Each year, a dozen or so individuals lend their talents to Showcase Orangeburg, offering locals the chance to see first-class entertainment by their peers.

Presented by the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center and the city of Orangeburg, Showcase will feature performances by reigning Queen of Roses Chelsea Smith, Orangeburg Idol Eden Graves and others, with each bringing their unique presence to the Stevenson Auditorium stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30.

"It's really like an old-time variety show," said Beth Thomas, executive director of the Fine Arts Center. "There will be pop, country, rock, bluegrass and then we'll have the two dance segments and one instrumental.

"All the people who are performing are good, are accomplished and they enjoy what they are doing. It will be, I think, a very entertaining show."

Jacqueline Skubal will direct this year's Showcase. Emcees will be Russ T. Fender and Haley Aull. Mike Thomas will manage lights and sound, and Mitzie DeAloia will serve as house manager. Showcase is a fundraiser for the Fine Arts Center.

"Showcase Orangeburg has a great lineup of local talent," Skubal said. "There's a nice mix of different types of music, from Frank Sinatra songs to bluegrass. We asked the artists to choose their music from ... familiar and famous artists. We tried to encourage them to go with popular pieces.

"The community has always been very supportive of Showcase. We usually have a great crowd."

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For tickets, call the Fine Arts Center at 803-536-4074.

"This show is definitely a bargain," Skubal added. "You will get a great evening of local entertainment at a bargain price and at the same time help the Orangeburg Fine Arts Center continue to serve Orangeburg County."

Since 1993, Showcase Orangeburg has been the premier event of the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, which will be held at Edisto Memorial Gardens Friday through Sunday, May 1-3. The festival features river races, sports tournaments, continuous entertainment on outdoor stages and thousands of blooming roses along the Edisto River.

Funding assistance for Showcase Orangeburg is provided by the city of Orangeburg Accommodations Tax Fund and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Bringing to the stage the music of Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin, Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, Stevie Nicks, the Soggy Bottom Boys and others are the following talented performers:

Haley Aull

Haley Aull, the daughter of George and Anne Aull, grew up in the Four Holes Community with brothers Sam and Carson. She is a 2008 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in media communications. On weekday mornings, she can be heard on the "Russ and Haley Rock & Roll Show" on Bad Dog 105.1 FM.

In addition to serving as co-emcee with longtime local radio personality Russ T. Fender, Aull will perform Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee."

"It has always been my favorite song, even when I was a little girl, so I was excited to do it," Aull said. "I wanted to be a part of Showcase Orangeburg because I am thrilled to be involved in the community in any way that I can. I was born and raised in Orangeburg, and I feel that there is a lot, as a community, that we could do to continue to make Orangeburg a wonderful place to call home.

"I believe that the Showcase is a wonderful opportunity for people to come out and support our community and have some good family fun!"

Daryl Cate

A native of East Tennessee, Daryl Cate has been performing since early childhood. He began his professional career with the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville at the age of 15. Cate performed at Dollywood for more than seven years and continued his stage acting while earning his degree from the University of Tennessee.

For Showcase Orangeburg, Cate will perform songs by Frank Sinatra, and "the rest is going to be a surprise," he said.

"I want to do something a little different," Cate said. "We will have a full range of classics and standards, so there will be something for everyone."

Currently, Cate serves as president of the Orangeburg Part-Time Players, where he has appeared in numerous productions over the past five years. Most recently, he appeared as leading man Harold Hill in "The Music Man." Cate has appeared on stage to benefit the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, Relay for Life, the Regional Medical Center Hospice and other local civic organizations and churches. He is owner of The Garden Gate Florist in Cope.

"I'm a firm believer in showcasing local talent and supporting Orangeburg," Cate said. "Any time I can do that, I'm more than happy to do it.

"A lot of people are not aware of the amazing talent we have in town. ... I think it helps bring the community together."

Pamela Connor and Teresa Hibbits

Pamela Connor and Teresa Hibbits have performed together at church and community functions throughout Orangeburg for at least a decade. The pair will join voices again when they sing "Does He Love You," the duet made famous by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis, at this year's Showcase Orangeburg.

"We sang four years ago together at Showcase, and Ms. Thomas came by and asked us if we'd do it again. We said, 'Sure,'" Hibbits said.

She says they enjoy the atmosphere at Showcase Orangeburg because it's "a good, clean event for family fun."

Connor received a music education degree from the College of Charleston and a physical therapy degree from Texas Woman's University. She is the designated physical therapist for the RMC Wound Center. Connor is a member of Branchville Baptist Church, where she directs music for the children and adult choirs. She lives in Branchville with her husband, Jay, and her three children -- Savannah, Rebecca and John.

Hibbits is employed by the Country Club of Orangeburg and lives in Orangeburg with her husband, Rob. Together, they have four children and five grandchildren. She, too, is a member of Branchville Baptist, where she served as the church pianist for more than 20 years.

"I'm glad that they've given us the opportunity to do this again, and hopefully I'll sing the right words," Hibbits joked.

Russ T. Fender

"A love of performing and a love for this wonderful community we have," are two of the reasons 20-plus-year radio veteran Russ T. Fender says he enjoys participating in Showcase Orangeburg.

"Orangeburg has such amazingly talented folks, it is always an honor to share the stage," he said. "Showcase has always been well received. ... Attendees never fail to be surprised at the depth and diversity of the talent our community has to offer."

Fender is married to the former Stacey Yon of New Holland and they have two children, Abbie and Brett. He can be found onstage, backstage or center stage at many events in the Orangeburg area and has served as emcee at Showcase Orangeburg for several years. On weekday mornings, he can be heard on the "Russ and Haley Rock & Roll Show" on Bad Dog 105.1 FM.

In addition to co-emceeing the event will Aull, Fender will perform "Shameless" by Garth Brooks.

"Showcase brings people from all sides of our community together for an evening of fun and entertainment," he said. "It's suitable for the whole family, and it's an amazing little melting pot of talents and culture."

Hydrick Gass Jr.

Hydrick Gass Jr. is an accomplished musician who began his professional career at age 14 as a trumpet player performing in church, parades and local clubs.

At Showcase Orangeburg, Gass will play two songs -- the hymn "Blessed Assurance" and a contemporary version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

"I'm happy to be a part of something that's positive," Gass said. "It brings people together and ... when things are, maybe, problematic with the economy, people need a break. It's an outlet, an opportunity for people to get away from their jobs, their chores, their responsibilities, and have a good time, enjoy a change of pace. People need to just be able to get together."

While studying music theory at Queensborough Community College, Gass performed with the QCC Community Orchestra, Community Jazz Band and Brass Quartet. Upon graduation, he traveled throughout North America and Europe sharing the stage with Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Spinners, Bo Diddley and other artists from the Atlantic Records label. Gass has performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Frank Foster Big Band, Maxine Brown, The Limelights, The Cleftones and others.

"Some people don't even know I play trumpet," he said. "I just want it (Showcase) to be a success and I want people to have a good time."

In addition to recording and arranging his own music, Gass also composes vocal and instrumental music in various genres.

Eden Graves

Sixteen-year-old Eden Graves, the 2008 Orangeburg Idol, is a junior at Orangeburg Preparatory School. She studies voice and piano after school, and plans to major in music in college. Graves lives in Livingston with her parents, Clint and Tammy Graves, and brother, Evan.

While she doesn't know exactly what she'll sing just yet, Graves does know it'll be a Patsy Cline tune. She's performed in Showcase Orangeburg for several years.

"I enjoy it. It's fun," Graves said of the experience. "I just enjoy singing.

"I think it (Showcase) helps show people the talent throughout Orangeburg. ... It's a lot of fun and why wouldn't you come? You get there and you can watch all these different people with all these different voices and instruments, and it's really entertaining."

Leah Jones

A lover of opera, Leah Jones attended the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts Summer Program while in high school. She earned her bachelor's degree in music at Converse College and continued her studies at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., where she studied with Marianna Busching. She has taken part in master classes by such musicians as Elly Ameling and Benton Hess. In Baltimore, she performed the role of Despina in "Cosi fan tutte," in which she coached with Martin Isepp of the National Opera Studio.

While in Baltimore, Jones was hired to sing with the Baltimore Opera Chorus and took part in many productions of the Peabody Opera Theater. She is currently taking time off from professional singing to pursue a second career.

"I'm a classically trained singer and enjoy performing arias and art songs; however, I rarely get a chance to do popular music," Jones said. "This concert will be a great opportunity for me to share my love of all styles of music."

At Showcase Orangeburg, Jones will perform "Landslide" by Stevie Nicks, in the style of the Dixie Chicks, and "Somewhere" from the Broadway musical "West Side Story" by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.

"This event gives local talent a chance to network with other artists and music lovers in the area," she said. "Since the concert is the opening event of the Rose Festival, I hope it will create excitement and encourage people to attend other festival events."

The Pinehill Ramblers

Striving to keep bluegrass alive in the South, The Pinehill Ramblers features Carl Williams on guitar, Hugh Fanning on banjo, Robert Templeton on bass and Gary Joyner on mandolin. All four men are from the Orangeburg area and love to play and sing bluegrass gospel. At Showcase, they will treat the audience to their rendition of the Soggy Bottom Boys' "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the hit movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Williams says the group has performed at the Fine Arts Center several times and really enjoys working with Thomas.

"She's been really helpful with us, trying to get our music out through that venue. She really seems to have an appreciation for the traditional bluegrass style of music," he said.

Last year was The Pinehill Ramblers' first experience at Showcase, and Williams says it was "interesting."

"It helps the community to realize there are different styles of music that people do enjoy and play," he said. "It lets people know that this music is available here. It opens up another world of music, as far as I'm concerned."

For more information, visit thepinehillramblers.com.

Chelsea Smith

Recently crowned the 2009 Queen of Roses, Chelsea Smith is the 17-year-old daughter of Darren and Celeste Smith of Orangeburg. She is a junior at Branchville High School and has two brothers, Corey and Connor, and a sister, Cassidy. She began clogging 13 years ago and says it has afforded her the opportunity to perform as well as make frie-ips and memories.

"I am actually going to be doing a clogging routine, the one I did when I won the Queen of Roses, to the song 'Do Your Thing,'" Smith said of her Showcase performance. She will wear a costume she designed.

Smith says she was asked to participate in Showcase after winning the pageant title.

"And I am very happy to do it. I enjoy performing in front of people," she said, adding that events such as Showcase Orangeburg, "will let the community see what is out there, and give them a chance to get involved with different things."

Smith says she is "so, so excited" to be representing Orangeburg as the Queen of Roses.

Dewall and Phyllis Waters

Dewall Waters grew up in Sylvania, Ga., and has been the local McDonald's franchisee for more than 36 years. He has three grown children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include playing golf, fishing and being outdoors.

Phyllis grew up in Bowman and is a homemaker. Her hobbies include aerobics and walking with the dogs. She enjoys computers and playing games.

They have been married 26 years and enjoy dancing together, particularly the shag. But at Showcase Orangeburg, the couple will demonstrate a waltz to the country song "Waiting On A Woman" by Brad Paisley.

Avid "Dancing with the Stars" fans, they say they love to try some of the stars' steps and then create their own. Both are members of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church.

The first public demonstration of their dancing skills was at last year's DORA fund-raiser, An Evening with the Stars.

"We like to dance. We just kind of make up our own thing," Phyllis Waters said, inviting the community to come out and, "support Orangeburg and the Rose Festival and enjoy the talent that is right here. You don't have to go out of town."

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

38th annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses schedule highlights

Thursday, April 30

7:30 p.m. -- Showcase Orangeburg, Stevenson Auditorium

Friday, May 1

Noon-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale, Edisto Memorial Gardens

2-4 p.m. -- Seniors' activities, Azalea Garden Stage

7 p.m. -- Softball tournament begins, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

8-11 p.m. -- Street dance with The Riptide Band, Memorial Plaza (alternate rain site, Orangeburg County Fairgrounds)

Saturday, May 2

6 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Budweiser Basscatchers Tournament

7:30 a.m. -- 12K Road Race begins in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

8 a.m. -- Softball tournament continues, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

9 a.m. -- 5K Road Race begins in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- New Hawthorne Aviators airplane rides, Orangeburg Municipal Airport

10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale

10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Children's area featuring rides and inflatables, petting zoo and pony rides, in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. -- Live entertainment at Garden Stage, Centennial Park Stage and River Stage

Noon -- Diaper Derby Race, near handicapped parking area next to Lady Fountain entrance

Noon -- Orangeburg Queen of Roses and Princesses of Roses, Garden Stage

1 p.m. -- Diaper Derby Race, second competition, near handicapped parking area next to Lady Fountain entrance

1 p.m. -- Blackwater River Race begins at Baughman's Landing, Shillings Bridge Road

2 and 4 p.m. -- Rose Garden Tour, meet at Master Gardener's Tent

Sunday, May 3

11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- New Hawthorne Aviators airplane rides, Orangeburg Municipal Airport

Noon-6 p.m. -- Arts and crafts exhibit and sale

Noon-6 p.m. -- Children's area featuring rides and inflatables, petting zoo and pony rides, in front of Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- Live entertainment at Garden Stage, Centennial Park Stage and River Stage

2 p.m. -- Softball tournament continues, if needed, Hillcrest, Hedgespeth and Adden Street ball fields

2 and 4 p.m. -- Rose Garden Tour, meet at Master Gardener's Tent

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