The Music Man Plays Laurens

With a cast of forty-six singing students, the L-M High School performed a musical before an audience of hundreds Friday night. It is the tale of Professor Harold Hill, a traveling salesman of musical instruments. He arrives in River City and tells the people they need him to form a band. Otherwise the town kids will get in trouble at the local pool hall: "Trouble with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool."

When the local school board asks for Hill's credentials he turns them into a musical group, too. Pictured are Trent Kischer, Will Cleveland, Jacob Rosendahl, and Colin Lind. Later he romances Marion the librarian. John Stumpf and Kelsey Slattery played the lead roles.

The musical is remembered for several songs including "Til There Was You" and the signature tune of "Seventy-Six Trombones." Hill may have been a peddler and a swindler, but he can surely sing. He's not alone in that regard.

The production was directed by music teacher Joan Enockson with piano accompanist Connie Dallenbach. There is an encore performance Saturday night at 7 p.m. for only seven dollars. Prof. Hill won't be back in these parts any time soon, so don't miss it.

Music For A Full Moon

They must be having fun at the music festivals south of Laurens. For the third time this summer, Hidden Acres Music Farm is holding a weekend event. Many of the bands on the bill have appeared there before, arriving from Wisconsin, Minnesota, or farther away. For advance tickets or other details, go to the website.

The festival coincides with a full moon on Thursday night.

Forty Years Since Wadena: Four Days to Jerry's Jam

Forty years ago this week Governor Robert Ray declined to enforce a court order banning the Wadena, Iowa rock festival. Thirty thousand people came. The skinny-dipping in the Volga River was the talk of the state.

Four days from now Bill Hertz's friends at Hidden Acres Music Farm south of Laurens will host Jerry's Jam. The two day festival is named after another musician of forty years ago, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead band.

Sixteen bands are on the bill for Friday and Saturday. Tent spaces are available in the shade! Tickets can be purchased on line at the Hidden Acres website.

Music Festival Flying High

It was non-stop music last night at the festival south of Laurens. Two stages alternated their acts with barely time for the audience to move from one to the other without missing some notes. Everything was pretty electified Friday, especially that guy from St. Louis. Today's billings include some acoustic acts such as Jon Eric of Iowa City and The Brothers Burn Mountain from Wisconsin. The local Prairie Land Band plays today as well.

The musicians weren't the only ones itching to perform. One pair of dancers in front of the stage displayed their moves. Several hula hoop artists were very watchable, too. They were more memorable than the bands. They had apparently spent as much time practicing, too.

Local Music: Fire in the Flatlands

Bill Hertz is hosting another music festival this weekend at a farm south of town. The program lists twenty bands from around the country, including some who have played here in previous engagements.

Many of these bands are on tour. This stop in Laurens is just one in a series that makes up their road trip. Most of them can be previewed at their pages on MySpace.com.

This is the third summer for these concerts. Previous festivals have not been well attended, so Hertz has let musicians know that they may only recoup their gas money if they stop here. Advance tickets cost $40 for the entire two days of music, or $25 for one day at time. They are available at Bill's website.

The photo was taken last summer. The music that night by "Useful Jenkins" of Mankato, Minnesota was excellent. They are due back this weekend.

I'll be there, at least part of the time, when it's not raining. See you!