May 12, 2011 - Director James Dering and the Grayson County College Jazz Combo opened the 3rd Annual Music in the Garden spring concert series at the Creative Arts Center (CAC) Thursday, May 5, with a tremendous night of Jazz. Classics and innovative new versions of Jazz favorites were excellently performed. Dering thrilled the audience with a piano piece as well and the three pianists played a fun, entertaining piece together, showcasing their talent and excellent timing.

Dynamite Drummers, made up of energetic and talented third and fourth grade students from Neblett Elementary in Sherman, will open the Music in the Garden concert Thursday night, May 12, at 7 p.m. The drummers will bring an exciting element of percussion and musicianship to the concert series. Led by Priscilla Estes, the Dynamite Drummer ensemble members must meet a grade requirement and show excellent citizenship to be selected for this program, as well as maintain these requirements throughout the school year. Other talented youth musicians on the schedule are soloists, Lexi Felke and Sarah Lee, returning on the piano, Will Lacy, sure to wow the crowd, Selah Burnett will sign a song, followed by the young Bonham group, Taken by Love, consisting of Jenna Toland, Treavor Allen, Jerod Hudson and Taizia Bennet. From Collin County, James Henry will play piano and another returning young musician, soloist Abby Collida, will perform.

Closing the evening will be the CAC's own Kidz Krew with a Flash Mob dance and skit. This will be an excellent evening for families with school age children, elementary through high school, to join the concert series and be inspired by these talented and innovative youth musicians. The youth night musicians are sponsored by the generous donations of the Bonham Lions Club, Bonham Quick Lube, Warrior Tire and Bob and Kay Carrel.

On May 19, Jim Simpson and the Roadshow Band will play new country, old country and top 40 rock. Simpson was the frontman for the band Reno Bound in the late 80's and early 90's. He and the band are sure to provide a fun night of music and entertainment. Bonham Floral, Kyle Payne Ranch, Underwood Plumbing and CJS Longhorns are the concert sponsors.

Pictured are (from top), the music group from Bonham, Taken By Love; vocal soloist Lexi Felki; vocal soloist Sarah Lee, and the Dynamite Drummers from Neblett Elementary School in Sherman. All of these entertainers will be featured in the CAC's Music in the Garden series this Thursday. - Photos courtesy of the Creative Arts Center