Event Calendar
Come see us this season and look whose been here over the past seasons.
Bones East, a group exceptionally talented trombonists, will present an exciting program at the historic Morgan Opera House Sunday, November 17 at 1 PM. Lead by William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and retired music professor at Syracuse University, Christmas tunes plus classical and jazz numbers are on the program. The group plays familiar tunes arranged in four-part harmony by Tom Camp for maximum resonance. The performers include a range of musicians —mostly semi-professionals, retirees and students from all over Central New York—who volunteer their time and talent. The donations will benefit the Mor
gan Opera House programing. Contact trcampoo1@gmail.com for more information about Bones East.
POSTPONED in response to the need for social distancing due to Covid-19
The Probables are a “rhythm-driven, folkcana/roots rock band” that has sought to perform in all the opera houses in Western New York (along with other venues). Many music lovers in the region became familiar with founder Steve Johnson as the lead singer and main songwriter for the popular jam band Big Leg Emma, which performed at the Grassroots Festival and opened for Donna the Buffalo. After Big Leg Emma went on hiatus in 2015, Johnson picked up the pieces and created The Probables in March 2016. When writing material for the band, he stayed true to his rock, folk and bluegrass influences. The addition of Adam McKillip – an already accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist from Erie, PA – has added an extra boost to the band’s sound and power. The lineup changes came at the perfect time, as the band has already spent time in the studio recording new songs for a future release to complement the 2 albums they have already put out, Cumberland Line and this time around. Videos of their performances can be found on YouTube.
The Probables:
Steve Johnson – Lead Singer/Acoustic Guitar
Matt Gronquist – Accordion/Fiddle/Vocals
Adam McKillip – Mandolin/Vocals
Ryan Ecklund -Bass
Nick Campbell – Drums
SUFFRAGISTS FROM THE STAGE is a performance of pro-suffrage quotes that American actresses uttered during the fight for voting rights, a history lesson wrapped in a theatrical performance.
Produced by the New Perspectives Theatre Company, it premiered in June 2017 as an interactive series of presentations focused on the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage in 2020. Each program in the series includes general information about the movement, and highlights the contributions of Theatre Women across all disciplines in gaining the ballot. Each piece includes “In Her Own Words” quotes and commentary from the women profiled, and an in-depth slide show that brings these people and places to life. This last piece in the series highlights the contributions of African American women to the suffrage movement in addition to the efforts of Theatre Women. This performance is funded in part by grants from the Cayuga Community Fund of Central New York and Humanities New York which were awarded to the Howland Stone Store Museum as part of its 100th anniversary celebration + 1 of the passage of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote and its dedication of Opendore.
Audience members are expected to adhere to all current Covid regulations regarding masking and vaccinations.
Free, but donations gladly accepted.
The Aurora Book Lovers’ Ball will offer its annual complimentary book talk at the Morgan Opera House on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2pm.
Jim and Lydie Haenlin, long-time residents of our village, will present the book last published by their company, The Cricket Publisher of Aurora, entitled 3 Questions for Today’s Jazz Musicians, prepared by Lilian Dricq.
Jim is a retired journalist and advertising writer. He is now focusing on translating French poetry, and running his small publishing company.
Lydie was a professor of French at Wells College for 34 years. Since her retirement she writes historical fiction and helps manage the Publishing company.
Both are delighted to share their adventure and discuss their most recent publication. Lovers of Jazz should not miss it.
Please join us for this talk. Refreshments will follow.
The Morgan Opera House proudly announces a Classic Chamber Ensemble performance featuring Lindsay Groves, cello, Edgar Tumajyan and Jonathan Hwang, violins, and Victoria Miskolczy, viola. Two pieces by Beethoven, the “Razumovsky” Opus 59 #2 and the “Harp” Opus 74 will be among the selections to be performed. The concert is free but donations would be appreciated. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. Made possible by a Finger Lakes Community Arts Grant.
For more information, please contact 315-364-5437 or morganopera@yahoo.com.
An octet, eight trombones, formed from the original Bones East ensemble will perform at the Morgan Opera House as part of the village Christmas in Aurora celebration at 2pm Saturday, December 4th. Those who enjoyed the 2019 performance featuring 26 musicians squeezed onto the Opera House stage know what a thrilling concert of Christmas and secular music this promises to be. William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serves as conductor.
The concert is FREE, but donations for the King Ferry food pantry will be gladly accepted. Masks required regardless of vaccination status.
For more information, please contact 315-364-5437 or morganopera@yahoo.com.
Before joining forces, Riche & Rosie were well-established within the ‘Old Timey Music” world, a recognized genre of American folk music that pre-dates bluegrass and stretches back to the early years of the US. The duo’s musical journey wandered through several different bands while they refined their skills and gathered a wide range of musical influences. Richie and Rosie are proof of two things: the power and magic of two people making music, and that the universal messages that lie within their songs remain timeless and an honest connection with their audience. Suggested donation: $10.
An innovative musical performance featuring original selections from their recently released CD, “Exit 33”, as well as classic compositions. Chuck Lamb played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet for many years and Peter Mack has been a respected bassist playing with his own group and other nationally known musicians. Their music reflects the deep roots both artists have in upstate NY and is inspired by an ever-expanding vision of their shared musical expression described as “joyful, bright and magical.”
Suggested donation: $10
Nothing says summer like the sound of steel drum music. The Aurora Free Library is excited to announce that the widely known and acclaimed steel band Panloco will perform Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm at the Wells College AA Field near the golf course club house. A special educational workshop is scheduled from 5 to 6 pm for ages 8 and above. Learn the history and method of playing this unique musical instrument that got its start in the Caribbean. Both events are free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the club house. Bring your chairs or a blanket for a night of island music and dancing. In case of rain, the performance will take place at the Morgan Opera House 370 Main St. Aurora
Panloco, one of Western New York’s most versatile steel bands, was formed in 1995. Led by percussionist Ted Canning, Panloco explores the unique musical qualities of the steel pan from its traditional Caribbean roots to a variety of musical forms including pop, jazz, classical. Panloco performs widely in many venues from informal parties, summer festivals to concert stages throughout New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. https://www.panloco.com/
Panloco Director’s Bio
TED CANNING, a percussionist and native of Cleveland, Ohio, has done extensive freelance work in the northeast United States performing classical music, theater, big band and jazz. His world music studies and performances include Ghanaian, Haitian, Brazilian and Senegalese drumming in a variety of ensembles. From his start as a lead pan player and founding member of the Pandemonium Steelband of Wesleyan University, Ted now performs with the steel drum here in the US as well as in Europe and Latin America. He performs in numerous styles, from Caribbean dance music to new classical works. Ted was the steel drum soloist in performances in Siena, Italy, Mexico City, Mexico and at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, and has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester, New York. He has performed as well with national champions “Phase II Pan Groove” in Trinidad and Tobago, and with the Moods Pan Orchestra, Crossfire and the D’Radoes steelbands in Brooklyn, New York. Ted now leads the Panloco Steelband, the “Steel Alchemy” Community Steelband, and the RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Steel Band. He performs with the Trinidad and Tobago Steelband, and has performed with “pan” players from Trinidad and around the world.
Since 1993, Ted has been devoted to arts in education as a lead teaching artist. He has presented performances, workshops and residencies in schools, colleges, and community settings throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania. In addition to presentations of steelband and other world musics, Ted has used music to teach fundamental curriculum skills such as math, language skills, social studies, history and science, illuminating concepts to students and opening doors to other styles of learning.
On December 3 at 1 PM, as part of Christmas in Aurora, the Bones East Octet, an eight piece trombone ensemble, will perform a family friendly holiday concert featuring popular Christmas music including Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Silent Night, a few classical pieces and maybe some jazz at the Morgan Opera House. The group has performed at colleges, churches and community events and even to enthusiastic audiences at the Morgan Opera House. The eight trombonists range from semi-pros to talented students who volunteer their time and effort. The concert is free but monetary donations for the King Ferry Food Pantry are appreciated. The Morgan Opera House, 370 Main Street, Aurora, NY, is handicapped accessible using the ramp on the Cherry Avenue side of the building.
Bones East Octet is fortunate to have William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serve as conductor and Tom Camp as Arranger and Co-Conductor.
For further information contact Wayne Blann, fwayneblann@gmail.com