TwoFifty, briefly (April 30, 2008)

From staff reports
Published: April 30, 2008

Lexington’s Theater at Lime Kiln announces 2008 performance season

Theater at Lime Kiln recently announced its 2008 performance season, with 36 performances, from classic theatr and a world premiere of a musical inspired by the life of Patsy Cline, to an eclectic mix of live music ranging from The Seldom Scene bluegrass to an evening of Gershwin.
Beginning with the signing of the lease in 1983, the historic site known then as Rock Kiln Ruin became a home to thousands of performances, from the Shenandoah Valley’s favorite musical play, “Stonewall Country,” to hundreds of acts like Doc Watson, The Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley and Leon Redbone.
“I can’t remember being so excited about a season,” said Executive Director Kim Renz. “This year we have some Lime Kiln standards mixed in with some amazing new groups that we think are perfect for our audiences. And Theater at Lime Kiln is producing again.”
Theater at Lime Kiln is producing three distinct series this season: Music Under the Stars, featuring visiting artists; Bands in the Bowl, featuring music acts with local connections; and Lime Kiln Presents Theatre Series, partnering with Mary Baldwin University Wits, Southern Virginia University Theater Department and Golden Duck Productions from Staunton.
The Lime Kiln Season opens with its annual fundraiser, MusicFest, an 8-hour festival of area musicians on May 17.
The theater opens its gates for picnickers and refreshments sold by Lime Kiln at 6:30pm. Outside alcohol is prohibited by Virginia law. Theater at Lime Kiln is supported in part by grants from the City of Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To join the Lime Kiln Arts mailing list for a season brochure, e-mail Renz at .
For more information about the season at Theater at Lime Kiln or a full list of this season’s performances, go online to theateratlimekiln.com. Tickets go on sale in early May at MusicToday.com or by phone at 800-594-TIXX. Group orders may be purchased by calling the Lime Kiln Arts office at 540-463-7088. To become a FOLK volunteer (Friend of Lime Kiln), contact FOLK Coordinator JoAnn Peretti at 540-464-1422.

Paramount Theater in Charlottesville announces Summer 2008 Series

The Paramount Theater in Charlottesville recently announced its Summer 2008 Series of performances, events crossing folk, bluegrass, jazz, rock, funk, comedy and family programming genres which runs through August 2008 and brings some world-class artists to Charlottesville’s historic theater for the first time.
Already announced for the Summer Series are the Nels Cline Singers, the free-jazz ensemble fronted by the Wilco lead guitarist of the same name, on June 6 and the unconventional all-star bluegrass/folk collaboration of Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Béla Fleck on June 27.
The Paramount’s new lineup includes renowned saxophonist Kenny G on June 8; a celebration of folk with Guy Clark, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and Jesse Winchester on June 20; an evening of magic and illusion for all ages provided by Mark Nizer and Jason Bishop on July 25, and an outpouring of jazz and funk featuring three of the world’s foremost guitar virtuosos, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten, on August 17.
With the exception of seats for the Nels Cline Singers and the Sparrow Quartet, currently on sale to the general public, tickets for the Paramount’s Summer 2008 Series will go on sale in May. Newly-announced performances will be offered to Paramount Theater members in a pre-sale period beginning Friday for top level contributors and May 7 for all members. Summer 2008 events will be available to the general public beginning May 13.
Anyone who is not currently a member of the theater may take advantage of the pre-sale period by making a tax-deductible membership contribution when placing an order. Tickets will be available through the theater’s website, http://www.theparamount.net, and the Paramount Box Office (434-979-1333).
This summer, the Paramount will complement live performances with three weekends of summer films shown in grand style. A Family Fun weekend invites all ages to enjoy “The Wizard of Oz” on June 21 and “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” on June 22; a Salute to The Coen Brothers will showcase the unpredictable filmmakers with “The Big Lebowski” on July 11, “Blood Simple” on July 12, and “Raising Arizona” on July 13. Political Intrigue provides a conspiratory twist this election year with “All The President’s Men” on August 9 and the original “Manchurian Candidate” on August 10. For the first time this summer, movie weekend packages will offer a reduced-price combination ticket to attend all movies in the individual Family Fun, Coen Brothers, and Political Intrigue weekends.
For more information about or tickets to upcoming events at the Paramount Theater, please visit http://www.theparamount.net or call the box office at 434-979-1333.  Additional Paramount Theater performances for Fall 2008 and beyond will be announced this summer.