Concerts

National Anthem tryouts for Corbin Bleu concert (08/27/08)
Friday, Sept. 12, National Anthem tryouts for area high school students will be held in the 4-H Auditorium during the Clay County Fair. The winner of the competition will perform the National Anthem before the Corbin Bleu and Drew Seeley concert on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m...

Area's Pettits are 'Hall of Fame' singers (08/20/08)
The children of Claude and Marie Pettit of Emmetsburg have been referred to as "The Pettit Family," "The Kids Next Door," "The Singing Pettits," and "The Petites" over the past 50 years. While all seven sang at one time or another, the five primary singing siblings will be recognized for their state and national successes next weekend in Arnolds Park as they're inducted into the 2008 class of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame...

The exit interviews: 'Star' finalists talk reality after the reality show (08/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The course of their careers will go in different directions, but "Nashville Star" finalists Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer faced the same question after confetti was swept from the floor of the Acuff Theater on Monday night:...

'Nashville Star' Concert Tour coming to Spencer (08/06/08)
The Clay County Regional Events Center has been selected as a stop for the 2008 "Nashville Star" Concert Tour, the show announced on its telecast Monday night. The NBC country music competition series will bring its final four contestants to the all-seasons building on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer for an 8 p.m. concert on Saturday, Nov. 22. Doors open an hour before the show...

Mayer falls short of 'Nashville Star' crown (08/05/08)
Melissa Lawson, a big-voiced, 31-year-old mother of five boys from Arlington, Texas, was named the season six winner of "Nashville Star," an NBC country music competition series. The hour-long season finale included Shawn Mayer, a 21-year-old from May City in rural Osceola County, Iowa, and Gabe Garcia, a show-described 28-year-old Tex-Mex cowboy from Lytle, Texas...

Extreme Am celebrates five years (07/31/08)
The Extreme Am will celebrate five years this year when regional skateboarders converge on Spencer's East Leach Park Skate Park to test their skills in four different competitions for trophies and prizes on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17. For five years, elementary through adult age skateboarders have been competing in the street run, big air, vert and best tricks events in northwest Iowa's premier skate park...

Mayer reaches 'Nashville Star' finale (07/30/08)
It's up to the voters one last time. Shawn Mayer, a 21-year-old from May City, avoided the elimination as "Nashville Star" named its three finalists in the NBC country music competition series. Mayer led off the show and is joined in the Aug. 4 finale by Gabe Garcia a 28-year-old "Tex-Mex cowboy" from Lytle, Texas, who has overcome the loss of his father and wowed the judges with his smooth voice and authentically country sound. ...

NORTHWEST IOWA STAR (07/28/08)
Mayer celebrates spot in 'Nashville Star's' final four with a few friends For May City native, Shawn Mayer, making the final four of NBC's "Nashville Star" guaranteed her the opportunity to perform an original song on national television and a chance to celebrate with over 3,000 of her closest friends with a concert on the streets of her hometown. ...

Mayer on fire (07/25/08)
Accompanied by a NBC Nashville Star production crew, Shawn Mayer returned to May City Wednesday night where she performed a free concert before packed streets of fans as storm clouds rolled overhead. Mayer, who recently made it into the top four of the nationally televised country music performing contest, rode in on a Harley Davidson and was greeted by approximately 3,000 fans. ...

New grandstand stage arrives in pieces (07/24/08)
Early delivery for Mr. Phil Hurst and the Clay County Fair. With original projections calling for the delivery of the Clay County Fair's new performance stage for the grandstand in August, Bob Maurer delivered a bit early. A large group of fair board members, the Spencer Ambassadors and others were on hand to watch the arrival of the state-of-the-art stage, designed to allow more personal and dynamic interaction between the Grandstand acts and audiences in the stands...

'Nashville Star' finalist finds fans waiting at home (07/24/08)
"I wanted to go to my house and sleep in my bed," Shawn Mayer admits. But the 21-year-old "Nashville Star" finalist also knows her return to northwest Iowa isn't about that. It isn't about the house she grew up in or catching up on old times with her sister. The schedule doesn't allow her to indulge such nostalgia...

Finalist in Spencer Wednesday: Shawn Mayer reaches 'Nashville Star' final four (07/23/08)

Mainstreet Market 08: Zach to open outdoor season Thursday (07/22/08)
Singer/songwriter Zach will perform at Mainstreet Market from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, July 24 in front of the Clay County courthouse, kicking off the 2008 Mainstreet Market season. In case of rain, the concert will take place at Arts on Grand. Now in its second year at the courthouse square, Mainstreet Market is a weekly mini-festival featuring live entertainment, food, and a variety of goods available for purchase. ...

Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band to present show in Spirit Lake (07/09/08)
Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band (formerly known as the State Fair Singers and Jazz Band), an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, is pleased to announce their upcoming performance in Spirit Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts...

Briefs 06-21 (06/21/08)
Farmer's Market Wednesdays and Saturdays The Spencer Area Farmer's Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. Mercy Me to headline northwest Iowa's RiseFest...

Rock the Roof concert season to begin June 12 in Arnolds Park (06/05/08)
A salute to volunteers opens the 2008 Rock the Roof concert season in Arnolds Park on Thursday, June 12. For 10 consecutive Thursday nights, free concerts will be presented in the Roof Garden from 6-8:30 p.m. This family entertainment highlight of the summer is a gift from the Iowa RockNRoll Music Museum and its supporters to the public...

Gabrielle Louise Trio to appear in Spencer (06/04/08)
The Gabrielle Louise Trio, a Colorado-based Americana band featuring award-winning songstress Gabrielle Louise, will close the season's Spencer House Concert Series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15. The concert will take place at the home of Martin Arthur, 323 E. Fourth St., Spencer...

Grandstand acts have room to roam (05/24/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Sure, the performers are going to draw the focus most nights at the 2008 Clay County Fair. But the stage under their feet is worth some attention, too. It's new, it's bigger and it will bring the fair's favorite acts closer to the seats than they've ever been...

Arthur named director at Arts on Grand (05/20/08)
The Spencer Area Arts Council announced the selection of Martin Arthur as the executive director of Arts on Grand in Spencer. Martin has had a long association with Arts on Grand, serving on the board of directors since 2003. He has also been associated with many arts-related organizations. He is currently a board member of SPACE, ArtsLIVE, and Friends of the Auditorium...

Two 'High School Musical' stars to perform at Clay County Fair (05/17/08)
Corbin Bleu a star of Disney's High School Musical and High School Musical 2 and Drew Seeley, who co-starred with Bleu in the High School Musical: The Concert, will be appearing at the Clay County Fair, Sept. 13 -- the final Saturday night of the fair...

Gates at Arnolds Park open this weekend (05/15/08)
The gates of Arnolds Park Amusement Park will open at 11 a.m. this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18 for the season. Enjoy the ups and downs of the famous Northwest Bank Legend roller coaster and the spectacular view from the Bank Midwest Ferris Wheel. New bumper cars are one of the many new features of the park, while the new addition of double go-karts complete the go-cart renovations at Arnolds Park Raceway...

Three Dog Night coming to Wild Rose (05/15/08)
Wild Rose Casino and Resort announced recently that Three Dog Night will perform at Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Emmetsburg, on June 20. This is an outdoor event, the gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will start at 8 p.m. The Palo Alto County Cattleman will be grilling steak sandwiches and beef burgers through the event...

Briefs 5-10-09 (05/12/08)
Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. ...

Arnolds Park preps for 2008 opening (05/10/08)
By Anitra Wolf Special to the Daily Reporter Several new sets of wheels are propelling the Arnolds Park Amusement Park into its 2008 season. With new double go-carts and "new" bumper cars drawing patrons to the attraction, Marketing Director Jeanne Sieh says the park is set for a great year...

Spencer instrumental music department completes three days of performances (05/09/08)
Students of the Spencer Community Schools Instrumental Music Department recently completed three days of performances and contests, which they capped off with Division I ratings. The series of concerts, tours and contests involved over 300 band students ranging grades from five through 12...

Spencer Concert Association announces its biggest season ever (05/08/08)
The 2008--09 Spencer Area Concert Association season will be the biggest ever, with eight concerts scheduled. The season brochure is being mailed out, and will also be available at several locations around town, including Arts on Grand. The season will open on Sept. ...

Briefs 5-8-08 (05/08/08)
The Spencer Area Concert Association will present "Simply Sinatra" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Free transportation is available for both the concert and the pre-performance dinner for Spencer members who need it thanks to the Regional Transit Authority (Rides) and Spencer Municipal Utilities...

Musical creativity in action (05/07/08)
Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey wrapped up their three-day stay in Spencer Tuesday night with a family concert at the old Spencer Middle School Auditorium. The musical collaboration entertained the audience with traditional, as well as homemade musical instruments. ...

Briefs 5-7-08 (05/07/08)
All area women are invited to the "Jee-purse it's Spring" Prayer Connection beginning at 11 a.m. at Santee Crossing in Jackson, Minn., today. It's a time of sharing, and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. We know everyone is not comfortable praying out loud so bring your concerns, someone will pray for you and you will feel spiritually stronger as you continue your week...

Briefs 4-29 (04/29/08)
Ladies Early Bird Golf sign up The Ladies Early Bird Golf League sign-up meeting will be at 9 a.m. today at Spencer Municipal Golf Course. n If unable to attend this meeting, call Bev Kimball at 262-6913 to reserve your team spot. New members and substitutes are needed. League play will begin at 8:30 a.m. May 13...

Briefs 4-23 (04/23/08)
Photographers exhibit at Lakes Art Center Members of the Northwest Iowa Professional Photographers Association will have an exhibit in the Pearson Lakes Art Center Secondary Space thru May 22. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6-7 p.m...

SMS spring vocal concert tonight (04/22/08)
Spencer's seventh and eighth grade choirs will present a spring vocal concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the old Spencer Middle School auditorium. Seventh grade soloists will include: Heaven French, Taylor Glover, Courtney Heikens, Deb Hoffman, Laura Thiesse, Natalie Thiesse, Daly Tighe and Hanna Zinn. ...

2007 Citizen of the Year Nomination Letters (04/03/08)
NOMINATION: TOM & WENDY VAN TASSEL This may be somewhat overdue, and I know it will not come close to including all they are involved in and what they have done for Spencer, but I will give it a try anyway. This nomination is actually for two of Spencer's finest and most deserving couple. ...

Hearing date set in Castillo-Alvarez case (04/03/08)
District Court Judge Don Courtney has set the hearing date for a former Estherville restaurant owner who was convicted for his role in the disappearance and death of an area teenager. Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez's attorney, Mike Williams, filed a motion on March 7 asking Courtney to vacate guilty verdicts on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony. Castillo-Alvarez wants a new trial...

Elliott receives warm sendoff (04/01/08)
Host Martin Arthur claimed that Saturday night's CD release for local, award-winning singer/songwriter Chad Elliott was the most attended house concert in the brief history of the series. The audience sat in chairs, stood in corners and viewed from Arthur's stairway as Elliott debuted several new songs from, "Swiftsure," a home-produced album with 10 original songs. ...

Keep the Dream Alive at Arts on Grand (03/19/08)
-Fund-raising blitz launches March 20- Arts on Grand is calling on the community to help with a fund-raising blitz dubbed "Keep the Dream Alive." A recent budget meeting of the Spencer Area Arts Council, which finds its home at Arts on Grand, brought to attention the need for operational funds for the art gallery...