City Week

Jammin’!

Coffeehouse Jam

7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7

Studio Connections

9071 E. Old Spanish Trail

731-1559;

For almost five years, the monthly Coffeehouse Jams at Studio Connections have brought poetry, music, personal narratives, comedy and even musical theater to eastsiders who’d rather not make the trek downtown.

“We try to make it a family-friendly entertainment night,” explains Maria Alburtus. As part of the artistic team at Studio Connections, she is involved with the acting and dance departments, but on the first Friday of every month, she’s the person who will let you know what time your Coffeehouse Jam act starts. Everyone is invited to perform, she says, and she’s the one you’ll check in with.

She explains that the event offers a great way for newer performers to get their work out there, to practice and to get comfortable with performing.

“There are all different age groups and all ranges of talents,” she says. She describes the atmosphere as relaxed and laid-back, but never completely quiet.

All proceeds from the open-mic event will go to Studio Connections’ theater troupe, the DaVinci Players. The DaVinci Players are currently working on Alice in Wonderland and Angels in America.

She says that Tucson was sorely in need of an arts organization on the eastside, so in 2002—starting with just a middle school summer camp—Studio Connections was created.

“Downtown is full of it,” she says. “We needed something out here.”

About to obtain official nonprofit status, Studio Connections has programs in acting, dance and visual arts. Alburtus says that the Coffeehouse Jams event, in particular, is a way for everyone to come together and appreciate each other’s talents.

“We’re all getting together to enjoy all forms of art as a community,” she says.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children and students. —S.J.

On the first Friday night of every month (some holidays excepted), Studio Connections transforms into a unique neighborhood entertainment venue.

Coffeehouse Jams are fun-filled evenings of music in a friendly, relaxed café-style setting – with desserts and various beverages to please the whole family!

With local professional artists making frequent appearances, you don’t want to miss out. Past jams have featured everything from acappella vocal groups to stand up comedy.

Feel like performing? Whether you’re a musical soloist, a member of a group, an open mic aficionado, or a budding comedian, there’s room for you at the coffeehouse.

Admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds benefit the DaVinci Players, our resident theatre troupe.

Secure Your Slot!
Our Coffeehouse Jams are popular, so you need to book ahead. If you are interested in performing as a featured artist or securing an open mic slot, please contact Robert Encila, or call the Studio Connections office at  731-1559.

Cost: $395 (all materials and daily snacks included)

Instructors:
Robert Encila – Drama
Ginny Encila – Visual Art

Space is limited. Register early.

Student registration on the bottom portion of the flyer page:

Name:                                                    Grade entering fall 2009:
Birthday:                                                Parent or Guardian:
Address:

Phone Number:                                      Email:
Home Phone:                                         Cell Phone:

Please mail this registration form with a $50 non-refundable deposit (applied toward tuition) to:

Studio Connections
9700 E. 29th Street, Tucson, AZ 85748

Contact:   Elizabeth Ringlee
520 437 2028
kaeringlee@aol.com
studioconnections.net

Studio Connections Announces its 2009 Season!

Tucson, AZ; December 23, 2008 – Along with the New Year, Studio Connections ushers in eight new dramatic productions for your entertainment.

Join Director Robert Encila, and his da Vinci Players, for this year’s mixture of bittersweet and heartwarming plays. “I’m just so excited to be part of such an exhilarating endeavor,” quips Brian Levario, member of the Studio Connections artistic team. “I know you’re gonna love it!”

The season opens January 8th at Studio Connections’ Old Spanish Trail Playhouse — 9071 East Old Spanish Trail; Tucson, Arizona 85710.
Telephone 520 731 1559; studioconnections.net.

The Dining Room – Jan 8 – 18
Once Upon a Mattress – Feb 20 – Mar 1
Little Shop of Horrors – Apr 17 – 26
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – June 12 – 21
The Last Five Years – Jul 24 – Aug 2
TBA Playhouse Play – Sept 18 – 27
Angels in America Pt 1 – Oct 23 – Nov 1
1940′s Radio Program – Dec 11 – 20

The Dining Room – Jan 8 – 18
In this inspirational, Pulitzer Prize nominated comedy by A.R. Gurney, The Dining Room explores a vanishing species – the American middle class! Nothing is fixed forever in the dining room!

Once Upon a Mattress – Feb 20 – Mar 1
In a humorous reenactment of the popular fairy tale, the Princess and the Pea, authors Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller introduce Princess Winnifred (nicknamed Fred) and her struggles to complete intricate tests set down by her nemesis, Queen Aggravain.  The catch? Fred may be the most impetuous and unrefined princess in the entire kingdom!

Little Shop of Horrors – Apr 17 – 26
In this award winning black comedy written by Howard Ashman, florist assistant Seymour Krelborn finds a mysterious plant during a solar eclipse. But when the plant begins to speak, suck blood, and devour customers, Seymour realizes he has more than getting the girl of his dreams, Audrey, to worry about!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – June 12 – 21
In this timeless romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, Oberon, the jealous king of the Faeries, sends his faithful servant Puck to enchant Titania, Oberon’s queen, with a love potion. However, during the course of this magical midsummer night, not only does Titania fall in love with a common laborer enchanted to have a head of a donkey, two human couples get caught in the mix.

The Last Five Years – Jul 24 – Aug 2
In this one act musical, written by Jason Robert Brown, Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress, fall deeply in love. But within five years, Jamie and Cathy have broken apart, and both of them reflect on what happened during those last five years.

Playhouse Play — To Be Announced– Sept 18 – 27

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Oct 23 – Nov 1
In this Tony award-winning drama written by Tony Kushner, two couples, one gay, one straight, struggle through AIDS, drug addiction, and conflict about personal identity.

1940’s Radio Hour – Dec 11 – 20
A compilation of radio shows.

Tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com or by phone at 520 731 1559. Make your reservations today!

Teaching leadership through the Arts…
Studio Connections…a not-for-profit organization