Local harmonica champ
Hailey harmonica player, Austrian native Ewald Grabher, took first place in the 22nd annual Yellow Pine Harmonica Contest and Festival, which claims to be one of the biggest contests of its kind in the U.S.
Grabher plays locally with the bands Hat Trick and the 812 Band. The contest, held Aug. 5-7 in central Idaho, turns a tiny mountain town of 40 people into a melodic weekend getaway.
Dunk a celeb, dance, help local ski champs get to Olympics
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation wants to educate the public about its Olympic Development Team athletes and their mission to see Six@Sochi (Russia, the site of the 2014 Winter Games).
To get the public's attention, the foundation is hosting a free celebration with a three-band musical lineup of Cow Says Moo, Moe Dixon and Safety Orange. See local celebs like DJ Lenny Joseph, Kevin Mora, Don Wiseman and Whit Atkinson get dunked in a 1,700-gallon tank.
There also will be a Russian Vodka Tent where people can learn about Russian culture and the traditional Russian toast "Budem." The Roosevelt, Wiseguy's, Sawtooth Club, Despo's and Atkinsons' Market will provide food. Cellar Pub will offer drinks.
The Six@Sochi foundation supports local elite-level Nordic skiers, alpine skiers and snowboarders in their quest to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
The event will be held at Ketchum Town Square from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18.
Fools get funding for 'Carnage'
Hailey's Company of Fools was awarded a $15,000 arts grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to produce next year's performance of Yasmina Reza's "God of Carnage."
"Their support has enabled us to present theatre of the highest caliber by some of our most exciting writers in theater today," said Core Company Artist Denise Simone.
"God of Carnage" is a fast-paced piece about two sets of parents in a Brooklyn neighborhood who try and sort out what to do when one of their children knocks the other's tooth out with a stick. Civil conversation crumbles, making this a darkly comedic piece.
Launched by Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen and Jo Lynn Allen in 1988, the foundation provides grants for efforts that promote social progress.
Library speakers cancelled
Appearances at The Community Library in Ketchum by Anna Deavere Smith on Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Jamaica Kincaid on Wednesday, Aug. 31, have been cancelled. For a current schedule, visit http://www.thecommunitylibrary.org/index.php.
Photo by Kelly Grabher
