Summer Time is the Right Time

To renew your season tickets. Or just get some season tickets for the first time.

Our 2010-2011 Season is a LOT different from what we've done before. This year we are bringing not one or two but THREE off-Broadway shows to Grand Prairie. That's right. These are the actual actors who actually performed these actual shows in actual New York City. Really.

How cool is it that you can just grab your friends, come downtown and see such great shows? While sipping on a signature cocktail and delicately chowing down on an awesome themed dessert - likely themed and researched and marketed by our very own Jackie Justice.

We are starting off in October - but couldn't really wait that long so we are starting this month with what we call a bonus opportunity. Grammy Award winners Trout Fishing in America will be in the house - doing workshops for students on Thursday, July 30th and then presenting a concert on Friday, July 31st at 8.00 p.m.

Come on over to the website - http://www.uptowntheatergp.com/ or call Abner at 972-2237-8786 and he'll take your ticket order. For TFIA or season tickets.

Stay cool - we'll see you at the Uptown soon.

What's Up, Uptown?

Well, we'll tell you what's up! Staff is feverishly preparing for the HUGE 2010-2011 Arts Series announcement reception. It's scheduled for mid-May and we are so excited to let everyone know all the excellence that we have lined up for the coming season.

It is going to be different from what we've presented in the past - special events and live music and 3 VERY special somethings. Something NYC special. There. That was your hint.

In other news: the Grand Prairie Arts Council has completed casting "Beauty and the Beast" and have already started rehearsals for the show that runs the last two weekends in June. We can't wait to see the finished product! Tickets are on sale now. Just hop on over to www.UptownTheaterGP.com/tickets or call Abner at the box office 972-237-8786. Remember, he only works three or four days a week so leave him a message. I promise he'll call you back.

Let's talk about Landon Pigg...

It's ok. He won't mind. Here are some interesting facts about Landon Pigg that are fabulous and true...we have them on file from a good source ;)

1. What genre is Landon Pigg?

A mix between rock and roll, indie pop, and easy listening - something for everyone!

2. Is it true that Landon Pigg has asked audience members with musical instruments to join him onstage at past shows?

YES! He did it in Boston, and a few other shows. SO, if you play an interesting instrument (say that 10 times fast), pack it up and bring it, BUT first buy your ticket!

3. Does Landon come from a family of musicians?

YES! It was his father, a studio veteran himself, who encouraged Landon's musical curiosity, as Landon recalls "Ray Stevens being the first CD I ever owned.' and he credits his mother for nurturing his poetic side.

4. Who cuts Landon Pigg's hair?

his mother

5. Will this be Landon's first trip to Texas?

Heck, no. Landon co-starred with 'Juno' actress Ellen Page in 'Whip It' which was recently released on video after having a successful release in the theatres. 'Whip It' is the story of a girl growing up in Bodeen, TX, and the whole big wild world of Texas' women's roller derby. The film was shot mostly in Texas!

Come see Landon Pigg perform his fabulous music at Grand Prairie's

Uptown Theater

April 10th at 8 pm

Tickets are only $11-$16

An Odd Couple Indeed!

We have a few different and exciting shows left to come and see at the Uptown in March. I would not pair them together like a fine red wine and chocolate, but there will be wine…and our infamous margaritas will return with a slew of south of the border beers.

First up, is the incomparable (and Grand Prairie natives) Tejas Brothers with Mingo Saldivar. Now, if it was just the Tejas brothers that would be an amazing show all on its own, BUT with the addition of Mingo Saldivar (added star and accordion power) this show will be on another level musically.

This Friday, March 19th @ 8 p.m. Get your tickets in advance and save $5 - $11 in advance and $16 at the door.

The Tejas Brother's stack up like this:

Dave Perez, accordion and vocals, was born and raised in Grand Prairie. He bought his first accordion in 1998 at the age of 22 and after six very dedicated weeks of practice, he began performing at a small Mexican restaurant just a few blocks from his home. Over the next eight years, Dave would form a vocal and playing style that allowed him to cover many different types of music. He began jamming with various musicians in the Fort Worth Stockyards, eventually putting his first band together, the Tejas Brothers.

On upright bass and vocals, John Garza began playing bass in the late 1980s and preferred his father’s love of early rock and roll music. Born in Irving, he was a member of Pat Boyack and the Prowlers, and he has played with Holland K. Smith, and the Kenny Traylor Band before joining the Tejas Brothers.

Danny Cochran, on drums and vocals, began playing drums for local Wichita Falls bands in the 1970s. In 1976, he briefly played with the Dave Mason band in California. Over the years, Danny has played with two of Texas’ most influential bands, Delbert McClinton and blues great Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets.

Lex Cochran, on guitar and vocals, was born in Houston and came from a musical family of eight. At age 12, he found a Fender Telecaster under the Christmas tree, plugged it in and immediately began playing “Smoke on the Water,” “Purple Haze” and “Heartbreaker.” Lex has spent much of his life working with various blues, country, rock and western swing bands, most recently with the Lonesome Losers before joining the Tejas Brothers.

Mingo Saldívar was born in 1936 in Marion, Texas, not far from San Antonio. He began playing professionally in 1959, but from early on he was influenced by "hillbilly," blues and other forms of American popular music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. His most important recording was Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," which Saldívar adapted both musically and linguistically to the conjunto style, demonstrating some of the possibilities for ethnic and stylistic cross-fertilization.

We will close out the month of March with a little madness of our own – the fabulously funny Grand Prairie Arts Council production of The Odd Couple – The Female Version. Rehearsals have been going great and it truly will be a comedic gem. This production will be unique in that it will be in the Studio theater presented in-the-round! Tickets are $11 - seating is limited to 100 people – don’t delay!

GIVE-A-WAY!!!

Family 4 Pack of Tickets to THE TEJAS BROTHERS with MINGO SALDIVAR!

The Uptown is hosting its first ever give-a-way...here's how to enter...

First become a follower (you do not have to have your own blog to do so) and second post a comment with your favorite thing to do during Spring Break! We will randomly draw on Wednesday for the Friday Night show! Last chance to enter is Wednesday at noon central.

Review: Scott brings fans and old favorites to Cla ... - Reviews - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports

Review: Scott brings fans and old favorites to Cla ... - Reviews - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports

March will be BUSY

Darrell Scott

We are so thrilled to have such a busy month in March! We'll be kicking it off with a show we've been waiting for with breathless anticipation - Jon Dee Graham, Darrell Scott, and Guy Forsyth - all hanging out on stage together swapping stories and songs.

Jon Dee Graham

If you like country, blues, Americana, rock and whatever it is that Jon Dee does - you are going to LOVE this show.
Guy Forsyth

We know we'll be reeling from that show for a very long time, but right behind it is the incomparable Tejas Brothers! David Perez is a Grand Prairie native who used to come to the Uptown to see Chuck Norris movies (ALERT: Great programming idea! Thanks, Dave!) and who worked in our very own Parks and Recreation Department. We are thrilled that he's bringing the Tejas Brothers to the Uptown along with their special guest the legendary Mingo Saldivar!

Mingo Saldivar

Don't miss this amazing show on Friday, March 19th at 8:00 p.m. We are so pumped for this one it'll sell out fast so make sure you get your tickets in advance. They are a bargain at only $11!

What's up next? Valentine's!

As we wrap up the run of Always, Patsy Cline we look ahead to next week. David Gaschen and Ann Sanders are flying in from the Phantom of the Opera tour and NYC, respectively. They'll be joining Matthew Lord and Jill Blalock Lord on stage in Best of Broadway: Love Songs.

What an awesome opportunity for our community - and really, the whole metroplex! Three of the four artists were here last year for the Andrew Lloyd Webber show and this year they'll be joined by Matthew Lord.

If you've been to any of the three 3 Redneck Tenor shows that we've presented at the Uptown then you know Matthew. Which one is he? I used to say he's the big one in the middle with the red headed mullet, but he has shrank down to non-redneck regular size. He's promised not to make any Bubba jokes or say "y'all" during this show. What he will do is blow your mind with his unbelievable talent.

Who is this handsome man?

It's David Gaschen. He is amazing. Really amazing. And not bad to look at either. I'm sure his wife and legion of female fans agree. He's currently on the Phantom tour and is breaking away to come to Grand Prairie 'for one night only.' He blew our audience away last year. I had a patron tell me this week that David had an unbelievable ability to just control the stage and the entire audience when he was singing. They can't wait for next Saturday night!

Hang on. Is that Jill Blalock Lord? Yes, yes it is.

Jill's spectacular resume is too long to list but highlights include stints with the San Francisco Opera and national tours. Other highlights include being the mother to two ridiculously talented young ladies and the wife of the formerly big fat redneck tenor. Jill and Matthew also co-founded Ohlook! an amazing performance school where students from throughout the metroplex learn how to become Triple Threats!

The aformentioned superstars will be joined on stage by a Disney princess. Seriously. Ann Sanders starred on Broadway as Belle. So, she really is a princess, and the nicest one we've ever met! Avenue Q is also on her resume as well as numerous other shows.

So, please join us on Saturday, February 13th at 8:00 p.m. for this unbelieveable performance. It'll take care of your Valentine's Day in one spectacular night that you simply won't forget.

Tickets are available at www.UptownTheaterGP.com or by calling 972-237-8786. See you at the theater!

Always, Patsy Cline

The Grand Prairie Arts Council's production of Always, Patsy Cline continues this weekend with performances running Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm.

Audiences are leaving the shows with big smiles on their faces; they love the show! In fact, I had a patron call today to let me know that when she got home after a performance last weekend she put on her Patsy Cline CDs and Patsy didn't sound half as good as Susan Metzger does. Wow! That's blasphemy in some circles, but great to hear about GPAC's show.

Ticket prices range from $21 to $11 with discounts for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Log on to www.UptownTheaterGP.com or call Abner at 972-237-8786 for tickets.

See you this weekend!