Barbershop in Colby on November 2nd

Wanted. Northwest Kansas men and women, boys and girls, to travel to Colby, Thursday, Nov. 2, to join in a night of barbershop singing. 

The Colby United Methodist Church, 950 S. Franklin, is the location of this special guest night from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Central. Sponsored by the Tumbleweed men’s Barbershop Chorus and the women’s Prairie Rose Harmony Chorus, members of both groups will be on hand to lead guests in the joys of signing harmony. Guest night means there is no obligation to join either sponsoring group.  Refreshments provided.

Thomas Annis, Oakley, is the music director for both groups. This is a special weekly rehearsal, not a show.  Plans are to have a large number of men from the Hays Chorus present in Colby, in addition to all present and many past Tumbleweed and PRH chorus members.

Eighty-five years ago, the founders of The Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) stumbled onto something quite profound: The joy and transformation that comes with four voices singing together. The BHS wants more people to have the opportunity to experience the joy of singing.

Alferd Packer Memorial String Band in Quinter

The Alferd Packer Memorial String Band is five multi-instrumentalists, dressed in old time costumes, singing and playing fiddles, banjo, guitars, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, accordion, bass, and creative percussion.

Based in Lawrence, Kansas, the band has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and in a documentary called “Overlooked” which aired on KTKA-TV. They were the focus of articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Readers’ Digest. Their music has been used in a national broadcast on NPR. Their infectious good humor and high energy leave no toe untapped. Last year the Band was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. Visit www.alferdpackerband.com. The band has produced three compact discs in their more than 25-year history.

Magician Joshua Lozoff presents "Life is Magic" in Colby

Joshua Lozoff has been studying and sharing magic around the world for more than 20 years. The magician will present “Life is Magic,” with amazing, mesmerizing and mind-boggling magic and mentalist magnificence. Sponsored by the Western Plains Arts Association, he will perform at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 22 at Colby Community College’s Cultural Arts Center.

“The most beautiful thing about magic is how it appeals to everyone,” he said. “Everyone has a few moments in time which transcend our ordinary reality; moments of awe, of astonishment, and just a flat-out fun time.”

Performances combine his love for the art of magic, with his fascination with psychology, the powers of observation, and influence. In one moment, he makes a drawing come to life just by pointing; in the next, he predicts an audience member’s choices even before she knows them herself.

To encourage families to attend, admission is just $10 adults, $5 students at the door, or by WPAA season ticket. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, with grants for Thomas and Logan counties, have provided major funding for this show.

Wichita Children's Theatre in Area Schools

Wichita Children’s Theatre will present “The Ugly Duckling” for the area elementary schools listed below. Sponsored by the Western Plains Arts Association in cooperation with each of the school districts, major funding has been provided by the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (GNWKCF) for Logan & Thomas Counties, Bird City, and the Dane G Hansen Foundation, Lenora.

Anyone outside the public elementary school system desiring to attend one of the free performances should contact the local school office staff ahead of time to make arrangements.

Monday, Oct. 16

9 a.m. CT Atwood Elementary School, 205 North 4th Street, 785-626-3217.                                                      1:30 p.m. CT St. Francis Elementary School, 307 N Webster, 785-332-8143.