Area groups host variety of concerts
Shucks Brothers heading to Central City
CENTRAL CITY — The Shucks Brothers, known for their "great harmony and some serious string tickling on bluegrass, country, and western swing favorites," are headed to Central City for a concert on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Hosted by the Merrick Arts Council, show time is 2 p.m. in the Central City Performing Arts Center, Edwin and Bernice Lock Theatre.
The Shucks Brothers are an accomplished and respected trio of musicians who bring a variety of musical genres to the audience. Performing with this experienced group are Steve Hanson on guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals; Dave Miller on mandolin, guitar and vocals; and Jim Pipher on bass and vocals. They perform throughout the state at a variety of functions and venues.
Tickets at the door will be $15 for adults (if not a Merrick Arts Council season ticket holder); students will be admitted free.
Nebraska Brass kicks off holiday season in Wood River
WOOD RIVER — The Nebraska Brass will kick off the holiday season with a concert set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.
Hosted by the Celebrate Wood River Performing Arts Series, the concert will be in the Wood River High School Performing Arts Center, 13800 W. Wood River Road.
The brass quintets will be performing a variety of music including classical, Dixieland and jazz. Given the holidays are right around the corner, half of this program will be Christmas music. Surrounding schools will be invited to a workshop/concert prior to the 2:30 performance.
The Nebraska Brass is comprised of musicians with a wealth of experience in both classical and commercial idioms. Members have performed with ensembles such as the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Lincolns Symphony Orchestra, Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Strategic Air Command Band (USAF) and Mannheim Steamroller.
In addition, members have toured and performed throughout the United States, Australia, Europe, South America, Japan and the Caribbean with numerous musical ensembles.
Founded in 1987, the Nebraska Brass is one of the Midwest's most popular brass quintets and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary season.
There is no admission charge, thanks to a gift from Donna Moyer; additional financial help comes from the Wood River Foundation, the Nebraska Arts Council, Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
Additional info and a brochure can be downloaded at www.woodriverne.com/town/celebrate-wood-river or call Vince Boudreau at 308-379-7612.
Concert association hosts piano virtuoso
Sheng Cai, a piano virtuoso with Canadian roots, will bring the Grand Island Senior High Steinway grand piano to life at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in the Grand Island Senior High auditorium.
The third concert of the Grand Island Concert Association's 2024-25 season showcases a master praised by critics on four continents.
Sheng Cai won the top prizes at a Montreal symphony competition) and Toronto Symphony's competition at 15 years old. Following his early success, he has performed more than 35 different piano concertos from Mozart to today's composers and appeared as a guest soloist with dozens of orchestras worldwide.
His solo performance have been at prestigious venues such as Steinway Hall in New York, Jordan Hall in Boston, Chicago's international Music Center, the Cleveland Play House, the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, CBC's Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, and in Stratford, Elora, Montreal, Kingston and Winnipeg in Canada.
Sheng Cai studied in Canada at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music and Juilliard School's pre-college division in New York. He holds a bachelor of music degree from Boston's New England Conservatory.
Admission to this concert and the four remaining events will be available at the door for $75. Single concert admission is $20. For more information, go to giconcerts.org or facebook.com/grandislandconcertassociation .
Get ready for some 'old-time country music'
The Melody Wranglers, a "talented and fun" group of musicians from Lincoln, will bring their classic country and western swing music to Grand Island for a concert on Sunday, Nov. 17.
Featuring Randy Barger (guitar and vocals) Pam Barger (keyboards and vocals), Jim Pipher (bass and vocals) and Dell Darling (drums), The Wranglers say "howdy" to legendary past artists such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Bob Wills and Merle Haggard.
Band members share decades of professional performing experience and their music has been enjoyed by audiences throughout the Midwest. Whether it is relaxed listening, toe-tapping or getting on the dance floor — if you like country music, The Wranglers got ya covered.
Tickets are $18 for adults, with students admitted free. For more information, call 308-850-3307.
