As if Maple Leaf Festival and Inauguration activities are not enough excitement, Baker University and Baldwin City are getting even more entertainment in the form of two Artist & Lecture Series events just a few days apart.
Director of the Artist & Lecture Series Susan Buehler said “Red, Hot…& Blue!” will be performing in the Maple Leaf parade 11 a.m. Saturday in an effort to pique viewers’ interest before the 4 p.m. performance in Rice Auditorium. She said the show should appeal many people
“It is a variety show featuring songs from the 1920s up to the present,” she said. “They talk a little bit, but mainly they sing and dance.”
“Red, Hot…& Blue!” is an award-winning show based in Branson, Mo. Junior Jessica Lenhart said it will be a nice change from other series events because it adds comedy and because of its scheduling.
“I am excited about ‘Red, Hot…& Blue!’ because it’s been awhile since they’ve had a group coming during Maple Leaf, so it’ll be a variety and add something different.”
Buehler said in the past, the “Battle of Blackjack” was performed during Maple Leaf weekend, edging out any Artist & Lecture Series events.
According to the “Red, Hot…& Blue!” Web site, two of the cast members are from Kansas City, Mo., and one is from Kansas City, Kan., lending the show an element of local appeal, which is something it has in common with the second Artist & Lecture event, Octarium.
“Octarium is mainly a local group from the Lawrence and Kansas City area,” Buehler said. “They’re doing classical music that ranges from the late 1500s up to the present time. Most of the music is sacred, but there are a couple of songs that are secular.”
The choral group’s Web site lists the meaning of the name and the mission. Octarium is Latin for ‘eight is one,’ and the mission is for the eight group members to sing as one united choral voice.
“I’m really looking forward to Octarium because I’m really obsessed with the vocal scene,” Lenhart said. “I like the a cappella singing with mixed voices.”
Octarium will perform 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the First United Methodist Church of Baldwin City. Buehler said having the performance in the church is important.
“Rice Auditorium is not an intimate or beautiful space,” she said. “It’s just not an acoustically pleasing space for a group of eight singers. The church is a little bit smaller, and people’s faces will be a little bit closer.”