Don't wait to buy tickets!

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Weston County Concert Association is in the middle of its membership drive for the 2019-20 concert season, according to Jan Ellis, the group’s president. 
This year’s lineup includes the male a cappella group Ball in the House, comedic pianist Jason Farnham, a Barnum & Bailey retired clown Kenny Ahern and brass quintet Presidio Brass. Each performance will take place in Crouch Auditorium. 
“I would say the purpose of the concert association is to bring quality live performances to citizens of Newcastle and Upton at an affordable price,” Ellis said. “Our first season was 1991-92, so we have been at it for a while.” 
She explained that when the association selects the lineup, it looks for a variety of talent with performers that the association thinks will please the membership and fit within the association’s budget. 
“This year we will have three outreach workshops to also share this talent with our youth,” Ellis said. “Because of two generous donations, we will be able to bring Ball in the House to the middle school and high school choirs; Kenny Ahern to the elementary students; and Presidio Brass to the middle school and high school bands.” 
The workshops will be short versions of the association’s events and will be shown to students from both Upton and Newcastle, she said. 
“These workshops hopefully satisfy our goal of sparking greater interest in music and especially live entertainment in the lives of our youth,” Ellis said. 
Memberships are $10 for students, $40 for adults and $85 for families. A membership will get you into all four concerts, plus attendance at the Belle Fourche and Hot Springs concerts, according to Ellis. Rapid City concerts can also be attended for a slight fee. 
“These reciprocating communities have several different concert offerings. There are also contribution levels, of which we accept donations and advertise for you at each concert,” she said. 
The membership drive sale extends through August and tickets can be purchased at A-1 Agency, Pinnacle Bank and First State Bank, or by contacting Ellis at 746-9754.