Dec 2, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events
GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING CASTING CROWNS EXTENDS
20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR TO 20 MORE CITIES IN THE SPRING,
THE FINAL LEG OF THIS MILESTONE EVENT
Presented by Compassion International,
The Spring Tour Launches April 4
Fan Pre-Sale Begins Wednesday, Dec. 6th at 10 a.m.
General On-Sale Starts Friday, Dec. 8th at 10 a.m.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dec 1, 2023 – GRAMMY® winning multi-platinum group Casting Crowns will extend its Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience this coming spring, a final opportunity for fans to experience this very special anniversary event. Celebrating a milestone 20-year career, the band will be joined on tour by a live orchestra. Presented by Compassion International, the 20-city spring leg of the tour begins on April 4, in Norfolk, Va., and will make stops in Greenville (SC), Nashville, New York, Chattanooga, Fort Wayne, Birmingham, Savannah, Atlanta, Shreveport, among others. The tour will end its run in Baton Rouge, La., on May 10.
General on-sale begins Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. local time. Ticket options include a special 20th Anniversary Premium ticket, which offers the best seats in the house, pre-show access to the VIP Lounge with complimentary beverages and snacks, a band drop-in appearance at the VIP Lounge, an exclusive premium gift, souvenir laminate, early entry/access to merch shopping, and an exclusive merch discount. Ticket information can be found at CAClive.com/CastingCrowns.
This milestone anniversary tour commemorates two decades of Casting Crowns’ expansive repertoire of chart-topping albums, featuring hit songs like “Scars In Heaven,” “Only Jesus,” “Nobody,” “Praise You In This Storm,” “East To West” and many more.
“This special anniversary tour is a way to celebrate all that God has done so far, and we wanted to do something different,” says Casting Crowns lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall. “We’ll be bringing an orchestra, creating some really special, unique moments, sharing stories from our journey together, and playing the songs you’ve enjoyed from us since the beginning. We hope you will come out and celebrate and join us on the final run of this special 20th Anniversary Tour!”
The 20th Anniversary Spring Tour announcement comes on the heels of the band’s brand new theatrical release, a documentary film entitled HOME BY SUNDAY, the remarkable story behind the band’s 20-year journey. The film, distributed by Sony Music Entertainment, released on Thursday (Nov.30) with limited screenings in North American Theaters. Casting Crowns has also released Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years, a special-edition album featuring reimagined versions of the biggest songs of the band’s storied career with featured collaborations.
ABOUT CASTING CROWNS
The prolific and chart-topping CCM group Casting Crowns has achieved sales milestones with more than 13 million albums sold. Additionally, they have received numerous RIAA certifications: one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum® album, five RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, seven RIAA Gold® albums, four Gold DVDs, seven RIAA Platinum singles, and 15 RIAA Gold digital singles. The group has had 15 career No. 1 radio singles, as well as more than 3.6 billion streams life to date. Casting Crowns has also been honored with four American Music Awards (out of seven total nominations), a GRAMMY Award® for their 2005 album Lifesong, and eight additional GRAMMY Award nominations. In addition, the group has garnered 18 GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, and 13 total Billboard Music Award nominations. For more information, visit CastingCrowns.com.
The Community Arts Center is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennsylvania College of Technology, a national leader in applied technology education.
Nov 26, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us; consider slowing down and reflecting while listening to the glorious sounds of the season. The Susquehanna Valley Chorale will offer their annual tradition, Candlelight Christmas, on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 10 at 3 pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury.
The beloved performance features the 100-year-old tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols.
William Payn serves as Conductor and Music Director and Coleen Renshaw serves as Accompanist, as well as SVYC Director.
The SVC ensemble includes over 60 members. The performance will be accompanied by Elizabeth Asmus on harp, David Cover on organ, the Commonwealth Brass, and percussion, as well as a traditional candlelighting to conclude the performance.
The concert will feature traditional carols such as Once in Royal David’s City, Silent Night, Joy to the World, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Other selections include Dan Forrest’s Arise, Shine, Paul Carey’s Ding Dong Merrily on High, Eric Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque, Glenn Rudolph’s The Dream Isaiah Saw, Dan Forrest’s Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, and Eriks Esenvalds’ Trinity Te Deum, among others.
Special Guest: Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale
The Chorale will be joined by special guest, the Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale, which includes two dozen singers from across the region in grades 2-12. They will perform: The Colors of Christmas and Christmas Bells are Ringing, accompanied by four handbell ringers. Verlaine Shaw will accompany on piano and Coleen Renshaw will direct the ensemble. The SVYC will also accompany the SVC on the following pieces: The Dream Isaiah Saw and Candlelight Carol.
Sponsors for the performance include: Martha and Alan Barrick and Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Estate. The Co-Sponsor is Mifflinburg Bank and Trust. Underwriters include: Gloria Karchner, Jackie Paul and Al Bothe, Jr. and Bernadine Richard.
Tickets for the performance are $25 for adults and $10 for students.
Tickets are available online at SVCMusic.org, by calling 570-547-0455 or at the door.
For more information about this performance and future performances, visit SVCMusic.org.
Nov 19, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events, Theater
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome Mariachi Herencia de México on Thursday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. This performance will include both traditional mariachi music and holiday favorites.
Celebrate the holidays with “A Mariachi Christmas” featuring Mariachi Herencia de México. The Latin GRAMMY-nominated band performs Mexican and American Christmas favorites, including the group’s reimagined holiday hits “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and many more. Filled with music and holiday cheer, this colorful celebration of holiday traditions is perfect for the whole family.
The performance is sponsored, in part, by Martha and Alan Barrick and Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Estate.
This engagement of Mariachi Herencia de Mexico is made possible through the ArtsConnect program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre’s influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed the Mariachi Herencia de México.
The energetic, virtuosic Latin GRAMMY-nominated group has issued chart-topping albums and performed across the North American continent. “Nuestra Herencia,” their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts and earned the band their first Latin GRAMMY® nomination. 2018’s “Herencia de la Tierra Mía” was produced by celebrated industry veteran Javier Limón and charted atop all major streaming services. 2019’s “Esencia” topped industry charts, while a second volume, issued in 2020 performedsimilarly. In 2022, “Herederos” appeared as the group were performing a wildly successful North American tour. “Herederos” received a 2023 Latin GRAMMY® nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album.
TICKETS
Tickets are $30 for adults, $24 for seniors 62+ and subscribers, $20 for youth 18 and under, $20 for Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2), free for Bucknell students (limit 1) and $20 for non-Bucknell students (limit 2).
Tickets can be reserved by calling 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.
Tickets are also available in person from several locations including the Weis Center lobby (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the CAP Center Box Office, located on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
For more information about this event, contact Lisa Leighton, marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, go to Bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or search for the Weis Center on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
Nov 11, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events
The Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale (SVYC), an educational outreach program of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale will present its fall performance, “The Wonderful Songs of Disney,” on Sunday, November 19 at 3 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Road in Lewisburg. Selections will include familiar Disney tunes from Cinderella to Frozen, and many more.
Coleen Renshaw serves as Music Director and Conductor and Verlaine Shaw serves as Piano Accompanist.
Two dozen students will perform the following songs: Do you Want to Build a Snowman?, It’s a Small World, Seize the Day, The Bare Necessities, Hakuna Matata, Scales and Arpeggios and You’ve Got A Friend in Me, among others.
The Preparatory chorus includes: Shreya Brahma, Ella Fetzer, Audra Folk, Elyse Isaacs, Catherine Kisvarday, Laine Kolak, Averie Kuhns, Etta Leighton, Jaydon Persing, Nicolette Persing, and Noor Zafar.
Camerata includes: Ian Kennedy, Ellie Kisvarday, Zoli Kisvarday, Bryce Leininger, Taylor Persing, Lily Ryan and Emma Straub.
Valley Singers includes: Rachel Goocey, Russell Goocey, Sarah Criswell, Madison Leininger, Tiffany Posner, Mathieu Strong and Nikolai Strong.
The students represent a dozen local towns: Lewisburg, Milton, Beaver Springs, Paxtonville, Richfield, Millville, Watsontown, Selinsgrove, Danville, Mifflinburg and Hughesville.
Several soloists will also be featured in the program.
Coleen Renshaw said of the program, “We are thrilled to feature music from the world of Walt Disney. Our singers have enjoyed learning the music which accompanied the memorable films. We will sing songs that span from Cinderella in 1937 all the way to the present including current pieces from the movie Frozen. Join us for an uplifting musical journey that will have you humming along to these familiar tunes.”
Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students, 5 years and under free and are available at the door or by calling 570-547-0455.
For more information about the SVYC, please visit SVCMusic.org/sv-youth-chorale/
Youth Singer Auditions
Do you know a young singer who loves to sing? Encourage them to be part of the Susquehanna Valley Youth Chorale and its spring performance! The SVYC offers excellence in choral instruction to singers in grades 2-12.
SVYC’s youth program complements school music programs, giving talented youth singers the opportunity to sing and perform at an advanced level with other highly motivated singers from the Susquehanna Valley. Singers enjoy learning more about music, improving their musicality, making new friends and presenting a concert for the community. The spring performance takes place in late April.
Auditions will take place in January at Sharon Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove and are held to better understand level of singing ability. For more info, please contact Youth Music Director, Coleen Renshaw, at 570-765-0637 or [email protected].
Nov 11, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events, Theater
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome Okaidja Afroso back to the Weis Center on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. He will present a new project called “Jaku Mumor” that combines African oral tradition, percussion, guitar, dance and native language vocals.
The performance is sponsored, in part, by Evangelical Community Hospital and the Class of 1953 Fund.
Born into a family of musicians and storytellers in Kokrobite on the west coast of Ghana, Okaidja Afroso is a singer, guitarist, percussionist and dancer deeply connected to the musical traditions of the African Diaspora and devoted to bringing together diverse modes of expression in pursuit of global harmony.
His five albums, most recently Jaku Mumor, chart a journey from his past as a vocalist, percussionist and dancer with the Ghana Dance Ensemble and Obo Addy through to the present, as a confident and mature songwriter and collaborator.
Afroso ushers in a fresh breeze of musical flavors from the shores of Ghana’s Atlantic Gulf of Guinea, drawing from the ecological knowledge of the indigenous Ga-Dangme fishermen — the power of the nature-based rituals and the connections that his ancestors had to the elements, particularly the ocean.
With his new project “Jaku Mumor” his distinctive musical style extends ancestral traditions and creates a contemporary African oral tradition, combining percussion, guitar, dance and native language vocals. His artistry is grounded in traditional dance and rhythms with modern harmonies and updated lyrics. “Jaku Mumor” dives deeper into Afroso’s cultural roots by collaborating directly with the fishermen to share the full artistry of their a-cappella singing and chants that awaken the spirit of the human soul.
TICKETS
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62+ and subscribers, $15 for youth 18 and under, $15 for Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2), free for Bucknell students (limit 1) and $15 for non-Bucknell students (limit 2).
Tickets can be reserved by calling 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.
Tickets are also available in person from several locations including the Weis Center lobby (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the CAP Center Box Office, located on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
For more information about this event, contact Lisa Leighton, marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, go to Bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or search for the Weis Center on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
Nov 5, 2023 | Music, News, Regional Arts Events
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome the Danish String Quartet on Sunday, November 5 at 4 p.m. at the Weis Center.
The performance is sponsored, in part, by Teri MacBride and Steve Guattery.
The Danish String Quartet celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022-23, and the Grammy-nominated quartet continues to assert its preeminence among the world’s finest string quartets.
Formed when they were in their teens, the members are renowned for impeccable musicianship, sophisticated artistry, exquisite clarity of ensemble and, above all, an unmatched ability to play as one.
Performances are characterized by a rare musical spontaneity, giving audiences the sense of hearing even treasured canon repertoire as if for the first time. They exude a palpable joy in music making that has made them one of today’s most highly acclaimed and in-demand classical quartets, performing sold-out concert halls around the world. Their inventive and intriguing programming and repertoire choices have produced critically acclaimed original projects and commissions as well as popular arrangements of Scandinavian folk music.
At the Weis Center, they will present:
- Mozart: Divertimento in F-major K 138
- Thomas Adès: The Four Quarters
- Benjamin Britten: Three Divertimenti
- A selection of folk music
The Danish String Quartet has been the recipient of many awards and appointments, including Musical America’s 2020 Ensemble of the Year and the Borletti-Buitoni Trust. The Quartet was named in 2013 as a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and appointed to the Bowers Program (formerly CMS Two). The Quartet was awarded the 2010 NORDMETALL-Ensemble Prize at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival in Germany, and, in 2011, received the Carl Nielsen Prize, the highest cultural honor in Denmark.
TICKETS
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62+ and subscribers, $15 for youth 18 and under, $15 for Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2), free for Bucknell students (limit 1) and $15 for non-Bucknell students (limit 2).
Tickets can be reserved by calling 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.
Tickets are also available in person from several locations including the Weis Center lobby (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the CAP Center Box Office, located on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center (weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
For more information about this event, contact Lisa Leighton, marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, go to Bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or search for the Weis Center on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
