Fine Arts Association Season 56 concert schedule released

Live from Laurel Canyon will kick off the 56th annual Fine Arts concert series in August.

The Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky released its 56th annual season of shows … a series of performances that ranges the gamut from traditional American folk music, opera and acrobatics.

“I believe our programming for this season is simply unparalleled,” said Better Comer, Program Coordinator for the Fine Arts Association.

“This year’s season will feature performers who are new to us as well as those who have been brought back by popular demand.”

The season will kick off Aug. 26 with “Live From Laurel Canyon: Song’s and Stories of American Folk Rock.” The show features music from American folk icons like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, James Taylor, the Mamas and the Papas and more, all who called the Hollywood neighborhood of Laurel Canyon their home.

September 26 is the date for a much-anticipated performance by “The acoUstiKats,” the University of Kentucky’s premier male vocal ensemble. The group has impressed crowds in venues all around the country, and competed on NBC’s popular competition show “The Sing-Off.”

On November 6, “Sound the Trumpets” will reunite duo Vincent DiMartino and Australian trumpeter John Foster for a special engagement concert. All manner of instruments from the trumpet family will be used including the conch shell, Shofar, Digeridoo and the English Slide Trumpet.

The traditional annual Christmas show this year will take place on Dec. 9 with a performance of Handel’s “The Messiah” by the Lexington Singers — a “commentary on Jesus Christ’s Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension.”

The season will roll into the new year on February 17, 2018 with a performance of Rossinis’s Cinderella by Peach State Opera. Though a little different than the tale you are accustomed to — this version has a wicked stepfather, a philosopher in lieu of a fairy godmother and a bracelet instead of a glass slipper — goodness and nobility still prevail.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats, the only remaining Chinese acrobatic company touring year-round in the United States, will close out the season on March 20.

Times and locations for Fine Arts Association shows can be found in this week’s newspaper on page A-?. Information regarding how to purchase a season subscription and cost is also contained in the advertisement.

Comer said creating a compelling series of shows annually would not be possible without support from fine arts season subscribers and co-sponsors. Sponsors for shows this season include: Baptist Health, Whitaker Bank, The Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission, The City of Williamsburg, the Williamsburg Tourism and Commission, Union College Music Department, Anne K. Hoskins and Usha and Jagdish Patil.

For more information on the Fine Arts Association, you may call: Betty Comer at 606-524-1354, Milton Dunaway 606-546-4601 or Frankie Ball at 606-524-3091, or go online to www. fineartsseky.org.