Here's a tip for Lake County parents: If your kids show even the slightest interest in music, then get them into the youth music programs presented by Clear Lake Performing Arts.

The results might just be similar to what attendees at the summer concert of the CLPA Youth Orchestra saw and heard at the group's summer concert, held Sunday, June 8, at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church's friendship hall.

First, conductor and instructor Wes Follett makes sure his young charges are playing music they really like.

To this end he opened the program with the crowd-pleasing "Wabash Cannon Ball," but immediately afterward went serious with "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

In fact Bach played a leading role in the concert because after playing "Ronda Alla Turca" by Mozart the orchestra returned to Bach. with "Brandenburg Concerto, No 3," – first movement.

This was followed by what Follett described as probably the most difficult piece his young musicians had ever tackled – the "Brandenburg Concerto.2nd movement."

In fact he said that he tried to distance himself from selecting the music, but the members of the orchestra insisted they were up to handling its difficult passages, and they proved that this was indeed the case.

"Brother James Air" a hymn by Scottish composer James MacBeth Bain – featuring four-part instrumentation and based loosely on "The Lord's Prayer" – was next on the program.

Afterward, Assistant Conductor Eleanor Cook took the podium to lead the orchestra in playing themes from two academy-award winning films "Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" and "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, on both of which the orchestra excelled, in part because, with much practice, they had already played them at concerts of the Lake County Symphony.

The finale, again conducted by Follett, was the theme from another academy-award winning blockbuster 1981's "Chariots of Fire." Those familiar with the piece were baffled as to how an orchestra consisting only of strings and flutes would be able to pull off a number that relies so heavily on percussion – but not to worry. Mark Rudiger, father of violinist Clayton, stepped in to wield drumsticks for a satisfying conclusion to the evening.

Persons interested in finding out more about youth music programs in Lake County may contact Andi Skelton, who chairs the Youth Music committee of CLPA at 707-279-4336, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Paul Brewer, CLPA president at 707-279-0877, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LAKEPORT – Believe it or not, “Rocky Horror” by Richard O'Brian is coming to Lake County and you have a chance to be in it.

Lake County Theatre Company (LCTC) and Mendocino College are gearing up to produce the most famous, wacky, outlandish show of the last 50 years and it's gonna be wild. Rumor has it that there will be devotees of the show showing up from all across the state to relive "Rocky" in all its glory.

Most people who have attended this show have become fans of it for life and they always knew they could be the best Magenta or the grooviest Transylvanian, ever. Here's your chance to prove it.

This production will be be taking place the last two weeks in October and the first week in November.

Rehearsals will begin in June and there will be at least 20 performers needed for nine shows. Only the dedicated need apply.

If you are one of the Rocky fans who has always known that you could do the show yourself, it's time for auditions.

The first two auditions will take place at the Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main St, Lakeport, on Tuesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 17, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The last audition will take place at Burns Valley Elementary, 3620 Pine Street, Clearlake from noon to 5 p.m.

You need to bring two songs, maybe one rock-n-roll and one slow, to show your your singing skill, be ready to move and do a "cold reading” – something from the play.

Top Shelf will play at theMIX in Ukiah, Calif., on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, 2010. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH – Top Shelf, one of Ukiah's favorite local bands, will be performing not one but two concerts at theMIX.

The first, on Friday, June 25, will be an acoustic set. Same great music but more energy efficient. Listen to Top Shelf's great music as you haven't heard them before... unplugged. They will be joined by Ben Sebastian and DJ Big Time.

Then, on Saturday, June 26, the band plugs in and treats the audience to great energetic music. They are joined by the high energy band Pyrx and DJ Big Time.

Although tickets are available for each individual night for $12 individuals can enjoy both nights for only $20. A great savings.

Tickets are available at both Dig! music in Ukiah as well as at theMIX.

Doors open at 8 p.m. both evenings.

Top Shelf was founded in the rainy winter of 2002 by singer Carter Lane and drummer Drew Nicoll. The band truly represented the college town antics of Chico where the band originated. From frat parties to Pepper concerts, for three years the band steadily toured the Chico street scene.

In the summer of 2004 Top Shelf released a self-titled EP and with its success rose to be one of Chico's most popular punk/rock/reggae bands. Lane and Nicoll decided to build on their momentum and take the band to the next level by touring.

Top Shelf relocated to the beautiful valley of their hometown, Ukiah, in search of new influences and the comfort of huge hometown support.

Today Top Shelf's style features a mature blend of modern rock fed by their Northern California roots to create a rock reggae sound unique to any other. Their lyrics are a positive and motivational alternative to the somber tone of much mainstream music, and offer gleaned knowledge from personal hardships the four have faced. Many fans are impressed by the catchy grooves and powerful energy the guys emit onstage.

Ukiah's newest entertainment venue, theMIX features a large stage, state of the art lights and sound, ample parking, concessions and more.

It is located at 75 Kunzler Ranch Road, Ukiah, just a half mile north of the Raley's Shopping Center.

For more information please call 463-1614 or visit www.theMIXukiah.com.

To learn more about Top Shelf visit www.TopShelfHigh.com.

Tallman owner Bernie Butcher (center) presents a check to the Soper-Reese Theatre Funding Committee members, including (left to right) Wally Fuller, Nina Marino, Taira St. John and John Ross. Photo by Barbara Ross.

LAKEPORT – The Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport, in the final stages of fundraising to complete its conversion into a state-of-the-art performing arts center, received a big boost this week from the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

The Tallman sponsors an annual series of small concerts in its Riffe’s Meeting House and donates 10 percent of the gross proceeds to the theater fund.

On Monday, Tallman owner Bernie Butcher presented this year’s contribution, a check for $500, to volunteer Executive Director John Ross and other members of the fundraising committee.

Since its renovation, the Soper-Reese has become a popular venue for a wide variety of shows and events. However, fundraising continues in order to complete the project with needed backstage dressing rooms and disabled access facilities.

“We’re almost there,” said committee member Wally Fuller, “but we need one final fundraising push to raise the half-million dollars needed to complete the project. We appreciate the support of the Tallman in getting us started on this last phase.”

In addition to the Tallman concert series, the Blue Wing Restaurant next door has live music on Sundays, blues bands on Mondays and sponsors a three-day Blues Festival in August.

“The Soper-Reese has added much to the Lake County cultural scene since it reopened, and we’re really happy to have helped in some small way,” said Butcher.

Contributions to the Theatre Fund can be directed to Soper-Reese Community Theatre, Attn. John Ross, P.O. Box 756, Lakeport, CA 95453.

The annual fundraising gala will be held at the Theatre this year on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Check the website (www.soperreesetheatre.com) for upcoming events and theater information.