Pop Up Performance Series
Dive into a world of incredible musical talent at the Pop-up Performance Series, a partnership program between Roswell Arts Fund and Friends of Mimosa Hall and Gardens.
On the 3rd Sunday of the month at 3:30 pm, music partner Roswell Music Club unveils a monthly series highlighting classical musical artists, showcasing the timeless beauty of classical compositions
And starting in January 2024 – On the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm, music partner Steve’s Live Music will curate a lineup of eclectic, mesmerizing, and innovative artists starting with series of Jazz Around the World.
Join us at the historic Mimosa Hall in Roswell, Georgia, (127 Bulloch Ave) where captivating performances await, promising unforgettable experience for all music enthusiasts
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Duo Catanza
DUO CATANZA returns to Mimosa Hall & gardens for a magical afternoon of the exquisite classical guitar music!
Join us for an enchanting evening of harmonious melodies as the two virtuoso guitarists Scott Plato and Matthias Young take the stage. Duo Catanza will transport you to a world of timeless beauty through their exquisite interpretations of classical compositions.
What is Catanza? When creating the name for their guitar duo, Scott and Matthias decided to use something that would be reflective of their heritage. Scott’s great grandfather immigrated to the United States from Catanzaro, Italy, which is known as the City of the Two Seas. In thinking of ways to use Catanzaro within the name of the duo, the decision was made to shorten the name to Catanza. In addition to creating a word unique to the duo, the name also highlights the word, tanz, which is German for dance. As Matthias has German heritage, amongst others, this seemed to be a perfect choice. Thus, Duo Catanza was created.
Indulge in the elegance of classical guitar music on December 17th.
Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm
LAYLA MUSSELWHITE
Jazz Around the World – The Influence of the Delta Blues
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Layla Musselwhite is a New Orleans-based singer songwriter and slide guitarist. Drawing on a rich musical legacy via her father, blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, Layla grew up on the road steeped in the music of the greatest blues artists of our time. Charlie’s innovative playing led him to share stages and travel the world with artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Big Mama Thornton – & John Lee Hooker was Charlie’s best man when her folks decided to make it legal. These artists were legends to many and family to Layla. As a teenager, she started getting lessons in Mississippi hill country guitar from Charlie, and her solo shows reveal her understanding and deep respect for early blues rhythms and melody, with a contemporary soulful voice that sends chills down the spine.
“You’ve got to hear her play slide.” Brian Stoltz from the Meters said when they shared a stage at Chickie Wah Wah that she was “The real thing – lots of guys try to play like that and they can’t. She’s got it. Amazing.”.
Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 3:30 pm
FRANKLIN KEEL, CELLO
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Franklin Keel (BM – Eastman School of Music) is the Associate Principal Cello with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, founding cellist of the Opal String Quartet, and cellist/singer/songwriter with Upland Drive and Sirius.B.
He has appeared as a featured soloist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Blue Ridge Orchestra; and he has shared the concert stage with Emmanuel
Ax, Béla Fleck, Warren Haynes, Bright Eyes, Ben Sollee, Free Planet Radio, Stephanie’s Id, the Jon Stickley Trio, Jane Kramer, Ben Phantom, and the Get Right Band.
A passionate educator, Mr. Keel has taught orchestra for Henderson County Public Schools; and he currently teaches string orchestra at Asheville Middle and High Schools and is the strings coach for the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm
THE BONAVENTURE QUARTET
Jazz Around the World – Swing and Gypsy Jazz
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Founded in 2000 by Charles Williams, The Bonaventure Quartet originally consisted of four members. The vision was to be an acoustic jazz band that created music in the style of the Django Reinhardt & The Hot Club of France. With the addition of singer Amy Pike, the band began incorporating American styles of jazz along with original music. The band now consists of up to eight members, but can often be found performing as a quintet, quartet, or trio depending on the occasion.
Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:30 pm
KENNY BANKS, PIANO
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
…composer, arranger and performer who slips effortlessly among musical styles while retaining his own distinct sound. This Columbus Ohio native has been studying and playing since the age of seven. He first developed his gift through the church, which led him to study music at Central State University. Following graduation, Kenny taught vocal music in the Columbus Public Schools before pursuing his dreams by touring as a clinician, keyboardist, musical director and producer across the United States and other parts of the world. Kenny has appeared on BET and the Image Awards. He has performed at the inauguration and the United Nations Ceremony for President Barack Obama and appeared in such notable places as Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Philharmonie in Berlin. Kenny has also appeared in movie scenes from Tyler Perry’s “The Family That Preys” and has a composition entitled “Hello Love” on the GMC movie “Raising Izzie”.
“Music is designed to heal, for it will soothe the body, relax the mind and inspire the heart while uplifting the spirit.”
Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm
MARLA FEENEY BAND
Jazz Around the World – Dixieland to Klezmer
Music partner: Steve’s Live Music
Marla Feeney is a multi-instrumentalist based in Atlanta. Her instruments include violin, clarinet, saxophone, flute, and vocals, among others. She also enjoys composing, arranging, and recording. She loves jazz and classical performance, as well as country, blues, bluegrass, folk, and special ethnic music, and playing for her church and several other local churches and synagogues. Happy to be in Atlanta among so many fine musicians, Marla has some new plans in the works.
Marla’s last project was an uplifting journey of Music from Around the World, from the roots of New Orleans jazz, through the Mississippi Delta blues and ragtime, to the Country Swing of the Midwest , and to the Bluegrass of the Appalachian mountains- and then across the pond to enjoy some Celtic music from Ireland, to Klezmer and Gypsy Jazz of Europe.
Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 3:30 pm
NATALIE BECKENBAUGH, OBOE
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Natalie received her Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where she studied with Mark Ostoich. During her time in Cincinnati she participated in the Music Teachers National Association competition, gave multiple recitals, and founded a quintet 4+one.
After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree she furthered her education by pursuing a Master’s Degree at Carnegie Mellon University under the tutelage of Cynthia DeAlmeida, Principal Oboist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. While at Carnegie Mellon, Natalie served as the Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Studio, competed in chamber competitions with her quintet Gradations of Sound, performed in two major recording sessions, and organized community outreach events for musical enrichment.
Since graduation, she currently lives in Atlanta and enjoys teaching oboe at her Private Studio, Carere Music, Atlanta Music Project, Atlanta Music Academy, New School of Music, and Imagine Arts. In addition to her teaching and playing career, she is also working towards creating musical residencies in various assisted living facilities in the Atlanta area. She has played with various groups including the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and LaGrange Symphony.
Natalie enjoys teaching music because it enriches the lives of children and adults alike. It is something that can be enjoyed throughout life, regardless of whether one chooses it as a career. When she isn’t teaching or making reeds, you can find her crafting, reading, singing in choir, or spending time with friends and family.
Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 3:30 pm
BEVIN HILL, SOPRANO
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Soprano Bevin Hill has gained attention as a performer of great charm and charisma in a variety of leading roles. While frequently cherished for her comedic gifts, being memorably lauded as a “rubber-kneed goddess of slapstick,” Ms. Hill has also been praised for her nuanced acting, technical finesse, and vocal control interpreting tragedienne roles. We are thrilled to announce Ms. Hill’s return to the Roswell Music Club this year for an encore performance of magical arias, enchanting melodies, and breathtaking exquisite vocal artistry. Versatility and passion illuminate every note she sings.
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:30 pm
YOUNG STUDENTS SUNDAY:
ASHAN GALHENA, FLUTIST and ROGER WANG, BARITONE
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Ashan Galhena, flutist
Ashan Galhena is a flutist from Lambert High School in Suwanee, GA. He is currently a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is the principal flutist of the Lambert High School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Kevin Morrison. Ashan has performed with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and has been a member of the annual GMEA All-State Band and Orchestra event in Athens, GA for five years consecutively. As well as playing in ensembles, Ashan has worked with esteemed musicians and conductors such as former GMEA president Matt Koperniak, conductors Steven D. Davis, Buddy Langley, and Paul Bhasin, composers Julie Giroux and Minoo Dixon, and New York Philharmonic principal trumpet Christopher Martin. In addition to concert ensembles, Ashan has also worked as a conductor for 2 years with the Lambert High School Marching Band, and plans to work as a conductor for a professional drum corps.
Roger Wang, baritone
Roger Wang, 16, is an 11th grade student at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia. Roger has been taking classical vocal training since he was 10 years old. He has won multiple awards in various music competitions, including 1st place and a monetary reward from the 2021 Florida Keys International Music Competition, Judges Distinction Awards and 1st place in the 2020 American Protégé International Vocal Competition, 2nd place winner in 2019 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. He was selected by Broadway celebrity Corey Cott as one of the grand prize winners in 2020 CYT national Talent Thon competition and earned the opportunity for virtual meet with Director Jon Chu. Roger is the official National Anthem singer for professional sport teams, including the Atlanta Gladiators (Hockey), and the Gwinnett Stripers (Baseball).
Roger is a major member in Lambert High School Chamber Chorus – he is proud to be a participant in the Georgia All-State Chorus for 3 straight years, earning perfect scores for two years. Last year, he also auditioned for the Georgia All-State Reading Chorus and got selected; he is the first and only student from his high school who has ever passed the all-state reading chorus audition.
Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 3:30 pm
SIMONE VIGILANTE, SOPRANO
Music partner: Roswell Music Club
Simone Vigilante is lauded as a “beautiful dramatic soprano capable of some awesome fireworks” (Asheville Citizen-Times). She has appeared in recitals and competitions, with opera companies and orchestras, throughout the United States, France, Spain, Austria and Italy.
Recent highlights include a lecture-recital at the NC Museum of Art where Classical Voice of North Carolina noted “Vigilante provided the pizazz” and her solo CD release, Love, Look Away. This recording showcases her diverse talents in singing various genres including opera, classical, musical theater, gospel, and folk song through a dynamic collaboration with pianist David Troy Francis.
Ms. Vigilante has lived in the Asheville area since 2001 and is a founding member of Opera Creations. She has sung numerous leading roles with Asheville Lyric Opera, from Mozart to Strauss to Menotti, as well as musical theater such as Bloody Mary (South Pacific) and Mother Abbess (The Sound of Music). Additional roles include Sister Rose (Dead Man Walking) for The Modern American Music Project and Katisha (The Mikado), Miss Silverpeal (Mozart’s Impresario), and Ruth (Pirates of Penzance) for Opera Creations.
Highlights from Past Performances
- In October 2021, we welcomed Jake Xerxes Fussell and band to our first concert under the stars at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. This Pop Up also marked our first performance that was funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
- The inaugural season of the RAF Pop Up Performance Series began with a standing room-only concert at the intimate Roswell Historic Cottage.
- Due to COVID-19, our plans changed but the show must go on and we quickly reimagined our events and transformed parking lots into safe, physically distant yet social spaces for artists and audiences.
- 1400 concert-goers joined us for in-person concerts coming from Roswell, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Marietta, Smyrna, Decatur, and Atlanta.
- Another 2100 households tuned in for our first-ever live stream concert early in 2020.
- Headliners in 2020 included: Ed Roland (of Collective Soul), John Driskell Hopkins (of Zac Brown), Randall Bramblett Band, Acoustic Syndicate, Ruby Velle and Enrique Che (of Making Movies)
