UF Performing Arts offers summer fun - tickets now on sale

May 15, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Take a musical journey this summer with University of Florida Performing Arts’ “Summer in the City” series. With eight different shows to choose from, you can travel the spectrum of musical fun and family entertainment – all right here in the heart of Florida.

Take the A-Train back to the days of Lindy-hopping while reminiscing with the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and more in American Big Band (June 10). A talented cast of singers, dancers and musicians brings the big band story to vivid life in a show that features hits such as String of Pearls, Mona Lisa, In the Mood and more.

Round out your Father’s Day celebration with Sweet Baby James: The Music of James Taylor (June 15, 4 p.m.) Sweet Baby James was the album that started it all for Taylor. Ranked as one of the 500 greatest albums by Rolling Stone magazine, it propelled him into the folk/rock spotlight and set the tone for his later projects. The first half of Sweet Baby James: The Music of James Taylor celebrates this seminal work, while the second half pays tribute to Taylor’s other great hits.

Remember when rock was fun? The Piano Men – Starring Jim Witter (June 27) is a musical journey through the 1970s, featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. A respected recording artist in his own right, Witter has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years. A few years ago, Witter came up with the concept of featuring music from his two mentors. The result is a multimedia rock musical that features the biggest hits of Joel and John including Don’t Ask Me Why, Crocodile Rock and, of course, Piano Man. The performance is sponsored by 92.5/95.5/107.9 WIND-FM, The Classic Rock Station.

It takes two performers to fill the blue suede shoes of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Performers Mike Albert and Scot Bruce re-create the hits that made “The King” rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest and most enduring icon. Relive the greatest moments of his 30-year career with songs such as Blue Hawaii, Heartbreak Hotel, and It’s Now or Never in Blue Suede Shoes (The Ultimate Tribute) Starring Mike Albert, Scot Bruce and the Big E Band (July 5).

Björn Again – The ABBA Show (July 11) is the ABBA-endorsed, interactive concert that makes audience members part of the show! Celebrate the music of a generation and experience the glitter-laden fun that has crowds singing and dancing all night to ABBA’s greatest hits Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Take a Chance on Me and more.

Especially for our younger audience members, UFPA presents The Backyardigans Live!

(July 24, 4 p.m., 7 p.m.) Nickelodeon’s backyard friends, The Backyardigans, come to life for preschoolers in this brand-new live show, The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights! Join Knights Uniqua and Tyrone as they embark on a quest to protect King Pablo’s unpredictable egg. Along the way, Grabbing Gobblin Austin and Flighty Fairy Tasha join the medieval mayhem as the runaway egg hatches feet and makes an unexpected dash all the way up to Dragon Mountain! The Backyardigans will need the audience’s help to face a mighty dragon and return the egg to the king. The Backyardigans Live! will have the entire family singing, dancing and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship and the power of the imagination.

Experience Pink Floyd’s seminal album in the World Tour Premiere of Classic Albums Live – Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (August 14). Classic Albums Live recreates The Dark Side of the Moon in all of its glory, “note for note” and “cut for cut” using some of the world’s best rock musicians. The performance is sponsored by 92.5/95.5/107.9 WIND-FM.

Up-and-coming bluegrass band Cherryholmes (August 21) is a real family affair with Mom, Dad and four siblings making up the band. Performing a mix of original songs penned by the band members alongside carefully chosen classics, this modern-day “Partridge Family” has become a sensation in the bluegrass world.

Whether you Take the A Train, Take a Chance on Me or experience the adventure of The Backyardigans Live!, UFPA’s Summer in the City series has the cure for your summertime blues.

All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, unless otherwise noted