Economy
Britt announces rebrand and new website
The Britt Festival, or Britt, has a new brand and a new website.
May 1, 2025
The Britt Festival, or Britt, has a new brand and a new website.
The Rogue Valley Symphony recently revealed the lineup for its 2025-26 season and it starts out with a bang — a weeklong festival of three concerts in late August at Medford’s Craterian Theater, featuring the debut of the symphony’s newly acquired 9-foot Hamburg Steinway grand piano, the Raven.
Ashland’s historic Railroad District is turning up the volume and turning out the vibes this Earth Day as it transforms into a festive, foot-tapping celebration of sustainability and community. On Tuesday, April 22, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., an Earth Day A Street Block Party — hosted by Wild Thyme Productions — will fill the A Street neighborhood with live music, local eats and eco-minded energy.
The third and final round of performers appearing at this summer’s Britt Music Festival has been revealed. But that’s not all. Announced, too, are plans for Britt’s summer schedule of free kids’ concerts and the third annual free The Hill is Where the Heart Is: Neighborhood Kickoff Party.
Ashlanders who turned out for a Ukrainian Sister City fundraiser Sunday heard musicians play, listened to a talk about the importance of not taking a peaceful life for granted and saw a video featuring interviews with residents of the city that will have a water truck and generator, thanks in part to their presence and support.
The slate includes country artist Wynonna Judd, pop favorite Natasha Bedingfield and the pairing of Taj Mahal and Steve Earle. Among the notable first-timers performing on the Britt stage are Dirtwire with special guests Free Creatures, and a much-anticipated performance from Tash Sultana.
Slated for demolition in the 1990s with its doors closed in 1986, the Holly Theatre in Medford reopened last Thursday, March 13, with opening ceremonies and a live performance by the Piano Guys to a full house. The revitalization of downtown Medford through the Holly, helped by all the volunteers, donors and people of Ashland’s Jefferson Public Radio, took more than 13 years and $13 million.
When Rebecca Goldman first attended a Southern Oregon Repertory Singers concert, it was because she had a friend in the choir. Not long after that, she assumed a leadership role for the organization as interim executive director. Taking over for Jessica Bailey, who resigned to take on another project, Goldman is excited about her new job.
Southern Oregon Repertory Singers’ spring concert, dubbed “Charm Me Asleep,” is a “hugely varied program of lyrical, romantic, life-enhancing choral music,” says music director Paul French. “The program title is taken from Robert Herrick’s lyrical ode on the transformative power of music to bring healing and restoration in times of physical and emotional distress.
An indie alt-rock band. Country singers. Classic rock ‘n’ rollers. A wildly diverse variety of musical performers are among the groups that will be featured this summer at the Britt Music & Arts Festival. The festival will welcome back legendary artists Earth, Wind & Fire, Gregory Alan Isakov, the Buena Vista Orchestra, the California Honeydrops, Chicago and Andy Grammer.
The Oregon Legislature is meeting this week to consider some major cuts to current spending levels as a large revenue deficit looms. That’s because the state’s tax code automatically replicates new federal tax cuts, including ones passed by Congressional Republicans this summer that will reduce state revenue
Michael O’Looney: Trump and the Texas Legislature are responsible for a partisan power grab that has unleashed bitterness and partisan vindictiveness, all in an effort to subvert an electoral system for partisan ends.
Councilor Bob Kaplan: While the cost of delivering kilowatt-hours to our homes has risen, Ashland Electric has been able to hold our rates steady with just one increase of 5.1% in 2021. I’m sorry to say we’re due for an increase, but fortunately it’s not likely to match recent increases elsewhere.
An estimate for the cost to abate asbestos found in the shuttered Lincoln School recently should be available as early as sometime this week, according to Steve Mitzel, operations director for Ashland School District. The cost to remove asbestos would be separate from the as yet-unknown cost for structural repair.
“We are still here” was the theme for Saturday’s Native American Heritage Celebration at Southern Oregon University, hosted by the SOU Native American Student Union (NASU) and SOU Native Nations Liaison Kenwanicahee (Kenwani) Kravitz (Madesi Bandi, Pit River Nation Winnemem, Nomtipom and Nomsus Bands Northern Wintu).
As Oregon lawmakers stare down a deficit of at least $373 million over the next two years — and brace for the possibility of a bigger shortfall in the state’s next quarterly revenue — they asked state agencies to create lists of ways to cut 5% of their approved budgets.
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