Star Search Winner Jake Simpson will be appearing with The Groove Dokterz (Andy Williams Band) Live at Andy Williams Moon River Grill on Friday July 18th and Saturday July 19th!

“Where the Stars Come Out At Night!”
Great Food, Great Music and Great Fun!

Come Join us for Food, Drinks and Live Entertainment!
Moon River Grill is located at:
2600 W. Hwy 76 Branson Missouri!
Call: 417-337-9539 for more information

On Wednesday, July 16 at 12:00 noon, the Branson Veterans Task Force will observe Atomic Remembrance Day at the Golden Corral, 3551 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. Following lunch provided by the restaurant, those who take part will attend the Rotary Meeting with special guests, The Original Comets, now playing at the American Bandstand Theater.

The ceremony commemorates the 63rd anniversary of the birth of the atomic bomb and recognizes all veterans who have been exposed to radiation in the line of military duty. In 2002, President George W. Bush declared July 16th as a national day for all military groups and veterans associated with nuclear programs.

Since July 16, 1945, 1,100+ nuclear weapon devices have been detonated by the U. S. More than 900 atomic detonation tests were in the State of Nevada. Two underground tests were on the outskirts of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Three were in the Aleutian Islands, while two were underwater tests off the coast of California. The remaining atmospheric tests were at select sites in the central and western Pacific Ocean. During this 63-year period, more than 450,000 U. S. military and civilian personnel participated in the U. S. sponsored atomic weapons tests, all chosen for the purposes of development, enhancement and testing of America’s nuclear program.

BVTF Board Member Dawn Easton is the chairperson for this event. The Branson Veterans Task Force holds activities year-round to commemorate important events in our history and to honor our veterans. The BVTF office is located at 138 Pointe Royale Drive in Branson. To contact the office call 417.337.8387 (417.337.VETS) or visit www.bransonveterans.com.

Branson’s FIRST Internet Radio Network is celebrating it’s 10th season with the ‘BWR Welcome Wagon’. We’ll be webcasting from some of Branson’s most popular places and events to highlight why more than 8 MILLION PEOPLE visited Branson in 2007!

We’ll have some great Country music from the Classics through Today’s Hits, along with all of your favorite Branson stars, and gifts for eveyone who stops by! PLUS, some of Branson’s BEST entertainers just might come by to say hello!

Upcoming dates include:
July 19th – Imaginary Theatre with Justin Flom
August 2nd – Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex
August 9th – Gene Williams Theatre – Branson Mall
August 23rd – 20th Annual Branson Fiddle Festival
and select dates at Branson Landing.

Visit the BWR website at www.bransonworldradio.com, and listen to the webcast for Welcome Wagon dates and locations. Sponsorships for the above webcasts are available, and if you’d like to host a Welcome Wagon webcast, contact us at [email protected]

“Glow In The Dark,” an exciting blacklight puppet presentation is coming to Branson Monday, July 21, 2008, 7:00pm at the Hamner Barber Theater.

This amazing production features of 35 different puppets, including several large six foot tall puppets. Featured characters are: Neon Leon, the Toobie Brothers, Dooey Wordsworth, and the Incredible Stretch-a-Bellies. The performance is for all ages, and admission is $10 per person or $25 per family, plus tax. For tickets call the theater box office at 417-334-4363 or order individual tickets online at www.HamnerBarber.com/tickets.htm.

The One Way Street Puppet Ministry Performance Team from Centenial, Colorado is touring seventeen states during it’s National tour, presenting over 30 different performances in churches, schools and conferences. The team is directed by Dale VonSeggen of Lone Tree, Colorado and Philip Haught of Lutz, Florida. Team members are Trent Black of Paris, Texas; JJ Graves of Papillion, Nebraska; Cory Spittler of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Jenny Davis of Smith’s Falls, Ontario; and Emily Demerath of Montogery, Illinois.

Related Websites: OneWayStreet.com

Young entertainers have been preparing since January across the Midwest and July 14-18 they will be competing for up to $7,600 in cash and prizes and the title of Performer of the Year at the American Kids Inc. 2008 National Finals at the Baldknobber’s Theater.

“Before American Idol, Star Search and America’s Got Talent, American Kids Inc. has been showcasing the nation’s talented young performers for 26 years,” said Dr. Dale Smith, founder of the non-profit group based in Branson known as the nation’s only little league of entertainers.

Some 213 acts and more than 100 kids will compete in the annual talent contest judged by an impressive slate of national and celebrity judges.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday with an awards ceremony on Friday morning. The event will culminate in the AllStar Show at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, where 25 of the top acts will be showcased. One winner will be selected as Performer of the Year and win a $1,000 cash prize and a recording session from Rockabilly Recording Company of Branson. Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the door.

AllStar judges include Tyree Mc Lyn, casting producer for “America’s Got Talent,” Rickey Schultz, founder and president of Zebra Records, John Beasley, musician and producer who has worked with shows such as “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “Singing Bee.”

Among the preliminary judges are Jason Pritchett, 2007 finalist “America’s Got Talent,” Barbara Fairchild, Grammy nominated singer and performer, and Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles George Harrison and developer of Liverpool Legends. More celebrity judges are Gary S. Paxton, Grammy winner, and Jason Yeager, 2008 American Idol finalist.

In addition, many American Kids national finalists will be showcased on various Branson stages throughout the week. Monday-Thursday, many will be featured on Center Stage at the Branson Mall. On Tuesday, some will be featured in a pre-show at the Hamner Barber Variety Show at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday finalists will present pre-shows at Justin Flom’s Imaginary Theatre at 7:20 p.m. On Thursday they will be in the pre-show at the Baldknobber’s Jamboree 8 p.m. show.

At the national competition, also recognized are member of the year for community service, college scholarship recipients and a penny drive for a children’s health charity is completed.

“We have many members performing in Branson, on Broadway and on tour, with Disney and in Nashville: Bryan White, Kristin Chenoweth and Blake Shelton are alumnus. Fame and fortune are not promised, but personal development is. We promise exposure, growth, character development and opportunity. Because of the experience gained from being on stage, our members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life,” said Smith.

For more information call the national office manager Brenda Hoffstatter at 1-800-377-8117 OR 417-337-8964 or go to the website at www.americankids.com.

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BRANSON, MO. — Six time Emmy award winner and Grammy nominee John Tesh will be in concert at the Branson Convention Center Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are range from $25 to $80 and are available at Tesh.com, Ticketmaster in Springfield 877-BRANSON (272-6766), or www.Ticketmaster.com

For “An Evening With John Tesh” Tesh brings his all star cast of singers, choreographer and dancer Breeze Lee, an exciting and captivating dance troupe, and outstanding musicians. Adding to the multi-talented troupe of young dancers combining the beauty of hip hop, ballet, lyrical dance and movement is the powerful and uplifting original music of Tesh who has written, composed and arranged most of the shows orchestrations.

Executive Producers Tesh and Connie Sellecca produced this celebration of music and dance “to inspire kids and adults to find their passion.”

Now a successful daily radio talk show host as well as a national recording artist, Tesh has won six Emmys, two Grammy nominations, sold seven million albums, has three gold records and done six PBS specials.

“This is going to be a great event and an amazing evening of entertainment,” said Branson’s Midwest Concerts CEO and President Gary Bartlett.

Bartlett has set this concert to provide funds for Branson’s Christmas Assistance Program. “We are really proud to promote something that’s important to the good people of Branson, they take great pride in looking after the needs of children threatened by circumstance. These people are changing lives. In addition to being a great showman, John and his family have a personal passion for helping people in America and the world. We’re honored to have him here to make this night shine.”

The 10-year old Branson’s Christmas Assistance Program serves parents and children who have special needs especially during the holiday season. In addition to gifts, children are given backpacks, school supplies, two outfits, shoes, underwear, socks, jackets as well as dental and medical assistance for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. In some cases, fuel money, rent and utility assistance are provided. Although the program is called Christmas Assistance, the program is operated year-round and is supported in part by local sponsors that include Wal-Mart, VFW, The Rotary and individuals. Annually more than 500 children and more than 200 families are helped.

“We are looking forward to having John Tesh perform in Branson. It is truly wonderful that the evening will be benefiting the Christmas Assistance Program for children in the Branson School District,” said Ross Summers, President/ CEO, Branson/ Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Jon England, the International Piano Showman from Great Britain brings his phenomenal transatlantic music show “Royally Entertained”, to the Caravelle Theatre on July 15th (Tuesday) at 2 p.m.and will run from Tuesday to Saturday throughout the Summer and Fall concluding with two weeks of Christmas Shows beginning Tuesday 2nd December.

www.jonengland.com

Having transformed the Theatre’s auditorium into a lavishly appointed luxury showroom environment with moving chandeliers, heavily-swagged “Moulin-Rouge” velvet draping, three gorgeous custom-built pianos, video backdrops and a host of unexpected surprises (including an extraordinary “Royal” guest), Jon provides non-stop dazzling and heart-warming presentations of the world’s most famous music and songs along with Noel Coward-style merriment delivered with drop-dead Roger Moore-style good looks.

This truly is a must-see show for anyone who hankers for stylish, classy, emotionally-moving and memorable show experience that’s easy on the eye, ear and pocket.

With adult tickets at $23 (plus a host of discounts for locals, seniors, veterans, church groups and families) at an ‘easy-to-find’ venue right on the “strip”, next to Jim Stafford’s and across from Mickey Gilley’s – be sure to be among the very first to experience the “Velvet Piano” phenomenon’s Branson premiere week of exciting shows.

Rob Callahan founder of “The Honor Tour” will honor Andy Williams July 14, 2008 at the Moon River Grill. The presentation will begin at 12:30 (lunch). The Honor Tour goal is to take the WW II Veterans to see their memorial in Washington before they pass on. A year ago Andy did some public service announcements to raise money for this project. As a result Rob has several tours scheduled for this year. These trips are at no expense to the veterans. Most of the veterans would not be able to make this trip on their own. He is doing this for all the veterans in the state of Missouri. He will present Andy with a plaque and do a small presentation regarding the trips he takes. Right now Rob is doing this for the WW II Vets but as time and money becomes available he wants to extend it to the Korean War and Vietnam War Vets as well. The Moon River Grill is going to offer a 20% discount on lunch to any Veteran that will be there.

BRANSON, MO — Military reunion groups will experience a special tribute at a popular Branson attraction. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction has dedicated a “Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony” acknowledging veterans, active duty, those lost and missing in conflict.

This remembrance is widely performed by veterans’ organizations at banquets and gatherings, honoring those who are missing from the celebration. There have been many different narratives written for the presentation, but the symbolism is quite constant. Dixie Stampede will set the “Missing Man Table” and provide the special honors ceremony by request for military reunion groups only.

As guests are seated, they will see an empty table set for one. The empty place setting signifies Americans from each branch of service, with flags representing Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. The Honors Ceremony that follows describes each item on the table and its significance.

The “Missing Man Table”
The table is round, signifying everlasting concern for the missing. The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the call to duty. A single red rose in a vase represents the lives of the missing, their loved ones and friends. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of continued determination to account for the missing. A slice of lemon on the plate is a reminder of the bitter fate of those captured and missing. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by their families. The Bible represents the faith to sustain those lost. An inverted glass signifies the missing who cannot share the evening’s celebration. The chair is empty because they are missing.

The ceremony concludes as guests enjoy each other’s company, a meal and the Dixie Stampede arena show, highlighted by the beautiful Patriotic Finale, reminded of the loved ones and veterans honored that day.

“Not only is this a poignant ceremony appropriate for all branches and all eras, it’s a good fit for reunion groups enjoying Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede,” stated Steve Weyher, board member of Branson Veterans Task Force.

The private ceremony takes place before the Carriage Room pre-show, and is provided by request, free of charge, for military reunion groups of 15 or more attending that evening’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show. To arrange a “Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony” for your military reunion, please contact Pat Veach at 1-800-520-5101 x245, or email [email protected].

About Dixie Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is a unique dinner and show experience set in an 85,000-square-foot facility featuring 32 magnificent horses, a stampede of Longhorn steer, dozens of cast members, ostrich races, illusions, music and more, all showcased in a friendly rivalry between the North and the South. With seating to accommodate over 1,000 guests, the show is highlighted by a four-course feast. Pre-show entertainment features the comedy and juggling of Guinness record sport juggler, Albert Lucas, in the facility’s Carriage Room.

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attractions operate in three popular destinations: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Branson, Missouri. For general information regarding show times and ticket prices, call 1-800-520-5544 or visit www.dixiestampede.com.

We need volunteers!!! Church Army Branson needs help with the:

Point in Time Count

Tuesday July 15th, 2008

Help us to make a difference in the community we live in and serve someone in need. We need your help in reaching out to our homeless brothers and sisters in Taney and Stone Counties, gathering their information so we can help to break the cycle of homelessness in Missouri. Come learn what you can do to help!

We will have volunteer meetings on Wednesday July 9th at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the offices of Church Army Branson, 501 S. 5th Street, Branson. For more info, or to sign up, please contact Christopher Welch 417-598-9240.

Sponsored by the Governor’s Committee to Homelessness (GCEH) in Missouri.