Las Cruces Symphony and Pacific Arts Society Come to Spencer 7/29

More than 44 musicians with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra join a cast of professional singers and dancers from the United States and Europe in Shining A New Light on the Arts, an original blend of cutting-edge classical and contemporary performing arts. The two-act Pacific Arts Society production on Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. features an elaborate counterpoint of soaring classical vocals matched by lyrical and spirited dance.

Excellent seats are available for $39-$59. Call the Spencer Box Office at 575.336.4800 or visit www.spencertheater.com for tickets. A pre-show shrimp & chicken kebab buffet is also available ($20) in the lobby at 6 p.m.

Produced, conceived and directed in-part by dramatic mezzo-soprano Natalie Bancroft (Jackie Spencer's granddaughter) Shining A New Light on the Arts is a sculptural and striking blend of song and dance chock-full of imagination. Bancroft resides in France, but she is a familiar face to many Spencer patrons, having last performed a jazz program with the Italian pianist Raimondo Campisi in 2012, and classical arias with Santa Fe pianist Doug Montgomery in 2006.

She was born in California and began vocal studies at 10, and advanced to opera training when 16. Natalie began classical vocal studies with Pamela Bowden, then head of the London College of Music, in 1998, with additional studies under Gloria Davy in Geneva. In 2000 she began working with Campisi, and shared the joys of Jazz in concerts around Europe. She completed her professional studies at l'institut de Ribaupierre in Lausanne under Ioana Bentoiu and received her diploma in 2007 with honors for her interpretation of Mahler's Kindertotelieder.

Maestro Lonnie Klein leads the orchestra in Shining A New Light on the Arts in a lush program that includes works by Rimsky Korsakov, Dvorak, Bizet and Verdi, among others. The distinguished conductor first joined LCSO in 1999, taking it to new heights in concerts with Doc Severinsen, The Dukes of Dixieland, 5 Buy Design and The Temptations. He is also a frequent guest conductor with orchestras in Mexico, Canada, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Columbia and the United States. Klein led the LCSO at the Spencer in 2009.

Join Maestro Klein, vocalist Natalie Bancroft and her cast of eight classical dancers in Shining A New Light on the Arts, a work certain to refocus our stage lights!

Net up:

• Crystal Gayle Sunday, August 6 at 2 p.m. ($39 - $89). (The Saturday evening performance is sold-out). The Grammy and CMA award winner showcases her crystalline vocals in her classic hits: Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Cry Me A River, You, I Still Miss Someone, Don't Come Home a Drinking (With Lovin' on Your Mind) and more. Sponsored by Kay Bird, Sandy Erwin, Shirley Reed, Linda & Michael Stinson. Grilled Thin-Cut Pork Chops Buffet ($20) at 12 p.m.

• The Lettermen Saturday, August 12 at 8 p.m. ($39 - $79). These pop harmony sensations claim 9 gold albums and scores of top singles: "The Way You Look Tonight," "Theme From A Summer Place," "Put Your Head On My Shoulder," and more.

Sponsored in-part by Rainmakers Golf Community. Austin Blue Smoked Pork Loin Buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

• HERMAN'S HERMITS starring PETER NOONE Saturday, August 19 at 8 p.m. ($39 - $89) British '60's pop-rock sensations: I'm Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter, I'm Henry VIII. Sponsored in-part by Rosemary & Rolla Hinkle III. Angus Beef Green Chile Meatloaf Buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Thursday & Friday, August 24 & 25 at 8 p.m. ($39 - $79). Country & Bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, appears with his sizzling hot band Kentucky Thunder on mandolin, guitars, up-right bass, banjo, fiddles and beautifully blended vocals. Sponsored by the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation.

• The Everly Brothers Experience featuring The Zmed Brothers Saturday, September 2 at 8 p.m. ($39 & $69). Together with their band, the Zmed brothers bring a genuine and youthful Everly Brothers Experience with a night of intimate, pivotal tunes: All I Have To Do Is Dream, Till I Kissed you, Wake Up Little Susie, Bye Bye Love, and so many more. Sponsored in-part by Beth & Frank Sayner. Baked Red Bird Chicken Buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating & excellent artistry are the Spencer's celebrated features. The award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the stage. The venue presents a variety of Broadway, comedy, dance and music throughout the year. From its limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Public tours are offered at 10 a.m. every Tuesday & Thursday. www.spencertheater.com.

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