THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Through the Spotlight Series, Alpena Community College has offered distinctive cultural opportunities to the community for 14 years. The 2011-2012 season brings a combination of events providing music, inspiration, and education for all ages. 

To view the Spotlight Series 2011-2012 Season brochure, please use this link:  Spotlight Series 2011- 2012.pdf

Ray Kamalay

World Slavery and the Rise of American Music

Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

     Ray Kamalay has been a professional musician for nearly four decades and holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Detroit.  He has performed at such prestigious venues as the Edinburgh Festival, Interlochen and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In 1997, his work with Howard and Ralphe Armstrong was nominated for the W. C. Handy Award. 

     Kamalay contributes performances of various genres as he traces the development of slavery from ancient times to its links with American society in the early jazz age, putting American music in the perspective of world history.  Kamalay’s presentation will include freedom, ancient and modern slavery, the Haitian Revolution,  the origin of blackface, spirituals, blues, minstrel shows, ragtime and jazz - producing an evocative, educational, and entertaining combination of lecture and performance that is not be missed!

“Whispers of the North,” The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute

Friday, November 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

     Rainy day people, fans of Great Lakes lore and hearts who have lost a love are invited to gather for an evening of up-north folk music in a tribute to artist Gordon Lightfoot.  “Whispers of the North” band-members salute the Canadian balladeer and replicate a two-hour concert in Gordon Lightfoot’s style. 

     The five-piece band shares backgrounds in blues, jazz, rock-and-roll and sacred music and portrays the same roles and authentic instruments as Lightfoot’s backing musicians.  Lead guitarist Todd Golnick plays acoustic and electric melody lines; keyboard wizard George Krawczyk supplies orchestral sounds and piano; bassist John Riemer and drummer/percussionist Joe Kwiatkowski have charge of beat and special effects.  Guitarist Mike Fornes accompanies himself on rhythm six-string and 12-string guitars, authentic to models Lightfoot used on stage. 

     Prepare yourself for an acoustical trip from the Great Lakes to the Canadian Rockies through Lightfoot’s haunting melodies, folksongs, and tunes echoing the pains of lost loves. 

Tchaikovsky for Kids

Friday, December 9, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Matinee, Saturday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m.

     Continuing the success of our annual children’s performances, the Spotlight Series presents selections by one of our best-loved composers, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  This world-renowned Russian composer wrote symphonies, operas, ballets, and instrumental and chamber music, as well as songs.  To bring Tchaikovsky’s music to life, ACC dance instructor and choreographer, Christine Giordano, combines dancers with some of  the composer's well-known pieces from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and the holiday classic, The Nutcracker.  A reception to meet the cast  will be held at the conclusion of each performance. Please plan to bring the whole family to this special event!

Russell Miller with the ACC Jazz Band

Friday, April 12, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

     Saxophonist, flautist, composer and arranger Russ Miller is currently Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Wayne State University where his duties include teaching jazz improvisation, jazz lab bands and jazz arranging, and orchestration classes.  His 30-year professional music career includes performances with Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy DeFranco, J.C. Heard, Rob McConnell, Jon Faddis, Joe Williams, Milt Hinton, Rosemary Clooney and Sammy Davis Jr. among others. In addition, Russ has performed at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Michigan Jazz Festival, Music on the Plaza in Grosse Pointe and other venues. 

      ACC’s talented and versatile Jazz Band, performing under the expert direction of Bonnie Moore, is an annual favorite of Spotlight Series audiences.  Miller will conduct a day-long workshop with the band prior to being featured in this not-to-be-missed combined performance! 

All performances are in ACC’s Granum Theatre.

Tickets are available at the ACC Bookstore and at Nieman’s Family Market.

Prices:  Adult, $10; Youth, $7; Family, $30; Season Ticket, $40.

ACC students are admitted free with student ID card.