a special friendship and the dream come true of looking at Gene Bennett’s Britt Festival, 1963 every day.

Maestro Peter Bay talks about the 2012 season

2012-01-31T15:25:58Z

In this two-minute message, Peter hits on some highlights of his final season at Britt.

Party Planning Time!

2012-01-30T16:56:20Z

This informative Blog will require some note taking. Not to worry because all you will need is your smart phone, planner, calendar, or sticky note, and either a pen, pencil, or marker of your choice.

Planning your year with Britt in mind will allow you to attend events, become more aware of artists in the music world, and enjoy the outdoors. Which doesn’t sound too bad!

First of all, we just had our Classical Season Announcement party last week; a good time was had by all. Now you are able to buy and order tickets for the upcoming classical season that will be going on from July 31st to August 19th.

Turning the calendar to February, our Last Britt Bash will take place on February 25th at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The Last Bash is a fundraiser event that benefits our Classical Festival and education programs. The event starts off with a hosted bar at 5pm, and will end with the East Main Band that will sing and dance us into the night. Tickets for this event are $100 per person. And wearing festive attire will definitely add to the celebration of our 50th year. To take part in the Last Britt Bash contact (541)-779-0847 for ticket sales and more information regarding the event.

One of the most anticipated days of the Britt Festivals season is April 4th. This is the evening that the General Summer 2012 Season lineup is announced. Circle, underline, highlight, and point arrows to this day in your planner, calendar, or sticky note. After the season announcement members will be able to buy and order tickets on April 12th for the sought after lineup for the summer season. General public sales begin on May 17th.

Since April 4th is still two months away, I can’t give details about who is playing and when (it’s going to be great!), so we’ll move on to June 9. This is Jacksonville’s own summer sample, called Taste of Summer, co-hosted by Britt, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, and Jacksonville Oregon Business Association. This event will take place in downtown Jacksonville which is the perfect setting for street vendors, wine tasting, and performances by both musician and street artists.

July is the ideal month to revel in the outdoor atmosphere of the Britt Hill. On July 19th Britt will celebrate its 50th year by a gala party to raise money for Britt Festivals, a non-profit organization.

For the months of June, July, August, and September, your calendar should be flexible enough so that you can experience the outdoor concerts of the summer under the Oregon stars in the one-of-a-kind setting of the Britt hill. Hopefully your smart phone, planner, calendar, or sticky note is scribbled with enough Britt events to last you this monumental 50th season. Looking forward to this 50th season full of fundraisers, food, and most importantly music.

A "Chairitable" Gift

2012-01-20T12:09:32Z

Written by: Natalie Scheller, 2012 Marketing Intern

The best part about starting this 2012 New Year? Britt Festivals gets to celebrate its 50th year! With this being our 50th year, we have much to celebrate and one of these things is the gift of our new orchestra chairs! Where did we get these chairs, you ask? Well, the story behind these brand new orchestra chairs involves an organization that doesn't always get recognized by the public for what they do...that's all going to change. Cue the Britt Society!

The Britt Society provides financial and volunteer services to Britt Festivals. Volunteers do everything from selling merchandise, to cleaning up the hill after a concert, to fundraising, to setting up various Britt Festival events. By mainly selling Britt merchandise, the Britt Society was able to save $30,000. Yes, that's right...thirty thousand dollars. This $30,000 bought 102 brand new, high-end quality, decades lasting orchestra chairs. This "chairitable" gift was above and beyond the annual financial contribution.

Orchestra chairs are unique. To each instrument, the chair is specifically designed for that instrument. For example, a cello chair is slanted slightly forward so that the artist is able to sit comfortably on the edge of the chair so that the cello is at the perfect playing position. These chairs will provide the Britt Orchestra comfort and stability that the original 40-year-old chairs did not.

Thanks to the Britt Society, these chairs are just one new addition to the Britt Festivals that will take us to the next level. So next time you come to a show, don't forget all that goes on behind the scenes, and especially remember the Britt Society! Cheers to the New Year! Cheers to the Britt Society! And cheers to the chairs!

Check out the Britt Society's web page! Here you can find out how to get involved and learn a little bit more about what all they do! www.brittsociety.org

Annual Membership Meeting Includes Fun, Memories

2011-10-28T15:49:32Z

New board members and officers were elected at last night's Annual Membership meeting at the Pallet Wine Company in Medford. In anticipation of Britt's 50th season, the evening also included memories of Britt over the years, by former board leaders. New Executive Director Donna Briggs was also introduced to the membership in this night of memories and celebration. Photos by Vicki Rosette.

Britt staff greets people as they enter the event.

Social time before the business meeting.

Memories were shared by Bob Smith (at podium), Brian Mullen, Kurt Austermann and Gary Sherwood.

Incoming Board President Ken Trautman introduces Donna Briggs.

Outgoing Executive Director Jim Fredericks and incoming Executive Director Donna Briggs.

Raining Jane works with Crater Renaissance students

2011-10-19T12:42:29Z

Before their concert on the Britt stage last week, the members of Raining Jane did two afternoons of outreach activities at Crater Renaissance Academy. Raining Jane helped establish "Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls Los Angeles" in 2010, and brought their enthusiasm for working with students to the Rogue Valley. Over the two days, they conducted songwriting workshops, and worked in instrument groups focusing on bass, drums, guitar and vocals.

Photos by Vicki Rosette.

Chaska Potter and Mai Bloomfield (top right) of Raining Jane talk to a group of students from Crater Renaissance Academy.

Raining Jane (with instruments) perform for students at Crater Renaissance Academy

Becky Gebhardt (left) of Raining Jane works with a Crater Renaissance Academy student on bass.

Becky Gebhardt (center) of Raining Jane works with bass students

Mona Tavakoli (left) of Raining Jane works with a percussion student at Crater Renaissance Academy

Mona Tavakoli (center) of Raining Jane works with students at Crater Renaissance Academy.

A Group Outing at Britt

2011-09-07T12:56:26Z

Written by Kat Koury, Britt Marketing Intern

As a photography intern at Britt, I usually just take photos and sometimes I don't know what to expect. However, one particular evening this summer I was expecting some very important people.

I kept checking my watch. Seven o'clock, no bus. Seven fifteen, no bus. Seven twenty, no bus. The August 19th, "Festival Favorites" classical concert didn't begin until 8 o'clock, but I didn't want to miss their arrival. Finally, I heard it and went down to receive the passengers. A white bus with basketballs, tennis rackets and "Medford" plastered across the side came rolling up in front of the main Britt entrance, with precious cargo in tow. They weren't athletes, they were a group of enthusiastic patrons, all senior citizens.

It's not out of the norm to see a group of people like this at Britt. However, this was a group who did not ordinarily have the opportunity to come. Queue a community outreach initiative courtesy of Britt Festivals. In an effort to increase access to classical music, and to continue to serve the community, Britt donated 50 tickets to the Medford Senior Center (MSC) for two concerts, thanks to grants from the Carpenter Foundation and Collins Foundation, and with help from Laidlaw Transit, Inc. Many residents of the MSC live on fixed incomes.

As the group got off the bus, Sky-their bus driver- took care to help everyone off and quickly supported a woman who lost her footing on the oversized bus steps. I could tell he was a compassionate guy and he later told me "what a great opportunity" he thought this was for them because "they love coming here." Sky added that the best thing "is the look on their eyes." In addition to the concert tickets, this outing provided group transportation and allowed those without a leisure fund to do something special.

When Britt's Director of Performing Arts Angela Warren greeted the audience before the show began, she asked: "How many of you are first timers?" About twenty hands made their way into the air from the group from the MSC.

Sky didn't have to tell me about the look in their eyes, because I could see it for myself. They were excited. One woman kept peering onto the stage, raising her head up and down, left and right, to take all of it in, just waiting for the show to begin. They were also thankful. Another woman gushed, "it's a great family kind of thing." Coincidentally, I later learned the same woman had met Mollie Britt (the daughter of Peter Britt, whose historic estate the music festival is built on and for whom the festival is named) more than 60 years earlier when she first moved to the Valley. Talk about a ‘family kind of thing.'

In having a couple conversations with the seniors, I could tell they were anxiously waiting for the show to start. Eyes were darting onto the stage every time another orchestra member took her place and thumbs kept flipping the same pages in the program. As I left them to enjoy the concert, I gave a word of advice: if you have a hearing aid, be prepared to adjust at the end of the 1812 Overture. I hope their eyes lit up just like the cannons.

Call for All Former Board Members!

2011-08-29T12:09:45Z

All former board members: we're looking for you!

The year 2012 will mark Britt's 50th season. As we begin planning for celebrations, we're seeing out all former board members, so we can honor their service and involve them in celebrations. Britt seeking all former board members in preparation for 50th year celebration

We're especially looking to re-establish contact with board members prior to the year 2000. If this describes you, please contact Development Director Donna Briggs by email at donna.briggs@brittfest.org, or by phone at 541-690-3854.

Rockapella

2011-08-23T10:35:55Z

No instruments, no tracks, no smoke, no mirrors-just five guys with microphones and a talent for producing a smooth and soulful pop, rock and R&B sound. Rockapella is coming to Britt!

They make a sound that seems to be impossible coming from just five guys with microphones. "We're making every bit as much music as the whole 'Glee' chorus- but with only five guys," says Rockapella's human beat-box Jeff Thacher. "We make it rock and make it interesting," explains Scott Leonard, the group's chief songwriter, arranger and architect of their evolving dynamic sound. USA Today summed up the lasting appeal like this: "The best musical instrument of all is the human voice-if you've seen Rockapella you know that's the truth."

Check out this video of Rockapella live doing their thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R6kkZLkT-Q

Come experience Rockapella live at Britt on Friday September 2, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are availabe at the Box Office at 773-6077 or visit www.brittfest.org.

Trombone Concerto Tells a Love Story

2011-08-19T12:04:56Z

Tonight, we’re fortunate to have the composer of one of the program pieces in the audience! Samuel Jones wrote the Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, Vita Accademica, which debuted in 2009. The piece will feature the talents of Britt’s principal trombonist Jim Decker.

Another cool connection: the couple that commissioned the piece will also be in the audience. Seattle residents Charles and Benita Staadecker celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary by commissioning Jones to write the piece. They’re making their first trip to Britt to hear it performed by the Britt Orchestra. The title Vita Accademica refers to Charles’ college life, and it is dedicated to his alma mater, Cornell University. Charles says, “the concerto itself tells the story of a student going to college…the composer dedicated the middle movement "Romance" to honor the love we have for one another.”

The couple also commented on this unique gift they chose to make. “People have a choice, whether to spend money on safaris, trips to Europe or a new car; or to invest in the arts. The think a lot of people don’t realize is that anyone who so chooses could do this.”

Do you know The Weepies?

2011-08-16T10:54:44Z

The Weepies will be performing at Britt Tuesday, August 23. This talented indie duo has sold more than a million singles and half a million albums; their simple, direct songwriting has sent them to the top of the folk charts in a dozen countries. In addition to ruling the folk charts, The Weepies have also managed to garner another top award. With more than 100 TV & media placements, they are one of the most licensed current musical groups in the world.

You have most likely heard The Weepies perform without even knowing it. Their music has been featured on numerous movies including Morning Glory, The Heartbreak Kid, and Because I Said So among others. On television they have made it onto some of the biggest hits of this decade, Grey's Anatomy, Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, How I Met Your Mother, and many more. Check out this clip of The Weepies hit "World Spins Madly On" on TV's hit show Grey's Anatomy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pkdPzJh3Zw

Can you recall a time you heard a Weepies song on a movie or show you were watching? Post a comment with a link to your favorite clip.

Now is your chance to catch this duo live and in person on Tuesday, August 23 at 7:30 pm on the Britt Hill. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling the Britt Box Office at 773-6077 or visiting www.brittfest.org.

String Quartet Academy students meet with Time for Three

2011-08-12T16:46:12Z

Students from the 2011 Britt String Quartet Academy sat in on an orchestra rehearsal with Time for Three, and afterwards, had a chance to ask violinists Nicolas Kendall and Zach De Pue and bassist Rannan Meyer some questions about their careers, their passions and their most embarrassing moments in music. Photos by Vicki Rosette.

Are Your Tickets Legit?

2011-07-13T11:30:39Z

This year Britt has been alerted that ticket scams are on the rise. And unfortunately some of our patrons have fallen victim. Britt would like to take a moment to explain some of our Ticket policies;

In no case should you ever believe any third party site that claims to have tickets from Britt available for sale.

Britt does not work with any outside websites to sell tickets, and does not work with any ticket sellers who mark up ticket prices, including sites like StubHub, Cheap Concert Tickets or Tickets Review.

Another form of ticket scams that has been plaguing venues for years is Scalping. Scalping is when someone sells tickets at an inflated price (above face value). Although there is no anti-scalping law in place in Oregon, Britt does not allow people to scalp tickets outside the venue at a higher price then face value. We understand that at times people buy tickets for a concert and then cannot attend and will try to sell their tickets. Britt has no problem with this as long as those people sell their tickets at face value.

If you want to be safe and be sure the tickets you are buying to a performance at Britt are indeed legit, be sure to buy your tickets at the Britt Box Office or online at brittfest.org. Adult price lawn tickets are also available at the Music Coop in Ashland. Please contact the Britt Box Office at 541-773-6077 if you have any questions.

The Decemberists

2011-07-11T11:19:02Z

Life as a musician means continual evolution. Over the course of a career, any band worth paying attention to will pursue a sound, a direction, until it triggers a different idea and they're chasing some other distant dream. With their sixth album, The King Is Dead, The Decemberists illustrate the power that comes from this kind of creative call-and-response. Anchored by lead singer Colin Meloy's literate songwriting and ornamented with incomparable musicianship, the band appeared on the pop music radar after the release and warm critical reception of 2005's Picaresque. Each album since has garnered more attention and charted higher, including King, which peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard charts.

Colin Meloy started working on the kind of project he had long been thinking about-a set more stripped-down, country based songs. The mostly-acoustic arrangements on The King Is Dead showcase the ways in which The Decemberists sound just as glorious in simple, concise compositions as they do on the elaborate strucutres that have defined their work for years. In some ways The King Is Dead represents Meloy's own musical journey coming full circle. "I guess I've kind of come back to a lot of the more American music that got me going in the first place. Someitmes I kind of miss the epic-ness of the other albums, but it's nice to get all of the information across in three minutes. It's like going from reading a novel to reading a bunch of short stories."

The Portland, OR. based group The Decemberists will be performing at Britt on July 19, at 7:30 pm to get your tickets call 773-6077 or go to www.brittfest.org.

Gypsy Soul at Britt!

2011-07-06T11:33:44Z

Local band Gypsy Soul will be making their second performance at Britt this season. They have been hailed as "one of the most brilliantly and vocally adept bands alive and kicking," by the OC Weekly. As the Rogue Valley's own local indie duo, Gypsy Soul's music is a powerful blend of folk/rock and soul with a generous infusion of blues and jazz. Cilette Swann provides ethereal and passionate vocals, while multi-instrumentalist Roman Morykit adds the counterpoint with his masterful fretless bass performances and innovative guitar play. Gypsy Soul is excited about returning to Britt this season and here is what they had to say.

"Almost a year after our performance on the Britt Pavilion stage, the excitement and joy is still very tangible for us," says Morykit and Swann. "We had an amazing night (last year) and can still feel the intensity of love and support from the audience. The sounds and the lights were impeccable. The staff and facility are top notch where everyone does their best to create a magical experience for the musicians and the fans. Truly a beautiful environment for creative expression and making lasting connections," they said.

Catch them live on these various radio/tv stations throughout town.

7/12: Noon. Rogue Radio/Opus Broadcasting. Lunchtime on air concert.

7/13: Noon. JPR. LIve with Eric Teel for the lunchtime hour.

7/15: 6 AM. Live on KTVL (Channel 10).

7/15: 8 AM. Live on KOOL FM.

Then join us on the hill Saturday July 16 for another powerful performance. Tickets are still available and are $9-$25. To get your tickets call 773-6077 or go to www.brittfest.org

Jacksonville Elementary presents Sleeping Beauty

2011-06-13T10:31:37Z

On May 26th, 2011 the Britt Hill hosted the annual Jacksonville Elementary Musical. This year the kids performed Sleeping Beauty to a full audience. The whole school is involved with the production of the musical. From set design, to the acting, to box office the night of the performance. This wonderful event is a great accomplishment for this young kids.

Grammy winner Marc Cohn at Britt

2011-06-02T10:49:08Z

Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Marc Cohn has been obsessed with pop music for as long as he can remember. The year 1970 was a milestone for Marc - and for pop culture at large, given the unprecedented range of notable artists who made the charts that year. Collaborating with longtime producer-arranger-multi-instrumentalist and fellow Grammy Award winner John Leventhal, Cohn doesn't merely recreate the sounds of this storied time. On Listening Booth: 1970, he transforms songs from such artists as Cat Stevens, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Van Morrison and Smokey Robinson into tracks that are warm, soulful, more than a little sexy and full of easy-going charm.

Check out the following link to read a review of Marc Cohn's Listening Booth: 1970 by The New York Times. Marc Cohn will also be performing at Britt on Thursday June 23, at 7 p.m. on a cobill with Mary Chapin Carpenter. Tickets are $25-$35.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/arts/music/15seventy.html?scp=1&sq=Marc%20Cohn%20listening%20booth:%201970&st=cse

Mary Chapin Carpenter

2011-06-01T12:00:07Z

Mary Chapin Carpenter offers a snapshot of her life on her latest release, the critically acclaimed The Age of Miracles, which she calls a personal exploration of regret and resilience. The Age of Miracles is the twelfth studio album from the five-time Grammy award-winning Carpenter, including one Grammy-winning and two Grammy-nominated albums. Carpenter was born in Princeton, N.J. in 1958 and lived in Japan from 1969 to 1971 before moving to Washington, D.C. Carpenter's early musical loves included The Mamas & The Papas, Woody Guthrie, The Beatles and Jujdy Collins. Carpenter grew up playing the guitar and between college years at Brown University she would play local bars and clubs in the Washington, D.C. area.

Recently, Carpenter was honored with The Americana Association's esteemed "Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award," which recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech. Here is a recent review of one of Carpenter's performances at the Allen Room as part of Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/arts/music/18song.html?_r=2&ref=music

Bring the Kids out to Britt!

2011-05-31T11:39:47Z

Aaron Nigel Smith is all about getting kids to move. His fun, inspired, lively show is guaranteed to get his audience on their feet. Aaron performs regularly at performing art centers, festivals, libraries, and schools, and tours with PBS Kid's Between the Lions Live and the National Education Association's Read Across America campaign. In 2002 he founded FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, an arts program which is now the program of choice to over 100 early education centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Boston. His latest album release Everyone Loves to Dance received both Parents' Choice and NAPPA Awards.

For more information about Aaron Nigel Smith check out his website at www.aaronnigelsmith.com or check out the video below of him performing his song "Che Che Cole" at Kindiefest on May 1, 2011. Come see him perform live at Britt on June 17th at 10:30 a.m. at the Table Rock City Stage up on the Britt Hill (in the concessions area). Tickets are $6 per person and children two and under are free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeWFvYmEy04

Britt's Donna Briggs Receives National Citizen Diplomat Award

2011-05-22T17:49:42Z

Donna Briggs (far left) receiving her NCIV Citizen Diplomat Pillar Award last month.

Congratulations to Britt's Development Director Donna Briggs, for receiving a National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) Citizen Diplomat Pillar Award at a special event in Washington, D.C. on February 16.

The Citizen Diplomat Pillar Award recognizes individuals who have contributed significant leadership and support to the NCIV network at the local and national level. The Awards were presented at NCIV's 50th Anniversary Gala, which was attended by more than 750 guests, including NCIV members from across the U.S., Members of Congress, representatives from the U.S. Department of State, and citizen diplomats from around the globe.

Donna's extensive history in this field earned her the award. She served as President of Sister Cities International of Tulsa and the International Council of Tulsa, which merged in 1995 to form the Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA). Donna was instrumental in this merger and became the first Executive Director of TGA, serving for a decade in that capacity. In 1993, she started the award-winning Kids' World, an International Children's Festival. After leaving Tulsa, she founded the Wyoming Council for International Visitors and served as its Executive Director. She joined Britt in November 2010.

About the National Council for International Visitors
NCIV is a non-profit membership association marking 50 years of leadership in citizen diplomacy - the concept that in a vibrant democracy, the individual citizen can help shape foreign relations "one handshake at a time." NCIV's members design and implement professional programs, provide cultural activities, and offer home hospitality opportunities for foreign leaders and specialists participating in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchange programs. For more information, visit www.nciv.org.

Paul Schroeder wins signed guitar

2011-01-31T21:54:58Z

Congratulations to long-time Medford resident and Britt supporter Dr. Paul Schroeder for winning the drawing for the guitar signed by artists from Britt's 2010 season (pictured, right, with Britt Executive Director Jim Fredericks). Schroeder's name was drawn randomly from hundreds of members who joined or renewed Britt by December 31, 2010, the cut off date for our early renewal benefits.

The guitar was signed by several artists from Britt's 2010 season, including Harry Connick, Jr., Jackson Browne, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison from Court Yard Hounds, Taj Mahal, Brandi Carlile, Jewel, Steve Earle, Gary Allan and more.

Britt is a Family Affair for the Shockeys

2011-01-06T21:50:16Z

Volunteer Profile

From left: Christopher Shockey, Kirsten Shockey, Jakob Shockey, Lydia Trottman, Ariana Shockey, Dmitri Shockey, Kelton Shockey

In 2006, Christopher Shockey became the Britt nighttime groundskeeper after departing a corporate job. He "needed to recharge what was left of his soul." He fell in love with Britt and signed up to volunteer in 2007, bringing two of his three sons—Kelton, and Jakob—with him. His third son Dmitri joined the family on the Hill in 2010. You'll recognize Christopher by his height and two of his sons by their curly hair, inherited from their mom. The Shockeys moved to an Applegate Valley farm in 1998, where they grow much of their own food. Christopher laughs that Britt and a few meals now and then are the only time the Shockey family was together all summer!

Christopher, who serves on the Clean-up and Events crews, looks forward to returning every year. "It's like a long family reunion. We all start out a little older, a little heavier, and huffing and puffing by the time we reach the top of the hill. By September, we look younger, slimmer and are up and down without a thought."

He's busy with other volunteer activities throughout the year, including writing for the As It Was series of the Oregon Historical Society and representing the Applegate branch in the Friends of the Library program. Career-wise, Christopher is a technology consultant to universities.

The Shockeys love soaking up the Britt Experience as a family. Christopher says, "My kids have no idea what a gift it is to experience so much world-class music every summer. I'm from a small farming town in Missouri. The only outdoor concerts that I was exposed to were church choirs and the high school marching band during half-time at the Friday night football games."

Kelton followed in his father's footsteps as Britt's night groundskeeper in 2010. He started volunteering at age 14, three years ago. The Chieftains concert ranks high on the 17- year-old's list of Britt experiences: "I became a Britt Fest volunteer because volunteering allowed me to attend and help out at many more concerts than I could go to otherwise," he says.

This is Dmitri Shockey's first year as a Britt volunteer. He's undecided yet about whether Clean-Up or Usher is his favorite Britt gig. The Michael Franti concert made a big impression on the youngest Shockey son: "I enjoyed the energy and passion he brought to the crowd through his music."

Son Jakob works Clean-up and Events. Clean-up is a favorite: "I have found those who choose this job to be a friendly community of volunteers whom enjoy what they're doing. The Evergreen State College student describes two of his most memorable concerts: " I have absolutely loved so many concerts. As a bit of a rusty fiddler, I enjoy watching those more practiced than I. A few years ago the group "Leahy" came to Britt. For me, these seven fiddling siblings were hard to top. However, my favorite evening at Britt was not about music. Two years ago I volunteered as a sub to cleanup for the Michelle Shocked concert. That night I ran into a girl I had deeply fallen in love with some two years before, yet hadn't seen since that time. I remember getting in trouble that night for being distracted from my cleanup assignment... by Lydia. Two years later, she, too, volunteers at Britt. And, as any of the recent Events Staff will probably tell you, I continue to have difficulties with my volunteer duties when we're together!"

The ultimate Britt experience for Christopher and his wife was Nancy Griffith's concert: "We were on the front lawn that night, just a few feet from the stage and when she began to sing ‘Gulf Coast Highway' she looked down at us and it felt for all the world she was singing to us at that moment. That's the magic of Britt isn't it, that you can have such an intimate experience on both sides of the stage?"

Meg Hutchinson performs on the Britt stage

2010-11-22T20:22:39Z

Singer-songwriter Meg Hutchinson performed in our first-ever concert with the audience seated on the Britt stage. The large stage doors were closed to create a cozy, intimate venue with this wonderful artist.

The stage is set. Photo by Vicki Rosette.

Patrons mingle downstairs before the concert. Photos by Vicki Rosette.

Meg Hutchinson performs. Photo by Scott Cole.

Meg Hutchinson performs for an intimate audience on the Britt stage. Photos by Scott Cole.

Straight No Chaser members talk to local students

2010-09-20T19:25:37Z

Local high school choir students participated in a Britt educational event on Friday, when they came out to Straight No Chaser's afternoon sound check. After the sound check, Straight No Chaser took questions from the students, and they talked about song choice, how they arrange songs, and a little about life on the road. Photos by Vicki Rosette.

Straight No Chaser members running through songs for the afternoon sound check.

Students had lots of great questions for the singers.

The students talked SNC into singing one more song after they wrapped up questions.

SNC members mingling with the students at the end of the event.

Photos from the 2010 Classical Festival

2010-09-08T00:44:59Z

Some highlights from the August 20, 2010 concert, featuring violinist Jennifer Frautschi. Photos by Josh Morell Image This Photo.

JPR's Geoffrey Riley chats with guest violinist Jennifer Frautschi during the pre-concert Q&A.

Violinist Jennifer Frautschi, Maestro Peter Bay and the Britt Orchestra

SQA Students Strut Their Stuff

2010-08-18T18:45:55Z

During a master class violinist Chee-Yun gracefully passed along the lessons she has learned to the next generation of violinists.

The Sparrow Hills Quartet played at the Britt Institute Donor Reception on the Britt grounds. For those who don't know, the Britt Institute raises money for student scholarships and Britt's educational programs.

Students also participated in a master class with Maestro Peter Bay.

SQA Quartets perform at the opening night gala picnic.

SQA Green shirted students gave an admirable performance at the OSF Green Show.

2010 String Quartet Academy comes to a close as students perform their final recital at the SOU Music Hall.

STYX Still Has It

2010-08-18T17:39:24Z

Barenaked Ladies

2010-08-18T17:39:00Z

48th Classical Festival Opening Night

2010-08-10T21:51:24Z

The Champagne Picnic from Jacksonville Inn offered quite a spread... Britt staffers Tracy Baird and Kevin Forde poured the champagne.

Great food and company, good weather, too.

Meanwhile, the String Quartet Academy students serenaded pre-concert diners.

Martie and Brian McCormick were two of our Gala Picnic hosts.

The new stage awaited a Q&A with the evening's soloist, Chee-Yun, hosted by JPR's Valerie Ing-Miller.

Crater Lake Cellars poured for Britt Upper Level members on our Hospitality Deck.

Little Shop of Bagels served samples of their delicious homemade bagels and spreads.

Our hard-working house manager Bow Seltzer and CT, our friendly volunteer.

Michael Franti / Brett Dennen Concert

2010-08-09T23:23:40Z

Enjoy these images from the Michael Franti & Spearhead and Brett Dennen concert photographed by the talented Josh Morell.

Brandi Carlile Rocks Britt

2010-08-06T22:02:46Z

Brandi Carlile performed at Britt on 6-27-10. Photos by Scott Cole.

Opening act Dave Barnes poses with fans after his set.

Brandi Carlile and her band started the set with some nice harmonizing.

Britt patron gets a new Fender

2010-07-27T19:33:29Z

Musician's Friend and Fender donated an American Standard Stratocaster to Britt, which Britt had signed by members of The Black Crowes, and then gave away to a lucky Britt patron at The Black Crowes concert on July 2. That lucky patron was Alex Benavides of Medford. Here's a photo of the guitar, with a rare purple finish:

From left, Alex Benavides with his new Fender, Britt Executive Director Jim Fredericks, and Steve Read of Musician's Friend.

Steve Martin Plays Britt

2010-06-29T21:52:35Z

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers performed a wonderful night of banjo, bluegrass and humor to a sold-out crowd at Britt on June 20. Take a look at these photos by the fabulous Josh Morell.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

Fiddler Nicky Sanders

Mandolinist Mike Guggino and guitarist Woody Platt

Steve Martin on banjo

The audience got a little of Martin's humor, along with the bluegrass

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

View from the top of the Britt hill

Members enjoying the new member hospitality deck

Members enjoying a taste from South Stage Cellars on the hospitality deck

The new artist merchandise patio was built as a Boy Scout Eagle Scout Project by Blake Muir, with donations from Richard and Nephi Hartshorn, Leave Your Mark, Hilton Fuel and Britt Society.

Chris and Dan Brubeck talk about "Growing Up Brubeck"

2010-06-25T18:22:00Z

On Thursday, June 24, brothers Chris and Dan Brubeck gave a free talk at Artistic Piano Studio called "Growing Up Brubeck." The two talked about their own careers and life with father Dave Brubeck, and took questions from the audience. Vicki Rosette captured these moments from the talk:

Chris (left) and Dan Brubeck

The talk included video of father Dave Brubeck receiving his Kennedy Center in December 2009.

Chris (trombone), Dan (percussion) and their brothers performed for their father at the Kennedy Center honors

Dan Brubeck with Wesley Wade, a Britt Institute summer camp alum.

Growing Up Brubeck

2010-06-18T22:04:44Z

Britt Festivals presents “Growing Up Brubeck,” a talk with Chris and Dan Brubeck, on Thursday, June 24 at Artistic Piano Gallery in Medford. The brothers, sons of living legend Dave Brubeck, will talk about their experience growing up in one of America’s most accomplished musical families.

Growing up Brubeck
Thursday, June 24, 11 a.m.
Artistic Piano Gallery, 1390 Biddle Road, Suite 102, Medford (Barnes & Noble plaza)

Musician and composer Chris Brubeck was recently a featured composer with the Boston Pops. He toured and recorded for ten years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet before forming The Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Drummer Daniel Brubeck is the rhythmic force of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet and has toured the international music circuit for more than two decades. He has led his own group, The Dolphins, in addition to performing with the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet performs at Britt on June 24 at 7:30 p.m., opening for Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer. The "Growing Up Brubeck" talk is free and open to the public, as part of Britt’s community education efforts. Tickets for the evening concert are available at 541-773-6077 or at brittfest.org

2010 Britt season kicks off, Jacksonville style

2010-06-18T17:47:37Z

The Britt season officially opened June 13 with "Celebrate Jacksonville," a street festival drawing a crowd to sample local wines, art and music. A warm sunny afternoon provided the perfect backdrop for strolling down California and 3rd Streets. Britt Festivals and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the afternoon's fun events.

Linda Graham and Arlis Duffy of the J-ville Chamber sign up wine tasters.

Eleven J-ville stores hosted wine tastings from Applegate Valley wineries. Llamas and Lambs, Elan Suites, Caprice Vineyard and Jacksonville Barn, the Cotton Broker, Magnolia Inn, Quady North Vineyard, Jacksonville Inn, Pico's, the Jacksonville Company, and South Stage Cellars all opened their doors to wine samplers. Visitors lined up at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce booth to grab an empty glass and pay the price of admission to an afternoon of the Valley's finest wines.

The line for wine tasting passes.

Members of Art Presence displayed their paintings, photographs, and sketches on 3rd Street. Even Jeff Levin, owner of MacLevin's, took time off to stand by his paintings in his chef's uniform.

Meanwhile, across S. 3rd Street, a crowd rocked to the tunes of Blind Lion and B-Wishes, both extremely
talented local bands.

Britt staff enjoyed the music in their booth, where they sold tickets and T-shirts and just sat back and took in the summer sights of Britt's hometown before hiking up the hill to begin their official concert duties.

At 5:30 p.m. the crowd drifted to Britt Gardens to sample the wines of Agate Ridge, try a little sorbet from Frozen Confections on the Member Hospitality deck, and soak in the last sunshine of the day as Ashland bands Sweetgrass and Hamfist took the stage.

Just as the sky darkened into night, Gypsy Soul appeared on stage and that 'ol Britt magic began for another season.

Member Hospitality coordinator Debra Belm opens the new Britt hospitality deck.

The ladies of Agate Ridge Winery invited Britt members to try some new AR vintages.

Britt volunteers stand ready for a busy season this summer. They may never stand still again this season!

Patrons enjoy the end of a beautiful day and the opening of the music season under the trees.

Britt executive director Jim Fredericks welcomes the audience to a new season.

Ashland-based band Hamfist combines the considerable talents of several Oregon Shakespeare Festival employees.

Gypsy Soul's Cilette Swann, Roman Morykit, and drummer Michael Forney headlined the evening concert and brought it all home to Jacksonville, which is also their hometown.

2010 Fine Arts Poster by Kim Novak

2010-05-27T20:33:09Z

The 2010 Fine Arts Poster was unveiled at a reception on Thursday, May 20. This year's poster is from an original pastel by artist Kim Novak Malloy. The reception also included the winners of the Jacksonville Elementary poster contest, in preparation for their all-school musical Mulan Junior.

Jasmine Teren was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 Jacksonville Elementary poster contest.

Winners were awarded in each grade level.

Board President Ken Wells and Classical Administrator Angela Warren unveil the 2010 poster while artist Kim Novak Malloy explains her inspiration.

Artist Kim Novak signs posters.

Britt's 2010 Fine Arts Poster, "The Magic of Music," by Kim Novak Malloy. Poster prints are available in the Britt office or by phone at 541-779-0847. They will also be sold on the Britt hill this summer.

Mulan Junior opens the Britt 2010 season!

2010-05-27T19:50:12Z

The first Britt 2010 performance took place this morning (May 27), when Jacksonville Elementary performed the musical Mulan Junior for about 1600 school kids from all over the valley. Jacksonville Elementary's fourth, fifth and sixth graders performed on stage (about 180 performers in all), while students from younger grades work in the box office, as ushers, and in other roles.

Don't miss the encore performance of Mulan Junior tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $3 per person, or $8 per family. It's a fun night for all ages!

The lead sings Mulan's theme "Reflection"

School kids from all over the Rogue Valley enjoy the beautiful sets created by Jacksonville Elementary.

The rain stopped long enough for a beautiful performance on the Britt hill!

2010 Tickets Now on Sale!

2010-05-19T00:00:48Z

May 17 was a busy day as we opened the doors to the public for concert sales. The line stretched out onto Main Street even on Tuesday morning and the phone rang like crazy. We look forward to a wonderful season serving a buffet of music catering to everyone’s musical tastes, from Beethoven (the “Eroica” symphony with guest artist Jeffrey Biegel) to the Black Crowes.

Grants Pass Artist Wins 2010 T-shirt Contest

2010-06-01T06:12:53Z

Dan Kennedy of Grants Pass designed the winning T-shirt for Britt Festivals 2010 summer season. Dan earned the judges' top rating for a magical, deep blue scene of trees, stars and musical notes shadowed on a black background. Listening to the John Butler Trio, a Britt act he enjoyed in 2008, inspired him as he created the design. Dan works at Body Cover in Grants Pass, a custom printing and embroidery company.

See Dan's design and other entries up close at http://www.brittfest.org/tshirtwinner2010. Artists from as far away as Portland submitted designs for the 2010 contest. Our official Britt 2010 T-shirt will be sold at all concerts this summer; you can also order by calling the Britt Festivals office at 541-779-0847.

Britt and SOPTV partner

2010-04-10T00:14:30Z

This Monday, April 6, Britt partnered with Southern Oregon Public Television on their pledge drive. SOPTV aired two specials that featured upcoming Britt artists – Tommy Emmanuel's Center Stage special, and the Rounder Records special that featured Steve Martin, Béla Fleck and many others. Britt's Executive Director Jim Fredericks encouraged viewer support of the station, and Britt staff took pledge calls from viewers. It was a great night in support of two community non-profits! Here are a few behind-the-scene shots:

Jim (center) with SOPTV volunteer hosts Colleen Pyke and Marc Bayliss

The hardworking SOPTV crew

Britt staff takes calls from SOPTV viewers

Season Announcement Party

2010-04-10T00:02:05Z

We had an enthusiastic crowd of media, sponsors, board, staff and Benefactor, Gold Circle and Leadership members at last week's Season Announcment Party on the Britt stage last week. Take a look at a few highlights:

Britt Executive Jim Fredericks talks with Britt patrons before the announcement begins

Booking Director Mike Sturgill and Judi Austin of KRWQ catch up

Outback Steakhouse provided tasty hors d'ouevres for the party

Britt staff pour drinks generously donated by Southern Oregon Brewing and Valley View Winery

The crowd settles in to hear who's on tap for the Britt 2010 season

Jim introduces the crowd to the season

Happy Birthday Peter Britt!

2010-03-12T19:10:15Z

Southern Oregon Historical
Society #285

Our namesake pioneer would have been 191 today! The Britt park, of course, is on the former estate of the Jacksonville pioneer. Peter Britt was one of Jacksonville's most celebrated citizens, and through his photography, he contributed significantly to the history of the region, including the first photo of Crater Lake. In addition, he planted the first fruit trees in the region and opened Oregon's first winery. At various times he was a miner, packer, financier, bee-keeper and meteorologist.

Southern Oregon Historical Society owns many of the artifacts from Peter Britt, and a recent display entitled "Peter Britt: The Man Beyond the Camera," documented much of Britt's life. This text from the display detailed the presence of music in his family life:

Art and music had a place in the Britt household. Britt had trained as an itinerant artist in Switzerland and while in Southern Oregon painted landscapes and portraits for his own pleasure. Little is known about Britt's musical abilities, but he did encourage the musical talents of his children. His sons sang with a singing group (The German Singing Club) on summer evenings when they were boys, and Mollie played the beautifully carved Steinway piano that her father bought for her when she was twelve (ordered by catalog and shipped by train and then wagon to Jacksonville, an extraordinary luxury). A 1916 newspaper article reminisced about garden concerts Britt once enjoyed from his veranda. "The porch is a large one, and, of Sunday afternoons years ago, the city band (The Silver Cornet Band) would play and friends of old Peter Britt would sit out under the trees and enjoy the music and the cool winds that stole in from the sea to greet the magnolias and the jasmine that bloomed in the yard."

Britt's children continued to live in the ornate Victorian house after his death. Ultimately the bulk of the estate went to the Oregon University System. The house was destroyed by fire in 1960 and the grounds became a county park. On summer evenings Britt Festivals concertgoers continue to enjoy the view as they listen to music under the stars.

We are grateful to have our home on the estate of this pioneer, and be part of the ongoing legacy. Learn more about the history of Peter Britt or the Britt park.

Britt Volunteers Call for Memberships

2010-03-03T18:51:51Z

Britt volunteers rock! About 20 volunteers donated their Tuesday evenings to call Britt patrons and encourage them to renew their memberships, or become new members. The cheerful crew was able to secure several memberships last night, and calls continue tonight. Thanks to all!

Here are a few photos of the hard-working crew!

Diane Stark smiles as she talks to a patron.

Joel Marks used his competitive spirit to strive for more renewals than anyone!

Kathy Lawson cheerfully calls another potential member.

Joanne "Honey" Bittle made persuasive calls to potential members.

Design Britt's 2010 Season T-Shirt

2010-03-02T00:25:17Z

CALLING ALL ARTISTS...Britt Festivals is giving aspiring artists (professional, amateur and student) the opportunity to leave a mark on the 2010 Festival by designing this season's t-shirt.

We are looking for unique, original artwork that captures the magic of the Britt Experience. The winner will receive $100, courtesy of Britt Society, a pair of tickets to their concert of choice (subject to availability), two t-shirts and have their design produced and sold as an official Britt Festivals 2010 t-shirt.

Visit our web site www.brittfest.org/tshirtcontest2010
for all the details and submission guidelines.

Rake Patrol on the Britt hill

2010-02-06T01:13:55Z

Several members of the Britt staff took to the Britt hill last week to shape up the hill. With rakes and leaf blowers in hand, we cleaned up leaves and pine needles, filling the biggest dumpster we'd ever seen. Here are a few before/after photos, along with shots of the hard-working crew:

Our work was cut out for us with those wet leaves by the box office!

Development Director Carrie Kaufman rakes near the concessions area.

Executive Director Jim Fredericks hauls leaves from the top of the hill.

Many hands and a giant dumpster.

Education Director Joelle Graves makes room for yet MORE leaves! We filled up that puppy!

And here's the "after" beauty shot: MUCH better!

A view from the top of the beautiful Britt hill. We'll be enjoying summer concerts soon!

Britt fans mingle at a reception for Jim Fredericks

2010-02-02T23:52:16Z

Members, sponsors and other members of the community came out to meet Britt's new Executive Director Jim Fredericks in a reception sponsored by Jacksonville Inn and Valley View Winery.

Jim meets Britt member and Jacksonville resident Arlis Duncan.

From left: Gary Newland, Kingsley Kelley, Sandy Abell and Jim Fredericks

Linda and Jim Maddux enjoy the reception.

Jim greets the room full of Britt supporters.

A Jacksonville Inn host fills glasses for Britt member Annette Deschamps and Jacksonville Mercantile owner David Jesser.

Duane Sturm, Terri Gieg (of the Jacksonville Chamber) and Cherie Reneau (of élan Gallery and Guest Suites) mingle at the reception.

Meet our new Executive Director

2010-01-14T00:46:33Z

Britt's new Executive Director Jim Fredericks was announced today in a press conference at the Britt office today. Read about Jim in the press release and take a look at his message on our web site:
http://www.brittfest.org/meetjimfredericks

Take a look at these photos from the press conference today, when Jim was introduced to the public by Britt Board President Ken Wells:

Read about this mouth-watering package!

2010-01-08T01:33:51Z

The Britt Bash, our annual fundraising dinner and auction, is Saturday, April 17, at the Rogue Valley Country Club. The evening features exciting auction packages including this tantalizing dinner party:

Gourmet Mexican Dinner, Premium Tequila and Salsa dancing
This offering features a gourmet Mexican dinner at Tabu Restaurant in Ashland for 36 people on October 17, 2010. There will be five delicious courses with Tequila tastings at each. The Tequila comes from an estate grown, 100% Blue Agave, and is the first brand ever to bear a "Tequila Vintage." This is the good stuff! Following dinner there will be Salsa lessons and dancing.

See brittbash.org for more information on the event!

Read a Q&A with Britt's Interim Director

2009-11-25T00:13:27Z

If you've been reading Britt communications through the last several months, or tuned in to local media, you know that we're facing a time of change and adaptation, and there are many questions about what the organization needs to do to succeed. The just-released Britt Backstage newsletter features a Q&A with Britt Interim Executive Director Angela Warren, tackling such questions as:

What aspects of the business is Britt evaluating?

How does Britt need to change in order to succeed?

When will a new Executive Director be hired?

In the Q&A, Angela talks about what we're already doing to improve, and how you can help ensure that Britt remains an important part of the community. The full document is available as a pdf on the Britt web site, and also includes the 2010 Classical season, the Volunteer of the Year, membership information and much more.

Support Britt through GoodSearch and GoodShop!

2009-11-18T00:02:40Z

What if Britt earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half of its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just like any other search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

You can also support Britt through the online purchases you are already making. GoodShop.com donates up to 30% of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop. Every time you place an order through GoodShop, you'll be supporting Britt, without spending any extra money.

To make it easy, download the GoodSearch – Britt Festivals toolbar, and Britt will earn money every time you shop and search online - even if you forget to go to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Add the Britt Festivals toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/britt-festivals

Learn more at http://www.goodsearch.com

Volunteers Celebrated at Annual Volunteer Picnic

2009-10-05T19:44:57Z

Britt's hard-working volunteers were honored at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Party last Sunday, September 27, on the Britt hill. Dinner was provided, followed by an awards ceremony, and a performance by the Hamazons. The following volunteers were honored:

All Head Ushers, Concessions Managers, Security Captains and Chairs for the Ice Cream Booth, Gift Booth, Espresso Booth and Cleanup crew
Elke Wolfe, for most raffle tickets sold (3680)
Kristin Biechler, runner-up for most raffle tickets sold (2770)
Claire Marks, for most hours worked
Jordan DeGraw, for spearheading the upper bathroom renovation project with his Eagle Scout Troop
Shawn DeGraw, Volunteer of the Year. Shawn joined the Britt Society board this year, served as one of several concessions managers and chaired a new gift booth committee. He also helped his son Jordan and the Eagle Scout Troop 167 completely renovate the upper bathrooms at Britt.

Britt Society President Brian McCormick presented Britt with Britt Society's annual donation. This donation comes from funds the Britt Society earns from concessions, raffle ticket sales and merchandise sales, and the check this year was a generous $34,000. Britt Society also presented a $500 check to the Britt Institute (Britt's educational arm) in honor of staff members Julie Gurwell, Bow Seltzer, Cil Stengel, Matthew Reynolds and Megan Burr.

Photos by Mike Sturgill.

Britt Society President Brian McCormick presents a check for $34,000 to Britt's Interim Executive Director Angela Warren:

Volunteer Coordinator Bow Seltzer presents the Volunteer of the Year Award to Shawn DeGraw:

Volunteer of the Year Shawn DeGraw:

Volunteers join the Hamazons on stage for a skit:

Photos of Sheryl Crow at LMA

2009-09-22T23:02:45Z

Photos of Sheryl Crow's September 4 performance at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater, taken by the fabulous Josh Morell:

Britt's Sound Engineer George Relles profiled in the Mail Tribune

2009-09-21T17:33:17Z

George Relles has been managing the sound at Britt since 1981. In this article in the Medford Mail Tribune, Relles talks about the nature of managing sound at the outdoor amphitheater, how he first entered the fine art of sound engineering and some of his favorite moments at Britt over the years:

Link to article.

Photos of Gov't Mule

2009-09-18T00:41:26Z

Gov't Mule performed the last concert at Jacksonville for the 2009 season. Photos by Scott Cole.

Photos of Bob Weir & RatDog

2009-09-17T22:27:51Z

These Photos of Bob Weir & RatDog's performance at Britt (on Aug. 21, 2009) are courtesy of Patrick Richardson:

Raffle winner is Will Larson

2009-09-16T18:23:31Z

The winning ticket for the 2009 Britt raffle was drawn last Saturday, September 12, right before the Gov't Mule concert on the Britt hill. Will Larson of Eugene won a pair of reserved tickets and reserved parking for every concert in the 2010 Britt season. More than 11,000 raffle tickets were sold this summer, with all proceeds benefitting Britt programs.

Britt Assistant House Manager Megan Burr announces the winning entry, with House Manager Cil Stengel and Director of Programming & Production Mike Sturgill looking on. Photo by Scott Cole.

Photos of Pink Martini and a beautiful night!

2009-09-04T19:11:44Z

Oregon's own Pink Martini brought the musical Oregon! Oregon! to the Britt stage, in an evening celebrating the state's sesquicentennial.

First three photos by Scott Cole:

The following photos by Josh Morell Image This Photography:

Photos of Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes at Britt

2009-09-02T18:05:15Z

Photos of the August 22 Britt performance by Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes. All photos by the fabulous Josh Morell, Image This Photography.

Celebrate Oregon's 150th birthday with Pink Martini at Britt!

2009-08-25T21:49:54Z

Celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday with Pink Martini at Britt!

In 1959, radio personality Stan Freberg wrote a custom musical to celebrate Oregon’s Centennial, Oregon! Oregon!: A Centennial Fable in Three Acts. A delightful blend of fairy tale and musical theatre, the original act incorporated local businesses as loveable characters and even included Hollywood voice and radio actors with the musical accompaniment of a 21-piece big band!

To remember Mr. Freberg’s work and to honor Oregon on its 150th birthday, Portland-based Pink Martini and the Oregon National Guard 234th Army Band will perform a modernized version of the musical, Oregon! Oregon! 2009: A Sesquicentennial Fable in Four Acts. It will feature an additional musical number specifically written for the event by Pink Martini front man, Thomas M. Lauderdale. After the tribute, Pink Martini will perform a set of their signature music.

Pink Martini is a band of endless talents, not only because of their many members but also because of the unique blends of sound that flow through their music. With multiple members coming from multicultural backgrounds, Pink Martini plays no one genre of music; rather they attempt to appeal to anyone and everyone through constant transformation in musical and vocal styling.

A self-characterized “little orchestra,” Pink Martini has the elegance of classically trained musicians, the style of a 1940 Hollywood film, and of course, the spirit of Oregon. The experience of Pink Martini is best described as “music, which can be turned up or down, and played on almost any occasion, from background music of a love affair to vacuuming around the house.”

there are limited tickets available for this concert, so buy your tickets by calling our box office at 541-773-6077 or visit our website, http://www.brittfest.org/performances to order your tickets.

For more information on the show and a link to the original musical recording of Oregon! Oregon!, please visit http://www.brittfest.org/performances/pinkmartini09

Movie Night at Britt Presents: All Together Now - The Making of "Love"

2009-08-21T23:34:50Z

All Together Now - The Making of "Love"

Once described by a Rolling Stone journalist as the band that found “ecstasy in invention”, The Beatles have always managed to push the envelope in both creativity and significance. The same could be said for Cirque De Soleil, whose performances have been described as delivering both a magical landscape and stunning acrobatic talent. The combination of the two ingenious and imaginative forces to conceive a unique live experience for people all over the world resulted in the extraordinarily popular show, “Love.”

Thoroughly recognized as a dream of George Harrison and Guy Laliberte [founder of Cirque Du Soleil], the live show" Love." began as a project of skeptic delicacy but soon became one of endless possibility and adventure; reviewed as “an elegant and graceful marriage of movement and song.” Sadly, George Harrison passed away before the show and film were ever made into reality. However, we are constantly reminded throughout the film that without him, there would be no film to make. Now, the breath-taking visuals of the show are captured in the unique and remarkable film, All Together Now: The Making of "Love" that any and every generation can enjoy.

A blend of acting, dancing, and acrobatics, coupled with stunning lights and costumes allow for the best of Cirque Du Soleli to be recognized. With a cast of over 60 international artists, the memorable music of the Beatles comes to life with beauty and exuberance. Also available in the film is the exciting backstage world of Cirque Du Soleil, as we watch directors and performers alike tremble in both excitement and fear for the big night.

George Martin [ex-Beatles manager/music director], Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono [the widows of late Beatles’ George Harrison and John Lennon], the two surviving Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney walk us through a combination of evocative excerpts from the band’s past and hopeful aspirations of the performance’s future. As the flurried rehearsals happen around him, Paul McCartney finds himself reminiscing about the stories behind the songs while Yoko Ono describes the show as the manifestation of the “light” of John Lennon.

Britt is collaborating with Ashland Independent Film Festival to present this special film night. This film is a visual delight for both adults and children, so please bring your families. The film will be shown on the Britt Lawn on Thursday, August 27th at 8:45 PM.

To reserve seating for this event, please call our box office number – 1-541-773-6077.
http://www.brittfest.org/performances/alltogethernow

For more information on the movie and trailers, visit the official website
http://beatles.com/core/love/documentary/

Trace Adkins Concert and a Behind-the-Scenes look at the concert!

2009-08-20T21:50:47Z

Sam Elliott honored with Britt Family Tree Award

2009-08-19T22:21:29Z

On August 16, the closing night of the 2009 Britt Classical Festival, long-time member and volunteer Sam Elliott was honored on the Britt hill with a Family Tree award. Former Executive Director Ron McUne made the dedication with these remarks:

"The Family Tree Award is Britt’s highest honor and since its inception in 1995, only 12 or 13 people have received this honor. A tree is planted on the Britt grounds to acknowledge the accomplishments of each recipient and you can see the trees scattered around the park. The Britt Family Tree Award is given to honor 'an individual who has significantly and positively affected the history and tradition of the (Britt) organization, demonstrated a high level of service and financial support over an extended period of time and has shown a continuous interest in and dedication to the health of the organization.'

"To understand why Sam Elliott has been chosen to receive this honor only requires a look through the acknowledgement pages of any Britt playbill from 1988 to the present. There, you will find her name appearing consistently as:

A hill volunteer
A generous annual member
A long time host for orchestra musicians
Membership drive volunteer
Britt Institute donor
Major Endowment fund donor
Britt Bash volunteer
Donor to the Britt Bash
Donor to fund the endowment of two orchestra chairs
Board member for ten years
Assoc. board member for many years
And a member of several committees

"If all of the above were not enough, Sam also became the volunteer responsible for finding housing for the entire Britt orchestra, beginning in 1990, and continuing to this day, except for a 3-4 year hiatus in the early 21st century. That job by itself represents an enormous contribution to Britt and is probably worth a tree all by itself.

"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Sam for many years and her many contributions have been selfless, with utmost dedication, and always with Britt’s best interests in mind. And thru it all she has managed to maintain a sense of humor and sharp wit.

"The tree we dedicate this evening and the other Britt Family Trees serve as living reminders for future generations to honor the hard work of the exceptional volunteers who have been instrumental in ensuring Britt’s continued longevity as a beloved community treasure.

"Won’t you please join with me in thanking and congratulating Sam Elliott as recipient of the 2009 Britt Family Tree Award."

-photos by Scott Cole

Britt 2009 Classical Opening Night

2009-08-07T23:44:23Z

Photos from Britt Classical Opening Night, including the Champagne Picnic and pre-concert music by the String Quartet Academy students.

Classical Fans Weather a Rainy Night

2009-08-04T23:47:04Z

A sudden downpour made for a memorable night on the Britt hill this past Saturday. Soloist Anton Nel and the Britt Orchestra were in the early moments of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 when the rain started falling hard. The music stopped temporarily, and the audience took shelter wherever they could find it. Maestro Peter Bay invited audience members to come sit on the dry stage. While the rain poured, Nel spontaneously played his encore pieces first. Eventually the storm abated, and the orchestra was able to continue with the concert. The audience was invited to stay where they were, and many patrons had the rare Britt experience of sitting on stage with the performers. This YouTube video shows the story. Afterwards, Nel told Executive Director Angela Warren, “It was certainly my most unusual concert experience ever.”

Britt Institute Students Hard at Work (and Play!)

2009-07-28T00:02:40Z

This week two of the Britt Institute's summer programs are happening simultaneously: the Saxophone Workshop and the String Quartet Academy. Students are learning from top-notch faculty, performing in small quartets and larger ensembles. Both students and faculty will perform throughout the valley. Take a look at our list of recitals for a full schedule.

To see the inside scoop of the Sax Workshop, take a look at the blog of Dr. Rhett Bender, the Camp Director.

Also, see what the String Quartet Academy students are up to on the Britt Institute blog.

Comments We Love

2009-07-21T23:52:23Z

Kingsley Kelley, the General Manager of KTVL News 10, mentioned Britt in a recent blog post.

Tommy Emmanuel

2009-07-22T18:59:29Z

Tommy Emmanuel

With four Platinum and Gold albums and two consecutive Golden Guitar awards, it’s no wonder the famed Aussie, Tommy Emanuel, has been called “God’s gift to the guitar”. At age four, young Tommy picked up his first guitar and learned to pluck. Since he has been the only non-American to be inducted into the Thumb pickers Hall of Fame.
Amazingly he learned to play from sound alone with no formal instruction.
At age six he stepped onto the stage and wowed audiences with his sheer unadulterated talent. Tommy toured around Australia making music with his siblings, and as an early teen he went out on his own and his career quickly took off. He has since had a long and vibrant career, including performing with his idol Chet Atkins. Tommy has been nominated for two Grammys and has been voted by Rolling Stone as “Most popular Guitarist” for two consecutive years. His gentlemanly Australian nature gives him a notably loveable mystique. With his unique style and sheer talent, Tommy Emmanuel is unmistakably one of the greatest artists of all time. See his upcoming concert at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville Friday, July 24.

Written by: Sara Bayer

A Preview of the Blues Traveler concert

2009-07-10T00:22:26Z

This review of a recent Blues Traveler concert is a nice preview for what Britt audiences are in store for at next week's (July 15) concert with the rock/jam band. The band known for its live performances continues to deliver:

http://www.onmilwaukee.com/seasonal/summerfest/articles/bluestraveler09.html

Jazz Camp Students Meet Chris Botti

2009-07-08T00:54:21Z

The Britt Institute Jazz Camp students had a special opportunity this summer. Before Chris Botti's concert at Britt on Friday, June 26th, the students were able to sit down and learn from the jazz trumpeter in a master class. Jazz Camp student Kai Sandoval played for Botti, and following Bott's feedback, the students were able to ask questions. The photos below show Kai playing for Chris Botti, Botti interacting with the students, and comparing his and Sandoval's trumpets.

Photos are by Josh Morell Image This Photography.

Children's Festival on the Britt hill next week

2009-07-07T17:44:39Z

Britt Festivals turns the hill over to The Storytelling Guild for the 43rd annual Children's Festival at the Britt grounds. This year's theme is "Powered by your Imagination." The festival runs from July 12-14, and admission is just $2 a person. Check out the Storytelling Guild's web site for hours and more details on the program.

A Perfect Evening for Jazz in the Gardens

2009-06-26T17:09:46Z

Last night (June 25), the Dana Landry Septet, Britt's Instrumental Jazz Camp faculty, brought jazz to the gardens at the Eden Valley Orchards. It was a beautiful evening with great music and a soft breeze. This concert was part of the Eden Valley Orchard's Jazz Series featuring a variety of Southern Oregon bands performing weekly in the formal gardens and outdoor ballroom of the historic Voorhies Mansion.To learn about the series, please visit Eden Valley Orchard's website.

Here are some pictures of the evening (taken by Scott Cole):

Want to know what's happening at Britt's Jazz Camp?

2009-06-24T00:15:18Z

For all the inside information about the Britt Institute summer programs with daily updates and student pictures, please visit the Britt Institute blog.

Andrew Bird Concert Review

2009-06-23T21:20:13Z

Instant review: Andrew Bird @ the Fillmore 2/19/09

Posted by Shay Quillen on February 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

The sold-out crowd Thursday at the Fillmore didn’t come to schmooze, dance or drink — the latter to the chagrin of the bored waitresses walking through the crowd with empty trays, who probably wish the headlining entertainer weren’t coming back for a second night. The remarkably well-behaved ticketholders came to listen to music, and that’s what they got.

The object of the rapt attention was Chicago’s Andrew Bird, the virtuoso violinist, guitarist, whistler, singer and occasional glockenspieler who, with the help of a few pedals to capture samples, can easily exist as a one-man band, though on this night he had the help of three backing musicians who rarely did anything to attract attention.

With the look and demeanor of a sincere grad student, Bird spun out beautiful melodies peppered with four-syllable words that flow trippingly off the tongue. Often he’d sketch out the song by laying down a phrase or two of pizzicato violin and looping them. Then he and the rest of the band would color in the rest of the song with bowed violin, guitar, bass and drums (and the occasional woodwind), with Bird’s whistling and vocals added on top.

The repertoire spanned all of his albums and even reached back to his old band, Bowl of Fire, for the encore, a stunning solo take on “Why,” which has become a signature piece. The older stuff was greeted with rapturous applause, but nearly half of the show came from the fine new “Noble Beast,” Bird’s most commercially successful album to date. Especially good was “Effigy,” which Bird described as being about “the guy that sits at the end of the bar and makes unsolicited comments.”

Although there was virtuosity aplenty — the rich vibrato of Bird’s whistling alone is worth the price of admission — the off-the-cuff loops gave everything a rough, homespun quality. Occasionally the layers upon layers got a little thick and messy, but more often the effect was mesmerizing. The records are great, but watching him do it live is something every music fan ought to check out.

Learn More About Andrew Bird

2009-06-22T18:05:04Z

INTERVIEW FOUND ON PITCHFORK.COM

May 22, 2007

Andrew Bird's hardly a household name but he's no longer Chicago's best-kept secret, either. Rather, the eccentric and eclectic violinist/singer/whistler/guitarist/looper falls somewhere in the middle, even if his commercial ascent is steadily swinging him closer to the former.

We recently caught up with Bird, who was simultaneously jetlagged from an extensive European tour, nervous about his upcoming appearance on "Late Night With David Letterman", and anxious to embark on his biggest American tour yet. But somewhere between the bad connections and the airport announcements, we connected on the topics of the (musical) voices in his head, keeping it simple, and playing in a band versus doing it all yourself.

Pitchfork: How did all the European dates go?

Andrew Bird: They were good, but it was a typically chaotic European tour.

Pitchfork: What makes it more chaotic than a U.S. tour?

Andrew Bird: Well, the real drag is trying to fly from country to country, day of show, with all your gear. You get hassled all the time. It's hard trying to keep it together. I started the tour with a raging fever, and then the airlines lost our gear for a week-and-a-half. Show to show we just pieced together what we could, but [Martin] Dosh had a hard time replacing pretty specific stuff. It was fine, but stressful. We just had the clothes on our back for a week.

Pitchfork: Do they still categorize you as "Americana" over there?

Andrew Bird: Not anymore. They used to do that, a little bit. Now they drop names a little more often. It's a little irritating. I've spent several months there and it's still "Jeff Buckley" and "Rufus Wainwright." It seems important to them to have those references.

Pitchfork: You could shake it up by citing misleading influences. Like Judas Priest or something.

Andrew Bird: That might be a good idea, to just derail the whole process. Lately it's moved on to "Sufjan Stevens" or "Joanna Newsom." Which is weird. But I understand people need to communicate, to better relate to you.

Pitchfork: Do you feel that anyone ever gets you pegged right?

Andrew Bird: You know, the other thing over there is that they are really listening, both to the music and to what you're saying. Nine times out of 10, it seems like they've really done their homework, to the point where you're, like, jeez. But do they get it right? I don't know. You just have to deal with all the namedropping and references until you're essentially anonymous. No one compares Tom Waits with anyone, but I guess that comes from being around a couple of decades, at least. They're not too far off in trying to describe what I sound like, I guess. They do like to get intellectual about music over there. I find whatever medium it is I'm operating in now gives me the most freedom, whereas if I was in any other genre it'd be dictated more. I have a lot of ideas, and they're not really connecting to any specific genre, but they need kind of ritual to hang everything on. I guess writing a pop tune is that ritual.

Pitchfork: From the start, a lot of people have noted elements of Eastern European music, or European music in general, in your music.

Andrew Bird: I think the French notice some of my influences, like Ravel and Debussy. They pick up on that, for sure. But I don't think it's their own music they're identifying in mine. It's more what's not there. I think that's why they're bringing in a lot of experimental or indie rock bands. I think those countries, even though their politics are oftentimes to the left, they're still fairly conservative. Especially France, Spain, and Italy. There's a uniformity to those countries. Not that there isn't ambition going on, but there's not a noticeable amount of individual expression on the street. Though that's arguable, for sure. I don't want to just make a blanket statement.

Pitchfork: Are those classical elements as pronounced in your music as some of those people might notice?

Andrew Bird: The violin is just the easiest way I have to express what's in my head. I'll just fully, unconsciously do whatever it takes to make that sound happen. Just like I would with my own voice. I don't even think of the violin as being part of any discipline. When I'm doing that tune "Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left", half of the time I may be out of my mind on stage. I may be supposed to whistle the next line but I actually sing it, or I'm supposed to sing the next line and actually whistle. Or I'm supposed to whistle and I play it on the violin. They're all very direct mediums of connection. It's all coming from the same place.

I've never approached classical music in a formal way, ever. I couldn't read very well. I'd have to play every piece and internalize it, almost as if I had written it myself. So classical music is right in there with all of the other stuff, Lester Young as well as Bartok. It's part of my collective experience. Bringing that into pop music, or writing a three and a half minute tune or melody, that just seems like the most interesting medium to put all my ideas into. Now if I hear any inflection of any specific genre of music … that's kind of why I had to go solo for so long. If I had someone around me who played with a little twangy inflection, I'd think, OK, this is a western swing tune, or this or that. My ear just makes me go there. I needed to get away from that, completely.

Pitchfork: Dissonance is almost de rigueur in rock music, but less so in classical. An ugly violin sound is still kind of shocking to a lot of listeners.

Andrew Bird: When I hear classical music today, I find a lot of it to be very static, physically. Often there's not enough dissonance, or not enough tension. But from Beethoven to the Ramones or whatever, everyone's just looking for the simplest basic hook, or motif. Beethoven's Fifth, everyone knows that. [sings] "Da da da dah." It's just what you do with that, how you work it. You can take two basic, three-chord punk rock bands, executing exactly the same stuff, the exact same notes, and one of them is great and the other one is awful. You can't really put your finger on why. Classical music, you feel like you can get away with murder, because it's considered so sacred. I like it when it just boils down to a few chords. Take all the style out, and all the appropriation, and what are you left with? I've been thinking more and more about what happens when the style gets stripped away. Lately I've been totally satisfied playing the same two chords over and over again. Just playing a B chord and a G chord back and forth. I never get tired of that. I try to remind myself that I could be playing a show, the power could go out, and something has to happen.

Pitchfork: After you disbanded the Bowl of Fire, you toured a lot as solo act, then as a duo. Now that you're a trio, do you feel like a band again?

Andrew Bird: Yeah. At moments I'm either rethinking it or enjoying it. I'm still feeling it out. It's strange, because somehow just playing with Dosh, we both respect how we had cut ourselves off for many years, and when we combined what we were doing, somehow it worked. Once you add one more variable, you wouldn't think it would change he dynamic that much, but it does. Quite a bit. I'm still trying, in the shows, to figure out how to keep the subtleties there, but still enjoy rocking out. I don't really want to let go of all the cool shit that I learned as a solo artist. I'm still juggling four different instruments, but I've got a backing band. It's just multiplying variables right now. It's kind of exciting, but it's kind of a lot to do. I'm trying to get ready for Letterman, where we have to play "Plasticities" for exactly three and a half minutes. It's basically live. There are no re-dos. I'm doing live looping, where my pizzicato has to be absolutely precise, and I have to put down my violin in exactly, like, one and half seconds, then start singing or whistling. It can be a bit nerve wracking.

Pitchfork: Couldn't you just get Paul Shaffer to do it for you?

Andrew Bird: I enjoy the perilousness of all that stuff. I almost cultivate it.

Pitchfork: Isn't that the whole reason to do all that stuff yourself, as opposed to hiring people to play all those parts for you? That element of uncertainty?

Andrew Bird: Yeah, that is part of the fun of it. The thing that keeps coming up, now that we're a three piece, is, yeah, I could just play violin and sing. But I don't want to let go. I feel like we're really starting to get somewhere. We were trying to book shows, as low-key practice shows, but then 1,000 people show up and you're, like, crap.

Pitchfork: Are you starting to write with three people in mind?

Andrew Bird: Not yet. What I want to do, and I've never done this, is to bring those guys out to the barn in late summer and just have a week of casual practice recording sessions. The problem is, I just don't like jamming. [laughs] I don't like practicing. But I do think it would be a cool thing to try. Jeremy Ylvisaker, the guy who plays bass, he's a really creative musician, and so far he's not being fully tapped for what he can do. But I haven't tried that for years, if ever. Just take people down there to record. I'm into that.

Pitchfork: You guys all live in the Midwest, but your music would fit in slightly more "hip" places, like New York or Los Angeles. Is there anything about the place you live that directly relates to the music you make?

Andrew Bird: Definitely. Especially getting out to the rural Midwest. I remember talking to a friend of mine, deciding whether to move to New York, but if I moved to New York I would probably be making much more dense music. I haven't even gotten as far as I want to go, in terms of unfolding songs. I've been hearing something in my head that I've been too overstimulated to have the patience to unfold.

Pitchfork: That's ironic, because rock or pop music-- the medium you're working in-- is generally known for its immediacy.

Andrew Bird: Right. There's always a tension between wanting to write a really concise, instant gratification type song that gets under your skin the first time you hear it, and wanting to really stretch out. I think it's a healthy tension. I think I need to, in the future, go further into textural stuff. The original question was about the Midwest, and the landscape. But Chicago and Minneapolis are the two communities I've been involved with. Minneapolis-- there are a lot of really creative people up there. I'm really enjoying it. Chicago as well, but Chicago is so familiar to me. So am I an advocate for the Midwest? I don't know [laughs]

Pitchfork: Well, a lot of other major urban centers, especially New York and L.A., are artistic destinations, places people go, whereas a city like Chicago is where a lot of people come from.

Andrew Bird: I do think people [in Chicago] are making art maybe for different reasons. That's how I've always felt. People move to L.A. waiting for something to happen to them. It takes some initiative. I think people in Chicago, or Minneapolis, I've always appreciated the sort of anonymity of it, a humbleness to the work ethic.

Pitchfork: You've released three volumes of "Fingerlings". What creative role have they played for you between recording and releasing proper albums?

Andrew Bird: Well, they've been pretty effortless, besides a little bit of sequencing and going through old recordings. But they sometimes come together and make way more sense right away than the albums do. The material is pretty disparate, from five-piece Bowl of Fire stuff to solo, but they all kind of effortlessly make sense. It's mostly live recordings, but I really believe there's more honesty in one live show than there may be in my whole output. [laughs] I don't know.

Pitchfork: A lot of people still go to shows expecting to hear the record.

Andrew Bird: I get a few kids who come up to me at the show and ask "is it supposed to be like this?" But that's kind of rare. Most people are very happy with the live show. They usually say "it makes sense to me now." I also feel like it's gotten to the point now where it doesn't really matter what kind of record I make. Everyone's expecting the next Arcade Fire, or the next Modest Mouse record, to be as good as the last record. But it doesn't really matter what kind of record I put out. It's really the whole thing. I mean, I put a lot into my records, and I won't release anything I'm not totally thrilled with. But on the other hand, it's now gone beyond that shiny plastic disc.

Pitchfork: That's another source of positive creative tension. For record buyers, the album might seem like the end product. But from the musician's perspective, about to head out onto the road, the record may just be the starting point.

Andrew Bird: Yeah. I don't like to disappear between records. I like to play shows while I'm making the record. I've never really understood bands that…I can't relate to the process of just disappearing and writing a record, all at the same time, followed by the sort of drudgery of going out on tour and trying to recreate the record, playing the same 12 songs every night.

Pitchfork: You write a lot of songs while you're traveling, but not a lot of songs about traveling.

Andrew Bird: A lot of these new songs I wrote in France, traveling on tour. "Fiery Crash"-- I wrote half of that when I was in Marseille, right before the riots. Then there are the times you're just sitting in an airport for five hours, and CNN keeps coming on. How are you supposed to keep your imagination alive when you're just getting worn down by it all? I think there's a lot of me [lyrically] desperately searching for something, to feel alive. Some of your best songs come from a desperate attempt to escape, so sitting in an airport for hours I can just start pulling out little fragments of songs from my head. A lot of times a melody will just occur to me and be my companion for a couple of months.

Mail Tribune Photo Gallery of the Los Lonely Boys

2009-06-16T18:25:28Z

Even though it was a very stormy night, Andrew Kemp, a photographer from the Mail Tribune took some great pictures of the Los Lonely Boys. To view his gallery of pictures, please click here.

Post Your Review on Brittfest.org

2009-06-15T21:57:18Z

After you go to a Britt Festivals concert this summer, don't forget to post your concert review on the Britt website. Tell us all your thoughts! Can't wait to here what you have to say. This will help us determine who to bring back in the future!

We Weathered a Stormy Start!

2009-06-15T16:39:10Z

Patrons at tonight's Los Lonely Boys concert are hardy music fans! The rain started coming down hard during opening act Frobeck's set, and we had to put the show on hold because of the lightning in the area. Because of the safety concerns with performing on stage during a lightning storm, and because of the threat to the lighting and sound system, we powered down until the danger passed.

For over an hour we waited to see whether the storm would pass in time for the band to put on a full show. Los Lonely Boys were finally able to take the stage at about 9:15 tonight, and put on a great, high-energy performance. Patrons who stuck out the rain were rewarded for their patience! Seeing people dance under their rain ponchos was truly a beautiful sight!

Thank you to all Britt patrons who endured the elements tonight. Thanks also to Britt volunteers, who continued working their posts even as their clothes became soaked. We so appreciate your patience and endurance, and hope to see you all back at Britt soon.

-Sara King Cole, Marketing Manager, Britt Festivals

Britt Introduces Member Hospitality Tent

2009-06-12T01:30:12Z

This summer, Britt introduces the Member Hospitality Tent ($600 or higher member donation). The tent will be located just inside the main entrance to the Britt hill at all concerts, and will offer upper level members a taste of some of the Rogue Valley's finest food and beverage purveyors.

To take advantage of this member benefit, simply stop by the Hospitality Tent when you come to Britt this summer. You'll be greeted by a Britt representative and encouraged to enjoy a tasting and socialize with other members.

The Hospitality Tent will be open from the time the gates open at 5:45 p.m., and will close just before intermission (during the Classical Festival, the tent will close before the concert starts). Stop in and let Britt say thank you for your membership support!

This weekend the Hospitality Tent will feature:

Friday, June 12 - Crater Lake Cellars Winery

Saturday, June 13 - Rising Sun Farms

Eagle Scout Project Completed on the Britt Hill

2009-06-12T00:54:09Z

As Jordan DeGraw's Eagle Scout project, the upper restroom facility on the Britt hill was completely renovated this Spring. This project would not have been possible without the support and assistance of many great organizations and individuals. A special thanks to the following for their generous donations of time, skills, money and supplies:

BSA Troup 167 Boy Scots, leaders and parents
Completely Floored, Inc.
Budge-McHugh Supply Co.
Gale Contractor Services
Extra Morgan Fine Homes
Jim Eagar Mechanical
Sherwin-Williams Co.
Shawn & Maryann DeGraw
John Schmidt
Mike Morrison

Here is a before and after picture of the upper restroom facility at Britt:

BEFORE

AFTER

Come Celebrate Britt Festivals in Jacksonville this Weekend!

2009-06-05T17:31:36Z

In celebration of Britt's 47th season, Downtown Jacksonville will host Britt Festivals annual kick-off merriment at Britt 2009—A Vintage to Remember on Sunday, June 7 from 12-4 pm. This event is FREE and open to all interested in celebrating Britt's success and experiencing the simple joys of the Rogue Valley. Festivities will include:

Wine Walk

• 15 Applegate Valley wineries paired with Jacksonville merchants
• Commemorative Britt wine glasses for $18
• FREE Jacksonville t-shirt (while supplies last)

Music

Alcyon Massive (hip-hop/reggae)
South 3rd Street
12-2 pm

Indubious (reggae/funk)
South 3rd Street
2-4 pm

Rick Wadman Trio (jazz)
Corner of California and Oregon Streets (old telephone building)
2-4 pm

All About Howie

2009-06-04T21:49:41Z

Howie Mandel will perform at Britt Festivals on June 19 at 7:30 p.m. with John Mendoza opening. Get ready to laugh!

Here is an interview with Howie:

Kidsday interviews comic Howie Mandel
BY RICHARD RINALDI, ALYSSA SCALA AND JESSICA SIXT
Kidsday Reporters

May 2, 2008

We met comedian and game-show host Howie Mandel when he was in New York recently. We like his NBC show "Deal or No Deal."

We know you are an actor and a comedian. Do those past experiences make you a better game-show host?
Yes. I get to work in front of an audience as I do when I do stand-up comedy. On my show I can act very dramatically. Sometimes they are going to open the case and whatever is in that case is going to change somebody's life and I can stretch it out and make it dramatic and scary. And right when they think they are going to open it, I tell them we are going to open it when we come back.

Which do you prefer being, a TV host, comedian or actor?
I like doing everything. When you grow up, hopefully you will get to do everything you love. I get to do everything I love. I like just being busy. So I can do stand-up one day... then I fly home this week and I will tape some shows for "Deal or No Deal" and get to be a game show host. Then I will stay at home and write sometimes. Last night I was on a show called "Monk," so I get to act. I do voice-overs and I do cartoons.

What are the craziest things you've done to get a laugh?
When I was your age ... I got in trouble for and punished for what I seem to get paid for today. I am saying behave and be good, I had no idea when I was your age that it would become a job. What a lucky guy I am that whatever I am became my job.

Do people still ask you to blow rubber gloves up on your head?
I don't do it often, but if certain people ask me, I will. [Howie did the stunt for us!]

We read that you did not want to host "Deal or No Deal." Is this true?
Absolutely. I did not want to be a game-show host. Then my wife saw a tape of the show and told me to take the deal. I didn't believe her and she said, "Take it, it will be good for you." I took the show, and it is a big hit and my wife spends the whole day going, "Na nana na." She was right.

We watched a bit of your character Bobby online. Do you enjoy doing his voice? Does it annoy your family?
[In Bobby's voice:] Actually, this is my real voice. And I talk like this so people won't make fun of me. I don't really use the voices around the house.

On your Web site we read about your upcoming project "Howie Do It." Can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes. It is a hidden camera show. We are going to hide a camera and then we are going to spend a couple of months trying to find it. We are going to hide a camera and play jokes on people.

What is your favorite part of hosting the show?
Watching people win a lot of money having all their dreams come true. That is the neatest thing ever. Can you imagine being some place where you can play a game and the person tells you they have never really owned a home or they are in debt or their kids want to go to college but they can't afford it and then all of a sudden they win that money and the kids can go to college or people can get married and they can have a baby. And they can move into a house they never had.

If you were a contestant, what case would you pick?
I don't have a lucky number. You know the beauty of our game is nobody knows what is in what case. My birthday is on the 29th, so I would pick 29. But there are only 26 cases so I would leave with nothing.

Is the banker a real person? If so are you friends with him?
Yes, he is a real person and I am not friends with him, I find him very mean. He really is mean. He says nasty things on the phone and I don't repeat a lot of the stuff that he says. He tries to get people to leave with as little money as possible.

How many kids do you have and do they think that you are funny?
Three. I have told them throughout their life that I am very, very funny, so hopefully they believe me. Sometimes they think I am funny, but I am their dad. Sometimes I am their dad first and then funny second, or sometimes third or sometimes seventh. I want them to do their homework and be good. Right now one of my children is a teacher. One of my children teaches second grade, so she is already a grownup. My son is 18 and I have a 15-year-old daughter still in high school.

Here are some videos of Howie in action:

Britt taking your pledge calls for SOPTV tonight!

2009-06-03T23:03:53Z

Staff and board members of Britt Festivals are excited to take your pledge calls tonight on SOPTV. So make sure to tune in to Channel 8 from 6 to 9 tonight! Here is a great letter from Mark Stanislawski from SOPTV explaining why you should pledge:

Dear SOPTV Viewer,

This week public television stations across the country go-to-the-air to ask their viewers to support their stations. Since the mid-70's public television stations pooled their resources to develop a nationally coordinated approach for on-air fundraising called "Festival."

Times have changed, but the basic premise endures. Televised membership drives work because of the special relationship and appreciation viewers have for public television programming. When we appeal for viewer contributions after a program, there is almost a 100% probability that the viewers we're speaking to just finished watching and enjoying that program. That's why pledge drives continue to be the most efficient and effective means to encourage viewers to become supporting members.

Today, viewers' pledges of financial support during on-air drives accounts for a little over 17% of SOPTV's projected revenues this year. But when you consider the number of active members who renew via mail that first joined SOPTV during a past pledge drive, that figure is over 90%.

"Pledging" is uniquely American

Unlike public service broadcasters in other countries, public broadcasting in the United States has a distinctively different funding model which largely depends on individual and community support. Smaller stations (with smaller budgets) like SOPTV have a higher proportion of federal support (38%) than larger stations like KQED in San Francisco or Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland.

While we're hopeful federal funding will remain stable this year, we have experienced cuts in each of the last two fiscal years, which makes your individual support that much more important to the programs you enjoy.

In England, the public service broadcasting (the BBC) is paid as tax for receiving television. That works out to some $250 USD per year per household! In comparison, funding for public broadcasting (television and radio) in the United States amounts to about $1.30 per taxpayer.

So, pledge continues to be a critically important--and very visible--part of our funding. Overall membership support provides nearly half of SOPTV's total operating budget. This is why every pledge and every member matters.

Your Pledge Counts!

Your contribution makes a HUGE difference in the service we provide to all viewers in southern Oregon and northern California.

Being able to use our broadcast service to talk to you about the importance of your continuing support SOPTV is a privilege, and we make every effort to be as efficient as possible! Thanks for your understanding and support of SOPTV!

Mark Stanislawski
President & CEO (and a proud 24 year veteran of Pledge Drives), SOPTV

2009 Classical Festival Program Notes Available to Download!

2009-06-01T22:36:19Z

The 2009 Classical Festival program notes are now available to download by clicking on each classical performance on our performance page. These informative program notes provide audience members at every Britt Festivals Orchestra concert clues about how and what to listen for. These are great guides!

This year's program notes are written by Mark Knippel, a University of Oregon student who is earning his master's degree in music composition. Knippel is already a published composer.

Britt Institute EdenVale Concert Series

2009-05-27T23:29:18Z

The Britt Institute and EdenVale Winery have teamed up to present a great series of concerts at Eden Valley Orchards this summer called Britt Institute in the Gardens.The concerts feature faculty, alumni and students of Britt’s education programs. All proceeds benefit Britt Institute Scholarships.

All concerts are on Tuesdays at the Eden Valley Orchards located at 2310 Voorhies Road in Medford and start at 7 p.m. The cover is $10 per person. Light fare will be available, along with wine, beer and soft beverages. For more information, visit www.brittfest.org, stop by 216 West Main Street, Medford or call 541-690-3852.

Here is the line-up:

6/30-Flamenco in the Gardens
Dúo Flamenco
Dúo Flamenco, based in Ashland, Oregon, features Grant Ruiz on guitar and vocals and Terry Longshore on cajón, percussion, and vocals. This fiery duo will bring southern Spain to EdenVale -the arid, sun-drenched mountain plateaus; tiled courtyards with elegant, whispering fountains and caves filled with gypsy passion; and a history flowing with ecstasy and anguish.

7/7-Guitar in the Gardens
New West Guitar Group
Britt Jazz Camp alumni John Storie* returns to the Rogue Valley with his headline making group New West. John has performed across the country and is gaining recognition as a leading figure among young musicians.

7/14-Opera in the Gardens
Baritone Mike Morris*
Soprano Madeline Abel-Kerns*
California-based baritone Michael Morris and New York soprano Madeline Abel-Kerns present an extraordinary concert of solos and duets from Aida, Tosca and more. Don't miss this reunion of two of Britt's favorite faculty members and the West Coast's very own opera stars, filling the gardens with voice.

8/4-Strings in the Gardens
Arianna String Quartet*
Returning to EdenVale after their acclaimed concert last summer, the Arianna String Quartet promises to provide a lovely evening of string quartet repertoire. Pre-concert music will be provided by the eight string quartets studying with them as part of Britt Festivals' String Quartet Academy.

8/18-Gabe in the Gardens
Gabe Young* and Friends
Thirteen year old saxophonist Gabe Young is already making a splash in the Rogue Valley. When he first arrived at the Britt Jazz Camp three summers ago at the ripe age of ten, the saxophone faculty said "This kid is something special." Come hear what makes him special, along with Sophie Javna, Wesley Wade*, Kristina Meyer*, Ian Wurfl* and Rafferty Swink.*

9/8-Guitar in the Gardens Lineage
Gary Wade, Justin Wade and Wesley Wade* comprise the guitar ensemble, Lineage. Father, son and grandson are considered to be among the finest guitarists in the valley. Enjoy three generations of music in the making!

ALSO AT EDEN VALLEY ORCHARDS:

Thursday Night Jazz in the Gardens
6/25 at 6 p.m.-Dana Landry Septet
Britt's Instrumental Jazz Camp Faculty Concert
Join pianist Dana Landry and six nationally known faculty members from the Britt Institute's Instrumental Jazz Camp for a night of sizzling jazz. This evening only: $5 cover charge.

* designates participant being past or present faculty, alumni or students of the Britt Institute

Okkervil River Will Open for Wilco on June 30!

2009-05-22T23:28:51Z

The Austin art-rock group Okkervil River will be opening for Wilco on June 30th at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville! If you don't know who they are, you should! Here is a great link from NPR with audio from a live concert they did in Washington, D.C.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14727366

Oompa-Loompas at Britt Pavilion

2009-05-22T23:06:05Z

There were Oompa-Loompas all over the Britt hill last night at the Jacksonville Elementary School musical! I was so impressed by the talent of the students! They were wonderful. The hard work that went into the show by Wendi Stanek and Jim Finnegan, both teachers at the school, was very evident.

What was so amazing was the list of parents and community members printed in the program that helped put the show together. How neat it is to have all of these people so committed to this experience for the children of Jacksonville.

I really enjoyed the show and hope that the Medford School District won't cut the funding on music education in the elementary schools because I can't wait to go and see the Jacksonville Elementary School's musical next year!

Here are a few pictures that Vicki Rosette, Office Manager at Britt Festivals took of the performance.

Britt Institute Student Earns Money for Britt Summer Programs

2009-05-18T16:18:57Z

Channel 10 News recently did a news story about how the recession is impacting local children. Natalee Morales, a reporter for KTVL, conducted an interview with Tucker Phillips, a Britt Institute String Quartet Academy student, who shared his story on how the recession is impacting his life.

The story showed how Tucker is learning the value of money and taking the initiative to pay for his new cello, set him back $2,100. He also wants to attend the Britt String Quartet Academy this year, which costs $700 after the scholarships he received from Britt. So how is a 13-year-old paying for all this? He is working. He works odd yard jobs around the Medford area and is slowly paying off his cello and saving money for camp.

After the television news story aired on Channel 10, Tucker received a few phone calls from people who saw him on TV who wanted to provide him with jobs. One woman heard Tucker's story and decided to have him mow her yards. She says Tucker does awesome work and they share something in common. She plays the cello, too.

Tucker still needs more work. If you or someone you know needs some yard work done and would like to help Tucker earn his way to the Britt Institute String Quartet Academy, please call Tucker at 541-664-3234 or email him at jaynicie@gmail.com.

Britt Festivals 2009 Fine Arts Poster

2009-05-15T22:16:56Z

Britt Festivals unveiled its 2009 Fine Arts Poster at a reception last night (May 14) at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville. This year's work is a watercolor by Rogue Valley artist Julie Bjorlie. She was in attendance and signed posters. This year's poster is the 26th in a series celebrating Britt through visual arts.

Judy Bjorlie has captured perfectly what the Britt hill looks like from stage and was able to do so since she has been a cellist in the Britt Orchestra for 33 consecutive years. Judy began playing at Britt when the overhead lights were made from tin coffee cans and the plywood floors had holes here and there. On a rainy night, water was collected in tarps hung above the orchestra, which could (and sometimes did) unexpectedly empty, dousing musicians and causing a sudden evacuation of the Britt stage.
Judy brought her on-stage perspective to her subject choice for this year's Fine Arts Poster. "I thought Britt audiences might like to see what I see from the cello section on the Britt stage. Sometimes the velvet sky and emerging stars are so beautiful that it is a challenge to stay focused on the conductor. I love it when the playing is especially beautiful and I am surrounded by gorgeous music. You can feel your spirit soar above the orchestra," says Bjorlie.

In addition to the Britt Orchestra, she also plays with the Rogue Valley Symphony and in chamber music ensembles. She taught orchestra in the Medford schools before retiring to explore her interest in painting.

Judy is one of six owner/artists of Art & Soul Gallery in Ashland, Oregon, where 30 regional artists exhibit paintings. She paints traditional watercolors of landscapes, portraits, florals and animals, and has work currently in homes and businesses in the United States, Asia and Europe.

Eagle Scout Project for Britt Looking for Community Support

2009-05-07T00:41:00Z

Jordan DeGraw, a high-school student and Eagle Scout, is working on achieving his Eagle Scout Award and wanted to do something for Britt as his service project. Jordan is a Britt volunteer and he noticed the need to renovate the upper bathrooms at the Britt Pavilion, and decided that this would be his perfect project.

The Eagle Scout Troup 167 will be cleaning, repairing and renovating the upper bathrooms and is seeking community support to offset the costs of this project.

He is looking for the following goods and services to be donated:

Demolition team: Saturday, May 9
Painters and Handy People to help install new mirrors, light fixtures, sinks and stalls: Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25
Plumbing supplies
Installer: to install laminate on the bathroom floors

If you are interested in assisting the Eagle Scout Troup, please contact Jordan DeGraw at 541-245-3370 or email him at mdegraw57@charter.net.

The Heartless Bastards Will Open for The Avett Brothers

2009-05-06T21:33:20Z

Britt Festivals is pleased to announce that The Heartless Bastards will open for The Avett Brothers on August 29 at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville. Check out this video of the band.

A Classic Trolley

2009-05-04T17:34:53Z

Do you know that you can catch a free trolley ride up to the main gate of the Britt Pavilion before each concert? That's right! Thanks to the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce allowing Britt to lease the trolley, you don't have to lug your ice chest and folding chairs all the way up the hill by foot. Take a free ride and arrive perspiration-free at the front gate. You can find the trolley after 6 p.m. stopping at the main public parking lots and then moving on down the road to the overflow parking at Bigham Knoll.

The history of the trolley is rather unique. A locally owned company "Classic Trolley" built the trolley in 1984, under the leadership of company founder Wally Wilson, who is a native of the Rogue Valley and started the company in 1982. For almost 20 years the company has been producing trolleys and these gems can be found in San Francisco, Honolulu, Alaska, Guam, Switzerland and many other locations worldwide.

Wilson started building trolleys after a friend who owned a tour company in San Francisco asked him to put his construction skills to work in restoring a trolley that he had purchased. Wilson is a man who likes to do things right, so he got a hold of some design prints from 1884 and restored that first trolley to its original glory. After this, he started manufacturing trolleys, creating the highest quality and most accurately detailed replicas of 1890s California street trolleys, including the varnished solid oak wooden seats and shiny brass fittings.

John Hagler, President
Classic Trolley, Inc.

In 1984, the Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) purchased the trolley that is currently in use in Jacksonville from Classic Trolley and leased the trolley to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Britt Festivals, along with other local nonprofits and private parties, but in December 2006, unable to afford the operation costs of the trolley, RVTD donated the trolley to the city of Jacksonville.

Classic Trolley is pleased the trolley is now permanently in Jacksonville. "I am so glad that they are running the trolley in Jacksonville. It is part of that town. It warms my heart to know that something that we took great pride in building is recognized and used in the valley," says John Hagler, son-in-law of Wally Wilson and current president of Classic Trolley.

Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce board member Terri Gieg agrees, "The history of this town comes to life on that trolley. The thing about the trolley tours is that it's about so much more than coming to a town of old buildings and riding around. This town has a heart. It's about life and people. There is a rich history here and so much to see!"

Seven Things You Didn't Know About Chris Botti

2009-04-30T16:45:05Z

This Newsweek video reveals seven things about Chris Botti that you probably didn't know before. Botti will be performing here at Britt Festivals on June 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Volunteer Hearts are Stronger

2009-04-28T21:22:38Z

Sharon Johnson's column in today's Medford Mail Tribune says that people who volunteer are much healthier. We couldn't help but think of our Britt volunteers and their big hearts!

Read the complete article at this link.

Britt Institute Students Need Scholarships

2009-04-23T16:55:07Z

As the squeeze on family budgets tightens, there is an increasing trend of students needing more financial assistance to attend the Britt Institute summer programs: the Instrumental Jazz Camp, Saxophone Workshop and String Quartet Academy.

Typically, 50 percent of Britt students request financial assistance to attend Britt's educational programs. This year, an overwhelming 80 percent of applicants have requested financial assistance in paying for the tuition, room and board fees associated with attending Britt's programs. Approximately 100 talented young musicians will be selected through a highly competitive audition process. Scholarship awards start at $175 per student but even this modest subsidy makes a huge difference in a family's ability to send their student to a music program that has the power to enrich and shape a young life.

Along with the increasing need for Britt's programs and scholarships, the cost of providing programs and academies also grows each year. Housing for students in the SOU dormitories has increased by 100% in just four years. In order to maintain the caliber of the program and provide scholarship assistance, we look to the community for support.

The Britt Institute relies on the generosity of donors and the success of fundraisers such as the annual Britt Bash to provide the funds needed to bring these talented young musicians to study with the best and brightest faculty in the country.

Even with the generous support already received this year, the Britt Institute needs additional funds in order to meet the needs of this year's students.

The Britt Institute will present a number of events this summer to raise money for scholarships, including Jazzed about Jazz: Jazz Camp's 20th Anniversary Concert on Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville.

You can help too! For more information on what you can do to assist a student attend a Britt Institute program this year, please contact Development Director Carrie Kaufman at 779-0847 x 124.

Q&A with Cowboy Junkies' Michael Timmins

2009-04-21T20:26:54Z

Here is a great Q&A with Cowboy Junkies' Michael Timmins. The band recently played a benefit concert for War Child, a network of independent organizations working across the world to help children affected by war. The Cowboy Junkies will play at Britt on Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

American Latino TV Nominates Los Lonely Boys for an Award

2009-04-16T15:45:47Z

Los Lonely Boys, who will perform at Britt on Friday, June 12, have been nominated for Favorite American Latino Hitmaker by the American Latino Syndication for the 3rd Annual American Latino TV Awards.

American Latino Syndication, a division of Los Angeles-based LATV Networks, recently announced the nominees for the 3rd Annual "American Latino TV Awards" show, with voting and promotion scheduled to begin this week. The "American Latino TV Awards" is a celebration of American Latino TV's historic seventh season.

"American Latino TV Awards" serves to recognize excellence and achievement in the American Latino community and is a tribute to the individuals, organizations and projects that have been featured in the producers' seven-season library of multi-award winning and groundbreaking television shows.

The nominees (four per category in six categories) for the unique awards show format were selected by a team of American Latino TV producers. This year's awards show hosts five exciting new categories: Favorite American Latino Hitmaker, Favorite Alternative Athlete, Favorite American Latino Newcomer, Favorite Live Performance, Most Outspoken American Latino, as well as returning category Most Inspiring American Latino.

The winners will be decided by online voting and announced during the nationally syndicated broadcast of the American Latino TV Awards special, which will begin airing later this summer in over 70 cities nationwide. A promotional campaign of TV, radio, local and national print and online ads will direct viewers to www.AmericanLatinoAwards.com which provides a detailed list of nominees, along with a short video segment of each one, and the ability to cast votes.

Why become a Britt member?

2009-04-13T21:55:55Z

Why become a Britt member?

Britt tickets are currently on sale to members now through May 25, and general public ticket sales begin May 26. While you might think of early access to tickets as a prime benefit of Britt membership (and it is!) there are lots of great reasons to make a membership contribution. Here are just a few:

Your contribution supports a southern Oregon treasure
You’re part of the “Britt experience”
You support valuable arts education programs under the Britt Institute
You’re part of a community of supporters
And, of course, members have first access to tickets at Britt through the member pre-sale, and great benefits like ticket exchange privileges, access to the wait list, and more

Already a Britt member? Share with us why membership is important to you!

Chris Smither Will Open for Tommy Emmanuel on July 24

2009-04-08T21:50:44Z

Britt Festivals is proud to announce that American folk/blues singer, guitarist and songwriter Chris Smither will open for Tommy Emmanuel on Friday, July 24th.

National Public Radio says, "[Smither] taps his foot to keep the rhythm, much like the late blues legend John Lee Hooker. His guitar-picked guitar lines are sleek, unhurried and insistent. And then there's the voice—equal parts gravel and molasses, Smither's singing sounds like a distillation of the folk and blues heroes he grew up listening to in New Orleans."

Below are video excerpts from Chris Smither's long awaited concert DVD, available now at: www.smither.com. Video by Kathy Wittman Audio by Keith Richardson.

Who is Andrew Bird?

2009-04-07T15:56:40Z

If you don't know who Andrew Bird is, here is a great article describing his music and performance style. I am glad that I read more about him, because I think his performance at Britt on July 16 is going to be one of the concerts that we will all be glad we went to see.

Trace Adkins wins Single of the Year

2009-04-06T17:16:04Z

Trace was awarded Single of the Year for "Your Gonna Miss This" at the ACM Awards Sunday Night. When accepting his award Trace said, "This song was recorded by a father whose oldest daughter had just gotten married. It was very personal to me, and I didn't think other people would relate to it the way that I did". "Your Gonna Miss This" is on the American Man - Greatest Hits Volume Two CD. Congratulations Trace!

Here is a video of his moving performance from the ACM Awards.

Chris Botti on TODAY

2009-04-06T16:54:41Z

Here is the video from Chris Botti on the Today Show. He will be performing at Britt Festivals on June 26, 2009.

Les Claypool on Jimmy Kimmel Live

2009-04-06T16:36:05Z

Check out Les Claypool on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Les Claypool will play at Britt on Sunday, June 21.

Britt's 2009 Season Announcement

2009-04-03T00:33:44Z

Britt Festivals announced its 2009 season on Tuesday, March 31 at our annual media appreciation luncheon. We had a large showing from our media partners and many of our board members. The lunch, which was catered/donated by Silver Ridge Outfitters was delicious, with their homemade dutch oven cooking. And of course, the announcement of who is coming to Britt this summer was the highlight of the day.

This season we are looking forward to all of the performers, especially Sheryl Crow, Trace Adkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Natalie Cole and Howie Mandel. And we are looking forward to booking even more great performers that we will share with you as we book them.

It is always great to hear feedback from our patrons, so please don't hesitate to tell us what you think about the season line-up on our forums page.

Britt Bash 2009

2009-03-17T23:30:15Z

A special thank you to all who attended and contributed to the success of the 2009 Britt Bash. It really was a great event!

Tisa Cawthon celebrates after winning the bidding on the NASCAR racing package.

Miss Rogue Valley Kirsten (a Britt Institute Sax Workshop alum) makes a
pitch for scholarship contributions.

Maggie Parsons raises her paddle during the call for scholarship contributions.

Happy Birthday Peter Britt!

2009-03-12T15:41:31Z

Today we celebrate Peter Britt's 190th birthday. The Britt staff is having birthday cake here in the Britt office today in honor of this extraordinary man.

Peter Britt (1819-1905) came to Jacksonville in 1852 after immigrating from Switzerland and spending seven years in Illinois. Like others, he hoped to make money mining gold, though his real passion-and ultimate success-came with photography and horticulture. He is credited with taking the first photograph of Crater Lake, planting the region's first fruit trees and opening Southern Oregon's first winery.

His estate, now the site of Britt Festivals, still bears the fruit trees and other vegetation he planted there more than a century ago. We are proud to provide to provide high quality performances on the estate of a man who had such an impact on the region.

To learn more about Peter Britt and his legacy, please visit http://www.peterbritt.org.

John Trudeau Remembered

2009-03-07T00:43:19Z

A memorial celebration for Britt Festivals' Founder and Conductor Emeritus John Trudeau is this Saturday, March 8, at Hoffman Hall at Portland State University, where Trudeau taught for 32 years. The memorial is open to the public.

The memorial program includes performances from the PSU Brass Ensemble, the Portland Brass Society, and the Portland State University Chamber Choir. Many colleagues and friends will share stories, including Britt's Classical Festival Administrator, Angela Warren.

In memory of this great man, here is an excerpt from John Trudeau's book Touches of Sweet Harmony, where Trudeau summarizes the beginning of Britt Festivals.

The Beginning

Take the dream of an individual, add a historic gold-mining town, and a nearly perfect summer climate, and you have the recipe for an outdoor summer music festival. The creation of the internationally-known Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon, resulted from the effort and shared interest of two men. I am one of those men, and the other is my long-time friend, Sam McKinney, who first came across the southern Oregon community of Jacksonville and suggested it might be the place to make a dream come alive. Let me tell you the story as I remember it.

In the late summer of 1962, Jacksonville looked much as it had a century earlier, when trail scouts, trappers, and miners pushed their way through the narrow streets. There was the Brunner building, built in 1853, that at one time had a two-foot layer of dirt around the foundation to guard against Indian fire arrows; the Beekman Bank, built in 1863, where miners had deposited the gold they had pulled out of the nearby hills; and the U.S. Hotel where President Rutherford Hayes and other luminaries enjoyed the most luxurious rooms in town when it first opened in 1880. Not much had changed in a hundred years, but it was about to.

The city's goals and our proposal for a music festival became intertwined, making 1962 a memorable year for Sam and me and for the City of Jacksonville as well. More than forty years have passed since our "discovery" in Jacksonville, but the spirit, the excitement, the optimism, and the growth of both town and festival continue.

Britt's 2009 season will be announced in 30 days!

2009-03-02T16:50:52Z

Renew your membership today to stay on our members-only advance mailing list.

As a past Britt member, you know that membership contributions are the lifeblood of Britt. Without the support of so many in the community, Britt as we know it would simply not exist. When you renew your support, you help Britt continue to offer the artists and performances you love, and to be a meaningful part of life in southern Oregon. Renew your membership today and help keep "the Britt experience" alive!

Four Million Dollar Taxi Ride

2009-02-25T00:51:25Z

We have all probably had the sinking feeling when we realize that we have left something precious behind in a restaurant, taxi or hotel room. Imagine how you would feel watching a taxicab pull away with something worth $4 million dollars still inside it.

That was exactly what happened to Philippe (pronounced "Philip") Quint, the Grammy-nominated violinist who will play at Britt this summer on August 14.

Last April, Quint was returning home to New York City from Dallas, where he had performed with a 1723 Antonio Stradivari "Ex-Kiesewetter" violin that had been loaned to him. After unloading his luggage from the cab, Quint turned to retrieve the 285 year-old instrument. All he saw was the taxi's retreating tail lights pulling away from the curb, with the violin still inside.

Unable to get the cab's license number, the panicked 34-year-old musician called the police and the taxi commission before heading back to the Newark Airport-where his plane landed and his ride began-to view taxi mug shots with authorities.

The taxi that he had rode in was a minivan, a clue that narrowed his search to just eight possible cabs. The next day, the driver was identified and contacted. Mohammed Khalil immediately looked inside his taxi, which had been parked overnight on a Newark street, and found the four million dollar Strad inside.

It was only six hours from when he lost the violin to when he got it back, but Philippe Quint said in a media interview that it felt like six years.

When the taxi driver returned the violin to him, Quint pulled out his wallet and gave Mohammed all the money he had in it, which ended up to total about $100. But when Quint finally returned home with the violin in hand, he started thinking about what would be the best way to reward him for what he had done. He thought the best way was to give a part of himself, which is his music.

On May 7, as a way to thank the taxi driver, he gave a performance at the Newark Liberty International Airport's taxicab holding area. He played for a half an hour, playing five selections. The cabbies clapped and whistled and danced in the aisles.

The city of Newark awarded a Medallion (its highest honor) to Mohammed Khalil, who has driven a taxi there since 1985. As he had planned for months, Khalil retired from driving a cab the day he took Philippe Quint home.

Cheers to OSF!

2009-02-16T19:51:00Z

Britt Festivals would like to join in the celebration of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's (OSF) 50th anniversary of their outdoor Elizabethan Stage, which opens in June for another year of wonderful performances! As an outdoor venue, Britt Festivals knows how special outdoor performing venues are in southern Oregon. Audiences have fallen in love with the region's clean air, warm breezes and bright twinkling skies full of stars.

OSF is dedicating the 2009 season to principal theatre and scenic designer, Richard L. Hay, acknowledging his creative work that spans more than 50 years at OSF and includes the design of all three theatre spaces, beginning with the current Elizabethan Stage in 1959, half a century ago.

The 2009 OSF season opens at 8:00 p.m. this Friday, February 20, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre on the battlefields of Scotland with William Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth, directed by guest artist Gale Edwards.

For a full schedule of performances at OSF, visit osfashland.org.

Britt Institute Prepares for Summer Programs

2009-02-11T22:02:30Z

Over 125 students attend one of three Britt Institute summer camps every summer—Instrumental Jazz Camp, Saxophone Workshop, and the String Quartet Academy. Students have the opportunity to study with faculty from throughout the United States who are masters in their field. Studies include theory, history, improvisation, master classes and performances.

Who is behind the scenes making these educational programs happen? That would be a group of amazingly committed camp faculty and a woman who has always been passionate about arts education, Joelle Graves.

As Education Director at Britt Festivals, Joelle has a long list of details to check off her list before the first students arrive for Britt's Instrumental Jazz Camp in June. Details that include where students are going to sleep, what they are going to eat, what they are going to do during their extra time and how to transport them from one place to another.

She does all of this preparation and pays attention to every single detail in an effort to make the Britt Institute camps stand apart. She ensures that everything runs seamlessly, from the student's arrival to their departure. Her motto is "listen and do," meaning she listens to the feedback she receives (direct and indirect) and takes action. For example, if string students mention that the chairs are too hard to sit on four hours at a time, she finds different ones that are more comfortable. She is more than willing to go above and beyond to make the camps the most positive experience in these young lives.

~Posted by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant, Britt Festivals

Podcast Interview with Dave Anderson

2009-02-04T19:55:23Z

Principal Bass of the Britt Festival Orchestra, Dave Anderson, was featured in a podcast interview called Contrabass Conversations in May of 2008. We just found out about this and wanted to share it with you.

ABOUT DAVE ANDERSON
In addition to serving as Principal Bass of the Britt Festivals Orchestra, Dave is a prolific composer, active teacher, and electric bassist. He serves as Principal Bass for the Louisiana Philharmonic, and he plays in metropolitan New Orleans and beyond in a variety of bands.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
Contrabass Conversations is a weekly podcast produced by double bass blogger Jason Heath. The primary goal of his podcast is to foster and develop learning and communication in the global double bass community. Interviews, performances, and double bass news and resources are covered on the podcast as well as listener feedback and cool bass links.

The podcast is intended to entertain as well as educate, and topics are presented in a lighthearted fashion on most episodes. As the podcast progresses, a body of reference material will continue to develop for future generations of double bassists.

To subscribe to this podcast, visit Jason's web site.

Britt Festivals Goes Above and Beyond Accessibility Requirements

2009-01-29T23:09:55Z

“I am very passionate about making Britt Festivals accessible to all patrons. People with disabilities or special needs might be a very small percentage of our audience, but they sure are the most appreciative,” says Julie Gurwell, Britt’s director of patron services. Julie has made it her mission to go above and beyond to make Britt Festivals fully accessible and provide a truly welcoming experience to all patrons on the Britt hill.

Being accessible and responsive to patrons’ needs starts from the ticket-buying process. Advance communication with Britt concerning your needs is very important. All requests go directly through Julie or Britt's Box Office Manager Marie Carbone and there is a process that they go through to make sure that they correctly understand each patron’s needs.

For example, this past summer Julie received a request from a patron who is hearing-impaired, asking for a sign interpreter for the Michael McDonald performance. Not a lot of us know that interpreting music and vocals requires a special set of skills and preparation. Julie arranged for a professional performance arts interpreter from Portland for this occasion. She saw this as an opportunity for other hearing-impaired patrons to partake in the Britt experience and contacted the Deaf Services of Southern Oregon. In the end, there were 14 hearing-impaired patrons who got to enjoy the Michael McDonald concert that normally wouldn’t be able to do so.

The biggest challenge at Britt is the fact that the venue is on a hillside. Assisting patrons with accessible parking, and informing patrons of the drop off area are a couple of solutions in meeting this challenge. Other solutions include providing assistance from the parking lot and continued training for volunteers and staff.

Britt does set aside seats in the reserved seating section for people with mobility and sight needs and also offers a wheelchair accessible area within the venue. Julie’s ultimate goal is to offer more accessible parking and constructing more ramps within the venue.

Britt is committed to providing superb service by treating all patrons with courtesy and attentiveness while complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and applicable state and local laws. If you have any suggestions or comments on things we can do better, please call Director of Patron Services Julie Gurwell at 541-779-0847 x 111 or email her through our contact us page.

~Posted by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant, Britt Festivals

Medici TV

2009-01-26T17:24:47Z

This could be old news for most of you, but I just discovered this wonderful thing called Medici TV! This site provides real-time free classical performances by renowned artists. This is so exciting!

In the age of YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Youmeo, Twitter and Flickr, making classical music available as web-delivered content is a smart move. This is a great way to make classical music more relevant and accessible to younger generations.

Here is an interview with Medici TV director Hervé Boissière. He makes an interesting observation: "It has become increasingly apparent that the combination of audio-visual elements and the Internet is the new and more effective way for reaching new audiences and promoting artists."

And why is it called Medici TV? Well, the Medici family was one of the greatest supporters of the arts during the Renaissance, commissioning a wide array of music, painting, poetry and architecture. Seems logical to me. Plus it is easy to remember the next time I am in the mood to attend a concert!

~Written by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant, Britt Festivals

27th Annual Britt Bash

2009-01-20T00:15:16Z

The countdown is on…only 53 more days before the 27th Annual Britt Bash. The organizers of the event are planning a festive evening of fine dining and exciting auction items followed by dancing to live music. Plus, it is for a great cause. This is a fundraiser supporting Britt Festivals’ arts and education programs.

The Britt Institute, our educational arm since 1985, provides quality summer music programs, the Music in the Mornings™ listening program for elementary students throughout southern Oregon, internships, lectures and master classes. All proceeds from the Bash will go towards the community arts and education programs sponsored by Britt Festivals.

Here are details of the Britt Bash:

Date:	Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Time:	5 p.m. Reception and Silent Auction
	7 p.m. Dinner, Live Auction, Gold Circle Raffe & Dancing to AnnieMac
Cost	Single Ticket $125 ($75 tax-deductible)
	Couple Ticket $250 ($150 tax-deductible) 2 tickets included
	Table Reserved for 10 people $1,250 ($250 tax-deductibe)
Dress:	Festive Attire
Location:	Rogue Valley Country Club
Purchase tickets onine at www.brittbash.org.

I am so excited to kick up my heels to the AnnieMac band. They played this summer as the opening act for Three Dog Night. AnnieMac draws on old-school R&B riffs, deep soul, and emotion-inspired lyrics for hard-edged originals and highly danceable covers. Often compared to The Band, Little Feat and The Allman Brothers Band, AnnieMac delivers guitar rock that speaks to the heart. Check out their web site.

There are some great auction items this year, including my favorite item, a Fender Telecaster Guitar signed by the musicians seen on the Britt stage in 2008! What a great collector’s item for your home office or entertainment room. It’s definitely something you could brag to all your friends about.

Other auction items include:

An auction favorite! Private wine cellar dinner for 10, hosted on the Britt Hill by Peter Adesman & Robin Miller and Chef Alex Schulenburg. Includes reserved seats to concert of bidder's choice;
- Start your engines! NASCAR Racing for two—classroom training and driving on a professional track. Airfare and four nights hotel included;
  - Sunriver home for four days, three nights (sleeps up to 10) and a round of golf and dining credit at Broken Top Club for a lucky foursome;
    - Only at the Britt Bash! Valley View “Anna Maria” Merlot bottle signed by David Crosby, Steven Stills and Graham Nash. If that’s not enough, buy another Valley View “Anna Maria” Merlot signed by Mark Knopfler to add to your one-of-a-kind wine collection.

Britt Festivals Visits The Big Apple in Search of 2009 Performers

2009-01-08T16:24:42Z

This week the executive director of Britt Festivals, Rick Hood, and Mike Sturgill, director of programming, are traveling to the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Conference in New York City. So what are they doing in the Big Apple?

Rick and Mike are scouting artists to bring to Britt Festivals for the 2009 performance season. Some people think that Britt has already booked the performers for this year. In fact, artists are just beginning to book their 2009 tour schedules.

“We are excited to see who is touring this year and are looking forward to bringing the best and brightest talent to southern Oregon,” says Mike Sturgill. “This conference is a great way for us to meet with agents and artists to invite them to participate in our season.”

The APAP Conference is a grand extravaganza of performance arts exhibits, meetings, workshops, performance showcases, networking opportunities, amazing ideas, astonishing things to see and hear, and unparalleled fellowship and collegiality.

If you were the director of programming at Britt, who would you want invite to Britt this year? Tell us on our discussion forum.

Britt's Opening Night cellist wins rave reviews from New York Times

2008-12-17T18:29:57Z

Although it's several months off, I was just reminded of how much I look forward to the Opening Night of Britt's Classical Festival. It's a night of celebration and anticipation, as the members of the Britt Orchestra reunite for the first concert of the season. This year the orchestra will be joined by cellist Alisa Weilerstein on July 31 for Opening Night. I just read a performance review of Alisa in The New York Times. The reviewer called her "great fun to watch" and "buoyant and youthful" and said it was as much fun to watch her as it was to listen to her.

Alisa's energy and talent will be a perfect fit for what's always a magical night on the Britt hill. Take a look at the review.

Tributes to Britt's Founding Conductor

2008-11-13T17:15:07Z

Britt's founding conductor John Trudeau passed away peacefully in his Portland home last week. Take a look at articles in the Medford Mail Tribune, The Oregonian, and a post from Britt Orchestra Violinist Bruce Sweetman. John's legacy lives on at Britt, and he will be greatly missed. If you have memories of him, we'd love to read them.

Excerpt from Touches of Sweet Harmony

2008-10-25T00:36:27Z

Have you ever wondered how Britt Festivals started? In 2006, John Trudeau, the founding music director and first conductor of the Britt Festival Orchestra, published a book about his experience of seeing his lifelong dream of starting a music festival become become a reality. The book is a detailed account of the beginning of Britt, starting in the early 1960s.

For a taste of the book, here's a humorous moment from Trudeau's book, Touches of Sweet Harmony.

No Bells, Just Smelly
Even in serious music, lighter moments can happen. I can recall several concerts where unexpected events took both the orchestra and the audience by surprise. On one beautiful evening on the hillside in 1964, the orchestra opened the concert with Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. The piece starts out at a lively pace and sustains that pace to the very end.

We were approximately a third of the way through the overture when I noticed a restlessness in the back of the orchestra. Some musicians, particularly the clarinet, bassoon and French horn players were rolling their eyes toward the sky while others appeared to be sniffing the air around them and raising their eyebrows in a querulous manner. As we continued playing, more and more players became aware of their colleagues reactions, until finally an objectionable odor reached the front of the orchestra and the source of the problem became evident.

A skunk had decided to take up residency under the pavilion and as the music progressed, it, too, progressed from the back of the structure to the front. The “perfume” was still fairly well confined to the stage area, but as it wafted up the hill, the audience began to stir as well. One could detect soft-spoken words, giggling, and just a slight bit of panic with some people moving farther up the hillside in hope of escape.

We finished the overture—in somewhat record time—to a mixture of laughter and applause. I couldn’t resist turning to the audience and saying, “Thank God he doesn’t write our reviews.” At that point everyone seemed to relax a bit except, of course, our general manager, Ron Bartlett, who had the unenviable task of persuading the uninvited guest to seek asylum elsewhere. Armed with flashlight and best wishes from the less adventurous, he carried out a responsibility he never before dreamed of having.

As is so often the case, things that have the potential for disaster do sometimes result in the opposite. The story of “Mozart and the Skunk” found its way into the Associated Press and appeared in a Berlin newspaper the next day, giving us our first international recognition.

If you'd like to read more about Britt's origin, Touches of Sweet Harmony is available at Britt Festivals’ office for $12.

Great Reasons to Become a Britt Volunteer!

2008-10-16T00:32:15Z

Being a volunteer is definitely a state of mind and lifestyle choice. It can be something that we do for a couple of hours once a week or several times a month, or it can be a one-time thing. It is something thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling. Of course, volunteering is something that everyone can do. Most people would say that they just don’t have time, but I would argue that it is more of a matter of how you choose to spend your time. I am proud to say as a full-time college student with a double major and being a single mom, I found the time to volunteer two nights a week to teach scuba diving, coach my daughter’s basketball team and help a marine biologist with her research once a month (all things I am very passionate about).

Whether you donate blood to the Red Cross, volunteer at Britt Festivals, spend the morning planting flowers in a community garden, participate in a bake sale for a local high school or assemble a team for the Relay for Life cancer walk, there are volunteer opportunities for everyone, in every place, to fit every schedule.

I think it is really important to view volunteering as something we do for our own happiness and fulfillment rather than some form of charity that we perform for others. It should become something that we do on an daily (or weekly or monthly) basis as an essential part of our lives, rather than something we plan to do in the intangible future, in that mystical place of “when I have more time.” The time is now! Because you are doing something that is good for yourself, you will actually want to do it. It will not feel like a burdensome task—pick your passion the possibilities are limitless!

OK, as I crawl off of my soapbox, below are reasons why you should volunteer for Britt Festivals. Britt is an amazing place to volunteer and we strongly believe in the true spirit of volunteerism. If our organization doesn’t fit into your passion, you should definitely seek another organization that does—I’m sure you can find one.

•    Because you can! Britt Volunteers can be as young as 16, and we have positions for any skill set; from ushering to ice cream scooping, we can find a position for you.

•    To get out of the house and do your part to make Britt Festivals a continued success for future generations to come.

•    The Britt hill is the best place in southern Oregon to spend a summer evening; why not do it while volunteering and giving back to your community?

•    There’s a whole lot of “community” in the entire Britt Festivals organization; why not be a part of an amazing group of people?

•    To spend “quality time” with family and friends and to make new friends who share the same passion.

•    It is a great way to teach your children about community involvement the old fashioned way… Lead by example!

•    You get to be around motivated people. People who spend their free time doing volunteer work are often wonderful souls with big hearts and great attitudes.

•    To share your skills and gain knowledge. Folks who volunteer at Britt Festivals gain a unique insight into how the entertainment/venue industry works. Many volunteer opportunities are exercises in management and organization skills, outside of what you might normally do at your “real” job.

•    To contribute to a local non-profit organization.

•    You’ll feel an inner sense of accomplishment and fulfillment knowing that not only have you contributed to making Britt Festivals a wonderful place to be, but you’ve also grown as an individual.

And if that’s not enough, here are even more reasons…

•    Your kids would rather play videogames or surf the net than spend time as a family. Volunteering as a family is a fun team-building experience and great way to get your kids involved in their community, while instilling important values in them.

•    When you stay home, you get too many telemarketing calls.

•    It’s hard to win a game of solitaire. You get a chance to meet people who may come from completely different backgrounds and it is an eye-opening experience and chance to personally grow by getting to know them.

•    The nightly news is depressing and your favorite shows are all reruns. So, get off the couch, get out there and do something. Volunteering at Britt Festivals can provide an enormous amount of hope and happiness in your life.

•    If you don't go out each day, you get old. Volunteering makes you feel useful and connected. You’ll be a positive contributing part of the local community because you are more involved, which will make you feel younger at heart.

•    Volunteering is a fun opportunity that gives you the ability to “try on many different hats,” it’s awesome to be able to have the chance to try new things and expand your horizons.

•    It changes your outlook. The volunteer spirit teaches you to think about ways to do something about any problem you come across rather than watch helplessly or simply complain.

•    Your mom would be proud of you. At night when you go to sleep, and in the morning when you wake up, you know in your heart that whatever evils and problems afflict this world; you are making it a better place (one volunteer job at a time)

•    We live in a world where everything seems to have a price; the feeling of accomplishment and pride you get from volunteering is priceless.

Written by Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

The Story Behind the Peter Britt Statue

2008-10-08T23:07:38Z

If you've been to Britt in the past couple of seasons, you've probably seen this statue near the entrance to the park. It's, of course, a depiction of Britt Festivals' namesake, Peter Britt. Britt was a Swiss immigrant who arrived in Jacksonville in 1852. He began taking portraits and panoramic landscapes for 44 years beginning in 1856.

While Britt is best remembered for capturing the landscape of Jacksonville's early history on film, local business owner Jeff Levin, of MacLevin's Whole Foods Restaurant in Jacksonville, along with other residents, felt that photos did not accurately portray the character of their favorite pioneer. They decided to commission a statue of Peter Britt with his camera, eight years ago (2000).

Initial depictions of Britt, created with the help of historic photographs, portrayed him in his trademark frock coat, hat and beard, standing next to a box camera on a tripod. Levin began a campaign in January 2004 to raise $10,000 for a statue of Peter Britt, with hopes of having it in place by the Britt Festivals season, that June.

Levin and others soon realized that it was going to be challenging to raise the money necessary to have the statue erected. In addition to the original $10,000, another $3,000 was needed for a concrete base, bronze plaque (which was later stolen and has yet to be replaced) and other incidentals. Originally, they were only accepting donations of $500 or more, when the project was several thousands of dollars short, they began accepting any donations they received, and were able to meet their financial goal.

Levin commissioned Yreka artist Ralph Starrit for the creation of the statue, which would be placed on the Britt grounds near the original homestead of the photographer and entrepreneur-a fitting tribute for someone who preserved the majority of the town's history through photography.

It took Starrit one year (working on and off) to complete the statue. Starrit realized that the 7-foot statue was different than most people would envision, but says that his style is unique and, "when people first look at it, they kind of don't know what to think. Then as they look at it, it kind of grows on you." The statue itself is made of metal, mostly from recycled materials. He had multiple pictures of Peter Britt and fuly immersed himself in Jacksonville's history for inspiration. When designing the statue, he decided to make it stylized, but made sure to keep the likeness of Peter Britt. Starrit is still very pleased with the statue, but disappointed that the plaque that was once in front of it was stolen a couple years ago and has not been replaced.

Starrit has been a sculptor for over 30 years and resides in Yreka, California. He is currently working on a dragon to be displayed somewhere between Medford and Ashland.

Written by Kirsten Agard and Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant

Here are some events going on in our region that you should definitely check out!

2008-10-08T17:11:41Z

Event: Classical Guitarist Scott Kritzer in concert
Date: Friday, October 10, 8:00 PM
Location: Chateau at the Oregon Caves, 1900 Caves
Highway, Cave Junction, Oregon 541-592-3400
__________________________________________________________
Event: Preschool Puppet Theatre
Date: Friday, October 10, 1:00 PM
Location: North Mountain Park Nature Center 620 North
Mountain Avenue Ashland, OR 541-488-6606
__________________________________________________________
Event: Annual Oktoberfest
Date: Saturday, October 11, 5-8:30 PM
Location: Saint George's Episcopal Church, Roseburg, OR

__________________________________________________________
Event: TECH N9NE with KRIZZ KALIKO & KUTT CALHOUN;
GRAVE PLOTT & PROZAK, and SKATTERMAN & SNUG
BRIM in concert.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2008 8:00 PM
Location: McDonald Theatre, 1010 Willamette St. Eugene,
OR
http://secure.mcdonaldtheatre.com/customer/home.php
__________________________________________________________
Event: The Subdudes in concert.
Date: Saturday, October 11, 8:00 PM
Location: The Rogue Theatre 143 SE "H" St.
Grants Pass,OR
http://roguetheatre.musictoday.com/RogueTheatre/calendar.aspx
__________________________________________________________
Event: Dance to the Future
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2008, 7:30 PM
Location: Soreng Theater, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene, OR
http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2883&pid=6330684 or call 541.682.5000.

Britt's 2008 Season Ends with Artistic and Popular Success; Likely to Have an Operating Deficit

2008-10-02T16:08:43Z

Open letter from Britt Festivals Executive Director Rick Hood

With The Black Crowes performance on September 7, we closed another exciting Britt Festivals season. The 2008 season included 43 performances, and our total attendance was approximately 69,000, which was about 17% higher than in 2007. Last year, we heard your requests for a strong lineup in 2008, and we delivered with concerts like Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills & Nash, the Britt Orchestra with Midori, Mark Knopfler, Billy Idol, Return to Forever, Wynton Marsalis and much more.

While we celebrate those successes, we also must acknowledge that Britt is operating in the midst of a rapidly-changing industry. Artists are relying on tours for a larger part of their income, due in part to the way electronic music downloads have affected traditional record sales. As a result, artist fees have skyrocketed. In 2008, our artist fees were about 33% higher than in 2007, making the total amount we paid in artist fees the highest in our history.

The confluence of industry changes, high artist fees, and the current economic climate has affected our ability to cover operating expenses in 2007 and 2008. At this point, we’re projecting that our 2008 year-end deficit will come to about 11% of our budgeted revenues.

While this is serious news, we are fortunate in that Britt remains a well-capitalized organization, thanks to a history of frugal fiscal management. We have financial reserves and a growing endowment in place.

As a non-profit organization, ticket sales only cover about 65% of our operating costs. The balance comes from memberships, corporate sponsorships and other contributed income.

We are at a crucial point in Britt’s history, and we are reviewing every aspect of our business to ensure that we remain an integral part of the landscape in southern Oregon. We are conducting surveys, and are developing new ways of looking at membership, programming, audience development and institutional giving. We encourage you to talk to us as well--post comments here on our web site, participate in surveys and let us know how we can continue to serve you. Your feedback is important as we plan for the 2009 season.

Thanks for all you do to make Britt one of the best things about southern Oregon. We look forward to providing you another great lineup of concerts and educational programs in 2009.

So what is imeem anyway?

2008-09-30T21:02:21Z

Recently, I was asked to come up with a list of suggestions for social networks that the Britt Festivals should join. On the top of my list was imeem. In short, you take MySpace + Facebook + Photobucket + Limewire and you get imeem. It's what you get when social networking meets personal private networking.

Don't feel like you're out-of-the-loop, lame or old if you haven't heard of it-you're definitely not alone. But the way things are going, you will certainly hear about it soon. One study found that imeem has taken over Yahoo's throne by becoming the No. 1 streaming music site in the United States. USA Today stated, "According to imeem executives, imeem has more than 25 million visitors per month[3] with over 65,000 new users every day." -USA Today

The primary focus of imeem is to share media in many different forms: music, videos, photos, blogs, etc. As a visitor, you have access to music, videos, pictures, blogs and polls; however, commenting, rating, tagging and the posting of new content requires a user to register an account (which literally takes two minutes two create). Imeem gives you the power to create and share play lists; you can also search for a particular artist, view playlists featuring that artist, and listen to them.

Imeem is like Facebook or MySpace because members are encouraged to create personal pages with information about themselves. But since it is a social media site, these pages are centered on artists and albums, with personally created playlists.

A key feature promoted by imeem is the media playlist. Content posted from multiple sources may be collected into a playlist that can be posted for comments, tags and ratings. Creating a playlist is extremely easy (my 8-year-old daughter can do it). You type in the name of an artist or a song, and a page pops up with related media: individual songs, playlists created by others and even photos or animations created by other members. Click the "playlist" tab, name your playlist and a song or video has just been added to the mix. It's as easy as that!

Playlists can consist of videos, music or images. With the "Remix Player," music and images may be combined into a single presentation with customizable image transition effects.

It's really rad that you can create a slideshow of pictures and put it to the music of your choosing. With the pop-out player, you can put on your desktop and listen to it while you're working on other things. You can make a playlist consisting of music, videos or photos of your choosing. The options are endless. I'm sure you could think of at least 10 great slideshows you could make, right now.

Imeem provides a number of mechanisms to make content available to users outside of the site through RSS syndication and embedding content into external sites. However, as of July 22, 2008, MySpace deletes any updates or comments have the word ‘imeem' upon posting, making it impossible to even mention the site. But, you can still use imeem on facebook, your personal website, pandora, plentyoffish and many others.

Another great feature is how imeem links users through topic groups related to common interests. These groups can serve as online communities for artists, bands, clubs, films, schools, festivals, concert tours, friends and sports enthusiasts. Britt Festivals recently joined the Oregon and Portland groups, and we created our own Britt Festivals group (see the link below to join our group).

Now that you are an imeem expert (yeah you're back in the loop-cool and trendy), open your own imeem account and share your music, pics, blogs, etc. with us! Don't forget to add us as a friend and join the Britt Festivals page.

Britt Festivals' imeem Page

Posted by: Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

2008 Volunteer Appreciation Party

2008-09-24T22:17:51Z

Every year, Britt Festivals throws a volunteer appreciation party to celebrate our amazing volunteers. This year, we had 400+ volunteers who donated thousands of hours; they performed all kinds of services, like ushering, taking tickets, cleanup, staffing the concessions, and much more. Here are some photos from this year's 2008 party. Thanks again guys, for everything. We couldn't do it without you--you're awesome!

Check these events out!

2008-09-24T00:25:09Z

Though, we are all sad that the Britt Festivals 2008 season is over, there are still some amazing art events taking place in our area. Here are a few upcoming events you should not miss!

The 20th Annual Foreign Film Week at Varsity Theater in Ashland, Oregon September 26- October 2
Festival tickets good for all six films are now on sale at the Varsity Theatre box office. General admission festival tickets are $35.00 dollars per festival ticket (all six films). Student and Senior festival tickets (all six films) are $25.00 dollars. Tickets for individual films are also available at the door the day of the showing, seating permitting, adults $7.50, seniors 62 and older $5.50. Festival tickets (not individual tickets) are discounted 20% for Ashland Independent Film Festival members.

For further information please call 800-541-0912 (Monday through Friday 9:00 - 5:00) or 541-488-0619 (evenings and weekends). For schedule of shows go to http://www.catheatres.com/Page.asp?NavID=142

Rogue Valley Symphony with pianist Jon Nakamatsu at The Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford, Oregon October 4 at 8:00 P.M.
Program:
Liszt - Les Prelude
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor
Dvorak - Symphony No. 8

"Besides being an astounding technician, Nakamatsu shows impeccable taste; he puts a high gloss on anything he plays." -Chicago Tribune

Jon Nakamatsu came to instant international attention on the day he won the Gold Medal at the Tenth Annual Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997. He was named Debut Artist of the Year in 1998 by NPR's Performance Today and was profiled by CBS Sunday Morning and by Reader's Digest magazine. Since then he has become one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, with a reputation for strength and immaculate technique, as well as for interpretation -- "he understands the music of our time from his heart rather than his head" (Salonmagazine).

For further information call (541) 552- 6398 or go to http://www.rvsymphony.org/index.shtml

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon
Currently Operating- November 2
The Shakespeare Festival is still in full swing and you should definitely catch a few plays before the 2008 season is over. Whether you’re in the mood for classics like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello, a modern comedy like The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler or the sobering tragedy A View From the Bridge; the Shakespeare Festival has something to offer everyone.

For further information go to http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx
or call Toll-Free: (800) 219-8161

Slightly Stoopid, Historic Ashland Armory October 8th
Even if you’re not one of Slightly Stoopid’s fans (and judging from MySpace there are a lot of them with over 7 million profile views!), you should know what you are going to get at the show- competent and talented dub/ska jams oozing California sunshine. Seeing them play in the intimate setting of the Ashland Armory will be amazing- making this a show not to miss!

For further information, call Low Down Board Shop (541) 488-8969

These are just a few of the hundreds of cultural events taking place in our valley, you should get out there and take them. (Do you have any suggestions for an event in the Rogue Valley?)

Posted by Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

2008: A Season to Remember

2008-09-19T17:55:41Z

From Crosby, Stills & Nash’s three-part harmony, to B.B. King’s bring-down-the house performance, to Billy Idol’s spiky white blond hair, to Midori's force-of-nature playing, to Willie Nelson's “Whiskey River,” to G. Love's bluesy hip-hop lyrics to The Black Crowes’ uncanny vocals—2008 was a memorable season.

Crosby, Stills & Nash opened the season and did not disappoint their audience. I am still amazed that they won a Grammy before I was even born and were able to convert me into a fan. Stills’ guitar work was phenomenal, Nash was energetic and funny, and Crosby’s vocals were amazing. It was a true indicator of what the upcoming season had to offer.

Watching the 82-year-old “King of Blues” B.B. King play was indescribable. He has been performing for six decades, and was absolutely phenomenal! It obviously isn’t easy for him to perform (he said his age and health were to blame), and he did so while sitting, but the quality of his playing and singing have not been affected in the least. He rocked the hill! Giving us a performance straight from the dusty roots of the South as well as the depths of his soul, this concert is one that will be hard to forget.

Needless to say, I was more than excited when I heard that Billy Idol was going to be playing at Britt. I have loved that man since I was five years old, I remember singing “Rebel Yell” dressed up in my mom’s clothes in front of a mirror with a brush—haha. Riding the wave of my childhood nostalgia, I prepared myself for an evening of ‘80s punk rock. The set was incredible; hit after hit he laid it all out on the table, giving the audience exactly what they wanted.

To be honest, I had never even heard of Midori before I started working for the Britt Festivals, but I heard she was amazing. She played a dramatic concerto by Shostakovich—the moon rose over the hill, the crowd was eager with anticipation, crickets were chirping and the evening temperature was an unbelievable 90 degrees. It a magical night under the beautiful Oregon sky—the stuff of dreams. Both Midori and the Britt Orchestra (as always) were fabulous; we never wanted it to end!

The most surprising thing about the Willie Nelson concert was not his performance but the diversity of the crowd. You could find yourself bumping elbows with all types of people—bikers, 20-somethings, grandmas and grandpas, cowboys and cowgirls, “rockers” and young families. Is a testament to how enduring his music is and that the appeal seems to be for people in many different walks of life. It’s no wonder, with almost 700 songs—titles like “Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain,” “Johnny One Time,” “I Gotta Get Drunk” and “Always On My Mind”—Willie has something to offer to everyone, and did an incredible job of it at the show.

For anyone who has never seen G. Love and Special Sauce in concert, I have to tell you that you are really missing out. G. Love’s genuine personality and passion for his music are contagious. G. Love proved that the only thing better than looking at him is listening to him perform. It was probably one of the only shows I have ever been to that I actually saw girls swooning (ok, so I thought it was funny), but once you get past that part of G. Love, you realize that he is an amazing musician. He has the ability to transport you to a back-porch in the Deep South, drinking a cold beer with company in the summertime.

As the end of the 2008 season came, there was one final performance not to be missed. Although The Black Crowes haven’t released a new album in seven years, they were absolutely brilliant! Chris Robinson’s voice is like his own amazing instrument—his intonation and inflection of certain lyrics and notes to compliment the arrangement are unmatched in most of today’s musicians. Looking around at the crowd, I realized just how difficult it is to see The Black Crowes in concert and not dance. It seemed that everyone was in some type of groove.

The 2008 season was extraordinary; I had so much fun seeing all of the talented performers. I cannot wait to see what next year will bring! I have been to concerts all over the country and none even come close to comparing to Britt. I love that you can bring your own picnic, wine, beer, blanket, chairs and friends for an intimate evening under the stars, with musical stars of all genres. What is your memory of the 2008 season?

This post was written by Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

John Butler Trio Photos

2008-09-17T23:27:25Z

John Butler Trio

Here are some great pictures that Josh Morrell from Image This Photography took of the John Butler Trio concert on behalf of Britt:

G. Love & the Special Sauce Photos

2008-09-17T23:14:51Z

G. Love and the Special Sauce Concert

Here are some great pictures that Josh Morrell from Image This Photography took of the G. Love and the Special Sauce concert on behalf of Britt:

Photos of The Black Crowes

2008-09-12T21:50:42Z

Take a look at the photo gallery of The Black Crowes at Britt on September 7, 2008, taken by Mail Tribune photographer Andy Atkinson.

The Black Crowes- A Band Worth Listening To?

2008-09-19T17:56:26Z

Recently, there was a scandal at Maxim men¹s magazine. The Black Crowes'
label didn't make advance copies of their new album available for review, so
needless to say, they were surprised when they saw Maxim's review in their
March issue. Then someone inside the magazine leaked information that the
music reviewer gave The Black Crowes¹ new CD a review without even listening
to it, which may have been why they gave them a menial 2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Maxim apologized profusely to its readers and the band. The following is an
email The Black Crowes received from Maxim:

'Of course, we always prefer to (sic) hearing music, but sometimes there
are big albums that we don't want to ignore that aren't available to hear,
which is what happened with the Crowes. It's either an educated guess
preview or no coverage at all, so in this case we chose the former.'

I think if the magazine is going to tell The Black Crowes their new album
stinks, at the very least they should listen to the album first. Also, the
magazine¹s review was pretty harsh towards lead singer, Chris Robinson (see
link below)- calling him ³boozy, competent and in slavish debt to the
Stones, the Allmans and the Faces.² While I do agree that their new CD does
sound similar to their last CD, (what band¹s doesn¹t?) I think they have
moved away from sounding like the afore-mentioned bands, into a more
Grateful Dead sound, with less singing and more instrumental genius. Of
course Chris Robinson still has an incredible voice and the CD is pretty rad
(at least 3 stars worth), in my opinion.

The Black Crowes¹ manager was outraged at the review and said, ³It speaks
directly to the lack of the publication¹s credibility. In my opinion, it¹s a
disgrace to the arts, journalism, critics, the publication itself and the
public. What¹s next- Maxim¹s concert reviews of shows they never attended,
book reviews of books never read and film reviews of films never seen?²

This has definitely made me rethink how seriously I take any type of review-
even from a well-known publication like Maxim. Who exactly is doing the
reviewing and why are they qualified to review? What do you think?

Maxim¹s Review:
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/resources/2008/02/maximreview.jpeg
This post was written by Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

G. Love's Britt Experience

2008-09-09T00:24:08Z

Take a look at what G. Love had to say about his performance at Britt last Friday, September 5. It's always nice to hear that an artist enjoyed their time at Britt!

G. Love's blog

A Blogger's Perspective on Judy Collins

2008-09-08T20:03:12Z

Take a look at Jim Wickre's blog post about his experience at the Judy Collins at Britt last week.

http://jimwickre.blogspot.com/2008/08/judy-collins-at-britt.html

Why I Love G. Love's Music

2008-09-19T17:57:12Z

G. Love, a self-proclaimed hip-hop bluesman, will play the Britt Festival on Friday. During the online chat with G. Love on Wednesday on the Britt website, the thing that stood out the most to me was his genuine personality and passion for his music. He also has an immense knowledge of blues and names many of the key players in blues history (like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Booker T, Jimmy Smith, Frosty Collins and Bukka White) beginning as early as 1920 in a verse of his song, "Blues Music"-taught me a thing or two.

When I am in desperate need of a distraction on a never-ending roadtrip (which seems to be happening a lot lately), I pop in G. Love’s first self titled cd and wait for my song to come on- "Baby's Got Sauce," it’s an amazing song which offers both a hip-hop hook and an endearing tribute to a domineering woman in his life- something I can totally relate to because I am one haha...

Of course, G. Love’s cds are in that rare class of music that you can listen to countless times without getting bored with them- I can listen to his cds all the way through without skipping anything- pretty close to a miracle for me. Whether cruising on a road trip, kickin’ back with family & friends or out on a date & trying to set the mood, his music feels good- you can’t help but smile while listening to it.

G. Love’s music always makes me feel like I'm on a back porch in the deep-south, drinking a cold beer with close friends in the summertime. If you like that feeling, you absolutely cannot miss his show this Friday!

This post was written by Kirsten Agard, Marketing Assistant

Carney Opening for The Black Crowes on 9/7

2008-09-05T00:54:27Z

Due to unforseen cirmcumstances, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, originally scheduled to open for The Black Crowes, have cancelled. L.A.-based blues/rock band Carney will replace them.

Here is a video of them off of YouTube. I think it will be fun to hear them live!

Willie Nelson Photos

2008-09-04T23:39:57Z

Here are some great pictures that Josh Morrell from Image This Photography took of the Willie Nelson concert on behalf of Britt:

FINISH THE SUMMER WITH A GREAT SHOW AT BRITT!

2008-09-02T22:35:51Z

Britt Festivals goes out with a bang with performances this week by G.Love & Special Sauce, Bill Evans Soulgrass and The Black Crowes.

Featured Concert: Bill Evans Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush

Bill Evans first joined Miles Davis' group at the age of 22 in 1980, and went on to record six records and tour the world with Davis numerous times over a four-year period. He then toured and recorded three CDs with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and later played with Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Steps Ahead and Mick Jagger, among others. The saxman has been touring almost exclusively with his own band since 1990, playing well over 100 concerts per year worldwide. He has recorded 15 solo CDs and received two Grammy nominations, one for Soul Insider (2002) and the other for Soulgrass (2006). For this tour, Bill Evans has assembled a powerhouse touring band of Chris Howes, Ryan Cavanaugh and Joel Rosenblatt, who will roll into Jacksonville on Saturday, September 6, to give a rockin' performance that blends jazz, bluegrass and Americana. The “King of Newgrass” Sam Bush joins Bill Evans as a special guest and The John Jorgenson Quintet opens the show. Reserved and lawn tickets still available.

The Avett Brothers Concert

2008-08-29T21:57:52Z

I just read a blog from a Britt Patron about her experience at The Waifs / The Avett Brothers / Lucinda Williams concert. It is a fun post to read.

~Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant, Britt Festival

This Week at Britt - Michael McDonald, Lucinda Williams & Willie Nelson

2008-08-27T00:42:13Z

This week at Britt Festivals:

Wednesday, 8/27
Michael McDonald / The Rogue Suspects featuring Jeff Pevar

Thursday, 8/28
Lucinda Williams / The Avett Brothers / The Waifs

Saturday, 8/30
Willie Nelson / Liz and Lincoln

Monday, 9/1
Bonnie Raitt with Special Guest The Curtis Salgado Band

Tree Dedication to Honor Teddi Wade

2008-08-26T16:57:28Z

On Friday, August 22, 2008, a tree was planted and dedicated to former Director of Volunteer and House Operations, Teddi Wade. Teddi gave more than 20 years of service to Britt Festivals.

In honor of the special occasion, volunteer Sharon B. gave the following remarks:

I would like to start with a quote from Harriet Tubman. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world. I believe those words describe our Teddi to a “T.” Not only is it her way of being, but also her inspiration to all of us.

We are here tonight to honor a woman who gave us 22 years of strength, passion and a lot of patience!!!!

So, why a tree? A tree starts with a seed, just like an idea sparks growth, the seed sprouts and sets down roots to create stability and symbolizes the relationship of our internal spirit that we share with others. The trunk and branches grow up and away reaching to the sky, just as those first ideas achieve their goals, and inspire us to continue to believe we can achieve whatever goals set before us.

When Teddi became the Britt Volunteer Coordinator she planted those seeds, those ideas, and through all these years, the good, the not so good, and the fabulous, she has “watered those seeds,” tended to the seedlings, and encouraged them grow. That is why we are dedicating a tree as a symbol of her contribution. The long lasting life of a tree, the nobility, and the beauty that graces our lives everyday

So on this beautiful hill, on this wonderful night of dance, her favorite show....
I am very honored on behalf of the Britt Society Board and all Britt Volunteers to officially present this Red Bud Forest Pansy tree in honor of Teddi Wade. May it grow and flourish on this spot overlooking the audience and the stage, just as she has stood on this hill and inspired all of us to reach for the stars and change the world.

Thank you dear Teddi for all you are and all you have given us.

Join Britt's first live chat with Bill Evans

2008-08-21T20:53:13Z

Chat with multi Grammy nominated saxophonist Bill Evans tomorrow, Friday, August 22 at 9 a.m.

Throughout his 20-year career as a solo artist, Bill Evans has explored a variety of musical settings, going well beyond the confines of traditional jazz, including hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. In the early 1980s he worked extensively with the legendary Miles Davis, becoming his right-hand man in concert and in a series of recordings. Davis said of Evans, "Bill is one of the greatest musicians I've come upon."

Evans steps into more adventurous territory with his album Soulgrass, blending jazz, funk and bluegrass into a seamless and wholly-unique hybrid of American styles. He performs with special guest mandolinist Sam Bush at the Britt Pavilion in Jacksonville on Saturday, September 6 at 7 p.m.

Join the live chat at 9 a.m. Friday to talk with Bill about his music, his life on the road, and much more!

A Conversation with Gabriel Mark (this year's Britt poster artist)

2008-08-19T22:42:17Z

Gabriel Mark doesn’t look like what I expected; he doesn’t have any visible tattoos, no long hair, and no paint under his fingernails. When I met with him to find out more about his inspiration for this year’s Britt fine arts poster, he looked like a typical young professional, dressed in khakis and a polo. He is kind, personable and has a warm smile. Yet, there is nothing typical about Gabriel Mark.

At 32, Mark has caught the eye of collectors and galleries worldwide, with several public murals and paintings housed in numerous collections. He recently finished a commission to paint pirate scenes for Big Kenny, of the country music duo Big & Rich, who wanted pirate paintings for his Nashville home.

He dropped by the Britt Festivals offices recently to chat with me about his inspiration for the Britt fine arts poster he painted titled “The Gift of Spring.”

Mark: The history of Jacksonville and Britt was what really inspired me.

Britt: Who is the woman in the picture?

Mark: I asked my wife, Naomi, to model for me. It isn’t a portrait, but I painted the woman in my wife’s likeness.

Britt: Tell us about the dress your wife is wearing in the painting.

Mark: Anne Wilton, who is a member of the Belles & Beaus Old West Victorian Society of Jacksonville, helped us create a costume for Naomi to wear that looks like it dates back to the 1800’s.

Britt: How many sittings did it take to complete the painting?

Mark: I used photographs and sketches mostly. But photographs do not show color accurately, so I had her complete a couple sittings so I could get the color just right.

Britt: Does the tree that she is resting on really exist?

Mark: Yes. It is above the Britt pavilion. If you to walk up Fir Street (the street that runs beside the pavilion), you would see the tree on the left as you approach the top of the hill.

Britt: How long did it take you to complete the painting?
Mark: I painted it off and on over a period of six months.

Britt: Overall, was your wife pleased with the painting?

Mark: Yes, I think she likes it.

Britt: If you were to paint another Britt fine arts poster, what would you paint?

Mark: A bar scene.

Britt: Why a bar scene?

Mark: Well, I am currently working on some paintings of bar scenes and that is what I am really into right now.

Britt: Were your artist friends jealous that you painted the Britt poster this year?

Mark: Yes.

Britt: Would you say that you name is more recognized in the Rogue Valley after being the artist of the Britt fine arts poster?

Mark: Yes. Even more than me, my wife is more recognized now.

A Wonderful Evening

2008-08-18T17:42:45Z

I attended the final classical show last night with pianist Jon Kimura Parker. I have to admit the last time I went to a classical concert was when my grandmother made me attend with her when I was in middle school. I have been missing out! I now kick myself for not attending all of the classical concerts this year.

The talent level of the Britt Orchestra blew my socks off. These musicians come from all over the country to play at Britt for three weeks. It is pretty amazing that these musicians come here, stay with host families all over the Rogue Valley and share with us their musical talent for three weeks in the summer.

But I am reminded that this is how Britt Festivals begun. Classical music under the stars was the vision of founders John Trudeau and Sam McKinney. When you attend a classical concert at the Britt Pavilion, you get a sense that this is what is supposed to be performed, what the hillside was destined for. It feels right.

My favorite part of the evening was when the orchestra and soloist Jon Kimura Parker played Gershwin’s Concerto in F Major for Piano and Orchestra. The sultry, floating Charleston rhythm and the back and forth between trumpet and piano was fun and exciting to listen to.

The orchestra closed the evening with Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3. The playing of Fanfare for the Common Man gave me chills up and down my spine. When they stood to take their final bow, I didn’t want it to be over.

It was very nice to attend a Britt concert that the audience was very aware of concert etiquette. Except for the couple beside me playing gin rummy the entire performance and shuffling their playing cards every five minutes, the audience didn’t make a peep.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening. The moon was full and peeking over the top of the Britt pavilion. The crickets were out and there was a soft breeze on the back of my neck that kept me cool and feeling relaxed. I can’t wait to welcome the Britt Orchestra back next season. Next season, I will be first in line for tickets to every one of their performances.

This post was written by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant

A Familiar Fanfare

2008-08-15T23:19:10Z

Britt's 2008 season ends on Sunday evening, August 17, with the orchestra's performance of Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3. This work has been called one of the greatest American symphonies, and it will serve as a celebratory ending to the Classical Festival. The most familiar part of the Symphony for most will be the strains of Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man." Copland had already written the fanfare when he composed the symphony, and he used it as the basis for much of the finale in the full-length Symphony No. 3. The "Fanfare for the Common Man" has been used for countless occasions, even the Olympics!

To get a taste of what you'll hear on the Britt hill, take a look at this YouTube video of a live perfomance of "Fanfare for the Common Man."

String Quartet Academy's final concerts

2008-08-15T22:21:49Z

Britt Institute's String Quartet Academy is winding down its two-week camp. This year, 41 high school and college students from all over the country participated in the Academy, learning from the Arianna Quartet, and enjoying master class and Q&A time with Britt guest artists Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson and Midori. Britt's Music Director Peter Bay also joined the students to conduct their string orchestra rehearsal.

The students have been perfoming throughout the valley, and they finish off the camp with a two-part recital tomorrow, Saturday, August 16, at SOU's Music Recital Hall, at 11 a.m and 2 p.m. The recitals are free and open to the public. Come hear the results of the student's hard work!

Pictured below are the students performing on the streets of Jacksonville, prior to last Saturday's Britt Orchestra concert.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is coming soon!

2008-08-15T00:27:33Z

I am so excited to see Hubbard Street Dance Chicago! I have really gotten into the dance craze lately, with this summer's "So You Think You Can Dance" television show. The show showcases the talent of amateur dancers. We will have professional dancers on the Britt stage in only seven days! Check out these videos I found on You Tube of them performing at other venues:

LICKETY SPLIT:

THE CONSTANT SHIFT OF PULSE:

EXTREMELY CLOSE:

We still have tickets left for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Call our box office at 773-6077.

-This blog post is posted by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant

More Good Times at Britt

2008-08-15T00:10:04Z

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performed in style on July 25. Take a look at these images by approved photographer Josh Morell, including a beautiful night sky photo.

Good Times at Britt

2008-08-14T23:57:57Z

George Thorogood and the Destroyers rocked Britt on July 26. Take a look at these images by approved photographer Josh Morell.

G. Love's thoughts from the road

2008-08-11T21:36:44Z

G. Love & Special Sauce perform at Britt on Friday, September 5, along with Tristan Prettyman and the John Butler Trio. Take a look at G. Love's Tour Diary.

This Week at Britt - Midori, Family Concert & a Star-Spangled Evening

2008-08-11T21:36:15Z

This week at Britt Festivals:

Monday, 8/11
The Arianna String Quartet with special guest vocalists

Friday, 8/15
Midori

Saturday, 8/16
Family Concert—The Orchestra from Planet X

Sunday, 8/17
Star-Spangled Evening with Jon Kimura Parker

Read about the String Quartet Academy

2008-10-08T16:18:45Z

Britt Institute's String Quartet Academy is blogging about all the exciting events happening with students and the Arianna String Quartet. Read all about what's happening at camp.

Britt Orchestra and String Academy offer free music!

2008-10-08T16:18:24Z

Classical music lovers are in for a treat this weekend! Members of the Britt Orchestra perform a free chamber music concert on Sunday afternoon at Westminster Presbyterian in Medford, and the String Quartet Academy students perform Saturday night in downtown Jacksonville with a "quartet on every corner," and on Sunday afternoon at Schmidt Family Vineyards. See our schedule for more details.

Pre-concert talk with Bruce Crawford on Friday, Aug. 8

2008-08-11T21:34:30Z

Katy Korngold Hubbard, granddaughter of one of our featured film score composers was scheduled to give the pre-concert talk on Aug. 8 at The Golden Age of Silver Screen (Part I) featuring Janet Sung, but she is unable to come. She has been replaced by Bruce Crawford, who is a passionate film music expert. Peter Bay is very excited about Mr. Crawford’s participation and Britt patrons will love what he adds to the concert experience.

Mr. Crawford will be giving the pre-concert talk prior to our Fri., Aug. 8 program and speaking from the stage during the concert just prior to the Bernard Herrmann/Hitchcock pieces regarding his personal experience with the composer and some anecdotes about the Hitchcock films and their music. He will also be providing some context for the film works featured on our Aug. 9 concert.

In 1998, Bruce produced a 2-hour special for NPR on Bernard Herrmann’s film music (Hitchcock films in particular) and he also produced a 2-hour NPR special on Miklos Rozsa (especially the score to Ben Hur). These are two of the main composers we are featuring during our two-night “Golden Age of the Silver Screen” concerts.

Crawford travels the country and is a leading film music expert. He recently was featured with the Minnesota Orchestra as narrator for a film music festival they offered.
He has all sorts of stories to share and is anxious to talk with others who share his passion for film.

Bruce’s website is www.omahafilmevent.com if you’re interested in seeing more information about him.

Pictures of the orchestra rehearsing

2008-08-06T16:55:38Z

These are some beautiful pictures of the Britt Orchestra rehearsal that Jamie Lusch of the Mail Tribune shot. (Click on the Britt Orchestra album)

String Quartet Academy Connoisseur Concert

2008-10-08T16:18:02Z

The String Quartet Academy Connoisseur concert scheduled for tomorrow, Aug. 6, at the Rogue Valley Manor, has been cancelled. However, there are still opportunities to hear the talented strings students! Take a look at our schedule for more details.

Classical Festival Opening Night Champagne Picnic

2008-08-11T21:33:22Z

On Friday, August 1st, in honor of the Britt Festivals Classical Festival, Britt held an Opening Night Gala Champagne Picnic catered by the Jacksonville Inn. Here are some great pictures highlighting the event.

This Week at Britt - Brooks & Dunn and The Golden Age of Silver Screen

2008-08-11T21:32:49Z

This week at Britt Festivals:

Wednesday, 8/6
String Quartet Academy Connoisseur Concert

Thursday, 8/7
Brooks & Dunn

Friday, 8/8
The Golden Age of the Silver Screen Part 1

Saturday, 8/9
String Quartet Academy Celebration of 2008 Classical Season - A String Quartet on Every Corner!
The Golden Age of the Silver Screen Part 2

Britt patron blogs about orchestra rehearsal

2008-08-11T21:32:23Z

A Britt patron listens in on the Britt Orchestra rehearsal and shares her thoughts on her blog. Check out what she has to say.

A Volunteer's Perspective...

2008-08-01T19:20:54Z

This post was written by Britt Festivals Volunteer Rick Cornelius.

Long before I moved to the Rogue Valley in the mid 90's, summer vacations to southern Oregon would invariably include several evening performances at the Britt Festival, in part because the venues were great but also because the people working at the Festival. The ushers to the concessionaires always gave the impression that they really enjoyed being a part of the Britt Festival. Now that my sons have gradulated from high school (which translates to more free summer hours for their father), I decided this past spring to make a committment as a volunteer for this Britt season. Everyone I'd spoken to over the years said they enjoyed their time as a volunteer, not to mention all of the great shows a volunteer gets to see just by giving their time to help others. Now that I am halfway through my first summer as a volunteer, I have certainly enjoyed the experience. Moreover, I've also learned that there is something special with being a Britt volunteer that goes far beyond simply putting in the time to see the shows. I've learned that the "veterans" at the Festival take a great deal of pride in the service and dedication that comes with being a volunteer. The Britt volunteers I've worked with this summer express a genuine affection and pride in their association with the Festival. Many speak of a sense of community within Britt and are usually quick to include with their initial introduction the number of years they've been a volunteer on the "hill." What a great way to spend a summer...an opportunity to work with a fraternity of people who love good music and enjoy giving their service and time to a great organization.

Only a few hours left to enter to win Steve Miller tickets!

2008-08-11T21:31:03Z

Only a few more hours until our contest is over! Post your funniest, most touching or entertaining Britt experience to win a pair of lawn tickets to the Steve Miller Band/Joe Cocker concert THIS Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Lithia Motors Amphitheater. Post your story here by noon on Friday, Aug. 1. The winning entry will be determined by Britt staff. So let’s hear it—what has been YOUR best Britt experience?

Britt’s Hidden Gems - August 08

2008-08-11T21:30:25Z

Don’t let these special concerts at Britt pass you by! See what critics are saying about some of the artists coming to Britt’s stage in August.

The Golden Age of Silver Screen (Part I) featuring violinist Janet Sung — Friday, August 8

Every August, over 100 professional musicians from America’s great orchestras and some of the world’s best-loved guest soloists come together to offer extraordinary classical music under the stars at Britt. This summer, Maestro Peter Bay has planned a two-night tribute to The Golden Age of the Silver Screen. On the first night, August 8, guest soloist Janet Sung (violinist) will mesmerize patrons with her lustrous tone and dynamic interpretations of Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto.

“To say that Janet Sung plays the violin well is like noting that Baryshnikov is graceful or that Ernest Hemingway knew English.” —Harvard Gazette

“Guest violinist Janet Sung showed complete command of the piece [Korngold Violin Concerto], from its lighter, softer moments to its more frantic, fast-paced interludes. Sung helped make the piece fascinating.” —Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Learn more or buy tickets

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago — August 22

Exuberant, athletic and eclectic, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been an innovative force in dance for three decades. Under the leadership of artistic director Jim Vincent, the company performs powerful and diverse dances from choreographers around the world.

“Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is one of a handful of dance companies that regularly appear in Annenberg’s Dance Celebration series, and for good reason. The high-spirited modern troupe puts on a great show that consistently fills up the auditorium.” —Philadelphia City Paper

“Intriguing, tantalizing…lush and gorgeous.” —Chicago Tribune

“Hubbard Street’s skillful ensemble and leading-edge repertory place the company in the vanguard of contemporary dance in the U.S., and rival those of well-known European dance companies like Nederlands Dans Theater and Cullberg Ballet.” —Pittsburgh City Paper

Learn more or buy tickets

Judy Collins — Sunday, August 24

Judy Collins, a self-proclaimed American idol of 1957, is the definition of a living legend. Her influence in music and politics has spread over decades. Judy Collins keeps growing and challenging herself, writing books and songs, and performing. The blessing, she says, is having had the pleasure of doing her work, and having people read her books, listen to her music and come to her concerts.

“Judy continues, with music of hope and healing, to light up a world that needs music that matters, and speaks to the heart.” —Ad Age Magazine

“She was and she remains a queen of American music, blessed with a voice one critic likened to liquid silver. Schooled in classical piano Judy Collins could have made a life in any area of music she chose, but in the turbulent 1960s it seems that folk music chose her.” —Australian Broadcasting Corporation

“…Her voice, clear and vibrato free but inflected with delicate little shivers, [creates an] impulse to turn your head up, close your eyes and tune in to messages from far, far away.” —The New York Times

Learn more or buy tickets

Lucinda Williams / The Waifs / The Avett Brothers — Thursday, August 28

Britt patrons will witness a night of remarkable music when Lucinda Williams, The Avett Brothers and The Waifs take the stage on August 28. These artists offer performances full of vulnerability and honesty. If you are looking for a little country, folk, blues, bluegrass and pop, you will find it all in one night at Britt.

“For over a decade Williams’ working-class eclecticism and broken heart have fueled the best country records around…Williams has always been in a class of her own, i.e. alone.”
—Newsweek.com

“[Williams’] performance had a sense of discovery, an edge of the excitement you feel when you reunite with an old friend.” —Los Angeles Times

“At its best, The Avett Brothers’ music sounds carefully unproduced, its conscious lack of gloss letting the full force of the band’s lyrics—from boyish lust and firebrand defiance to matrimonial love and childhood nostalgia—connect on the other side. Fans don’t leave Avett Brothers’ shows dissecting accidental sharps and flats. They leave raving about the experience.” —Indy Weekly

“The country/honky-tonk folk rock trio from Australia possesses sheer instrumental virtuosity. Whether it’s acoustic guitar, mandolin or dobro, The Waifs’ performances on these strummed instruments are a delight.” —Associated Press

Learn more or buy tickets

JOIN CLUB BRITT TODAY!

Stay up to date on all of the exciting events at Britt by joining Club Britt. Join now if you'd like us to communicate with you via the web for:
* Concert recommendations to match your interests
* Instant notifications if a concert is cancelled or added
* Britt’s monthly e-newsletter Britt Buzz
*Online discussion forums
*The Britt Blog
* Online performances reviews and ratings http://www.brittfest.org

This Week at Britt - Classical Festival and Steve Miller

2008-08-11T21:28:28Z

Classical lover? Or blues/rock lover? Either way, you are in luck.

Here is this week's lineup:

Friday, 8/1
Opening Night Gala Champagne Picnic
Classical Festival Opening Night featuring pianist Ingrid Fliter

Saturday, 8/2
Colors of the Orchestra with trumpeter Alison Balsom

Sunday, 8/3
Arianna String Quartet with special guest Anton Nel
Steve Miller Band / Joe Cocker

Chopin's Heart

2008-08-11T21:27:55Z

The timing of the article "Poland says no to DNA testing of Chopin's heart," is ironic, with the Britt Classical Season just around the corner (this weekend). Pianist Ingrid Fliter will be performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 on Friday, August 1st.

The heart of Polish-born composer Frederic Chopin rests in the Church of the Holy Cross, in Warsaw, Poland. The Polish government has rejected a request by scientists to run DNA tests on the heart. They had hoped to test their belief that the musical genius might have suffered and died from cystic fibrosis, and not of tuberculosis, as his death certificate says.

Britt Classical Festival Begins...

2008-08-11T21:27:26Z

Every August, over 100 professional musicians from America's great orchestras and the world's best loved guest soloists come together to offer extraordinary classical music under the stars. The orchestra will take the stage, the moon will rise over the pavilion, crickets will begin their rhythmic serenade and the sparkling music of Chopin will remind us once again of the special thrill of classical music under the stars.

This year's festival includes pianist Ingrid Fliter, trumpeter Alison Balsom, the Arianna String Quartet with special guest pianist Anton Nel, a weekend of "The Golden Age of the Silver Screen" paying tribute to the golden age of movie music featuring violinist Janet Sung, violinist Jaime Laredo, cellist Sharon Robinson, and pianist Sara Davis Buechner. Encounter the musical genius Midori. Join pianist Jon Kimura Parker for a "Star-Spangled Evening" featuring the work of Gershwin and Copland. And best of all, become enchanted by your very own Britt Orchestra!

This Week at Britt - Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy & George Thorogood

2008-08-11T21:27:08Z

It’s another fantastic week to be a music junkie in southern Oregon, with excellent local and roadshows throughout the week.

Local highlights include One Horse Shy, and a fantastic band from the Eugene area, HiFi Ramblers.

Saturday night is the highlight of this week’s roadshow roster, with George Thorogood and the Destroyers bringing blues-rock tunes to Britt.

Wednesday, 7/23
An Evening with Lyle Lovett and His Large Band in Concert

Thursday, 7/24
Clint Black / One Horse Shy

Friday, 7/25
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy / HiFi Ramblers

Saturday, 7/26
George Thorogood and the Destroyers / Buddy Guy

Britt is way more than concerts!

2008-07-18T20:22:35Z

Did you know that Britt Festivals is much more than putting on great concerts? We have an educational arm that has been busy this summer hosting extremely talented students at our summer camps. Each summer, the Britt Institute offers young musicians a chance to study and perform with some of the nation's top professional musicians and instructors. These one- and two-week camps in jazz, saxophone and strings are intensive, challenging and inspiring.

Check out Dr. Rhett Bender's blog that gives you an inside look at the 2008 Sisiyou Saxophone Workshop. Dr. Bender was the camp director this year. He is also an associate professor of music at Southern Oregon University.

In two weeks, the String Quartet Academy will kick-off. One of the only camps in the nation that focuses solely on string quartet repertoire, Britt Institute’s String Quartet Academy offers intermediate to advanced students between the ages of 14 and 22 a comprehensive musical education. The special training and expertise of the faculty, The Arianna String Quartet, challenges young musicians to expand their technique and musicianship in ways that will change their approach to music forever.

Out of 81 students who auditioned to participate in the academy, 39 students from across the nation and three international students were accepted to attend the camp this year. There are six students representing the Rogue Valley. Due to the generosity of Britt donors and patrons, over $20,000 in scholarships have been provided to students attending this camp. The String Quartet Academy camp runs from July 30 to Aug. 16, 2008.

The students will be showcasing their skills at three performances:

String Quartet Academy Connoisseur Concert—Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Skyline Plaza at the Rogue Valley Manor in Medford. This concert is available to residents of the Manor.

String Quartet Academy Celebration of 2008 Classical Season: A Quartet on Every Corner!—Saturday, August 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. in downtown Jacksonville. There will be a total of 10 quartets each comprised of four students—two violins, one viola and one cello. The students perform pieces composed by Joseph Haydn, the “Father of the String Quartet."

String Quartet Academy Final Recital—Part One will be performed Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. and Part Two follows at 2 p.m. Both parts will be at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Great Hall in Ashland. This concert is free and open to the public.

'Children's Festival' at the Britt Gardens This Weekend!

2008-08-11T21:24:32Z

If you see a lot of children at the Britt Pavilion this weekend, it isn't for a Hannah Montana concert. It's the 42nd annual Children's Festival hosted by the Jackson County Library Services and the Storytelling Guild.

More than 35 booths and activities will offer arts and crafts, puppet-making, face-painting and more. In connectio with the festival's 2008, "What's All the Buzz About?" there will be a science booth offering hands-on exploration of the wonders of bugs, featuring everything from ladybugs to tarantulas. There also will be live entertainment for children, food from teh Dragon Deli and lots of storytelling.

Admission is $2 per day for adults and children. Visit storytellingguild.org.

The Festival began as a small storytelling program, billed as: “A Child’s Fun ‘N Fantasy Afternoon,” which was to be held under the trees at Britt Gardens. The turnout for this one-day event was so tremendous, 200 children, that it was repeated the next day for another 300 children!

It was apparent that this was an important program and plans were readied for a true Festival in 1968. The Storytelling Guild and the Jackson County Library began planning by recruiting volunteers from the mothers who attended the first Festival. Sixteen volunteers and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women planned for that second year.

The second festival drew 2,000 children. The third, 4000 and by 1981, the Children’s Festival was attracting 15,000 visitors! (At that time the Jackson County’s Parks and Recreation program was busing in children from recreation sites throughout the county.) Today the average attendance, over the course of three days, is between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors. Click here to find out more about the history of the Children’s Festival.

This year's schedule is:
Sunday July 20th 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Monday July 21st 9 am – Noon and
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Tuesday July 22nd 9 am – Noon

Check out Tristan Prettyman's Blog

2008-08-11T21:24:06Z

Tristan Prettyman, who will be performing with G. Love & Special Sauce on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. writes her own blog. Check it out! http://www.tristanprettyman.com/blog

AnnieMac at Britt

2008-08-11T21:23:18Z

I am so glad that our director of programming booked AnnieMac to open last night’s show with Three Dog Night. The AnnieMac band is a band to experience! They are a local band, based out of Ashland, who draws on old-school R&B riffs, deep soul, and emotion-inspired lyrics for hard-edged originals and highly danceable covers.

I really enjoyed the song, "Look at Me, Don't Look at Me." As a woman, I really related to the lyrics of this song. I think good music is the kind that touches the soul, and the AnnieMac band sure touched my soul last night.

To check out where AnnieMac will be performing next, visit their website.

Jesse Cook live on JPR today

2008-08-11T21:22:26Z

Guitarist Jesse Cook will perform live in the JPR studios at 12:30 p.m. today, Friday July 11. Tune in to the Rhythm & News service (89.1 in the Rogue Valley) to hear Jesse and his bandmate Nicholas Hernandez perform and talk with JPR's Eric Alan.

Free Music in Ashland Tonight!

2008-10-08T16:17:22Z

Britt has two music events tonight! In addition to the Three Dog Night concert in Jacksonville, the Britt Institute's Siskiyou Saxophone Workshop students will perform a recital in Ashland. The students will play in a saxophone orchestra at 6 p.m., prior to the Ashland City Band concert, at the band shell in Lithia Park in Ashland.

The saxophone performance in Lithia Park is free and open to the public. Come enjoy the music of these talented students!

For more information about the Ashland City Band, take a look at their web site.

Photo by Leigh Hood.

Pictures of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

2008-08-11T21:19:14Z

Check out these great pictures that Andrew Kemp from the Mail Tribune shot at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis concert on July 3rd. They are outstanding! Thanks for capturing the true essence of Britt, Andrew!

Punch Brothers Interview

2008-08-11T21:18:52Z

Peter Koelsch of the Ashland Daily Tidings interviews Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers. Click here to read the article.

BB King Brought Down the House!

2008-08-11T21:17:55Z

This post was written by Britt Festivals Marketing Specialist Krissy Rowan.

I fell in love with the blues last night (July 1). “The King of Blues,” BB King, celebrates his sixth decade of performing. Let me tell you, he truly is king! At 82, BB King can still bring the house down.

BB King now performs sitting down. He explained to the crowd that he is suffering from diabetes, and at 82 years old, he needs to sit down to play. Throughout his set, he shared stories of his blues past, his experience of growing up in the Deep South during segregation and his misadventures with women.

My favorite part of the evening was when he sang “You Are My Sunshine.” He told the men in the audience to always revere the woman in your life and make her feel important.

"When Love Comes to Town," a song that Bono of U2 wrote for BB King was phenomenal. Those guitar rifts that BB King plays with his Lucille (his guitar)...simply amazing.

The concert was a fabulous experience and a history lesson on the blues. This morning I downloaded BB King’s Live album on my iPod before I left for work. He has got me hooked.

What you don’t know about BB King…

2011-04-26T12:55:59Z

King has taken part in more than 60 albums, with different artists or on his own. He has won 14 Grammys and received dozens of awards and honors over the years, and he still performs several nights a week. He belongs to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, and stands in the 3rd position of Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

Question: What is B.B. King's Real Name?

Answer: B.B. King was born Riley B. King. When he became a disc jockey in 1948, he began going by the name Beale Street Blues Boy. That evolved into Blues Boy King, which was later shortened to the now famous B.B. King.

Question: Why does B.B. King call his guitars “Lucille?”

Answer: The name of his guitars comes from a gig back in 1949. A couple guys there got into a fight over a woman, and they ended setting the club on fire. B.B. King scaped, but then he realized he had forgotten his guitar inside. Risking his life to save the guitar, he asked what the name of the woman that the two men were fighting for was, and it turned out to be Lucille. Ever since he has named his guitars "Lucille" (there are several "Lucilles"!), and Gibson even released an official model resembling B.B. Kings modifications, in 1981.

More Interesting Facts About B.B. King:

- Married twice: in 1944 and 1958
- Divorced twice
- Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Diabetic
- He likes gambling
- He has two honorary doctorates in music from Yale and Brown
- Vegetarian
- He is very active in guitar workshops & seminars, and is very keen on teaching guitar.
- He is a Licensed Pilot
- He doesn't smoke, nor drink
- He owns clubs in Memphis, L.A. and NYC

The Reviews Are In

2008-08-11T21:16:14Z

Check out two Mail Tribune reviews of Britt shows:

Earth, Wind & Fire

Under the Radar Festival

A Britt Institute Alum Plays the Britt Stage!

2008-08-11T21:15:43Z

On The One, a jazz/funk/soul ensemble from San Diego, opens for Earth, Wind & Fire tomorrow night, Thursday, June 26. One of On The One’s co-founders is saxophonist Jesse Molloy, who has strong ties to Britt and the area. He’s a graduate of Ashland High School and SOU, and he’s an alumnus of Britt Institute’s Instrumental Jazz Camp, which he attended when he was 16, in the mid-‘90s. You may have seen him on an ad for SOU that’s currently running on local television.

It’s fitting that Jesse’s performing on the Britt stage this week, as the 2008 Jazz Camp students are in session. Jesse says, “It’s exciting for myself and On The One that the Britt music experience has come full circle. It’s an honor coming back to play after attending Britt Jazz camp in high school.”

Jesse and the rest of the band will be “giving back” when they teach a master class to the Jazz Camp students tomorrow afternoon.

This year’s Jazz Camp students will be in the audience tomorrow night to watch On The One and Earth, Wind & Fire—we’ll be watching to see who might be back at Britt in a few more years!

What Happened at the Neville Brothers concert?

2008-08-11T21:13:50Z

Audience members at last Thursday’s (June 12) concert had an unusually long intermission (well over an hour) between Dr. John and The Neville Brothers’ sets.

While Britt management made one announcement to the audience about the technical difficulties, we sincerely apologize for not keeping everyone up to speed throughout the solution process. Our apologies also for the long wait.

What was the hold-up?

To answer, first here's a little background about the sound equipment on stage. The monitor console controls all the sound on stage. During the afternoon sound check, the sound technician saves all the settings on a digital card that gets inserted into the monitor console. When the performance time comes, the technician simply puts the card into the console, and everything is in place.

On Thursday, after Dr. John’s performance, the technician inserted the card with the pre-programmed settings for The Neville Brothers, but the digital files somehow got contaminated. The technician tried re-booting the monitor console a few times, but then it crashed. Without the monitors, the musicians on stage can’t hear themselves or each other properly, so they need it in order to perform. Fortunately, our sound company had a back-up console available, and they were able swap it with the one on stage. The crew hurried to get everything up and running as quickly as possible.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this caused for our patrons. Fortunately, the Neville Brothers were able to play their full set once the equipment was ready.

First Impressions

2008-08-11T20:22:49Z

This post was written by Britt Festivals Marketing Specialist Krissy Rowan.

This summer marks the first time I attended a performance at Britt Festivals. I have attended concerts at different venues across the country, and let me tell you that Britt has a unique quality that no other venue can match. The smell of picnics and freshly uncorked wine mixed with laughter and smiles is a refreshing change of pace. I haven’t felt so relaxed for a long time.

There is a sense of community at the Britt pavilion that I didn’t realize still existed. Strangers actually chat with each other! I even saw a woman ask the people sitting behind her at the Crosby, Stills and Nash concert if she was blocking their view. What a stark contrast to the way people treat each other on a day-to-day basis.

Not only does the amazingly beautiful atmosphere at the Britt Pavilion blow my socks off, the performances so far this season have been pretty amazing as well.

I loved Crosby, Stills and Nash! It was neat that Graham Nash was bare foot during the entire performance. Their performance style was engaging and casual. The band shared stories, made fun of how long they have been playing music and joked about the fact they never play a song twice the same way since they have gotten older.

Speaking of being older, watching the baby boomers around me enjoying the music of their youth is a testament of the impact the band had back in the 1960s and 70s. Even though I am only in my mid-twenties, I found their music meaningful and timeless.

Nash really got the crowd going with some choice words for George W. Bush. The band has always spoken out on political causes, and world citizens speaking out on causes they believe in. There is no question of the group’s political leanings, with lyrics like “military madness is killing your country.”

The second half of the show was mellow, with lots of acoustic numbers. The repetitive dark acoustic riff and the wonderful harmonies of “Guinnevere” performed by Crosby and Nash was simply enchanting.

My favorite moment of the evening was when the audience got to sing-along to “Our House.” It was so much fun and made me feel like we were all connected.

The band finally rocked it hard with “Wounded World,” “Southern Cross,” and “For What It’s Worth.”

I was kind of disappointed that there wasn’t an encore, but overall the show was fulfilling and fun.

LeAnn Rimes rocked the house! That girl has some lungs. On June 9th, I attended her concert and enjoyed it very much! LeAnn showed her songwriting talent in this concert (she co-wrote the songs on her new album Family).

Every woman in the audience could totally relate to the song, “Good Friend and a Glass of Wine,” the quintessential anthem for women. The teens in the crowd really seemed to enjoy when LeAnn sang “I Want You to Want Me," a song by Cheap Trick, originally recorded in 1977 for their album In Color, though the version from the band's 1978 album At Budokan subsequently became better known than the original. I have to admit I was on my feet for this song, right along with my 12 year-old concert neighbor.

LeAnn’s comments to the crowd were really sweet. She thanked everyone more than once, saying she’s seen performers come and go during her time as a performer and is grateful to remain popular.

A word of warning to all: it only takes one performance to get hooked on Britt Festivals. It is truly a unique experience. I have tickets to see Michael Franti Spearhead on the 21st and I cannot wait!