Fowler Center Series Announced for 2017-18
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, announces the concert lineup for its 2017-18 season.
The season begins Friday, Sept. 22, with Artrageous, followed by two shows with Kevin Delaney on Friday, Oct. 20; Barrage 8, on Friday, Nov. 3; the American Spiritual Ensemble on Tuesday, Jan. 16; Riders in the Sky on Thursday, Feb. 8; Steep Canyon Rangers on Friday, March 16; and An Evening with Andy McKee, the bluegrass duo, on Friday, April 6.
The Riceland Distinguished Performance Series will feature four of the presentations.
The Fowler Center will also present a "family friendly" event, Kevin Delany, sponsored by the Arkansas Science Festival, on Friday, Oct. 20.
Here are Fowler Center's descriptions of the various presentations this season:
Artrageous
Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
With a palette that also mixes captivating vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction, Artrageous takes the audience on a unique visual journey packed with wild inspiration, creativity and fun! The Artrageous troupe of artists, musicians, singers and dancers pay tribute to a variety of art forms, pop icons and musical genres culminating in a gallery of fabulous finished paintings. The result is a one-of-a-kind crossover experience. The signature of the Artrageous Troup is interaction and engagement, so visitors need to be prepared to be a part of the show.
Kevin Delaney
Friday, Oct. 20, at 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Arkansas resident Kevin Delaney is known for his love of science, and his ability to make it fun for all. He developed his unique brand of “awesome science” at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, where he worked from late 2011 until this year. His talent for science communication landed him a recurring role on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” as the resident science presenter, performing demonstrations with Jimmy and celebrity guests as lab assistants. The results have always delivered large-scale eruptions, explosions and more. This show is presented in collaboration with the Arkansas Science Festival.
Barrage 8
Friday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. (10-10-2017 update: This event has been rescheduled for Feb. 24, 2018)
Barrage 8 is the latest project from John Crozman, Dean Marshall and Tony Moore, the original creators of the hit show Barrage. Utilizing the same energy, panache and innovative stage performance that Barrage was known for, Barrage 8 features all the instruments in the modern string family. The "8" in the name represents a re-imagining of the string octet: five violins, viola, cello and double bass. This instrumentation drives a rich and powerful sonic palette that further explores the musical diversity in the Barrage 8 compositions and arrangements. Barrage 8 presents what the Barrage name has come to represent.
American Spiritual Ensemble
Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Comprised of some of the finest classically trained singers in the United States, the mission of the American Spiritual Ensemble is to keep the American Negro spiritual alive. Since its inception by Dr. Everett McCorvey in 1995, the vocalists have thrilled audiences around the world with their dynamic repertoire ranging from spirituals to classical to jazz and Broadway numbers highlighting the Black experience. The American Spiritual Ensemble is unique in that over 90 percent of the members are accomplished soloists who have sung in theaters and opera houses world-wide, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and abroad. The resulting sound of this group is something that choral groups with two or three featured soloists cannot duplicate.
Riders in the Sky
Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
For more than 30 years Riders in the Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. And while remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, and all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life "The Cowboy Way."
Performers in Riders in The Sky are exceptional not just in the sense that their music is of superlative standards (they are the ONLY exclusively Western artist to have won a Grammy, and Riders have won two), but by the fact that their accomplishments are an exception to the rule as well. Riders in the Sky's music and comedy delights cowboys and cowgirls of all ages, and from all walks of life.
Steep Canyon Rangers
Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Grammy® Award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers effortlessly walk the line between festival favorite and sophisticated string orchestra. They’re as danceable as the most progressive, party-oriented string band, and equally comfortable translating their songs for accompaniment by a full symphony. The Rangers are world-class musicians who are just as at home taking the stage at Carnegie Hall as they are knee-deep in a mountain brook, fly rod in hand.
An Evening with Andy McKee
Friday, April 6, at 7:30pm
Andy McKee is among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists. His youthful energy and attention to song structure and melodic content elevates him above the rest. He entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique.
McKee’s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK, and is also the figurehead of the unique Guitar Masters tours. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including tours with legendary acts including Prince and Dream Theater and Tommy Emmanuel. His live performances have become a point of fascination with his loyal followers.
Ticket Information
All seating is reserved. Season tickets and individual tickets are on sale. Contact the Fowler Center at (870) 972-3471 or the Central Box Office in the Convocation Center, 217 Olympic Drive, or call (870) 972-ASU1. Tickets also are available online from the Central Box Office online, http://www.AState.edu/tickets/. For more information, visit www.yourfowlercenter.com or like the Fowler Center Facebook page.
