2007-08 Season of Note lineup announced; tickets on sale July 30

Idaho State University will host a range of fine-arts productions in the 2007-08 “A Season of Note” series held in the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall of the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.

George Casper, ISU director of events, says the eclectic high-quality entertainment from this season promises enjoyment for everyone. “From country western to jazz, pops to acrobatics, and tango to theatre, patrons are sure to enjoy these cultural opportunities,” says Casper.

Tickets for the 10 performances go on sale July 30 and can be purchased at the Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the summer and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the school year.

Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at (208) 282-3595 or online at www.isu.edu/stephens. Patrons can purchase tickets on event nights beginning at 6 p.m.

Season ticket prices are $250 for all performances and $132 to attend five selected performances. The first selection includes Sawyer Brown, Turtle Island Quartet, Kurt Bestor Christmas, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Imago Theatre FROGZ; the second includes ZUM, Irwin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Jim Brickman, Golden Dragon Acrobats and Chanticleer. Individual performance prices and descriptions follow below.

“A Season of Note” consists of the following performances, all beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of Sawyer Brown:

•    Oct. 10 – Sawyer Brown, an American country band that has won several awards including Academy of Country Music Awards “Vocal Group of the Year,” will perform at 7 and 9 p.m. Ticket prices are $36 main level, $32 upper level. Information about the band can be found at www.sawyerbrown.com.

•    Oct. 15 – ZUM features an eclectic blend of jazz threads, gypsy fiddle music, and Argentinean tango with Celtic, salsa, bluegrass, Arabic, and calypso influences. Ticket prices are $24 main level, $20 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.zum.org.uk.

•    Nov. 6 – Irwin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra perform works of jazz masters like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and many more under the direction of internationally known jazz trumpeter Irwin Mayfield. Tickets prices are $28 main level, $24 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.thenojo.com.

•    Nov. 17 – Turtle Island Quartet, fusing jazz and chamber music, won the 2006 Grammy award for Best Classical Crossover Recording of the Year. The quartet is known as the definition of chamber jazz, honoring both styles in their performance. Tickets are $24 main level, $20 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.tisq.com.

•    Dec. 18 – “A Kurt Bestor Christmas” returns for a third year to ISU and captures the spirit of the season with a starry stage, featured musicians and orchestra, as well as Bestor’s own playing, conducting and emceeing. Tickets are $30 main level, $26 upper level. Bestor’s Web site: www.kurtbestor.com.

•    Feb. 13 – Jim Brickman has established a strong reputation for his collaborations with such famous artists as Martina McBride, Kenny Loggins, Collin Raye and Michael Bolton. His music includes pop-style piano solos and romantic popular song. Tickets are $36 main level, $32 upper level. Brickman’s Web site: www.jimbrickman.com.

•    March 6 – Ladysmith Black Mambazo, regarded as South Africa’s cultural emissaries at home and around the world, performs traditional music born in the mines of their country. The group is the number-one record-selling group from Africa and is known for their appealing visual and musical performances. Tickets are $28 main level, $24 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.mambazo.com.

•    March 22 – Golden Dragon Acrobats will return this year after a popular show last season. From Hebei, China, the acrobats have trained since early youth and have toured all 50 states and more than 65 countries. Tickets are $24 main level, $20 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.goldendragonacrobats.com.

•    April 16 – Imago Theatre production of FROGZ is a fantastic creature-theatre performance that brings to life objects, animals and the absurd. The production includes penguins playing musical chairs, acrobatic larvae and yes, frogs. Tickets are $18 main level, $14 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.imagotheatre.com/frogz.shtml.

•    April 30 – Chanticleer, with its blend of 12 male singers known as “an orchestra of voices,” has developed a reputation for remarkable interpretations of vocal literature ranging from Renaissance to gospel. Tickets are $28 main level, $24 upper level. The group’s Web site: www.chanticleer.org.