Celebrate Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at “Whoadeo” family fun event on, Saturday, October 9th from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at Dixie Stampede in Branson. The free event is designed to celebrate the joy of reading among families, while children enjoy riding stick horses in rodeo style events.

What’s a “Whoadeo”?
The “Whoadeo” is a stick horse rodeo for kids. It gives them a chance to ride in the Dixie Stampede main arena and showcase their skills including: Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Obstacle Course, Bucking Horse and Jumping. Children and adults compete on an authentic stick horse as they race around barrels, jump over obstacles or manage to not get “bucked” off their horse. Prizes will be awarded for top times and creative “bucking”.

Also featured during the “Whoadeo” at Dixie Stampede will be kids’ games, face painting, animal exhibitions, as well as giveaways from companies and public agencies that serve families.

About Dixie Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is a unique dinner and show experience set in an 35,000-square-foot arena featuring 32 magnificent horses, a stampede of Longhorn steer, trick riders, beautiful music, and audience participation, all showcased in a friendly rivalry between North and South, complemented by a fabulous four-course feast.

Featured at this year’s Dixie Stampede, a new musical-comedy celebration, “Gold Rush Jubilee”, full of twists and surprises sure to keep audiences laughing!

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

Big Cedar Lodge has gone beyond the ordinary and is now giving guests of the resort an opportunity to participate in Ski School Lessons and SCUBA Diving.

Whether you are certified diver or an amateur, guests 10 years and over are invited to join our professional instructors in a SCUBA dive and discover the excitement of the underwater world.

If you prefer to stay above the water, you can polish your slalom, kneeboard and wakeboard skills with the help of our professional instructor in our new Professional Ski School.

For more information call 417-339-7107 or visit www.bigcedar.com

Calling all Red Hat Society Members! Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is pleased to welcome the “Red Hat” Branson Stampede, August 31st-September 3rd, 2010. A highlight of the event will be a dedicated fashion show on Dolly’s Carriage Room stage in-the-round.

“Red Hat” Branson Stampede is presented by Jaspers Events and hosted by The Theodosia Ladies At The Lake Red Hat Group. In addition to the fashion show, the 3-day weekend schedule has a variety of fun activities including a Welcome Wine & Cheese Reception, dinner & show at Dixie Stampede, a bra-purse craft contest, and Red Hatters Pajama Party with Chocolate-To-Die-For buffet. For more information, availability and reservations visit www.visitmoevents.com/Red_hat or call 417-880-8040.

About the Red Hats
What is the Red Hat Society? Queen Mother, Sue Ellen Cooper said it best, “The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next.”

About Dixie Stampede
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede is a unique dinner and show experience set in an 35,000-square-foot arena featuring 32 magnificent horses, a stampede of Longhorn steer, trick riders, beautiful music, and audience participation, all showcased in a friendly rivalry between North and South, complemented by a fabulous four-course feast.

Featured at this year’s Dixie Stampede, a new musical-comedy celebration, “Gold Rush Jubilee”, full of twists and surprises sure to keep audiences laughing!

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

July 24th
10am to 3pm

Blow up kids jumper all day. Kids games, stick horse races, Dixie Stampede ticket drawing every 30 minutes (tickets for 2). Dixie Flags for all kid participants, big Dixie flags for general adult prizes.

The McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Production of Peter Pan, starring Cathy Rigby, returns to The Mansion Theater in Branson, Missouri giving local youth the chance to win a Walk-on part with the cast and the opportunity to help children battling cancer, benefiting the non-profit organization Discovery Arts.

Branson, MO – July 17, 2010 — Eight time Olympic Gold Medal winner, Actress and Speaker, Cathy Rigby returns to the Mansion Theater in Branson Missouri in the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Production of Peter Pan, as the enduring swashbuckling lead character. Rigby will perform 8 shows a week through August 15, 2010.

As Spokesperson and Board Member for Discovery Arts, Ms. Rigby has teamed up with Discovery Arts’ Executive Director, Marilyn Clements, to offer children the opportunity to win a Walk-on during the second act of Peter Pan, and also fly at the end of the show, with the purchase of a Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Ticket.

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during each showing of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater. A winning ticket will be announced during intermission of each performance; the lucky ticket bearer will then have a Walk-on part in the performance and will also fly at the end of the show.

Proceeds of Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets will go directly to benefit Discovery Arts Adventure Programs for children currently undergoing cancer and life-threatening illness treatments in the hospitals which they serve.

Discovery Arts uses the arts as tools to help children step outside the confines of their illness and into the world of creativity and imagination by bringing “Art Adventures” to the bedsides of pediatric cancer patients in six Southern California Cancer Treatment Hospitals.

“Seeing these children and their families first hand really makes you grateful for your own healthy children. I am excited to be the Spokesperson for Discovery Arts and to be a part of something that gives children who are undergoing cancer treatment a creative fun filled way to express themselves, while in an environment that is far from normal…. for these kids, normalcy is their greatest wish. Discovery Arts proves that anything is possible.” said Cathy Rigby.

In her recurring musical theatrical role as Peter Pan, Rigby has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of imagination and creative play for seriously ill young audience members. She said, “Many children with special needs come to visit after the shows. Some express their desire to fly like Peter despite their illness, some have asked me to ‘fly’ to their home and take them to Neverland, and some just want ‘Peter’ to sprinkle them with a little fairy dust. Each child has incredible creativity, imagination and such courage! Through Discovery Arts, I want to bring the wonderful healing powers of theater arts right to their bedside!”

Cathy Rigby earned a Tony nomination when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. In addition to her lauded roles on Broadway and national and regional theatrical tours, she has performed in various TV movies. She has been honored with the National Broadway Theatre Award’s 2004 Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. Tom McCoy of McCoy-Rigby Entertainment is also Board Member of Discovery Arts, since 1994 Mr. McCoy has been Executive Producer of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. McCoy-Rigby Entertainment recently opened the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts is dedicated to teaching youth excellence in dance.

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during performances of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater by Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians in kind naming the child entered to win the Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure with Cathy Rigby during each performance.
Discovery Arts serves over 3,500 children and their families each year. With programs at Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Miller Children’s Hospital, Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Millers, CHOC at Mission and Fountain Valley Hospital. All of Discovery Arts programs and services are free of charge to the hospitals, patients and their families, relying on the generosity of individuals, corporations, fundraisers such as the Peter Pan Adventure Ticket, and grants. “We began serving children in a small 14 bed unit at Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center. We are now honored to serve more than 3500 children and their families each year, doing 9 programs in 6 southern California hospitals,” said Executive Director, Marilyn Clements.
The National Cancer Institute states, “Children with cancer have enormous emotional needs, they need a safe place to express their feelings about their illness; they need relief from the pain and chaos of critical illness; they desperately need fun and normalcy”.

For more information on the treatment of children with cancer see: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/youngpeople

Discovery Arts Peter Pan Adventure Tickets can be purchased during performances of Peter Pan at the Mansion Theater in Branson.

For tickets to Peter Pan, please call The Mansion Theatre: (866) 707-4100

Peter Pan Schedule of Performances: http://www.themansiontheatre.com/cal/events/images/shows/peterpan.pdf

JOIN DISCOVERY ARTS’ CIRCLE OF FRIENDS:
Your support of just $15 a month will help bring “Arts Adventures” to a child with cancer, serious blood disorder or life threatening illness while they are in the hospital receiving treatment. Donations are graciously accepted online at: http://www.discoveryarts.org/donate-to-children-with-cancer.htm

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Contact Discovery Arts
Website: www.discoveryarts.org
Telephone: 714 637-1774
E-mail: [email protected]
Publicist: Cyrene Jagger
[email protected]
951.795.4455

About Discovery Arts:
Discovery Arts was created in 1993 by a dedicated group of entertainment industry professionals who began volunteering their time and talents to bring music, dance, art and drama to children with cancer, serious blood disorders and life threatening illness while they are in the hospital receiving treatment.
In recognition of the powerful impact of the arts on these children, Discovery Arts was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency in 1998 with a mission to expand the delivery of “Arts Adventures” to many more children in many more hospitals. All of Discovery Arts programs and services are offered free of charge to the hospitals, patients and their families. Website: www.discoveryarts.org
About Cathy Rigby:
Cathy Rigby earned a Tony nomination when she starred in the 35th Anniversary production of Peter Pan on Broadway. Subsequently, her multiple talents have been lauded on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre as the Cat-In-The-Hat in Seussical the Musical. Other National and Regional tours include Annie Get Your Gun, Meet Me In St. Louis, South Pacific, Paint Your Wagon, The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Most recently Cathy Starred in AR Gurneys Silvia, to rave reviews at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts.

Some of Rigby’s dramatic television movie credits include the “Perfect Body,” “Hard To Read,” “The Great Wallendas,” “Triathlon,” and the Emmy-nominated “Peter Pan” for A&E. A two-time Olympic gymnast, Cathy Rigby is the first American woman to win a medal in the World Gymnastics Competition and holds 12 international medals, eight of them gold. Cathy worked with ABC as a gymnastic commentator for 18 years. ABC-TV’s venerable “Wide World of Sports” named her one of America’s Most Influential Women in Sports. Cathy and her husband, Tom McCoy are Executive Producers of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment Series at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

About McCoy-Rigby Entertainment:
www.mccoyrigby.com

Tom McCoy, of McCoy-Rigby Entertainment is also Board Member of Discovery Arts. McCoy-Rigby Entertainment recently opened the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts is dedicated to teaching youth excellence in dance. Since 1994, Tom McCoy has been Executive Producer of the McCoy-Rigby Entertainment series at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

McCoy-Rigby Credits include; Broadway: Peter Pan, Starring Cathy Rigby 1990, 1998, 1999, and 2005. National Tours: Seussical The Musical starring Cathy Rigby; Jesus Christ Superstar; and Annie Get Your Gun starring Cathy Rigby, and in 2007 the national tour of Camelot, starring Michael York. A & E Television Network Premiere of “Peter Pan,” Historic All Star Concert for Pope John Paul II; award winning documentary on “Balancing Wellness.” Many, many Emmy, Tony, and LA Theater Award nominations….some actual awards! McCoy-Rigby Entertainment has just purchased McCoy Rigby Dance Academy in Yorba Linda California. With 550 students, McCoy Rigby Dance Academy is dedicated to teaching our youth excellence in dance.

Trey Wilson and Lucas Case announce the formation of Wilson & Case Company, LLC. Wilson & Case Company will provide the following services to artists in the Christian and main stream markets: Artist Management, Artist Development, Public Relations, Marketing Strategy, Social Media, Radio Promotion, Television, Tour Support, and Large Venue Booking.

“Artists from around the country will be exclusively or inclusively signed to work with our company,” states Lucas Case, co-owner of Wilson & Case Company. “Depending on the artists needs, we will maintain the current image and style, or develop a new image for them.”

It is our desire to advance and preserve all styles of Christian music, while maintaining a level of professionalism and class that is second to none.

Trey Wilson, co-owner of Wilson & Case Company says, “We are excited about this new venture that God has placed on our hearts, and we look forward to serving the people of North America with our talents and expertise.”

Wilson & Case Company will base their headquarters in Branson, Missouri, and will also have an office in Nashville, Tennessee. “Mobility will be necessary as we continue to search for new talent to work with and maintain the relationships being built,” says Wilson.

For more information on the Wilson & Case Company please visit their website at www.wilsonandcasecompany.com or their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/wilsonandcaseco. You can also follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/wilsonandcase . To reach them by phone please call 615-509-3200.

CAM needs Sponsors for:

2nd Annual Gospel Sing-Off

3 PM • September 5, 2010 at the Sight & Sound Theatre

Dear community and business leaders,

In the Ozark spirit of helping others, Christian Action Ministries assists over 800 families per month through two food pantries – one in Branson, and now a second in Forsyth. Founded as a joint effort of eleven churches, CAM is a non-denominational organization dedicated to helping the needy in Christ’s name.

But we need your help! Our Annual Gospel Sing-Off is the primary fundraiser to cover the cost of operations and purchase the necessary food to offer nutritionally balanced resources to those in need. Please consider supporting CAM by becoming a sponsor for this wonderful event that celebrates the Christian spirit in song and service.

Sponsor Commitments

• Gold Sponsor – $2,000, full-page program ad, 10 tickets
• Silver Sponsor – $1,000, half-page program ad, 6 tickets
• Bronze Sponsor – $500, quarter-page program ad, 4 tickets
• Honorable Mention – $250, name listing, 2 tickets

We also have key sponsorships available for the prize purse and program printing,
offering special advertising and mentions. Just contact us for details.

For more information or to request a sponsorship form, you can contact me at 239-1011 or by email to [email protected]. You can also contact Pat Davis, our director, at 334-1157 or [email protected].

Thank you for your consideration. We really do need your help!

God bless you,
Jack Burke
CAM Board Chairman

On Friday, July 9, 2010, Irish music returns to Branson. “Eire & Brimstone” will be performing original and traditional Celtic-themed rock & roll music at Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub at Branson Landing, beginning at 10 PM, July 9.

Eire & Brimstone’s music runs the gamut from covers of favorites by U2, Flogging Molly and Great Big Sea, to new tunes like “Kings of Ireland” and “Everyone’s Irish Tonight”, penned by the band. Eire & Brimstone brings a decidedly acoustic-rock perspective on classic pub tunes like “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Wild Rover”, while retaining the folk sensibility of an Irish “trad session” band.

Excellent performers make Eire & Brimstone’s sound. With fiddle, acoustic guitar and mandolin leading the instrumentation, it’s easy to see that this is a different sort of Irish rock band than Branson has seen previously. Fan favorites “Dirty Old Towne” performed for several years with a hard-edged electric, Irish sound that was well-received in Branson. Sadly, Dirty Old Towne split in late 2009.

Helping to fill the void on the Branson music scene is Dan Richards, Dirty Old Towne alum, who anchors a driving acoustic rhythm section for Eire & Brimstone. Also in the band is seasoned performer Bonnie Riley, who is a fiddle champion, and plays locally with Delene, Joey Riley (no relation), and Penny Gilley. You will also hear mandolinist Sam Clanton, a Hometown Radio disc jockey. Tony King, host of Grand Country’s Amazing Pets show, is keeping time on drums. You have probably seen and heard upright bass player Todd Plympton, even if you don’t know him by name. He has played with numerous local bands in the past decade, most recently with Stolen Windows. Singing and writing original tunes is Michael Horn, guitarist from Branson’s Circle B Supper Show.

You will see kilt-clad lads at the Eire & Brimstone shows. You will be invited to join in toasts. And you should expect to hear everything from The Pogues to Violent Femmes – music that makes the pints go down easy and gets people up on their feet. Eire & Brimstone: Rock & Roll with a Celtic Soul!

Check out Eire & Brimstone at Waxy O’Shea’s on Branson Landing Friday July 9, beginning at 10 PM.

Big Cedar Lodge realizes the importance of reconnecting with the family and has introduced a brand new Family Fun Hour, which is a complimentary event offered to on property guests every day Memorial Day through Labor Day from 6:30pm- 7:30pm. The entire family can come out and enjoy games such as kickball, pie eating and seed spitting contests, and water balloon toss.

Family Fun hour is followed by a bonfire from 7:30pm- 8:30pm complete with S’mores roasting on Truman Lawn; 7:30-8:30pm nightly.

For more information call 417-339-7107 or visit www.bigcedar.com.

Christian Action Ministries’ 2nd Annual Gospel Sing-Off fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday September 5th from 3 PM to 6 PM at Sight & Sound Theatres.  As the primary annual fundraiser for the operation of CAM’s food pantries in Branson and Forsyth, community sponsors are critical to the overall success of the event.

“We’ve already been pleased with two key sponsors – Sight & Sound  Theatres and Branson Tourism Center,” said Jack Burke, chairman of the CAM Board of Directors.  “Sight and Sound provides us the free use of their wonderful theatre, and Branson Tourism Center has again made a major contribution for the event.  These two donors enable us to have a state-of-the-art venue with 2,200 seats and provide a sizeable purse for the top three winners.”

Burke went to say, “However, in order to make this a financial success and help us meet the dramatically increased demand, we need local businesses and organizations to help sponsor the Sing-Off.  Currently we are seeking one more key sponsor for the program printing and numerous additional sponsors who will receive advertising space in the program, complimentary tickets to the Sing-Off, and a charitable tax deduction.”

In 2009, 5,881 families came to CAM for assistance, amounting to 14,817 individuals.  Since CAM provides 3 days of emergency food equaling nine nutritious meals per person, that equates to 133,353 meals provided to Taney County residents last year.  The requests for help in 2009 were up 34% over 2008 and the demand over the first few months of 2010 were already up 46% over last year.

Pat Davis, Director of CAM, explained further, “Since the first of the year, we have made a concerted effort to provide nine full and nutritional meals for each individual, based on the basic food groups of the government’s food pyramid.  This means that, aside from local food donations, we are continually purchasing food to maintain a proper balance in our inventory.  Plus, we have also taken over the operations of food pantry in Forsyth, formerly known as My Neighbor’s Pantry, which means we are now serving approximately 800 families per month.  These factors have significantly increased our need for financial donations to augment the food donations we receive.  The success of the Sing-Off is critical to our operations.”

Burke pointed out that Pat Davis assumed the role of director this year on a 100% voluntary basis in order to help CAM reduce operating costs in order to meet the growing need, “Pat has been a true blessing to our community!”

Donations for the various sponsorships range from $2,000 to $250.  A $2,000 “Gold” sponsorship includes a full-page ad in the event program and 10 complimentary tickets.  “Silver” sponsorships are $1,000 and include a half-page ad and six tickets.  “Bronze” sponsorships, valued at $500, receive a quarter page ad and four tickets.  For $250, sponsors are included in an alpha listing of “Honorable Mentions” and two tickets for the show.  In order to allow time for program layout and printing, sponsorships need to be finalized by the end of July.

According to Burke, volunteers will be contacting potential sponsors by phone and CAM has been advertising for sponsors through broadcast e-mails from the Branson Chamber.  Sponsorship forms can be accessed by calling CAM at 334-1157 or by visiting the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org.

The Sing-Off will feature twelve gospel-singing finalists, pre-selected by committee from all entries received.  The twelve will then compete for the $3,000 prize purse before a panel of celebrity judges.  Branson entertainer and renowned tenor George Dyer will open the show, and last year’s winners, Sons of the Silver Dollar, will be on hand for a closing performance and announcement for this year’s winners.

Tickets for the event are available through Sight & Sound Theatres reservations at 1-800-377-1277, at the Sight & Sound Theatres lobby box office, or through the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550.  Reserved seat tickets are a $12 donation for adults, $6 for children 12 and under.

For more information, contact the CAM offices at 417-334-1157.

About CAM

CAM is celebrating its 25th year of service to the community.  Christian Action Ministries was founded by 11 churches that came together to help better meet the needs of  Taney County residents with a central location for  food distribution.  A non-denominational organization, CAM is dedicated to providing caring assistance, in Christ’s name, to people experiencing temporary crisis.