Jazz Society plans a pair of tributes

2/9/2006

Two Toledo natives will be honored at separate events as the Toledo Jazz Society pays tribute to Art Tatum and Charlie Chazz Mewhort.

Mewhort, a drummer who died in California in December, was extensively involved in the TJS as part of its touring education program and host of a weekly radio show. A memorial ceremony will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Toledo-Lucas County Library, 325 North Michigan St. Following the ceremony, Murphy s Place, 151 Water St., will host a musicians memorial to Chazz from 5 to 9 p.m. The public is welcome to attend both events and bring memorabilia to display, and area musicians are invited to perform in his memory.

Each February, TJS and the University of Toledo department of music honor the contributions of Tatum to the jazz world by presenting the Art Tatum Scholarship Concert. To mark the 15th annual concert, two pianists will be featured at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 in Doermann Theatre at UT. Barry Harris, a Detroit native, described as the keeper of the bebop flame, and Hod O Brien, who grew up in New England and burst onto the New York jazz scene in the 1950s, will perform. The scholarship is awarded annually to African-American UT music students. Tickets for the concert are $10 for students and seniors, $15 for TJS members, $20 general admission, and $50 for patrons, and will be available at the door.

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Nine Inch Nails will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Toledo Sports Arena, 1 Main St. Tickets are $39.50 from the box office, 419-698-4545, and Ticketmaster, 419-474-1333.

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Tango of the Soul & Night of the Gypsy, featuring professional dancers and gypsy violin and classical guitar music, is scheduled at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Commons of the Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center of Lourdes College, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. Bistro seating, complimentary snacks, and a cash bar are available. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors. Information: 419-824-3999.

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A movie double feature begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. Funds from An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle will benefit the Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Ohio, northern region. Tickets are $25 a couple and $15 a person from 419-874-1335 or at the door. Donations of nonperishable food items for the LSS Emergency Food Pantry will be accepted at the door.

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Mornings at Seven, a comedy by Paul Osborn, opens Feb. 24 and runs through March 12 in the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors. Information: 419-243-9277.

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The Black Swamp Players present the musical Anything Goes Feb. 17-26 in the First United Methodist Church, 1506 East Wooster St., Bowling Green. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and may be purchased at the Grounds for Thought coffee shop on South Main Street. Information: 419-354-3266.

AUDITIONS

• The Rep will hold auditions for Meshuggah-Nuns! by Dan Goggins at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at 16 Tenth St. An accompanist will be provided; auditioners should prepare an upbeat song. Show dates are April 21 through May 7. Information: 419-243-9277.

• Auditions for the Noel Coward comedy Blithe Spirit will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 and 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Croswell Opera House, 129 East Maumee St., Adrian. The cast requires five women and two men who must be able to do an English accent. The show is scheduled April 14-23. Information: 517-263-6868.