On Friday November 28, 2008 Smashed Productions provided a concert that rocked the Strand.  The group Time Bandits had their Strand debut.  They played music from the early and mid 1960’s   The large crowd had an excellent time!

Compleat with the Union Jack behind them, they gave two 45 minutes sets of music.  All the tunes were to sing along with.

At one point they needed a little help.   Strand supporter Mike W. to the rescue to help Mac keep the beat:

They even started the "Wall of Sound".   Steve and David to the front with the help of Terry O. and Angela H.

You won’t want to miss the show the next time they return.  The Time Bandits also now holds the record for the most pre-sold tickets for a Strand Concert event.   Thank you to the band for helping the Strand in its mission to provide a live entertainment venue to Shelbyville and Shelby County.  

Is that Steve playing more cowbell?

 Our first movie is under our belt.  The parade was COLD, but the theatre was warm (thank you Bob S.)   We had 53 brave soles check out our first foray into the movie business.   The screen is huge when it has an image projected upon it.   The technical aspects of the evening went without a hitch.  Thank you to Joey G. and Ron B. for doing the work to figure it out.   Credit needs to go to Gary N., who at our board meeting the previous Thursday planted the seed for this movie idea.

Musical performances to brighten Shelby County over the holidays

NEWS staff report

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Several holiday concerts and shows are scheduled throughout Shelby County, beginning with student productions that start Monday.

The Triton Central Schools Band & Choir Concert will take place Monday at 7 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium.

Triton Central Elementary School will stage a Christmas program in the high school auditorium on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Hope’s Point Baptist Church will present a Christmas musical titled "That’s the Good News!" on Dec. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Strand Theatre. The musical is co-directed by Tiffany Wilson and Rachel Todd, written by David T. Clydesdale and Steve Moore. Admission is free to ticketholders, but donations to the Strand Theatre will be accepted. Tickets are available at the Strand and the church. Concessions will be sold at intermission.

Shelbyville Middle School will perform its third annual madrigal at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 6 in the cafetorium. Seating is reserved, with ticket prices ranging from $12 to $20. Tickets will go on sale Monday. Payment is due by check (made payable to SMS Drama) or cash at the time of reservation. A meal will be catered by Occasions Banquet Hall & Catering. For more information, call the school at (317) 392-2551, ext. 1808.

Shelbyville High School will perform "Sweet Sounds of the Holidays," the Choral Department Dessert Concert, on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Sanctuary of Shelbyville.

Morristown Junior-Senior High School will host its junior high Christmas program on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. The senior high Christmas program will take place Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the same location.

The free Community Band Holiday Concert, under director Russ Smith, will be held at the Strand Theatre on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.

The Southwestern Junior-Senior High School choir and band program will be on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The Southwestern Elementary School music program will be Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Both concerts will be performed in the high school gymnasium.

Waldron Junior-Senior High School choirs will sing during the Christmas at the Zoo program in Indianapolis on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The school will host its annual Christmas concert featuring the school band and choir Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

The Triton Central High School will perform the radio play "It’s a Wonderful Life" on Dec. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. The performance is the original 1947 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast of "It’s a Wonderful Life." The play is staged as a radio broadcast, complete with 1940’s radio commercials, an onstage band and choir, a sound effects table and Christmas music within the "show broadcast."

A high demand for tickets is expected, since the show will incorporate the school’s drama, band, show choir, chamber choir and art students. Already, 200 tickets have been sold for each performance. All tickets are $3 apiece and reserved seating. They may be purchased from director Jeff Wilson at Triton Central during school hours (7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), or by sending a request via e-mail to jwilson@nwshelby.k12.in.us. All orders should include a name, number of tickets and date preferred. Tickets will be held until they are purchased.

The Strand Theatre will host "Our Crazy Family Christmas" on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. Doors to the Strand will open 30 minutes prior to each show.

The production is a holiday variety show which was written and directed by Cindy Houpt with musical direction by Kim Wallace, both Shelby County residents. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Strand Renovation Fund. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children 10 and under are $5. Tickets are available at all Strand Theatre events as well as the following Shelbyville businesses: Mickey’s T-Mart, Mac’s Music, Smashed Productions and Karma Music.

Shelbyville Central Schools’ several other holiday programs are scheduled as followed:

Wilderness Plots in conjunction with GenFest 2009

New Life United Methodist Church

Freeman Family Funeral Homes

The Flying Toasters will be performing at Occasions Banquet Hall on Wednesday November 26, 2008.   The 9:00pm  show will benefit the Strand Theatre.   Thank you to the Toasters and to Martin Zinser and his crew for helping support the performing arts in Shelbyville and Shelby County.  

Please spend the night before Thanksgiving at Occasions and help support the Strand!

On Saturday November 22, 2008 the Blue River Community Choir joined the Dixie Kats on the Strand stage.  This performance was a benefit for the Strand.   The BRCC started things off with an excellent first half.   The evening progressed with the Dixie Kats playing after intermission.    The concert was wonderful and the audience (as well as the performers) had a toe tappin’ time.

Saturday November 22nd Strand Friend Dr. Paul Inlow spent his birthday evening with us.   Happy Birthday from the Strand Family!

The Dixie Kats and the Blue River Community Choir will perform a concert on the Strand stage.   The concert starts at 7:00pm on November 22, 2008.   Tickets are $5 at the door.

A hearty bunch of Strand volunteers under the leadership of Cindy H. gathered in the frigid November weather to represent the Strand at the 2008 Shelbyville Holiday Parade.   There was candy for the kids, and flyers for the parents.   The group walked behind the pied piper at the Calliope advertising our free holiday movie.

Our movie was a success.  A small, but brave crowd came for the evenings entertainment.   We planned to get our films going before the end of the first year of operation.  We made it with 6 weeks to spare!

The Calliope lead the way to the Strand!

Strand friend Linda S. helps line up the parade floats:

The Chamber of Commerce helps us advertise our Free Movie:

Santa toots the notes and the crowd follows:

The Strand Theatre salutes our friends at the Shelby Arts Guild Association for the ribbon cutting on their new gallery.   The Gallery is located next to Sander’s Jewelry (and Strand supporter) on North Harrison Street.   The gallery features works by local artists.   The Strand wishes all the best for their success.

We also salute our friends and partners at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for their participation in this important event on our community.

The Gallery opened at noon on Friday November 21, 2008.