The Peace Center Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Announces 2010-2011 Season

This year the Peace Center is celebrating 20 years in grand style, with a spectacular line-up of performances and $5 tickets for world-class entertainment.

In celebration of this year's 20th anniversary, and thanks in large part to the generosity of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, the Peace Center is offering $5 tickets for a diverse selection shows as part of the Place for Everyone series. The shows include Diavolo, Interpreti Veneziani, Boston Brass & the Brass All-Stars Big Band, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Guitar Orchestra of Barcelona (see show descriptions below).

"For 20 years, the Peace Center has been blessed with tremendous support from the community, and we are thrilled to be able to share this very special milestone season with them through our Place for Everyone series." said Megan Riegel, president of the Peace Center.

This year's Greenville News Broadway Series includes Dreamgirls (August 10 - 15, 2010), White Christmas (November 9 - 14, 2010), 9 to 5: The Musical (January 4 - 9, 2011), Young Frankenstein (February 15 - 20, 2011), and West Side Story (August 23 - 28, 2011). Broadway tickets are on sale by subscription only until September 13, except Dreamgirls, which is on sale now. Subscribers take advantage of the best seats, priority notices for new shows, ticket exchange privileges, and more. In addition, Broadway Subscribers and Peacekeepers receive preferred seating at all Peace Center productions.

The 2010 - 2011 season includes the following presentations:

Natalie Merchant (September 1)
She's been on the music scene for over two decades with her lush vocals and beautiful songwriting on hits like "These are the Days," "Carnival," and "Jealousy." This former 10,000 Maniacs singer will perform your favorites, along with songs from her latest release, Leave Your Sleep.

Liza Minnelli (September 8)
Liza. What more needs to be said? Winner of four Tony Awards, an Oscar, a special "Legends" Grammy, two Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy, she's one of the entertainment world's most iconic performers. Liza gives new dimension and credibility to the words "superstar" and "Diva."

Lewis Black (Septmber 11)
An equal opportunity eviscerator, Lewis Black returns to Greenville to take on new targets! Sharp, insightful, and hilarious, Black will make you think with one-liners like, "Republicans are a party with bad ideas and Democrats are a party with no ideas."

Diavolo (September 28)
The multi-talented members of Diavolo interact with everyday items such as doors and chairs, ladders, and stairways-shocking and delighting audiences with leaps, spins, contortions, and feats of strength. It's part dance, part circus, and pure entertainment.

Mercy Me (October 21)
BILLBOARD Magazine's #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, Mercy Me has had 22 number one songs, including, "I Can Only Imagine," "Here With Me," and "So Long Self." Come be inspired by these Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and GMA Dove Award winners.

Darius Rucker (October 28)
CMA's New Artist of the Year, Darius Rucker conquered a whole new genre with his first country album, Learn to Live. The former Hootie and the Blowfish singer's first three singles all reached Number One on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, including the smash hit, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It."

Hot Club of San Francisco (November 5)
Return, for the evening, to left-bank Paris of the 1920s. This innovative ensemble creates a live, gypsy jazz-soaked soundtrack to accompany classic silent films by Charlie Bowers, and many others. It's an avant-garde multimedia feast for the senses-unlike anything you've ever experienced.

Interpreti Veneziani (November 16)
From San Vidal Church in Vivaldi's hometown of Venice, comes a string ensemble that can fill a hall with sound, energy, and talent like few others. They'll thrill you with Vivaldi's ravishing "Four Seasons" and bring breathtaking virtuosity to works by Paganini, Boccherini, and Sarasate.

Emmylou Harris (November 21)
Winner of 12 Grammy® Awards, three Country Music Awards, and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, this gifted singer-songwriter has created some of the most stirring and unforgettable music in the American catalogue.

Joe Bonamassa (November 23)
"Unbelievable...one of a kind," raved B.B. King when this rock-blues guitar prodigy was only 12 years old. Now entering his 30s, Bonamassa has already toured with King, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, and Gregg Allman-and is poised to take his place in the pantheon of American guitar greats.

The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis (November 26)
Ring in the season with one of the most popular and best-selling acts in the last 30 years. Classical and modern-day rock converges with acoustic and electronic music to create that Signature Sound-one which is instantly recognizable and totally unique.

Handel's Messiah Rocks (November 28)
Handel might have written it like this...if he had an electric guitar! Featuring stunning visual effects and thrilling songs performed by powerful voices, an orchestra, a rock band, and local choirs, it's a new Christmas tradition that will have audiences of all ages on their feet.

Boston Brass & the Brass All-Stars Big Band (December 7)
Christmas Bells are Swingin'!
A holiday concert to fill your heart with cheer! Prepare for a signature spin on classic carols as well as jazzy new favorites. Contagious energy and fiery performances will have you demanding encore after encore, and wishing that Christmas came more than once a year.

Vince Gill and Amy Grant (December 13)
Country meets Christmas when these superstars blend their voices in an inspirational performance that captures the spirit of the season. This Grammy Award®-winning husband-and-wife team will perform cherished standards and newer seasonal fare, along with some of their biggest hits.

Bill Engvall (January 21)
You may have seen him on The Blue Collar Comedy Tour, TBS's The Bill Engvall Show, and CMT's Country Fried Home Videos, but you haven't heard him like this! Bill Engvall's down-home wit and blue-collar charm have made him one of today's most popular and successful comedians.

Kathleen Madigan (January 28)
She's been called "one of America's funniest female comics," by Jay Leno, and "the funniest woman in America" by Lewis Black. Her wry, witty delivery and sharp observations-featured in comedy specials on both HBO and Comedy Central-have made her one of today's most popular young comics.

Patti LaBelle (February 4)
This Queen of Soul is an incomparable force-having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Hot off her latest project, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, she brings her rich, dynamic voice to rock your soul in this electrifying performance.

Mike Super (February 5)
Other illusionists give you "tricks." Mike Super just might give you a car. Winner of NBC's hit show Phenomenon, he creates a totally interactive magic experience for the entire family. You'll see gravity defied, a reflection come to life, and a car (you may have a chance to own) appear on stage.

Bob Newhart (February 25)
For more than 50 years, this comedy icon's dry narrative style has influenced comics ranging from Richard Pryor to Jerry Seinfeld. Join this living legend-along with his special guest, singer Deana Martin, daughter of the late Dean Martin-as they celebrate 50 years of comedy.

Nicola Benedetti (February 26)
The Philharmonia Orchestra...the Russian National Orchestra...the London Philharmonic...their musicians and audiences have all been thrilled by the passionate performances of this Scottish violinist. In the world of classical music she is a breath of fresh air, a beauty, and an artist at the very top rung.

The Chieftains (March 10)
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day a few days early with these six-time Grammy Award® winners. Ireland's official musical ambassadors, the Chieftains celebrate the wealth of traditional Irish music accumulated over the centuries, combine it with their own unique and exhilarating style, and share it with the world.

Kronos Quartet (March 21)
This ensemble has fearlessly expanded the range of the string quartet to become one of the most influential groups of our time. From the haunting soundtrack for the film Requiem for a Dream, to performing with such diverse talents as Allen Ginsberg, David Bowie, and Dave Matthews, Kronos has redefined chamber music.

Dance Theatre of Harlem (March 30)
An American classic, they keep their choreography and approach to ballet unique, while remaining true to classical technique. This innovative performance takes you behind the scenes-incorporating their trademark dynamic artistry with audience interaction.

Guitar Orchestra of Barcelona (April 16)
Twenty-five incomparably talented Spanish guitarists, together as an orchestra, perform classically-hued transcriptions of music from their rich Spanish heritage and from the classical literature. Charming, passionate, and heartwarming, they appeal to audiences of all sophistications, ages, and tastes.

Girls Night the Musical (May 13)
Girls just wanna have fun in this irreverent musical about five girlfriends out celebrating the engagement of one of their daughters. Get ready to get loose with girl-power hits like "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "It's Raining Men," and "We Are Family." See it with your best friends, your sisters or your mom-just be ready to cut loose and let your hair down.

Tickets to 2010 - 2011 Peace Center presentations are on sale now. For tickets, call The Peace Center's Box Office at 864-467-3000 or 1-800-888-7768 or order online: www.peacecenter.org.

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