Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Beatlegras - Back at the Uptown




Beatlegras is Back!


Back by popular demand, Beatlegras, the critically acclaimed three man phenomenon, will play at Grand Prairie’s newly restored historic Uptown Theater, located at 120 East Main Street in Grand Prairie, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m.

You can hear them and see a performance at www.beatlegras.com. They recently toured in Ireland where they headlined with Sinead O'Connor and Albert Lee.

They also will be appearing in the upcoming children's movie "Tommy and the Cool Mule" along with Ice T and Kevin Sorbo (TV's Hercules). George Anderson, who plays bass in Beatlegras, is proud to be from Grand Prairie and looks forward to playing in his home town.

"George always steals the show when he plays an upright bass solo," says Dave Walser, Beatlegras guitarist. "It's like nothing you'd expect or have ever heard."

"The vocals are spot on and the playing is fresh and mind blowing," says guitar genius Rhett Butler. Together, Beatlegras provides a unique twist on the Beatles that leaves even the most hard core Beatles fans impressed, smiling and singing all the way home.

"If I had a mop top I'd be shakin' it!" says Ralph McLean, BBC.
“Beatlegras isn't just for Beatles fans, but for those of us who love great musicianship played out as one of the sweetest sounds imaginable,” says Gary Cogill, Movie Critic of WFAA. “A sound that remains constantly in my CD player."

Join your friends and family and fans at the beautifully restored Uptown Theater for this evening that won’t be soon forgotten. Reserved seats are $21 and are available at http://www.uptowntheatergp.com/ or by calling 972-237-UPTN.




Gary Kelly Photography Exhibit Opens Tuesday


Free public reception for Gary Kelly's photography exhibit on Tuesday, July 13, 2009 at 7pm
Join us as we celebrate the first one-man show at the Uptown Gallery.
Gary Kelly, a resident of Grand Prairie since 1952, is a retired CPA who worked as a financial manager for NationsBank and its predecessors for over thirty years. He began photography in the Army in 1958 and has attended numerous training workshops and seminars. After retiring from banking in 1996, he became more active in photography, travelling and photographing extensively in the western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and Costa Rica. He also has extensive portfolios of southwestern scenes, nature, flowers, still life and candid portraits. Currently, he is active in the Dallas Camera Club, where he is a past president, and the Association of Grand Prairie Artists. He does frequent slide shows for various civic groups and camera clubs. He has won numerous awards including Picture of the Year at the Dallas Camera Club three times and Best of Show at the Grand Prairie Arts Council Annual Art Exhibition. His creative philosophy is that a camera should be used the way an artist uses paints and brushes.

Included in this exhibit are images from historic theaters, including Grand Prairie’s newly rehabilitated Uptown Theater, roadside gems, and stunningly moving portraits. Kelly will welcome guests and answer questions about the images and his process in a public reception on July 14th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Guests are welcome to this free exhibit and reception.

Additionally, tours of the Uptown Theater will be available and 2009-2010 Arts Series tickets will be on sale. Season tickets are available to the general public and include six live music performances beginning in October with a concert by Texas legend Joe Ely.

Monday, July 6, 2009

July at the Uptown

Congratulations to the Grand Prairie Arts Council for a great run of the Music Man! Attendance was great and the show was spectacular. We can't wait for Godspell!

July is more GPAC - with summer art camp for kids. Today the Children of the Strings Orchestra Camp kicked off. Check back with us to see when they schedule their end of camp concert.

Next week GPAC hosts Missoula Children's Theatre with a week long event for kids that culminates in two performances of Jack In The Beanstalk on Saturday the 18th. Check our website for details and ticket information.

MOVIES: Free Movies continue at the Uptown. Last week's sing along Grease was hilarious. Tomorrow - Tuesday, July 7th at 2:00 pm we screen the Marilyn Monroe classic "Some Like it Hot." The first 400 guests get in FREE!