Majestic makes musicians battle

Usually home to actors and their audience, Majestic Theatre Management invites onto its stage local bands. From June 19-27, musicians compete in the first Majestic Music Mania, a new battle of the bands.

Though the final curtain isn’t drawn until the final competition scheduled for the 27th, four acts play a 20-minute set each on the assigned days. The premiere event is aimed to give bands exposure and opportunities by entering the winners in local festivals and promoting local music.

Like any true contest, there’s money up for grabs, too. Each daily winner receives a $200 prize. A grand prize of $500 is awarded to the winning band who also has the chance to play on the main stage at Art and the Vineyard in Eugene, Da Vinci Days, and Whimsy, Wine and Wonder in Corvallis.

Entries sought for the event must fall into at least one of the following musical genres: blues, zydeco, R&B, traditional rock, cover, bluegrass, reggae, folk rock, rock-a-billy or funk.

For more information or an entry form, visit www.majestic.org or call Executive Director Tim Flowerday or Development Director Nancy Glines.

Award-winning group to host open house

It's a group effort. A women's a capella group, Oregon Spirit Chorus and Salem's chapter of Sweet Adelines International recently won the SAI Region 24 competition held in Spokane, Washington May 14-17.

The most improved chorus in the region, the group reigns victorious for posting the best total score in the judged categories of music, sound, expression, and showmanship.

On June 18, the group hosts an open house at the Scottish Rite Center, located at 4090 Commercial Street SE, to meet with supporters and to help further expand the group. Currently, Oregon Spirit boasts a 45-member roster, with women in the group from as far afield as Florence and Springfield.

With a goal to expand to 60 members by next year's competition, the chorus will be present at the open house to sing a few songs and meet with their guests.

The non-profit organization also serves refreshment at the evening event that begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until approximately 9:30 p.m.

“This will be a fun night to rub shoulders with 40-plus women who are still 10 feet off the ground,” Membership Chair Linda Barker said.

For more information about the choir, visit www.oregon-spirit.com.