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Keyboard artist Sidi in concert March 23

DOWNEY-Downey keyboard artist and composer Sebastian Sidi brings his unique sound to the Downey Theater in a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23.

Over the past two years Sidi has sold thousands of records without the help of a major record label. He has composed, arranged and produced 1999's "Prelude," 2000's "Electrified," and will release a new album, "Passion" on the same day, March 23.

Sidi, a Downey resident and a graduate of Downey High School, has received help from local businesses who have joined hands to sponsor his concert. These include Century 21 My Real Estate, Downey Escrow, Circle C Printing, Capizzi Insurance, Quick Auto Service, Tri-Source Productions, Dr. Daniel Garcia, Pickles the Clown, D'Aversa Hair Salon, Code One Medical Supply, Jewelart, and the On Stage Dance Center.

The talented dancers of the On Stage Dance Center will participate in the concert along with Sidi and his band.

Tickets for the night of music are $10, and are available at any of the listed sponsors, and through the Downey Chamber of Commerce at 11131 Brookshire Ave. For information, call Sidi's Music Hotline at 544-7774 or E-mail SidiMusic@aol.com.


DCLO's production

'Brigadoon' has vocal charm and much more

By John Adams

DOWNEY-Now comes "Brigadoon" with all the delight of blue heather and Scottish glen, and with a new charming presence and incredibly lovely voice of new star Jill Van Velzer who we will surely hear again.

Van Velzer steals this show as Fiona, courtesy of Actors Equity Association, Executive Producer Marsha Moode and Director Jon Engstrom who were wise enough to cast her in this Lerner and Loewe Broadway classic.

She truly blossoms

She truly blossoms under musical conductor Nick DeGregorio, and is ably supported by the whole cast of this musical of the myth of an ephemeral Scottish town that appears only to those who believe in it.

Brent Schindele does an admirable job as Tommy, and Evan Knapp as Harry. But this is truly Van Velzer's vocal vehicle, as she demonstrates with each new song. And there are plenty of memorable ditties to savor, including "Almost Like Being in Love," "The Heather on the Hill," and "Waitin' for my Dearie."

Lerner and Loewe

This music and stage masterpiece opened on Broadway in 1947, introducing Lerner and Loewe to the New York and national audience to which they would later deliver "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot."

"Brigadoon" played 581 performances on Broadway and captured the fancy of New Yorkers whose closest contact with Scotland was an atlas. Lerner and Loewe were most of all storytellers, as the world audience learned later through Eliza and Guenevere.

The stars are amply supported by talents including Robert Pius, Brian Maples, Tamara Giffin, Courtney Burfeind, Bruce Foster, Howard Patterson, Ken Salzman, Mark Swangel, Ray Akin, Tom Rupcic, Shannon Livingston, Steven Magnusson, Brian Schnars, Thomas Allan and Joanna Tsang.

And the company of dancers keep the stage ringing with their footsteps as fling and reel keep the audience agog.

This Downey Civic Light Opera production is proof that a good musical score and story, combined with a truly lovely voice, can't be denied.

Brigadoon plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through March 3. For tickets call 923-1714.






End Entertainment