THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605020186
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
A MOTHER'S DAY Dance featuring the Russ Morgan Orchestra opens the Outer Banks Big Band Preservation Society's 1996 season.
Whether Mom was born in the '40s or she's in her 40s, Morgan's music is sure to please. With his wah-wah trombone sound and his impeccable phrasing, Morgan scored a half-dozen hits during the swing era.
Among his more memorable tunes are ``Somebody Else is Taking My Place,'' ``You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You'' and ``Does Your Heart Beat for Me?''
The post-big band years were also good for Morgan. At one time, he had four recordings among the top 10: ``So Tired,'' ``Cruising Down the River,'' ``Sunflower,'' and ``Forever and Ever.''
The current band is led by Jack Morgan, who took over when his father died in 1971.
For those not familiar with Morgan's music, author George T. Simon's book, ``Big Bands,'' describes it as ``soft, loose, easygoing, well-blended and with an infectious, light lift.''
Be assured the music is perfect for what Big Band Preservation Society President Walter Gray calls ``touch dancing.''
``It really was a romantic time during the big band years,'' Gray says. ``It's something we need to bring back. This music never really goes out of style.''
The dance will be held at the Comfort Inn South in Nags Head. For more information, call 441-4644. Let there be flight
Kitty Hawk Kites' legendary Hang Gliding Spectacular is next weekend, May 10, 11 and 12.
Starting Friday, more than 75 major league hang gliding pilots breeze into town. These daring folks in their flying machines test their skills in the friendly skies over Jockey's Ridge, the tallest sand dune on the East Coast. Pilots will be graded on accuracy and endurance.
The weekend activities include a hang gliding photography show at Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head and a Saturday night street dance in the Kitty Hawk Kites parking lot.
Admission is free for the Spectacular, but there is a $5 admission charge for the street dance. All money raised will be used by the non-profit Friends of Jockey's Ridge, who hope to build a museum and visitors center.
Don't sweat the five bucks. The fire breathing blues/jazz singer Laura Martier and her funky little band will heat up the parking lot.
For more information, call 441-4124. "Odd Couple" opens
You've seen the movie. You've seen the TV series. Now, see the stage play that inspired them both.
``The Odd Couple,'' which opens Wednesday at Manteo Middle School, is the Theatre of Dare's final offering of the 1995-1996 season.
Neil Simon's comedy about two divorced men sharing a New York City apartment opened on Broadway in 1965. A 1968 movie based on the play starred Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Tony Randall and Jack Klugman were ``The Odd Couple'' during a five-year network run on ABC.
Local radio personality Tom Charity and Manteo High School teacher Michael Allen are the Theatre of Dare's ``Odd Couple.'' Charity plays the slobby sports writer Oscar Madison. Allen is prissy photographer Felix Unger, who is forced to live with Madison after his wife throws him out.
Eric Hause, Pete Granna, Mike Hunter and Mark Baker play Unger and Madison's poker-playing pals. Kathy Morrison and Jonta Franklin are the Pigeon sisters, a couple of kooky British girls who live upstairs.
``The Odd Couple,'' under first-time director Janelle Austin, runs Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $8 at the door. Student tickets are $4. Gray's Department Store, Manteo Booksellers, Sea Oatel and the Yarn Corner are ticket outlets.
For more information, call 441-3088. ILLUSTRATION: File photo
Kitty Hawk Kites' legendary Hang Gliding Spectacular is next
weekend, May 10, 11 and 12. Starting Friday, more than 75 major
league hang gliding pilots breeze into town.
by CNB