Purdue Convocations announces its 2006-07 season

Highlights of the season include the Broadway musicals "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "The Producers" and Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," as well as a small-venue performance by acoustic bluegrass band Nickel Creek.

Another highlight of the new season is a collaboration with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra to present the Baseball Music Project, a multimedia presentation of the history and music of baseball, including "Always" by Irving Berlin and "The National Game" by John Philip Sousa. Dave Winfield, retired Major League Baseball All-Star and National Baseball Hall of Fame member, will be the host of the performance that includes a collection of vintage baseball images and video matched with music by the orchestra.

Crossroads and World in Motion are two new series in the Convocations season. Crossroads features acoustic, roots and blues music, and World in Motion focuses on world music and dance.

Also new this season is a miniseries, "Found at the Fringe," which includes theater performances from international fringe festivals.

"Fringe festivals began as a set of unauthorized events taking place around mainstream cultural festivals, and now they've become bigger than the original festivals ever hoped to be," said Todd Wetzel, director of Convocations. "I wanted to capture the character of the quirky, offbeat shows that populate 'the fringe' with the new 'Found at the Fringe' miniseries."

In addition to scheduled public performances, Convocations is offering more educational activities than ever as part of its Experience+ program. These outreach activities include pre-show lectures, films, panel discussions and meet-the-artist events that are open to the public.

"Experience+ events, including opportunities to engage with the artists themselves, give audience members a chance to explore our performances at a deeper level," said Stacey Mickelbart, audience development associate. "They can satisfy their curiosity about an artist's inspiration or a particular art form and also meet others who enjoy the performances."

More than 10,000 students from preschool to high school also will be treated to a series of matinees and artist-in-residence activities at their schools.

"Students are getting more exposure to world-class artists than ever before," said Laura Clavio, Convocations assistant director. "And with the addition of a new scholarship program for schools with financial need, we can reach more students from this region."

As part of the Experience+ program, Convocations has invited several artists to lead educational and outreach activities in the community. These include a one-week residency by The Actors' Gang, directed by Academy Award winner Tim Robbins in a stage version of George Orwell's "1984," and Van Cliburn award-winning pianist Davide Cabassi, whose extended residency is the result of a special collaboration with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra.

Advance tickets are now on sale for all performances and may be purchased as entire series tickets, the flexible Pick 5 package or as single tickets. The per show savings is greatest when tickets are purchased as a series; however, the Pick 5 option allows patrons to create their own package while still enjoying savings over the single ticket price. Discounted tickets also are available for groups of 10 or more. A new seating zone, the Bargain Balcony, will include all seats in the second balcony of Elliott Hall of Music for $20 for all Lively Arts performances.

The Friends of Convocations organization is a key part of Purdue Convocations, said Kendall Purpura, director of development for Convocations.

"Our Friends of Convocations' generous contributions are essential in bridging the gap between ticket sales and the cost of presenting these performances," Purpura said. "Their support makes it possible to bring artists from all over the world to Greater Lafayette."

Friends of Convocations members will receive priority seating if their orders are received by June 5. All other orders are then processed as received. For information on becoming a Friend of Convocations member, contact Stacey Mickelbart at (765) 494-9712.

Ticket order forms are available online, in the 2006-07 Convocations brochure or by calling (765) 494-9712. For complete ticket pricing information and details on all performances, call the box office at (765) 494-3933, (800) 914-SHOW or visit Convocations web site.

The Purdue Convocations 2006-07 season schedule includes:

Lively Arts

• "Baseball Music Project," 3 p.m. Sept. 17, Elliott Hall of Music.

• Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," 8 p.m. Oct. 13, Elliott Hall of Music.

• "The Producers," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, Elliott Hall of Music.

• "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22, Elliott Hall of Music.

World in Motion

• Fès Festival of World Sacred Music, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Loeb Playhouse.

• "Carmina Burana" by Dance Kaleidoscope, 3 p.m. Oct. 29, Loeb Playhouse.

• Diavolo, 7:30 p.m. April 19, Loeb Playhouse.

Center Stage

• George Orwell's "1984" presented by the Actors' Gang, 8 p.m. Nov. 3-4, Loeb Playhouse.

Found at the Fringe (miniseries within Center Stage)

• "Thwak" by the Umbilical Brothers, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Loeb Playhouse.

• The Ennio Morricone Experience, 8 p.m. Jan. 12, Long Center.

• "Teatro Delusio" by Family Flöz, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Loeb Playhouse.

Crossroads

• Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, and Bethany and Rufus, 3 p.m. Oct. 15, Loeb Playhouse.

• David Grisman Quintet, 30th Anniversary Tour with special guests Old School Freight Train, 3 p.m. Nov. 12, Loeb Playhouse.

• Guy Davis, 8 p.m. Feb. 16, Loeb Playhouse.

Classics

• Jessica Lee, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Fowler Hall.

• Salzburg Chamber Soloists, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, Loeb Playhouse.

• Trio con Brio Copenhagen, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Fowler Hall.

• David Finckel and Wu Han, 3 p.m. Feb. 18, Loeb Playhouse.

• Davide Cabassi, 7:30 p.m. March 1, Loeb Playhouse.

• Ethos Percussion Group, 7:30 p.m. March 29, Loeb Playhouse.

Jazz Set

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, Loeb Playhouse.

• The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, 8 p.m. Jan. 19, Loeb Playhouse.

• The Kurt Elling Quartet, 8 p.m. March 23, Loeb Playhouse.

Family Adventures

• Michael Cooper, Masked Marvels and WonderTales, 3 p.m. Aug. 26, Loeb Playhouse.

• Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer in "Scat Like That!" A Family Sing-Along Adventure, 3 p.m. Oct. 22, Loeb Playhouse.

• "Junie B. Jones" presented by Theatreworks USA, 3 p.m. Nov. 19, Loeb Playhouse.

• The Tweaksters! 3 p.m. Feb. 3, Loeb Playhouse.

• Super Scientific Circus, 7 p.m. March 2, Loeb Playhouse.

Special Events

• Nickel Creek, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Loeb Playhouse.

• The Pink Floyd Experience, 8 p.m. Jan. 27, Elliott Hall of Music.

Laura Clavio, (765) 494-9712, lzclavio@purdue.edu

Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations interim director of marketing, (765) 494-9071, knason@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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