Peace of Mind

Karen Hume, Executive Director for the Capitol Arts Center is looking to take the theatre in a new direction, one that is hipper and more contemporary.  In the coming months, Hume will launch two new series for the theatre to attract both music and film lovers from the community.  While plans are still in the works for reviving the Capitol as a theatre showcasing classic as well as new independent films, April will be the kickoff for the regional and local music series.  Three shows will take place in April and one in May and if all goes well plans are for the music series to continue on at least a monthly basis.

Hume has always been in touch with the local scene and has wanted to do such a series for some time but the opportunity was not available.  Former renters, who have moved their productions to Van Meter Hall and budget constraints that limit potential touring shows, have resulted in open dates available for experimentation.

The format involves partnering with local talent on a percentage of the house split so that both artists and venues can make some money and gain valuable exposure and experience.  Beer sales are also planned during most of the events.  Financial success is a must for the series as the Capitol is struggling to stay afloat.  “If we get the third cut we were told we would, it will be significant and cut deep into our budget which is already stretched as thin as it can be.” she admitted.

As with any nonprofit, reliance is heavy on the dedication of volunteers.  For the music series Hume approached Franne Jennings.  A local music fan for decades, Franne has contributed to multiple entertainment publications over the years including the Amplifier for which she currently is a regular writer.  She has recently delved into producing and promoting for bands such as Ned Van Go and venues such as the Capitol and Chaney’s Dairy Barn.  According to Hume, Jennings performs all the upfront research and contacts for potential performers.

“In the beginning I was completely ignorant but as I spent time booking Ned I got more familiar with the requirements of a larger venue” said Jennings.  She ferrets the field perusing social networking sites and electronic media which groups have in place.  The promotional presence of a band is significant for multiple reasons.  Audio and video files allow promoters to get a sense of the performance to expect.  As important in this case, the activity level on a groups web pages gives some indication of the efforts those artists will make in helping to promote the show.  “It’s been a huge learning experience for local bands who have not previously been involved with a venue of it’s size and have had to rethink how to conduct themselves as a band and a business.”  She added “Tracy Owens has been a Godsend”, referring to his help in teaching the bands how to create necessary materials.  Unfortunately for some, the lack of attention to details concerning paperwork and details was the number one reason for groups that were cut from consideration.

If all goes as hoped, Franne has future proposals including what she calls her “Triangle Plan”.  The concept is a three tiered event where a national act is paired with a local act to present a show, offer a lecture and conduct a songwriting or instrument workshop.

The series begins on April 15 with FunkExplosion!  Taking stage that night beginning at 8:00 p.m. will be Felonious Funk followed by Fat Box and top Nashville band Deep Fried Five.  Tickets are $12.50 and available now at www.capitolarts.com.

The second local show you can catch at the Capitol is the Ernie Small Blues Band at their 30th Anniversary Celebration on April 16 at 8:00 p.m.  This show is not strictly part of the local series, but rather a rental by the band that is showing their support for the Capitol by donating proceeds back to the venue.

The Ernie Small Blues Band has been a fixture in the local scene for decades.  They started at Michael’s Pub, rose to local fame at Mr. C’s and quickly became the go to band for nonprofit fundraisers and celebrations.  For twelve years the band had its own golf tournament, drawing over 200 participants by the mid 90’s.  Many local talents have passed through the group from Byron House to Jane Pearl.  The group will feature three female vocalists who have shaped the band over the years, Jane Pearl, Rachel Pearl and Randi Womack.

“I have always enjoyed the Capitol as a performance venue and want to support its continuing life in our community. We have really only played there once and it was brief, so have a full on show there really appealed to me, the stage, the lights, backstage and the chance to feature several of the female vocalists who have performed with us over the years. Both Jane and Rachel have some really great original tunes that seem to work well with our band and Randi is performing some interesting songs with us that you don’t hear anywhere else. Playing with the Band has been a great opportunity for me personally and we have played nearly every possible venue and event in town for 30 years.” explained Ernie.

Tickets for the Ernie Small Blues Band 30th Anniversary are on sale now at www.capitolarts.com for $10.

Then on April 23, teens are in the spotlight for a night of neo punk with locally tied high school groups backing the Karmadons.  This night co produced and promoted by Tracy Owens features Peace of Mind, Think Harder and the Karmadons.  Peace of Mind is relatively new local band featuring vocals by Daniel Shultz, younger brother of Cage The Elephant’s Matt and Brad Shultz.  Think Harder is a Louisville based band with features Owens’ son, Anthony Slusher.  Beer will not be available for this show as it caters specifically to minors who have few venues available.

The bands will be shooting videos during their shows and have all donated their performances to make this event a fundraiser for the Capitol dubbed Local Preserving Local.  On his flyer Owens explains, “Three decades of good use by the community has taken its toll on our beautiful icon, and because it has given us several decades of arts and entertainment, NOW is the time that we give back to the Capitol Arts Center. In order to make sure this atrocity never happens again local musicians have decided to donate their time, money and effort to their local icon, The Capitol Arts Center. So help us by coming out and supporting your local artists and patrons of the Capitol.”

Tracy Owens, a musician and promoter known for his work with Kelly Greens as well as his band The Gypsies, said “The Capitol is a bright icon, that makes Bowling Green different from any other city.  When I was running Kelly Greens I used to live right above it and as I walked down the stairs to come to work seeing the Capitol lights on made me feel like it was going to be a good night and proud to be able to work on the square and see so many families enjoy being out together. Now eleven years later, it makes me feel the same way if not prouder, to know I’ll be able to feel the identical way to be able to take my family down to the Capitol so my daughters can be able to see their older brother perform and raise money for this icon. In many ways the Capitol is teaching my family how to be closer and the responsibility of how to make a difference, and how a little effort can go a long way. So when I was asked to help raise money for the Capitol it was a no-brainer, absolutely. And to have so many people to jump up to help, it made me realize that I did the right thing by raising my family here.”

The last show planned for the start of the series will take place on May 20 and is dubbed Honky Tonk on the Square.  It will feature the Travis Mann Band from Nashville, Sunday Valley from Lexington and Ned Van Go from Nashville performing what Franne describes as “Hillbilly, Texas, swing”.

By May we may also see a kick off to the film series.  Karen Hume would like to do several mini series as part of it, playing on themes such as Classics and a Cocktail where a group of shows such as a trio of Hitchcock or Marx Brothers films are paired with a drink mentioned in the films.  In future there may even by two night events featuring a movie followed by a stage production.

As they say, “use it or lose it”, so get out and support the Capitol Arts Center as well as a plethora of local talent!  Any artists interested in performing as part of the series should send promotion materials including a technical rider and stage plot to karen.hume@capitolarts.com.