How to resolve AdBlock issue? Arts & Life
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- Written by: Debra Fredrickson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Vocalist Cynthia Rose, one of the performers at the Lake County Symphony Association’s Christmas Concert this weekend, grew up in a musical family and community.
She enjoys playing piano, saxophone and singing. She was guided by excellent musical mentors: her father, local pianist Tom Ganoung, and renowned public educator Nick Biondo, who taught at her school.
From elementary school through college, Rose was involved in concert bands, concert choirs, jazz bands and jazz choirs, and has traveled as far as Rio de Janeiro to perform.
When she’s not instructing her students at Healdsburg High School (she’s taught Spanish and English in public schools for nearly 15 years for all grade levels) or busy at home in Sonoma County with her two children (Evette, 6 and Damon, 2), she likes to sing with a few local bands.
She has performed with “California party band” the Funky Dozen for six years. “I am one of the three female vocalists with the Dozen,” said Rose. “My first performance with them was at the Kelseyville Pear Festival. All the traffic was cut off, so it was like this huge block party. It was awesome!”
The Funky Dozen plays frequently at private and public local events in Lake, Sonoma, and other nearby counties. You can find information about them on Facebook or at www.funkydozen.com.
Rose has also been a part of the more intimate “Blue Hour” group for the last three years, which plays at Andre’s in Lakeport once a month.
For information about their schedule, go to “Blue Hour Bay Area” on Facebook.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Anthony Neves, one of the vocalists performing at the Lake County Symphony Associaton’s Dec. 17 holiday concert, has been a singer with the Funky Dozen for about five years.
He calls his singing style as one that is “more soulful.” Some have compared it to a Joe Cocker sound.
“But I will sing any style,” he said. “Depending on the event, it might be more like Frank Sinatra.”
Neves moved to Lake County about 16 years ago and has been singing a variety of music at many different venues since his arrival.
His first singing gig here was at the Saw Shop Restaurant in Kelseyville and he is still there on the first Thursday of every month, singing along with his recorded tracks.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Neves found a home in Lake County. “I needed a change, and I adopted Lake County.”
It helped that he had family members who lived here, and he was familiar with the area. Neves says his 30-year singing career has worked out well for him. “I have been able to support myself mostly through my music and work occasional side jobs when I need to.”
A degree he earned in Culinary Arts from Woodland College is used solely for personal enrichment.
“It’s a good skill to have and I’m glad I learned how to make a good meal for myself. Baking has become a hobby of mine,” he said.
He shares mouth-watering photographs of his cooking and baking expertise on his Facebook page, along with videos of musical performances that demonstrate his wide range of styles.
Neves keeps busy. In addition to performing with The Funky Dozen, he sings at local wineries and community events like the August car show in Library Park for Operation Tango Mike.
Last year he sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Veterans Day dinner at Konocti Vista Casino when the roomful of vets started singing along.
“It was an intense moment. I started to choke up and almost lost it!” But Neves didn’t let his emotions get in the way. He did it all over again last month at the Veterans Day dinner.
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- Written by: Upper Lake Senior Center
The event takes place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13.
There will be a presentation by the art instructor Linda Farris followed by a luncheon.
Come and view as they share the artworks of seniors.
All are welcome.
The Upper Lake Senior Center is located at 9470 Mendenhall Road, telephone 707-275-3513.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Symphony’s popular annual Christmas Concert coming up on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Soper Reese Theatre, will include a “very merry” program of holiday favorites to delight the audience.
John Parkinson, symphony conductor and musical director, plans a selection of festive traditional holiday orchestral music, along with entertainment by several outstanding local vocalists.
He fully expects all audience members to be a part of the carol sing-along and to lend their voices to the “Hallelujah Chorus,” as in past concerts.
“Hallelujah” is the memorable finale to Handel’s “Messiah,” and has been a special and treasured part of the Christmas Concert for years.
The Lake County Community and Youth Orchestra conducted by Camm Linden, will begin the concert, with a selection from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet Suite called “Mother Ginger” along with some other audience-pleasing holiday motifs.
There will be two vocalists for this concert, and both are singers with the popular local band, the Funky Dozen. Cynthia Rose will be singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” Christmas Time is Here,” and “The Christmas Song.” Anthony Neves, will sing “White Christmas,” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.”
Tickets for the concert are available online in advance from the Soper Reese Theatre website or by phone at 707-263-0577.
General admission is $25; premium seating is $30 for the 2 p.m. performance, with LCSA members receiving a $5 discount.
Everyone is urged to order their tickets early; the Christmas Concert is usually a packed house.
The full-dress open rehearsal performance begins at 11 a.m. with discounted tickets for $5 and free admission for everyone under the age of 18.
