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Show 8 MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2012 THE SIGNPOST J oseph continued from page 4 school, but this time she shared the role with two other women. Normally intended to be a single character, the Narrator was triple-cast as a creative choice by the directors, which resulted in Mikami harmonizing with two other sequinclad performers as the tale of Joseph was given three voices to tell it. "It's been interesting playing with three people, because I'm used to doing it with one," Mikami said, "but it's a really good working experience to be able to cooperate with two other girls, and especially because the two other girls are not divas at all. So that was really, really helpful." She also said that even though it was difficult to create all the harmonies with the other singers and balance school and her rehearsal schedule, the most rewarding part was the friendships with the people in the cast she's made while being a part of this show. "The cast is great," Mikami said. "They're always inspiring me to do better at everything. They're always doing a good job and always making me want to do better on the stage. So backstage is such (an) uplifting place to go." With the added element of the show's chil- dren's ensemble, a lot of help was needed. Dawn Carter, the production's child wrangler, has helped keep track of the 20 child cast members (which include some of her own children) since the show's beginning. "Sometimes it's crazy and a little bit hectic, but it's fun," Carter said. "It just makes you want to get up and sing." Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream- coat will be running every Monday, Friday and Saturday at the Terrace Plaza until April 7, and the shows always begin at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $12, and open seat tickets are normally $10, but students get a $1 discount. To reserve any tickets for future performances, the number is 801-393-0070. The Terrace's next show will be Thoroughly Modem Millie, debuting on April 20. "I think that it's a really inspirational show," Mikami said of Joseph. "It makes you want to do more, and it makes you feel afterwards that you can just go and dominate the world. It really inspires you to follow your dreams and make sure you follow through with following your dreams and to not stop." new incentive this year. Those in attendance will be placed in a drawing for a free dinner for two ($30 value) and a free movie gift card for two ($25 value). Donald Keipp, WSU professor of music and drummer in the Junction City Big Band, said the dances are a great activity. "I think it is a great place for a bunch of students to just do something out of the ordinary and say, 'Hey, let's get four couples and go dancing!" Keipp said. "I think that they would really have a blast." The band has a total of 18 members: five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, the rhythm section (piano, bass, drums), vocalist and the director. Keipp said that despite the challenges the band has faced, the members still enjoy the opportunity what they have to play. "The fun thing about the Junction City Big Band is that we all just love playing so much," Keipp said. "It is kind of like a jazz club." He said the band plays together at least once a month and performs at various functions, including wedding receptions, military functions and church activities. Keipp has been the drummer in the band since it was first organized. A few of the numbers featured on Saturday included "Moonlight Serenade," "In the Mood" and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." According to Keipp, these songs are made for couples to dance to the sounds of the big band era and just have a good time. Margene Anderson has provided dance instruction at these dances for the past 10 years. She taught participants how to swing, foxtrot and waltz to the big band numbers. "It's fun to see them dancing what they just learned in class," Anderson said. "The lessons give students the confidence they need to get up on the dance floor when they might not do so otherwise." Anderson owns a dance company called "A Dance Scene" and has been teaching since 1985 all over the Wasatch Front. "When you are familiar with some of the basic dance moves, you can have a blast on the dance floor in any social setting," Anderson said. "Dancing is a great way to exercise, and with its many social and health benefits, everyone should be dancing!" The next Junction City Big Band Dance will be on April 7, 7-10:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Building Ballrooms. The cost is $5 for the dance and an additional $1 for dance instruction. After April 7, Steve said the band will get together in order to vote on whether or not they should keep the band going. "Usually the band is in favor of trying to keep the group together because they like creating music and it is a great time for the people that attend," Steve said. "It would be great to have as much support as we could so that we can keep the group going and keep this great opportunity for the students." Combo perform, and just like the concert series intended, the age range of the audience was varied. When Keipp asked if any WSU students were in attendance, several audience members raised their hands and admitted to being there to cornplete assignments for classes. Keipp noted that the audience at the Union Station is distinct from audiences at WSU. "At the Union Station, we always get a different crowd," Keipp says. "They love this event because they bring in a variety of musicians. I see some of the same faces coming back." Diane Gladwell is one of those familiar faces. Gladwell, who has seen the Jazz Combo as well as the Jazz Ensemble perform, said she enjoys attending the Jazz at the Station concerts. "I've been coming to the concerts for about 2-3 years," Gladwell said. "I like that they're free; that's one of the best parts." When the Jazz Combo performs on campus, it usually gets to do so in the middle of the Jazz Ensemble concert. Keipp said that for those concerts, the audience is there for one specific reason. Casey Wood, who plays the piano and occasionally lends his vocals to songs, agreed with Keipp in noticing that Union Station audiences differ from WSU's. "These people come because they want to hear jazz, and the people at Weber State come because they're our parents," Wood said. When nearing the end of the performance, Keipp asked the audience if the Combo could play some more, to which an audience member enthusiastically replied, "Keep going!" Jazz at the Station concerts are held on the second Wednesday of every month in the Union Station Grand Lobby. Concerts are free and open to all ages. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.corn. Big Band continued from page 4 future of the Junction City Big Band. "It was something he really wanted to continue. He devoted his life to music, and I think that the part he really liked the best was the big band music and organization," Steve said. "I think that is where he got the most joy out of his music." While Steve put down his baritone saxophone and took over as director, he noted that the band has faced a number of challenges. Back when the band first started, Steve said the number of participants ranged anywhere from 250-300 people per dance. However, he said the numbers appear to be declining today. "We had a real good attendance when we first started back in the `80s," Steve said. "Now I am seeing what I can do about building the attendance back up." According to Steve, one large setback was the renovation of the Shepherd Union Building because the band was unable to play at WSU during that time. The other challenge that Steve described is that big band music does not lend itself to individuals. In order to raise the attendance at dances, Steve has introduced a VOLUNTEER FORA RESEARCH STUDY Do YOU USE?? COCAINE, RITALIN, ADDERALL, ECSTASY, MARIJUANA, XANAX, VALIUM, LORTAB OR OXYCONTIN TO • GET HIGH/PARTY • RELAX • RELIEVE ANXIETY • STUDY FOR AN EXAM IF SO, YOU MAY QUALIFY FORA RESEARCH STUDY MULTIPLE OVER NIGHT STAYS MAY BE REQUIREDTRANSPORTATION MAY BE PROVIDED COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY CALL LIFETREE CLINICAL RESEARCH 801-269-8200 OR 1-888-927-9898 www.Li F ETRE E RS EARC H C OM LIFETREE CLINICAL RESEARCH® Growing a Better Quality of Life C ombo continued from page 4 gives off a distinct, vibrating sound. Like the Jazz Ensemble's performances, many new selections were performed. Keipp said this was so audience members who might have already seen the Combo perform could get a chance to hear new pieces. This was also beneficial to the members of the Combo, so that they didn't perform the same songs repeatedly. About 140 people gathered to hear the Jazz DO YOU NEED A SCHOLARSHIP? Apply for the WSU Alumni Scholarship today! Visit http://alumni.weber.edu/scholarship Comment on this story at wsusignpost.corn. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.corn. |