he imagination is an important yet often neglected faculty of the mind. We don’t often stop to consider the interior effects of imagination, yet its external effects are everywhere: Imagination saw a bird in flight and crafted an airplane in flattering imitation. It is imagination that invented the space shuttle and built the Great Wall. Imagination gave us coffee and computers, string theory and string cheese. And then there is the realm of interpersonal relationships. Without the power of the imagination, we wouldn’t be able to see things from another person’s perspective, to gain skills such empathy and self-sacrifice, to practice social diplomacy and civil discourse. Read more about the 2012 theme.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

7:30 PM
St. Mary Church Lyceum

Alexandria, Virginia

We invited local and regional artists to use this year to explore the power of imagination, to capture or define the American spirit, to follow beauty through sun and shadow--and to share with us what it teaches them about themselves, and all of us.

Auditions for the Ninth Annual Arts Festival are closed.  If you are interested in auditioning for our Tenth Anniversary Special Festival, please visit our Artist Guidelines. 

One critic described her as "a spell-binding professional, who rivets attention with her magnificent, clear and articulate voice."

Iva Jean Ambush is a wonderful interpreter of the Great American Song Book. She founded Ambuscade, which is a group of teachers and educators who enjoy the balance of performing and a family life. They have performed at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, In The Streets Festival, Frederick's 4th of July Celebration (3 years in a row), the East Coast Jazz Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and more. Ms. Ambush and Ambuscade have covered complete weddings including the Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and Dancing portion and she has been the Mistress of Ceremony (MC) for religious ceremonies, weddings, fashion shows, etc. This is a testament to her leadership and versatility. They can perform anything from "Crazy" by Willie Nelson, "Come Sunday" by Duke Ellington, to "At Last" by Etta James/Beyonce and everything in between including original pieces!

Iva will be accompanied by pianist Terry Marshall.