Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) Aug. 4 announced its 2011-2012 Main Stage season.
Four diverse offerings will bring music, dance, comedy and theater to the Veh Family Stage beginning Sept. 24.
Presentations will range from choral to comedy and from African American spiritual to jazzy bluegrass, along with a passionate fusion of South American tango and chamber music.
The 35-member CSO Spiritual Ensemble will open TFAC’s new season on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
Founded in 2008, this Charleston Symphony affiliate, under the charismatic direction of Nathan L. Nelson, will present a program of spirituals, the historical musical form born of the suffering and endurance of African slaves after arriving to the shores of this country.
The program, titled “Circa 1871: An Ode to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers,” honors this simple yet profound pillar of American musical culture.
The Krueger Brothers will return to TFAC on Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. This powerful trio draws on their rich cultural background to present music that is at once jazz, classical and bluegrass.
Area students will have the opportunity to participate in a master class with these innovative artists.
Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m., the Veh Family Stage will sizzle with the seductive sounds of Quintango.
Accompanied and enhanced by world championship dancers, Washington D.C.’s string quintet is dedicated to the musical performance of the Tango.
Immediately following the performance, the dancers will lead a tango class on the stage.
Frank Ferrante, actor, director and producer of the Off Broadway production “An Evening with Groucho,” will perform his fast-paced interactive comedy at TFAC on Tuesday, April 3 at 8 p.m. Described by the New York Times as “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material,” Ferrante will delight audiences with songs, stories and Marx mayhem.
He will share his talent and experience with young area actors by offering a master class.
Season tickets are currently being sold at TFAC with a savings over individual ticket prices.
Individual tickets go on sale Sept. 6 for the Spiritual Ensemble and Sept. 27 for the remaining Main Stage shows.
Call 828-859-8322 for more information or visit tryonarts.org. Box office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday.
– article submitted by Marianne Carruth