Romancing the West Legacy Tour

“ROMANCING THE
WEST” TOUR OF HISTORICAL CONCERTS INCLUDES SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO IN APRIL

“The First Lady
of Woodstock” Melanie Safka headlines the time traveling concert

The Romancing the West Tour, a narrative-style concert
featuring an ensemble of acclaimed performers will launch this spring, telling the
epic story of the American West. The musical and visual presentation journeys across
a rich cultural history of 240 years, from the Native tribes, the Spanish
Missions and Gold Rush to the Great Depression and The Sixties. A diverse group
of musicians will perform an original score that capture the eras, from ragtime
to rock, swing bands to folk tunes. The shows kickoff in March at landmark
theaters along Main Street America, offering audiences a unique visual concert experience.

Singer-songwriter Melanie Safka (“Candles in the Rain” and “Brand
New Key”) and pop/rock duo
Gypsy Soul are featured artists in a cross-genre gathering of award-winning artists
including Native American “Educator of the Year,” Jacque Nunez, cowboy
balladeers Sons of the Oregon Trail, jazz
pianist Patti Moran McCoy who played with Duke Ellington, Martin Gerschwitz (Iron Butterfly), Chuck Girard (Lovesong), fusion rock guitarist/composer Byron Fry,
multi-instrumentalist/songwriter John
Elliott, Nick Garrett
Powell (The Fret Drifters),
and GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter Pam
Mark Hall. Singer/songwriter Christina
Duane, who creater
and producer Romancing the West, and
co-producer legendary cowboy poet Butch
Martin will also share the stage and bring the stories of the characters of
the West on screen with historic imagery and reenactments.

This multimedia theatrical
presentation was inspired by Duane’s vision and includes period costumes and full-screen
imagery, reflecting significant times over the last two centuries, from the
beauty of the Native people’s culture when the West lay untouched by time, to exploring
the Oregon Trail to building the railroads and the preservation of the majestic
lands. Concertgoers will enjoy an entertaining and educational production for
all ages that boldly remembers the tragic and celebrates the triumphant episodes
in Western History. “Romancing the West” covers themes across
the decades of social and political change to celebrate the pioneering human
spirit and diverse legacy of the American West. 

Historical venues
in small towns along the West Coast on the tour include the Rogue Theater in
Grants Pass, Oregon and The Tower in Bend, as well as the Autry National Center
of the American West in Los Angeles and La Sala Auditorium in San Juan
Capistrano. In addition, some acts will integrate their better-known songs
into the program, such as Melanie’s signature anthem “Candles in the Rain” and
Iron Butterfly’s classic “In a Gadda Da Vida.”

For dates and
theater locations visit www.RomancingtheWest.org. Portions of proceeds will benefit “Oh Oregon Frontier
Park and Cultural Center” and its interpretive history walk and children’s
camps. The show is sponsored by Oregon Historical Society, and Travel
Pendleton.  Presented by Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano.   For booking call (541) 292-7829.