Our February 5 episode of the Bainbridge Pod Accomplice showcases original songs written and performed by Dr. Andrew Shields, whose one-of-a-kind lyrics have amused and delighted audiences of The EDGE Improv for nearly two decades! Dr. Shields will be interviewed by BPA Communication and Development Coordinator, Matt Longmire.

Dr. Shields has been called “a musical genius,” “phenomenal,” “immensely talented,” and “an unending source of irritation.” During his Wonder Bread years Andrew was fortunate to study piano under someone who studied under someone who studied under Liszt who studied under Beethoven who studied under Mozart. Andrew has a BA in Music from Stanford, where he won the Undergraduate Prize in Composition. More recently, he wrote the music, lyrics, and script for the original Reefer Madness: The Musical, as well as music, lyrics, and (with fellow EDGE member John Ellis) script for the musical Harry Tracy: A Bainbridge Bandit. He has music-directed shows at BPA, ACT, Village Theater, Tacoma Actors’ Guild, the Bathhouse Theater, and Second Story Repertory, among others, and played Harold Hill in The Music Man and Tito Merelli in Lend Me a Tenor at BPA. In his spare time Andrew practices medicine and spends time with his phenomenal wife and two immensely talented daughters.

Beloved Cynthia Sears joins the January 29 episode of the Bainbridge Pod Accomplice to talk poetry with former two-time US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, as well as share tales of their long friendship and Billy’s connections to Bainbridge and especially BPA. 

Billy Collins’s newest collection, “Whale Day” brings together more than fifty poems and showcases his deft mixing of the playful and the serious that has made him one of our country’s most celebrated and widely read poets.

Billy Collins is the author of twelve collections of poetry including The Rain in Portugal, Aimless Love, Horoscopes for the Dead, Ballistics, The Trouble with Poetry, Nine Horses, Sailing Alone Around the Room, Questions About Angels, The Art of Drowning, and Picnic, Lightning. He is also the editor of Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry, 180 More: Extraordinary Poems for Every Day, and Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds. A former Distinguished Professor at Lehman College of the City University of New York, Collins served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003 and as New York State Poet from 2004 to 2006. In 2016 he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He lives in Florida with his wife Suzannah. 

Children’s author George Shannon joins us to read from one of his many inviting tales. The School Library Journal calls Tippy-Toe Chick, Go! a “winning choice for storytime,” and Booklist says its “mix of tension, sheer fright, and humor is just right.” Also in this episode, actor and BHS student Evelyn Cantwell chats with George about being a teacher in these pandemic times.

This week’s episode will also feature the music of Johnny Bregar. An acclaimed kids/family musician, his music has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Putumayo, XM/Sirius Radio, and ParentMap Magazine.  Reviewers from around the country have praised his original songs and arrangements of familiar children’s songs. He resides on beautiful Bainbridge Island with his wife and two sons, and runs a professional recording studio, where he has recorded five kids/family albums. Instruments are everywhere around the house, and music fills the air. Visit him at https://www.johnnybregar.com/.

GEORGE SHANNON IN HIS OWN WORDS

George as EGEUS in BPA’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2015

“It feels as though I have always been wrapped in stories and books. My parents read to me, and I in turn read to younger brothers. Books and family stories filled our home, and going to the library was as common as going to the market. I began writing stories when they were given as assignments in elementary school, but I came to enjoy the writing so much I began writing extra ones. Then I wrote even when there was no assignment at all. My dream of making books was so vivid I submitted my first “formal” children’s manuscript to a publisher when I was sixteen. Eleven more years of school, work, reading, writing, and luck finally brought about Lizard’s Song, my first children’s book to be accepted.” Keep reading

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we’re thrilled to welcome Anzanga’s joyful sounds and lively rhythms from Southern Africa. This Seattle-based ensemble has brought the electrifying and energizing music of African marimba to the national and international stage with regional appearances at the Northwest Folklife Festival and Bumbershoot as well as performances in South Africa and China.

The troupe celebrates 33 years of performing throughout the Northwest and globally. Anzanga plays using seven marimbas—three sopranos, two tenors, a baritone, and a bass—and hoshos, or gourd shakers. The marimbas are hand-crafted xylophones made from various hardwoods. The tuning is based on the tonalities found in Zimbabwean music. Each key sits above a resonator that has a vibrating membrane which amplifies the sound and adds a unique “buzz” to the music.

THE BAINBRIDGE POD ACCOMPLICE TEAM

Audio Engineer - Matt Hadlock, Creative Coordinator - Miranda Feldtman, Production Manager - Deirdre Hadlock, Producer - Liz Ellis, Director of Operations - Siobhan Maguire, Talk-Back Producer & Host - Matt Longmire, BPA Executive Director - Dominique Cantwell, BPA Public Relations Director - Sally Jo Martine

PODCAST THEME MUSIC

Our theme music “Swing for Mike” is written and performed by Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers.” Find out more about the band at www.RangerSwings.com.

This episode of the Bainbridge Pod Accomplice features song selections from Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” as well as a chat with Ranger and his Dad, Mike.

Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” evoke the spirit of a Paris cafe and the raucous energy of a Gypsy campsite with their version of Gypsy jazz. “At the heart of their sound is Ranger Sciacca's sweet violin playing… his sense of melody and daring improvisations” (World Rhythm). The band’s repertoire includes swing standards, traditional Gypsy melodies, the music of Django Reinhardt, and Ranger's unique originals.

Ranger and his father Michael formed the band in 2006, after a pilgrimage to the world’s foremost Gypsy Jazz event, the Django Reinhardt festival in Samois Sur Seine, France. The band has now released 4 CDs and performs over 100 times each year at music festivals, concerts in the park, swing dances, weddings and events of all sorts. 

Past Shows have included Edmonds Concert in the Park, Seattle Art Museum, Djangofest Northwest, Best of the Northwest Arts Festival, Highline Classic Jazz Festival, Ethnic Fest Tacoma, and Vin du Lac Winery (Chelan).

The band includes Ranger Sciacca (Violin), Dave Stewart (Mandolin), Mick Nicholson (Bass), Jeffrey Moose (Percussion), and Mike Sciacca (Rhythm Guitar).

For additional information visit online at www.RangerSwings.com.

In this special holiday episode, we’ll nestle in for ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas as read by Elizabeth Mitchell. Among many of the roles she is famous for, Elizabeth’s charming turn as Mrs. Claus in The Santa Clause films has earned her a place in the holiday traditions of so many families. She brings the island a special message of warmth and hope this year with Clement C. Moore’s classic tale.

Elizabeth will be joined by Peter Spencer and his beautiful classical guitar carols. Peter was a co-founder of the Fast Folk Songwriters' Cooperative in Greenwich Village, NYC, whose recordings are now part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. He has taught guitar and voice at Dusty Strings, the Seattle Guitar Store, and the Island Music Guild. He lives in Winslow with his cat, Elder Green. Visit Peter online at peterspencer.com.

Tune in for The EDGE and their Island-famous improvisation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The EDGE delivers imagination on demand, and while the story may not take place in Victorian London and it may not include all the characters you remember, it might make you scratch your head: “Just how does this relate to the holiday classic?!” Sure, this podcast episode will likely feature Scrooge, Marley, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and several ghosts, but probably not the way you remember them.

The troupe’s riotous antics have inspired rave reviews from shrewd onlookers since the dawn of time. As audience member David R. said, “A performance by The EDGE is like sunlit skies, a giant hug, your favorite dessert, a massage, or anything you love – all wrapped up into a laugh-filled bundle of bliss.”

This episode features Chris Soldevilla, Ken Ballinger, Susan MacPherson, Matty Whitman, Todd Erler, and Andrew Shields.

Audio Engineer - Matt Hadlock, Creative Coordinator - Miranda Feldtman, Production Manager - Deirdre Hadlock, Producer - Liz Ellis, Director of Operations - Siobhan Maguire, Talk-Back Producer & Host - Matt Longmire, BPA Executive Director - Dominique Cantwell, BPA Public Relations Director - Sally Jo Martine

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to present a new installment from our Chamber Music Series, “Comfy at Home.” We are committed to keep bringing the gift of music to the comfort of your own home. In this episode, our musicians have teamed up in a variety of small chamber groupings to perform masterworks by Beethoven, Corelli, Vivaldi, Glazunov, Gál, and Tchaikovsky.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTET NO. 10 IN E-FLAT MAJOR, OP. 74 I. POCO ADAGIO - ALLEGRO TRACY HELMING AND PEGGY BRADY, VIOLINS MARIO ALEJANDRO TORRES, VIOLA, PRISCILLA JONES, CELLO  ARCANGELO CORELLI  ADAGIO FOR 6 CELLOS ARRANGED BY JEROME KESSLER DANIEL STEIN, SOLO ANTONIO VIVALDI CONCERTO IN G MINOR FOR 2 CELLOS I. ALLEGRO DANIEL STEIN AND CHRISTINE EDWARDS, SOLOS BARBARA DEPPE, PEGGY THURSTON, SANDY KEINHOLZ, PRISCILLA JONES, DANIEL STEIN AND CHRISTINE EDWARDS, CELLOS ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV 5 NOVELETTES, OP. 15 II. INTERLUDIUM IN MODO ANTICO DEEANN SISLEY AND SARA HALL, VIOLINS THOMAS MONK, VIOLA PAM HARLAN, CELLO HANS GÁL SERENADE FOR CLARINET, VIOLIN AND CELLO, OP. 93 I. CANTABILE & II. BURLETTA  PATRICIA BEASLEY, CLARINET PAT STRANGE, VIOLIN ARLAYNE ESEMAN, CELLO PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY SELECTIONS OF THE NUTCRACKER SUITE FOR WOODWIND QUARTET, ARRANGED BY FABRIOZIO FERRARI  I. OVERTURE MINIATURE II. MARCH III. DANCE OF THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY IV. TREPAK VI. CHINESE DANCE VII. DANCE OF THE MIRLITONS
VIII. WALTS OF THE FLOWERS CLARA MANNINO, FLUTE JACKI SKEWERIS, OBOE (BSO MEMBER) BRANDON PACE, CLARINET NICOLE MALDONADO, BASSOON (BSO MEMBER) MUSICIANS FROM THE NAVY BAND NORTHWEST

In pre-World War II America, twenty-five-year-old Ruby takes her much younger, recently orphaned half-brother Mike on a cross-country train journey to the 1940 World’s Fair, to fulfill a promise that Mike’s father once made — to introduce him to the famous actor who plays Superman. Ruby intends to fly back to her exciting life in Panama after their short trip to the Fair, but soon discovers that it’s not always that easy to say goodbye.

The exact train that Ruby and Mike rode on their cross-country trip.

Written by Paul Lewis
Directed by Brian Danzig Starring Michelle Lorenz-Odell, Evelyn Cantwell, Ryan O'Donnell, Linda Owens, Tina Kirkpatrick, Matt Eldridge, James Sgambati O'Donnell, Geoff Schmidt, Sandi Spellman     

In honor of Veterans Day, former U.S. Army Captain Larry Kerr reads a selection of original poems, including many from his book—Captain Billy and the Lunatic. More than 45 years after the end of the conflict in Vietnam, Kerr’s words summon a poignant remembrance of those who gave their lives in service and confer tribute to all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Audio Engineer - Matt Hadlock, Creative Coordinator - Miranda Feldtman, Production Manager - Deirdre Hadlock, Director of Operations - Siobhan Maguire, Talk-Back Producer & Host - Matt Longmire, BPA Executive Director - Dominique Cantwell, BPA Public Relations Director - Sally Jo Martine

PODCAST THEME MUSIC

Our theme music “Swing for Mike” is written and performed by Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers.” Find out more about the band at RangerSwings.com.

(L-R) SGT David Lucier, SSG Charles Chellela and CPT Laurence Kerr, hills above Dak To in May, 1969.

Several members of the Kontum Mike Force post-mission, October 1969. Laurence Kerr led the battilion.