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.)

El Vez

Playing catch-up. Over a week has passed since the March 29 El Vez concert. But I have two very good excuses for being so behind. The biggest is my wife had a baby a few days before the concert, which means I'm a) happily distracted with other things and b) keeping a temporarily altered work schedule while things settle at home. My second excuse is we're also busy getting things ready to announce the BCPA's 08-09 season on April 24.

Stay tuned for that.

So, El Vez ... what did you think? I'd love to hear your comments about the show.

Dan Craft's preview article in the Pantagraph was a great snapshot at what patrons ultimately saw on stage. El Vez has a great sense of humor and is a compelling and confident performer, but he also has some strong political views, which I know didn't wash well with some members of our audience.

I had seen El Vez at a club in Tucson and was eager to see him again.

To me the show was a hoot. He seemed at odds with himself in a way that struck me as really silly: very confident in his performance and patter with the audience, but giving the impression he was a little out of control. A man who was not comfortable in his clothes (from a fly check in his leather pants to the fringe on the arms of his jumpsuit getting caught in his belt), but was master of his surroundings.

Were you there? What did you think? Send a note to me here and I'll post your comments.