The B-52s will perform June 24 at Centennial Hall as part of UApresents' new season.
Centennial Hall will be transformed into a love shack in June when The B-52s perform there as part of UApresents’ new season, which this year includes two summer shows.
Joining the veteran new wave band on the Summer Fun bill is country star Randy Travis, who performs at UA in August.
“Centennial Hall is very rarely used over the summer and it’s a great place to beat the heat on a hot summer’s day,” said Mario M. Di Vetta, UApresents marketing and publicity manager.
The University of Arizona arts group seems little fazed by a 75 percent cut in state money, which accounts for only 20 percent of its funding. The 2009-10 season has 32 events, down only four from last year.
Among the highlights are a comedy show by Lily Tomlin, a Christmas concert by Mannheim Steamroller and a Broadway tribute by Barbara Cook and Christine Ebersole. Popular performers returning include country singer Kathy Mattea, Celtic band The Chieftains, folk music royalty the Guthrie Family, world music choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and baroque ensemble Interpreti Veniziani.
Other acts include bluesman B.B. King, crooner Michael Feinstein and classical pianist Olga Kern, who have all played at different Tucson venues in the past.
UApresents also continues its community outreach with a free production of “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later . . . An Epilogue.”
The show “is something that UApresents is extremely proud to be working on,” Di Vetta said. “Communities across the United States will hold this special performance on the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder as Tucson begins a dialogue to educate, debate and raise the collective consciousness in matters of civil rights, violence and bigotry.”
Current subscribers can renew their packages beginning Wednesday. New subscriptions go on sale May 18, and individual tickets will be available June 15.
For the B-52s and Randy Travis concerts, tickets go on sale May 4.
For more information, call 621-3341 or visit uapresents.org.
———
UAPRESENTS 2009-2010 SCHEDULE
SUMMER FUN
The B-52s, June 24
Randy Travis, Aug. 22
SEASON OPENER
The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show, Oct. 3
HOLIDAY
The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller, Dec. 6
CLASSICAL
Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg, Oct. 25
Olga Kern, Feb. 13
Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra, March 8
Interpreti Veneziani, April 15
DANCE
MOMIX: “ReMIX,” Jan. 23
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet “A Cinderella Story,” Feb. 6
Mark Morris Dance Group, March 12
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, April 16
JAZZ & BLUES
Joan Osborne, The Holmes Brothers and Paul Thorn, Oct. 24
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Feb. 28
B.B. King, Nov. 20
The Dave Brubeck Quartet and The Ramsey Lewis Trio, March 26
Monterey Jazz Festival: Kenny Barron Trio, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling and Russell Malone, April 27
WORLD
Tito Puente Jr. and his Orchestra, Oct. 10
TAO: Martial Art of Drumming, Feb. 20
The Chieftains, Feb. 24
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, March 14
CENTER STAGE
Kathy Mattea: “Moving Mountains,” Nov. 7
Michael Feinstein: “The Sinatra Project,” Jan. 30
“The Music of Broadway” with Barbara Cook and Christine Ebersole, Feb. 27
An Evening with Lily Tomlin, March 6
SPOTLIGHT
Ballroom with a Twist hosted by Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing with the Stars,” Nov. 14
Tap Dogs, Sept. 26
“Universe of Dreams” with Neal Conan and Ensemble Galilei, Feb. 12
The Vienna Boys Choir, March 20
Guthrie Family Rides Again, April 9
FAMILY FUN
“A Year With Frog and Toad,” Jan. 24
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
The Laramie Project: “10 Years Later . . . An Epilogue,” Oct. 12