The Border Concert Association will kick off its 68th season this month with what an organizer calls “more musical that what we’ve had for a few years.”
This year’s series is packed with a variety of entertainment waiting to be discovered by audiences, according to Doug Skrief, president of the BCA board of directors.
“Every year, (the board) looks for the highest quality of entertainment that also fits our budget to keep our remarkably low ticket prices,” he said.
Tickets are on sale for the five-show series that will start Sept. 29 and end April 2. The shows are brought to Borderland by Allied Concert Services, an agency which has worked with the BCA Board for decades to scout and book each year’s talent.
The shows will include a variety of genres, including a John Denver tribute artist, a tap dancing duo, a quintet, a clarinet player and a trio that plays 30 instruments.
Ticket prices for all five shows in the 2012-2013 season are the same for U.S. and Canadian concert goers. Admission is $45 for adults, $10 for students, and $95 for a family. All shows will be held in the Backus Community Center auditorium.
Tickets may be purchased in International Falls at City Drug, County Market, and the Backus Community Center office. In Fort Frances, tickets can be purchased at Betty’s, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, and the Fort Frances Museum. Tickets may also be purchased in Emo at the Cloverleaf Store and Emo Drug Store; and Rose Kreger in Rainy River. BCA directors and member representatives will also sell tickets.
According to BCA’s new website, www.borderconcerts.com, the shows are as follows:
Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver, Sept. 29
Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver, starring Jim Curry, is the ultimate tribute experience. Curry has emerged as the top performer of John Denver's music today. This tribute is the first and only full-length Denver tribute to headline in Las Vegas and has been celebrated nationally and internationally.
In addition, CBS television produced a made for TV movie "Take Me Home: The John Denver Story," in which Curry was selected as the singing voice of Denver.
Two on Tap, Nov. 13
Two on Tap marks the creative collaboration of celebrated musical theater performers — and longtime friends — Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano. Their combined love for the beautiful melodies from the early days of Broadway along with the classic precision of tap choreography takes center stage in this hit show.
Reveling in the chemistry and artistry of iconic song-and-dance couples like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Giattino and DeStefano will show audiences why those famous dancing duos continue to impress.
Thüringer Salonquintett, Jan. 27
The Thüringer Salonquintett is a chamber music ensemble committed to the wonderful central European tradition of light and entertaining music.
Transcending notions of "classical" and "popular" music, the quintet combines their impeccable, spontaneous musicality with fun and innovative programming. This combination of technical brilliance with light-hearted programming has guaranteed the quintet a growing world-wide audience. The quintet is comprised of the classic Kaffeehaus instrumentation of two violins (one doubling viola), cello, double bass and piano.
The Fiterstein Trio,
March 1
Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein is recognized for playing which combines flawless technique and consummate musicianship with graceful phrasing and a warm soulful tone. Considered one of today's most exceptional clarinet players, he has performed in recital and with prestigious orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout the world.
Fiterstein was recently honored as the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and he now leads this fabulous trio.
New Odyssey, April 2
New Odyssey consists of three guys and 30 instruments. These outstanding performers deliver music of almost every style including classic rock, country, novelty and specialty arrangements, they are all the calling card of this must see group. As an act that is versatile, funny, novel, talented, and family-oriented, New Odyssey is the ultimate entertainment package.
Skrief hopes that the success from last year will spill over to this year’s season and encourages those who have never attended a BCA show to make this year their first.
“People make discoveries,” he said of the shows. “Frequently the show that people think they will be least interested in turns out to be their favorite.”
