Lots of great shows in this busy time of year

It's been too long since I posted last. For those of you who attended all of the great shows that have taken place since my last posting (African Children's Choir, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Second City, The Lettermen, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops) and have something to share about your experience at the BCPA, please do so by clicking the comments button at the bottom of the page, or by sending me an email at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

A few thoughts from me:

I was absolutely blown away by the African Children's Choir's energy and joy for performing. These kids put in a huge day at the BCPA, with a morning performance for K-12 students as part of our Student Spotlight Series. Their evening performance also had the audience in rapt attention, as they sang a wonderful mix of traditional African songs, spirituals, and some classical and popular selections.

There's little you can add about how wonderful the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are. After all these years, the NGDB knows who they are and, more importantly, how to bring you into their heads for a couple of hours. It was no wonder watching their magnetic performance why this band had so many imitators and admirers, including members of the Eagles and Alabama.

There were moments during The Second City's March 12 performance when I could barely see straight, I was laughing so hard. A man who travels home with a friend, remarking on their journey that "people really see me for who I am here," forgets to mention everyone in this small town sees him as "an old black woman," when in actuality he's a tall skinny white kid. It was hilarious to watch his friend Steve's expression as his buddy for all intents and purposes turned to Maya Angelou ... (and learned that these same townspeople also saw him as a woman named Sarah).

I have to admit, the thing I was looking forward to most at The Lettermen's March 20 performance was the pre-show. Tony Butola, the last remaining original member of the group, led a pre-show discussion with Tom MacEwan, the new lead vocalist of the Classics IV, who were the evening's opening band. Butola comes from a classic performance tradition dating back to the true glory days of Hollywood and Las Vegas, when triple-threat performers reigned king. His stories included doing gags with legendary talents including Buster Keaton ... a legacy that was emphasized in a video they showed of the band performing in their heyday with a variety of different artists, and on programs like the "Ed Sullivan Show." The audience went home with a song in their hearts. It was, by many accounts, one of the most thrilling performances in the new BCPA's history.

There was a big crowd and a great vibe when the Carolina Chocolate Drops performed in the BCPA Ballroom on Friday night. The band was amazing, performing with a easy confidence that perfectly fit their style and music. Soft-spoken banter added an additional layer of easiness that in no time wrapped the entire audience in a sense of relaxed enjoyment.

Looking ahead to having outdoor performances on the CEFCU Summer Stage has me hoping the Chocolate Drops will be back sometime for a show we can enjoy with the stars overhead.

Speaking of, we're all very excited about the new CEFCU Summer Stage space and our five-concert lineup for this first summer. It's a terrific lineup, and it's going to be a fun summer series.
Hope to see you all there!

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

It was an easy night of Big Easy jazz, led by the kings of the sound, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

A freewheeling night of the music that put the Crescent City on the musical map, the concert began with a short film detailing the history of the famed music hall, and ended up with a huge parade of musicians and audience members, dancing on the stage and around the theater.

I hope it was a happy birthday, Mayor Judy!

One early note from a patron today that said it simply and clearly "FANTASTIC show on Saturday night." (Susan Brown.)

Were you there? Give us your review of the night by leaving a note in the Comments section below, or by emailing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

"Buddy Holly's Winter Dance Party"

Four days after the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that claimed the lives of three of rock 'n' roll's biggest stars, "The Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party" rolled into the BCPA for a show a capacity crowd will not soon forget.

Indeed, reports there was a "day the music died" have been greatly exaggerated.

The audience was up on its feet at the end (and throughout), wrapped in the nostalgia of this tribute to one of the most pivotal moments in rock history. Great performances, great songs -- it was a night to savor.

Were you there? Tell us what you thought.

Ailey II

Modern dance took center stage at the BCPA on Friday night with Ailey II, the talented junior company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

It was a spectacular concert! It was also the first modern dance performance scheduled as part of the BCPA's series of touring artists ... but certainly not the last given the tremendous response the show brought from the community.

The Ailey II dancers put in a very long day with us on Friday. At 10:00 the company danced a wonderful Spotlight Series school matinee, performing selections from two ballets for a group of K-12 students.

Troy Powell, the company's Associate Artistic Director also gave the students in attendance a little "Theatre 101," with a little tour of the lights, curtains, Marley flooring, and backdrops, explaining how all of the technical theater components make the choreography really pop.

Next up for the Ailey dancers was a trip to Illinois State University and a master class with Prof. Sara Semonis' dance studio.

The public performance was held at 7:30. Carol Baker, a BCPA Commission member, volunteer and chair of the Cultural District's Programming Committee described the night like this:

What a thrill to see the Ailey II modern dance company perform right here in B-N. Who said our local dance community is too busy doing thier own thing to take time to go see a touring company perform? Dancers (and hundreds of dance devotees) thronged to see Ailey II, and when it was all over, didn't want to let them go!

The standing ovation went on for many minutes, ending in an reprise and the company applauding their audience! When the house lights went up, it had to end. What an exciting night of dance! We're all looking forward to seeing more.

There was only one problem that night. The large, enthusiastic crowd was a blessing, but the heavy run on tickets in the last 48 hours (we sold just under 100 seats on Friday alone) created a minor problem as we ran out of playbills for the audience.

I am posting the playbill online at our Ailey II page, in case you were at the concert and didn't get a copy.

The Wailers

"Saw the Wailers last night. First of all was overjoyed that the show took place in the hall and not the theater. Could not imagine being confined to a seat while watching the Wailers perform. Must confess had not heard them other than on record with Bob Marley. The show was fantastic, and as inspirational as if the legend himself had been leading the band. the age groups represented, and ethicities were heartwarming. this 50 year old and his wife spent most of the show on the floor swaying and bouncing, clapping and singing. . . and, loving it!"

-Deborah Bacigalupo

The Wailers rocked the BCPA on Thursday night with an unforgettable performance of Marley's classic album "Exodus." Deborah's summation of the show above pretty much sums up the evening.

It was a unique experience for all in attendance, and a wonderful party that will be giving people chills for a long time to come.

I'm posting some of the photos we took on Thursday night. If you were there, we'd love to see your photos too and hear more about your night at the show.

Post comments below or send pictures and stories to me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

the subdudes

A great night from start to finish, the subdudes left their mark on the BCPA and a throng of adoring fans who won't soon forget the night they had.

The band performed an all-acoustic set, which really emphasized their cohesiveness and musicality. For me there were two highlights:

The audience will agree that one of the most magical moments in the show was the band's unamplified performance of "The Rain," which they sang with spare instrumentation from the house left box seats.

For me, the other top moment was their first encore number, "Brightest Star." I saw the subdudes last in a summer 2007 concert and was won over by the chilling harmonies on this song (see video below), but it was even more thrilling in this acoustic performance.



Following the concert, the band (minus Tommy Malone) joined the show's event sponsor Ronda Glenn (seen above sitting with the band) and the BCPA's ArtsPartners at a reception at the FlatTop Grill.



The party was wonderful, and a great celebration of all of the members of the community who help the BCPA with additional financial support.


If you'd like to know more about this program, which offers its members with first notice of BCPA programming, priority ticket buying opportunities, parking privileges, and (as seen here) special opportunities to attend receptions and meet the artists, please follow this link.

Anyway, the word from the subdudes is that they left Bloomington on Sunday for Ft. Collins, Co., where they will begin work recording their next studio CD. We'll be looking forward to that this spring ... and hopefully having the subdudes back again sometime soon.

Do you have any pictures or memories you'd like to share from the night. If so, please share them by clicking the Comments link below, or by emailing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

Christmas at the BCPA

December was certainly a busy month!

We kicked the final month of the year off with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's "Movin' Out," a thrilling night of musical theater/dance that rightfully got the audience up on their feet.

For me, this was the second time I'd seen the show, but it was the better of the performances. The dancers were incredibly strong, and the band sounded terrific. I found it fun to anticipate the moments I remembered from my first viewing and appreciated the language of Tharp's choreography better.

And, as I mentioned in May, "Summer, Highland Falls" never sounded better.

And how about those holiday shows!?

"FRANKLIN'S FAMILY CHRISTMAS"
"Franklin's Family Christmas" began with our usual pre-show activities for families. The Zoo Lady was in top form, finishing a holiday-themed face painting design roughly every 60 seconds. The theater was absolutely full of little reindeer- and mistletoe-faced children.

It was a cute performance, with memorable songs and dancing. A sing-along of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring some dads pulled up from the audience was also a hit.

CHERISH THE LADIES, "A CELTIC CHRISTMAS"
We love Joanie Madden! The Hostess with the mostest, Ms Madden kept the mood light and the music and dance churning as the Ladies delighted the crowd with their own Celtic take on the holidays. It was a joyous and thoughtful performance that really set the mood for the holidays.

A ROCKAPELLA HOLIDAY
Pure fun from the kings of contemporary a cappella! As I've written before, I'm a longtime Rockapella fan, but this was the first time I'd seen them perform their holiday set, and I was surprised how well their stage act translated to this material. Scott still struts in his showmanly way, Kevin is still the quiet and sensitive one, and George is a rock on the bass line.

Except when he's channeling his inner Whitney Houston ... which is absolutely amazing -- and knock-you-to-the-floor hilarious.

Were you at any of these shows? Any memories/photos/ or requests you'd like to share. We'd love to hear from you.

Leave a note by clicking the Comment link below, or send me an email at jaalberts@cityblm.org with any photos or thoughts. We'll get them all posted soon.

Bjorn Again

Everyone was ABBA crazy at the BCPA on Saturday night. Bjorn Again was a hoot. They sounded ABBAsolutely fantastic. And as our Marketing Associate (and resident ABBA expert) David said, it was surprising just how much material they covered. The night wasn't just about the hits. Some of the biggest surprises were songs like "Ring Ring," and "Honey Honey" ... not to mention true "cover" songs like KISS's "I Want to Rock 'n' Roll All Night."



That said, "Take a Chance on Me" and "Mama Mia" definitely brought down the house!

What a fun show! Were you there? Tell us what you think by using the Comments section below.

Nunsense, featuring Sally Sturthers

The crowds came out in droves post-election for a fun-filled night of musical theater when Nunsense rolled into the BCPA on November 7. As Dan Craft's Pantagraph article confirmed, Nunsense is a show that owes a lot to the Twin cities, as much of the show's funding came from families in the area. Two of those sponsors were Irv and Jobie Tick, who sponsored the BCPA show along with Morris Tick Recycling Center. Read the earlier post (and comment by Jay Cardwell) to this blog here for more background ...

One thing is certain, Nunsense was the perfect show at the right moment. I mentioned the election before, and it's no coincidence that ticket sales for the show went through the roof beginning on Wednesday, November 5, when people stopped watching cable news and went out looking for something light and fun to celebrate THAT IT WAS ALL OVER.

I hope you all had fun!

Tell us what you thought by clicking the comment link below.

Paul Rodriguez

Comedy legend Paul Rodriguez took the BCPA stage on November 1 for a hilarious night of comedy that confirmed why he's one of the true legends of American comedy. The BCPA was also pleased to welcome area Hispanics for a mixer in the ballroom prior to the concert.

What did you think?

"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, one of the most popular stories for young readers of the past century, came to the BCPA stage on Sunday, October 26 in a high-energy musical staging that delighted a large family audience.

As a spectator, it was exciting to see how the gang from Theatreworks captured C.S. Lewis story in a quick hour, with a cast of five bustling around the stage, taking on multiple roles in a creative production that was a hit for all the children there.

Presented thanks to sponsorship from Tim and Vicki Tilton (who acknowledged their own family's affection for the story was a major reason for their sponsorship) and the Monroe Center, the show was preceded by an hour of free activities in the BCPA ballroom, including crafts and games provided by Big Brother & Big Sisters, and face painting by the Zoo Crew.

Were you there? What did you think?

(My family had fun .... and I think our box office staff looked fantastic!)

Los Lobos (with Backyard Tire Fire)

“With the exception of U2, no other band has stayed

on top of its game as long as Los Lobos…” – Rolling Stone

I've thought about this quote a lot as the Los Lobos concert approached, and it's stuck in my mind as I've heard more from our patrons about their experience at the Los Lobos show this past Saturday night.

East L.A.'s hardest working band delighted a large, enthusiastic audience at the BCPA with some incredible rock 'n' roll this weekend. Warmed up by Bloomington's own Backyard Tire Fire, Los Lobos took the stage a little before 9:00 on Saturday night with a collection of old and new ... some of the most influential rock music of the past 30 years.

I had a good talk with Ian Moore at his October 16 BCPA Underground show about Los Lobos. He was excited the band would be here, as he was a big fan and had himself been taken under the wing of Cesar Rosas, Los Lobos' perpetually be-sunglassed frontman.

Ian's comments confirmed what we all assumed regarding the influence Los Lobos has had on the music industry. Known best by the American public for their cover of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba," the group has produced over a dozen highly respected albums, all critical favorites for their wide range and musical risk-taking.

Anyway, it was a great concert, and a rocker unlike anything we've had so far.

It was also a fun night to highlight Bloomington's own Backyard Tire Fire. A great band on the rise, they played a terrific opening set then were back for an amazing jam session with Los Lobos at the end.

If you weren't at the show, take a moment to check BTF out. Here's their new video, complete with lots of sights around Bloomington.

What did you think? Want to see more performances like this at the BCPA? Tell us about your night.

America's Hits on Parade

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra recorded many of the biggest hits of the Swing Era. The Pied Pipers had countless hits of their own, singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and backing up Frank Sinatra on numerous recordings. Together, they brought audiences back to the heyday of the Greatest Generation in a thrilling concert at the BCPA on October 24.

Were you there? Tell us your thoughts by clicking the Comment link below.

Ian Moore

Ian Moore came to the BCPA on October 16, the second show in the new BCPA Underground series. Like Ruthie Foster before him, Moore dazzled. He performed a seamless set of his blues/pop music that spanned his career, from an absolutely thrilling acoustic version of "Satisfied," from his 1993 self-titled album, to numerous songs from his current disc, To Be Loved, as well as a couple songs from an up-coming release. Other highlights were his two cover songs: "I Am the Cosmos," originally by Chris Bell and Big Star, and Doug Sahm's "Crossroads."

Moore and his band were great together. And he stayed after to give autographs, visit with everyone, and even pose for this picture with me.

Were you there? What did you think?

And keep your eyes open. The next show in the BCPA Underground series will be announced next month.

Mike Super

SUPER!


Mike Super definitely lived up to his name on Saturday night with a thrilling mix of magic and humor that left the audience spellbound.


His show was an amazing mix of the seemingly-simple sleight of hand, and the big, bold illusion. A newspaper was ripped into shreds, then reappeared whole in a blink. A folded-paper flower floated in mid air, between the hands of a young girl brought up from the audience. A car appeared out of nowhere. The headlines of the day's paper were predicted with 100% accuracy. And there was voodoo.



An amazing night of fun, we're hoping to bring him back in the future. It will be fun to have him sign our wall of fame again ...


Were you there? Would you like to see Mike Super again? Tell us if you thought he was "lavenous" by clicking the comment link below.

Sones de Mexico

Sones de Mexico's busy residency at the BCPA began on Thursday morning, with a Student Spotlight Series performance for approximately 700 schoolchildren. The kids loved it! A mix of music, dance, and enthusiastic song, Sones de Mexico played music representative of all of Mexico's regions on a collection of over 25 authentic instruments.

Next up for them was a Thursday afternoon workshop for area educators, providing instruction in bilingual and dual language education, as well as using Mexican traditional music and dance as teaching tools.

On Friday, Sones began their day out in the community, performing two mini-performances of their “La Danza del Sol,” (“Dance of the Sun”) at Brigham and Sheridan elementary schools in Bloomington.

Then came their mainstage performance which highlighted this Grammy-nominated ensemble's tremendous range and virtuosity.

Thanks again to State Farm Bank for supporting these wonderful performers.

Were you there? Share your comments by clicking the link below.

Randy Newman

An amazing concert by an American musical legend. Newman took the stage, just him and his piano, and dazzled the audience in a heartfelt performance of a wide variety of his classic songs. From upbeat songs, to the melancholy, Newman had the audience wrapped around his finger, easily changing the emotion of the show with a simple introduction or a warm anecdote from his own life.

The audience who came were definitely the winners in a busy performance night in Bloomington/Normal.

100 Years of Broadway

The five Broadway stars of Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway hit the BCPA stage last Friday, October 3, to delight the audience with two hours of Broadway's greatest hits.

And what a range of songs they sang.

From "Give My Regards to Broadway," taken from George Cohan's 1906 hit Little Johnny Jones to songs from the 2006 tuners Jersey Boys and Grumpy Old Men, the show had a little something for everyone ... unforgettable memories from the Great White Way.

The audience loved it. Here's one response from Susan Brown I thought was representative of the evening ...

I was one of the people fortunate enough to attend Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway on Friday night. I've never been to a musical on Broadway, but Friday night, I felt as though I had been a part of the experience. I had goose-bumps through most of the first act. The talent presented was fantastic!!! I had second row, left, seats and couldn't have asked for a better spot. While I enjoyed the singers, the greatest thrill I got was out of watching Neil Berg playing the piano. His passion for what he was doing clearly came through in his playing. He obviously LOVES what he does. To be able to earn a living doing what you love to do must be so fulfilling. You provided this 60-year married woman and her 88-year old mother with an evening they will never forget. Having such professional talent available (at such reasonable prices) to the citizens of Bloomington/Normal is such a treat. When I moved here 20 years ago from Southern California, I thought I'd dropped off the cultural map. The BCPA has certainly restored my belief that culture can, and does, exist beautifully between the two coasts. Kudos to you all.

Thank you for providing Bloomington/Normal the opportunity to enjoy and witness talent of this caliber. I will be first in line, should you bring them back again next year.

Were you there? Tell us about your experience. Would you also like to see more shows like this return to the BCPA?

The Capitol Steps

Just 38 days before the 2008 presidential election, the Capitol Steps made a triumphant return to the BCPA with their distinctive brand of political humor. Their Sept. 27 show skewering the left, right, and center, and included a little bit of everything.

The election provided ample material for sketches about McCain's age and the press's adoration of Obama. There was also a Shakespearean dig at the Clintons and a duet by Palin and Cheney. Al Gore sang about the environment, the government bailout of Wall Street actually seemed funny, and Bush's trip to Beijing for the Olympics even had the actors in stitches.

But perhaps the crowd's favorite moment was a monologue done in the Steps' trademark speech pattern they call Lirty Dies.

Tell us what you thought. Click the link below and share your thoughts.

Oh, yes. And don't forget vote. An application for Illinois residents can be found here.

Don't you want to have a say about who the Capitol Steps poke fun of the next time they're in town?

BCPA Underground: Ruthie Foster

The BCPA Underground kicked off with a spectacular concert by Ruthie Foster last Thursday night.

This was the first concert in this new series, which is being held in a club-style setting within the BCPA's 11,000 square foot ballroom. The goal being to present some of today's most buzzworthy musicians in space where you can sit back and relax with a drink, or get up and dance.

Tricia Stiller, who contributes concert reviews to the Pantagraph, summed the evening up best in this write up she has also submitted to the paper:

Last night the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts launched it's newest entertainment offering, BCPA Underground with a captivating performance by the 'phenomenal' Ruthie Foster. Guitar in hand, the tiny Foster took to the stage in the modestly transformed ballroom, accompanied by Samantha Banks, on drums, and Tonya Richardson on the 5 string bass.

Foster's guitar work was inspired, fingers flying across the fret board with an indescribable ease, which,when accompanied by her deeply soulful vocals, exuded great warmth - like an old friend.

Between numbers, a very personable Foster shared stories of her varied influences, and of her home life, and only once or twice asked guests to take her home with them - she had CD's for sale. Foster embodied what the BCPA Underground is all about. The casual ambiance, created with lighting and family-style seating, encouraged this experience be shared and enjoyed and remembered. The 150 lucky folks who attended last night have earned boasting rights at the water cooler today. Like any moment in history, we can all say ' hey...I was there, man!'
But it was Foster herself, quite coincidentally, who summed it all up with her second number of the evening, when she sang, 'I do believe my soul's found a happy home.'

Indeed, Foster was great! And I already talked to her tour manager about our interest in bringing her back in a couple of years. Everyone who was there would undoubtedly go again ... and bring a friend!

Were you there? Submit your comments below. We'd love to hear about your experience.

Craig Morgan

It's been a crazy week, so my apologies for not getting to Craig Morgan sooner. My tardiness, however, doesn't diminish the terrific concert he gave at the BCPA last Saturday.

It was an event from the moment you arrived. IH tractors outside, the remnants of Hurricane Ike swirling around the area, and a high-energy, fun-filled show inside.

For me, it was this atmosphere that was the highlight of the evening. There's nothing I love more than seeing people laughing, smiling, taking pictures, and having fun, caught up in the moment and enjoying a really great concert.

Jason Jones kicked things off with a great set. Jones has a clear, strong voice, and the stripped-down two-guitar accompaniment really highlighted his catchy melodies.

And then came Craig. Of course he played his hits, but the song I heard the most about was the tune he'd written on the bus ride to Bloomington from their previous night's gig in Missouri. He promised it would be on his next album, and I know everyone will be dying to have a copy of this song they heard first.

On a personal note, I brought my three-year-old son to the show. He's at an age that he loves cars, trucks, tractors, and anything big and mechanical. Here we are on the big IH tractor that was outside before the show. My grandpa drove an IH on his farm when I was a boy. It was awesome to share that experience and tradition with my son.

He also loved the music ...

What did you think? Leave your posts by clicking the link below.

The Fab Four

Our Box Office staff shared this message with me today:

"Mr. Gary Thompson called to let us know that he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed The Fab Four. He said it was the best show they had ever seen!! They are looking forward to future shows this season, but he has no idea how we can top that one!"

Bloomington resident and Cultural District volunteer Carol Baker also wrote: "What a fabulous time everyone had at the Fab Four!"

And did they ever! From Ed Sullivan's monologue to the first notes of "She Loves You"; From "Yesterday" to "Imagine," the Fab Four delivered a note-perfect Beatles' experience that had people standing in their seats, waving their hands over their heads, and jumping back in time to welcome in the British Invasion with the best band of all time.

The pre-show speaker, W. Michael Weiss, a professor of history at Illinois Wesleyan, put it best when he said the music of the Beatles knew no generational bounds. Kids today are as familiar with Beatles music as their parents (and now grandparents), in a way we had never seen in previous generations.

The audience comments I've heard since support the timelessness of this music. There was the Beatles fan who felt like they were transported back to their youth, to that moment when they first saw the band perform on Ed Sullivan. There were also the Gen X'ers and Millennials in the audience who enjoyed the show as an opportunity to experience a live performance of this music as the Beatles would have performed it.

Indeed, everyone seemed to have a great time. Were you there? What did you think? Would you like to see the Fab Four back at the BCPA in seasons to come? Email me at jaalberts@artsblooming.org and I'll post your comments here.

Missoula Children's Theatre

It's hard to believe the season is about to begin. The Fab Four take the stage with our opening night performance a little over a week from now. And with our busiest season to follow, it's going to be quite a year.

Honestly, summer is supposed to be a time of reorganizing and planning. But the time went about as fast as the shorts wearing in this week's 50 degree morning temps.

Which is why I'm just getting to writing about the August 8 performance of "Red Riding Hood" by the Missoula Children's Theatre and 68 incredibly talented local performers.

With auditions on Monday the 4th, followed by a week of intense rehearsals, these incoming 1st through 12 graders learned a lot in a week, and had a great time. The show was a real hit, a silly revision of the Little Red Riding Hood story, with Riding Hood a little older and savvier, and the Big Bad Wolf not being so bad after all.

The emotions about this show are still strong. Todd, one of our stage hands, sent the following photo and wrote, "These two were just GREAT!!! The kids and the show they put on were excellent, and it was all because of Brendan and Marie."

Do you have any memories and photos of the show? Please send them to me and I'll post them here.

Show by Show: Footloose

He's a big city kid in a small town. They said he'd never win. He knew he had to.



"Footloose" means something ... well ... to just about everyone. Debuting in 1984, this classic tale of teen rebellion is accented by memorable dance sequences, surprisingly realistic performances, and some of the most memorable songs of the mid-'80s.


Not to mention Kevin Bacon.

The movie tells the story of Ren, a big-city kid from Chicago who moves with his mom to a small Midwestern town where rock music and dancing are, believe it or not, illegal. Fortunately for Ren, there is one small pleasure: Ariel, a lovely blonde who is herself rebelling against a jealous boyfriend and father, himself the small-town minister responsible for keeping the town dance-free.


A character with a great spine, excellent taste in '80s rock, and infectious charisma, (spoiler alert) Ren rebels, falls in love, has a few fights, offers some strong sentiments about the power of dance, and before you know it has led a teen rebellion and everyone is cutting a rug.


It's great fun!


"Footloose" was an exciting show to add to our 2008-09 season. First hitting our radar last fall, we put the show on an audience survey and received a huge, favorable response. Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that a show that has been a part of our cultural mindset for almost a quarter century would have broad appeal.


More importantly, though, Footloose speaks to everyone who has had to defend the culture and cultural choices of their generation to their elders ... something that has been going on so long that it's hard to imagine the argument "Dad, Aeschelus is so last year. Kids today love melodrama. It's all about Euripedes. Get with it!" didn't happen at least once.


"Footloose" the musical debuted on Broadway in 1998, was nominated for several Tony Awards, and played for audiences drawn in by its enthusiastic music and cast. It premiered in London's West End in 2006, where it continues in an open-ended run. Featuring many of the original movie songs, the show is an exciting blast from the past, a fun way to enjoy a movie that has touched several generations.


"Footloose" comes to the BCPA on Sunday, April 19 at 3 pm

• The show's running time is approximately two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission.
• It's a story about teens, religion, music, and relationships. Probably best suited for someone who's 10, 11 or older.

Lastly, for fun while you're waiting for next April, take a look at this new recording of "Footloose" by Doveman. Interesting story behind the recording and a distinctive take on the songs.

Show by Show: "Nunsense"

I learned late yesterday that Dody Goodman passed away on Sunday. Dody was a gifted comedic actress, dancer, and performer who many people will remember from her role "Grease," although I'd contend her appearances in films like "Splash," where she wore her bra over her shirt playing Tom Hanks' ditzy-if-not-demented secretary, and on television shows like "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," were just as memorable.

Anyway, I'm bringing up Dody because she was also a mainstay in the musical "Nunsense." She played Mother Superior Mary Regina in the show, as well as in many of its spinoffs numerous times at the end of her career. In fact, she was in that role when the "Nunsense" tour came to my college in the late '80s.

Dody was spellbinding on stage and I can only hope that somewhere a group of nuns is celebrating her life and mourning her passing by staging their very own variety show.

It would be perfect!

For those of you who don't know "Nunsense," here's a quick summary of the plot:

The musical features five of the 19 surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony. Bad times have hit the convent. We learn that 52 of their nuns have just died, victims of a food poisoning incident -- tainted vichyssoise prepared by convent cook Sister Julia, Child of God.

With many burials to pay for, the Mother Superior, inspired by a vision, starts a greeting card company to raise funds. The greeting cards are an enormous success but, thinking there is plenty of money, the Reverend Mother buys a VCR (In the original script it is a VCR, but as VCR's have now mostly gone the way of the dodo, the splurge purchase is now usually an entertainment center) for the convent, leaving the sisters strapped for cash once again with four burials left undone.

The deceased nuns now in the deep freeze, they decide to stage a variety show to raise the necessary funds. The five nuns participating in the project are Mother Superior Mary Regina, a former circus performer who can't resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is determined to be the world's first ballerina nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head.

What follows is a laugh-a-minute performance filled with dance routines, unforgettable songs, and an audience quiz.

The November 7 performance of "Nunsense" at the BCPA is part of the show's 25th anniversary tour featuring Sally Struthers as the Mother Superior. Still best-known for her role as Gloria Stivic (nee Bunker) on the classic television sitcom "All in the Family," Struthers is a thrilling stage actress. I've seen her twice, starring as Ms. Lynch in a tour of "Grease" and playing Ms. Hannigan in the 20th anniversary tour of "Annie." People who know her from TV undoubtedly recognize she's a legend, but her talents really shine when she's live on stage.

One final fun story to tell about Nunsense. Sponsoring the BCPA performance is local couple Irv and Jobie Tick, who themselves have a long connection with "Nunsense." Twenty-five years ago, Irv and Jobie were among the original financiers of the musical, an opportunity Jobie still describes as "once in a lifetime." It's an investment that has reaped benefits for them for a quarter century, not just financially, but in the continued success of a show Jobie says they still find so charming.

Nunsense comes to the BCPA on Friday November 7

• The show's running time is approximately two hours, with one intermission.
• It's a show about nuns, so the humor is clean, but probably best enjoyed by someone who's 12 or older.

Have you seen "Nunsense?" Looking forward to seing it for the first time with us? Contribute your story to the blog by writing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

Show by Show: Red Riding Hood

Great article in the Tribune today about the Chicago theater scene's tremendous influence on this year's Tony Awards.

And here's some great information about the 45 Days of Theatre festival currently taking place on the numerous stages in Bloomington/Normal.

And let's not forget "Urinetown" (a really smart and funny show; please don't let the title dissuade you) playing in Normal, and all of the great shows at Miller Park's Summer Theatre.

All in all, theater is thriving in our area. Record box office in the Second City, record involvement in the Twin Cities. And it's just going to get better.

In just six weeks, kids will be coming to the BCPA to audition for the Missoula Children's Theatre's "Red Riding Hood." The August 8 show will feature over 50 local children in the starring roles. Two actor/directors from the Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) will be here to hold auditions on the morning of Monday, August 4. Casting will be done over lunch and rehearsals will begin that afternoon.

It's a procedure the cast/crew of the MCT know well. The MCT is the nation's largest touring children’s theatre. The tour team arrives in town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play... except the cast. Participants spend the week rehearsing an original adaptation of a classic children's story, which they then perform for the public. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project.

MCT's mission is the development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts.

It's going to be a memorable week. Last year's production of "The Little Mermaid" was a tremendous success, so much so that we booked the terrific Missoula company almost immediately to work their magic again this year.

"Red Riding Hood" is going to be a fun, contemporary play both to participate in and see. The story is Red Riding Hood's, but, like the great 2005 film Hoodwinked, it's told with a twist, as Riding Hood is now firmly in her teens. She's sassy. A little more streetwise. The wolf? He's definitely not accountable for the crime. He'd like to blame it all on his little brother, "Li'l Luvable Wolf."

See for yourself. "Red Riding Hood" takes the stage on August 8.

CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFORMATION

Show by Show: Rockapella

There are few shows this season that I'm anticipating as much as A Rockapella Holiday on December 20.

I first saw Rockapella in 1990 on "Spike & Co. Do It A Cappella," a Spike Lee-produced television special that highlighted many of the top a cappella groups of the era. Admittedly, I'd tuned in to see groups I knew, including Take 6 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo ... but it was the show's first performer, Rockapella, who earned my lasting devotion.

(You can skip ahead to approx. 2:30 in this clip to see their show-opening performance.)



Almost 20 years later and still awesome!

Rockapella was founded in 1987 by four Brown University alumni, Elliott Kerman, David Stix, Sean Altman, and Steve Keyes, who had all sung together in one of Brown's numerous a cappella groups and reunited for street corner gigs in New York after graduation. Altman, Kerman, and Keyes appear in the video above along with bass Barry Carl, who joined the group in 1989. Another early, and important, change in the group's lineup was the addition of high tenor Scott Leonard, who replaced Keyes in 1991 and is now the group's primary arranger.

Rockapella expanded their audience as the "house band" on the popular PBS children's game show "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" from 1991-1996. Singing the show's well-known theme song and providing interlude music between segments, the group became easily identifiable to a large audience -- including, I can imagine, more adults than just me who watched the show regularly to hear them sing (with the side benefit of being able to point at Burkina Faso on a map).

No doubt a sign of the times, many of Rockapella's fans were drawn to "Carmen Sandiego" because at that time it was largely impossible to hear Rockapella anywhere else. The group had signed a recording contract with a Japanese record label and, prior to the days of iTunes and easy Web access, their CDs were either not available, or only available with a cost over $35 per unit (remember, we're talking early '90s here) through specialty retailers.

In 1995, the group had their first American release, "Primer." Released on an independent label, the disc featured Altman, Leonard, Kerman, and Carl, and introduced fans to vocal percussionist Jeff Thatcher (who's amazing, as you'll see on a video of him performing solo here) singing a wide variety of the group's previously unreleased songs.

Ironically, this disc is no longer in print and used copies are available beginning at $97 on Amazon.

(Editor's note: I'm rich!)

"Primer" was followed in 1997 by "Lucky Seven," Altman's last recording with the group. He was replaced by Kevin Wright, a former Broadway actor whose easy charm was a hit with audiences, despite turning the rest of the group into caffeine addicts:



As more American releases began to follow ("2" and "Christmas" in 2000, "In Concert" in 2001, and "Smilin'" in 2002, "Comfort and Joy" in 2002, and "Live in Japan," in 2004) Rockapella began to tour more. What had been their schedule of performing live every couple of weeks became a routine of performing over 40 dates per year).

The last time I saw them was at the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in 2002. At that concert, Barry Carl announced his retirement and the audience got what was perhaps a first look at replacement bass George Baldi. To me, Barry Carl's deep, deep voice was in theory one of the most un-replaceable elements of the combo. But George is amazing. A one-time member of the group that would become Boyz to Men, he has a stunning lower range, as you can see in this video from one of their Christmas concerts:



The last original member of the group, Elliott Kerman, has also recently left the group, replaced by John K Brown, whose distinctive vocal range other members acknowledge has changed their approach to a number of their songs.

I can't wait to hear them!

A couple of show notes:

A Rockapella Holiday comes to the BCPA on Saturday, December 20.
This is an all-ages show. Patrons young and old will be knocked out at how good these guys sound. They're terrific entertainers and their arrangements of Christmas songs are unforgettable.

One last video before I finish. This is the promotional video they sent us: Nine minutes, but a great look at everything they do.



My favorite part is the combined performance with the Boston Pops.

Wow! Just Wow!

Show by Show: The Capitol Steps

I am no doubt dating this blog entry by saying today seems like the perfect day to write something about The Capitol Steps. Barack Obama secured the democratic nomination for president last night, meaning the stage is now set for the Capitol Steps to start creating new material for the election contest between Obama and McCain.

It has to be an exciting day for the Capitol Steps' creative team to finally be able to focus on the songs they'll use to lampoon the 2008 general election. They've already created numbers for each candidate in the 2008 primaries (which you can hear here), but you can imagine the general election season offers a distinctive opportunity.

Where will they begin?

Sure, Larry Craig is always funny, but there are many other possibilities still waiting to unfold. Who knows what Hillary's role will be come November? If she's added as a running mate, we might still hear an update of "Ebony and Ivory." The promise to be appointed as a supreme court justice? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a rewrite of "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress."

Whatever happens, the BCPA audience is going to leave their September 27 performance in a great mood. This troupe of former congressional staffers have perfected political humor, allowing us to laugh at our public servants, both Democrats and Republicans, in a way that has made our democracy more fun for almost 30 years.

The Steps performed at the BCPA in our inaugural 2006-07 season and hold the distinction of being the show we've had booked the longest for this current season. Immediately after their 2006 performance the decision was made: We want you back just in time for the 2008 election.

Check them out. There's a terrific (-ly silly) write up about them on their Wikipedia page that talks about all of their various songs and members. But the best way to experience The Capitol Steps is to see them live. The Capitol Steps come to the BCPA on September 27. And remember to get your tickets early. Their show is one of the top sellers for the season and good seats won't last.

Like voting in the election, it's something you don't want to miss.

Show by Show: the subdudes

As I wrote in the posting announcing our 2008-09 season, one of the shows I'm looking forward to the most next year is the subdudes on January 17.

I've been a fan of this band for about 10 years, but became borderline obsessed with them after seeing them live last summer at the Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City. Since that night of almost a year ago I have packed at least one subdudes disc with me to work every day. For me, the band's spectacular blend of R&B, funk, rock, blues, and Louisiana "front porch music" is the perfect sound to keep the brain happy, the nerves calm, and the energy pumping.

The band, comprising well-known musicians from the New Orleans scene, came together in 1987 for what they thought would be a one-time performance at Tipitina’s. Led by singer/guitarist Tommy Malone, accordionist John Magnie, and some of their past bandmates from The Radiators and the Continental Drifters, this first performance was primarily an acoustic affair, focusing on traits the band would later call their trademarks -- an emphasis on songwriting and vocal harmonies.

The subdudes were born that night. Over the next 10 years they released five well-received albums, toured extensively, and made a decision as a band to uproot and move their homes and band operations from New Orleans to Ft. Collins, Colo.

It was around this time in 1997 that the band first came into my radar. My friend Jessica introduced me to them by putting "Angel To Be," a terrific song from their 1994 album Annunciation, on a mixtape. (Ah, mixtapes!) Jessica told me about how she first learned about the subdudes by seeing them perform live at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. A crowd favorite at this major music event, the band inspired what Jessica called "Big puppy dog tears" when they decided to split up as a band in 1997.

As their Web site says, though, the band was far from through. "Spinoff projects ensued, as did the occasional reunion show. Finally, in February of 2002, three of the four original band members decided to get back together. They recruited additional longtime friends to fill out the sound and called themselves the Dudes, but the music was still unmistakably the subdudes. Today, they are once again the subdudes. And there’s still nobody in the world that sounds like them."

In 2004 the band paired up with producer (and Bob Dylan guitarist) Freddy Koella to record Miracle Mule. Well-loved blues musician Keb' Mo' produced their 2006 CD Behind the Levee, and Street Symphony (there's a reason they're all wearing tuxes in the picture above) followed in 2007.

A couple of additional interesting things about the subdudes:

• Drummer Steve Amedee does not use a standard drum kit. He instead creates the band's signature percussion sound by holding a tambourine on one leg and hitting it with a drum stick. It's surprisingly cool and effective.
• The subdudes offer their fans an excellent look at their history and a host of rare tracks of the band and its principal members performing solo or with other groups, on the subdudes podcast, accessible through their Website at http://www.subdudes.com/podcast.php, and also on iTunes. I subscribe and it's like getting a personal mini-concert on my iPod monthly. Definitely check it out.

Lastly, if you want to check out the subdudes at greater length, allow me to recommend the purchase of their discs in this order:

1. "Live at Last" (1997). The subdudes are a band best heard live and this gives a great feel for their music and their talent.
2. "Annunciation" (1994). With great songs including "Angel to Be," "Poverty," and the ultimate "front porch" track "Sugar Pie," this is in my mind the band's best studio disc.
3. "the subdudes" (1989). Their debut CD features the studio version of "Light in Your Eyes," a fan (and my personal) favorite.
4. The band's three most recent studio releases "Miracle Mule" (2004), "Behind the Levee" (2006) and "Street Symphony" (2007). As a fan it is so thrilling to hear this group record together again and their new music proves the band's timelessness with their cool harmonies on songs like "Brightest Star" and pulsating rhythms on tracks like "Papa Dukie and the Mud People."

One more thing. Remember to thank the good folks at the Ronda Glenn Law Firm for sponsoring the show. Brad Glenn, Ronda's husband, first told me of their love of this band after we'd sent out an audience survey last winter asking people what they thought of a variety of artists we were thinking of bringing to the BCPA. Brad wrote "Can I vote twice for the subdudes?"

The rest is history ...

Show by Show: "Movin' Out"

Now that the 2007-08 season is done, I wanted to take some time to write a little bit more about the shows on our 2008-09 season. There's so much more that can be said about all of the shows beyond the brief event descriptions you've already probably seen.

As it's our top selling show in advance ticket sales, I thought it would be good to start with the Billy Joel, Twyla Tharp dance/musical Movin' Out.

It's safe to say interest in this show is well-founded. Movin' Out opened on Broadway in 2002 and played just over 1300 critically acclaimed performances. The production won two Tonys: Best Choreography for Twyla Tharp and Best Orchestrations for Billy Joel and Stuart Malina.

The show then went on to have a successful US National Tour, which is how I first saw it in 2004.

Movin' Out tells the story of a group of friends growing up in Long Island in the 1960s. Through Tharp's choreography and a selection of Billy Joel hits sung by a band suspended on platforms above the dance floor we get to know Brenda and Eddie ("Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"), James ("James"), Judy ("Why Judy Why"), and Tony (Anthony in "Movin' Out") as they fall in and out of love, deal with the Vietnam War, alcohol and life's other temptations, then stumble into adulthood.

The choreography and dancing are incredible, as are the Billy Joel songs. The songs span Joel's career, from "Cold Spring Harbor" (1971) to "River of Dreams" (1993). "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Captain Jack" -- they're all here. As is, for me, the most surprisingly beautiful song inclusion in the show, "Summer, Highland Falls" (see video of Billy singing it below), a lesser known song from his album "Turnstiles" (1976).

Movin' Out comes to the BCPA on Saturday, December 6.

• Running time: One hour and 45 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission.
• The show does contain some strong images of war, addiction, and other adult topics, but should be appropriate for any child you would feel comfortable letting watch a prime time television drama.

Have you seen Movin' Out? Looking forward to seing it for the first time with us? Still need to buy tickets? Contribute your story to the blog by writing me at jaalberts@cityblm.org.

Some building specs ...

As promised following a March entry on this Blog, I have some specifics about the BCPA's measurments. Our box office manager, Jocelyn, walked around the building with a tape measure to give us some new figures to complement some building basics we already had in our collection.

Highlights include:

STAGE from floor to stage lip 3-4 Feet
Proscenium width 46” – 0”
Proscenium height 26’ – 3”
Last row in house (balcony) to DS lip of stage 73’ – 0”

Main Floor
Row AAA to stage 2 feet
Aisle seats in Row BBB to stage 2 feet
Center of Row BBB to stage 4.5 feet
Aisle seats in CCC to stage 4.5 feet
Center of Row CCC 8 feet

Row A to stage 12–13 feet

Distance between back of seat
seatback in the following row 3 feet

Balcony
The first row of the balcony overhangs row H on the main floor.

Front railing of the balcony is 2.5’ high

Patrons enter the lower balcony at Row DD
There are two steps up from hallway to the lower balcony doorway
From there, there are six steps down to Row AA and 16 steps up to Row MM

There are over 20 from Level 3 to upper balcony

Ballroom
Height of ballroom ceiling 14’

Season Ends with Arlo Guthrie ... Another is set to begin

I arrived at work this morning to this note at the top of my inbox:

My wife and I have been to shows on Broadway, in Chicago and London, and many local venues. Shows of all kinds and variety. The Arlo Guthrie concert was one of the most enjoyable nights we have spent in a theatre. Thanks so much for bringing these types of shows to a venue where the audience and artist can feel connected and is right here at home. We have tickets for two shows next season and maybe more. The Bloomington Center of the Performing Arts has added so much to the quality of life here in Central Illinois. It makes special nights like the Arlo Guthrie concert possible.
--Gary Schwartz

The show was a great way to end the 2007-08 season. Classic songs, great humor, a night people won't forget anytime soon.

Were you there? Write me (jaalberts@cityblm) with your experiences at the Arlo Guthrie concert and I'll post your review in the Blog.

THE 2008-2009 SEASON

And now with just 110 days to go until the Fab Four open the season, we're already looking ahead to 2008-2009. Advance season ticket sales are incredibly strong with dollar figures for the end of May this year already ahead of our dollar totals for the end of July last summer. That said, if there are shows you want to see, get your seats early before the good ones are all gone.

As always, you can order them at http://www.artsblooming.org/

While you're at it, let us know what shows you're looking forward to most. My picks are posted here. You can tell me more about what has you excited by sending an email to jaalberts@cityblm.org.

Seussical

I loved Seussical. Yes, it's taken me over two weeks now to say so, but I did. I loved it. And from what I can tell, everyone else did too.

It was the biggest crowd yet at a BCPA Family Series event. Almost 900 people experienced 80 minutes of absolute charm. Simple staging, energetic performances, and music that I still find myself humming when I wake up in the morning.

Truthfully, I've been a fan of Seussical for years. And I've been a fan of its creators even longer. Ahrens and Flaherty's equally charming Once on This Island was a breakthrough hit in 1990. The versatile composer and lyricist then delivered two more equally interesting, and diverse tuners -- My Favorite Year (1993), Ragtime (1998) -- before penning Seussical in 2000.

Seussical won fans over quickly in previews, but received lukewarm reviews on Broadway. The songwriting team attributed the failure to the weightiness of the Broadway production. It was an economical production when it was seen in preview, with minimal staging and props -- a show that let the imagination fill in all the details. But it received the full treatment on Broadway, with big sets, big stars (Rosie O'Donnell and Cathy Rigby both had turns as the Cat in the Hat), and a big budget that led to the show closing after just 198 performances.

When Theatreworks took on the show, they brought the production back to the basics. They minimized the cast, made minor deletions to the storyline, cutting a drumbeats-of-war subplot taken from Seuss' "The Butter Battle Book," and made the costumes, sets, and props basic, so that the audience took its cue from the opening song "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think."

That said, the production was still the largest Theatreworks had ever mounted.

Critics nationwide have paid attention to the success of this version of the show. Composer Stephen Flaherty likewise called the show "One of the most fun-filled productions of Seussical I've ever seen."

It certainly lived up to my expectations. And everyone I talked to after the show, from seniors to my three-year-old son, were all given chills by the great storytelling and the memorable songs.

I'm sure I'll be humming them again tomorrow morning when I wake up. You too? Let us know what you think by sending me an email at jaalberts@artsblooming.org, and I'll post your comments.

THE 2008-2009 SEASON

It's always a lot of work getting a new season booked and ready to sell, but, man, is it worth it!

What a cool year of shows we have in store! Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 24 at 10 am, both Online and at the Box Office. Season brochures will follow.

So here's the season:

BLOOMINGTON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2008-2009 SEASON

8/8/2008 Missoula Children’s Theatre, “Red Riding Hood”
9/6/2008 The Fab Four
9/13/2008 Craig Morgan
9/27/2008 Capitol Steps
9/28/2008 “James and the Giant Peach”
10/3/2008 “100 Years of Broadway”
10/10/2008 Sones de México
10/11/2008 Mike Super
10/24/2008 Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers
10/25/2008 Los Lobos
10/26/2008 “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
11/1/2008 Paul Rodriguez
11/7/2008 “Nunsense” (with Sally Struthers)
11/22/2008 Björn Again
12/6/2008 “Movin’ Out”
12/12/2008 “Franklin’s Family Christmas”
12/13/2008 Cherish the Ladies, “A Celtic Christmas”
12/20/2008 “A Rockapella Holiday”
1/17/2009 the subdudes
1/30/2009 Ailey II
2/7/2009 “Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party”
2/21/2009 Preservation Hall Jazz Band
2/27/2009 African Children’s Choir, “Journey of Hope”
3/7/2009 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/12/2009 The Second City
3/20/2009 The Lettermen
3/27/2009 Carolina Chocolate Drops
4/16/2009 The Manhattan Transfer
4/19/2009 “Footloose”
5/2/2009 “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show”
5/3/2009 “Pinkalicious: The Musical”

The season theme this year is "Come Together!" a nod to the joy people have sharing these nights of entertainment with family and friends, as well as to the valuable input we received through audience surveys, our community programming board, and occasional notes from our patrons telling us the shows they want to see.

The goal is for someone to look at the season and see one (and possibly more than one) show they absolutely have to see.

It's the same for me. Here are the shows I'm most excited about:

The Fab Four: An awesome opening show. Paul Stanley of KISS commented after seeing the show with some of his bandmates that his jaw actually dropped. With all he's seen in his life, that's saying something. An absolutely note-perfect Beatles show.

Capitol Steps: Returning to the BCPA following a successful show in our opening season. This is the show we've had booked the longest, knowing how great they'll be right before the presidential election.

Mike Super: Did you see him on NBC's "Phenomenon" last year? Mike Super is arguably the best magician performing. He has a terrific stage manner. Cool, confident, and funny. Like watching Seinfeld, but with things disappearing. Bring the kids. Delight a date. It's a show you'll be talking about for weeks!

Los Lobos: A special all-acoustic concert. Need I say more?

A Rockapella Holiday: Rockapella (below) is the best pop a cappella group in the world! You won't believe five guys can make a sound this clean and perfect. Pure vocal powerhouses! Not to mention a real Christmas treat!

the subdudes: One of the most underrated bands in the world. I saw them in concert at a summer festival last year and think about that show all the time.

Ailey II: As good as modern dance gets. Athletic. Athletic. Athletic. And, come on, talk about your beautiful people ...

The Second City: Back again for another laugh-a-minute night of improv and sketch comedy.

What toots your horn? Let me know what you think (jaalberts@artsblooming.org)about the season and what shows appeal to you (and why). We'd love to hear what you're looking forward to most.

Ragamala

The dancers of Ragamala entertained a small but devoted audience at the BCPA last Friday night. The performance by this lovely group of dancers was accented by vibrant costumes and a wide-ranging music selection.

Most thrilling for me was seeing the isolated and intricate rhythms of their Bharatanatyam dance style. The first act of their performance featured Bharatanatyam performed in its traditional sense. The second contrasted the centuries-old style with a variety of music, from Japanese taiko, to the all-female U.S. a cappella group Zap Mama. Without compromising the integrity of the dance, Bharatanatyam seemed to be as current as a Janet Jackson video or Bob Fossee routine where the exacting motions of each hand and limb blended into a seamless, unified motion by the company's eight dancers.

It was lovely to visit with the artists afterward and hear more about their wide variety of projects and collaborations. It would be wonderful to see them perform with live musicians -- hopefully one day with Zap Mama (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you) -- and see their upcoming collaboration with a painter who creates a work on stage during their performance.

Were you there? What did you think about Ragamala? Email me at jaalberts@cityblm.org and I'll post your comments.

Patron comments:

I LOVED the Ragamala dance program, both parts of it, traditional and modern. Awesome, moving, and breathtakingly beautiful.

I wish the auditorium had been filled.Please bring many more ethnic dance and music programs to BCPA. They will have to be mighty fine to give as good a performance as Ragamala!

--Carolyn Treadway

US Army Band "Pershing's Own"

One of the most anticipated performances this spring at the BCPA, the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" delivered a spectacular performance to a capacity crowd last night. A thrilling concert filled with American anthems, classical selections, marches, and Broadway hits, the band delivered what was promised, a rousing night of big brass sound joyous enough to bring out the Meredith Willson in everyone.

Here's what our patrons are saying:
The U.S. Army Band concert was terrific. I hated for the evening to end. I saw all of the Service bands when I lived in Washington, D.C. and never tired of seeing and hearing them. They are the finest musicians in the world. I hope they will return to the BCPA.

-- Delores Gillian
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There are really no words to describe the US Army Band's concert this past week. What a wonderful performance - the music, commentary, venue, and musicians were superb. I took my two children so that they could experience a group of musicians dedicated to both our country and great music. We all walked away with a renewed sense of patriotism and love of our country.

-- Barb Nielsen
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What a terrific concert performed by the U. S. Army Band. No one could have asked (or expected) anything more. I especially enjoyed the song entitled "The Girl in 14G" — what a clever, funny arrangement sung by a superb singer. I was surprised, however, that there were some empty seats. I thought all the tickets had been "sold" out. I can't imagine why anyone would not attend (having received free tickets) short of a family emergency. It was a wonderful night of entertainment. We got a special surprise when the wife of the conducter walked out into the crowd and chatted with us during intermission. Our son graduated from West Point but was not there during the same time period as the conductor. Anymore military bands available to perform in Bloomington-Normal? Invite them all!

-- Don Cavallini
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Last night Robbi Muir and I had the pleasure and honor to see and listen to the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own". This was possibly the greatest musical event I have attended since coming to Bloomington in 1992.

The band was 70 strong plus included 16 Herald Trumpets and over 25 Army Chorus singers.
Their performance included everything from The Call of the Champions by John Williams, to the Gladiator by Sousa, to the Grand Russian Fantasia, featuring Staff Sgt. Troy McKay on trumpet (a graduate of ISU), to When Johnny Comes Marching Home, to a wonderful Suite for Jazz Saxophones including their fantastic 5 Sax soloists.

There were many other moving and terrific numbers ending with a Service Medley honoring all the former military and military families in the audience.

The SOLD OUT Audience gave the group several roaring standing ovations.

This wonderful ensemble is based at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia. The group plays a vital role in music education, often serving as the featured group at prominent music conferences and conventions throughout the nation and abroad. They also play around the Washington DC area to honor dignitaries, heads of state, diplomats and high ranking military officers.

After performing at Millikin the Alma Mata of its leader Col. Thomas Rotondi, Jr. it will rush back to Washington to perform for the Pope.

The talent level in this group of musicians and singers is astounding. As their announcer said any of them could stand before the band and solo.

Every member is enlisted as a Sergeant and does not go through the normal Army basic training. They are truly a master musician or singer working for the army much like a medical doctor who is recruited for their talent in medicine.

Salary for a beginning grade Sergeant is over $21,000 a year plus pension, food, housing, uniforms, medical and they can continue their education while in the military. It seems to me that for an outstanding musician or singer who wants to play rather then teach, the military bands are a wonderful opportunity.

I don't know of too many musicians who are earnings such salary and benefits trying to play as an independent musician, forgetting about the GI Bill.

A special thank you to former HJO board member Bruce Marquis and his staff for bringing to Bloomington such wonderful entertainment. Also a big thanks to the Pantagraph who sponsored the event and made the tickets available at no charge.
-- Bruce Gold VP Heartland Jazz Orchestra

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Fantastic concert!!--as always with the military bands. I am a band director and drove 2 hr 15 min to see them, along with a couple of my band students and families. More would have come except for school activity conflicts. I would encourage you to schedule them when you can in the future. Also, any chance of getting James Galway-flutist- on your program? I teach private flute and would love to hear him this close, or if not him, maybe another top artist or flute choir, etc.

I am an IWU graduate and applaud you for what you are doing with the Performing Arts Center.
-- Angela Lipcamon

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It is difficult to find the right words to convey how wonderful the performance by the US Army Band was...especially the 2nd half of the program. What talent there was...every musician, every singer, even the speaker and the director were excellent. I especially liked the trumpets! The music moved me to tears several times. And seeing the large American flag draped across the back of the stage was all that was needed to convey the message of the evening...what a blessing it is to live in the United States of America. I have attended several productions at the BCFA...everything from the Symphony, to taking my class of 1st graders to attend shows and plays. I have NEVER been disappointed. I sincerely appreciate all who are involved in choosing and presenting the programs. How lucky we are to have this venue in our community. Thank you so very much.
-- Phyllis Pederson
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Thank you for a wonderful evening of great music. We always sit in the balcony and find the view wonderful but the seats too cramped for 6'2. We tried downstairs and loved the extra leg room and I (4'11") didn't have anyone tall in front of me. Even if I had, the wonderful music would have made it still a great evening. We come often to BCPA and love the way it looks in all its glory. Again - wonderful program - just one of many.
--Carol G
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My friends and I who attended the concert loved it! It made us feel so proud to be an American! What tremendous talent with both the band and the singers. I know that several people around me were moved to tears by some of the numbers as was I. I have been telling everyone I saw today what a wonderful concert that was! The gentleman with me is not fond of concerts, and didn't know what to expect. He was SO impressed and enjoyed it very much! He thanked me over and over for getting the tickets. He said he would never have gone to something like that on his own, but he was so glad he could be there and experience it. He is a veteran and was very touched by the tribute to veterans. Please have our military bands back to the Center again! It was just great!
-- Joann Heidloff
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You couldn't have brought a better performance to B/N - thanks so much!!!!
-- Sue Miller
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Our group of eight thoroughly enjoyed last night's presentation by the U. S. Army Band. I remarked that I don't know where you could possibly find a finer free show anywhere! Selections were varied and interesting and all well received by the full house audience. I particularly enjoyed the men's chorus and their rousing renditions! Thanks to all who made this evening memorable and outstanding.
-- Robert Gatrell
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It was an outstanding concert last night – I had not heard the Army band before. A much better concert that I anticipated.

However…

Our seats were in row NN in the balcony, the first row behind the rail. I had the choice of seeing the choir and percussionists, or the front part of the band. Most theaters or stadiums would advertise these seats as limited viewing. I was glad that this was a musical event rather than a stage production that would have required a good view to appreciate the work. I learned my lesson the hard way.
--Bob Fisher

(NOTE: Thanks for your comments about the band ... and the seating. We know the space is limited in the upper balcony and our box office staff does their best to share the limitations of the space with any patron sitting up there. If that communication didn't happen, I'm sorry. In the case of this sold-out performance, we did the best we could to simply put bodies into any available seat and maximize the number of people who could attend. I hope the quality of the show made up for the cramped room in those last two rows.)