Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

I really dread the fact that music I listened to as a kid is now considered ”oldies music”.  But it is still cool to see how music from Buddy Holly provided a foundation for the rock and roll era that followed.  Seriously… he was an inspiration to the Beatles and Bob Dylan.  We’re talking songs like ”Peggy Sue” and ”That’ll be the Day”; straight forward, timeless music.  So I’m really excited about the Winter Dance Party Tour coming to the Sondheim Center in Fairfield.  In talking with others who have seen the show, this is a high energy show full of Buddy’s best hits.  I hear that John Mueller, the guy who plays Buddy, is phenomenal.  Even Buddy’s family members say that this guy has Buddy’s voice and mannerisms down pat.  This is gonna be one feel good event!  So you bet I’ve got my tickets and hope to see you there on Jan. 24th rockin’ out in the aisles!

Yep, those “good vibration” guys are doing a show in Fairfield on Labor Day and the organizers are planning a great afternoon!  The Nadas from Des Moines will be opening at 12:30 and the Beach Boys take the stage at 2.  The Fairfield Middle School, 404 W. Fillmore, will be a rockin’ place. Folks are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs (and your friends!) and make a fun afternoon out of it.  I understand that there will be lots of food and beverages for sale.  It’s a great way to end the summer… come on out and have a great time!

Lt. Governor Patty Judge has been traveling the state visiting some of Iowa’s well-known attractions and hidden treasures. This morning she stopped in Fairfield to tour the Stephen Sondheim Center and was welcomed by a great crowd, including Fairfield’s Mayor Ed Malloy, Senator Becky Schmitz, members of the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and other community leaders.  One thing that really impressed me was her conviction that Iowa offers lots of great vacation options which are sometimes overlooked because they are so close to home.

I think we really surprised her when we took her up on stage to be part of the cast of Way Off Broadway’s Pirates of Penzance.  She was very brave and donned a pirate hat for a special photo opportunity.

Yo ho ho Patty!  Thanks for stopping in Fairfield!

The BYU Ballroom Dancers are coming back!  This time they will be doing several dance demos and short performances, followed by a ballroom dance lesson for the community.  Where else can you spend a fun afternoon watching top level ballroom dance up close and then learning some dance moves to use on your own?  This is going to be fun!!!!!  This Saturday, June 13 at 1:00 pm at the Sondheim Center.

So come on out to watch, come on out to dance, but come early… tickets go on sale at 10 am Saturday June 13th.  All seats are $5.

June’s 1st Fridays Art Walk is almost here.   Yep, this Friday, June 5th will bring the Italian transformation to the Fairfield Square.  Of course there will be food!!!  Get in line for your lasagne & cannolis.  Last year was a sell out and it was so good.  I’m also looking forward to the renowned juggler, Doug Grew.  What a hoot that should be!  The weather is promising to hold on to some sunshine, making this a great night to eat, drink and look at art!

Speaking of art, the Fairfield Art Association will be unveiling its mannequin project that night.  This should be crazy fun as 12 groups of artists have decorated mannequins with recycled goods.  I’ve gotten a preview & there are some creative people in this town!  Hats off to Suzan Kessel for bringing this project into reality.  You’ve gotta see Mark Schafer’s courthouse bustier!

See ya’ Friday!

May 2nd, 7:00 pm

Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company

Capture the Magic

This will be an unforgetable evening of Ballroom Dance and glamour! (check out the videos on the home page of this website)

It’s almost here and if you don’t have your ticket, RUN, don’t walk to the Convention Center Box Office or visit www.iowatix.com and get your ticket.

• 1st of all, this will be an amazing show
• 2ndly, over 200 tickets have already been sold
• and last but not least, you don’t want to get caught in line getting tickets at the last minute and miss part of the show!

WOW is all I can say about the line up for this month’s art walk.  Morningstar Studio has lots of demonstrations and mini lessons starting at 6:30, including NIA (a great fitnessdance), Ballroom and Bollywood.  Temple Studio of Dance will have demonstrations of Isadora Duncan Dance as well as a display of drawings of Isadora Duncan Dancers, starting at 7:00. 

And then there is a Dance showcase at the Sondheim Center.  What a line-up!  Claudia Melrose, a Fulbright scholar in Afro-Cuban dance will be performing an African dance, accompanied by drummers; Hip hop Champion, Sky Nite will show off his moves; local & regional ballroom, swing & salsa dancers will add lots of spice to the stage; English Country Dancers will be in their Elizabethan costumes; Wendy Stegall & students will bring a little Slumdog dancing to the mix;Hilary Jordan, Serenity Stone & Tiffany Sanner will be doing the “modern” thing;  yeah, WOW!  And there’s so much more (including a return of Pyrotechniqs and their flame dancing)

I’ve already seen a rehearsal… and I can tell you this will be a show you don’t want to miss.  It’s only $3 at the door of the Sondheim Center starting at 8 pm.

Following the show is a dance featuring Blue Cat Alley… have you heard these guys?  They make you want to get up and dance!  They’ll start playing at 9 and will go until 11.  The proceeds from this dance will go to benefit Molly Atkinson who was injured in an accident last year.  $5 at the door.  Its a great cause and a great band so come on out and have a good time!

Hey… I’ll see you on the dance floor!

There’s lots happrning in Fairfield in March!  Take a look…

The Fairfield Concert Association presents Kevin Maynor, Bass Vocalist, in concert at The Stephen Sondheim Center on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.  Admission is by membership in the Fairfield Concert Association. Season memberships will be available at the door.

The month of March is the month of WIND and the Iowa State University Extension office is focused on harnessing that power at their 2009 Wind Energy Conference, March 20 from 8a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Arts & Convention Center.  Interested individuals are invited to participate and can register by calling 641-472-4166.

Coming March 27^th, you must pay the rent. Or at least enjoy a performance of ”The Musical of Musicals (the Musical)” presented by Way Off Broadway. This hilarious spoof uses the same basic plot derived from the old Vaudeville “You must pay the rent; I can’t pay the rent!” sketch, and presents it five different ways in the styles of five iconic American and British musical theatre composer/lyricists. Laugh out loud during one of the three shows at the Stephen Sondheim Center, March 27th and 28th for two 7:30 evening shows and a 2:30 matinee March 29th.

For more information about these events, call 641-472-2828.  Tickets are available at 641-472-2787

 
“Underneath the Lintel”… an odd title, but it does peek your curiosity.   And how does the title relate to the plot?  And why do a play about an overdue Library book?  These were my questions to Stephen White, founder of the Shakespeare Ensemble and the lead in “Underneath the Lintel” at the Sondheim Center. 
Stephen White has been in & out of Fairfield for years.  He leaves to find ways to enhance his theater skills and comes back because he loves doing theater in Fairfield.  His latest project is the one-man play, “Underneath the Lintel”, the story of a wryly humorous Dutch librarian whose boring life is suddenly changed with the return of a library book which is 113 years overdue.
So, what is so fascinating about a play about an overdue library book? Steven’s response was that he fell in love with the script when it was presented to him years ago.  After watching a rehearsal, I had to agree that the script is compelling and Stephen’s portrayal of the librarian is at times light-hearted, others more poignant.  He seems perfect for the part and I enjoyed his interpretation.  What surprised me was the quirky sleuth story that unfolded, a story that involves world travel, abandoned trousers, a little comedy and lots of puzzling mysteries.  I encourage you to come out and watch the mystery unfold.
“Underneath the Lintel” continues into next weekend, March 20-21, 8:00 p.m. at the Sondheim Center.

Take a ride with me to Fairfield!

1st Fridays Art Walk kicks off the new year with an awesome display of fire and ice, winter songs at the Art Walk benefit concert, and the award winning galleries, January 2nd.

The Art Walk will welcome the fire acrobatics of Pyrotechniq and Iowa’s acclaimed ice sculptor Bill Gordish’s creation of ice masterpieces at the Arts and Convention Center. The winter celebration will feature Fairfield musicians at the Art Walk Benefit Concert at the Sondheim Center and a variety of delicious winter foods inside the Center.

Stroll through the historic Fairfield Square and visit the award winning art galleries and venues and make your new year’s resolution at the Art Walk wishing tree.

The 1st Fridays Art Walk featuring the Fire and Ice theme is a great way to ring in 2009 with music, art and unique entertainment and good food.

Musical Talent includes:

Truckstop Souvenir

Werner Elmker

Chamber Singers of SE Iowa

Rick and Claudine Stanley – Celtic Singers

Sharon Bousquet

David and Carol Carlisle

Steve and the Jefferson County Trio