Looking for something to do this weekend, readers? Allow us to suggest “Hot Hits, Cool Harmonies: The Great American Songbook,” presented by the Rotary Club of Concord at the City Auditorium. And by “presented,” we don’t mean the group is just sponsoring the show. Club members will be providing the talent, too. (With help from director Betty Thompson and musical director Martha Kuepper.)
In case you weren’t aware, the Rotary is a service club part of an international organization. It’s made up of local business people who want to give back to the community.
Members meet weekly to discuss projects, hear a speaker and generally enjoy one another’s company. The club recently awarded scholarships to high school graduates, provided grants to the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club and members help out around town with park cleanup.
The show, a musical tribute to eras gone by, will be performed June 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. at the auditorium, 2 Prince St. Tickets are $20, $15 students and seniors and free for children under age 6. Proceeds benefit local agencies serving the hungry and the homeless.
Tickets may be purchased online at concordnhrotary.org or at Ballard’s and Merrimack County Savings Bank and from any Rotary club member.
We were curious about how the performers felt about being on stage, so we asked a few of them some questions. Here’s what they had to say:
Noreen Christensen
Realtor, 56, Bow
Have you ever performed in public before? Many times. My first time singing a solo. I was so nervous that barely a whisper came out for the ENTIRE SONG, “Send in the Clowns!” That was many years ago, and thankfully that never happened again.
What’s your tactic to fight nervousness? I’m the consummate hostess. I’m in the mindset on stage that I need to make the audience feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. If they thought for a minute that I was a nervous wreck, that would make them uncomfortable, and I certainly wouldn’t want that. I try and leave the nervousness in the wings just before I walk out on stage.
What’s your favorite part of the performance? Is there a song that you would have liked to see included? I’m really having a fun with the “Just a Gigolo” number. In general, I like being in the dance numbers. As far as songs that I would like to include? A particular song I always love performing is “Java.” I get to do that one in the Walker Lecture Series show the end of September.
Have you practiced for the show in front of the mirror with a hairbrush? In the mirror yes, no hairbrush, but in pajamas.
How would you rate your dancing skills on a scale of 1 to 5? (One is “not so hot” and 5 is “I was born dancing.”) Have you had any formal training? For skill, 3½-4. I took tap, ballet and some jazz as a kid, but I LOVE to dance, and my mom and dad gave me plenty of rhythm. (Somehow they forgot include it in my brother’s genes.)
Ruth Coneys
Owner of Say it in Stitches, 49, Bow
Have you ever performed in public before? Many moons ago, back in middle school. It was so memorable, I’ve chosen to block it out. Performing is definitely not in my comfort zone.
What’s your tactic to fight nervousness? Try not to look at the audience – keep my eyes on Martha. That way if they’re laughing, I can’t see them.
What’s your favorite part of the performance? Is there a song that you would have liked to see included? Love all of it. It’s a great variety of music.
Have you practiced for the show in front of the mirror with a hairbrush? Of course. It’s still scary.
Have you had any formal training? No formal training, although I enjoy it. Thankfully I’m not doing any dancing in the show. They must have realized early on there are others way more talented than I.
Mary Lynne Rahlson
Bank VP, 51, Concord
Have you ever performed in public before? Yes, I’ve sung in choirs and done some community theater in the past. It generally goes well when you are working with an enthusiastic and talented cast like the group we are working with for the Rotary show.
What’s your tactic to fight nervousness? Breathe! The audience is here to see everyone succeed and do their best at entertaining.
What’s your favorite part of the performance? Favorite part is the Elvis routine – it’s great!
Have you practiced for the show in front of the mirror with a hairbrush? No, I sing to the cats.
How would you rate your dancing skills on a scale of 1 to 5? (One is “not so hot” and 5 is “I was born dancing.”) Have you had any formal training? My dancing is about a 3. The trick is singing and dancing a the same time.
Warren Emley
Otolaryngologist, 68, Concord
Have you ever performed in public before? I have performed at the City Auditorium on several occasions; several of Irene and Martha’s shows, and with the Concord Coachmen barbershoppers. Each performance was really fun and each had its own challenges.
What’s your tactic to fight nervousness? I don’t get nervous. I get excited. I think that helps the performance. I do need some quiet moments before I perform to collect myself. I try to go through a mental visualization of what I’m going to sing three to six hours before showtime. I think that gives me confidence. I try to sing to that imaginary person in the audience who thinks I can do no wrong.
What’s your favorite part of the performance? Is there a song that you would have liked to see included? It’s when I’ve just finished singing, speaking, or acting something and I’ve done it well. There is a sense of excitement and relief that is indescribable. I like most vocal music but am most captured by rock and roll. I would have liked to do “Chantilly Lace,” but the program is already so full of fun stuff, we won’t miss it.
Have you practiced for the show in front of the mirror with a hairbrush? Yes, I do. It’s very hard to do this – to look at myself while I am singing – but all performance professionals swear by it.
How would you rate your dancing skills on a scale of 1 to 5? (One is “not so hot” and 5 is “I was born dancing.”) Have you had any formal training? Dancing skills, 1½. For me, my brain reminds me constantly that it is a lot farther to my feet than it is to my vocal cords. Then there’s the physical thing. You see a lot more singers over the age of 40 than you do ballerinas. I have had a few voice lessons in my later adult years and loved them. However, my love for music and for singing in particular began at a very early age and through each stage of my life I have sought out singing opportunities. Music warms my soul.
