The Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater is a non-profit organization that strives to enrich the lives
of Chippewa Valley residents through the cultural arts. As a non-profit, over half of our operating
budget comes from the generous donations from local businesses, individuals, and foundations.
Through these donations, we are able to offer a full performing arts season, year-round rotating
art exhibits, outreach programs to children, and an all-around fascinating cultural experience.

Mabel Tainter Upcoming Performances
Head East with special guest Fire N' Ice Saturday, July 5, 2008 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. $18 All Ages Presented by Log Jam Bar & Eatery, Bill's Distribuitng, HOG BARN, and 92.1"The Valley's Rock Station" Come Early & Stay Late for Bill’s Log Jam BBQ Tent and a Classic Rock 92.1 Live Broadcast beginning at Noon with Crush performing in the BBQ tent and a HOG BARN Customs motorcycle show! The legendary classic rock band Head East has been regaining it's popularity over the last several years, no doubt due to the resurgence of classic rock music and Head East's presence on the internet. This rise in popularity has resulted in the issuance of three CD's, Concert Classics Vol. 7 on Renaissance Records in 1999, Live On Stage on Universal/A&M in 2000, and 20th Century Masters - The Best of Head East - The Millennium Collection which was released by Universal/A&M on 25 September, 2001. A fourth release tentatively titled Flying By Night (import re-issue of Concert Classics Vol VII under a new name) was pulled from production by NMC Music of London England prior to any copies being issued. Head East has brought more than three decades of rock to their fans, a tradition that is destined to continue for many years. Roger Boyd, leader and keyboardist of Head East, has stated that Head East will continue to rock as long as he can lift his synthesizer over his head and play. And he looks forward to bringing Head East music to the fans for many years to come. Head East is currently consists of Roger Boyd (keyboards & vocals), Greg Manahan (bass, lead guitar & vocals), Glen Bridger (lead guitar & vocals), Eddy Jones (drums & vocals), and Darrin Walker (lead vocals & bass). The band's superb musicianship and versatility along with their strong vocal abilities, resulted in the reinstatement of some classic Head East songs to the set list along with some new covers of classic rock favorites, making for an exciting new live show. Head East currently performs about 30 to 40 shows each year, mainly in the Midwest and plains states, with shows occasionally in the west and other parts of the country. They put on a high-energy show that is true to their original sound. Their set list includes selections from the following list of songs: Take A Hand, When I Get Ready, Me And My Whiskey, City Of Gold/Fly By Night Lady, Love Me Tonight, Lovin' Me Along, Brother Jacob, It's For You, Raise A Little Hell, Jefftown Creek, Gettin' Lucky, Every Little Bit Of My Heart, Get Up & Enjoy Yourself, Elijah, Since You Been Gone, Wrong Time, Never Been Any Reason, and the traditional blues favorite, Stormy Monday. To learn more about Head East, visit: www.head-east.com
Downsville Historic Schoolhouse Benefit featuring Claudia Schmidt with special guests Take Two and Yata Wednesday, July 9, 2008 6:00 p.m. $30 per person Tickets are not available online, please call the Mabel Tainter Box Office at (715) 235-0001 to purchase tickets. Kathy Ruggles and John Thomas are restoring the historic turn of the century octagonal schoolhouse located in the Village of Downsville. The Thomas' have moved the historic schoolhouse to their property which is located next to the Creamery Restaurant in Downsville. The benefit is sponsored in part by Living Justice Press and Yako Tahnahga. Yako is a herbalist and traditional Mohawk/Anishinabe storyteller and teacher. Yako will be in residence at the schoolhouse after the restoration. Kathy said, "Many people in this area have a great appreciation for the history here so we hated to see it go down." Kathy was reluctant at first to buy the five thousand dollar school but soon grew fond of the building dating back to the late 1800's. “John found the school house and its all snowballed from there because its just such an amazing space nice big 32 ft across eight-sided space with these big old windows it just going to be a fabulous space." Kathy’s husband, John Thomas said, "We agreed maybe it would be a store but since that time it’s becoming something much bigger, it will be more of a school, a public building where people can come and share what they know." After restoring the schoolhouse, their intent is to use the building as a pottery showroom, a folk school and community meeting house and cultural center. "One of the most important things to John and I is to help create community more and more, its something that has sort of gone out of our society because everyone’s gotten too busy and we're hoping that this is something for Downsville to create more community and help people see each other more often." Kathy and John know several people who went to the school decades ago. They will be starting a log of all the students who spent their school days there. To help offset the costs of saving the schoolhouse, the Thomas' are hosting a benefit concert featuring singer/songwriter Claudia Schmidt. Joining Claudia will be the musical duo Take Two and singer/songwriter Yata. The benefit will include food and beverages provided by The Creamery Restaurant and a silent auction featuring original art work by Western Wisconsin artists and craft persons. To learn more about the schoolhouse and Dunn County Pottery, you can contact John Thomas at: Dunn County Pottery E4606 County Road C P.O. Box 94 Downsville, WI 54735
The Evertones with special guests Katey & Rod Bellville Sunday, July 20, 2008 4:00 p.m. $8 A; $6 S/S; $3 C "The Evertones play concerts full of original Blues, Americana, Country, Bluegrass (or any combination thereof) and can jam with anyone else on the bill and not miss a beat." As the house band for the world-renowned ‘Mike Williams Pickin’ Party’ in Nashville, TN, The Evertones served as backing band for John Ford Coley, Laurie McClain, Michael Petersen and 400 or so of the world’s greatest singer/songwriters over the course of 11 years. They did this with no rehearsal and no charts. Then, in 1998, something happened: singer/songwriter CJ Watson was featured at the pickin’ party. A lifelong student of guitar improvisation himself, Watson was invited, first to sit in, then to join the band. It wasn’t long before he found out that Evertones bandleader Jeff Gilkinson had, as a songwriter and recording artist, a resume bigger than many of the people they were backing up. Watson asked him: “Why don’t you do your own gigs?” Gilkinson responded: “I’ve always been a member of a band.” “But we HAVE a band” “Well, I don’t mind singing some, but I won’t be the front man.”“I will.” “Well, ok, then.” The Evertones have been a Nashville staple ever since, playing famous venues like the Wildhorse Saloon, Bluebird Café and Hobo Joe’s and house gigs at the French Quarter, Cocktails and the legendary Broken Spoke. Katey Bellville "My roots will always be planted in the midwest surrounded by grass that is blue - but through writing songs and traveling as much as possible during the last 8 years, I've developed an odd/fun variety of musical tastes. Music makes me happy." Rod Bellville Rod Bellville is multi-talented person who not only sings bluegrass, country & blues, but can play & build his own guitars, fix everything from a tractor to a rabbit with a broken leg, plant & care for a 100 acre garden, build his own African drums, bring a runt puppy back to life, rope and herd cattle, braid his daughters hair, cook scallops to steak, tap Maple trees to make fresh syrup, chop & gather his own firewood, and pretty much answer any question with an intelligent logical response. He reads, studies and questions everything - he is only interested in the honest truth about life/science/politics and reality... but he couldn't keep his house clean if you paid him..... nobodies perfect? To learn more about The Evertones, visit: www.myspace.com/evertones To learn more about Katey Bellville, visit: www.myspace.com/kateybellville To learn more about Rod Bellville, visit: www.myspace.com/rodbellville
Mabel Tainter & Menomonie Theater Guild Summer Theater Camp present "Willy Wonka Jr." Friday, July 25, 2008 7:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008 2:00 p.m. $8 A; $6 S/S; $3 C Brigham Young University Children’s Theater director Morgan Hagey returns to the Mabel Tainter for the third year of Summer Theater Camp. Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir will be presented on Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. “Willy Wonka Jr.” comes to life featuring 40 local children in this stage adaptation of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” which features the songs from the classic family film “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.” All of your favorite characters and songs (including “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination”) are featured in this show that overflows with music, comedy and heart.
Guitar Hero Tournament Saturday, August 9, 2008 2:00 p.m. $10 All Ages To register click here to access the registration form online: Guitar Hero Registration Face the ultimate Guitar Hero challenge on the main stage at the Mabel Tainter! Test your skill against the best players in the Chippewa Valley in front of a 20 ft. giant screen while being cheered on by friends and family in the audience! After you win the title and take home the GRAND PRIZE: $100 BEST BUY CARD you’ll be seated in the front row to rock the night away to Menomonie’s hottest rock n’ roll band! Guitar Hero Tournament Rules 1. The Mabel Tainter Theater will provide the game (Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock), one Playstation 2 console and one Wii console, four guitar controllers, a 52" television and an LCD Projector/TV. Players are welcome to bring their own guitar controllers (un-modified) to use for the tournament; however, they must be approved by staff before they are used in competition. 2. There will be up to two tournament brackets based on difficulty level and number of participants in each; levels will be Easy/Medium and Hard/Expert. The tournament will consist of single elimination rounds (lose once and you’re out) in Pro Face-Off Multiplayer Mode, with the exception of the championship round. The championship round will be decided by a best of 3 (first Player to win two) in all three Multiplayer Modes (one round of Face-Off, one round of Pro Face-Off, and one round Battle Mode). 3. The songs will be randomly chosen and may include bonus songs. There will be no practice rounds. Practice at home. 4. Because of where the “Pause” button is located on the guitar controller, it may be accidentally activated. In such an instance the opposing player (player who did not activate the pause menu) will have up to ten seconds to restart the game from the pause menu. Any player “Pausing” the game more than 2 times (accidentally or otherwise) in a match will forfeit that match and the rest of the tournament. 5. No hyperspeed 6. No cheating of any kind, (includes modified guitars) if you are caught cheating you will be eliminated from the tournament. 7. One entry per player (you can only enter one difficulty bracket), and no bracket jumping (signing up for a lower bracket skill level than you are actually capable). Bracket jumping will be decided at the discretion of Mabel Tainter Staff 8. Contest is limited to any player 13 years of age and above in accordance with ESRB rating system. If a player under the age of 13 would like to participate, an additional form must be signed, on site, by the player, the player’s guardian, and a staff member of the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. All participants must be registered by 1:00 p.m. the day of the competition to be considered eligible to compete. The point of this competition is to have FUN! Any participant or spectator causing problems or damage to equipment may be disqualified and asked to leave. Tournament Rules and Prizes are subject to change based on the number of participants, time constraints, and other conditions that Mabel Tainter staff deems revision-worthy. Participation in this competition is at your own risk; participation does not guarantee compensation of any kind (except prize-winners). Participants may be photographed during events with or without notice, credit, or compensation. Signature of tournament sign-up sheet signifies the players’ legal receipt, acknowledgement, and acceptance of the above rules. If you have any questions, please ask a Mabel Tainter staff member before signing.
Glenn Miller Orchestra Friday, August 22, 2008 8:00 p.m. $21 A; $19 S/S From a beautiful opening "Moonlight Serenade," they jumped into a fast-paced evening of jazz, swing, timeless classics and traditional big-band numbers. The World Famous, Glenn Miller Orchestra, is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Trombonist Larry O'Brien is the orchestra's present musical director. In an era of blaring brass, rinky-dink pianos, and throbbing drums, a young orchestra leader named Glenn Miller was seeking ways to keep his head above water, his band together, and a unique sound. He found sound and salvation by muting the brass, featuring the mellow sound of the trombone, and turning the lead over to the reeds. By creating the unmistakable "Glenn Miller' sound, he lifted himself and his orchestra to an exalted position among the finest groups of the Big Band Era. The career of Captain Glenn Miller ended in 1944 when his plane went down over the English Channel, but his musical heritage and memory lives on. Under the musical direction of Larry O'Brien, those same sounds will come alive and reverberated throughout the Mabel Tainter auditorium before a packed house of enthralled, enthusiastic music lovers. For many, the years will roll away to the tune of Moonlight Serenade, Perfidia, Jukebox Saturday Night, and Little Brown Jug among scads of other immortal favorites from the Glenn Miller Library. To learn more about The Glenn Miller Orchestra, visit: www.glennmillerorchestra.com
Zanzibar's BBQ & Jazz Festival featuring Erin Bode with special guests Take Five and The Charles Solberg Trio Sunday, August 24, 2008 Noon to 5:00 p.m. $21 All Ages (performance only) Vocalist Erin Bode (pronounced BOH-DEE) has a beautiful, crystal clear voice that is too exquisite to miss. She has consistently won over audiences with her sweet personality and sincere performances. Her distinctive repertoire and crossover appeal - evoking comparisons to Eva Cassidy and Norah Jones - have proven equally at home in grand venues or relaxed clubs. On her MAXJAZZ debut, Don't Take Your Time, Erin performed her personal take on tunes from the Great American Songbook, pop classics, and her first original song, "Don't Take Your Time." On her new album Over and Over, she adds more original songs and arrangements, further developing her own unique sensibility. The Erin Bode Group have performed nationwide at venues such as Blues Alley in Washington D.C., Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia, and at Sweet Rhythm in New York. They have also been in Europe twice, touring in Italy. They have also opened for legendary Supremes' singer, Mary Wilson; for Michael Buble at St. Louis' newest premiere venue The Pageant; with Macy Gray on the steps of the Gateway Arch; and for Jamie Cullum at the Sheldon Concert Hall. In late 2006, they traveled to South Africa to work with the Themba Girls' School Choir. Most recently, Erin performed with Garrison Keillor on A Prairie Home Companion at the Fabulous Fox. To learn more about Erin Bode, visit: www.erinbode.com

HOURS:

Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater
Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Box Office is open two hours prior to all theater performances.

Self-Guided Tours
Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
$1.00 suggested donation

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