Casino Star's Centennial Season Opens with Lark & Spur

The Casino Star Theatre is gearing up for its first concert of the 2012-2013 season, featuring Lark & Spur, an outstanding group of acoustic musicians hailing from the Salt Lake City area. The lights go up Saturday, September 29, at 7 p.m. in the newly restored historic theatre, and for the first time, tickets can be purchased online at www.casinostartheatre.com.

Lark & Spur returns to Gunnison after their program of international Christmas songs in 2010 enchanted the local audience. The group is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, everything from gypsy swing jazz to medieval French folk songs, as well as Celtic and Broadway tunes.

Lark & Spur began when Lori Decker (the Lark) and Jeff Whiteley (the Spur) first performed in the streets and metro tunnels of Paris, where Lori's soaring vocals literally stopped traffic. Those early days as street musicians led to TV and radio appearances in France and Switzerland. Over time the duo became a trio and ultimately a quintet.

The ensemble includes Jeff Whiteley on acoustic guitar and vocals; Ray Smith, head of the BYU School of Music Jazz Department, on woodwinds; Mike Fjerstadt on acoustic guitar; and Evan Coombs on double bass.

This program is a collaboration between the Casino Star Theatre Foundation and Excellence in the Community Concerts, with advertising support from the Sanpete County Travel Council.

Tickets are available online, at Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware and GIC in Gunnison, the Sanpete Messenger Office in Manti, and Kopy Katz Printing in Ephraim. Suggested donations for adults are $8, and for seniors and students, $5, with a nominal charge of 50¢ per ticket for online transactions.