Originally commissioned by the Yocum Institute for Arts Education
Chris Heslop – Composer & Musical Director, Vicki Haller Graff – Librettist
Briefly, it’s the story of a poor woodcutter who allows a bear to marry his younger daughter, Nina, in exchange for sparing his life. She discovers that the bear is really an enchanted prince who only appears as a human being at night. When she breaks a promise to him, she must try to find him at the Castle of Faith; on her way she encounters a witch, the sun and moon, wizards and the wind. After many trials, the two are reunited.
Performed by four opera singers, and a three-piece jazz pit (piano – bass – drums)
The New Orleans iteration of Hot Club of Reading brings hot jazz to Mike’s for Mardi Gras. Jon will be cooking up some authentic NOLA cocktails and we will serve up the music. Josh Taylor on guitar/banjo, Chris Heslop on sax/clarinet/washboard, Bob Stoyko on trumpet, and Andy Roberts on piano.
Our 5th annual jazz jam feature the area’s best jazz players.
Join us for an exciting afternoon of Rhumba Flamenca, Blues & Gypsy Jazz Music starring The Quarantined Quartet from New York Guitar Academy, along with Josh Taylor, Dave Kline & The Gypsy Jazz-Blues Fusion Band. Presented as a service to the community by WCR Center for the Arts, The Reading Musical Foundation & Dave Kline Productions.
The popular Hot Club of Reading is back for a swinging Gypsy Jazz holiday
performance featuring Josh Taylor, guitar; Chris Heslop, sax/clarinet; Ken
Gehret, guitar/banjo; Trey LaRue, bass; and Michael Nikolidakis, guitar.
Tickets: $20, At the door: $25
The season kicks off with a swinging evening of Roaring 20s music and New Orleans Jazz featuring Ben Mauger, trumpet/cornet; Chris Heslop, sax/clarinet; Bob Peruzzi, trombone; Bob Kreitz, piano; Paul Gallello, drums, Tim Hilliker, bass.
Be prepared to tap your toes.
Tickets: $20, At the door: $25