There are many ways to assist financially so that your donation will instantly be available to those who can put it to great use… TODAY!

Here are two easy ways to donate…

If you have a text enabled cell phone, text the word Haiti to 90999 and $10.00 will be added to your phone bill to go directly to the Red Cross Haiti fund… TODAY!

Or… click on the Help Haiti Now image and contribute to The World Food Programme. They are sending food and other necessary provisions to Haiti, a country that has suffered recently from hunger, malnutrition, high food prices, hurricanes and now one of the worst earthquakes ever to strike the region.

Here are ten facts that give the measure of the hunger crisis facing Haiti, an island nation which was already stalked by hunger and malnutrition even before the earthquake struck.

1. Assessments show that 3 million people may need humanitarian relief, including food assistance, in the wake of the earthquake.
2. Even before the quake, 1.9 million people were ‘food insecure’, meaning they needed assistance to stave off hunger.
3. Only 50 percent of Haiti population has access to safe drinking water.
4. Some 55 percent of Haiti’s 9 million people live below the poverty line of US$1 a day.
5. Rural households spend almost 60 percent of their income on food; the poorest groups spend more than 70 percent.
6. Chronic malnutrition affects 24 percent of children under five, rising as high as 40 percent in the poorest zones.
7. Poor diet means many women and children suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Anaemia affects 59 percent of children between the ages of six months and 5 years.
8. During 2008, high food and fuel prices triggered violent demonstrations and political upheaval.
9. In the same year, three hurricanes and one tropical storm struck Haiti, killing 800 people, destroying 27,000 homes and raising the general level of hunger.
10. Food prices have declined since September 2008, but remain higher than the four-year average.

Here’s a mock-up of what our marquee sign will look like soon!

Direct from Branson, Missouri, comedian, singer and ventriloquist Jim Barber is thrilled to be returning to his hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota on December 31st to ring in the New Year with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Bruce Knowles.

This will be the second time that Barber will be a featured guest artist with the Symphony, having performed here with his wife Diane (Wallahan) Barber in mid-1980’s.  Now, over twenty-years later, the Barbers return to perform some highlights from their popular Hamner Barber Variety Show in Branson, as well as new selections worked up especially for this concert.

A 1978 graduate of Rapid City Central High School, Jim began his performing career as a young teen entertaining civic groups and various organizations around the Rapid City area.  Active in both theater and band, Jim also performed as a percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra for a couple seasons.

He attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology his first year of college, then transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he majored in broadcasting and theater arts. While based in the Twin Cities, Jim co-produced and co-hosted a popular local childrens television show and also toured extensively around the world entertaining troops for the USO. He later accepted a two-year contract to perform aboard the “General Jackson Showboat” at Opryland in Nashville which led to headlining comedy clubs throughout the Midwest and featured performances at approximately 2000 colleges and universities around the country.

Country music superstar Glen Campbell introduced Jim to Branson audiences as part of his Glen Campbell Goodtime Show, which featured Jim’s comedy for 3 years.  He then went on to appear in other Branson productions starring Eddie Rabbitt, The Osmonds, Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton and others.  His Hamner Barber Variety Show celebrates it’s 7th season at the Hamner Barber Theater in 2010.

Diane Barber graduated from Rapid City Stevens High in 1980 and had leading roles in many musical theater and dance concerts while living in Rapid City.  Diane has a Masters Degree in Dance Education from Temple University in Philadelphia, Undergraduate Degree in Music Therapy from Kansas University in Lawrence, KS and studied theater in New York City at the Lee Strasberg Institute and the Terry Schreiber Studio.  She has performed leading roles in various musical theater productions in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and also performs in the Hamner Barber Theater holiday production, The Wings of Christmas in Branson.  Diane is also a successful Interior Designer with her own company, Decorating Den Interiors.

Black Hills Symphony Orchestra Conductor Bruce Knowles was selected to lead the orchestra in May 2009.  He served as the assistant conductor of the orchestra from 2000 – 2004 and as associate conductor from 2004 – 2008.  He has directed the Rapid City Central High School Orchestras since 1982, during which time the Central orchestra and chamber orchestra have achieved regional and national acclaim.

The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra began its 75th season on October 24, 2009, in the Rapid City Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Theatre. For more information about the orchestra or this New Year’s Eve concert, visit the orchestra’s web site at www.bhsymphony.org.

The Keatings, A Father & Son Musical Experience | Hamner Barber Variety Show | Ricky Boen & Texas Mud

2010 promises to be the biggest and best season so far for the Hamner Barber Theater.  The Branson venue on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway is celebrating 15 years of presenting great family entertainment and the 7th year under the Hamner Barber ownership and name.

We feature three full time production shows and several other benefit or special event programs throughout the year.  Sign up for our FREE newsletter to stay up to date on all the latest news and reviews!

Hamner Barber Variety Show (evenings)

An incredible evening of fun featuring amazing magical illusions, hilarious comedy, dance and more.  Stars of NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic,” The Hamners present their award winning illusions.  Jim Barber is considered one of the world’s great ventriloquists and was recently featured on CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman.”

More Information on Hamner Barber Variety Show

The Keatings, A Father & Son Musical Experience (afternoons)

The Keatings, Ken and Josh, take audiences on a musical journey that spans numerous genres including pop, jazz, rock, country, opera, Broadway, standards, and even gospel. Audiences are captivated by the unique combination of powerful voices from a father and his talented 18 year old son.

More Information on The Keatings Show

Ricky Boen & Texas Mud (mornings)

Branson’s hottest morning show offers the best way to start your day! “World Champion Fiddler” Ricky Boen and his “Western Swing Group of the Year” Texas Mud presents the most “toe-tapping” show in town. Incredible twin fiddles, harmonized vocals, gut-busting comedy of Branson’s only female comedian “Ida Claire” and the charming vocals of 11-year-old  Brooke Hale.

More information on Ricky Boen & Texas Mud Show

PURCHASE TICKETS TO ALL HAMNER BARBER SHOWS!