'Elvis' Dave Osmond
Joe Neri and friends
OTCA Open House!
Elvis and Friends Shake the Doors Open
Friday, September 18, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
FREE! Donations encouraged
The Old Town Center for the Arts kicks off its new season with a special Open House Party featuring entertainment, refreshments, ticket giveaways and special guests on Friday, September 18th, from 6:30 – 9:30 PM.
Elvis will be ‘in the house.’ Musicians Joe Neri, Don Whitcher, Keys Marsh, Rich Carl, Robert Church, and Connie Fisher will provide music throughout the evening. Comic relief will be provided by the amazing improv troupe Abandoned Minds, and Swami Sedonananda. Special guests will include Cottonwood Mayor Diane Joens, legendary photographer John Rowlands, and artist Ninfa. Surprise guests and celebrities will be announced at the opening.
“We are excited about announcing the Fall lineup,” OTCA co-directors Christine and William Eaton stated. “Our open house party is a celebration to welcome back everyone, our loyal patrons and those who’ve never attended an event. Our audiences come from Cottonwood and the surrounding Verde Valley, including Sedona, which is only 20-25 minutes away. “
At the Open House Party you’ll have an opportunity to visit an historic building in Old Town Cottonwood that has been home to several churches, an antique store, a music store, and a bike shop among other incarnations. Recently the building was renovated into a vintage theater, with raised stage, main drape curtains, a custom high fidelity sound system and professional lighting. Dan Engler, editor of Verde Valley Independent and Kudos calls OTCA the “Crown jewel in the renaissance of Old Town Cottonwood.”
The opening night will feature a variety of music, comedy and surprises. By now you may have heard about the Elvis sightings in the Verde Valley and Sedona. It can now be revealed that Elvis will be present in the body of Dave Osmond, recording artist and Elvis Presley tribute performer. Osmond is known for his southern drawl, accent and vocal incantations strikingly similar to Presley. He began singing at an early age in church, and played a variety of musical instruments. Playing in rock bands as he grew up, he discovered that audiences loved to hear him sing Elvis’ songs. For the past 30 years, he has performed his Elvis tribute across the United States. The recent pictures you’ve seen of Dave ‘Elvis’ Osmand were taken by none other than John Rowlands, who spent four years as Elvis Presley’s photographer from 1972 through 1976. John will reminisce about his time with Elvis and show some original photos. John will soon be featured at OTCA in a special “Spice of Life” series event to showcase his photography of legendary rock stars and celebrities.
There will be a variety of entertainment for the Open House Party. Joe Neri, of Blues Dawg fame, has put together a stellar band of musicians to back ‘Elvis’ and preview some music that will feature Joe in upcoming performances at OTCA in November and December. The band is Joe on guitar, Keys Marsh on keyboard, Rich Carl on bass, and Robert Church on drums. The talented singer, guitarist Don Whitcher, who leads the open mic nights on Mondays at La Bella Café, next to OTCA, and Connie Fisher, whose beautiful Celtic and East Indian vocals are transcendent, will round out the musical line-up. Also a visual artist, Connie is the web and graphics designer for OTCA.
The event is free and open to the public, with donations to support OTCA accepted.
But wait there’s more. You’ll want to come early and visit The Manheim Gallery, that shares the ‘Gateway to Old Town’ right next to OTCA at 747 N. Main St.. The Manheim Gallery will be having its opening event on Friday. Doors open at 1:00 PM to showcase new works from Norma Cox Miller, Rose Moon, Page Filson, Bobbie and Harvey Stearn, Veda Lovado, and Kathie Dame Glarum. Have some wine and nibbles before heading over to La Bella Café for an ‘Elvis favorites dinner’ and on to the open house at OTCA.
Home Events Tickets Theater Studio B Classes Cafe Map Links Contact
all content & design copyright © 2009 Old Town Center for the Arts all rights reserved