Valentine gala to feature jazz pianist Cincotti

9/13/2007

Pop/jazz pianist Peter Cincotti will headline the Valentine Theatre's gala, with a concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 29. Cincotti, 23, is a singer, composer, and arranger who will perform with his six-member band. He studied privately with Ellis Marsalis and has toured with Harry Connick, Jr. A reception begins at 7 p.m. There will be dinner and dancing after the concert. Tickets are $175 and benefit the theater. They can be purchased at the box office, 400 North Superior St. Information: 419-242-2787.

Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up is coming to the SeaGate Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. Curtain times will be 7 p.m. Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m. and 2 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets range from $11 to $24 from the box office, 419-321-5007, and Ticketmaster, 419-474-1333.

The second annual Fantasy Fest in the Rainforest will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Nairobi Events Pavilion at the Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway. The event, a fund-raising gala for Diabetes Youth Services, features gourmet grazing stations, a silent auction, entertainment, and a cash bar. Tickets are $65. Information: 419-351-2132.

The Country Concert Tour 2007 - Monroe, sponsored by the Mission of Hope Cancer Fund, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Monroe Moose Family Center. Featured will Bob Mullins, Richard Marks, David Schwartz, Joshua Ayers, Niki Leidner, Katilyn Yarger, Don Ferry, Moe Doyle, Robert Gillow, and Mike Barth. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets in advance are $15 for reserved seating, $10 for general seating; children 12 and younger are admitted free. At the door, general seating is $12. Information: 734-242-1431.

The Waterville Playshop will stage Disney's Beauty and the Beast Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 4-7 at Anthony Wayne High School, 5967 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse. Adult tickets are $15, student tickets are $12, and children's tickets are $10 from Lois Dietzer at 734-856-7107 or via e-mail at Dietzer@provide.net.

The playshop also is offering Tea with Belle & Friends at noon and 2 p.m. Sept. 23 in the Monclova Community Center, 8115 Monclova Rd. Patrons may enjoy cookies, punch, and tea while getting personal with Belle and other cast members from Beauty and the Beast. Seating may be reserved by sending a check for $5 per person (include your name and preferred seating time) by Sept. 23 to the Waterville Playshop, P.O. Box 75, Waterville, Ohio 43566.

The Taste of the Collingwood Arts Center is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 at 2413 Collingwood Blvd. The event includes live performances by the CAC performing artists, gallery exhibits by the CAC visual artists, a pipe organ mini-concert, silent auctions, catering by Bill Kolhoff, and a cash bar. Tickets are $30 for singles, $50 for couples. Information: 800-838-3006 or 419-244-2787.

Author Jeannette Walls will visit Siena Heights University Sept. 27 for a book signing and discussion of her memoir, The Glass Castle. The event is scheduled at 7 p.m. in Lumen Ecclesiae Chapel on the SHU campus in Adrian. It is free and open to the public. The Glass Castle, published in 2005, made the New York Times best seller list and is being made into a movie. Information: 517-264-7929.

Detroit's own Blues Brothers will entertain at the Placers Car Club Cruise-In for the Make-A-Wish Foundation from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, weather permitting, at The Landings, 6190 Summit St., in Point Place. Visitors may bring lawn chairs.

AUDITIONS

•Tryouts for Anne of Green Gables will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 and 23 at the Grand Rapids Town Hall Theatre. Auditioners should come prepared to sing a solo and read from the script. An accompanist will be available. Performances will be Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2. Information: 419-832-2787.

•Auditions for Fremont Community Theatre's suspense/thriller Wait Until Dark, by Frederick Knott, will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday in the theatre, 1551 Dickinson St., Fremont. The cast includes six males and two females (including one girl age 11-14). Perusal scripts are available at the theater and Birchard Public Library. The show will be presented Nov. 9-18. Information: 419-332-0775 or www.fremontcommunitytheatre.org.

•Auditions for the Toledo Repertoire Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol take place at 1 p.m. Sept. 29 for adults and 1 p.m. Sept. 30 for children at 16 10th St. The show will be presented Dec. 14-16 in the Stranahan Theater. Information: 419-243-9277.