AVENUE Q, CATS Come To University Of Florida Performing Arts In 2009-10 Season

Michael Blachly, Director of University of Florida Performing Arts, has announced the line-up for the 2009-10 Season. If variety is the spice of life, then there is plenty of spice in store this season. From world-famous classical artists and Celtic virtuosos to highly anticipated Broadway tours and renowned dance companies, the UFPA 2009-10 Season has plenty of excitement in store for the new season.

Kicking off the season on September 11, soaring songstress Carrie Newcomer will perform in the soon-to-be dedicated Alan and Carol Squitieri Studio Theatre - located just off the Main Lobby of the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Newcomer's performance marks the first in a new Salon Series of engagements being introduced this season in the Squitieri Studio Theatre. This new venue provides an intimate salon theatre setting where audience members can feel connected with the artist and their work.

Among this season's many talented performers are Gainesville natives Sister Hazel (September 18), The Ten Tenors (November 3), Béla Fleck and The Flecktones - The Holiday Tour (December 6), Nnenna Freelon, Harolyn Blackwell and Mike Garson in special collaboration -Dreaming the Duke (January 22) - a tribute to Duke Ellington marking the 110th Anniversary of his birth.

World premieres coming this season include Steel Hammer (November 13)with the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Trio Mediaeval, a work inspired by composer Julia Wolfe's love for the legends of Appalachia. This partnership performance focuses on John Henry and his race against "The Machine" during the industrial revolution. Another world-premiere, co-commissioned by UFPA, features An Evening of BraziliAHN Trio with special guests Welson Tremura and Larry Crook (February 27). This innovative collaboration explores the beauty of Brazilian music paired with a modern piano trio.

Fans of musical theater and stage won't the disappointed this season. Broadway's smash-hit and Tony-Award winner AVENUE Q (November 9-10) is followed by productions of the classic Camelot (November 27), the feline favorite CATS (January 9-10), a hip-hop phenomenon GROOVALOO (January 15), the musical fantasyland of The Opera Show (February 9) and the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Hairspray (February 10).

For lovers of all things classical, this season's offerings are bountiful. From the Stradivari Quartet (November 8) and Bruckner Orchestra Linz (November 15) to The 5 Browns (January 14) and Joshua Bell (February 6), these are just a few of the choices that will keep classical music lovers entertained throughout the season.

When it comes to dance offerings for next season, UFPA will present several unique offerings including DANCE (September 29), a rarely performed work by one of the pillars of the Judson Dance Theater collective, Lucinda Childs. Other dance companies this season include Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca (November 12), Complexions Contemporary Ballet (January 13) and Israel Ballet (February 14), returning to the U.S. for the first time in 25 years.

Audience favorites will return as well. The popular chamber group Interpreti Veneziani returns for a fourth season running to perform at the University Auditorium (April 18) and Soweto Gospel Choir returns to its "U.S. home" for an inspiring performance perfect for audiences of all ages (February 11).

Additional artists performing next season include Yamato (November 25); Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy (January 23); Eileen Ivers - Beyond the Bog Road (February 20); Christine Brewer, Soprano (February 21); and Richie Havens (February 12).

Tickets for the 2009-10 Season go on sale Thursday, June 18 at noon.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309 or toll free at 800-277-1700. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the web at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.

For more information, visit UF Performing Arts online at www.performingarts.ufl.edu.