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Source: Todd Holmberg, 785-532-6425, trholm@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/mccain/
Photos available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-2535.
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu
Monday, Aug. 2, 2010
K-STATE'S MCCAIN AUDITORIUM CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH DYNAMIC 2010-2011 PERFORMANCE SERIES
MANHATTAN -- From Broadway musicals to student performances, Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium has hosted hundreds of events since its first in 1970. The tradition continues this year with the 40th anniversary of the McCain Performance Series.
"Experiencing the live performing arts is vital to the vibrancy of a growing and engaged community," said Todd Holmberg, executive director of McCain Auditorium. "McCain has been at the heart of this vibrancy for 40 years. I'm excited to honor this important milestone in the history of K-State by presenting a series of world-class artists and attractions that will engage audiences of all ages, interests and backgrounds."
Season tickets for the 2010-2011 performance series are on sale now, and single tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 16.
A variety of discounts are available for K-State students, faculty and staff; military members; and youth 18 and under. Discounts also are available for those who subscribe to seven or more series' events. For more information, call the McCain box office at 785-532-6428 or visit http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
In celebration of its anniversary season, McCain will host a 40th anniversary gala at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at the K-State Student Union. "The Big Four-O, Big Band, Big Party, Big Fun" event includes cocktails, dinner and dancing to the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Call McCain for ticket information.
The performance series kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, with Jack Hanna's "Into the Wild Live." Recognized as America's favorite zookeeper, Hanna's live performance features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures from around the world.
Other performances in the series, all starting at 7:30 p.m. and all in McCain Auditorium unless otherwise noted, include:
* Folk icon Janis Ian, Friday, Oct. 8. Celebrating her 40-year music career, Ian's intimate concert features her inspiring stories and songs, including her Grammy-Award winning hit "At Seventeen."
* "The Season's Project," Sunday, Oct. 17. The Venice Baroque Orchestra and world-renowned violinist Robert McDuffie present the worldwide premiere tour of a new Philip Glass composition titled Concerto No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra, "The American Four Seasons." Inspired by Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," the orchestra will perform Vivaldi's original work on period instruments during the first half of the performance and switch to contemporary instruments for Glass's interpretation in the second half.
* "Fiddler on the Roof," Sunday, Oct. 24. This Tony Award-winning musical has captured the hearts of people around the world with its universal appeal. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, the performance includes the songs "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "If I Were a Rich Man."
* Manasse-Nakamatsu Duo, Thursday, Nov. 11, in All Faiths Chapel. Jon Nakamatsu returns to Manhattan with the world-renowned clarinetist, Jon Manasse. Nakamatsu is the gold medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and Manasse served as principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The two will perform solo pieces and chamber music written for clarinet and piano.
* Monty Python's "Spamalot," Thursday, Nov. 18. Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for best musical, "Spamalot" is a musical comedy based on the classic film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The stage performance tells the tale of King Arthur and his knights of the round table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail.
* "Cirque Dreams Illumination," Wednesday, Dec. 8. The performance blends imagination, theatrical innovation and presentation into a story that illuminates a city of everyday people, workers and pedestrians into feats that inspire disbelief. The event includes a display of urban acrobatics, choreography and illusions.
* Cantus, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011. Originating from Minnesota, Cantus is a professional male vocal ensemble known for adventurous programming spanning many periods and genres, including chant, Renaissance music, contemporary works and more.
* Kansas, the progressive-rock band from America's heartland, featuring the K-State Orchestra, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Kansas began in the '70s as a garage band from Topeka, and today is considered one of America's most successful progressive rock bands. Together with the K-State Orchestra, Kansas will perform timeless hits, including "Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind" and more.
* "An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin," Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Comic artist Tomlin takes her audience on a hilarious trip with more than dozen of her famous characters -- from Ernestine to Sister Boogie Woman, and from Mrs. Beasley to Edith Ann. Tomlin's performance is filled with comical insights and wildly, witty observations about the human condition.
* William Inge's "Bus Stop," Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. A comedy classic set in small-town Kansas, "Bus Stop" tells the story of a busload of stranded passengers waiting out a snowstorm in a roadside diner. This theatrical show was an immediate commercial and critical success on Broadway, and Inge's most popular play.
* Gaelic Storm, the rowdy good-time band from "Titanic," Monday, March 14, 2011. After a nearly sold-out show in the 2008-2009 McCain season, Gaelic Storm returns. The band's dynamic show features rousing and upbeat vocals, wild energetic dance tunes, haunting Celtic ballads and infectious madcap humor.
* Los Lonely Boys, Friday, April 8, 2011. This Texican blues, Latin and rock 'n' roll group has achieved multiplatinum album sales, a Grammy for its monster hit "Heaven" and widespread acclaim. The performance features songs from the group's most recent album, "1969," which pays homage to the songs and artists that inspired the band.
*Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Thursday, April 14, 2011. Regarded worldwide as one of the foremost dance companies of India, the ensemble blends Odissi, a classical Indian dance form, with contemporary concepts to take audiences to enchanted worlds of magic and spirituality.
* "The Aluminum Show," Saturday, May 7. Reminiscent of Blue Man Group, Stomp and Cirque du Soleil, "The Aluminum Show" opens up a world of illusion and fantasy for the entire family. Through the use of special effects, creative mechanisms and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects come alive with the energy, emotion and personality of humans.