Andy Stein kicks off new concert season

$50 gets admission to four shows

GRANT COUNTY — When the Central Basin Community Concert Association offered its first concert in 1954, the organization was the county's sole choice for entertainment.

"We had no entertainment to speak of," said Aurora Updegrave, co-chair of the board and board member of nearly 50 years. "We had no movie theater and we didn't have Alliance Arts."

The association's 52nd season kicks off on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with Andy Stein's Blue Four, a mix of swing, chamber music and vocals. The concert is held at the Wallenstien Theater in Moses Lake.

"We still have the best show in town," board member John Vrieling said.

Stein's group combines the sounds of violin, guitar, piano, saxophone, clarinet and vocals and applies them to ballad and jazz selections.

"We were really impressed," Updegrave said of the sample of Stein the group heard.

Memberships for the full 2006-2007 season are sold at the door or beforehand at $50 for general admission, $25 for students, $125 for families and $75 for single-parent families.

Upcoming shows are harpist Bronn Journey, entertainer/comedian The Great Kaplan and swing-era band The Artie Shaw Orchestra.

"We have quite a variety," said Arlie Updegrave, Aurora Updegrave's husband and co-chair of the board.

Artie Shaw's band recorded popular songs such as Stardust, Moonglow, Carioca and Begin the Beguine in the 1930s and

1940s. Board members seemed to agree The Artie Shaw Orchestra would be the biggest hit of the season.

"So many people are unaware of the caliber of talent that comes to Moses Lake," board member Evie Vrieling said.

Those who buy season tickets also get into shows hosted by other concert associations, including those in the Tri-Cities and Yakima.

Board member Glenna Bingham remembered the first Central Basin Community Concert Association show she attended, several years ago.

"The first concert I ever went to was a flamenco dancer, and I sat in my chair and thought, 'I never saw such a glorious thing in Moses Lake,'" Bingham said.

Central basin's association has 430 members, she said.

The organization is looking for 100 new members to keep its budget healthy, Arlie Updegrave added. All shows are funded through memberships and donations.

For more information, call Gladys Tracy at 509-765-4150 or Pauline Lepsche at 509-765-3259.