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Show Volume XXX Issue X The Ogden Valley News Page 5 March 1, 2023 “Primavera” Ushers in a Colorful Weber High School Productions Company Presents Les Misérables Springtime at Weber State University Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 70 million, this musical phenomenon is an epic tale of passion and redemption in the throes of revolution. Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical—a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. The multi-award-winning Les Misérables is as groundbreaking today as it was when it first premiered in London in 1985. In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter. Leading the cast—many from Ogden Valley—are seniors Logan Rawson as Jean Valjean and Zack Knowlden as Javert. The cast also includes Matthew Bollingbroke as Marius, Addi Maycock and Emily Barney as Éponine, Devyn Mich’l and Meredith Songer as Fantine, Kathryn Johns and Christine Hunter as Cosette, Bella Wilson and Lexi Mills as Madame Thénardier, Ryan Gorsline as Thénardier, and Cameron Dearing as Enjolras. Another 40 actors make up the ensemble of townspeople, factory workers, sailors, “lovely ladies,” prisoners, and students. In addition to the high school cast, the Weber High Productions Company also welcomes three young actors: Luke Chugg takes on the role of street smart Gavroche, while Cosette Newhall and Ruby Rockwood take on the roles of Young Cosette and Éponine. In addition to the cast, offstage there are another 20 students working tirelessly as members of the crew and running tech, without whom there would be no show. The crew is under the leadership of stage manager Sarah Rockwood. Performances of Les Misérables will run March 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, and 27 at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee performance on March 25 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale. Reserved seating is $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors, and $8 for students. Please visit weberhightheatre.com for more information on the show and to reserve your tickets! Use promo code gavroche for $1.00 off each ticket at checkout. To see how Weber High students bring Les Miserables to life on the Weber High stage, visit youtu.be/N0Y4g7aJ78A. Visit drive.google.com/file/d/1uJgZTTuTm2Vunf2o3yMHi5w1Gr-ttK8/view to see an early rehearsal and the clip from Do You Hear The People Sing. Local Group Releasing Video in Time for Women’s History Month Was it murder or self-defense? Mothers of Mayhem, an all-mom rock band from Utah, breaks boundaries with a new original music video highlighting strong women from the past fighting back against abuse just in time for Women’s History Month. Mothers of Mayhem, an Ogden-based heavy-hitting rock band composed of four mothers, is busy cranking out new original music capturing the attention of music industry execs. The band has mainly been a rock/metal cover band and a fan favorite at almost every music festival around Utah over the last five years. They are now venturing into recording and releasing original content to expand their musical reach to new markets. Their latest foray is a new music video called Elijah Jones, filmed in the southwestern Utah town of Kanab (known as “little Hollywood”). Taking liberties with their traditional 1950s look, they tell a story of historical fiction through song and a music video released in conjunction with Women’s History Month, starting March 1. This rock-western style “murder ballad” Mothers of Mayhem band members from left to right are Jami Taylor, Jessica Groom, Nikki Ashton, and Victoria Green. was set in Utah in the late 1800s. The scene is set around Bluff, Utah, in 1889, centered around Elijah Jones, a fictional self-righteous outlaw who stayed behind while many other settlers moved on. It fully embraces the wild west, filled with gritty desert sand, harsh conditions, polygamy, and guns. The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, has announced the women’s history theme for 2023, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Lead guitarist Jami Taylor said, “We feel like the theme for Women’s History Month is a perfect opportunity for us, a band made up of four mothers with 19 kids among us, to release a song that tells a story only we can tell.” Lead singer Jessica Groom stated, “As the song’s writing developed, we felt like it was an opportunity to focus on the strength of women and what they are capable of.” Bassist Victoria Green added, “Ironically, the process of writing and creating this song and video was delightfully fun. I have never laughed so hard. Not all serious topics have to feel heavy all the time.” Drummer Nikki Ashton notes, “One of the coolest things about art is that it allows for hard topics to be presented in a more approachable way and in ways that are easier to cope with the heaviness of the situation.” Lead guitarist Jami Taylor adds, “writing a western murder ballad with the likes of Johnny Cash and adding a rock vibe to it was really a fun project to create.” Mothers of Mayhem puts a fresh spin on history, weaving threads from the past with the excitement of the future by giving the audience something new every time they take the stage. Paying homage to those who came before in how they dress, the songs they cover, and the stories they tell, they honor women throughout history while celebrating the strong women of today. You can check out the video on March 1 as it hits social media channels and film festivals nationwide. It’s called Elijah Jones by Mothers of Mayhem. Be prepared to watch four women create a little mayhem! For more information visit mothersofmayhem.net. For the video link, mothersofmayhem. net/elijah-jones. For questions or comments, please email mom@mothersofmayhem.net. As we travel through life, each of us will ultimately become the author of our own unique story. Reflecting on the experiences that shape our lives allows us to appreciate who we are and the person we want to be. Presented by Orchesis Dance Theatre, Primavera will feature a collection of movement pieces that explore the idea of one’s personal narrative through a lens of new beginnings, growth, hope, progress, and vibrancy. Primavera will include multiple pieces of work created by several different choreographers. Olas de Memoria, by guest choreographer Karlies Kelley, will bring to life the natural elements of fire, water, earth, and wind and explore the way these forces guide our lives. Inspired by his upbringing in Puerto Rico, director Juan Carlos Claudio’s piece Moths in an Open Field, will explore ideas of individuality through the study of moths, their patterns, and their attraction to light. Choreographer jo Blake will present the restaging of a piece originally performed by the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. This piece embraces ideas of radical selflove and clarity of voice as they relate to overcoming trauma and traveling through difficult experiences. Primavera will also feature student choreographer works that explore cultural interpretations of movement across the globe. You can see the show March 30-31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m., with a family sensoryfriendly and ASL matinee performance on April 1 at 2:00 p.m. All showings will be hosted at Weber State University’s Browning Center in the Allred Theatre. The sensory-friendly and ASL performance welcomes individuals with various needs. These include people on the autism spectrum, people with ADHD, people with tics, Tourette’s syndrome, as well as firsttime theatergoers and seniors who are sensitive to loud noises. This performance will be condensed in length, is wiggle-friendly, and modified so that all audience members may participate in a relaxed, safe environment. For more information and tickets, visit weber.edu/artscalendar. Huntsville Town to Welcome Grand Prix CycleKart 2023 The annual Huntsville Grand Prix CycleKart 2023 is slated for May 19 and May 20. This fun and exciting experience equates to a festival and exhibition—not a race. It’s a big, fun, social event! The number one rule in cyclekarting is to have fun and make it look good. This is a cyclekart event that adheres to what a cyclekart really is. They’re art on wheels—resembling period cars. Each builder understands that the look of the car is paramount. We drive in a spirited fashion, sometimes in period gear, and just have a good time. The Huntsville Grand Prix has now become a yearly cyclekarting event. A cyclekart is a caricature of a pre-world war II vintage car, or race car built to a certain set of guidelines the real cyclkarters all follow. Each one is built by their drivers to put on quite the show. Often held in mid-May, it revolves around the town square and commonly involves the whole town—as they do love us! We’re quite fortunate to be allowed to hold this wonderful event in Huntsville Town. The Huntsville Grand Prix CycleKart event is a sibling of the Tieton Grand Prix and runs in a strikingly similar fashion. All driver entry fees are given to the town of Huntsville... and we even dress the part too! We’re simply glad to have a place to go... and Huntsville Town is the perfect setting. The first Huntsville event was held August 22, 2020, which enjoyed great success for a pilot event. Twentythree cyclekarts attended. This captured the title as the largest cyclekart gathering in the world for 2020. The 2021 Grand Prix was even larger and tied the largest gathering on this planet with 44 cars. Thanks to Huntsville’s town council and Mayor Jim Truett, we continued on in the hopes of keeping the ball rolling. But 2022 was a different story, as gas prices had risen considerably. Many of our brethren simply couldn’t get there, resulting in a cozier event with about 32 cars. Still, it was another success. The cyclekart event is something special. The town is actually older than the cars we recreate. Surviving right through prohibition, it holds a special place for us! It is our belief that a cyclekart is an art form. Sure, they appear to be race cars, but they’re really an expression that results in ingenuity and fun in the build as well as a special kind of culture that we love… the people. The people are just the best. Plan on attending this year’s event, May 19 and May 20. |