LAKEPORT — The second annual Professional Pianists” Concert, featuring six of the area”s most talented pianists, will be presented on March 24.
Soper-Reese Community Theatre is partnering with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College to host their kickoff fundraising event. This new organization supports programs at the new college site on Parallel Drive. The pianists” concert begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the performance at 7 p.m. Performers include Tom Aiken, Spencer Brewer, Elena Casanova, Tam Ganoung, Elizabeth MacDougall and David Neft.
Often when we talk about the events at the Soper-Reese, we focus on the event itself, such as the symphony or the band or the play. But let”s not forget that this is art and there are artists who make these events possible. In this column during the next few months, I will focus on performers who get up on stage and share their artistic talents with us.
This month”s featured performer is Larry “Mojo” Platz. Platz is as enthusiastic and prolific a performer as we have in Lake County. He plays in no less than five different bands — in Lake County and throughout the North Coast — virtually every weekend. He can sit in with anyone, play any style, take the lead and dazzle with his guitar riffs. For Platz, it”s not about being on stage, it”s about the music. He must play music to survive. I get an email every week from Platz letting me know where he”s playing that weekend and inviting me to come out. One of his bands, The Fargo Brothers, is playing this month at our Third Friday Live event. Join us at 7 p.m. March 17 to hear and see Platz”s enthusiasm. It is infectious.
Theater story of the month
The stories of past fun at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre started with Donna Peterson”s story of her first date at the theater. As it turns out, she”s not alone. We”ve received many stories about first dates, first kisses, beginnings of long relationships, the “two seaters” and Bob Reese”s watchful eye making sure the young people didn”t go too far.
This month”s story is told by Judy (Kuns) Wood and Ron Wood: “Ron and I went to the show one rainy night. We were enjoying the popcorn — always the best popcorn — and cokes, not knowing what was happening outside.
“When the movie was over and we went downstairs to leave, we saw that Martin Street was flooding and the water was right at the theater door. Ron picked me up and carried me to the car so I wouldn”t get wet. No wonder I have been married to him for 50 years.
“We both have great memories of the many movies we went to in that theater. Mr. Reese was there to greet us at the door and take our tickets. We always sat upstairs in our favorite seats — of course on the Lakeport side, not Kelseyville”s. These will be memories that will never be forgotten.”
Send your memories of the theater to “Voice of the Theatre,” 275 South Main Street, Lakeport CA 95453.
Lake County Live, live radio on stage at the Soper-Reese, finished its second month to rave reviews. Lake County Live is broadcast over KPFZ 88.1 FM at 6 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month. Tickets for the first two months were free but alas we must pay our bill, and so we will be charging a small fee of $5 for the next live broadcast. Come out and support this great event and keep live radio alive in Lake County.
Tickets for events at the theater are now available at the Travel Center in the Shoreline Shopping Center in Lakeport, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased at the theater box office, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
Coming up this month:
* Gaming Night Fundraiser to benefit New Vintage Productions — 7 to 10 p.m. March 10;
* Second Tuesday Classic Movies, featuring “High Noon” — 6 p.m. March 13;
* Third Friday Live — “The Fargo Brothers,” 7 p.m. March 16; and
* “Professional Pianists” Concert,” March 24 — reception at 6 p.m. and the performance at 7 p.m.
