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REDDING ShastaLive!isan all-volunteer concert orga- nization, presenting an an- nual performance series in Redding. Its 2015-2016 series will feature world-class per- formers Cotton Wine Oct. 9, Kevin Johnson Nov. 4, Cara- van of Thieves Jan. 29, 2016, and season closer Stringfe- ver May 4, 2016. "We are committed to bringing high-quality fam- ily entertainment to the community," said President Jane Wittmann. "This new roster of artists is an excep- tional example of our own unique contribution to the entertainment landscape in Redding." For more information, call 247-7355 or visit www. shastalive.com, or write to SCCA Shasta Live, P.O. Box 493979, Redding, 96049- 3979. CottonWine With a musical sound that combines the rich roots of folk & Americana with the classic sentiments of pop, the voices of Brandon James and Femke of Cotton Wine create a hauntingly ir- resistible high energy com- bination of Pop-Americana that continues to leave lis- teners completely capti- vated. Cotton Wine takes you on a Mysterious, in- sightful and theatrical, wonderful journey through the songs of the American heart. Their signature vo- cal sound is a reflection and a personal interpreta- tion of the music that was born from their new home in the South. Individually, they have both been recog- nized with numerous nom- inations and awards. Bran- don was named by Mu- sic Connection Magazine as one of the "Hot 100 Un- signed Artists of 201 012" and in 2011 received 3 nom- inations from the Los Ange- les Music Awards for Coun- try Artist of the Year, Coun- try Album Of The Year, and Country Single Of The Year for "Down In the Sand." Femke is a master's gradu- ate of the renowned Berk- lee College of Music, won the prestigious Harold Ad- amson Lyric Award from ASCAP in 2011 and is a 2014 Latin Grammy Winner for her work with artist Beto Cuevas. Kevin Johnson KevinJohnson has been a ventriloquist nearly all his life. He was introduced to the stage by his grand- father Harley Noles, who performed magic shows throughout Colorado. Hav- ing no formal training, he taught himself the art of ventriloquism at age nine and continued over a four year period. Kevin is mostly recognized from his 2006 appearance on NBC's pri- metime show America's Got Talent. More than 18 million viewers were amazed by his "Godzilla Theater" and Simon Cow- ell told Kevin, "America loves you." Furthermore, In February 2007, Kevin achieved one of his lifelong goals when he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. In addition to that Kevin has performed nearly 9,000 shows over a 9 year run at San Diego's Legoland California Theme Park in which he was nomi- nated for the Big E Awards through IAAPA. In addition to that he was the winner of "Best Male Performer" in 2004 and 2006 (he is the only performer to be recog- nized twice)! Caravan of Thieves Like many families, this one started with a mar- ried couple — Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni, (gui- tar, vocals, various percus- sive "instruments") writing and performing as a duo. "It started as a romantic, bo- hemian vision of a couple making music, perform- ing on the road, in parks, venues, traveling around and avoiding responsibil- ity as much as possible," says Fuzz. In the spring of 2008, Fuzz and Carrie ex- tended their family to in- clude fiery violinist Ben Dean and double bass mad- man, Brian Anderson com- pleting their colorful vision. Since then, the four of them ran away from home and never looked back. Caravan of Thieves has continued to win immediate praise for their unique blend of gypsy swing and popular music through their albums Bou- quet (2009), Mischief Night (2010), and the recently re- leased Funhouse. Stringfever Brothers Giles, Ralph and Neal Broadbent and their cousin, Graham are four world class musicians play- ing five and six-stringed electric violins, viola and cello in a truly original show. Stringfever's show has some of the most cre- ative techniques you will see being played on instru- ments. The show has a wide range of unique pieces in- cluding an acclaimed ver- sion of Ravel' s 'Bolero' in which all four will be play- ing on one cello simultane- ously. Stringfever then chal- lenges the audience in "Name That Tune" as they race through 20 of the best-loved film themes in one breathless arrange- ment. Their helter-skelter 007James Bond medley is an absolute killer. And the show ends with Stringfe- ver's breathtaking signa- ture finale, "The History of Music... in 5 Minutes." Cha- risma, humor, energy and a distinctive use of custom- made Violectra instruments create an experience that can only best be described as Stringfever. SHASTA LIVE! Up co mi ng c on ce rt season announced Nearing their 5th de- cade together, the iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band con- tinues to add to its legend- ary status. From its 1966 jug-band beginnings to now the band has become one of the 'longest living' bands in music, and have had major successes in ev- ery decade of their career. The band is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Sat- urday, May 30 at the State Theatre, 333 Oak St. in Red Bluff. Tickets are $39 and all pre-sale tickets have been sold. Some tickets may be released the day of the show and they would be available at the box of- fice. Drawing from multi- platinum and gold re- cords, the band will be performing strings of top ten hits that include "Mr. Bojangles," "Fishin' In The Dark," "An Amer- ican Dream," "Dance Lit- tle Jean," "Workin' Man," "God Bless the Broken Road," along with iconic bluegrass and acoustic music in overdrive. Often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in Country Rock and Amer- ican Roots Music, and al- ways known as a great per- forming band, the concert audience is drawn in to the world of this unusual group of guys who have pursued their dream for almost 50 years, and been influential to so many. The band's rousing show also features music from its ground-break- ing multi-platinum "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album, recently inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress as a "most im- portant American record- ing." "Mr. Bojangles" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010; in 2014 "Fishin' In the Dark" was certified platinum for digital downloads by the RIAA. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play to full house STATE THEATRE COURTESYPHOTO The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform in Red Bluff on May 30. By Sandy Cohen TheAssociatedPress INGLEWOOD U2's latest live show included a call to fight AIDS, condemna- tion of the 1974 car bomb- ings in Ireland, the voice of Stephen Hawking, high- tech stage gimmicks and just over two hours of mu- sic, including most of its 2014 album, "Songs of In- nocence." The Irish quartet brought its "Innocence & Experience" tour to the Fo- rum Tuesday, the first of five nights in the Los An- geles area. Launched earlier this month in Vancouver, Canada, the North Amer- ican and European tour continues through Nov. 15. Performing together since 1976, front man Bono, guitarist the Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drum- mer Larry Mullen, Jr. know how to put on a rock show. But they were lacking a lit- tle in energy and excite- ment for their opening LA performance, perhaps re- lying too heavily on the gi- ant horizontal screens sus- pended above their high- tech stage. As with U2s previous arena tours, the stage plays a starring role in the show. The massive screens worked for some num- bers, such as Bono's auto- biographical "Cedarwood Road," lending an effect that made him look like he was walking through a car- toon town. MUSIC U2 brings its 'Innocence & Experience' tour to LA By Verda Mackay Correspondent PARADISE A rollicking romp through middle- aged dreams and hopes turns Theatre on the Ridge into a comedy with "Vanya and Sonia and Ma- sha and Spike" from June 4 through June 28. This deliciously funny two-act play was written by Christopher Durang. It opened on Broadway in 2013 and won a Tony Award for Best New Play. Durang based the names of his characters on those created by Rus- sian dramatist and short story writer, Anton Pav- lovich Chekhov. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chekhov was considered one of the mas- ters of the short story form. He was largely responsi- ble for the modern type of short story that depends on effect for mood and symbolism rather than on plot. His techniques are accepted by modern play- wrights. "Everything you think you know about the play, you're most likely wrong," TOTR Director Jerry Miller said. "As the play starts, you think you know these people and then you find out you don't know them. As crazy a comedy as it is, it's all real people." Miller's assistant direc- tor is Patrick Allen Brown and costumer is Lupe Fischer. Action for this play takes place in the breeze- way of an old family home- stead in boring Buck Coun- try, Pennsylvania. Two sin- gle middle-aged siblings, Vanya and Sonia (Chris- topher Jones and Camille Hoffman) live there. They are supported by their narcissistic actress sister, Masha (Shaunna Jones). The stay-at-homes have never really lived, and are surprised with an un- expected visit by Masha who arrives towing her lat- est lover, the much younger Spike (Oscar Magana Jr.). Added to that menag- erie is their housekeeper, Cassandra (Teresa Hur- ley-Miller), who is quick to voice her visions of doom. Their neighbor's pretty niece, Nina (Terra Jones), an aspiring young actress, arrives throwing the fam- ily into another unex- pected scenario. She pro- vokes envy in Masha, lust in Spike and sympathy in Vanya. Masha owns the family homestead and pays the bills. Vanya and Sonia fall deeper into mid-life crisis as they despair over lost dreams and hopes. Masha's fifth marriage has recently ended and her career is starting to stall. She has returned home to attend a cos- tume party at an influen- tial neighbor's house. Spike's claim to fame is minimal. He is too busy finding excuses to strip down to his under- wear and show off his abs to worry about any- thing. Vain Masha demands constant attention. She is impatient with Sonia as her frumpy, adopted, unmarried sister is tor- mented by her life choices and vents her frustrations with violent tantrums and crying jags. The play takes on an un- expected turn when Masha announces she is selling the house, leaving Vanya and Sonia no choice but to move to a cramped apart- ment. PARADISE Humor blossoms with gloomy siblings PHOTO COURTESY OF THEATRE ON THE RIDGE Terra Jones plays Nina, and Christopher Jones plays Vanya in the hysterical two-act romp "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." The production will take place at Theatre on the Ridge from June 4through June 27. A+E » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, May 28, 2015 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A8