Since the Pocket Theater is an excellent venue for the performing arts, and since we want to support and encourage the fine musicians in this area, we are presenting the Village Big Band in concert on Sunday, August 2, at 3:00 pm. This is the first of what we hope will become a series of programs featuring some of the area's finest musicians.

Benny Goodman was born 100 years ago this year, and 70 years ago "made jazz respectable" through his Carnegie Hall Concert. To celebrate these events, the Village Big Band will present a musical salute to the Big Bands of the 1930s and beyond. Representative music of not only the Goodman band will be heard, but also that of Ellington, Miller, Basie, and many others.

Ray and Ruth Liebau are directing this project: "This band is good, and if you like music of that era -- heck, even if you don't know the music of that era -- this is a band you should hear."

The Village Big Band is an 18-piece ensemble led by Bill Morgan, and this concert is one that you will not want to miss.