The jokes and music performed on the stage at Edmond Town Hall for the latest Flagpole Radio Café were mirrored by the audience’s laughter and clapping.

The November 9 program began with skits and the Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra performing songs before The Slambovian Circus of Dreams took the stage to perform both some of its classic and new songs.

Flagpole Radio Café Producer Martin Blanco welcomed all to the event by first announcing he wanted to clear up an ugly rumor: He is not “the whistleblower.” At one point in the evening performances he did blow a whistle, however.

As an opening story for the evening event, Mr Blanco lovingly shared memories about an unloved yellow fold-up bike he had as a child. It was not the typical bike children had in his neighborhood at the time, and Mr Blanco described troubles, both socially and physically when it came to folding it back up, with the bike. The audience chuckled along.

“Thank you for coming,” Mr Blanco said. “Enjoy the show.”

The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra performed songs, like “Walk Away Renee” and “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” between skits. The vocals and rhythm filled the space, enveloping the audience. The Flagpole Radio Café musicians who performed November 9 were Jim Allyn, Francine Wheeler, Howie Bujese, Dick Neil, Cadence Carroll and Doug Wray. Mr Blanco, Barbara Gaines, Kate Katcher, and David Wheeler performed as Flagpole Repertory Players.

One skit performed by the actors featured people trading collectible cards of the “many” democratic candidates for the 2020 Presidential election. Another skit left the audience with a cliffhanger: The Newtown flagpole disappeared and a psychic detective and her partner are on the case. Can the “ghosts of flagpoles past” help them find the treasured Newtown landmark?

Mr Blanco announced the audience will have to attend the next Flagpole Radio Café event, scheduled for December 7, to find out.

Mr Blanco also shared on Saturday that Flagpole Radio Café has a podcast, which is available on the iPhone podcast app by searching to Flagpole Radio Café.

Shortly after The Slambovian Circus of Dreams began playing, the audience was clapping to the beat.

According to its website (slambovia.com), the band began in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., as an art school project. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band has toured nationally and abroad, performing moody but upbeat alt-roots rock with an eclectic instrumental arsenal, including accordion, cello, mandolin, and theremin.

Lead singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Joziah Longo is joined by Sharkey McEwen on guitar and mandolin, Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, etc.), Bob Torsello (bass) and Felipe Tores (drums) to create captivating music, according to a release for the event. Speaking with The Newtown Bee just a few weeks ago, Mr Longo said he and his bandmates were looking forward to offering “nothing short of a rousing good time.”

Stepping onto the stage last weekend, Mr Longo reflected, “What a show. You guys are lucky to have this all the time.”

Some audience members stood in the back of Edmond Town Hall’s Theatre and swayed to the music near the entrance doors as The Slambovian Circus of Dreams performed.