“Our house is also filled with music. Between Brian and I, we are always playing an instrument or something. Tony wouldn’t know the world without music.”
Interested in More Information?
See Crystal perform at the Women’s Redrock Music Festival For information on tickets, line-up, and housing: www.redrockwomensfest.com Friday, August 10: 6pm - 11pm / $25 Saturday, August 11: Noon - 11pm / $35
Plein Air Competition
9th ANNUAL
2012 Escalante Canyons Art Festival
Sept. 21 - 27
Everett Ruess Days Plein Air Auction
Speaker Series
Live Music
Total Prize Money $8000
Arts & Crafts Sale
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Dr. Scott Sampson Friday, Sept. 28 - 7:30 pm
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The 9th Annual Escalante Canyons Art Festival is a premier art event in southern Utah hosted when the striking light and colors of fall compliment the stunning landscapes of the region. Escalante is located along Utah’s only All-American Road - Scenic Byway 12, in the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. Join us for what is sure to be another wonderful gathering of those who are inspired by the beauty of canyon country. SC
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2011 Best of Show - Oil - David Nakabayashi
You’re Invited!
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Now she’s working with Manson whom she says she has “super songwriting chemistry” with plans to release a new album by the end of the summer. Also on the docket for Crystal’s summer is to headline for the Women’s Redrock Music Festival in Torrey, Utah. Celebrating its 6th year, WRMF is about supporting independent female artists and introducing attendees to new music. “I like to play in different places and I like being a part of something grassroots,” said Crystal. An organically domesticated life filled with music is working for this Bohemian rockstar/mom who also knits. Yes, as in yarn and long needles. “I use to knit hats and scarves for lunch money in high school,” she says. She plans to put that talent to good use some
day by knitting socks for celebrities then auctioning them off for charity. “I’m going to call them Mamasox,” she laughs. Symbolic for someone whose feet have logged a lot of miles. “I think I’m learning that if I just get out of the way, things happen.”
September
During her performance at last year’s South By Southwest Festival John Popper of Blues Traveler fame made a surprise appearance onstage with Crystal playing harmonica for a song or two, but ended up sitting in on almost her entire set. Crystal returned the favor, collaborating on a track on Blues Traveler’s forthcoming album, Suzie Cracks The Whip, called “I Don’t Wanna Go.” She also recently released, ‘Once Upon A Time,’ an ep which contains five songs she had written pre-Idol. She told me, “That music represented my past; now I’m done with that.”
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Escalante UTAH
Dr. Scott of PBS’ Dinosaur Train
www.escalantecanyonsartfestival.org www.facebook.com/EscalanteArtFest
culture
The Heroines of WRITTEN BY Darci Hansen | PHOTOS BY Nick Adams
The music. The choreography. The costumes and the props. And oh my - those wigs! As the cast of ‘Hairspray’ steps onto the stage there is a riveting level of energy rising up from the red canyon walls of the Tuacahn Amphitheater. The breathtaking surroundings could be a distraction from the excitement on the set but the women in the script have a powerful message to convey while balancing a bouffant, belting out a song, and delivering dynamic dance moves. Baltimore, 1962. Tracy Turnblad, the vivacious plus-size heroine at the center of the story has an unstoppable passion for dancing. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show,” thanks to the help of Seaweed, a black student who ends up in detention with Tracy and teaches her some new moves. From teenage outsider to local celebrity, Tracy manages to defeat the program’s reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love all without mussing her hair. But wait, there’s more…much more. Hairspray was originally written for film in 1988 by John Waters. The script was later adapted into a Broadway musical which won eight Tony Awards including “Best Musical” in 2003. A second film version of Hairspray, an adaptation of the stage musical, was also released in 2007, which included many script changes from its original pen. Aside from the high leveled energy of the musical score and choreography there is an inspirational force to the storyline. Ryan Norton, Associate Producer of Tuacahn’s 2012 Hairspray cast put it into retrospect.
“Although society has transitioned greatly towards a deeper sense of acceptance and cultural diversity, Hairspray reminds us of the movement that started it all. It’s simple because it’s based on love…it’s complex because it’s message exemplifies love.” Hairspray supports this idea in its presentation of integration, challenging conventionality of gender and the popular notions of beauty by presenting a sort of utopian society in which these barriers are brought down in the name of equality. Tuacahn has assembled one of its strongest casts to date to carry off the 2012 season. Hairspray’s Director/Choreographer, Derryl Yeager, shared his perspective. “There are a lot of very significant themes in Hairspray - and because it is so well written - my job was to try to allow those themes to come through and add some visual elements that reinforce those themes on that huge stage.” Beyond the divinely styled bouffant do’s and elaborate dresses is a group of diverse and complex characters. Photographer Nick Adams captures the essence of each part in this photo shoot of Tuacahn’s 2012 cast, the Heroines of Hairspray.
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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2012
Fran Jaye Motormouth Maybelle:
Title WRITTEN BY name | PHOTO BY name
The plus-sized, sassy, Corny Collins “Negro Day” disc jockey. Owner of a record store, mother to Seaweed & Little Inez. Motormouth helps Edna to find pride in herself.
Paul Vogt Edna Turnblad:
Tracy’s kind, plus-sized mother, Edna runs a laundry business out of her home and obviously hasn’t been out in a while. Tracy’s newfound popularity leads Edna to her own personal self discovery and transformation. The role was uniquely designed to be played by a male actor and requires a strong comic performer who is ready for his inner woman to take the spotlight.
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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2012
Joline Mujica Tracy Turnblad:
A vivaciously short and stout teenager with a huge heart and untapped social conscious who dreams of being a dancing star. Relentless and goodhearted, Tracy’s declaration that “Everyday should be Negro Day,” is an epic moment of self discovery and leads her on a mission to change a community.
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Erika Amato Velma Von Tussle:
Amber’s slim and attractive but overbearing mother who pushes her daughter to seek stardom. Velma is the scheming producer of The Corny Collins Show who tries to steer it in the “white” direction. Her sensitivities are offended at the very sight of Tracy. A great villainess role.
Summerisa Bell Stevens Amber Von Tussle:
Bratty, selfish resident princess of The Corny Collins Show. Her mother’s daughter through and through, Amber is willing to do anything to win the Miss Teenage Hairspray Pageant.
Carlita Victoria Little Inez:
Seaweed’s little sister and just as talented a dancer. Tries to audition for The Corny Collins Show but is turned away by Velma because she is black.
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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2012
Noelle Marion Penny Pingleton:
Tracy’s slightly dorky, but lovable best friend who is often by her side (when not grounded for life by her mother, Prudy). Penny has her own self discovery moments, which includes falling headover-heels for Seaweed.
Cynthia Klumpp Prudy Pingleton:
Penny’s overprotective and close-minded mother.
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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2012
Set within the dramatic red rock canyons of Southern Utah, Tuacahn Center for the Arts is a professional non-profit presenting and producing organization that inspires creativity and greatness in the human spirit by providing world class family entertainment and education.
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Tuacahn Center of the Arts presents Hairspray: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through September 4th Tuesday and Saturday from September 8th - October 20th Reservations are required. For tickets, showtimes, and more information go to www.tuacahn.org or call: 1 (800) 746-9882 1100 Tuacahn Drive - Ivins, Utah
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