Elvis Presley has been revived and will appear at The Avalon theatre on November 18th and 19th. Now that I have gotten your attention, please give me a minute of your time.
Too often performers on their umpteenth farewell tour eclipse marvelous new performers and performances. So, Elvis Presley is not returning, but a far more compelling musical event will take the stage of The Avalon on November 18-19.
I struggle for the most persuasive words to describe the musical event of the year—well maybe any year on the Eastern Shore or maybe most places. The event is Modern Warrior Live and it will occur at The Avalon on November 18th at 8:00 pm and 19th as a matinee at 2:00 pm.
Modern Warrior Live is a theatrical music experience co-created by United States Army veteran Jaymes Poling and musician Dominick Farinacci. This dynamic production explores the psychological weights of war, the challenges of reintegration as a civilian, and the potential for positive personal and communal growth.
Narrated by Staff Sergeant Poling, who spent three years in Afghanistan as an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division, the autobiographical production details his time in the military and his subsequent transition to civilian life back home. It’s complemented by dynamic musical performances led by Dominick Farinacci. Modern Warrior Live will, I predict, find its way to Broadway.
Retired Staff Sgt. Jaymes Poling began his service in the Army at age 17 and to use an old theatrical reference has been to “hell and back.” He takes the audience both places.
Co-Creator, Dominick Farinacci’s resume includes such iconic names as Wynton Marsalis (Lincoln Center Jazz Ambassador) and Juilliard, where he studied jazz. As many will recall, he is one of the favorites of the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival.
In Dominick’s latest CD, Short Stories, all of his songs have a narrative that any listener can relate to, from an enchanting melody that takes over your life to the tremendous empathy that can come from seeing someone else overcome an unimaginable personal struggle. Blending with Jaymes’ narration and Dominick’s instrumentalists will be the sensational vocalist, Shenel Johns.
Modern Warrior Live provides Easton with a distinctive first. While it will be staged first in Dominick and Jayme’s home town of Cleveland, Modern Warrior Live will then debut in Easton. Chesapeake Music is excited to offer such a remarkable experience.
Tickets can be purchased by going to ChesapeakeMusic.org or calling 410-822-0380
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al recently published Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
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