Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts Moseys into Northampton County
MLCPA’s Arts-in-Education Program, Featuring the Singing Cowboys Riders In The Sky to Perform for Bangor Area Elementary Schools
Bushkill, PA —- Expanding its Arts-in-Education reach even further, Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts moseys into Northampton County with performances by Riders In The Sky at the Bangor Area School District on April 26. Teaching “the downright clean and honest cowboy way,” the group will give two performances to the elementary schools of Bangor Area School District, which includes DeFranco, Washington, and Five Points Elementary School’s. These 1800 students will be immersed in the singing culture of the two-time Grammy Award winners in the Bangor Area High School auditorium.
“Over the past two years, our Arts-in-Education programs have mainly been offered to the schools of Pike and Monroe Counties. This year we are able to branch out further to extend our programs to the young people of Northampton County, thanks to the gracious support of our sponsors, patrons, and friends,” said Richard T. Bryant, President & CEO of Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts. “This expansion not only underscores our deeply held belief in the power of the arts in the lives of students, but also demonstrates our intention to make our Arts-in-Education broadly accessible to a wide region.”
The Riders — Ranger Doug (“The Idol of American Youth”), Woody Paul (“King of the Cowboy Fiddlers”), Too Slim (“A Righteous Tater”), and Joey (“The CowPolka King”) — became the first exclusively western music group to join the Grand Ole Opry. Reminiscent of legendary cowboy singers such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Sons of the Pioneers, the Riders won their Grammys for Best Children’s Musical Album for their contributions to the soundtracks of the animated classics “Toy Story 2” (1999) and “Monsters, Inc.” (2001).
Currently, the Riders record seasonal episodes of Riders Radio Theatre, a radio program that’s been broadcast by over 170 public and commercial stations since 1989. They have also starred in their own Saturday morning children’s TV series, “Riders In the Sky” for CBS; hosted “Tumbleweed Theater” for TNN; appeared regularly on “Austin City Limits;” and served as spokesmen for the National Park Service, Opryland, and such varied products and Levis, Coke, and Cheer.
Mountain Laurel Center’s Arts-in-Education visit to Bangor is made possible, in part, by, The Wolfington Companies, Pocono Produce Company, and the ongoing participation and support of the center’s patrons and friends.
Mountain Laurel Center provides comprehensive, interactive educational programs that are deeply integrated into the region’s schools. Through direct collaboration at all grade levels MLCPA aspires to help the many school districts meet core curriculum standards for the performing arts, while introducing students to a wide range of artistic offerings from numerous cultures and disciplines. For additional information about MLCPA education programs, please call Steve Lastra, MLCPA Education Manager at 570.426.2090 or visit mountainlaurelcenter.com.
Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center serving the beautiful Pocono Mountains and beyond. Its principal venue, the Tom Ridge Pavilion, offers 2,500 covered seats and room under the stars for up to 3,000 more on its comfortable lawn. MLCPA is dedicated to serving the region by providing world-class artists and entertainers through an ongoing series of performances and educational programming. The 2007 season will be announced in late April. For additional information about the Mountain Laurel Center, please call 570-426-2084 or visit mountainlaurelcenter.com.
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Contact:
CJ McKenna
Development Manager
Direct: 570.426.2080 x5007
Email: cmckenna@mlcpa.org
Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts
Bushkill Falls Road P.O. Box 1233
Bushkill, PA 18324
Administration: 570.426.2080
Fax: 570.588.5211
mountainlaurelcenter.com
