Sun Valley Blog

Who knew that the hilarious Steve Martin, famous for movies like “The Jerk, and “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Father of the Bride” was also a Banjo virtuoso. I’m told he can really tear it up on a stage, with great classic folk stuff and plenty of rockin’ country to get you up on your feet. Martin has toured all over the country with his Bluegrass band, and promises to give us a show to remember on the stage at the river Run Plaza next Tuesday evening, August 3.

Come on out, bring the kids, and enjoy another perfect sunset on the grounds along the Wood River. Sun Valley will have snacks and a bar set up over by Pete Lanes again in case  the kids get hungry or you would like a cold drink.  

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile will open at 7pm. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, will perform at about 8:30. That’s a little late, so be sure to have sweatshirts for the kids and a jacket to stay warm out there. Tickets will be $45 for adults, with a discount for SV Center for the Arts members. It should be a great show, and we’ll all be there, too. Tickets available only through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

See you there

International Superstar Pianist Misha Dichter to highlight Labor Day Weekend at Sun Valley Resort.

Gala Concert to benefit Sun Valley Artist Series

Sun Valley Pavilion: Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 8pm. Gates open at 7pm.

Tickets are $47, $74, $93, $225 (Preferred Seating Package includes a $125 donation), and $475 (Premium Seating Package includes a $375 donation).

Tickets on sale at the Sun Valley Recreation Center Box Office (208) 622-2135 or (888) 622-2108. Online ticket sales at seats.sunvalley.com

Hotel & Concert ticket packages are available – call Reservations (800) 786-8259.

Misha Dichter bio

Renowned as one of the finest pianists of our generation, Misha Dichter burst onto the international concert scene at the age of twenty with a stunning victory in Moscow at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. Following his spectacular triumph in Russia, he has since appeared with virtually every major orchestra in the world, performing the works of Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert.

An active chamber musician, Mr. Dichter has also collaborated with most of Europe’s and North America’s finest string players, playing in top summer music festivals including Ravinia, Caramoor, Mostly Mozart, and the Aspen Music Festival. His music recordings for Philips, RCA, MusicMasters, and Koch Classics are masterpieces, inspiring Audiophile Audition to describe his work as ranking “ . . . among the best, and that means versions by Rubinstein, Serkin, and Arrau.” Don’t miss this Labor Day performance by one of the consummate international music artists of our time.

Sun Valley Artist Series
Sun Valley Artist Series is an Idaho nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion and encouragement of the art of classical Music. For more information about the Misha Dichter Gala Benefit Concert, please visit the Sun Valley Artist Series website at www.svwas.org

Don Felder

Don Felder, an evening at the Hotel California
A Concert to benefit the Danny Thompson Memorial Leukemia Fund

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member and former Eagles lead guitarist, Don Felder returns with his band to the Sun Valley Pavilion Wednesday, August 18. Tickets on Sale June 15. Online:  seats.sunvalley.com or call the Sun Valley Recreation Center box office at: 888-622-2108

Don Felder Bio:
World renowned musician Don Felder was one of the five members and former lead guitarist of the rock group the Eagles for 27 years. Credited with adding a rock and roll edge to their country sound, he wrote the music for their biggest hit, the multi Grammy award winning song “Hotel California”. With 14 Grammy nominations and 4 wins, his signature guitar work has become legendary on songs like “Hotel California”, “Life In The Fast Lane”, “One Of These Nights”, “New Kid In Town”, and the list goes on.  Don and the Eagles also hold the honor of having the first Platinum album certified by the RIAA. That album, The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, has reached over 26 million copies, becoming the best-selling album of the 20th century.

In the years the band was apart, Don wrote music for films and television including songs in Sluggers Wife by Neil Simon, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Heavy Metal, Secret Admirer, Nice Dreams, and Galaxy High. Having mastered instruments like keyboards, mandolin, pedal steel, and banjo, Don has performed and recorded with musicians that span the musical spectrum, from The Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, David Crosby & Graham Nash, David Foster, Boz Scaggs, Tom Petty, Warren Zevon, Steven Stills, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder to Elton John, Paul Simon, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand. He also hosted a television show for children called FTV, and continues his work with kids through various charities around the world.

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1998, Don is now writing and recording songs for an upcoming solo project and touring worldwide. He has most recently become a New York Times bestselling author with his autobiography “Heaven and Hell” about his life with the Eagles.

Join the fun at the 21st Annual Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree.  Music begins at 12:30pm on Wednesday, October 13 and wraps up with the Grande Finale at 5pm Sunday, October 17.  You’ll enjoy 5 straight days of music performed by over 200 musicians from all over the country.  Choose from 300 different shows!
-Free Community Concert, Oct. 12 at 7pm
-Afterglow Dinner, Oct 17 at 7pm
-Amateur Dance Competitions, Big Band Bash, Marching Band Salute, Jazz Worship Services, Pianorama and 40 other special events!

Special Sun Valley Resort lodging rates from $139 – $359 available by phone only: 800-786-8259

Visit www.sunvalleyjazz.com for full schedule and register for events.

The American Festival Chorus & Orchestra featuring special guest
Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter Peter Cetera to kick-off Fourth of July weekend at Sun Valley Resort

Sun Valley Pavilion. Friday, July 2 at 8pm. Gates open at 7pm
Tickets are $39, $79, $112 & $150 – On Sale Now at the Sun Valley Recreation
Center box office (208) 622-2135 / 888-622-2108 or online at: seats.sunvalley.com
Hotel & Concert ticket packages available- Sun Valley Resort Reservations 800-786-8259.

Celebrate July 4 weekend with outstanding performances of traditional patriotic tunes and some of Peter Cetera’s greatest hits.

The American Festival Chorus & Orchestra
The American Festival Chorus was founded in the summer of 2008. Dr. Craig Jessop was appointed as Artistic Director and Conductor, with Dr. Cory Evans as Associate Director. Jessop is also Professor of Music and Head of the Department of Music at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. These two appointments follow Dr. Jessop’s distinguished tenure as music director of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The American Festival Chorus has brought together 270 talented singers from a 50-mile radius, including many students from the Music Department at Utah State University and several local high school choral conductors.

The professional American Festival Orchestra is composed of USU music faculty, outstanding musicians in the community and the Northern Utah region and top select senior USU students, Jessop said. Principal strings are the Fry String Quartet, hailed in the New York Times as “a triumph of ensemble playing.” The Chorus consists of 260 singers who live within a 50-mile radius of Logan, Utah.

Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Peter Cetera
As the lead singer and bassist of Chicago, Cetera wrote some of the biggest hits of the rock and pop music era including “If You Leave Me Now,” “Baby, What a Big Surprise,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “Stay the Night,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry.” Of their 17 albums, three went platinum, nearly all of them went gold and their first four appeared on the best-seller list all at one time. At one point “If You Leave Me Now” was the #1 song in both the U.S. and Britain.
After a successful run with the group, mutual musical differences led to a parting of the ways. Cetera then realized a life-long ambition and launched his career as a solo artist. He won immense popularity and critical praise with his debut solo album, Solitude/Solitaire, which has the unmistakable sound and romantic intensity he has been polishing his entire career.
Cetera has just released his fourth album, One Clear Voice, and the first single, “Forever Tonight,” is skyrocketing up the charts. The single features Cetera with Crystal Bernard of NBC’s hit series “Wings.” Other highlights include pairings with country star Ronna Reeves and “The Lucky Ones,” which features the background vocals of his daughter Claire.
Don’t miss The American Festival Chorus & Orchestra with special guest, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Peter Cetera at the Sun Valley Pavilion Friday, July 2 at 8pm. Tickets on sale now at: seats.sunvalley.com

The Sun Valley Music Festival on Saturday, September 25, 2010 in the Sun Valley Pavilion will feature Paul Tillotson’s Love Trio and more to be announced.

Ticket prices and on sale date TBD.

Dr. Jayanthi Raman’s Shrishti – Creation will light up the Sun Valley Pavilion Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 8pm.
Presented with the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival September 17-19, 2010.

Tickets are $20, $27 & $37 on sale now at the Sun Valley Recreation Center box office (208) 622-2135 or online at: seats.sunvalley.com

Choreographer and artistic director Dr. Jayanthi Raman brings together a brilliant cast of musicians and dancers in the 2010 multimedia production ‘Shrishti- Creation’. Featuring Dr. Raman as the principal dancer and an illustrious ten- member troupe of dancers and accompanying live orchestra of musicians (vocal, percussion and violin) from India.
Designed for global audience, the production is choreographed to chants from ancient scriptures to contemporary music and rhythm of ancient percussions. The production is further enhanced by exquisite costuming, authentic jewelry, and elaborate lighting, adding visual dimension to the ballet. With original music score composed by renowned violin maestro and composer Ganesh Rajagopalan of Ganesh Kumaresh fame.

The 6th Annual Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival will be held in the Sun Valley Opera House September 17-19. Film Festival tickets available through the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival.

John Denver

Rediscover the joyous spirit of John Denver’s music on August 31.
Jim Salestrom and Friends, including special guests from John Denver’s Band: Bill Danoff, Denny Brooks, Jim Horn, Alan Deremo, Chris Nole & Pete Huttlinger, will perform a special tribute concert in the Sun Valley Pavilion Tuesday, August 31 at 8pm. Gates open at 7pm.
Tickets are $20, $27 & $40 on sale now online at: Seats.SunValley.com or at the Sun Valley Recreation Center box office (208) 622-2135.

Band members and John Denver songwriters weigh in to remember John Denver and his musical legacy. An evening with these musicians will recall special stories and inside humorous anecdotes… but the music will do most of the talking.

Jim Salestrom is an Emmy Award Winning songwriter, a gifted guitarist and a seasoned performer who has been writing and recording music since he was 13. His music crosses generational boundaries and is enjoyed by fans of all ages. During a career spanning the last 35 years, Jim has recorded and performed with such stellar artists as John Denver, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

Brian Regan will perform in the Sun Valley Pavilion, Friday, July 16, 2010 at 8:30pm
Tickets are $35, $45 & $55 On Sale Now at seats.sunvalley.com or call Sun Valley Recreation Center box office toll-free: 888-622-2108!

Critics and peers agree, Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations.
Brian’s non-stop theater tour has visited more than 80 cities each year since 2005 and continues into 2010. It is the quality of his material, relatable to a wide audience and revered by his peers, which continues to grow Brian’s fan base.

For more information about Brian Regan, please visit his website at www.brianregan.com

The Sun Valley Center for the Arts Presents:
Sir Salman Rushdie
Friday September 10, 2010 at 7pm (rescheduled from original February 11, 2010 date)
Sun Valley Pavilion
$30 / $40 nonmembers

Raised in India and Pakistan and educated in England, Sir Salman Rushdie is one of the most celebrated and controversial authors and critics of our time. His novel The Satanic Verses provoked a fatwa (religious edict) by Ayatollah Khomeini calling for his death, as a result of which he spent nearly a decade “underground,” seldom appearing in public. A leading proponent for free speech, Rushdie was knighted by the British government in 2007.

Tickets are ONLY available through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

Lecture Sponsors:
Martine and Dan Drackett, Wodecroft
Foundation & Judith and Richard Smooke