C Willi Myles.

C. Willi Myles takes everyday life challenges and applies the humor to them. He has opened for many of the top musical and comedy acts throughout the country and performs regularly on cruise ships, and at casinos and in concert with some of the biggest names in entertainment. And Willi is always a big hit on the college and corporate scene.

With extremely funny non-offensive stories and jokes, Willi makes everybody laugh. What happens when you take a guy from Alabama and you move him up to Minnesota and let him experience his first winter including ice fishing? One thing that happens for sure is a lot of laughs and a unique look at living in the Midwest. For comedy truly at its best, check out the comedy of C. Willi Myles.

Fast Facts about C. Willi Myles:

C. Willi Myles was born and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He attended St. Cloud University, majoring in Theater and has been performing professionally for 10 years. Willi has performed in 49 states and 3 countries, and a couple of performances that he considers to be his career highlights are performing at the Legendary Apollo in NY, and the Surf Ballroom in Iowa.

Willi Myles has performed with the following acts: The Temptations, the O’Jays, Fleetwood Mac, Bill Cosby, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dennis Miller, Toby Keith, and Bonnie Raitt. He has been featured locally and nationally on the Fox Network, Comedy Central, and Showtime at the Apollo, and he has released a DVD and a CD. The DVD “My House, My Time” was released in 2004, and the CD “Respect” was released in 2003.

The best thing about C. Willi Myles performance: he is TRUTHFULLY FUNNY!

Just a few of the clients C. Willi Myles has performed for:

• Jostens
• Flint Hills Resources
• General Mills
• Best Buy
• University of Iowa
• St. Cloud State University
• Michigan State University
• Melaleuca
• Imations
• The Pantages Theater
• The Paramount Theater
• Treasure Island Casino, NV

What’s the best thing about being a performer? “Bringing humor to people’s everyday lives and putting a smile on their faces.”

Favorite Hobbies? GOLF, ping-pong, tennis, and GOLF!

What people are saying:

“He does his act with elaborate, witty anecdotes that leaves the audience rolling with laughter”
–St Cloud State University Chronicle

“He is probably the best entertainer we have had in ten years, he is not just a great Entertainer, he is just a good down to earth person”
–Eau Claire Area Chamber

“With your spin on Catholicism, you had the priests and bishop in hysterics, you were just awesome and all done with the most professional taste”
–Fund Development Sioux land Regional Cancer Center

Technical rider:

In order to give you the best performance possible, Willi provides the following information as a technical rider to his contract:

Artist requests:
• No podium
• One stool
• Hand-held microphone
• Standard 8×8 stage

Sample introduction:

The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing C. Willi Myles to your audience:
“Our entertainer today has been called America’s everyday comedian because of his non-offensive humor, from college, cruise ships, theaters and corporate events. He is one of this country’s most requested comedians; please welcome C Willi Myles.”

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Cirko Cabaret

Cirko Cabaret, a production of the Xelias! Aerial Arts Performance Company, i s anon-stop show of wonder, beauty, art, and fun!  This cirque-style show is specifically designed to be able to work in both theater and non-theater settings – the perfect formula for a successful event, no matter your facility!

Bring the intimacy of circus cabaret to your next event!

Cirko Cabaret includes the following entertainment styles:

- The Balance Boys

- The Revolving Hoop

- Aerialists

- Hoola Hoops

- Juggling

- Acrobatics

- and more!

Fast Facts About Xelias!

Meg Elias-Emery is the Founder and Director of Xelias Aerial Arts Studio where in addition to coaching aspiring aerialists, she creates performance pieces along with her aerial company members. Meg‘s interest in aerial arts has taken her around the world in over two decades of performing, teaching and choreographing. Most recently she completed the circle by bringing her daughter Aerial, along with other Xelias Aerial Arts families, back to her roots in San Francisco for the American Youth Circus Organization to perform and train.

A veteran artist of cruise ships, fairs, festivals, theaters and corporate work, Meg has also participated in performance art experiences in New York City, San Francisco and Minneapolis, as well as spending three years performing with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baileys Circus where she met her husband, Sean the “Clown”. For the past five years Meg has taught circus arts at the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.

When not creating or coaching with Xelias, Meg can be found having backyard campfires with husband Sean or driving daughter Aerial to rhythmic gymnastics classes way over in Minnetonka!

Technical Needs:

Cirko Cabaret is a feature show that combines many elements of cirque-style sets and is adaptable to meet the needs of your venue.   Should your venue not have the ability to accommodate the flying aerialists, other cirque-style performers will be substituted in order to maintain the full-length show within the facility space that is available.

If you would like to include the aerialist portion of the show, a ceiling height of 20-30 feet is ideal.   If the ability to rig to open beams or trusses is not available, a free-standing rigging framework can be provided.

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George Maurer Trio

“A piano…a bass…a guitar…all you really need on stage to create an evening of fun. Well, you might want to include the guys who play the instruments, too….”

The George Maurer Trio knows how to handle unique performance settings; from big concert halls to ballroom corners at wedding receptions (where the potted plants are slightly more prominent than the musicians parked under them) — they’ll perform them all with ease. They have gigged from the swaying decks of riverboats to mosquito-infested park band shells, they have been the featured core of 15 piece big bands, and have just about the hippest version of the Charlie Brown theme song Linus and Lucy on the planet. From the Beatles to bebop, Gershwin to Led Zepplin, swing to Bob Marley, and beyond, there is no musical style not left untouched by this fun-filled jazz trio.

A common love of jazz for the sake of playing jazz is the main motivator behind these “genre bending eclectictites” (Jazz 88 FM, Minneapolis). They are a gathering of the best of friends and the rarest of professionals, and their individual creativity and artistry continually pushes so-called “limits”. Other entertainers have noticed; individually or collectively, GMG members have performed Carnegie Hall, The Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Fitzgerald, Ordway & the Dakota, for members of Congress and the White House, and have performed with Eric Clapton, Dick Clark, The Crickets to Bob Hope and many many more.

But don’t remind them of such accomplishments, as they might start looking like they do know what they are doing, start to dress funny, or start without each other……

Led by pianist/composer George Maurer, the George Maurer Trio performs traditional jazz to swing, blues to bebop, and a healthy dose of originals. They are “one of the preeminent small jazz groups on the scene. Recommended.” (David Nathan, All About Jazz). Come tap your toes to the “irreverent style and sly musical humor” (the Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis) of the George Maurer Group, a gathering of three well dressed friends who play jazz the way it was meant to be – with instruments.

Fast Facts About the George Maurer Trio

Press

“With the release, On Track, the Group continues its march to becoming one of the preeminent small jazz groups on the scene. Recommended.”
–Dave Nathan, critic for All About Jazz

“This was fun. It’s impossible to sit still and to NOT smile when you observe the “teamwork” that propels jazz musicians as they pass off the lead to celebrate one another’s individual talent.”
–Steve Waller, Lake Country Journal

Personnel

• George Maurer, piano
• Muggsy Lauer, guitar, vocals
• Jeff Engholm, bass, vocals

Band Bios

What do they do when they aren’t playing jazz? Well…

George Maurer credits his parents’ act of rescuing an old upright piano from a barn as his earliest intimate experience with a piano. The instrument had been misused to seduce chickens and cows. Thus the attraction.

That piano is now being restored by George Maurer, “Minnesota’s premiere jazz pianist” (KARE-11 TV, Minneapolis). “Maurer has a feel for his instrument that makes for an immediate emotional response…” (Minneapolis Star Tribune). He makes his music close to his heart, and his fans have been making it a part of their lives ever since his solo debut, Behind the Pine Curtain (Pine Curtain Records) in 1986.

George Maurer has performed nationwide as a solo performer — from the Ordway Theater in St. Paul, MN, to performances in Washington, D.C. for members of Congress, the United Nations, and the White House. He’s compiled a discography of 15 innovative solo piano and jazz albums, and his gentle humor and storytelling abilities, woven with original music, have garnered him several nominations for “Jazz Entertainer of the Year” nationwide on college campuses.

Maurer joined the Twin Cities’ Wesley Balk Summer Institute in 2002 as an Associate Music Director and participant, and has spent numerous summers and falls music directing and arranging for community theaters in Central Minnesota, as well as music directing and scoring for several Rough Cuts (Nautilus) showcases. In the Twin Cities, he has scored original music for Ms. Julie (10,000 Things), So This Duck Walks Into A Psychiatrist’s Office (Rough Cuts, Nautilus) and has scored and produced or performed for audio-books by noted Minnesota authors, including Jon Hassler (Staggerford, Rookery Blues) and Doug Wood (Old Turtle).

Recently, Maurer has performed with Eric Clapton at the House of Blues, Los Angeles; with Dick Clark, Bobby Vee, the Chiffons, the Crystals, Fabian, and Buddy Holly’s original band The Crickets, and with numerous other rock and jazz performers. Armed with an uncanny ability to interpret, arrange for, and produce and perform numerous musical styles; from traditional jazz to bebop, classic to modern rock, to country and beyond, Maurer is called upon often to be a hired gun for numerous recording and theatrical ventures.

When George isn’t performing solo, he arranges for and music directs the George Maurer Jazz Group, a “rambunctious” (The City Pages/Minneapolis), irreverent gathering of nine jazz musicians, “one of Central Minnesota’s sparkling contributions to the arts.” (Dale Connelly/Jim Ed Poole/ MPR’s The Morning Program).

These “genre-bending eclectites” (Jazz 88 FM), are known for their “irreverent style and sly musical humor” (the Dakota Bar & Grill, Minneapolis). They hail from various locales from the outer backwashes of Central Minnesota, and their musical style is touted as “jazz beyond suburbia…..then way out.” (Leigh Kamman, The Jazz Image, MPR). They bend tradition whenever they can, even as live performers, and are featured regularly on Minneapolis’ KARE-11 TV’s Saturday Morning Program, and MPR’s Morning Program. See www.gmjazz.com.

Jeff Engholm (bass) wears many hats as a bassist, singer, songwriter, engineer, conductor, and producer. Primarily a bass player, he works mostly for the George Maurer Jazz Group. Jeff also plays in Blimp, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, and is a singer/songwriter in the Collective Unconscious. He recently returned from Bobby Vee’s “Up North December” tour as a singer, guitarist and bassist. Jeff is also a recording engineer at Rockhouse Studios in St Joseph, MN, and has engineered and helped produce the last four George Maurer albums, including the recently released “Groovitis” from the George Maurer Trio, two Collective Unconscious CD’s, the soon to be released Dennis Warner 20th Anniversary Concert, and an upcoming DVD from the “Big Wu” Family Reunion, to name a few. As an independent producer, Jeff has put together productions of “Carmina Burana”, “African Sanctus”, and the Beatles album “Abbey Road”. Jeff arranged and conducted a 24 piece ensemble production of the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” which sold out to concert halls from St. Cloud to Zumbrota, MN recently. Links to all of this information, and other stuff can be found at www.hunnynutstudios.com, Jeff’s home base.

Muggsy Lauer (guitar & vocals) has been playing guitar since age 12 when he started learning John Denver songs out of a songbook. His love of jazz developed in high school, and he spent 17 years doing a weekly jazz radio show on KVSC-FM. Muggsy started singing jazz in the George Maurer Jazz Group and marks it as one of his most favorite contributions to the band. Muggsy is also a member of Collective Unconscious. When not playing and singing jazz he is the Roast Master at the Meeting Grounds Coffee Company in St. Joseph, MN.

Discography

• Groovitis (2004)

What people are saying:

“One of Central Minnesota’s sparkling contributions to the arts.”
–Dale Connelly/Jim Ed Poole/ MPR’s The Morning Program

“Jazz beyond suburbia…and then way out…”
–Leigh Kamman, host of The Jazz Image on Minnesota Public Radio

“The George Maurer Group has a refreshing energy to their performances with an irreverent style and sly musical humor.”
–The Dakota Bar & Grill, St. Paul

“The diverse backgrounds of all these players make for a concert experience that’s pure entertainment.”
–Jazz88FM (KBEM), Minneapolis

Technical rider:

In order to give you the best performance possible, The George Maurer Trio provides the following information as a technical rider to their contract:

• Stage size needed: minimum 8×12
• Electricity: normal household current
• Artist provides own light and sound.
• Theater owners may request stage plot: gmjazz@yahoo.com

Sample introduction:

The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing The George Maurer Trio to your audience:

“A piano…a bass, and a guitar…all you really need on stage to create a lot of fun. Well, you might want to include the guys who play the instruments, too….” There is no performance setting that the George Maurer Trio can’t set up and be ready to play in less than 15 minutes- they have done it all; from the swaying, wet decks of riverboats to mosquito infested park band shells, from front and center on the world’s most famous concert stages to your sister-in-laws 5th wedding reception. They perform just about the hippest version of the Charlie Brown theme song Linus and Lucy on the planet- if the audience promises to Snoopy Dance.

“Members of the George Maurer Trio have performed at Carnegie Hall, The Montreaux Jazz Festival, the Fitzgerald, Ordway & the Dakota, for members of Congress and the White House, and with Eric Clapton, Dick Clark, The Crickets to Bob Hope and many, many more.

“From the Beatles to bebop, Gershwin to Led Zepplin, swing to Bob Marley, and beyond, there is no musical style not left untouched by The George Maurer Trio- three well dressed friends who play jazz the way it was meant to be – with instruments.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Kenny Ahern’s shows are filled with AMAZING comedy antics, HILARIOUS physical comedy and FUN audience play! Touring the planet for over 25 years, performing to thousands upon thousands of audiences, Kenny has steadily built his reputation as a world-class family entertainer. He creates a high-energy, interactive comic world that very few can resist. It’s Simple. You provide a stage … Kenny provides the props, sound, lighting AND a whole lot of side-splitting, knock your socks off laughter! He will toss in heartwarming wit and spectacular artistry to boot!

Fairs & Festivals

Kenny has performed thousands of free stage shows across the USA! He can play on your free stage or provide his very own stage, The Family Variety Playhouse stage. It is one of the premier self-contained stages touring the United States today! Other free stage acts can work easily on this attractive, professionally designed stage. A spectacular addition to any event grounds!

“Kenny is a professional, reliable, adaptable, and darn right funny!”

–The Utah State Fair

Corporate Events

Create a perfect end, to a day full of meetings or a corporate dining event! Kenny’s clean, interactive adult comedy show can play from the conference room to the ballroom! Kenny also performs as the, Comedy Waiter. His bumbling antics are harmlessly fun and highly entertaining to the dining audience.  Ask about his Holiday themed show.

“Thank you for your wonderful performance! Everyone I spoke to gave your show a glowing review … well done!”

–State Bank of Faribault

Theater/Concert Series

A family theater performance that is enjoyed by ALL AGES, To Laugh is to Live! is a hilarious 90 minute heartwarming escapade. Presented throughout the U.S and abroad to wonderful reviews! Created for the stage or a black box theatre, the show features a professional, flexible lighting and set design.

“Kenny presents a polished full theatrical presentation packed full of delightful physical comedy and exceptional artistry.”

–The Grand Opera House

Performance highlights include:

• The White House,
• The Moscow Circus School
• Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
• Michael Feldman’s “What D’Ya Know?”
• CMT’s Most Wanted Live!
• The China International Children’s Arts Festival –Taipei, Taiwan
• The Brooks and Dunn Neon Circus and Wild West Tour
• The World Expo — Aichi, Japan
• The Southern Japan Cultural Arts Festival — Fukuoka, Japan
• The Clowns Around the World Festival — Singapore
• Brooks and Dunn Neon Circus and Wild West Tour
• The 2005 World Expo — Aichi, Japan.

Fast Facts About Kenny Ahern:

Kenny Ahern was born in Boston, MA and grew up in a suburb of Washington, DC. He has been a full-time professional performer for over two decades, and considers some of his career highlights to be performances at: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, The White House, The Brook and Dunn Neon Circus and Wild West Show tour, The World Expo — Aichi, Japan, The China International Children Arts Festival – Taiwan. Kenny has performed in 12 foreign countries and every state except Hawaii and Alaska.

Kenny has a BFA (Bachelor in Fun Arts) from Ringling Brothers and Barnum Clown College, and his professional study includes: Pavel Groditsky: The Soviet National School for the Circus and Variety Arts (movement workshop, Christopher Bayes: The Juilliard School ( Physical Comedy Master Class), Bill Irwin: New York/The Actors Center(Physical Comedy Master Class), and Movement Theatre International, Philadelphia.

Kenny has been featured on television in three CBS specials with Ringling Brothers Circus, Guest: CMT’S Most Wanted Live, MTV, The Family Channel Funniest Videos, Good Morning America and The Today Show, and on the radio as a guest with What D’Ya Know with Michael Feldman and numerous regional promotional interviews across the U.S. He is the co-host of the video “Circus Works!” Circus Arts curriculum for Educators, and is in the film Da Vinci’s Dream” Animation Short Film—role of Leonardo Da Vinci (3-D motion capture actor). On stage he has performed with: Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, The Judds, and Ben Vereen.

Just a few of the clients Kenny Ahern has performed for:

• WI, MN, IA, OH, SC State Fairs
• Summerfest — Milwaukee, WI
• Clown Around the World Festival — Singapore
• The International Clown Festival — Blackpool England
• Kalamazoo New Years EST: Kalamazoo, MI
• The China International Children Arts Festival – Taiwan
• The Southern Japan Cultural Arts Festival — Fukuoka, Japan
• Southport Arts Center — Southport, England
• The Disneyland Grand Ballroom Theatre — Anaheim, CA
• The Taipei Cultural Arts Theatre –Taipei, Taiwan,
• DePaul University, University of VA, Charlottesville, VA
• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
• The Soviet National School for the Variety Arts — Moscow, Russia,
• Best Buy

What do you like best about being a professional entertainer?

“Creating laughter with my loyal friends… the audience.”

Any Hobbies?

Reading, writing and music

Any unique or fun facts about your act?

• I was known as Kenny A (I’m right up there with Kenny G!) during my Taiwan theatre tours.
• I have received over 400, 000 frequent flyer miles in my career. My luggage has only been delayed twice.
• I wear out three pairs of performance shoes each year.
• The round glasses I wear are real prescription glasses.
• I have lost as much 8 lbs, in one day, doing three shows outdoor shows.
• The 8 foot ladder I balance on my chin weighs an incredible 11,340 grams
• I choose — on average — 3,000 “partners in play” from the audience each year..

What people are saying:

“…You can count on Kenny to give you an outstanding show for your next event. He is a professional who cares about his show, and is continually striving to make it even better. The crowds loved him in Minnesota!”
–Minnesota State Fair

“…I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated having you perform at the Ohio State Fair. You have a unique and very polished act. Judging by the crowd sizes and audience reaction, I was not the only one impressed by your performances.”
–Ohio State Fair

“…My only regret the first time I saw Kenny was that my family wasn’t there to enjoy him, too. So, I signed him on the spot, and he has been the cornerstone act of our free stage ever since.”
–Rice County Fair

“…Every parent and child in the audience (and there were at least 600 of them!) left the Library plaza pavilion beaming. Your improvisational skills are phenomenal and the performance was truly hilarious.”
–Duluth Public Library

Technical rider:

This artist does not have a special rider attached to his contract unless his stage is being used. Specific details can be discussed when contracting artist.

Sample introduction:

The following are sample introductions you might use when introducing Kenny Ahern to your audience:

Kenny Ahern has successfully toured the planet for over 25 years, steadily building his reputation as a world-class family entertainer. Creating a high-energy, interactive comic world that very few can resist … please welcome the amazing artistry and hilarious comedy antics of funny man Kenny Ahern!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Liverpool Legends

The Beatles virtually come alive on stage when the Liverpool Legends perform. This very talented and unique tribute act was founded by none other than George Harrison’s sister, Louise, and she remains actively involved in promoting their shows and making them the best act of their type performing today.

Audiences of all ages love this show. It is almost impossible to not sing along, clap, stand and dance in your seats during their performances – which covers all segments of The Beatles history together. With total authenticity in look and sound, great costumes and showmanship, the Liverpool Legends are a big hit at theaters, casinos, corporate events, college show, fairs and festivals. It is always a big and special event when these guys take the stage.

A great show when you want to have something really big and special without paying huge performance and production fees, these guys leave audiences singing, smiling, feeling great, and feeling like they were there during the greatest time in popular music history.

Technical rider:

Please contact our office for additional information about the technical rider for Liverpool Legends.

Sample introduction:

Please contact our office for information you can use as an introduction for this act.

Click here to view the embedded video.