Lots of Great Stuff at Dante Hall

In most cases, the term drumming up business is used as a metaphor, but for the local percussionist Michael Hoebler, it’s the real thing. Hoebler is composing, directing and performing in Rhythm Kitchen, a new, percussion based show which showcases him on a variety of musical instruments, including drum set, African hand drums, vibraphone, piano and pots and pans. The show will premier at Dante Hall Theater of the Arts in Atlantic City on June 21st and 22nd.

“The show is sort of an auto-biography, except I am using mainly percussion to tell the story.” says Hoebler. The show will feature instruments found in any home or garage in addition to traditional instruments.

The big twist will be the ending, says Hoebler, “Everybody in the audience will be playing some instrument by the end of the show. The entire audience will become members of the percussion ensemble.” While Rhythm Kitchen will have some similarities to other percussion based shows running off Broadway or touring, Hoebler believes the audience participation will set his show apart. “There was a show that had a short run in New York. It used djembes (an African drum) and the audience would play with the cast. It was a very good show, but some people were intimidated by it, I think. Not everyone knows how to play a djembe, but who hasn’t hit a kitchen skillet with a wooden spoon on New Year’s Eve?”

The lifelong musician is the featured artist for the International House of Blues Foundation in Atlantic City and owner of his own company, LifeDrums. Both organizations conduct percussion workshops for communities, schools or corporations. The thought of hundreds of people being encouraged to clang and bang on pots and pans should make one want to run for the nearest ear plugs. “My workshops almost always end with everyone performing, and I’ve done some with more than 250 non-drummers, so I know what I’m getting into…I hope” he adds with a grin.

RHYTHM KITCHEN premiers Friday, June 20th and Saturday 21st at Dante Hall Theater of the Arts in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Show begins at 8:00pm. Tickets are $20.00. Free Parking.

Experience the thrill and drama of opera as The Doug Murdock Meistersingers present an evening of operatic favorites at Dante Hall.

The Friday, June 27th concert will feature arias, ensemble and grand opera choruses from: La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Faust, Carmen, and more.

The Meistersingers are comprised of select singers from the entire South Jersey area and have presented concerts ranging from choral/vocal jazz, Haydn's Mass in Time of War, Inspirational works, and seasonal Madrigal music all to critical acclaim. Paul Somers wrote in Classical New Jersey Society: "The ensemble lived up to its name. Twenty-seven singers sounded like one hundred, in fact had more sheer power than some choruses with ninety voices . . . this was the finest group of in house soloists that I've heard to date and in a state with at least four other fine choral groups which use choristers as the soloists. The choral sound was firm, always secure; with super-clear diction . . . Murdock enforced dynamics and other expressive nuances, providing exquisite pianissimos and powerful fortissimos . . . it left one elevated in spirit, even more so because of the great Alan demonstrated by the Meistersingers themselves in delivering every piece from Haydn to Jacques Brel. Pinky Kravitz from Atlantic City Weekly said: "The magnificent Meisterchorus performed the madrigal concert and was one of the best choirs I have heard in many years."

This operatic gala will be the Meistersinger's debut at the Dante Hall Theater of the Arts in Atlantic City. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM with a reception following the performance.

Dante Hall Theater of the Arts is an intimate performing arts center that is committed to producing diverse and vital artistic and educational programs for audiences in Atlantic City and the surrounding region. Dante Hall Theater of the Arts is located adjacent to St. Michael’s Church in the heart of Atlantic City’s “Ducktown” neighborhood at 14 North Mississippi Avenue (between Arctic and Atlantic Avenues). For more information visit www.dantehall.org.

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Author: Press Release--Dante Hall Theater of the Arts