Formula 151 conjures up a new “formula”

DURANGO, Colo. – The lights dim, a hush of anticipation comes over the crowd, but with the first strum of a guitar, the audience erupts. Rarely, if ever, does a show staged at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College prompt such genuine (and deafening) enthusiasm. Welcome to Spotlight to Stardom.

Spotlight co-hosts Preston Parrott and Mary Jo Rakowski.

“Spotlight to Stardom,” the signature “local” (and fundraising) event for the Community Concert Hall, is set for Sunday, June 7, 2009, 7 p.m., with a wide range of new talent taking the stage to compete for cash prizes, as well as prepare themselves for “fame.”
“Spotlight to Stardom is such an amazing show,” said Mary Jo Rakowski, who will co-host the show with her fellow “accidental comedian” Preston Parrott. “It’s difficult to explain to folks who’ve never attended, but the energy and excitement is beyond any show you’ve ever seen in the Concert Hall. It is not a karaoke show. It’s a show where original, new talent is showcased live on stage. We have some great local performers that I think have potential to move on to another level.”
Spotlight 2009 will showcase 14 talented local performers, ranging in age from 11 to 60-something, in the professionally-produced variety show. Parrott and Rakowski will be backed by, for the first time in Spotlight history, a live “house band,” Dave Mensch and Formula 151. Also, returning to the stage for an encore performance will be 2007 Spotlight winner Matt the Magician.
One example of Spotlight being a stepping stone to a professional career is indeed Formula 151. Just launched when the first Spotlight to Stardom was held in 2004, the band took top honors among the adult performers. Since that time, Dave Mensch and Formula 151 have become a mainstay in performing venues around the region and released two CDs, as well as competed nationally in the Bodog Battle of the Bands.
“I’ve really enjoyed being involved with Spotlight to Stardom,” said Mensch, who has, since Formula 151’s win, volunteered as an Audition judge and talent coach. “I’m really proud to be a part of this and all the smiling faces, and support an organization like the Community Concert Hall that supports local talent.”
The Community Concert Hall is a center of excellence in the performing arts, and has enhanced the quality of life and the cultural growth of residents in the region for 12 years, staging an eclectic mix of professional artists that, prior to the Concert Hall’s opening, would not, or could not, consider bringing their gifts to Durango. Though set on the Fort Lewis campus, and under the college’s auspices, the not-for-profit hall must be self-sustaining.
“The Community Concert Hall is here for the community and needs its support,” said Charles Leslie, Concert Hall director. “So it’s only right that we in turn support our local performers and literally put the community IN the Concert Hall to perform.”
Industry professionals, singer/songwriter Lisa Blue, record producer Thomas MacCluskey, and theater manager Sophie Hoyt Parrott will select the Spotlight to Stardom winners, who will receive cash awards donated by Alpine Bank of Durango ($1000, $500 and $250 for the Adults, $500, $250 and $125 for the Youth). Those in attendance at the show, however, will vote for the Audience Appreciation Award, a $100 cash prize donated by Steamworks Brewing Co.
In addition, the first place winner in the Adult Category will receive complementary booking consultation from the Leslie Management Agency, review/writing of press materials with writer and Concert Hall publicist Indiana Reed, publicity photos from Lisa Mackey Photography, one day (8 hours) of studio time (if appropriate) at Eagle Sound, and opportunity to perform live on KSUT radio.
 

Elder – John, Josh and Paul Hoffman

As the show approaches, the contestants, who auditioned originally on March 15, will go into formal rehearsals on stage at the Concert Hall. Technical Director LeAnn Brubaker and her crew will work with each “act” to perfect their sound and lighting, with the entire Spotlight team on hand to offer “constructive criticism” to ensure each performer is the best they can be. Dress rehearsal will be staged Saturday afternoon, June 6, with the performers to have the night off to prepare for the “big show” on Sunday.
“For the show, we endeavored to select a wide variety of performers who had ‘talent.’” said Rakowski, who also served as an Audition judge. “Every year, Spotlight is different. In the past, we’ve had many more ‘novelty’ acts audition – such as Matt the Magician. This year, however, people will get to see some great vocalists, bands and dancers who all are aspiring to professional careers – and they could very well get there.”

Franklin Wickstrom

The 2009 Spotlight to Stardom contestants are (in order of appearance in the show):
Elder
“Elder” was selected as the name of the rock band formed by brothers Josh, John and Paul Hoffman in honor of their late grandmother, Marion Elder Hoffman – a woman who has inspired the Hoffman brothers to live to their fullest potential. Originally from Albuquerque, but now Pagosa Springs, the brothers have a deep musical heritage, and indeed “grew up” surrounded by songwriters and musicians. The song “When the Work Day is Done” was written by Paul, an in-coming senior at Pagosa Springs High School whom the brothers deem as “the most talented.” Josh and John are students at Fort Lewis College, and the band Elder is completed by the talents of drummer Jared Burch.

Franklin Wickstrom
A sixth grade honor student at Miller Middle School, Franklin Wickstrom discovered his love for dance at age seven. Though he’d enjoyed soccer, baseball and Boy Scouts, with his first hip hop class, he found dance was in his blood. A member of Dance in the Rockies and part of the competition team, Franklin has most recently performed in the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s Nutcracker and the Durango Kid’s Follies. Should he win prize money for his Spotlight jazz dance, Franklin has earmarked it to further his dance career and fund upcoming competitions in Albuquerque and Phoenix. For Spotlight, Franklin is dancing to “State of Shock.”

Nate Mayfield

Nate Mayfield
An avid fan of jazz, light blues and love songs circa 1909 to 1959, Nate Mayfield is something of an accidental vocalist that has come to music later in life. A Mancos-based professional in the alternative health care field, Nate credits jazz diva Joyce Simpson for launching his singing career, and the help of talented local musicians, including Lee Bartley, Bob Newnam, Chad Mc Cluskey, Brad Tarpley, Jeff Solon, Mary and Bob Hooper for bringing him along so quickly. Now engaged in what he calls “an undertaking with a future,” Nate hopes to go in studio at the end of summer to launch is first project. Nate performs the Keith Stegall and Roger Murrah favorite, “We’re In This Love Together.””

“Rainbow Connection” Trio – Kat Sullivan, Sierra Heller and Emily Waddell

“”Rainbow Connection”” – Kat Sullivan, Sierra Heller and Emily Waddell.

Kat Sullivan (12), Sierra Heller (12) and Emily Waddell (11) are three aspiring dancers, passionate about their art, and as a team have choreographed a ballet to the Kenny Loggins favorite, “Rainbow Connection.” Kat (daughter of Tim Sullivan) made her dancing debut at age two at the Sullivan Family Concert at the University of Oklahoma. In 2007 she performed a ballet solo at Carnegie Hall in New York City and has also danced with The Briansky Saratoga Ballet, The Santa Fe Aspen Ballet and The State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara. Honors student Sierra Heller began dancing at age three, and studying ballet at age five. Hoping to pursue a career in dance, Sierra currently trains in all disciplines, though her preferences are ballet and lyrical, and she did perform a solo lyrical dance at the 2007 Spotlight to Stardom. Outdoor pursuits with her dog Chai and a passion for travel and reading occupy her time outside of dance. Emily Waddell is a fourth generation Durangoan. Though she loves school, playing tennis, reading, her friends and her dogs, dancing is her one true passion, and she hopes to also have a career in dance.  

Connor Heyden

Connor Heyden
A freshman at Aztec High School, Connor discovered his “voice” and love of music just two years ago, but has been performing ever since, singing with the Four Corners Children’s Choir and accepting an invitation to sing with “Up With People” when the world-renowned group performed locally. With snowboarding, hunting and playing golf for the Aztec Tigers High School team providing balance, Connor enjoys poetry and creative writing, and plans to pursue a college degree in song writing and music theory. Playing acoustic guitar, Connor’s interpretation of the Green Day song will surely not leave audiences saying, “Good Riddance.”

Claire Young

Claire Young
Claire Young, now 16 but a dancer since age two, has participated in dance competitions since age five. She has received numerous awards and scholarships for tap-dancing and in 2007 was a member of the St. Louis Hoofers tap group. To hone her art and learn increasingly challenging tap dance techniques, Claire has traveled the country, attended master tap classes and studied under many well-known tap artists. With a career goal to perform in musical theater, Claire is currently a member of the Durango Performing Arts Company musical theater group, “ENCORE!” For Spotlight, she will coax “Pennies From Heaven” in a tap solo.

 

Casey Marie Depue

Casey Marie Depue
A Dolores resident and recent graduate of Fort Lewis College, Casey Marie DePue will be student-teaching in the fall, but music has been in her soul from birth. Casey has been singing since the age of two when she received her very first microphone, and by age four she was a part of the singing group “The Sunshine Generation Kids.”  Since that time she has competed in numerous events and has performed regularly, including being featured on local radio stations and news programs in her former hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Currently, she is learning to play the guitar in anticipation of the day that she will put her original lyrics to music. For Spotlight, she shares her version of the Sugarland song, “Want To.”

Hounds of Purg

“”Hounds of Purg”” – Remy Russell, Alden Derck, Jayson Else and Lane Sims

The Hounds are in the house. Though now just coming of age as Durango High School students, the Hounds of Purg are a well-established and loved amateur band with an eye on rock stardom. Formed when lead guitarist Remy Russell approached life-long friend Jayson Else about competing in a 5^th grade talent show, the Hounds of Purg now have a litany of accomplishments, including a CD and the Audience Appreciation Award in the 2007 Spotlight. In addition to Remy and Jayson (bass), the Hounds are Alden Derck (keyboards) and Lane Sims (drums). For Spotlight, The Hounds perform their original song, “Spoiled,” lyrics by Remy and Jayson, music by the band.

 

Tori Duhaime

Tori Duhaime
Dancing from the moment she could walk, Tori Duhaime is now a mainstay on the Durango youth dance scene. Studying with Dance in the Rockies for the past 10 years, she competes with the Rocky Mountain Rockettes and the Durango Ballet Ensemble in ballet, modern, lyrical, tap, jazz and hip-hop. Last season, she was a platinum champion at Cathy Roe’s Ultimate Dance regional and national competitions. The lyrical dance “Like a Star” was originally choreographed by others, but for Spotlight, Tori has made her own modifications to fit her unique style.
Sierra Stackhouse

Sierra Stackhouse

Pianist Sierra Stackhouse, though she has been receiving lessons for the past four years, began teaching herself to play and compose on the piano ten years ago, at age four. Today she has amassed a portfolio of original compositions, and will be performing one, “Love Is,” for Spotlight. Sierra has been honored as one of three winning musicians in the Hey Mozart competition, featuring her own composition. She later performed the song with the San Juan College Orchestra. The Albuquerque Symphony has also enjoyed Sierra as a guest pianist.

Cody Martinez

Cody Martinez
Just about anything athletic and adventurous is key for Cody Martinez, and the art of break-dancing fits right in. Now a graduate of Escalante Middle School where he was active in Escalante Leaders and competed in everything from football and wrestling to basketball and track, Cody is learning to play drums. Spare time is spent with friends riding dirt bikes, ATVs, snowboarding, cycling – and, of course, break-dancing. Cody and Ryan Harris have choreographed his performance break-dance to “Freeze” by T-Pain.

Ashley Edwards

Ashley Edwards

A Northern California native, Ashley was drawn to music and art at an early age. She experimented with keyboard and guitar, and even dabbled in the school band, but she has found her greatest passion with her favorite instrument – her voice. With a wide range of musical interests and influences, from Mariah Carey to the Dixie Chicks, Fleetwood Mac to Van Morrison, her voice carries a powerful tune filled with heart that emanates from her soul. Though she is a novice at performing live, a little life experience, growing up, and traveling around the world has helped Ashley realize that she is now ready for her voice to be heard. Accompanied on guitar by Glen Canale, Ashley is performing an early blues tune from her all-time favorite artist-Bonnie Raitt.

 

Mikayla McClanahan

Mikayla McClanahan
Mikayla McClanahan is the first to perform a “pointe solo” ballet for Spotlight to Stardom. Dancing to Tchaikovsky, Mikayla will showcase her nearly 10 years of study in ballet and more – and she is but 12 years old. Among her credits, she has performed with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Hollywood Ballet and State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, and is a member of Dance in the Rockies. Mikayla is also a skilled runway model, and has earned numerous awards during her budding career. On an advance educational track, Mikayla looks forward to completing her required schooling to pursue a career in the arts on Broadway or in television and film.

Playing in Traffic
Featuring Tyler Cook (bass, back-up vocals), Brian Grubbs (drums), Jake Heath (lead guitar) and Sam Kelly (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Playing in Traffic is self-described as “from the streets of Dolores.” A creative outgrowth of a high school band class, Playing in Traffic has developed an alternative rock sound that is growing in popularity in Montezuma County, and just beginning to be discovered throughout the rest of the Four Corners region. Though the band now has a catalog of original material, and plans to begin recording in coming months, for Spotlight, they will perform “I Kissed a Girl” – though expect a signature Playing in Traffic ska twist.
 

“”Playing in Traffic”” – Tyler Cook, Brian Grubbs, Sam Kelly and Jake Heath.

“Everybody has been working very hard to make sure their ‘acts’ are top notch,” said Leslie. “So we’re encouraging everyone to come out, bring lots of friends, and support your friends and neighbors, as well as the Community Concert Hall.”
Tickets for Spotlight to Stardom are $25 per person ($10 for children 12 and under), and available at www.durangoconcerts.com, 970.247.7657, or the Ticket Office at 7^th and Main Ave. in Downtown Durango. Seating for the event is “General Admission.” Doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, open at 6 p.m.