"Georgia Jubilee" Evening Entertainment

A Grammy-winning group, a fascinating circus, and a family variety show are just a few of the terrific acts that await convention-goers in Perry.

By Doug Uhlenbrock
Associate Editor

FMCA members who travel to the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, for FMCA's 77th International Convention, March 19 through 22, 2007, should keep their evenings open on those dates, because they won't want to miss the tremendous entertainment lineup that's been planned.

The fun will begin on Sunday, March 18, when Jack Ingle, F251132, presides over Square, Round, and Line Dancing from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Reaves Arena, courtesy of Aon Recreation Insurance, C95, an FMCA Two Star sponsor. Attendees with happy feet will have the opportunity to swing their partner, do-si-do, and enjoy a fun-filled evening of dancing.

Jack has been a square-dance caller for more than 20 years and has taught dancing for more than 12 years, so everyone from novices to advanced dancers can participate in a night of upbeat activity.

Convention-goers are invited to shake, rattle, and roll their way to Reaves Arena on Monday, March 19, beginning at 7:00 p.m., for a trip down memory lane during the "Georgia Jubilee" Sock Hop, courtesy of The Hartford, C10420, an FMCA One Star sponsor.

Enjoy favorite songs from the 1950s and '60s as Macon disc jockey Kevin Nichols of DKH Entertainment Group spins some of the top hits from the early rock 'n' roll era. Kevin has plenty of experience entertaining large groups, having worked as a DJ at radio stations and with mobile entertainment companies since 1989.

Throughout the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to compete for great prizes during several fun contests, showing their skills at dancing, bubble-gum blowing, and hula-hoop spinning. So, gals, dig out those poodle skirts, and, guys, dust off your letter jackets, because you won't want to miss this terrific night of nostalgia.

Evening entertainment on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will take place in Reaves Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.

What do you get when you combine seven members of one family, plus 40 instruments, all on one stage? You wind up with a terrific evening of entertainment, which is exactly what convention-goers should expect on Tuesday, March 20, when the Lowe Family visits Perry to perform their hugely popular variety show, courtesy of Allison Transmission, C4454, an FMCA Five Star sponsor.

Attendees will be wowed by the versatility of this extremely talented family as they blend classical, Broadway, Irish, jazz, bluegrass, old-time favorites, six-part harmony, gospel music, a stirring patriotic tribute, spectacular dance routines, and more into one high-energy, fast-paced performance.

Robert and LeeAndra Lowe, who each have musical backgrounds, determined that their children would be exposed to music at a young age. So, one by one, the siblings (seven in all) began to study and perform the music of the masters. As their skills developed, they began working with different instruments, while dance classes and vocal lessons were added, forming the basis for the multifaceted act that the Lowe Family presents today.

In addition to Robert, who plays the trumpet, and LeeAndra, a vocalist, the group in Perry will include Doug, 30 (piano, organ, electric/upright bass, and guitar); Kami, 25 (violin, piano, mandolin, drums, marimba, and percussion); Kara, 22 (violin, piano, marimba, and drums); Kayli, 18 (violin, piano, plectrum banjo, 5-string banjo, Irish pennywhistle, and bodhran); and Korrine, 31 (violin, mandolin, and harp).

The Lowe Family has produced four albums, including its most recent, "In Focus," which features a variety of 13 musical masterpieces encompassing Irish songs, bluegrass, gospel, vocal harmonies, and more.

On Wednesday, March 21, convention-goers will be treated to a big top extravaganza when Zyngara Carnivale Cirque invades Reaves Arena, courtesy of ORA Las Vegas/Motorcoach Country Club, C10274, an FMCA Five Star sponsor. The show, which is touted as "an extraordinary theatrical kaleidoscope of sound, movement, and light," is a unique mix of comedy, dance, acrobatics, and more. Zyngara is unlike anything you've ever seen.

James Tulk, the show's creator, director, producer, and composer, developed Zyngara to meld his musical, theatrical, and artistic ideas into one unique performance. With the help of choreographer Paula Frasz, he has created a fast-paced show of skits that are full of life, music, and surprise.

Attendees can expect to see giant puppets carousing on stage; aerialists spinning, flipping, and bouncing off a vertical trampoline; a dance number called "Swine Lake"; contortionists bending themselves into unimaginable shapes; jugglers; and many other quirky acts that are sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

On the final night of the convention, Thursday, March 22, relax and enjoy the distinctive four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys, courtesy of Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, an FMCA Five Star sponsor. The collective voices of Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban have made this group one of the United States' premier country and gospel acts for more than 30 years.

The Oak Ridge Boys won their first Grammy Award in 1970 for Best Gospel Performance, setting in motion what would be a terrific decade. During that span the group won three more Grammys, plus awards from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Gospel Music Association. But nothing could prepare them for the unbelievable response to their 1981 hit, "Elvira." The song, which rose to No. 1 on Billboard magazine's country chart, crossed over to the pop chart, topping out at No. 5. "Elvira" earned the group a Grammy and other accolades.

In 2000 the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in 2001 they joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The foursome received the 2002 Dove Award for Country Album of the Year for "From The Heart."

And the group hasn't slowed down, releasing four new albums in the past two years, including 2005's "Common Thread," a collection of new and old gospel songs, and "Front Row Seats," a contemporary country compilation released in September 2006 that features the song "Hard To Be Cool (In A Minivan)."