Bluegrass, African drums to resonate at BAC

Over the next several months, visitors to Brewery Arts Center will experience the sounds of West African drums, see the reincarnation of a country superstar, and get a taste of the true Nevada.

BAC kicks off its fall schedule Oct. 6 with a performance by up-and-coming bluegrass group Crooked Still.

The band uses an unlikely combination of banjo, cello, double-bass and high-wire solos that have captivated audiences all over North America and in Ireland since 2001. Crooked Still is known for its acoustic-style performing.

"They have a unique sound because of their lead singer. She has a wonderful voice that is hard to describe. They play a mix of real traditional stuff with kind of a modern sound that can be enjoyed by everyone, even if you aren't a fan of bluegrass," said Chris Willson, BAC program director.

Just over a week after Crooked Still, BAC welcomes cowboy poets Larry Maurice and John Tyson. The poets strap on their spurs Oct. 14.

"I like bringing in cowboy poetry because it's very Nevada, it's literary, and it's also musical. It brings in all the aspects we are looking for, and it's very popular," Willson said.

During the Nevada Day festivities, country music legend Patsy Cline will be return to the stage, as channeled through Joni Morris, on Oct. 27.

"John (Procaccini, BAC executive director) really wanted to bring Joni in. We felt like for the Nevada Day time period, it would bring back some of that big, old, country fun," Willson said. "We have a lot of people around here who do characters, and we thought Patsy Cline would be a good one. Plus it's kind of theatrical."

During the first weekend in November, the BAC gets a soul as Barbara Lewis takes the stage for the two-day Classic Soul Extravaganza. Lewis, best known for her hits "Baby, I'm Yours" and "Make Me Your Baby," takes the stage with Sly, Slick and Wicked on Nov. 3-4.

The fall season peaks with a high-energy performance by Java Djembe, a west African drum and dance troupe, on Nov. 18. The troupe will give workshops at several elementary schools and use the BAC performance as the culmination of those workshops.

Willson said BAC looks less at the genre of its performances and more at what it can offer to the community.

"We want to make a statement, meaning the performances are of a high quality and have some catch to them. We want to say, 'This is something that we are adding to the community. We want some oomph to it; it can't be just another act," Willson said.

Despite the recent focus on music, Willson said BAC is still looking to provide professional-caliber theatrical performances in the coming year.

"We hope to provide some more professional theater. The community theater is fulfilled by Proscenium Players, and we fully support them. At this point, our performance hall just works great for the music concerts," Willson said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Fall schedule for

Brewery Arts Center

All performances are in the Performance Hall, 511 King St.

Crooked Still

7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6

$18 for preferred seating, $15 balcony

Larry Maurice and John Tyson

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14

$16 for preferred seating, $13 balcony

A portrait of Patsy Cline by Joni Morris

7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27

$25 for preferred seating, $19 balcony

Classic Soul Extravaganza

7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-4

$35 for preferred seating, $25 for balcony for advanced tickets. $5 more at the door.

Java Djembe African Dance Troupe

Saturday, Nov. 18.

No ticket information has been set for this performance.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 883-1976 or go to www.breweryarts.org.