{"id":404,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/flagpoleradiocafe\/"},"modified":"2025-04-08T17:39:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T17:39:16","slug":"flagpoleradiocafe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/flagpoleradiocafe\/","title":{"rendered":"Ives Concert Park to host Flagpole Radio Cafe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 A change of pace will come to Ives Concert Park at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19. The outdoor venue on the Western Connecticut State University Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury, will host The Flagpole Radio Caf\u00e9<\/a>, a variety show presented as an old-fashioned radio program featuring a mix of music and comedy, with a musical guest artist. Tickets will be $65 for a VIP ticket that includes a meet-and-greet reception, $30 for general admission, and $20 for students, seniors and children under 12. For tickets, call (203) 837-TIXX or go to www.wcsu.edu\/tickets<\/a>. The event is part of the Newtown Savings Bank Fine Arts & Family series.<\/p>\n

According to its creators, The Flagpole Radio Caf\u00e9 is a celebration of our towns and our state, yet through its virtuosity has appeal for a larger audience similar to \u201cA Prairie Home Companion\u201d has. The show has enjoyed success because the music is outstanding and the comedy is intelligent and witty. The quality of the show has attracted outstanding guest artists including Peter Yarrow, Tom Chapin, Christine Lavin, Vaneese Thomas, Ramblin\u2019 Jack Elliot, The Whiffenpoofs and Roger Ball. So impressed was Peter Yarrow with his experience, that he said, \u201cThis is the best thing I\u2019ve done in years. I wish I could take this show as it is, bottle it, and take it on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary<\/a> fame, will appear on the Ives stage. Joining him will be vocalist Bethany Yarrow<\/a>, his daughter, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For those not acquainted with The Flagpole Radio Caf\u00e9, it is a variety show created by Jim Allyn<\/a>, Martin Blanco<\/a> and Barbara Gaines<\/a> in conjunction with the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission<\/a>. It features music by Jim Allyn and the Radio Caf\u00e9 Orchestra, a dynamic ensemble created for the show, and radio-style comedy sketches by the hyperbolically named Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre<\/a>. The Flagpole Radio Caf\u00e9 is hosted by musician and radio personality Chris Teskey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Music Director Jim Allyn\u2019s music roams the landscape of American roots, rock, country, blues and Celtic music. A seasoned stage performer, songwriter, and studio musician, \u201che plays a lot of good bluegrass too,\u201d according to the legendary Bill Monroe. His intuitive songwriting and singing are matched by his freewheeling improvisations on guitar, mandolin, piano, and harmonica. A \u201cmandolinist extraordinaire\u201d according to the Danbury News-Times, he has performed with Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Chris Hillman of the Byrds, Newgrass Revival, Vassar Clements, and many others. Allyn recently won first prize in the Flat Pick Guitar category and second prize in Mandolin category at the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department Pickin\u2019 n Fiddlin\u2019 contest.<\/p>\n

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Newtown Cultural Arts Commission member Martin Blanco produces and directs the The Flagpole Radio Caf\u00e9. Blanco has been a stay-at-home parent for 12 years. Prior to parenthood, he worked as an arts administrator, stage director, teacher and dramaturg for cultural institutions such as the Huntington Theater Company, Yale Repertory Theatre, Eugene O\u2019Neill Memorial Theater Center, Management Consultants for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Belmont Italian American Playhouse, Boston University and American University. Blanco, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, is a member of the Stage Director and Choreographers Society.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities. <\/em><\/p>\n

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