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Whether experiencing Camelot or enjoying Loggins and Messina, this season will prove unforgettable as North Iowa Area Community College proudly announces the 2009-2010 Performing Arts and Leadership Series. The entertainment lineup offers something for everyone including Grammy winning artists, comedy, Tony award-winning musicals and holiday events for the entire family. 

The 2009-2010 NIACC Performing Arts Series will feature Loggins and Messina on August 30; The Lowe Family on September 19; The Country Rat Pack Tour on October 1; Tap Dogs on October 15; Camelot on October 30; Cirque Dreams Illumination on November 19; The Blenders on December 4; Lorie Line on December 16; Annie on December 20; The Adventures of Harold and The Purple Crayon on January 12; Moscow Festival Ballet – Swan Lake on January 16; I Musici de Montreal, Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition on January 30; 50th Anniversary Tour of Second City on February 19; Mad Science Presents “CSI: LIVE” on February 24; Soweto Gospel Choir on March 6; Avenue Q on March 25; and Church Basement Ladies on April 30.

The Leadership Series will feature Dan Buettner, Blue Zone: Secrets of a Long Life on September 24 and Richard Leider, Living on Purpose – Create a Purposeful Life on April 28.

All events will be held at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus. Platinum sponsors for the 2009-2010 series include NIACC; Globe Gazette Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund; the Globe Gazette; Alliant Energy; Henkel Construction; Kraft; Mason City Clinic; Principal Financial Group; and Soener Foundation.  Gold sponsors include Community National Bank; Diamond Jo Casino; First Citizens National Bank; First State Bank of Belmond; Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa; Martin, Cooney, MacNider & Cooney Financial Consultants of Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; Sukup Manufacturing; and Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth.  In kind sponsors include Country Inn and Suites; KIMT; and Pepsi.

Performing Arts season tickets, which can be built according to the buyer, will go on sale for renewals from May 18 to June 5. New season tickets will be sold from June 15 to July 24.  Single event tickets go on sale August 3. Performing Arts and Leadership Series program books will be available to the general public the week of June 15.  All previous ticket buyers will receive a copy of the book in the mail.  Call the NIACC Box Office at 422-4188 or 1-888-GO NIACC, ext. 4188 for details.

Season Tickets Events:
Loggins and Messina
August 30th
Over 35 years since first “Sittin’ In” together, Kenny Loggins and Jimmy Messina are again side-by-side.  For both men, the new tour represents what Jimmy Messina calls “a great and meaningful opportunity.” Kenny Loggins adds, “I’m especially looking forward to the L&M audiences. I love to see the good old friends from the 70's, and the ones we made in '05 too, as well as the friends I’ve picked up as a soloist along the way. This reunion proves to me that anything is possible. Now we get to see where it goes from here.”  The opening band is The Gabe Dixon Band, formed nine years ago by Gabe Dixon, whose resume includes performing with Alison Krauss, O.A.R., and others.  The talented youngster played keyboards on Paul McCartney’s “Driving Rain,” while also backing him at the internationally broadcast “Concert For New York City.”  For more information, visit www.logginsandmessina.com.  This event is sponsored by Henkel Construction.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

The Lowe Family
September 19th
“Think colossal, then think beyond that.  Only then do you have an idea of the titanic amount of talent within the Lowe Family.  They're a miraculous combination of every kind of musical, theatrical and dance talent you can dare to imagine, and then some!"  – Julie Kilmer, entertainment reporter 
"The musical capabilities of the entire family are amazing.  They have honed their skills so that they can perform any type of music-and do it with exceptional skill.  The finale was the best!  Simply outstanding!" – Johnnie Wolf, Cincinnati Post 
The Lowe Family has been entertaining hundreds of thousands of fans around the world for over 25 years.  All seven of the Lowe Family siblings began studying and performing music from very young ages.  Soon additional instruments, dance classes, and vocal lessons were added...along with more teachers and more practice time.  The rest is history.  Versatile on many instruments, the Lowes offer an amazing blend of show-stopping classical, Broadway, Irish, jazz, bluegrass, old-time favorites, dance, 6-part harmony, gospel, a stirring patriotic tribute, and more!  This high-energy, fast-paced variety show will leave you breathless!  After every performance the same words seem to resonate in the audience, "How can one family have so much energy and so much talent!?"  For more information, visit www.thelowefamily.com.  This event is sponsored by First State Bank of Belmond.  Call 422-4188 for tickets and Overture Dinner reservations.

The Country Rat Pack Tour
Featuring Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, and Richie McDonald
October 1st
Join these three great country artists, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, and Richie McDonald, as together they perform all of the great hits that they recorded throughout their careers.  This will be an acoustic concert with all three artists performing their own hits from their separate careers together.  Each singer will contribute their greatest hits to the performance as one Country Rat Pack for a rockin’ evening.  Come hear chart-topping country hits, such as “Amazed,” “No News,” “I’m Already There,” “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo,” “Watermelon Crawl,” “The Keeper of the Stars,” “Can’t Break It To My Heart,” “Texas Tornado,” and many more.  This event is sponsored by Alliant Energy Foundation.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Tap Dogs
October 15th
The international sensation Tap Dogs is back and ready to leave dents on stages all across North America. Created by Olivier Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry, with a construction site set by designer/director Nigel Triffitt, and a driving score by composer Andrew Wilkie, Tap Dogs is rough, tough, rockin’ theatrical entertainment. Winner of 11 International Awards, Tap Dogs premiered at the Sydney Theatre Festival, moved on to London and New York, and has been a howling success all across North America, Europe, Asia, America, and Australia.  For more information. visit www.tapdogs.com.  This event is sponsored by Mason City Clinic.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Camelot
October 30th
Rediscover the grandeur of one of history’s greatest love stories in Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece, Camelot. A sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign, Camelot follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere, and the young Lancelot.  With one of Broadway’s most enchanting scores, featuring the hauntingly romantic “If Ever I Would Leave You," "I Loved You Once in Silence," and "Follow Me," Camelot is the definitive musical theatre fable.  This event is sponsored by Martin, Cooney, MacNider & Cooney Financial Consultants of Raymond James & Associates, Inc..  Call 422-4188 for tickets.
 
Cirque Dream Illumination
November 19th
“Dazzling! Great family entertainment and a reason to stand up and cheer.” – New York Daily News
In the spirit of the enormously successful Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, the only show of its kind to ever perform on Broadway, comes the newest stage spectacle from Cirque Dreams, created and directed by Neil Goldberg.  Cirque Dreams Illumination is a bustling city of incredible dreamers set in a landscape of towering buildings and infinite possibilities.  Ablaze with lights and activities, objects and shapes transform into windows and stairways that lead beyond imagination.  City dwellers collect objects that are balanced beyond belief, linemen delicately walk wires, daredevils leap tall buildings, and flyers redefine the risks of flight.  Everyday occurrences are transformed into astounding feats performed by an international cast of acrobatic urbanites, flexible fanatics, world-class athletes, musicians, and more.   This action packed Cirque Dream is brought to life with over 100 inventive costumes and set in a fantastical cityscape of dimension and special effects. Cirque Dreams Illumination will surpass its “jaw dropping, family friendly spectacle” proclamation by the Los Angeles Times and exhilarate audiences of all ages.  For more information visit, www.cirqueproductions.com.  This event is sponsored by Community National Bank.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

The Blenders
December 4th
A new collection of everybody’s favorite soul songs will get you in the holiday spirit as The Blenders take the stage at the North Iowa Community Auditorium.  The Blenders’ influences stretch far and wide. The self-described vocal band has forged a sound that’s earned them a huge fan base, critical acclaim, and accolades from recording artists such as pop diva Erykah Badu to the legendary Les Paul, plus a 2007 Emmy Award. Their harmony-packed and hilarious holiday shows in the Midwest have become a family tradition with rousing performances of beautifully arranged carols and hymns, tricked out holiday standards, and their own enduring and endearing Christmas songs that have become instant classics.  For more information, visit www.theblenders.com.  This event is sponsored by First Citizens National Bank.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Lorie Line
December 16th
This year's holiday extravaganza will celebrate the wonderful season of Christmas.  Sure to be a great night of music and fabulous costumes.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Annie
December 20th
Leapin’ Lizards!  America’s most beloved musical, Annie, is back on a 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope.  The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is “one of the best musicals ever,” proclaims the Chicago Tribune.  The original Broadway production of Annie won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book, and Score.  It ran for 2,377 performances, and has subsequently been produced all over the world.  The original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and Annie continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever.  Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard Knock Live,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.,” and the ever optimistic “Tomorrow,” you can bet your bottom dollar that Annie will bring a smile to your face.  This event is sponsored by Kraft.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

The Adventures of Harold & the Purple Crayon
January 12th
“One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight.” So begins “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” the first of seven delightful picture books by Crockett Johnson, following the zany adventures of an inventive young boy.  As it turned out, there wasn’t any moon that night nor was there a path to walk on, so Harold simply drew them. Resourceful and brave, Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky is the limit imagination. Enchantment Theatre’s production will take school and family audiences on a wild ride as Harold jets to Mars (shooting stars, space ships!), joins a circus (he walks a tightrope!), and meets a king in an enchanted garden (of course, there’s a dragon).  The “Harold” books have captivated families for more than 50 years, celebrating the imagination of children and the unique way they see the world. That’s why Enchantment Theatre, one of America’s most innovative producers of original theater works for children and families, has adapted these wonderful stories for the stage. Using all the elements of its signature style, which combines life-size puppets, masks, magic, and music, Enchantment Theatre’s production will delight and amaze audiences, from children starting at Harold’s age, all the way up to grandparents — anyone, in fact, whose heart is young and adventurous.  The two school performances (Preschool – 3rd grade) for the event are at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  To reserve a block of tickets for your school, contact Elizabeth Gales 641-422-4354.  Schools Don’t Forget – use the Big Yellow School Bus Grant to celebrate the arts!  Visit the Iowa Arts Council web site for a quick and easy grant application!  (www.iowaartscouncil.org – follow the links to Funding).  This event is sponsored by Kraft.

Moscow Festival Ballet – Swan Lake
January 16th
The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, Sergei Radchenko, sought to realize his vision of a company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in an independent new company within the framework of Russian classical ballet.  Leading dancers from across Russia have forged under Radchenko’s direction an exciting new company staging new productions of timeless classics.  The 50-member company will perform Tchaikovsky's famous Swan Lake.  Tchaikovsky drew from multiple sources to create the story of Swan Lake, including Slavic folklore and the work of Alexander Pushkin. Today, critics consider the ballet to be one of the cornerstones of Russian classical ballet, along with The Nutcracker. This ballet, composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, tells the story of Prince Siegfried and his search for love. He finds it in Odette, the Swan Queen, but a plot by an antagonist interferes with their blossoming affection.  This event is sponsored by Mason City Clinic.  Call 422-4188 for tickets and Overture Dinner reservations.

I Musici de Montreal
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Performed with Large Screen Projections of the Award-Winning Film of Animated Paintings by Yuli Turovsky
January 30th
In this inventive interpretation of “Pictures at an Exhibition,” I Musici de Montréal, one of the world's finest 15 piece chamber orchestras, combines Mussorgsky’s timeless compositions with large-screen animated projections of Yuli Turovsky’s inspired paintings. Every turn of musical phrase, harmony, tempo, or rhythm is choreographed with a movement in the elements of the paintings, creating a stunning visual commentary of the musical content - paintings for the ears and music for the eyes.  In 2007, this film won an “Excellence in Cinema Award” at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.  Fanfare Magazine recently recognized I Musici de Montréal as "one of the best chamber orchestras in North America." The centerpiece of this powerful all-Russian program features the Mussorgsky Classic in a production with digital large-scale projections of paintings by acclaimed artist Turovsky.  For more information, visit www.imusici.com.  This event is sponsored by the Soener Foundation and the MacNider Museum.  Call 422-4188 for tickets and Overture Dinner reservations.

50th Anniversary Tour of Second City
February 19th
Performing a special medley of classic scenes, songs, and improvisation, The Second City Touring Company is always original, daring, and hilarious.  Their alumni list is a veritable "Who's Who" of comedy, including Peter Boyle, Bill Murray, John & Jim Belushi, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George Wendt, Ryan Stiles, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Tim Meadows, Joan Rivers, John Candy, Bonnie Hunt, Stephen Colbert, Chris Farley, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, and so many more.   The Second City Touring Company has been bringing laughter and joy to packed houses all over North America for over 45 years. Funny and fast-paced, The Second City is ideal entertainment for audiences both new and old.  The Second City is always topical, highly interactive, and sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles.  For more information, visit www.secondcity.com.  Not advised for children.  This event is sponsored by the Globe Gazette.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Mad Science Presents “CSI: LIVE!”
February 24th
Mad Science presents “CSI: LIVE!” an exciting, interactive journey through the fascinating world of crime scene investigations.  When a crime is committed at the Las Vegas premiere of the “Max Spade Magic Show,” the CSI team springs into action.  Sydney Mathis and David Hart play the roles of CSI investigators and are on the case, assisted by supervisor Gil Grissom through a live video connection from the Las Vegas Crime Lab.  Audience members will jump up on stage and become part of the action; becoming witnesses, suspects, and CSI recruits.  Together they will use their superior logic and forensic know-how to uncover hidden details, investigate the evidence, and test their theories.  Whether it’s analyzing mysterious gasses, launching projectiles into a target, or firing a laser beam across the stage, the CSI recruits will have to be on their toes to help solve the crime before it’s too late!  How was the crime committed?  Who is guilty?  Only YOU can find the answers.  It’s “CSI: LIVE!”—join the adventure!  The two school performances (Grades 4-8) for the event are at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  To reserve a block of tickets for your school, contact Elizabeth Gales 641-422-4354.  Schools Don’t Forget – use the Big Yellow School Bus Grant to celebrate the arts!  Visit the Iowa Arts Council web site for a quick and easy grant application!  (www.iowaartscouncil.org – follow the links to Funding).  This event is sponsored by Alliant Energy Foundation.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Soweto Gospel Choir
March 6th
Winner of two Grammy Awards, the Soweto Gospel Choir was formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music.  The 26 person choir, under the direction of David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, draws on the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto.  This choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world.  For more information, visit   www.sowetogospelchoir.com.  This event is sponsored by Sukup Manufacturing.  Call 422-4188 for tickets and Overture Dinner reservations.

Avenue Q
March 25th
Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. He meets Brian, the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée, Christmas Eve; Nicky, the good-hearted slacker, and his roommate Rod, a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And, believe it or not, the building's superintendent is Gary Coleman! (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.  For more information, visit www.avenueq.com.  Not appropriate for children.  This event is sponsored by Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Church Basement Ladies
April 30th
A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, Church Basement Ladies is a new musical comedy that follows four women as they prepare food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church in 1964. From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, we see them handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, an Easter fund raiser, and, of course, a steaming hot July wedding. They stave off potential disasters, share and debate recipes, instruct the young, and keep the Pastor on course. With good, clean laughs and memorable characters, Church Basement Ladies is heavenly fun for all!
Church Basement Ladies is inspired by the renowned Scandinavian Lutheran humor writings of "The Lutheran Ladies," Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, authors of a host of humorous books, the most famous being Growing Up Lutheran. The script is by Jessica Zuehlke and Jim Stowell, with music and lyrics by composer Drew Jansen, who did the music for the long-running hit musical, How To Talk Minnesotan: The Musical.  This event is sponsored by the Soener Foundation.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Leadership Series Speakers:
Dan Buettner
Blue Zones: Secrets of a Long Life
September 24th
World-renowned explorer and National Geographic writer, Dan Buettner, and his team of researchers have travelled across the globe to discover Blue Zones -- hotspots of human health and vitality.  Along the way, Dan has met people teeming with vigour at age 100 and beyond. These healthiest, longest-lived people have shared their secrets with Dan, and he’s passing on those secrets.  Dan and his team of top demographers, scientists, and physicians have studied the elders’ diet, lifestyle, and culture to create a cross-cultural blueprint for living longer that they will share with you. “We know there’s a recipe for longevity and that 75 percent is related to lifestyle,” Dan said. “And we’re figuring it out.”  His presentation incorporates National Geographic images that will take audiences into the world’s four Blue Zones, tell stories, and instruct how to get more life from your years and more years from your life. The presentation ends with a simple formula that shares how you could add up to eight good years to your life.  Dan is an Emmy Award-winning documentary producer and  has been seen on CNN, Late Night with David Letterman, ABC's “Good Morning America,” “Martha Stewart,” “Primetime Live,” the NBC Today Show, and featured in an hour long “Oprah Winfrey Show.”  For more information, visit www.bluezones.com.  This event is sponsored by Globe Gazette - Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund, Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa and Principal Financial Group.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

Richard Leider
Living On Purpose – Create a Purposeful Life
April 28th
People who are living on purpose feel a sense of aliveness every day and seek to make a difference in the world around them.  A Purposeful Life is living with meaning and intention.  Ranked by Forbes as one of the Top 5 most respected coaches in America, Richard is a bestselling author with over 30 years experience in coaching people to live and work on purpose.  Founder and Chairman of The Inventure Group, a coaching and consulting firm that helps people discover the power of purpose, he is an internationally recognized coach who works with many leading organizations such as 3M, Boeing, Caterpillar, Ameriprise Financial, Pfizer, The American Leadership Forum, and Habitat for Humanity. As a workshop leader, he has taught over 100,000 executives from 50 corporations worldwide.  A Nationally Certified Master Career Counselor, Richard holds a Master’s degree in counseling. He is a Senior Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing and an Expert On Purpose.  For more information, visit www.richardleider.com.  This event is sponsored by Globe Gazette - Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund, Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa and Principal Financial Group.  Call 422-4188 for tickets.

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