Everyone could use a little sunshine in January. And you’ll find lots of it at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island.
Walcott-area native Sunshine (Woolison) Ramsey returns with another cabaret-style show, “A Night of Sunshine,” on Saturday, Jan. 3, and Friday, Jan. 9.
In 2010, Circa ’21 producer Denny Hitchcock came up with the idea for a show headlined by Sunshine and featuring a live band and a variety of music. His idea was no surprise to anyone who has heard Sunshine’s powerful pipes. She can really belt out a song.
“A Night of Sunshine” has been a hit from the beginning. This is the second year for two performances of it. The second performance was added because prior years’ shows were sellouts.
Doors open at 6 both nights, and the music begins at 7. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. They sell quickly. Phone (309) 786-7733, extension 2, for reservations.
Sandwiches and appetizers will be available for purchase, as will drinks from Circa’s bar.
Sunshine has been a member of Circa’s singing wait staff, known as the Bootleggers, since May of 2002. In addition to waiting tables, the Bootleggers perform a musical pre-show prior to each play performance.
Sunshine is no stranger to performing. Her resume includes recording songs in Nashville, and she has appeared on stage in more than half a dozen Circa productions.
By all rights, Sunshine and her sultry singing voice should be cranking out songs somewhere on tour or recording them in Nashville.
But as I wrote in 2010 prior to the first “A Night of Sunshine,” Nashville’s loss is the Quad-Cities’ gain.
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I’ll admit it – my hearing isn’t what it used to be.
That was evident recently when I was having breakfast with a group of fellow broadcast media retirees. One woman in the group was talking about her pet dog. She said that particular breed, a Basenji, doesn’t bark.
I misunderstood what she said.
“Did you say your dog doesn’t fart?” I asked in all seriousness.
The group erupted in laughter.
Copyright 2014 by Phil Roberts, Creative Enterprises. This ran as a column in The North Scott Press, Eldridge, Iowa.
