Lovely County Citizen: Op/Ed Column: The Aud-o-File (05/24/12)

A lot has happened on that historic stage in the time since John Philip Sousa played at the opening of the City Auditorium.

And, some of it has gone by almost unnoticed, but no more! Welcome to The Aud-o-File -- a column by the phantom of the Aud -- where you'll find details on every act, rehearsal and repair that's about to happen each week.

On May 26, the Aud welcomes a new client, the Rhythm House Dance Studio (from Berryville). The Studio will present its Spring Recital at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5, and children 5 and under are free. Advance tickets and more information are available from Kelli Dunnam at Rhythm House (870) 654-7160.

Next week the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend rolls into town with two shows in the Aud in addition to music all around town. Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m., The Blue Ice Band; Marquis Knox; and two-time BB King Entertainer of the Year, The Tommy Castro Band, will take the stage.

Saturday there's a 4 p.m. matinee show with Nathan A & Max RPM (winners of the Ozarks Blues Challenge), Lazy Lester, the Kenny Neal Band and headliners The Ruthie Foster Band. After those two shows, we'll probably be spending Sunday and Monday putting the roof back on.

In addition to his stellar performance as the Aud's technical director, Ron Sumner will also provide sound and production services for performances in the park and the Barefoot Ballroom. By the end of the weekend he's likely to be one burned-out puppy, so if you see him around, be sure to pet him. If you see him on Sunday (after all the shows are over), buy him a beer.

On another note (yeah, we get it) we recently completed installation of interior storm windows on the entire Auditorium. These were entirely paid for by an energy conservation grant procured through the tireless efforts of Glenna Booth.

In addition to the expected benefits in reduced heating and cooling costs, and elimination of woodwork-damaging condensation, we have discovered a surprising bonus -- a marked reduction in the transmission of street noise to the performance space. What used to be jarring is now barely noticeable. Not concert hall quiet-as-a-tomb, mind you, but a substantial improvement.

Between Blues Weekend and twenty straight nights of classical music coming up June 18 through July 7, there's never been a better time to grab some tickets to a show at the Aud and see (and hear) for yourself.

Ray Dilfield, the Aud Guy