Mount Dora Music Festival

February 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Nancy Howell, Executive Director (352) 383-2627

THE MOUNT DORA MUSIC FESTIVAL
PRESENTS 'A TRIBUTE TO '60s' FEATURING
NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS AND 15 FREE PROGRAMS

MOUNT DORA: To celebrate its 13th season, the Mount Dora Music Festival (MDMF), February 18-21, 2010 presents an ambitious performance calendar with something for everyone. 'A Tribute to the '60s', showcases two of the most famous names of the era, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary. The Shindigs!, one of South Florida's premier rock 'n roll tribute bands, will lead a cavalcade of rockers performing on the lawn of the Lakeside Inn. As a gift to the community, the fun four-day event features nine free concerts, six free programs, and only four ticketed showcase performances.

Making their Mount Dora debut, Gary Lewis and the Playboys headline Saturday's Showcase Concert at 7:30 pm. Considered to be one of the most popular pop/rock bands of the mid-1960's, the award-winning group sold more than 45 million records worldwide. The five-piece band led by Gary Lewis, son of comedian/actor Jerry Lewis, performs their hits This Diamond Ring, Count Me In, Save Your Heart For Me, Everybody Loves A Clown, She's Just My Style, Sure Gonna Miss Her, and Green Grass. General admission tickets are $35 advance, $40 at the gate, and $75 VIP, which includes a reserved seat and after concert meet and greet.

Folk music fans are in for a special treat when Noel Paul Stookey, the middleman of the '60s legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, steps to the stage to headline Thursday's Showcase Concert at 7:30 pm. The notable singer-songwriter who recorded over 45 albums will sing the classic Wedding Song (There is Love) and In These Times, along with some of the trio's greatest hits including Puff (The Magic Dragon), Don't Think Twice It's All Right, Blowin' in the Wind, and Where Have All The Flowers Gone. Tickets are $35 advance, $40 at the gate, and $75 VIP, which includes a reserved seat and after concert meet and greet.

One of South Florida's premier rock 'n roll tribute bands, The Shindigs! headline Friday's Showcase Concert at 7:30 pm. Performing an amazing selection of '50s, '60s, and '70s, feel-good sounds, the versatile band pays tribute to the Beach Boys, Bee Gees, and Beatles. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the gate and $55 VIP, which includes a reserved seat and after concert meet and greet.

The Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, Lake County's resident professional orchestra presents 'Heartland America', a concert featuring pianist Guy Saint-Clair at St. Patrick Catholic Church (Thursday 7:30 pm). Tickets are $42 advance and $45 at the door.

Complimentary Concerts!
A string of Florida rock 'n roll bands round out the weekend with complimentary concerts -- a MDMF gift to everyone who needs a little economic boost.  Free concerts on the Lakeside stage include American Pop '60s taking you on a walk down memory lane with a Musical History Tour of the decade's top songs (Friday 2 pm); Monday, Monday generates the love songs and flower power hits of the '60s and '70s, featuring a tribute to the Mamas and Papas (Saturday 2 pm); and the Music Makers move and groove to the classic rock and Motown sounds of the '60s and '70s (Sunday 3 pm). A special concert highlights the Midwest's retro rocker Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys delivering a red-hot tribute to the '50s and '60s with his rock 'n roll, rockabilly, boogie woogie, piano-pumpin' salute to Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis (Sunday 6 pm).

Other “comp concerts” at the Lakeside Inn include the 17-piece Mount Dora Jazz Orchestra performing the music of Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Glenn Miller (Saturday 11 am); and two local bands present one special program of family entertainment beginning Sunday at 1 pm, with the Mount Dora High School Band followed by the Christian Home and Bible School Band at 2 pm.

'American History, Practical Math,' a seminar about the influence of the '50s and '60s music is presented by Lee Douglas, the host and producer of the popular podcast, Old Time Rock 'n Roll. This free program will be in the Alexander room at the Lakeside Inn (Saturday 10 am).

The Mount Dora Community Church will host world-class violinist Matitiahu Braun who will be accompanied by pianist Holly Small in a free special recital for chamber music enthusiasts (Thursday noon).

Friday at noon, the W.T. Bland Library hosts singer Suzy Park and pianist Wes Hamrick performing 'Movie Music Magic' featuring the musical hits of Gershwin, Joplin, Mancini and Bernstein. Thursday and Friday at various times throughout the day, the library hosts a series of video and film biographies of '60s rock 'n roll musicians featuring artists like the Beatles, Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits, and more.

New this year, the MDMF will offer two $250 scholarships to two Central Florida students in grades 6-12, who demonstrate the finest qualities in music vocals or instruments.

The Mount Dora Music Festival, a 501(C)3 organization, is sponsored by the Daily Commercial, City of Mount Dora/CRA, Mount Dora Village Merchants and Business Association, Target, Florida Arts and Culture Division of Cultural Affairs, Mount Dora Community Trust, United Arts of Central Florida, and Lake County Tourism and Business Relations,  

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Music Festival hotline at (352) 385-1010 or contact executive director Nancy Howell at (352) 383-2627. Discount tickets for groups of 10 or more are also available. You can purchase tickets online at MountDoraMusicFest.com, or at our downtown ticket outlets: First National Bank Trust Department, Donnelly Euro Footwear, Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeside Inn.