“The critics and audiences are raving about Women of the Blues so we decided to extend the run through the Memorial Day Weekend,” said Laura Connors Hull, Producing Director for Creative Cauldron.  Three performances have been added at 7:30 pm Friday through Sunday, May 25 to 27.  “But don’t wait to buy tickets because seating is limited in the cozy little blues club we’ve created,” continued Hull.

Helen Hayes Award Winner Carolyn Cole, Ashleigh King, Shayla Simmons and Tarina Szemo are "daring, talented women" who are wowing audiences in Creative Cauldron's "Women of the Blues." The show has been extended through Sunday, May 27 at ArtSpace, 410 S. Maple Avenue. PHOTO: Gary Mester

According to Amanda Hunter, DC Metro Theater Arts critic ”This cabaret style evening is sure to entice your senses with four sensational singers bringin you the songs made famous by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin and more.”

Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace is located at 410 S. Maple Avenue.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.creativecauldron.org or by calling 571-239-5288.  Free parking is available in the garages at 410 and 400 S. Maple Avenue.

The play is directed by seniors Bryan Ward and Rebecca Thackrey and produced by Theater Arts Director Pamela Ricker.  The Play is set in London’s industrial revolution of the late 1800’s, and tells the story of Joseph Merrick, known as The Elephant Man, who had a bone disorder which caused him to develop terrible deformities.  Merrick was a side show freak until he was rescued by Treves, a surgeon at the London Hospital.  The play examines issues of people’s fear of the unknown and prejudices based on appearance as well as our intolerance of perceived imperfections of all kinds.

The play is a serious drama and will be staged with creative lighting, projections, and short animations to create the settings and communicate the themes. Technical support will be by John Ballou and the George Mason Technical Theater Crew, as well as Mr. Ballou’s classes. Starring roles include Sean Driggers as The Elephant man, Samuel Blagg as Dr. Treves, Emma Pierce as Lady Gomm, Joseph Warren as Ross and Kikki Skotte as Mrs. Kendall.  The supporting ensemble brings the size of the cast up to 40 in all.

This is a very intellectual, symbolic, and challenging script and the George Mason cast is more than up to the challenge of bringing it to life. There should be striking and impressive technical elements to the show as well, which promise to make it a memorable piece of theater.

This Friday, May 4, begins the first of the season’s Art-A-Lot events – the outdoor venue for FIRSTfriday of Falls Church.  Outside in the parking lot at 111 Park Ave, there will be local art on display, a live music concert, and a gathering of classic cars.

Inside at Art and Frame of Falls Church, there will be a reception for Isabelle Babington’s exhibit entitled Blue Notes that she describes as “eclectic notes with a blue paintbrush following an idea, exploring new ways, keeping an open eye and an open mind in no particular order.”  Meet the artist at the opening reception from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Isabelle will give an artist talk at 7:10 pm.

Self-portrait of Isabelle Babington whose latest works will be on exhibit at Art and Frame of Falls Church. Meet the artist at the FIRSTfriday, May 4 reception from 6 to 8 pm.

Isabelle Babington has been drawing and painting since an early age, studying independently and exploring various mediums and influences throughout the years.  She was born and raised in France and has lived and exhibited in London, Montreal, San Diego, Atlanta, and Sarasota before moving to the Washington, DC area.  Her artwork has been printed on posters (Atlanta Jazz festival), greeting cards, CD covers, business, and non-profit logos. Since 2003, Isabelle’s paintings have been exhibited yearly in Washington and appear in a number of American and European private collections.

Describing her process, Isabelle says, “I fill notebooks with ideas, spontaneous impressions, sketches, and playful collages, and later they remind me of enjoyable moments, quiet places, inspirational experiences, and improbable quests.  When I begin painting, I rarely know where it will lead me. It often starts from these recorded images and instants, then the shapes and forms move around the canvas, breaking the symmetry, destabilizing the eye, until I discover a new “landscape” that tells a story.  I try to lead the eyes beyond what is shown.”

For more information about all the May FIRSTfriday art and music events around The Little City and the retail and restaurant specials, go to www.FIRSTfridayofFallsChurch.com

Women of the Blues previews Thursday, May 3 at Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue. The show runs Thursday through Sunday nights at 7:30 pm through May 20.   Opening Night is Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 Adults and $18 for Students and Seniors.  Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.creativecauldron.org or by calling 571-239-5288.

Carolyn Cole was seen most recently in Signature Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Hairspray. Last week, she received a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of the irrepressible teenager/ dance show wannabe Tracey Turnblad.  Carolyn has also appeared locally with the No Rules Theatre Company in The Stephen Schwartz Project (Soloist) and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy) and in touring  productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond, and Martha Speaks, (Martha). Her cabaret credits include Carolyn in the City and Monday Nights, New Voices, (at the Duplex) and An Evening with Carolyn Cole.  She has also lent her voice to recordings, television trailers, ball games and staged readings.

"Women of the Blues" opens Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 pm at Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Avenue.

Ashley King was seen most recently scene as Dynamite in Signature Theatre’s production of Hairspray. She also understudied and took over the role of MotorMouth in the show during the final week of the run. Ashleigh’s other Washington, DC area credits include the Kennedy Center; Brothers of the Knight, Pearl, Pepito’s Story, Dreams, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s The Nutcracker; Olney Theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor  Dreamcoat, Grease, Aida, White Christmas, Cats, Damn Yankees, 42nd Street, Peter Pan South Pacific, Witness for the Prosecution, and Chicago.

Shayla Simmons has appeared locally at Toby’s Dinner Theater as Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, Pinkett in Happy Days “New Musical”, Nehebka in Aida,  Stepmother in Into the Woods, Evillene in The Wiz, and in Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, and as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Tina Turner, in Beehive. For the latter, Maryland Theatre Guide praised Shayla Simmons stops the show with Natural Woman” a song made famous by Aretha Franklin.  Shayla is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.   In 2004, she received the regional NAACP ACT-SO award for Best Actress.

Tarina Szemzo is an indie soul recording artist from Washington, DC by way of Hungary, who has created her own sound, fusing a variety of musical flavors. She spent most of her childhood mixing it up between the urban R&B/Hip Hop community and the quiet, laid back Hungarian countryside.  Singing soul music finally became her passion, and she has performed at numerous DC venues including the Kennedy Center, the Old Post Office Pavilion, The Omni Shoreham Hotel and in a weekly gig at Stars.  Tarina has performed with The National Symphony Orchestra, and with Composer Marvin Hamlisch, and toured Europe with Indie musician Tibor Szemso. Tarina has had the privilege to work and record with such musical veterans as cellist Dave Eggar, guitarist Thad Debrock, pianist Daniel Minsteris, and cellist Colette Alexander.

Matt Conner has been a teaching artist with Creative Cauldron for the past 11 years. A versatile theater artist who is an accomplished composer, performer, and teacher, last fall Matt made his professional directorial debut at Creative Cauldron with a Helen Hayes Award Recommended production of Nevermore.  Nevermore, an original musical based on the writings and poems of Edgar Allan Poe, was first produced to critical acclaim at Signature Theatre in 2006.  In 2008, Matt was one of six composers to receive Signature’s American Musical Voices: The Next Generation award funded by the Shen Family Foundation.  Conner’s composition The Hollow, an adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opened Signature’s 2011-2012 season.

Nikki Graves Henderson and The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation are collaborating on the production, providing blues history and anecdotes about the famous divas and music featured in the show.  The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to raise awareness of the contributions of African-Americans and other cultures to the development of Falls Church, Fairfax County, the United States and African descendants in the diaspora, by disseminating information and providing community services.  In 2010, Creative Cauldron joined forces with THHF to create “Tinner Hill: Portraits in Black and White” an original work for the stage based on the stories of Falls Church’s early civil rights pioneers.

Creative Cauldron is a non-profit arts organization whose innovative programs in the performing and visual arts embody collaboration, experimentation and community engagement.  Creative Cauldron was founded by Producing Director Laura Connors Hull in 2002.  In June of 2009, Creative Cauldron acquired a permanent home at ArtSpace Falls Church, a 3,000 square foot flexible arts space that provides a venue for year-round classes, live performances of theater, music and dance and visual art exhibits.   Programs are presented in part through grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council of Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church.

Pianist extraordinaire Alex Hassan recreates the styles of the Golden Age of the Tin Pan Alley 20s and 30s, joined by sublime singers Doug Bowles and Karin Paludan for a concert of the “The Greatest Songs You’ve Never Heard.” It’s a show that’s been getting standing ovations at venues such as the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage “Jazz Club,” the Coolidge Auditorium (Library of Congress), and numerous private venues, since it debuted in late 2011. You’ll hear breathtaking melodies from stage and film, with clever lyrics, bounce rhythms, hot tempos. Songs are interspersed with amusing to jaw-dropping anecdotes about the songs and songwriters, with listeners left to wonder how these melodies didn’t become standards!

JackWagon performs regularly throughout the Washington DC area at clubs, parties, festivals, fundraisers and corporate events. JackWagon appeals to the over-35  crowd with an expansive repertoire that covers popular Rock, Soul, Motown, Blues, and R&B bands and artists from across 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. JackWagon consists of Gary Buzbee (Lead Vocals), Bruce Turner and Dave Walker (Guitars), Charlie Olsen (Bass), Jamie Walker (Drums) and John Butler and Marie Himel (Saxes).

Falls Church City Community Center, 223 Little Falls Street. Near the intersection of Route 7 and Lee Highway in Falls Church.

Friday, April 13….9 am-9 pm.  Saturday, April 14….9 am-4 pm.

Creative Cauldron has announced its Spring concert schedule featuring local and nationally known groups. Creative Cauldron is located at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue.  All concerts start at 7:30 pm.  Ticket prices range from $7 to $20, depending on concert. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.brownpapertickets.com For more information about the concerts, go to www.creativecauldron.org

Veteran songwriters and performers Ben Mason, Jeff Severson and Jeff Smith will perform on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 pm at Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace, 410 S. Maple Avenue. For more information go to www.creativecauldron.org

Saturday, April 14: Stories on Wood, Steele and Ivory

Accomplished Singer/Songwriters Ben Mason, Jeff Severson, and Jeff Smith team up for an evening filled with stories told through their music. Ben Mason, formerly with the “John Wells Delegation”, has performed at the Birchmere, Blues Alley, Cellar Door, and the Kennedy Center and was a musical guest on the Today Show. He wrote two nationally aired film scores for NBC TV and was the grand prize winner in the 10th Annual Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest. Songs from his CD’s are featured in the film “Recludere” on MSNBC and in Disney films.  Jeff Severson is a finger style guitarist, has released 8 CDs and was formerly a member of the 80′s pop band “4 out of 5 Doctors” and appeared as a guest soloist with the band America.  Jeff Smith recently released a solo album entitled “The Human Wilderness”.  Jeff recently signed with Heavy Hitters Music Group in LA and had his song “You” placed in an episode of the Young and the Restless.   http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215932

Friday, April 20: High School Band Night

Talented local high school bands perform  Indie, Blues, Rock, Alternative, Acoustic, and Jazz.  Bands performing are: Security Report (Classic Rock Covers), Lu and the Blues Crew, Elephant Pistol (Indie/Alternative), Simple Sounds (Acoustic Covers), JKL, (Piano/Vocals) and the George Mason High School Jazz Combo. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/235479

Saturday, Apr 21: JackWagon Dance and Fundraiser

This 7-piece Classic Rock, Soul and R&B Dance Band returns for another fun dance party benefit concert for Creative Cauldron! JackWagon performs regularly throughout the Washington DC area at clubs, parties, festivals, fundraisers and corporate events. JackWagon appeals to the over-35 crowd with an expansive repertoire that covers popular Rock, Soul, Motown, Blues, and R&B bands and artists from across 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. JackWagon consists of Gary Buzbee (Lead Vocals), Bruce Turner and Dave Walker (Guitars), Charlie Olsen (Bass), Jamie Walker (Drums) and John Butler and Marie Himel (Saxes).  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/227439 www.reverbnation.com/Jackwagondc
Saturday, April 28: Three for a Song: The Greatest Songs You Never Heard

Pianist extraordinaire Alex Hassan recreates the styles of the Golden Age of the Tin Pan Alley 20s and 30s, joined by sublime singers Doug Bowles and Karin Paludan for a concert of the “The Greatest Songs You’ve Never Heard.” It’s a show that’s been getting standing ovations at venues such as the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage “Jazz Club,” the Coolidge Auditorium (Library of Congress), and numerous private venues, since it debuted in late 2011. You’ll hear breathtaking melodies from stage and film, with clever lyrics, bounce rhythms, hot tempos. Songs are interspersed with amusing to jaw-dropping anecdotes about the songs and songwriters, with listeners left to wonder how these melodies didn’t become standards!http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/228307

Freegal Music is an online database that provides access to songs from Sony Music. The music files are Digital Rights Management-Free (DRM-Free) and do not expire. The files are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPods, iPads and other MP3-compatible devices.

Freegal Music contains over 500,000 songs from Sony Music artists spanning all genres, from Ke$ha to Bruce Springsteen to Dave Brubeck and more. New music is added to the collection daily.

To view, browse, and download music from Freegal, go to the Library’s homepage (www.fallschurchva.gov/library) and click on “Downloadable Collection” on the left menu.

Access to Freegal Music on the Library’s website has been made possible by the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation.

For more information, call the Mary Riley Styles Public Library at 703-248-5035.