Sometimes success grows from great disappointment.
I have been saving today's column for a local organization which requested it back in January, but which has clearly made other arrangements for their publicity.
Meanwhile, I find my email in-box has soared to more than 400 unopened messages despite genuine efforts to cope with it. Every day, I manage to whittle it down by 40 to 50 messages, only to have it grow back within a day or two.
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So, let's accept the opportunity which we have been offered by our friends and devote today's column entirely to ''Winks.'' Life is clearly a banquet.
WINKS
On Thursday, Symphony Syracuse will perform a concert titled ''Stained Glass'' at the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
The concert, which will be the next performance in the 2011-12 series of offerings by the Jamestown Concert Assn., is entirely by Mozart. It will be conducted by the orchestra's regular music director, Daniel Hege, and will feature soloist Rimma Bergeron-Langlois performing the composer's ''Violin Concerto No. 4, in D Major,'' which is dated 1775.
The performance is without additional charge to season ticket holders in JCA or the Warren Concert Assn. Individual tickets may be purchased at the Reg Lenna Box Office, or by phone at 484-7070. Adult admission is $25. Senior citizens are admitted for $22. College students with valid I.D. are admitted for $7.50, and students younger than 18 are admitted for free, if accompanied by a paying adult.
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The Chautauqua Region Youth Symphony, under the baton of Bryan Eckenrode, will perform their spring concert on May 6, at 4 p.m., at the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
Performing will be all three of the ensembles of young musicians. Featured guest artist will be bassist Kenneth Hultin, a 2010 graduate of Jamestown High School, who has arranged rock band OneRepublic's piece ''Secrets'' for performance by all three ensembles.
Tickets are available from all orchestra members, or from the Reg Lenna Civic Center Box Office, in person or by phoning 484-7070. Cost is $10, if purchased in advance, or $12 at the door. There is a $2 discount for audience members younger than age 12. Those younger than 5 are admitted without charge.
For additional information about the organization or the concert, phone 664-2465, ext. 202, or visit their web site at www.cryouthsymphony.com.
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Vocalist Kurt Elling will perform at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Mercyhurst College in Erie.
The performance will be May 11 at 8 p.m. For additional information, phone 814-824-3000.
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The final performances in the Fredonia School of Music's Children's Concert Series will take place this morning, at the Dunkirk Free Library.
Performances will take place at both 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Performing will be the Time Travelling Jazz Duo from SUNY Fredonia. Admission is free, and performances have an atmosphere in which children may sit on the floor and interact with the musicians.
For additional information, phone 673-4628 or visit their website at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/ccs.asp.
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Both the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the Shaw Festival, in nearby Canada, have begun performances in their 2012 season.
Shaw Festival is presenting preview performances of the musical ''Ragtime,'' based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow. The book is the work of playwright Terence McNally and the lyrics and music are by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
''Ragtime'' - now in previews - is the first of 11 productions in the current season at the festival, which will run through early November. For additional information, check their web site at www.shawfest.com.
Stratford is beginning their season with the classic Broadway show ''42nd Street,'' with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin.
It is the first of 11 productions to be performed, and is presently in previews. The season will grow in the number of shows and the frequency of performances, through Labor Day, then gradually be reduced until the last performance, in early November.
For additional information, check out their website at www.stratfordfestival.ca.
Speaking of Stratford, the production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical ''Jesus Christ Superstar,'' is now enjoying a successful run on Broadway. The lead actor, Paul Nolan, was recently invited to sing ''God Bless America'' at the Yankees home opener last week.
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Shea's Performing Arts Center, in Buffalo, is presenting a production of Louise Roche's musical show ''Girl Talk: The Musical,'' through April 29.
The show's plot suggests that a radio program for women, featuring only music by female singers from the past 20 years, is going off the air, and the women from the station's staff are gathering for a look back at the triumphs and tragedies of their show's run.
Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, at 8 p.m. on Fridays at Saturdays, and at 6 p.m. on Sundays. Matinee performances begin at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets are $35. Purchase them at Shea's box office, or through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. They may be purchased in person, also, at any Ticketmaster outlet.
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The Court Appointed Special Advocates Board invites you to attend their fourth annual ''Come to the Table'' event, at Chautauqua Suites Meeting and Expo Center, in Mayville, on May 17.
Viewing of the designer-arranged tables will begin at 5:30 p.m. and a live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. Live music by Skip Roberts and Krista Donnell and the Folksters will be presented, as will light refreshments.
Proceeds from the event will benefit abused and neglected children in Chautauqua County, through the Court Appointed Special Advocates organization.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or from any board member. For additional information, phone 753-4177 or send an email to casaofchautauqua@roadrunner.com.
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Buffalo's Neglia Ballet and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will perform ''An Evening of Tchaikovsky'' at Shea's Performing Arts Center on May 25 at 8 p.m.
Guest soloists will include Silvina Vaccarelli, of Ballet Argentina. The evening will focus on the choreography of George Balanchine, including ''Serenade in C Major,'' and selections from ''Swan Lake,'' including the ''Black Swan Pas de Deux.''
Tickets range in price from $25 to $65. They may be purchased through Shea's box office, or through Ticketmaster. Contact information for Ticketmaster is given above.
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June 8 through 17, Toronto will erupt with the annual Luminato Festival, which turns sites all throughout the city into performance venues for all of the arts.
Performances during the festival will be headlined by the rarely performed opera ''Einstein on the Beach,'' by Phillip Glass. Others, which you may attend by hurrying from one to the next, or by choosing only your favorites, include ballet, modern dance, films, symphonic orchestra, visual art of many genres, theater, lectures, readings, and more.
These will be in addition to events such as concerts by popular artists, dancing in the street, a ''Taste of Toronto'' event, and much more.
The organization's brochure is 35 pages long, so we can't begin to describe it all. For complete information, go to www.luminato.com, or phone 416-368-4849.
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The first public meeting to address the receipt by Jamestown of three planning grants from New York state, dealing with the best possible use for land and facilities along the Chadakoin River, will be held Tuesday at the Robert H. Jackson Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
The auditorium at the Jackson Center is located at the rear of the facility, at the intersection of Fifth Street and Prendergast Avenue.
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Since 2009, Buffalo's Road Less Travelled Productions has held a competition for young playwrights who are enrolled in high school or college.
The grand winner of the contest is given a workshop production of his or her script, by the company. Runners-up are given staged readings of their scripts.
This year's Young Writers Night is May 16, beginning at 7 p.m. The company will produce ''Just Enough'' by Caitlin McAneney, a junior at Canisius College. Staged readings will take place of ''Making the Connection'' by Katherine Boswell, ''Sort of Like Pigeons'' by Hillary Hamp, ''Killing It'' by Megan Kemple, and ''Cars, Teens and Other Hazards'' by Marina Laurendi.
Admission is $10. All Young Writers Nights to date have sold out, including standing room, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.
Road Less Travelled Productions performs in one of the theaters in the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, at 639 Main St., in the Downtown Buffalo Theater District. The complex is directly across Main Street from Shea's. For more information, or to purchase tickets, phone 629-3069 or visit their website at www.roadlesstravelledproductions.org.
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Buffalo's Theatre of Youth will produce the popular children's story ''Charlotte's Web,'' beginning May 11 and lasting through June 3.
The production was adapted by Joseph Robinette from the popular story be E.B. White.
The company presents mostly adult actors in productions intended to especially interest young audiences. They are currently celebrating their 40th anniversary of presenting children's theater. They perform in the Allendale Theater, 203 Allen St., in Buffalo.
Opening night is a Friday, at 7 p.m. Subsequent performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be no performances during Memorial Day weekend.
Tickets are $25 or $23, and may be purchased by phoning 884-4400, ext. 304,, or at the company's website at www.theatreofyouth.org.
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McConnell and Company perform a jukebox musical of songs from the 1950s, including ''Lollipop,'' ''Dream Lover,'' and ''Stupid Cupid,'' among many more such.
The show is titled ''The Marvelous Wonderettes,'' and it was put together by Roger Bean. The company performs in Gleasner Hall, on the North Campus of Erie Community College, at 6205 Main St., in Williamsville.
Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. On Fridays, they hold sing-alongs.
Tickets are $25 for the general public, with discounts offered to students, senior citizens, active members of the U.S. Military and groups.
Dinner/Theater packages are available at area restaurants. For information or to reserve tickets, phone 848-0800 or visit their website at www.oconnellandcompany.com.
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The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society will be showing an exhibit called ''The Trial of Red Jacket,'' through May 6.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is a painting by the same name, created by John Mix Stanley. The painting portrays a trial by the Iroquois Nation of the Native American leader Red Jacket, on a charge of witchcraft. The trial may have taken place around the year 1800.
The exhibit portrays many images of Red Jacket, along with examples of Native American costuming from the era, historical documents, and even the medal which was given by George Washington to Red Jacket.
The Society is located at 25 Nottingham Court, just off Elmwood Avenue, in Buffalo. It is near the Albright Knox Gallery.
The museum opens at 10 a.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Sundays it opens at noon, and Mondays it is closed. Closing time is 5 p.m., every day but Wednesday, which has extended hours until 8 p.m.
Admission is $7 for the general public, $5 for senior citizens and students age 21 and younger, and $2.50 for those between ages 7 and 12. Children younger than 7 are admitted without charge.
For information, phone 873-9644 or on the web at www.buffalohistory.org.
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The United Arts Appeal for Chautauqua County has announced the grants from their Projects Pool for the current year:
Successful applicants for 2012 included artists Bridget Mackowiak of Dunkirk, and Renee Pye of Bemus Point. The former received support for purchasing video art equipment, and the latter for doll making supplies.
Organizations receiving support included the Bemus Point Library, Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony, Great Lakes FX, the James Prendergast Library, the Jamestown Audubon Society, the Jamestown Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, the North Shore Art Alliance, and Patterson Library in Westfield.
Congratulations to all, and thanks to those who donated the funds, and those who worked so hard to raise them.
The Center for the Arts on the north campus of the University of Buffalo will present an evening of contemporary dance on May 5 at 7:30 p.m.
The performance is being presented by four choreographers from across the U.S., and by their performing companies.
Tickets are $15 for the general public, and $12 for students. Purchase in person at the center's box office, or through Ticketmaster, whose contact information is above. For information about the performance, phone 645-2787 or visit www.ubcfa.org.
Also at the Center for the Arts, recording artist, pianist and singer Bruce Hornsby will perform solo at the center, on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Hornsby has performed with the Grateful Dead; with Bob Dylan; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Bela Fleck; Ricky Skaggs, and many more.
Tickets are $40 and $32. Contact information is above.
Noel Coward's classic comedy ''Blithe Spirit'' will be performed at Kavinoky Theatre, in Buffalo, opening Friday, and running through May 20.
The play concerns a successful playwright whose marriage to his second wife is being badly troubled by visits from the ghost of his first wife. The couple consults a wacky medium, in hopes of discouraging the spook, and mayhem results.
Performances take place Thursdays, through Saturdays at 8 p.m., plus matinees on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $36 for the general public, with discounts given to senior citizens, students, and active members of the U.S. military.
The company performs on the campus of D'Youville College, at 320 Porter Ave., in Buffalo. For information or to reserve tickets, phone 829-7668.
Now through next Saturday, the Station Dinner Theater in Erie will perform a comic musical show titled ''Church Basement Ladies.''
Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The company performs at 4940 Peach St. in Erie.
For tickets, phone 814-864-2022 or go to their website at www.canterburyfeast.com.
Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre Company will perform Edward Albee's classic play ''A Delicate Balance'' through May 13.
The plot concerns a placid couple whose home is invaded by a couple of close friends who have survived a natural disaster, and who need shelter. Performances take place at the Andrews Theater, at 625 Main St., almost directly across from Shea's.
Tickets range in price from $34 to $42. This afternoon's matinee at 3 p.m. is pay-what-you-can.
Performances take place Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Students are admitted for $15 with valid I.D. Mini Flex Pack tickets are also available.
For information or to purchase tickets, phone 853-4282 or by computer at www.irishclassicaltheatre.com.
Chautauqua Opera's Artistic Director Jay Lesenger will direct a production of John Corigliano's rarely-performed opera ''Ghosts of Versailles'' at the Manhattan School of Music, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of the coming week.
The work, which deals with the ghosts of the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, seeking to change history of the French Revolution, was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera in 1999 from the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, who is best-known for the score of the film ''The Red Violin.''
The opera was viewed as a masterpiece by critics and public alike, but had a cast of hundreds and was scored for a giant orchestra, so it was considered beyond the ability of opera companies to stage, until a recent reduction was created by John David Earnest.
Performances will take place in the school's John C. Borden Auditorium. For additional information, go to their website at www.msmnyc.edu.
