30a News March 30, 2023

SINFONIA GULF COAST PRESENTS BEETHOVEN V. COLDPLAY

“Visionary conductor/composer Steve Hackman allows us to “rethink how music is connected” SINFONIA GULF COAST PRESENTS BEETHOVEN V. COLDPLAY: A MERGING OF MUSICAL GIANTS, APRIL 29 DESTIN, FL (March 30, 2023) – Sinfonia Gulf Coast once again redefines the symphony experience with Beethoven V. Coldplay: A Merging of Musical Giants, on Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. A merging of musical giants, Beethoven V. Coldplay pairs two composer/artists that deal with universal human themes in their respective music. Visionary conductor/composer Steve Hackman transforms Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony into an anthem, weaving the melodies and lyrics of contemporary rock band Coldplay into Beethoven’s score based on content and context. It is the Eroica Beethoven may have created had he known the music of Coldplay at the time. Awe-inspiring vocalists join Sinfonia Gulf Coast to perform interpolations of many of Coldplay’s most beloved songs, including Yellow, Viva La Vida, and The Scientist. “When you mash up Beethoven with something on the pop scene like Coldplay, it’s unexpected. This concert is a melding of interwoven musical notation with amazing vocalists that makes for a remarkable concert,” says Sinfonia Gulf Coast music & artistic director Demetrius Fuller. “It’s an incredible way to rethink how music is connected. Steve Hackman is a brilliant musician composer and arranger and this piece is totally unique, but also totally accessible.” A multi-hyphenate music powerhouse and visionary producer, Steve Hackman is a daring voice leading the change among... Read More
30a.news

General News March 29, 2023

TV Host and Opera Singer Bethania Baray 

​ Bethania joined the KJNB-TV team in August of 2022 as the TV Host/Community Engagement Coordinator. She is the host of the feature segment “This Is Home Today”. ​Previously, Bethania was the Director of Education and Civic Programs at Opera Memphis. While at Opera Memphis, Bethania designed and facilitated new community programs, including new partnership with HBCUs, local Latinx organizations, and music academies. ​She hosted a bilingual children’s opera show called “Mijo Milan” which featured her toddler, Milan, as they explored the world of opera through the eyes of children. Her work garnered well-earned praise and was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree in the Memphis Business Journal in 2022.​Originally from Mexico, Bethania is also one of the Spanish language anchors for Northeast Arkansas News en Español. ​Bethania holds a Master of Music from the University of Arizona and a Bachelors of Music Education from New Mexico State University. Bethania Baray-Harrison. Not only is she a new mom, she is also the Director of Education and Civic Programs at Opera Memphis, a recipient of the McCleave Fellowship in Directing from Opera Memphis, a committed advocate and liaison for the Latinx community, and a rising social media influencer.  Read More
30a.news

General News March 29, 2023

TV Host and Opera Singer Bethania Baray 

Bethania joined the KJNB-TV team in August of 2022 as the TV Host/Community Engagement Coordinator. She is the host of the feature segment “This Is Home Today”. ​Previously, Bethania was the Director of Education and Civic Programs at Opera Memphis. While at Opera Memphis, Bethania designed and facilitated new community programs, including new partnership with HBCUs, local Latinx organizations, and music academies. ​She hosted a bilingual children’s opera show called “Mijo Milan” which featured her toddler, Milan, as they explored the world of opera through the eyes of children. Her work garnered well-earned praise and was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree in the Memphis Business Journal in 2022.​Originally from Mexico, Bethania is also one of the Spanish language anchors for Northeast Arkansas News en Español. ​Bethania holds a Master of Music from the University of Arizona and a Bachelors of Music Education from New Mexico State University. Bethania Baray-Harrison. Not only is she a new mom, she is also the Director of Education and Civic Programs at Opera Memphis, a recipient of the McCleave Fellowship in Directing from Opera Memphis, a committed advocate and liaison for the Latinx community, and a rising social media influencer. Read More

General News March 28, 2023

APPALACHIAN ROAD SHOW TO BRING WORLD-CLASS BLUEGRASS AND FOLK MUSIC TO PERRY, FLORIDA SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST

  Visionary ensemble features GRAMMY and IBMA winners Singer and banjoist Barry Abernathy and family featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and more! PERRY, Fla. – Award-winning super-pickers Appalachian Road Show are set to bring their riveting performance to the Florida State Bluegrass Festival Saturday, April 1st at 6:30 pm in Perry, Fla. Appalachian Road Show is a visionary acoustic ensemble, comprised of GRAMMY and IBMA award winners and nominees, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass, and folk songs, as well as offering innovative original music, all presented with a common thread tied directly to the heart of the Appalachian regions of the United States. GRAMMY-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy joins forces with GRAMMY-winning fiddler Jim VanCleve, fresh off of his recent stint touring with multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner, as well as esteemed vocalist and mandolinist Darrell Webb, who has recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent, among many others. The group also includes bassist Todd Phillips, an acknowledged legend in bluegrass music circles, with two GRAMMY wins and four GRAMMY nominations under his belt, along with 23-year-old “old soul” guitarist Zeb Snyder, whose fierce and versatile playing recalls Doc Watson and Norman Blake as readily as it does Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band recently released their latest album ‘Jubilation’ on which country legend Dolly Parton introduces and is an ode to the life, culture, and lifestyle of Appalachia. Watch/listen to Parton’s introduction HERE. The Tennessean also recently featured the supergroup... Read More
30a.news

30a News March 28, 2023

APPALACHIAN ROAD SHOW TO BRING WORLD-CLASS BLUEGRASS AND FOLK MUSIC TO PERRY, FLORIDA SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST

Visionary ensemble features GRAMMY and IBMA winners Singer and banjoist Barry Abernathy and family featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and more! PERRY, Fla. – Award-winning super-pickers Appalachian Road Show are set to bring their riveting performance to the Florida State Bluegrass Festival Saturday, April 1st at 6:30 pm in Perry, Fla. Appalachian Road Show is a visionary acoustic ensemble, comprised of GRAMMY and IBMA award winners and nominees, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass, and folk songs, as well as offering innovative original music, all presented with a common thread tied directly to the heart of the Appalachian regions of the United States. GRAMMY-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy joins forces with GRAMMY-winning fiddler Jim VanCleve, fresh off of his recent stint touring with multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner, as well as esteemed vocalist and mandolinist Darrell Webb, who has recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent, among many others. The group also includes bassist Todd Phillips, an acknowledged legend in bluegrass music circles, with two GRAMMY wins and four GRAMMY nominations under his belt, along with 23-year-old “old soul” guitarist Zeb Snyder, whose fierce and versatile playing recalls Doc Watson and Norman Blake as readily as it does Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band recently released their latest album ‘Jubilation’ on which country legend Dolly Parton introduces and is an ode to the life, culture, and lifestyle of Appalachia. Watch/listen to Parton’s introduction HERE. The Tennessean also recently featured the supergroup to... Read More