World Class Jazz Returns to Roswell this Weekend

Still waiting until the last minute to make some weekend travel plans? Then you are in luck, as 18 world class tradition, mainstream and Latin jazz artists will join musical forces at the fourth annual Pecos Valley/Roswell Jazz Festival Friday-Sunday (October 9-11, 2009) in Roswell.

Jazz musician and composer, Dr. Roger Dickerson, a Hurricane Katrina refugee, came to Roswell to stay with his Army Band mate, Frank Schlatter. From a series of local events, Dickerson developed the Pecos Valley Jazz & Arts Festival, now known as the Roswell Jazz Festival.

“Music is an integral part of New Mexico's culture,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, “and we have no better messenger than the Roswell Jazz Festival. New Mexicans and their visitors will experience a golden showcase of the kind of music that knows no bounds. The folks in Roswell are to be commended for their unlimited support of this incredible event.”

Festival returnees are Dickerson; Eddie Erickson, banjo (Los Angeles); Tom Fischer, clarinet (New Orleans); Nicki Parrot, bass, (New York City); Dan Barrett, trombone (Los Angeles); Randy Sandke, trumpet (New York City) Michael Francis, keyboards and the Music Director of the Festival (Lincoln); George Aiuvalasit, harmonica (Las Cruces); Ricky Malichi, drums (El Paso), Chris Beaty, saxophone (Portales), and Ken Tuttle, trumpet (Roswell). Festival newcomers are Harry Allen, tenor sax (New York City); Wilfred Hernandez, Latin percussion (El Paso); Chuck Redd, vibes (Washington D.C.); Ross Sportiello, piano (New York City); Eric Unsworth, bass (El Paso); Curt Warren, guitar (El Paso); and Aaron Weinstein, violin (New York City).

The free, opening concert is Friday, noon-1 p.m., on the steps of the Old County Courthouse on Main Street.

Club venues Friday (limit seating) include Peppers Lounge, 5-7 p.m. (tickets $10); Pecos Flavors Winery, 5-7 p.m. (ticket $25); and Sally Port Inn and Suites, 7:30-11:30 p.m. (adult tickets $25, student tickets $10).

Club venue Saturday is Sally Port Inn and Suites, 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Venues Sunday are Pueblo Auditorium, Third & Kentucky Streets, 10:30 a.m., (Worship in Jazz, featuring 12 festival artists and keyboard solo by Music Director Michael Francis.); and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, 2-5 p.m., with Nicki Parrot, Ricki Malichi, Curt Warren, Aaron Weinstein and friends (tickets $25).

Festival spokesperson Paula Grieves says, “We have learned from previous Festivals that club settings are the most popular, and for 2009, we have chosen to continue partnerships with local businesses for the Friday night club dates at Peppers and the Pecos Flavors Winery. This year we’ve chosen to stay with two larger-setting club dates on Friday and Saturday at the Sally Port Inn and Suites. One central site with four different sets of music is a very exciting way to be up close and personal and to listen to various combinations of artists playing different types of jazz. We think this is a great approach.”

Tickets for the 2009 Roswell Jazz Festival may be purchased at the Roswell Convention Center (1-888-767-9355 or 575-624-7704. The Festival Office at the First Presbyterian Church may also be contacted, 575-622-4910, ext.13.

For more information visit http://www.pecosvalleyjazz.com/

For more information about other top events in New Mexico, please visit the New Mexico top events page at Top Events USA at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-new-mexico.html

CHRISTMAS ALREADY?

It's not too early to start thinking of Christmas - or - chocolate. Combining the two, The town of Hershey will sparkle with more than 3 million lights during Christmas in Hershey, a town-wide celebration that begins on November 13.

The centerpiece of the holiday celebration is Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, through which Hersheypark is transformed into a delightful holiday village with more than 30 rides, Santa and his nine live reindeer, live entertainment, games, shops, and food. New for the 2009 season is a dazzling light show choreographed to high-energy holiday music. Aglow with more than 127,000 lights, the show will include the famous 50-foot tall Kissmas Tree and an array of illuminated displays, including snowmen and reindeer.

Just a short drive from Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is “Hershey Sweet Lights, A Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular,” which also will open for the season on November 13. Guests can drive their cars along a 2.3-mile route through a wooded hillside and enjoy nearly 600 light displays, all while listening to the sounds of the season through a customized radio broadcast.

Both Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey will offer overnight accommodations and packages to guests who wish to relax and enjoy all the town’s activities during a multi-day stay. Families may be interested in booking the “Breakfast With Santa” package at either property.

In addition, Hershey Lodge will offer guests a holiday dinner theatre. “Christmas in ChocolateTown, A Holiday Dinner Musical” includes regional holiday fare topped off with a decadent chocolate dessert and followed by a professional song-and-dance performance. This seasonal revue, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will include pop holiday songs as well as traditional favorites.

The chefs of Hershey Lodge will present “Holidays Around the World,” offering diners festive cuisine from various regions around the globe. These menus will be available the entire month of December in both The Forebay and Hershey Grill restaurants.

Every member of the family will enjoy “Holiday with Dickens” at The Hotel Hershey December 6 and 7. Guests can celebrate the spirit of the season with an engaging performance of Charles Dickens’ cherished tale, A Christmas Carol, by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of the renowned author, at either an afternoon English tea or elegant dinner.

In addition, both Giant Center and Hershey Theatre will host an array of festive entertainment, including concerts and family shows. Among the scheduled performances are Chris Botti and Jim Brickman at Hershey Theatre and Trans Siberian Orchestra at Giant Center. Giant Center also is home ice for the Hershey Bears, the 2008-2009 American Hockey League’s Calder Cup champions and the oldest continuously operating franchise in the AHL. The team has several home games scheduled during the holiday season.

The festivities will continue at Hershey’s Chocolate World, home of Hershey’s Bake Shoppe, which will offer such freshly baked Christmas treats as cookies, brownies and cupcakes. Guests can sample limited-edition, holiday-flavored Hershey’s Kisses chocolates at the Hershey’s Chocolate Tasting Adventure or sip scrumptious Hershey’s Hot Cocoa. Other activities include visiting with Santa; shopping for stocking stuffers; or enjoying a holiday ride through town on the Hershey Trolley, which departs from Hershey’s Chocolate World.

Visitors can make new memories this holiday season at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, which opened this past January. Adorned in festive greenery and lights, the museum’s lobby provides a heartwarming Chocolate Avenue winter scene that will make the perfect backdrop for a special keepsake family photo. Kids can make a chocolate dough ornament in the “Little Elves Workshop,” and live holiday musical performances will be held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season.

Hershey Gardens will present holly and viburnium berries, evergreens, and the Christmas rose in a striking blend of hues and textures. Beginning November 13 and running through December 27, visitors can see the Gardens’ National Christmas Tree Walk, featuring evergreen trees decorated with ornaments collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

For additional information, visit www.ChristmasInHershey.com

For more information on other major Christmas events across the USA take a look at the Christmas pages of Top Events USA at http://www.topeventsusa.com/christmas-events.html or for other top events in Pennsylvania see http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-pennsylvania.html