PLAN YOUR SUMMER
Jazz Society holds gumbo concert in Pensacola

A Touch of Gray will perform Tuesday at Bands on the Beach.

The "Where Are They Now? Sextet" will perform at Jazz Gumbo on Monday, June 18th.

The Jazz Society's regular third Monday event will be at 6:30 p.m. in Phineas Phogg's Room in Seville Quarter in Pensacola. Admission is $10 for public, $7 for Jazz Society of Pensacola (JSOP) members, $5 for students with ID and free for military in uniform. Admission entitles one to a cup of delicious seafood gumbo. One may also order from the menu.

Bandleader/trumpeter and vocalist Paul Bruketa said, "We have a group of seasoned players who should be familiar to the local jazz enthusiasts. Al Martin performs on keyboard; Randy Sherwood plays tenor saxophone, Jim Armstrong plays guitar with Ted Johnson on drums and Alonzo Massie on bass."

Jazz fans can expect to hear a mix of tunes--Dixieland, jazz standards and popular songs.

Bruketa is a former board member of JSOP and functions as master of ceremonies at the Jazz Society's annual "Jingle Jazz" event held the first Monday in December.

For membership and information call JSOP at 850-433-8382 or visit their website www.jazzpensacola. com.

Touch of Gray at Pensacola Beach

Enjoy the surf and sunset on Pensacola Beach while listening to the great music of Touch of Gray from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19. Playing songs mostly from the 60s and 70s, the strength of Touch of Gray is their vocal power.

The six band members all have talent and love for music and started playing while in their childhood. The audience can feel the musicians have a great time doing what they love and therefore bringing a fun, laid-back and relaxing atmosphere to the stage. Now, most of

them boast gray hair, and all feel fortunate to be part of Touch of Gray.

"I love music and really enjoy playing with Touch of Gray. These guys are a very special group of talented musicians that I am honored to be a member," said Rod Gracey, the band's rhythm guitar player and lead vocals. "I hope you enjoy our music as much as we enjoy making it."

Other band members include Bill Pope, lead guitar and lead vocals; Russ Poyner, bass and lead vocals; David Frantz, rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Bob King, keyboards and backup vocals; and Will Nowling, drums and lead vocals.

Bands on the Beach continues Tuesday, June 26 with Civilized Natives. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.visitpensacolabeach.com.

Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to the pavilion area. No pets are allowed and glass is prohibited. Concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority.

For more information call the Santa Rosa Island Authority events coordinator at (850) 932- 2257, go to www.visitpensacolabeach. com or tune to Cat Country 98.7 for the latest updates. Gospel concert honors Whitfield

The first J.G. Whitfield Memorial Sing will be held in Pensacola, on June 22. The event will include performances from The Dixie Echos and Florida Boys.

The event has also been dubbed the "Pensacola Homecoming" as it's the hometown for both the Dixie Echoes and Florida Boys. Both groups were formed by Whitfield, or "Whit" as he was known. The concert will be held at the beautiful Marcus Pointe Baptist Church at 5:30 p.m.

Whitfield was a Pensacola native, long-time local business owner, and is member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He formed both the Dixie Echoes and the Florida Boys, and they are coming together to perform a Pensacola Homecoming concert in their hometown.

For more information call Marcus Pointe Baptist Church at 850-479-8337 or visit www.dixieechoes. com.

Saenger Beatles tribute June 30

It looks like a Beatles concert, sounds like a Beatles concert and feels like a Beatles concert!

The most successful and bestloved entertainers of our time are magically reunited for one night at the Saenger Theatre when GetBack!, featuring cast members of the original Broadway and London productions of Beatlemania, takes the stage on Saturday, June 30, at 7:30.

Their likeness to the Beatles in appearance, musical performance, wit and charm has thrilled audiences throughout the word, from Europe to Japan and Hong Kong, to Canada and across the US.

The GetBack! Cast of Beatlemania uses authentic costumes, vintage instruments, astonishingly realistic characterizations and state-of-the-art digital orchestration to produce a two-hour musical and visual experience highlighting the three major eras of Beatles music: The Ed Sullivan Show, Sgt. Pepper and Let It Be/Abbey Road. Performing more than 35 Beatles hits, including "She Loves You," "Strawberry Fields," and "Hey Jude," the show is a real treat for Beatles fans of all ages.

"Come Together" for the very last event on the Saenger Theatre stage prior to the 13 month Renovation and Expansion scheduled to begin in late summer.

Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone 850-595-3880, or the Saenger Theatre Box office located at 118 South Palafox Place. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the venue's restoration process.