12/28/06

It’s ‘something for everyone’ at 2007 Cypress After 5
By Cathy Gilbert

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The popular Cypress After 5 concert series kicks off its eighth season with The Headliners, a six-piece band that specializes in everything from the Big Band sound to classic hits. Polish up your dancing shoes, you won’t want to miss this one!

Whether your tastes lean to swinging with the big band, shagging with a beach band or respectfully tapping your toe to an elegant gospel choir, the 2007 edition of the Cypress After 5 concert series has something for everyone.

Now in its eighth season, the highly popular music program is an endeavor of the Cypress Foundation, the fundraising arm of Clarendon Health System. Under the leadership of series chairpersons Matt Evans and Ginny Flynt, this year’s offerings promise to be highly entertaining.

“We are so excited to be able to bring this level of entertainment to the citizens of Clarendon County,” said Evans. “Additionally, the series benefits the Cypress Foundation and Clarendon Health System and in turn, every citizen of Clarendon County.”

The series kicks off at the Cypress Center in Manning on Friday, Jan. 12 with The Headliners.

Possibly one of the most requested bands in the Southeast, The Headliners perform over 200 shows each year. The six-piece group blends great vocal harmonies with exceptional musical abilities. Led by Larry Pergio, The Headliners are six vocalists, a three-piece horn section, bass guitar, keyboards and drums. Heavy on dance music, you’ll want to have your shoes ready to go as The Headliners specialize in the Big Band sound, as well as classic hits from the 50s and 60s, beach music, Motown, disco and today’s hits. Whatever you like, The Headliners have it!

A special Valentine’s concert is planned for Feb. 16 with the Andrew Thielen Big Band.

Hailing from both North and South Carolina, the Andrew Thielen Band is led by Thielen himself, a drummer who has played with superstars such as Louie Bellson, Ed Shaunnessy and the famed Glenn Miller Orchestra.

With two female vocalists, Jackie Beaumont and Pippa Slover, and male vocalist Larry Tannelli, the Andrew Thielen Big Band will perform music from the golden era of the Big Band sound to the new standards of today. From Glenn Miller to Harry Connick Jr. this band is sure to be a thrill for all ages.

The concert on March 16, will give your feet a chance to rest but will swell your heart with the beautiful sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir.

Now in its sixth year, the CSO Gospel Choir is Charleston’s only culturally diverse choir, performing gospel, spirituals and sacred music for annual events including the CSO Gospel Christmas concert and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

The CSO Gospel Choir is under the direction of Vivian Jones, who is also the choral director at Charleston’s Burke High School. She also performs teaching duties and choral direction at the Charleston Development Academy Charter School.

Jones has led the CSO Choir through the creation of its 2004 compact disc and a 2005 documentary about the choir. She has taken the choir abroad, performing in Prague, Liepzig and Vienna in 2005.

You will not want to miss this all-volunteer choir of over 80 voices. Their reviews have rarely been anything less than stellar and March’s concert promises to be equal to those reviews.

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Back by popular demand, the Band of Oz, one of the southeast’s most sought after beach band, will perform in a bonus Cypress After 5 concert on April 20.

Again this year, a fourth bonus concert has been added and back by popular demand will be the Band of Oz.

Prepare to shag the night away with this legendary beach band. Formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing high schools and fraternity parties, the Band of Oz went on the road full time in 1976 and has made an exceptional name for itself across the southeast. In high demand at top clubs and corporate parties, the Band of Oz garners top reviews and is often a headliner or guest at the major beach music shows.

More than “just a beach band,” the Band of Oz performs a broad repertoire of music including 1960s party music, hits from Jimmy Buffet, the Doobie Brothers, Motown and even today’s top 40 hits.

Concert series sponsorship opportunities are still available at a variety of levels. Contact Scherrie Cogdill, Cypress Foundation executive director at 435-5246 to find out more about sponsoring one or more concerts.

Tickets are now available for the “3+1” concert series. The three concert series is $90 per person with the bonus concert in April an additional $30. Each concert includes delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine. Seating is limited to 300 so don’t delay in reserving your spot at this exciting series. Call 435-5246 or visit The Zone today to get your tickets!