Brew Ha's Open Mic Night Fills The Room

Friday evening saw a full Brew Ha in Ossian as local performers and their supporters turned out for June's Open Mic Night.

It was billed as a "jazz" night, but covers of songs from a wide variety of artists and musical styles were performed. Zanesville's Dennis Kammerer started the ball rolling, with Bill and Stu Hambrick, Alex Mendez and Chris Reilly also strutting their stuff.

Alex Mendez will be back at the Brew Ha on (Friday) July 17 for a full two-hour show - maybe you can stop by and check him out.

Pictured above, Bill Hambrick (top photo) performs his opening set which included songs by Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Paul Simon, and Dennis Kammerer covers Neil Young.

Bluffton Junior Performing With Glassmen Corps at Decatur Sunday

The Glassmen drum and bugle corps may be based out of Toledo, Ohio, but when they take the field at Sunday evening’s “Waves of Thunder” competition at Bellmont High School, they will be performing not too far from the home of at least one member of their group.

Bluffton High School junior Bob Wittbrodt applied for one of the 150 spots in the Glassmen's summer tour line up, and was among those selected to join the camp at the end of May. Upon arrival at the camp, corps members began daily rehearsals, typically lasting from six to 10 hours, before embarking on their eight-week, 15,000 mile summer tour across the United States.

The Glassmen’s competition season began in Washington DC on June 18, and will include an appearance in the July 12 Disney Parade in Florida, and a three-event visit to Texas later that same week.

The corps is made up of three ensembles - brass, percussion and color guard. Wittbrodt will be part of the Glassmen’s brass contingent, playing the trumpet.

The “Waves of Thunder” competition starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, with corps from Illinois, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas and Wisconsin are also expected at the event.

Tickets are $20 each or $15 with a group of 15 or more. For more information, call 317-275-1212, ext. 3, or check www.dci.org/tickets.

Alex Mendez Performs at Brew Ha

Alex Mendez showcased his music at the Brew Ha in Ossian on Friday evening from 7 p.m., entertaining guests with his guitar and vocals.

Alex hopes to be a regular feature at the Brew Ha over the coming months, and will be one of the performers at next Friday's Open Mic Jazz night, which also starts at 7 p.m.

Musicians hoping to perform at the open mic night are advised to contact the Brew Ha in advance to help them prepare for the evening.

Musicians To Entertain at the Brew-Ha in Ossian

Special guest performer Alex Mendez will entertain Friday evening from 7 p.m. at The Brew-Ha in Ossian this week.

Next Friday (June 26) will be Open Mic Jazz night from 7 p.m. Performers hoping for a spot on stage are invited to contact the Brew-Ha to help with planning for the evening.

June Jam Fest at The King's Place

The June Jam Fest had a bit of competition from "God Spell" Saturday evening, but Casey Fritz and friends kept the audience entertained throughout the evening.

Pictured above are Fritz (top), Sam Steffen, and some audience shots.

The King's Place hosts a monthly Jam Fest on the second Saturday of each month from 6:30 p.m.

Wells Community Theater presents "Godspell"

The cast of “Godspell” is in its final few days of rehearsals for this weekend’s Wells Community Theater production.
The show will be presented at the Life Center at 8 p.m. Friday, June 12; at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 13; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 14.
Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew and the parables of Jesus, “Godspell” was created by John-Michael Tebelak as a college project in 1970. It was an immediate sensation. It was rescored by Stephen Schwartz (who also wrote the Broadway shows “Pippin” and “Wicked”), the musical moved to off-Broadway in 1971 and hit Broadway in 1976.
“Godspell” remains one of the most popular rock musicals of all time.”
The cast of about 40 includes area actors, singers and dancers of all ages.

Ossian's Brew Ha Provides Stage For Local Entertainers and Artists

The Brew Ha in Ossian is providing a stage for local artists and entertainers to display their talents.

Each month, the work of a different artist will be on display, and Friday evening will also see special entertainment provided.

The Brew Ha's featured "Artist of the Month" for June is quilter Judy Parker (pictured above). On June 19, from 7 p.m., music by Alex Mendez will be on the menu, and Friday June 26 will see an "Open Mic Jazz Night" at the Brew Ha.

Also on the schedule for the coming weeks is a Sidewalk Art Contest on Saturday June 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a sample fundraiser for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), organized through the First Church of the Nazarene in Bluffton.

Artists/entertainers looking for an opportunity to perform should contact the Brew Ha for full details.

Watch the News-Banner and Ossian Journal for more about Judy Parker's work!

"Parent Preview" Provides Sneak Peak at Norwell's Fall Season Marching Band Show

Norwell band and color guard parents and supporters were given a preview of the fall season show, and a chance to meet the staff Saturday afternoon at the Norwell High School Gymnasium.

Norwell’s lineup will have a lot of changes this season.

Assistant Director, and also high school science teacher Scott Johnson is leaving Norwell to take up a position closer to his Mooresville home, in Plainfield. Johnson was presented with a framed copy of the sheet music for Bob Hope’s theme song “Thanks For The Memory”, from the 1938 Paramount Pictures “Big Broadcast”. The cover sheet was signed by all the students, and also some of the parents.

Johnson’s place as assistant director will be taken by Jon Bay.

This coming season, Norwell’s color guard will have a new choreographer/instructor, as David Blozman joins Kelly Hassell in leading the squad. With only seven members of last years color guard returning, and four new members, this will be very different to last year.

Norwell’s drum line will also have a somewhat new look with several members working with different instruments this year. Former percussion members Palmer Durr and Tyler Fager will be helping Aaron Barrientos with the drum line while Barrientos is away, performing with the Blue Coats Drum Corp. over summer.

The “Parent Preview” show began with the full ensemble performing, then the color guard, drum line and wind ensembles all performed separately.

The new musical arrangement, entitled “Bells”, is being written for Norwell by Mike Pote.

Norwell’s line-up for the coming season is as follows:

— Director: Doug Hassell (5th year at Norwell)
— Assistant Director: Jon Bay (1st year at Norwell)
— Wind Arranger: Mike Pote (9 years)
— Percussion/Pit Arranger: Nate Noble (9 years)
— Percussion/Battery Arranger: Aaron Barrientos (4th year)
— Head Guard Choreographer/Instructor: Kelly Hassell (2nd year)
— Guard Choreographer/Instructor: David Bolzman (1st year)
— Drill Design: Pat Butler (3rd year)
— Brass: Nick Ankenbruck (1st year)
— Woodwinds: Tucker Day (4th year)
— Percussion Battery: Palmer Durr (1st year) and Tyler Fager (1st year)

Student Leadership:
— Drum Major: Chelly Neuenschwander (Senior)

Section Leaders:
— Flute: Kasey Lafollette (Junior) and Hailey Smith (Senior)
— Clarinet: Amy Brehm (Junior) and Kelly McIntyre (Junior)
— Alto Sax: Josh King (Senior) and Kelsey Ahrens (Junior)
— Low Reeds: Taylor Barger (Junior)
— High Brass: Robert Wolf (Senior)
— Low Brass: Robert Connett (Junior) and Justin Short (Senior)
— Pit Percussion: Tanner Tuttle (Senior)
— Battery: Michael Brown (Junior)
— Color Guard: Mallory Elmore (Senior) and Jennifer Harrison (Junior)

Repertoire: “Bells” - Original compositions by Michael Pote

Accomplishments:

— ISSMA State Finalist: 1983, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
— ISSMA Regional Champion: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
— ISSMA District Champion: 2001, 2002, 2003 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
— ISSMA State Champion Runner-up: 1983, 2001, 2008
— ISSMA State Champion: 2002, 2005, 2006
— BOA Indianapolis Regional “Class A” Champion: 2002, 2003
— BOA Indianapolis Regional “Class AA” Champion: 2004, 2005
— BOA Centreville Regional “Class AA” Champion: 2008
— BOA Grand National “Class A” Champion: 2002, 2003

Thanks to Tomi Harrison for the information and photos.