50 years for Blue Mountain Entertainment
Blue Mountain Entertainment, which evolved from San Juan Community Concert Association, celebrates 50 years of presenting outstanding entertainment for area residents.
It was back in 1958 that a group of civic-minded residents organized at the home of Donald and Dorothy Adams for the purpose of bringing world-class performing artists to San Juan County.
That inaugural 1958-1959 season featured programs by soprano Dorothy Warenskjold; pianist David Able; Lola Montez and her Spanish dancers; and world-renowned pianist Grant Johannesen, who performed on the organization’s fine concert Baldwin grand piano which is still in service.
That piano was financed with a loan from Grant Bronson, and the debt was subsequently paid with money earned at annual fund-raising rummage sales.
The list of exceptional programs from the past 50 years is long and impressive; a few standouts would be The Tuscon Arizona Boys Choir, the Utah Symphony, the Annapolis Brass Quintet, Airjazz (juggling and modern dance), The Missoula Children’s Theatre, the BYU international Folk Dance Ensemble, child pianist prodigy Janae Codner (her dad hailed from Eastland), Los Hernandos de la Andes, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Utah Opera, The Utah Saxophone Quartet, the BYU Ballroom Dance Company, pianist John Schmidt, the Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance, famous singer Diana Walker, Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats, Donegal House Band, Sizzling Strings, and the Spencers (magic and theatre of illusion).
A listing of favorites also includes the Annual Spring Gala featuring local talent.
For the 2008-2009 golden anniversary season, Blue Mountain Entertainment presents one of its most ambitious rosters of entertaining programs – a remarkable achievement, considering increasing costs and declining sources of public funding.
The season opener will be Franc D’Ambrosio, a New York singer best known for his 3000 performances as Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. His resume includes an Academy Award nominated film, three Emmy award considerations, and a National Theatre Award nomination for his stage work.
On November 10, the irrepressible Bar D Wranglers will perform their famous stage show with songs of cowboys, gunfighters, and the Old West, lively instrumentals, and comedy to please the whole family. This is the program experienced when visiting the Bar D Chuckwagon in Durango, Colorado. A generous contribution from Doug Allen and Blue Mountain Foods makes this program possible.
Bringing the Alps to the audience on February 9 will be Salzburger Echo, playing Old World and contemporary folk music from the alpine regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Their 12-foot alphorns, Swiss cowbells, holzernes g’lachter and harmony yodeling provide a fascinating variety ofentertainment.
Leaving Monticello some 30 years ago, Alan Barber has distinguished himself as an accomplished pianist. On March 2, he will perform a concert for his home town, mostly classical, but with a few surprises thrown in.
On March 28, the touring-around-the-world BYU International Folk Dancers will make a stop in Monticello. With a beautiful array of ethnic costumes, the world-acclaimed group will present a program of dances from more than a dozen nations, including Ukraine, Russia, Korea, Poland, Mexico, and the U.S.
Blue Mountain Entertainment is grateful to the Charles Redd Foundation for its generous support of this outstanding program.
The season’s final program will be the Annual Spring Gala on April 20 when local talent will be spotlighted.
Admission for all these programs, plus six Kigalia Fine Arts programs in Blanding, will be the same as last year! BME season memberships are $45 for families, $18 for adults, and $9 for students.
Season memberships can be purchased from BME board members Derryl & Sally Jack, Doug & Christine Allen, Kim & Cindy Burtenshaw, Randy & Laura Butler, Jeff & Denise Frost, James & Cynthia Muhlestein, Joel & Lois Palmer, Doyle & Marilyn Rowley, and Les & Rebecca Wikle.