THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 19, 1996 TAG: 9604180156
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Eric Feber
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
BENEFIT FOR A FRIEND - A benefit is planned for this Sunday for the family of Markel Lee Pifer, an area resident who died recently.
The benefit will take place from 2 p.m. until midnight at Steppin' Out nightclub, Laskin and First Colonial roads in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach.
A West Virginia native, Pifer was in the Hampton Roads country music scene fronting bands like Markel Lee and the Prospectors, Lost Colony and Silver Canyon.
To honor Pifer's memory and aid his family, the benefit will feature the participation of such bands as Dallas; Easy Street; Last Call; Wildfire; C.B. & Company; The Bob Glass Revue, featuring impersonations of Elvis Presley, Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline; Tombstone; and the Chesapeake Bay Cloggers dance troupe.
In addition, a group of well-known local musicians and singers are expected to perform including Sandy Wells, Jesse Nance, Hoppy Ward, Jerry Hase, Linda Dee, Clayton James, Lynda Pritchard and others.
For more information or to make a donation, call 857-5679, 485-3030 or 465-1501.
ORIGINAL DINNER THEATER MYSTERY - The Hickory Ruritan Club will sponsor its annual dinner theater Friday and Saturday at the Hickory Ruritan Clubhouse on South Battlefield Boulevard.
This year's offering will feature an original mystery, ``Alabaster In Blue,'' written by Chesapeake stage veteran Bill Blanchard. In addition, Blanchard will also direct and act.
Tickets for both the dinner and drama cost $10. Proceeds will be used to benefit the Ruritan Club's many community service projects.
Tickets can be obtained from any Hickory Ruritan member or by calling 421-7677, 421-2408 or 547-8167.
SWINGIN' AT THE PARK - The Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission are sponsoring an ``Iced Tea Dance'' Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., featuring the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra.
The free event will take place at Lakeside Park, between Holly and Byrd avenues along Bainbridge Boulevard in South Norfolk.
Families are urged to come out, sip iced tea, dance or just enjoy the sounds of the orchestra directed by Lynn Summerall and featuring Becky Livas on vocals.
For details, call 547-6411.
PIANO FEST - On April 28, the River Crest Community Center will abound with the sounds of tickling ivories as the annual Doris Sahr Memorial Piano Festival pits young keyboard wizards in competition.
The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. The center is located at 1001 River Walk Parkway.
Contestants will perform in one of two categories, based on keyboard experience and the length of time taking lessons. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category.
For more information, call 436-8464.
SIZZLIN' SPRING VIOLINS - The Chesapeake based Twinklers to Sizzlers Suzuki Violin Studio will present its 22nd annual spring concert at 2:30 p.m. April 28 at the Oscar F. Smith High School theater, 1994 Tiger Drive, off Great Bridge Boulevard.
The free concert will feature the bow creativity of 60 performers, ranging in age from 3 to 53. Musical selections will range from beginners' first songs all the way up to the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.
Other selections will include the Beethoven Romance in F, the first movement of the Bach Concerto for Two Violins, other various classical works along with music by Leroy Anderson. A special feature will include selections from both ``Mary Poppins'' and ``The Phantom of the Opera'' to be enlivened with singing, mime and dance.
After the concert, the audience is invited to meet the performers and enjoy some refreshments.
More information is available by calling 420-6687. by CNB