Show Review: November 4th

On November 4th eight of the Experiencing the Arts students hosted our Fall Peak Community Event -- a concert with two local bands Dr. Burma and Fry Daddy at the Lebanon Opera House. Dr. Burma came out to start the show six members strong. To support our cause Dr. Burma's head man Ted Mortimer, had additional musicians to add a fat horn sound. They played their heart out for two hours. The audience migrated toward the stage and danced. We were treated to an excellent performance.

Fry Daddy was up second. Carlos Ocasio's guitar had a clean soulful sound. His band was tight and they worked together to energize each song with emotion. "Burn your Britches, " was a very powerful number. He also played some songs in Spanish. Fry Daddy was excellent.

I want to apologize to the bands for not getting more people to our show. The students helped me mail out 125 press packs. We got listed in all the newspaper calendar sections and got picked up in the Cardigan with an article. Posters were distributed all around the area. Experiencing the Arts student Tim Bagley's graphics were effective. We e-mailed the press release to several lists. Fans of the bands also helped solicit interest. Still at the peak of the crowd, there were only about 60 attending the event. By the time Fry Daddy hit the stage, there were fewer. Only 42 people paid to get in; many coming in after the box office closed. Our fund raiser did not cover the house expenses. Even though the use of the Opera House was donated we still owed $318 for the evening. I would like to show the Experiencing the Arts students more success for their efforts. Both bands did a great job. They were professional and came out to support a good cause. Thank you. I am sorry I could not get more people to the event. Christopher Morse

Press Release

When Fry Daddy or Dr. Burma play at the local scenes they attract good crowds. With the two bands together, we hope that they define the local pulse of the arts for that Thursday night. The November 4th concert is the Experiencing the Arts Fall Peak Community Event. Students in the Experiencing the Arts program get to participate in all aspects of running this fund raising concert. They design posters, help with the press releases, call local radio hosts, trying to raise interest in the event. At the show, they act as ushers, hand out programs, help the musicians backstage, sell concessions, and help with the load in and set up. The students are excited to have such popular local talent coming to play at the concert. Ted Mortimer of Dr. Burma and Carlos Ocasio of Fry Daddy are friends and have been planning ahead for this dual group jam. Fry Daddy, led by singer song writer, Carlos Ocasio, is "a foot stomping, heart thumping stew of originals, soul, rhythm and blues, and Latin beats." Dr. Burma's "Dynamic vocals, stellar musicianship, and an irresistible groove, has been playing its unstoppable mix of classic soul, blues, funk and originals for enthusiastic audiences all over New England for fifteen years." Together they promise a mix of old favorites and their cutting edge latest.

The concert will help Experiencing the Arts continue bringing arts enrichment programs to students and to the community. Experiencing the Arts is in its third year. Each year we try to fill the following curriculum skeleton:

2 Student Run Peak Community Event and Fund Raiser at Lebanon Opera House
14 to 16 field trips 7 or 8 each term
2 artists in residence for a week long program (Fall and Spring)
4 (minimum) 6 (optimum) All School Assemblies
2 Local Community Events, Community Dances
4 (minimum) Guest Artists

Fry Daddy & Dr. Burma

The Band Fry Daddy has been performing in the Upper Valley for the past ten years. Led by singer song writer, Carlos Ocasio, the band's music is a foot stomping, heart thumping stew of originals, soul, rhythm and blues, and Latin beats.

Their CD, "Check My Britches," was released in 2000 and has made its way into many venues across New England. Carlos has been working on new material and hopes to start recording a new CD soon. If you like to dance the night away, this is the band for you. Joining Carlos, the band includes, Wally Wysk on lead guitar, John Ducarme on drums and vocals, and Rich Thomas on bass and vocals.

Dr. Burma has been playing its unstoppable mix of classic soul, blues, funk and originals for enthusiastic audiences all over New England for fifteen years. Dynamic vocals, stellar musicianship, and an irresistible groove have built their reputation as one of the area's premier rhythm & blues dance bands, playing clubs, concerts, festivals and parties throughout northern New England and New York. During that time the band has opened concerts for B.B. King and Commander Cody, has performed with Fontella Bass, and had the honor of backing Bo Diddley on his last two tours through New England. Dr Burma has released one album on their own Medical Records label, and are hard at work on a new cd.

 Lead vocalist Linda Boudreault has won an enthusiastic following with her unique and soulful style. Prior to joining Dr. Burma she worked in a variety of bands in Franconia and Montpelier including Clean Slate and Cake & Eat It. Linda has also performed with Dartmouth's Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, a variety of small jazz groups, and the popular zydeco group The Goat Broke Loose. Her jazz cd, Alone with You, was released in August 2001. Linda appeared at the Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington Vermont in June 2002 backed by members of Dr. Burma.

Ted Mortimer plays guitar and also sings. He moved to the area from Los Angeles where he performed with, among others, Chuck Berry and Doug Kershaw. He has also performed in jazz and blues clubs in New York City with Sandra Wright, including the Five Spot and Manny's Car Wash, and opened for the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Livingston Taylor. In collaboration with other Vermont musicians he wrote and recorded the soundtrack for Nosey Parker, a new film by John O'Brien (Man With a Plan), and has contributed to many cd projects. He and Linda are also members of The Goat Broke Loose, a zydeco band, which performs sporadically (schedule permitting) around the state. Members of this all star outfit include Jeremiah McLane on accordion, Colin McCaffrey on bass and vocals.

Dr. Burma's keyboardist/vocalist, Doug Southworth, brings a funky New Orleans-influenced piano style and a big organ sound to the band. He's played in many popular bands in Vermont and elsewhere, including the Michael Hurley Band, The East Bay Jazz Ensemble, and Why Be Reasonable.

Bassist Casey Dennis adds a big fat and funky bottom end to Dr. Burma's sound. He has been a fixture on the Vermont music scene for many years, performing with Roadapple, Sensible Shoes, the Michael Hurley Band, Gusano, and many others.

Drummer Marcus Copening has toured the world with various recording artists including Messiah, Mary Wells, and the Phillipine recording star Hajii. He recorded and performed in New York City with acclaimed jazz fusion guitarist Ryo Kawasaki for seven years. He conducts drum clinics throughout Vermont and has performed with Big Joe Burrell, Funky Miracle, Chris Kleeman, Picture This, the New Nile Orchestra, and many other top Vermont artists.

Dr. Burma frequently performs with a horn section. The band uses many of the best horn players in the Vermont and New Hampshire area, including members of the Vermont Jazz Ensemble and faculty members from Dartmouth College and Johnson State College.

Experiencing the Arts is funded through grants with the NH State Council on the Arts through its Artlinks program, matching funds from the school district, The Byrne Foundation, donations and through the generosity of our Artlinks partners at Lebanon Opera House, the Hopkins Center, and AVA Gallery.