Musical tribute planned at BPA for Karen Rice

Published 10:45 am Saturday, November 2, 2013

Friends of Karen Rice are organizing a musical tribute to the late Karen Rice.

The tribute, open to the public, will be presented at 1 p.m. Nov. 10 at Bainbridge Performing Arts.

Featured in the performance will be the Bainbridge Chorale, Side by Side, and individual artists including Jeannie Grassi, Ginnilyn Hawkins, Bob MacAllister, Marilyn Dearsley, Adele Berg Layton, Eric Fredericks, Bud Parker, Neil Conaty, and Chris and Rosella Kolberger. Featured accompanists are Evie Stegge, Anne Pell, and the Anne Pell Trio with Neil Conaty and John Lester.

Rice was an important force for 30 years on the island. She spearheaded the formation of Bainbridge Performing Arts, and she also served as managing director for the Bainbridge Choral and, for 17 years, the director of Side by Side, a singing group.

As a singer and actor, Rice appeared in many musicals throughout the county.

Organzing the tribute are Denise Harris, Marilyn Dearsley, Ginnilyn Hawkins and Peggy Brunton. Dennis South, a longtime director for BPA and founder of CSTOCK in Silverdale, is staging the production.