Rubicon Theatre Company Launches "Music for Changing Times: Looking Back/Moving Forward"

VENTURA, Calif. - May 1, 2017 - PRLog -- Rubicon Theatre Company, in association with Music2Life, presents a new weeklong series of events in Ventura, California, May 8 – 13, 2017, called MUSIC FOR CHANGING TIMES: LOOKING BACK/MOVING FORWARD. The festival brings together three generations of artists of different genres to celebrate the power of music to effect positive social change. This inaugural series is curated and hosted by five-time Grammy Award-winner Noel Paul Stookey.

In addition to Stookey, artists scheduled to participate as performers, judges or instructors include Grammy winners Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary) and George Grove (The Kingston Trio); Tony nominee and LADCC winner Dan Wheetman of Marley's Ghost; Jimmy Messina (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Loggins and Messina); Grammy-nominated Scottish songwriter Dave Gibson (whose new duet performed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill debuted on last Monday's CMA Awards); Golden Globe Award-winning singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom; Tariqh (music director for Josh Groban and Stevie Wonder); Grammy nominee Perla Battala (a long-time associate of Leonard Cohen and Ojai-based solo artist); spoken word artist Decora; Raptivist founder Aisha Fukushima, Eco-hip hop artist Tem Blessed, restorative justice artist Naima Shalhoub; Nuvi Mehta, Artistic Director of the Ventura Music Festival and Director of Special Projects, San Diego Symphony; Tony Award-winning producer and music manager Normand Kurtz of Dartmouth Management (Christina Aguilera, David Bowie); music manager Mark Hartley (Partner, Fitzgerald Hartley Co. – Brad Paisley, Olivia Newton-John, Kellie Pickler, Vince Gill); music agent Ira Goldenring of Paradigm Agency; and The Lonesome Travelers (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominees).

Events and artists announced to date are as follows:

THE FOLK-ROCK PROJECT

First Reading of a New Musical Play-in-Progress

Created by Grammy Award-winner George Grove (The Kingston Trio), Ovation Award-winner James O'Neil (Lonesome Traveler) and Tony nominee Dan Wheetman (Ain't Nothin' But the Blues)

Directed by James O'Neil

Musical Direction by Dan Wheetman

Monday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. / Tuesday, May 9 at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Single Tickets: $20

Be a part of the process as Rubicon develops a new concert experience -- an event that promises to be both entertaining and provocative. The production stars The Lonesome Travelers (Justine Bennett, Nicholas Mongiardo Cooper, Sylvie Davidson, Justin Flagg, Brendan Willing James, Anthony Manough, Jennifer Leigh Warren, and Trevor Wheetman).

MASTER CLASS AND SHOWCASE
Wednesday, May 10, 1 to 5 p.m.
Single Tickets: $20

A group of prominent composers and lyricists with deep roots in songwriting and social change music offer a live coaching session to emerging artists ages 18-38. Coaches announced to date include five-time Grammy Award-winner Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary; Golden Globe Award-winner Amanda McBroom ("The Rose"); Tariqh (Music Director for Josh Groban and Stevie Wonder); Grammy-nominated Scottish composer Dave Gibson (who co-wrote "Speak to a Girl" which just debuted on the CMA awards and is the first single from the forthcoming Faith Hill and Tim McGraw album; #1 album in 2016 in the U.K. for "Sermon"); and Tony nominee and LADCC Award-winner Dan Wheetman (known for Marley's Ghost and as co-creator of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues).

NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION* TOP 10 CONCERT AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.
Single Tickets: $20

The Top 10 Finalists in our National Songwriting Competition, ages 18-38, will perform their winning songs for audiences and a panel of esteemed music professionals, including music agent Ira Goldenring from Paradigm; Grammy nominee Perla Batalla (Leonard Cohen); Tariqh (music director for Josh Groban and Stevie Wonder), five-time Grammy Award-winner Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary; and Grammy-nominated Scottish composer Dave Gibson (#1 album in U.K. in 2016 and hit U.S. single "Speak to a Girl" debuted on recent CMA Awards by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw). Each Top 10 artist receives comments from the judges. At the end of the evening, awards totaling $11,000 in cash will be presented, along with performance opportunities and other types of support.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE RUBICON PUB
Thursday, May 11, at 9:30 p.m.
Single Tickets: $20 (includes beverage voucher)

After the Top 10 Concert and Awards Ceremony, come downstairs to the Rubicon "pub" to congratulate the winners, relax and unwind over a glass of locally made wine or craft beer. If you have a song you want to share, send us an e-mail ahead of time or check in with our stage manager to sign up to perform at the open mic. The price includes one complimentary beverage.

LOOKING BACK/MOVING FORWARD: PETER AND PAUL IN CONCERT
Friday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m.
Single Tickets: $75

Five-time Grammy Award-winners Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey take audiences on a musical journey back and forth in time, from their role on the front lines of the American Civil Rights Movement in Washington D.C. and Selma, to their present work with organizations like Peter's anti-bullying organization Operation Respect.

MUSIC FOR CHANGING TIMES BENEFIT CONCERT
Saturday, May 13, at 7:00 p.m.
Single Tickets: $150 including tax-deductible contribution; 30 seats for those under 30 at $30 (with ID)

The week culminates with a landmark event bringing together multiple generations of artists to raise consciousness and pass the torch. Performers include five-time Grammy Award-winner Noel Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary; spoken word artist Decora; Raptivist founder Aisha Fukushima; Eco-hip hop artist Tem Blessed; restorative justice artist Naima Shalhoub; and top winners of the National Songwriting Competition (TBD). MILCK's rousing 2017 Women's March anthem will be performed by the Rubicon Harmonix.