Sparks to Fly with Recycled Percussion at Spencer Theater, 7/3

Junk Rock musicians and current Las Vegas headliners, Recycled Percussion, will be taking their hugely entertaining stage show out of the MGM Grand and over the mountains to be our own hilarious style of human fireworks at the Spencer Theater on Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m.

Pretty cool, eh?

Recycled Percussion features four New Hampshire showmen that have built their unconventional music show into one of the more powerful live performances in entertainment. During every show, the band mixes their gritty assault on buckets, power tools, ladders, doors - or anything else they can get their sticks on - to make music that's packed with humor and gravity defying athleticism. They'll be pushing such raving showmanship at their long-awaited Spencer Theater gig with their revolutionary interactive concepts, eye-popping musical antics and family-friendly fun.

Show tickets start at just $39 and are available at the Spencer Theater Box Office. Call 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com. A pre-performance boneless beef short ribs buffet is also available in the Spencer lobby at 6 p.m.

Band founder Justin Spencer, who has been named one of the world's fastest drummer, and his buddies, fellow drummer Ryan Vezina, guitarist Jim Magoon and DJ Todd Griffin started the band after entering a high school talent show in 1995. Spencer had been looking for a way to be creative as possible and took the idea of playing buckets, just as street artists did on New York subways. Next, he decided to add more and more unusual "instruments" much like a city's street percussion, and Recycled Percussion was born. The guys quickly became a popular force, appearing on the cover of USA Today in 1999 and touring the world as Recycled Percussion in 2001. They've happily averaged over 250 shows a year since. Their reputation for unforgettable live performances went viral and proved true, as they won the award for "entertainers of the year" a record six times. The band also played in living rooms across the country all the way to its recent 3rd place finish on the hit television show "America's Got Talent" on NBC. The group placed 3rd out of over 100,000 acts and became the first non-singing act to place in the top 3 in show history. In addition to their successful runs at the MGM, the Tropicana and The Quad in Las Vegas, the group has appeared on such popular television shows as the "Today Show," "Carson Daly," "Talk Soup," and many more. Following their Spencer performance, they head back to Vegas to settle in their new home of Planet Hollywood.

But it is their show at the intimate Spencer Theater on Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m. that's sure to be the searing scene. Check Recycled Percussion out and kick-off your holiday weekend with the spirit of spectacular performing art!

Next up:

Missoula Children's Theatre's "Rapunzel" - Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. ($10 for children, $18 adults). Approximately 50 children, ages 6-17, will be needed for the fun-filled musical's various parts. Auditions set for Monday, July 6 at 9 a.m. Be early. No experience necessary. Weeklong theatre workshop is free. For information, call 575.336.4800. Sponsored by Ruidoso Ford.

Evening in the Round - July 14 at 8 p.m. ($50 - $39). three of Nashville's most revered songwriters, Linda Davis, Lang Scott and Bill Whyte, share their music and tales from the backside of song creation. Pre-show chipolte glazed turkery buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Johnny Rivers - Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. ($99 - $39). With more than 30 million records sold and a slew of top Billboard hits like "Secret Agent Man," "Baby I Need Your Lovin'," "The Midnight Special," this soulful rocker with sharp vocals is a favorite.

Pre-show grilled pork rib eye buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Daly & Vincent - Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. ($55 - $39). These bluegrass music stars have voices that blend like magic in tunes that have won them scores of awards and fans across the country. They're joined by their four man band in a night of cutting-edge bluegrass, gospel & country. Sponsored in part-by Fusion Medical Spal Pre-show baked chicken buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Spencer Speakeasy Party: A Roaring '20s Dinner & Dance - Saturday, August 1 at 6 p.m. ($110). Costumes are optional at the Flapper party, but dressing a la mode of "The Great Gatsby" era will make for a whole lot of fun! Enjoy a scrumptious steak and lobster dinner, speakeasy martinis and dance the night away to the grand jazz of The Capones, a big band with sultry female vocals. The festive party will be on the magnificent Spencer stage.

Chubby Checker & The Wildcats - Saturday, August 8 at 8 p.m. ($75 - $39). The Grammy-winning vocalist, songwriter, rocker and arranger behind "The Twist," shares his high-energy sound and spirit in concert. Sponsored by Sandy Erwin, Kay Bird and Linda & Michael Stinson. Beef & shrimp kebabs buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Sandy Hackett's "Rat Pack Show" - Friday August 14 at 8 p.m. ($79 & $76). The legendary pack of superstars - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. & Joey Bishop - come back to earth with saucy attitude and flawless musical vigor in a revue starring Sandy Hackett (son of Buddy Hackett), with infectious energy and sass. Pre-show Italian meatballs & fettucine alfredo buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Robert Michaels "Viva Italia" - Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m. ($55 - $39). Fast-finger guitar sensation performs high power, Juno-award winning Nuevo flamenco tunes with traditional flamenco dancing and freshly arranged Italian classics. Pre-concert masters class at 5 p.m. for guitarists of all levels. The hands-on class will be limited to the first 30 to sign up; attendees must be performance ticket holders. Pre-show tilapia buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Diamond Rio, country-rock-bluegrass - Thursday, August 27 & Friday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ($75-$39). Grammy-winning band shares its infectious blend of hook and harmony in their classics like "Meet in the Middle," "Norma Jean Riley" and "Love A Little Stronger." Sponsored by the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation.

Evolution - A Tribute to Journey, Saturday, September 5 at 8 p.m. ($60 - $39). Spot-on tribute band (with personal links to band originals) share Journey's awesome hits like "Wheel In The Sky," "Any Way You Want It," "Open Arms" and "Don't Stop Believin'." Pre-show BBQ chicken lobby buffet ($20) at 6 p.m.

Get your season tickets now! Series tickets (four or more shows) will be processed beginning April 15. Single tickets and phone sales begin April 16. Call the Spencer Theater at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com. (The site allows for secure ordering). You may also request a brochure with show descriptions to be mailed to your home or business.

The Spencer Theater is at 108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872. • ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com

Summer Season 2015 is sponsored in part by The Hugh Bancroft Jr. Foundation, The Lodge at Sierra Blanca and Walton Stations of New Mexico KWES 93.5 FM, KBUY 1360 AM and KWES 1450 AM Fox Sports, with additional season support from KOBR Channel 8, Inn of the Mountain Gods, Ruidoso Ford-Lincoln, R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, Su Casa Magazine, Rainmakers, New Mexico Magazine, Comcast Spotlight, MTD Media, The Dove KEDU 102.3 FM, Burt Broadcasting in Alamogordo, Majestic Communications in Roswell and First National Bank of Ruidoso.

Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located in the Sacramento Mountain settlement of Alto, about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating, and excellent artistry are the Spencer's celebrated features. The elegant, award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the 4,770 square-foot stage. The Spencer also has a 964 square-foot outdoor stage that can seat 1,500. From its Spanish mica-flecked limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Free public tours are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. Donations are accepted!