Oak Ridge Today

Wendel Werner ‘Concert of Peace’ at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian

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Wendel Werner

Wendel Werner

Local pianist and composer Wendel Werner and friends will present a “concert of peace” on Sunday, October 15, at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in the wake of the racially charged violence August 12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The free concert will feature local singers and instrumentalists who will perform songs having themes of hope, inclusivity, and love, a press release said.

The release said the following words of Leonard Bernstein, famous American composer and conductor, continue to inspire musicians to offer gifts of melody, rhythm, and harmony to their communities: [Read more…]

Guest column: Don’t miss ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’; show ends this weekend

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Ain't Misbehavin'

By Gene R. Dunaway

It opened April 25 at the Oak Ridge Playhouse and closes Sunday, May 11, and “Ain’t Misbehavin'” is a production to miss at your peril! A show of almost two hours of non-stop music, dance, and jive, I found myself struggling to remain seated and not jump up and join in the fun.

Go through the lobby doors, and you have time traveled back to Harlem during World War II. The smoky haze of a late-night club envelopes you. A lone piano player, Wendel Werner, is stroking the keys.

Presently, he is joined on stage by Alexis Tidwell, Lar’ Juanette Williams, Amy Coleman, Dann B. Black, and Tony Williams II. This ensemble, backed up by an intimate house band, explores the heights of a full-blown party to the depths of love gone wrong.

Along the way, we are treated to exceptional solos, duets, trios, quartets, and quintets. The dancing is contagious and choreographed by resident artistic director Reggie Law (a man of many talents). [Read more…]

UT Singers perform in last concert of season in Oak Ridge on Sunday

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UT Singers

UT Singers, the University of Tennessee’s jazz choir

The UT Singers, the University of Tennessee’s jazz choir, will present their last concert of the season at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

The choir is directed by Wendel Werner, and the concert starts at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6. The community is invited, and there is no cost to attend, a press release said.

ORUUC is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Former Sweet Honey in the Rock member to lead music workshop at ORUUC

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Ysaye M. Barnwell

Ysaye M. Barnwell

Ysaye M. Barnwell, a former longtime member of Sweet Honey in the Rock, an a cappella group, is returning to Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church to lead a three-night workshop series: Evolution of African-American Music from Africa to Civil Rights.

The evenings of singing and learning will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 20, 21, and 22 at ORUUC, a press release said. ORUUC is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Those who attend will experience singing in the African-American tradition of music from Africa to the civil rights era, the press release said. The workshop begins on Thursday, Feb. 20, with the chants of Africa and the diaspora. Spirituals and slave songs will be the focus on Friday, Feb. 21. The series will conclude on Saturday, Feb. 22, with songs of the civil rights era. [Read more…]

‘Big Music Sunday’ at Oak Ridge Unitarian Church this weekend

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having a Big Music Sunday this weekend.

The service starts at 10 a.m. Sunday at the UU church at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike, and the community is invited, a press release said. [Read more…]

‘Classical June’ at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church starts Sunday

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Submitted

Always seeking to further the art and appreciation of classical music, Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church Director of Music Wendel Werner has announced that during the month of June various classical pieces will be the featured music during the 10 a.m. Sunday worship services. Everyone is invited to attend. ORUUC is located at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Featured on June 2 will be a performance of “The Flower Duet” from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé sung by Saffron Mills and Anne Scott. On June 19, featured pieces by Schubert and Mozart will be sung by Saffron Mills. Services on June 16 and 23 will feature classical pieces played by Charlotte Bowers and will include some four-hands music played by Charlotte and her mother. On June 30, the feature pieces will be by Bach, Schumann, and Copland sung by Marti Messer. [Read more…]

Paintings, jazz featured at Sunday service at Unitarian Universalist church

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A Sunday service at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will feature paintings and jazz.

The paintings by regional artist Rickey A. Beene will be displayed in the church sanctuary. They are portraits of his neighbors in Petros in Morgan County.

[Read more…]

Blues festival tonight at Grove Theater

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Charlie Morris

Charlie Morris

A blues festival at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge tonight features guitarist Charlie Morris and his band along with three guests: pianist Wendel Werner, vocalist Katy Free, and reggae band Natti Love Joys.

The Fourth Annual “Coming Home Blue Festival” starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Barbecue and “other assorted goodies” will be served starting at 4 p.m.

Festival sponsors include the Atomic City Sportsmen Club.

The Grove Theater is located at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.