Rockapella Comes To The University of Nebraska-Lincoln 10/6

The Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln turns 21 during the 2010-11 season and kicks off its year-long birthday party Oct. 6 with a performance by the internationally recognized a cappella group, Rockapella.

"The Lied Center is very excited to kick off the new season with a group as dynamic as Rockapella. They create incredible sounds with just their own voices and put on a show that audiences around the globe love," said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center.

Rockapella's 7:30 p.m. performance at the Lied Center is sponsored by Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha and by Friends of Lied.

Catapulted into fame by writing and performing the theme song for the TV show "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" Rockapella kicks off the Lied season with creativity, harmony and a unique sound. Featured on PBS and HBO, Rockapella has become known nationwide for its unique sound, signature harmonies and innovative style. That success has led to international tours and numerous studio albums.

The group has also been hailed by the New York Times as "...the most accomplished contemporary a cappella group." Described as "often imitated, never duplicated," Rockapella brings a new flavor of contemporary music to the Lied Center.

Rockapella reached its first milestone as a featured performer on the PBS television special, "Do it a Cappella," hosted by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. Created to showcase the supreme capability and virtuosity of the human voice, the program was a perfect platform for Rockapella's talent and infectious energy to be noticed.

When their appearance on "Do it a Cappella" hit the airwaves, the doo-wop stereotype of vocal group pop music was crushed so hard that PBS came calling again. It requested Rockapella not only write and record the theme music for their soon-to-be-hit show, "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" but asked that the group star in the show as the house band. The daily Rockapellafest of "Carmen" brought 10 million viewers every week for the next five years, and to this day, at every concert the group performs, fans scream to hear the theme song they remember from the show.

Rockapella is the progenitor of a new flavor of contemporary pop music, one that has spread across the United States, Asia and Europe. Since 2003, Rockapella has been crisscrossing the country with it annual "A Rockapella Holiday" tour, spreading the joy of the holiday season through its music. Rockapella has also collaborated with the Boston Pops orchestra and together they've sold-out venues throughout the United States. The released their most recent recording in May.

Tickets for Rockapella are $25 for adults and $12.50 for students/youth. For tickets, visit www.liedcenter.org or call (402) 472-4747. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available.

The Lied Center is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility at 301 N. 12th St. (map at http://go.unl.edu/bpo). Opened in 1990, it is Nebraska's "Home for the Arts." The facility offers major regional, national and international events designed to attract, entertain and inspire a statewide audience. The Lied Center and its programs are made possible through the generous 2010/2011 season support of Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust, Friends of Lied, Ameritas and Union Bank.

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