Entertainment: Live, Good & Free

AN EXCEPTION

by Bob Buddemeier

I don’t usually write reviews or entertainment articles, and when somebody does we usually put it in the Arts & Info section of the Complement.  This is a news feature because it seems clear that there is some significant information that is not getting out.

The general information is that every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. there is live entertainment in the Manor Auditorium — a variety of programs, but usually some sort of music.  The specific secret that I want to unwrap for you is that this is quality stuff, ranging from the cream of the local crop of musicians to truly world class performers — we are on the outreach circuits for the Chamber Music, The Britt Festival, and The Rogue Valley Symphony, for example.

Mary Jane Morrison, Chair of the Program/Entertainment Committee has been booking shows for many years, and her wealth of contacts and experience, plus funding from the Residents Council and the RVM Foundation, allows us to have shows brought to your doorstep that would normally cost you $$ and driving.  All you have to do is show up at the auditorium between 6:30 and 7 p.m. on Thursdays, settle back, and enjoy.  NO RESTRICTIONS! Masks are not required. but you are free to wear one if you wish.

Shybo Torres, Rogue Valley Manor Auditorium, 7 p.m. Thursday June 9

As a Program Committee hanger-on, I have been privileged to attend the performances live even when they were restricted to somewhat erratic distribution over Channel 900, and now that they are open for an audience, I’m amazed  at the lack of attendance.  Some of what you missed — last week was David Pinsky and Phil Newton, a locally-based and nationally recognized team playing blues guitar and harmonica.  Outstanding!  A few weeks earlier we had Tommy Graven playing Native American flutes. After an enchanting performance, questions from the scanty but enthusiastic audience prompted him to give an impromptu seminar on flute construction and performance.  That’s the kind of down-home interaction your $$ and driving won’t get you at the external venues.

But about the Future — This Thursday, June 9, we have Shybo Torres, Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter.  You can check out his music at https://soundcloud.com/shybo-torres, or just google his distinctive name for information.  Thursday June 16, Jon Hayes presents a piano recital.  Tuesday evenings are normally rebroadcasts on Channel 900 of previous performances, but on Tuesday June 21 we have one of our special events, a live performance by the Britt Festival Fellows Quartet!  Not to be missed.

The performance series also features home-grown talent, such as the Rogue Valley Manor pianists and the Joyful Voices Chorus.  For the full schedule, see  Events and Opportunities in the Complement, and watch RVMlist and the lobby poster stands for announcements.

I know that COVID has conditioned everyone to isolation, but I don’t care how big your TV screen is, live music is different, and better.   If you are a take-out devotee, get your brown bag early and come back, if you dine out, and time it to hit the auditorium about 6:45.  The main thing is to get off your pajama-clad posterior and join your fellow residents in taking advantage of a truly outstanding opportunity.  As with so many things, active participation sustains life.  Audiences tell the funding sources that the programs are appreciated, and let the committee know which ones to invite back.  In the long run, we can’t rely on using TV to support quality programs.