Ever since Columbia jazz singer Lavenia Nesmith and her quintet put together a special concert for the Oakland Mills Community Association to help re-energize the village, audiences have been asking for more. The village's arts scene is so vital now that Nesmith has come back with an entire jazz series slated to run on a bi-monthly basis through the end of 2008.

This "Jazz in the Mills" series kicks off Sunday, June 29 at 5 p.m. in the Other Barn (5851 Robert Oliver Place) with a new program of songs by Nesmith herself.

Nesmith is a longtime resident of Oakland Mills, where she has raised her family for the past three decades. She returned to professional jazz performing in 1999, and when not producing musical revues has sung backup for Diana Ross. She and her quintet have also been busy performing at such venues as the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns and the Henley Park Hotel.

Nesmith's style came about because she was "classically trained," she has said, with a solid background in church singing.

"As I began to grow as a singer," she explains. "I was given opportunities to perform with very accomplished musicians. I just evolved as a result of that."

To help kick off Oakland Mills Village's 40th birthday celebration weekend, Nesmith will be joined by Chris Grasso on piano, Lenny Robinson on drums, Paul Carr on saxophone and James King on bass.

Another act already booked for the jazz series is the Felicia Carter Quintet, which performs Aug 10. Carter is a Baltimore-based vocalist who received accolades for her recent double CD "Feather/Step Lightly" and has composed music for PBS.

Playing Oct. 12 will be the Paul Carr Quintet. Carr is a post-bop saxophonist whose work has been reviewed in USA Today and The Washington Post. The D.C. resident's latest CD, "Musically Yours," recently charted at number nine on the Jazz Week chart.

Rounding out the series Dec. 14 will be the Delores King Williams Quartet. Williams, a vocalist, is a Columbia resident and a native of Baltimore who studied at the Peabody Conservatory. She won a Downbeat magazine award and is a past winner of Baltimore's Billie Holiday Vocal Competition. She currently performs with the political satire troupe the Capitol Steps.

Admission to individual concerts in the "Jazz in the Mills" series is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Series tickets can be bought for $50. All concerts run 5 to 7 p.m. Call 410-730-4610 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/34749.

Teen theater opens with a cool 'School'

Theater

The Howard County Summer Theater Jr. will stage the popular Disney musical "High School Musical" Thursday and Friday, June 26-27. Longtime local theater director Marla Blasko will direct this production along with Mt. Hebron High School graduates Laura Tschirgi and Kassi Mattera.

The musical is the stage version of the Emmy Award-winning 2006 Disney Channel movie about students who become rivals during auditions for the school musical.

The Summer Theatre Jr., now in its third year, is open to kids in grades two through nine. Despite the tender ages of the actors, director Blasko says the story of "High School Musical" has wider meaning.

"I read somewhere it's sort of loosely like 'Romeo and Juliet,' except without the tragic ending," Blasko explains. "I think it resonates with elementary school students as well as middle and high school students -- even adults."

The production will star Jordan Andre as Troy, Paul Salazar as Chad, Eric Muccino as Zeke, Stephen Dransfield as Jason, Maggie Dransfield as Sharpay, Luke Link as Ryan, Christina Mattera as Gabriella Montez, Carson Blasko as Taylor McKessie, Ali Tschirgi as Martha and Mandi James as Kratnoff.

Also featured will be Connor Malarkey as Ripper, Emmy Schafer as Mongo, Sophie Goron as Kelsi, Daniel Goldstein as Jack Scott, Hannah Swearman as Mrs. Darbus, Ben Tschirgi as Coach Bolton, and Lindsey Anne Dransfield as Ms. Tenney. The cast numbers 42.

"This is the biggest production we've done," explains Blasko, who teaches drama by day at Long Reach High School. "Last year, we had 35 kids and the first year we had a cast of 20."

Blasko, who has directed all three Howard County Summer Theatre Jr. productions, says that when working with such young actors, she's surprised by the smarts they often bring to the proceedings.

"You wouldn't think that an elementary school kid could learn so much choreography and so much dialogue," she says. "And they just surprise you. You give them the lines and they come in at the next rehearsal and they're memorized.

"They amaze me," Blasko continues. "It's really a joy to see them take on the challenges and put on a big show like this."

"High School Musical" can be seen Thu., June 26, 1:30 p.m. and Fri., June 27, 7:30 p.m., at Mt. Hebron High School. Admission is $5 general. Tickets will be available at the door, or by e-mailing mjblasko@verizon.net.

A new 'Menagerie'

The River Hill High School Theatre Arts Department will stage a student-alumni production of Tennessee Williams' classic drama "The Glass Menagerie" Thursday-Saturday, June 26-28 at River Hill High School, in Clarksville.

The production will star drama teacher Pam Land in the role of Amanda Wingfield, alumni Emily Woodhouse as Laura Wingfield, and rising junior Alex Fast as Tom Wingfield. Also featured will be alumnus Andrew Boetcher in the role of Jim. Fellow alum Ryan McMichael composed an original score.

The production marks the first effort by the high school's theater department and the You Can Always Come Home Players. Proceeds will go toward River Hill High School Fine Arts Scholarships. Tickets are $10.

For reservations or more details, call 410-428-7971 or e-mail woodhouse.je@gmail.com.

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