Rice Brothers to perform in concert Nov. 14

Nov. 1—MOSES LAKE — The cello-piano duo the Rice Brothers will bring a mix of classical, classic pop and jazz sounds to the stage at the Wallenstein Theater at 7 p.m. Nov. 14. It's the second concert of the season for the Central Basin Community Concert Association.

Caren Courtright of the CBCCA said the brothers have a wide-ranging repertoire.

"They do classical, classic jazz, ragtime and boogie-woogie," Courtright said.

Johnny and Chris Rice both play the cello and piano and switch between the two during their concerts. Their playbill includes selections for duets on the same piano, known as four-handed piano.

The brothers will also talk about and demonstrate the piano and cello for children at Warden Elementary prior to the concert. Courtright said giving students around the Columbia Basin a taste of the arts is a CBCCA goal, in addition to live performances for all ages. Most CBCCA performers provide an educational component in their programs.

"That's a part of art, is to educate," she said.

The concert association has a special admission rate for music teachers and students, to help support the goal of introducing the arts to the next generation.

"There was actually a music teacher there at the last concert with her kids, who had come with her parents," Courtright said. "They had season tickets to concerts, and now she's doing it with her kids.

"That's kind of the cool thing about it being around so long. You grew up going, and now you're taking your kids to it," she said.

The Concert Association is one of the oldest cultural organizations in the Basin, founded in 1954 as a subscription series. The CBCCA still sells season subscriptions, along with tickets to individual shows. The second half of the season is scheduled for spring 2024.

Sail On, a quintet that pays tribute to the Beach Boys, plays the Wallenstien on April 9. The band's repertoire features the songs that made surfin' famous, from "Surfer Girl" to "Little Deuce Coupe."

Irish tenor David Shannon will sing selections from musical theater, among much else, April 28. Shannon has been singing for more than 25 years and also performs Irish folk music, jazz and pop standards.

The CBCCA also is trying something new, a fundraiser based on the popular television show "Dancing with the Stars." A professional dance troupe will help train six local residents for a week; the dancers will show off their moves in a performance in January.