Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--MSU's 2010-11 Lyceum Series begins Oct. 5 with Grammy-winning guitarist Earl Klugh, followed by a myriad of musical talent from the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble to Montana Repertory Theatre's "Bus Stop."
Season ticket sales are now under way, and individual reserved tickets become available Sept. 27. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium.
One of the true statesmen of contemporary jazz, Klugh opens this year's Lyceum Series as a 12-time Grammy nominee and with 23 Top Ten Billboard Jazz Chart albums. The New York Times has proclaimed him "a guitarist with impeccable technique."
His 2005 release, "Naked Guitar," brought intimacy in focus on the unaccompanied instrument, while his 2009 "The Spice of Life" earned him back-to-back Grammy nominations in that year. He has been a guest artist with such names as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder and Jimmy Buffet.
Other performers in this year's Lyceum lineup include:
--Feb. 3, Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble is the second company of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a world-renowned ballet company of African-American and other racially diverse artists. The ensemble's repertoire is composed of classical, neoclassical and contemporary ballet and encompasses modern dance and Afro-Caribbean techniques. Dance Theatre of Harlem has received more than 300 official citations for excellence including the National Medal of Arts and a Kennedy Center Honors Award to Arthur Mitchell.
--March 3, Ahn Trio, born in Seoul, Korea and educated at the Juilliard School in New York City, these musicians (cellist Maria, pianist Lucia, and violinist Angella) are constantly redefining the art and architecture of chamber music. Breathing new life into the standard piano-trio literature with commissioned works from visionary composers, they bring a new energy and excitement to the chamber music world. In 2003, they were named three of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.
--March 29, Montana Repertory Theatre brings the richness and intimacy of live theater to the stage with its warm and affecting comedy, "Bus Stop." This musical production exemplifies America's postwar awakening and introduces characters that have since become cultural icons. Providing top-quality theater to audiences across the country since 1968, Montana Repertory Theatre tells the great stories of our world to enlighten, develop and celebrate the human spirit in an ever-expanding community.
--April 14, Chris Brubeck's Triple Play includes three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter "Madcat" Ruth (harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals), Joel Brown, (folk and classical acoustic guitar, and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano, and vocals). Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity, and American spirit to folk, blues, jazz and classical music. The Seattle Times says this group is what jazz should always be about: "good-time rhythm, unbridled joy, and the sweet release but bittersweet aftertaste of the blues."
During the holiday season, the free Criss Christmas Concert on Nov. 30 will feature the talents of Wycliffe Gordon, internationally known trombonist and tubist. Gordon has toured the world as a member of the Wynton Marsalis jazz band as well as a renowned soloist. The Starkville-MSU Symphony Big Band will accompany him and will be led by music director and MSU department of music head Michael Brown. This program is sponsored by J. W. Criss Foundation grants.
Season tickets (reserved seating) for all Lyceum performances are $60 each. They must be purchased in advance by sending a check and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to MSU Lyceum Series Season Tickets, Colvard Student Union, P.O. Box 5368, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Individual performance reserved tickets are $15 each and may be purchased this same way. Children ages 3 to 12 may attend for $8 each when accompanied by an adult.
MSU employee and senior citizen season tickets for the season are $50. For discounts, proof of age or MSU employment should be mailed to the address mentioned above. There are a limited number of reserved tickets available.
Individual general admission tickets and free MSU student tickets are available at the door before each performance.
For more information, telephone the MSU Lyceum Series at 662-325-2930 or visit the website at www.msstate.edu/dept/lyceum.