Liberty plans special night of music

Singer Rudy Amato performs for area residents at the 2008 Mercy Health Center Gala in June of 2008. Amato will be performing for area residents at the Liberty Theatre on May 24 during a special Memorial Day weekend show, which will also include performances by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. In addition, the event will honor U.S. veterans and military personnel. (Rayma Silvers/Tribune file photo) [Click to enlarge]

With Memorial Day fast approaching, the Liberty Theatre is making plans to provide a special musical night of entertainment for all area residents.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main, will be conducting a Memorial Day Weekend Show which will feature the musical talents of Rudy Amato with the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra. The theatre's doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for the event.

In order to make sure every person who would like to attend the show can afford to do so, Liberty Theatre owner Jim Smith has placed a record low price on tickets for the Memorial Day event, according to a Liberty Theatre manager. Typically tickets for events at the Liberty Theatre range in price from $15 to $30 depending on the specific performances. However, for the Memorial Day show Smith has priced the tickets at only $2.50 each.

"Jim (Smith) wants everyone to be able to take advantage of the low price and help celebrate the Memorial Day holiday and get out and have a good time," the manager said.

According to Amato's Web site, www.rudycamato.com, he typically performs a mixture of contemporary and big band music.

"I try to capture the essence of 'The Music of The Golden Age,' with tributes to such greats as Frank, Dean, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darrin, Al Jolson and the great Louis Armstrong," the Web site said. "More contemporary artists include Elton John, George Strait and Elvis."

The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra is a 17-piece dance band that dresses in military attire from World War II, according to their Web site, www.moonlightserenaders.com.

"We'll have a swinging 17-piece dance band dressed in authentic WWII U.S. Army Air Corps uniforms, playing all the hits reminiscent of the great bands like Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington," the Web site said.

In addition to Amato and the Moonlight Serenaders, the patriotic event will also honor United States veterans and will contain surprises for military personnel.

According to the Liberty Theatre manager, the Memorial Day event was originally supposed to include the vocal talents of LaTanya Hall. However, due to a tragic death in her family, she will be unable to perform on the 24th.

The Liberty Theatre offers area residents the option to purchase season packages, which provides discounts on theatre tickets. The theatre's season will open on August 29 with a group from Las Vegas, and usually accommodates two performances per month, theater management said.

For more information about the Liberty Theatre or the Memorial Day show or to purchase tickets, visit www.fslibertytheatre.com or call (620) 223-4060.