Tag Archives: Cincinnati Arts Association

THE OVERTURE AWARDS
NEXT POP STAR COMPETITION
Winner Announced:
Jake Kolesar, Walnut Hills High School

CINCINNATI, OH – Jake Kolesar, a fifteen-year-old ninth-grade student at Walnut Hills High School, was selected as the winner of a $500 award at the Cincinnati Arts Association’s inaugural Overture Awards Next Pop Star competition at the Aronoff Center on Saturday, June 2. A talented guitarist and singer-songwriter, Jake played and sang one of his original songs – Floating – during the competition.

Next Pop Star is designed for talented high school students who perform popular music. The competition was developed in response to the need for a non-classical program to complement The Overture Awards’ more traditional art disciplines, and to encourage students who enjoy singing, but do not study privately and are not involved in classical music or musical theater.

“We were very pleased with the results of our first Next Pop Star competition,” said Steve Finn, CAA Director of Education and Community Relations. “We reached a group of students who were totally different than the students who compete at The Overture Awards, and we are optimistic that this new program will grow significantly over the next couple of years. Jake is a talented singer-songwriter, and this competition was a perfect match for his skills.”

Earlier this year, Jake was selected as the winner of the Billy Elliot Dream Award Essay Contest – a collaboration between Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards, and Local 12 WKRC. Jake took a unique approach to the essay contest by writing and singing one of his original songs (instead of writing an essay) that impressed the panel of judges.

Jake, who lives with his family in Mt. Lookout, recently completed his freshman year at Walnut Hills High School, where he is active in the choral and musical-theatre programs. He spends most of his free time writing and performing his music, which he hopes to pursue professionally. This year, Jake started performing at local coffee shops and farmers markets, and with The Queen City Balladeers. Next month, he will be performing on the acoustic stage at the Bunbury Music Festival. Jake is a huge fan of Bob Dylan and Shakespeare, and when not writing songs or doing something musical, he likes to play basketball with his friends. To sample Jake’s music (including his original song Floating, which he sang in the Next Pop Star competition), visit his You Tube channel at www.youtube.com/jakekolesar.

“I would like to thank the Cincinnati Arts Association for the wonderful opportunities that they have given me this year,” said Jake. “Between the Billy Elliot Dream Award and the Next Pop Star competition, my musical dream has moved one step closer to reality. I also greatly appreciate that CAA has chosen to accommodate not only students who have worked very hard studying opera or ballet, but people like me who may work just as hard in their room instead of in the studio.”

Upon receipt of his monetary award, Jake chose to donate $100 back to CAA “in the hope that CAA will continue to give opportunities to students of the arts.”

The three Next Pop Star finalists were Mariah Southers, a freshman at Conner High School who sang a country/western song; Jacob Turner, a senior at Walnut Hills High School who performed an original rap composition; and Emily Wyant, a junior at Ohio Virtual Academy who also performed a country/western song. The three finalists each received a $100 award.

The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition – the largest locally run arts scholarship competition in the country – provides a $2,500 scholarship to six area high school students with 18 finalists each winning a $500 scholarship. Students compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. During 2012, more than 520 students competed for $24,000 in scholarships.

Roger Adams,
Music Hall Technical Director
January 1, 1944 – May 14, 2012
Music Hall loses beloved friend, advocate, and craftsman

The Cincinnati Arts Association, the Music Hall resident arts organizations, and friends and family of Music Hall mourn the loss of Roger Adams, Music Hall’s beloved Technical Director since 1994. Roger died at his home on Monday, May 14.

Born on New Year’s Day in 1944, the youngest of five children, Roger was the son of a stone mason, who apprenticed to learn his father’s trade. In January of 1960, he began working with Cincinnati’s stagehand Union (IATSE Local 5), a decision that would lead to a life-long career in the entertainment industry. An active member of Local 5, Roger served as an officer and executive board member, and under his stewardship the Union established its health and welfare fund.

His years as a journeyman included work at most of the city’s concert venues (including the since demolished Albee and Palace Theaters) and the now legendary Cincinnati Opera performances that were held at the Cincinnati Zoo Pavilion, where he fondly recalled the often chaotic mix of classical music and wild animals. He spent several years at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park as a carpenter, but Music Hall was the place he most enjoyed working, and where he perfected his skills under then Technical Director Roy Hopper. From set and scenery construction to countless creative projects for Music Hall’s resident companies, Roger was a talented carpenter with a reputation for being able to fix any problem, often under time constraints that seemed insurmountable. Behind the scenes, Roger was the real “star of the show,” coordinating load-ins, stage setups, crews and load-outs for virtually every show – from Opera, Symphony, May Festival, and Ballet productions to Bruce Springsteen, Prince, the White Stripes, and Garrison Keillor, to name just a few.

An avid gun collector and hunter, Roger also enjoyed participating in the popular “ghost tours” of Music Hall. Like the late Maestro Erich Kunzel, he firmly believed that Music Hall was haunted, based on his firsthand experiences while working in the theater. He was featured in several programs about Music Hall, and was generous in sharing his recollections about the theater’s history. Roger will be remembered as a dedicated employee, talented craftsman, and loyal friend by the building staff and resident companies he served so well during his tenure as Technical Director, and by countless other people he worked with over the years.

Roger is survived by his wife Diana Vandergriff Adams, son Roger G. Adams, brother Edward Adams, sister Florence Long, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: Society for the Preservation of Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday May 19, 2012 at Music Hall Lobby from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Thoughts about Roger Adams from…

Cincinnati Arts Association
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful and valued member of our staff and family. Roger will forever be a meaningful part of Music Hall’s history, and will be remembered for his more than forty years of committed service to this historic venue, nearly twenty years of which as its technical director. A great advocate for Music Hall and a terrific craftsman, Roger’s love for this wonderful facility and commitment to its world class performances are unsurpassed. Our thoughts and prayers of support go out to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.” – Steve Loftin, President and Executive Director, Cincinnati Arts Association

Cincinnati Ballet
“Roger was part of our Cincinnati Ballet family and his unexpected passing is extremely saddening. He was a staple at Music Hall for over fifty years and in his time there, he worked backstage on many of our productions. Roger is also the late husband of our Wardrobe Mistress, Diana Vandergriff Adams. We are keeping the entire Adams and Vandergriff families in our thoughts. He will be missed throughout our building and the entire Cincinnati arts community.” – Missie Santomo, Managing Director, Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Opera
“On Monday, May 21, Roger Adams would have begun his 53rd season of working with Cincinnati Opera. If you paid attention, you could always learn something from him—how to tie a particular knot, or how to safely hang a 2-ton scenic piece, and a lot of really good stuff in between. Over the years, we faced tasks that seemed impossible, given the time and manpower available to make it happen. But Roger never faltered. He complained a little—well, a lot—but he kept at it until he got it working. That was his way.” – Glenn Plott, Director of Production, Cincinnati Opera

Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras
“This is a great loss to the arts community in Cincinnati. Roger touched many lives in his years of behind-the-scenes work at Music Hall. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” – Joe Hopper, Technical Director and Stage Manager, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras

IATSE Local 5 – Cincinnati Stagehand Union
“Roger will be remembered with gratitude and affection by all his brothers and sisters in IATSE Local 5, as well as all who worked with him at Music Hall. Roger’s dedication and commitment to Music Hall, the arts community, and Local 5 will not be forgotten.” – Thomas L. Guidugli, Business Representative, Cincinnati Stage Employees

SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH at 7:30 p.m.
On Sale Friday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m.

Cincinnati, OH – Live Nation welcomes comedian Aziz Ansari to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 at 8pm.

All Tickets are $39.00 and go on sale May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at CincinnatiArts.org, LiveNation.com, (513) 621-2787, and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.
All tickets subject to applicable service charges and fees.
Dates and times subject to change without notice.

Ansari has quickly established his presence in the comedy world. He is currently starring in a popular television series, is developing a number of films and will soon debut his second hour-long standup special. The Hollywood Reporter said that he “has become one of the most prolific writers and performers on the comedy scene in recent years” and Rolling Stone recently placed him on the cover of their special comedy issue labeling him “the funniest man under 30.” In addition, Paste Magazine has named him one of the “Top 10 Comedians of the Decade.” Ansari also wrapped a much buzzed about gig as the host of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Ansari co-stars opposite of Amy Poehler in the Emmy nominated NBC series Parks and Recreation, which is currently in its fourth season. The series received its first Emmy nomination in 2011 for “Outstanding Comedy Series.” Ansari’s portrayal of government employee Tom Haverford, has earned him much critical praise including Entertainment Weekly naming him one of their “Breakout TV Stars,” TV Guide naming him a “Scene Stealer” and Yahoo! TV placing him in the number one spot on their list of “TV MVPS: The Most Valuable Performers of the Fall Season.” People Magazine recently named him 2011’s “Funniest Dude in Prime Time.”

Ansari is also keeping busy in the film world and was most recently seen starring in the action comedy 30 Minutes or Less opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride. He will next voice a character in Twentieth Century Fox’s Ice Age: Continental Drift. Mandate Pictures also picked up a comedy feature pitch by Ansari and Matt Hubbard, which he will star in alongside Danny McBride. Additionally, Ansari is developing three films for Judd Apatow and Universal with Director Jason Woliner. The collaboration with Apatow began on Universal’s Funny People, where Ansari created the popular character of ‘Raaaaaaaandy,’ who went on to become a viral hit on FunnyOrDie.com. Ansari also appears in Get Him to the Greek alongside Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, as a co-worker of Hill’s character. He has had roles in the hit comedies I Love You, Man and Observe and Report.

In 2010, Ansari released an hour-long standup special on Comedy Central titled Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. The special and subsequent DVD/CD were both extremely successful and the album continues to be a mainstay on iTunes’ comedy best-seller list. Ansari has also become a regular on the late night circuit with recent memorable appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Ansari recently wrapped up a major multi-city standup tour called the “Dangerously Delicious Tour” and will soon release this as another hour-long standup special. He began performing standup in 2001 while attending NYU and continues to perform at venues all over the world today. In 2005, Rolling Stone named him their choice for “Hot Standup” on their annual Hot List, and he was also awarded the Jury Award for Best Standup at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2006.

Ansari first came to audience’s attention on MTV’s hit sketch comedy series Human Giant. The series is based around short films starring Ansari, along with Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer. Many of their sketches have become internet sensations and have popularized the trio with young people all across the U.S. Ansari also had a very memorable guest starring role on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, in which he portrayed a racist fruit vendor and was seen in a multi-episode arc on Scrubs.

About Live Nation Entertainment:
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE-LYV) is the largest live entertainment company in the world, consisting of five businesses: concert promotion and venue operations, sponsorship, ticketing solutions, e-commerce and artist management. Live Nation seeks to innovate and enhance the live entertainment experience for artists and fans: before, during and after the show. In 2009, Live Nation sold 140 million tickets, promoted 21,000 concerts, partnered with 850 sponsors and averaged 25 million unique monthly users of its e-commerce sites. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.