Published: August 05, 2008 08:51 am            

Fine Arts Season Line-up

Events to be held in London, Corbin, Williamsburg and Barbourville

Times-Tribune | Staff Report

The 47th season of the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky begins this month, and patrons will see everything from famed pianists to Chinese acrobats during this year’s programs.

“We’re excited about our lineup,” said Program Chair Member Betty Comer. “I’m pretty excited about the Shangri-La Acrobats. We’ve never had anything like that and I think we ought to pack them in on that.”

The Fine Arts Association was founded 47 years ago with the strong support of Betty J. Hamilton, Corbin resident and namesake of Corbin High School’s performing arts center. Hamilton, who had performed ballet herself, wanted to bring classical music and art to small towns, including Corbin, Williamsburg and other communities in southeastern Kentucky.

Count Basie, Duke Ellington and countless others have graced stages across the Tri-County since the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky kicked off its inaugural season in 1962.

The 47th season kicks off this year from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 17 at Corbin High School’s Betty Hamilton Center for the Performing Arts with The Whiffenpoofs of Yale University performing from 2-3 p.m.

Every year, 14 senior Yale men are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Founded in 1909, the “Whiffs” began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory’s Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern.

Today, the group has become one of Yale’s most celebrated and hallowed traditions. The 2008 Whiffenpoofs were featured on the cover of May’s Vanity Fair and travel the country extensively for performances. Robert Liford, a Knox County native, is a member of the group this year.

While the Whiffenpoofs concert and kick-off gala is free to the public, tickets must be purchased for the rest of the season’s events.

Membership into the Fine Arts Association, which includes season passes to all Fine Arts events, continues to grow each year, allowing the association to continue to expand its programs. The majority of funding for the events come from season memberships, private donors and local businesses.

“Friend” level benefits, at $125, include two season subscriptions and a listing in each event program, and “Patrons” who give $250, get four subscriptions, a listing in each program, and limited reserved seating. Sustainer, Benefactor, Guarantor and Producer levels are also available for businesses or large families. Students can get season membership for only $15, and a single adult season ticket is $50. For information on a season membership call 546-4601 in Barbourville, 528-1354 or 620-7952 in Corbin, or 549-8213 or 524-3091 in Williamsburg.

SEPTEMBER - David Osborne Trio

Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m., Grace on the Hill United Methodist Church, Corbin

Oklahoma native David Osborne has been playing the piano since he was 5 years old. He fell in love with the piano at a very early age at the First Baptist Church in his hometown.

A serious man with a great sense of humor, Osborne followed his dream to perform through childhood teachers and finally to a master’s in keyboard performance from Pittsburg State University. David’s recordings on the Northstar Music label have become the number one romantic piano recordings nationwide, having reached millions of fans. Osborne’s frequency of playing for present and past presidents has earned him the title of “Pianist to the Presidents.” David has played the White House and throughout the country for former presidents Carter, Bush, Reagan and Clinton, as well as a host of dignitaries and celebrities. He uses his classical study and technique to execute flawless performances of Broadway, romantic, classical and ageless standards of the American song book.

OCTOBER - Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats

Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., Corbin High School’s Betty Hamilton Center for the Performing Arts, Corbin

For more than 20 years, the amazing performances of the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats (formerly the Chinese Magic Revue) have been the perfect high-energy attraction for hundreds of universities, performing arts centers and corporate events. Under the direction of acrobatic legends the Hai family, the company interprets the precision and grace of an art form honed by years of training and discipline – Chinese acrobatics. Their multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive Kung Fu, brilliant costumes and even a touch of Chinese comedy.

NOVEMBER - The Lexington Singers

Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, London

This year, the Lexington Singers celebrate five decades of powerful and passionate performances. Formed in 1959 by a small group of men and women who felt Lexington needed a community chorus, the Singers have thrived and now include more than 180 voices. Crowds from all over the United States and abroad have had the opportunity to hear the Lexington Singers thanks to Music Director Jefferson Johnson’s “on the road” approach. In 1999, the group performed in Carnegie Hall, followed by performances overseas in Austria and France in 2000. There are eight performances in the concert season for the Singers, including concerts with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, an annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” and a popular spring Pops concert.

DECEMBER - The Dallas Brass

Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., Gatliff Chapel, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg

Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestra nationwide. The ensemble has released six recordings.

FEBRUARY 2009 - “Hello, Dolly!” Musical

Friday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 1, 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., Kohn Theatre, Grace Crum Rollins Fine Arts Center, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg

The University of the Cumberlands’ theater program continues its tradition of excellence this season with the award-winning musical production of “Hello, Dolly!”, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. “Hello Dolly!” is the tale of the hilarious exploits of a meddlesome, matchmaking widow in turn of the century New York City. The original Broadway production opened in 1964 to rave reviews, and it won a record-setting 10 Tony Awards, a feat that wasn’t eclipsed until 2001. Full of exciting sing-along songs, the crowd-pleasing musical was made into a major motion picture in 1969.

MARCH 2009 - “With Malice Toward None” An Abraham Lincoln Drama

March 20, 7:30 p.m., Corbin High School’s Betty Hamilton Center for the Performing Arts, Corbin

The Kentucky Repertory Theatre announces the 2009 tour of “With Malice Toward None,” a multimedia production highlighting Abraham Lincoln’s great speeches, letters and dramatic episodes set in the context of the Civil War. Audiences will be captivated by the performances as they are transformed back in time to a remarkable place in history.



April 25, 7:30 p.m., Conway Boatman Chapel, Union College, Barbourville

Colin Grant-Adams, born and raised near Winchester, England in a predominately Scottish community, was exposed to the culture and heritage that would shape his career. Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and a gifted musician himself, Colin’s father was an early influence on his musical career. Grant-Adams presents an educational, entertaining and fun look at the music, people, heritage and history of his homeland and how its influence has been absorbed into the folk music of America. He takes audiences on a journey to Scotland as he weaves tales of its turbulent history and describes the haunting beauty of its countryside.

        

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