Eglamore Moon
The prospect of using Moonlight’s modest stage for dramatic presentation was never more artfully realized than by Birmingham’s most gifted storyteller, Dolores Hydock. I fretted that our basic, inflexible lighting system would limit the range of her gestures and movements in front of a full house, but she worked her intuitive magic to its best effect in ways I still don’t understand. Bringing her brilliant talents to Moonlight, along with the fervent gallery of her audience, was a generous gift to the venue, and an endorsement of our intentions and of the space itself. Each time we hosted Dolores was an extraordinary and enchanting occasion, on at least one of which I felt compelled to wear a tie.
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August 10, 2010
Friends of The Moonlight--
We really tested the capacity of our venue this last week, filling it with lots of happy folks for two events in particular--- Sam Pointer's very successful John Hartford Tribute, and a totally merry Sunday afternoon fundraiser honoring Birmingham guitar icon Rick Kurtz. For most of our shows we have a more moderate crowd, which we don't mind, really--- the relaxed atmosphere we're known for is a fine counterpoint at the end of a frazzled and frenetic day. Bring some drinks, some cheese, and your favorite squeeze--- we like seein' you!
Please DO take note of the two very special presentations we offer you this weekend--- out of the ordinary!
***Thursday 12th, SUZI RAGSDALE, with Marc Harris, $12
We've become familiar enough with the Nashville hierarchy to know when we've found a real thoroughbred, an artist who's universally acclaimed by critics and peers alike... and they don't come more naturally pedigreed than Suzi Ragdale. Since she first sang on her daddy Ray Stevens' giant hit "Everything Is Beautiful" at age five, she has grown into a songwriter-vocalist of premier standing... collaborating with only the very best of Music City's true icons--- Verlon Thompson, Guy Clark, Darrell Scott among them--- in her long list of projects. She's just released her double disc, "Best Regards, and Less of the Same", the video link below will give you some insight into what she'll bring to us. Suzi will be joined by her friend, well-known Birmingham songwriter MARC HARRIS, who backs her up on vocals and guitar, as well as offering some of his own first-rate tunes. 7:30pm
www.marcharris.com
www.suziragsdale.com
Suzi Ragsdale and Marc Harris, August 12 2010, 15 present
***Friday 13th, DOLORES HYDOCK, "Eglamore and Cristobel-- A Medieval Love Story", $15
We are indeed fortunate to have a world-class actress/storyteller honing her craft in our very midst--- we've been among the many enthusiastic fans of Dolores' work since we presented her at the original Moonlight several years ago. This presentation features her in perfect character as The Crone, relating a 14th Century tale of star-crossed lovers, with brave knights, monstrous giants, and the random Winds of Fate. Peppering her narrative with dead-on wit and riveting surprises, she's augmented by the musical punctuation of PanHarmonium, a trio providing live accompaniment on instruments of the period--- harp, hurdy-gurdy, lute, pipes, and more. This magical and engrossing evening is in preparation for their appearance next month at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah. 7:30pm
ALSO--
***Saturday 14th, DOLORES HYDOCK, "Silence-- The Adventure of a Medieval Warrior Woman", $15
This is the companion piece to Friday's performance, a completely different story, related again by The Crone--- this time, the tale of a 13th Century English girl, raised secretly as a boy to ensure her rightful inheritance. At crucial points in her life, the story's main character must decide whether she will choose the limits of the role society assigns to women, or the freedom of an assumed identity that always risks being unmasked. In the end, the story's clever protagonist -- a kind of 13th century Annie Oakley -- must choose the weapon with which she'll face the world: a jeweled sword.... or a sewing needle.
Again, PanHarmonium provides the live score for this fantastic and humorous dialogue... you'll talk about it for ever after, we can assure you! 7:30pm
You can --- and SHOULD--- see BOTH these shows for a discounted price of $25, if you pay on Friday for Saturday's performance. Because Dolores' presentations are very popular events, we'd prefer that you make RESERVATIONS by replying to this email message, telling us which night you'll attend, and the names of those you'd plan to bring with you. We will confirm your request as soon as we can, and remind you that it would be wise to bring your own folding chair with you, in case ours are all occupied.
www.storypower.org
Dolores Hydock, Friday August 13 and Saturday August 14 2010, 96 and 50 present
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A SNEAK PEEK AT NEXT WEEK--->
Monday 16th--- OPEN MIKE NIGHT, local and traveling songwriters go for a cash prize with just two songs-- come play, or just listen! $5
Tuesday 17th-- OTM DEMOCRATS' SOCIAL--- an occasional, casual gathering of Blue Dots for fun & discussion, you're welcome! Free--
Friday 20th-- PHIL LEE, Nashville's infamous renegade, crackerjack, irreverent, mostly-reformed, knife-throwing troubadour--- yow! $10
Saturday 21st-- WALT ALDRIDGE, writer/producer of countless contemporary country hits, in a rare solo show... only $10!
Sunday 22nd-- THE FUCHSIA BAND-- True Irish Corkers, traditional & trippy at once--- watch the flying feet! $15
Remember to consider The Moonlight as a perfect place for your upcoming private event... call us now for rates and dates--- it ain't too soon to be talking about Christmas parties.... we thank you!