NORWICH – The Chenango County Council of the Arts in Norwich has announced the lineup for its 2007/2008 performance series.
The season opens on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. with a performance by Burkina Electric. Created by New York based composer and drummer Lukas Ligeti, with vocalist Mai Lingani from Burkina Faso, the group brings new concepts to both Burkinabe music and Western club electronica by infusing computer-based performance with rhythms and other elements of African Burkinabe traditions.
Grupo Greg Ribot is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Grupo Greg Ribot is an acclaimed quintet that features band leader/composer Greg Ribot and Argenitean guitarist/composer Francisco “Pancho” Navarro. The group performs original Latin American music, including Cumbia, Bomba, Rumba, Afoxe, Joropo, Argentine Folk and Brazilian.
On Friday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. the Celtic inspired pop rock group Ceili Rain takes the stage. “A tight band composed of solid vocal harmonies, tin whistles and Highland pipes, this six-piece group is led by Syracuse’s Bob Halligan, who is no stranger to composing killer hooks…Bob has written songs for Judas Priest, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult, Cher, Michael Bolton and even Fabio.”
These three performances are being supported by the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. In addition to the public performances, each of the three groups will spend a multi day residency in a county school.
The holiday season will get underway at the Arts Council the Sunday after Thanksgiving with “Babes in Toyland.” Set at the turn of the 20th century, Victor Herbert’s timeless musical classic weaves fantasy and reality as audiences follow a young brother and sister’s adventures in Toyland. This production of the time honored holiday musical includes the famous “Toyland, Toyland,” “March of the Toys” and additional songs from Victor Herbert operattas. An unforgettable holiday treat for the entire family! The Nov. 25 performance will begin at 5 p.m. and is sponsored by Kerry Bio-Science.
Audiences around the globe have fallen in love with Eileen Ivers, the pre eminent Irish fiddler in the world today. A short list of her accomplishments, headliners, tours and affiliations include Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Nine Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston Pops, musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Hall and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Al Di Meola, Steve Gadd, founding member of Cherish the Ladies, performed for Presidents and Royalty worldwide. She will perform at the Council of the Arts on Friday, February 29 at 8 p.m. Her performance is being sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company.
The final show in the series will take place on Sunday, April 27 when the swashbuckling silent film classic The Mark of Zorro is screened with a live performance of its original, Spanish-flavored score played by Rick Benjamin’s Paragon Orchestra. Old Spanish California is the setting in which Douglas Fairbanks creates the prototype of the modern adventure hero. Slashing his trademark “Z” on the consciousness and sometimes the posteriors of the corrupt administration of Governor Alvarado, Zorro leads the way with action and humor to “Justice for All!” Paragon Orchestra and The Mark of Zorro are sponsored by NBT Bank.
Additional suppport for the 2007/2008 performance series has been received from Senator Tom Libous and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.
Season ticket prices range from $72 to $103 with discounts for students, senior citizens and members of the Chenango County Council of the Arts and are available by calling the Council at 336-ARTS (2787). Individual tickets for each of the performances will go on sale Sept. 1.