Hayes Performing

Arts Center
announces

2009 schedule

The Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock has announced its 2009 winter/spring/summer presenting season, which features a genre-spanning lineup of everything from bluegrass, blues and flamenco to one-man shows, opera and comedy, as well as Hayes Center veterans returning by popular demand and new artists sure to return in the future.

The 2009 fall presenting season will be announced in July.

Events include the following:

Winter Blues Festival - Jan. 23
Cure the seasonal blahs with this blazing ode to all things blues. The popular blues-rock trio The King Bees makes its third appearance on the Hayes Center stage to headline this Jan. 23 concert, a fan favorite now in its third year. Pop Ferguson and Roy Roberts will join them.

John Cowan - Jan. 24
Bassist John Cowan, the lead singer for the erstwhile New Grass Revival, returns to Blowing Rock on Jan. 24 on the heels of his completely sold-out show last year at the Hayes Center. Exploring rock, soul, blues and beyond, this master musician is known for his experimental, exciting concerts and is certain to deliver another barn-burner.

Mike Cross - Feb. 28
An American singer/guitarist/fiddle player who first took up guitar during his college years at UNC-Chapel Hill, Mike Cross, making his sophomore appearance at the Hayes Center, blends multiple styles, from singer-songwriter to acoustic blues to humorous novelty songs (i.e. "The Scotsman" and "The Drunkard"). With his unique musical stylings and folksy Will Rogers-ish wit, the self-proclaimed "wandering hillbilly hippie folk singer" will simultaneously pull your leg and set your toes to tapping. He will be in concert Feb. 28.

Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana - March 3 - 4
The 25-year-old Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana, so named for artistic director Carlota Santana and one of the nation’s premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies, builds a multicultural bridge with a repertoire that includes traditional flamenco, classical Spanish dance and original dramatic works. This March 3-4 event includes a Paella contest to be judged by the dancers.

Quintessential! - March 5
Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music’s new graduate performance ensemble, Quintessential, comprised of two sopranos, a mezzo-soprano, a tenor and a baritone, is accompanied by a pianist in this March 5 concert.

‘Tea for Three’ - March 15
This one-woman play paints a witty and intimate portrait of the often theatrical and always dramatic lives of three consecutive first ladies: Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford. Playwright Eric Weinberger captures the powerful, vital and remarkable moments in the lives of the presidents’ wives. Often funny, and always intriguing, this trip down memory lane reminds us of the political past, but provides a fresh, feminine angle from which to examine the inner workings of the White House, and moreover, an opportunity to be touched by the lives of three extraordinary women. “Tea for Three” will be presented March 15.

ASU Opera presents ‘Cosi fan tutte’ - March 26- 29
Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music presents the famous Mozart opera “Cosi fan tutte” set in 1700s Naples. Don Alfonso convinces two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, to test the faithfulness of their girlfriends, Dorabella and Fiordiligi Così fan pokes fun at a practice well known to the Viennese Court—girlfriend (and boyfriend) swapping. It’s betrayal of love, with a happy ending.

Davis & Dow: Jazz Divas - April 3
The sound of vocalist Julie Davis and guitarist Kelly Dow, who perform an April 3 concert celebrating the wonderful women of jazz, is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but delivered with original playfulness that keeps it fresh and fun. Raved Cadence Magazine: “Brazen Excellence! This duo breathes and thinks as one. Dow’s guitar is positively orchestral in support while Davis’ scatting suggests she probably learned in her bassinet.”

‘Man 1 Bank 0’ - April 4
Patrick Combs’ true-life story of what happened when, as a gag, he deposited a $95,000 junk mail check and the bank actually cashed it: Angry banking officers threatening “jail time” and “death,” the nation’s leading banking authority coming out of retirement, astonishing legal twists, worldwide media coverage, and — ha! — a multiple-award-winning, sold-out Off-Broadway smash of the stranger-than-fiction tale. In short, it was comedic gold. “Man 1 Bank 0’ will be presented April 4.

HayesGrass (quarterfinals) - April 13-14 and April 20- 21
Calling all local bluegrass bands! After last year’s highly successful contest, which saw the Surefire Bluegrass Band besting seven other talented outfits for top prize — which included opening for the Lonesome River Band — the Hayes Center is seeking new acts to vie for this season’s title. The competition is on April 13-14 and April 20-21.

John McEuen - April 17
Following his fabulous, folksy performance last February, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and multi-instrumentalist John McEuen returns April 17 to showcase his diverse acoustic skills on banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Rolling Stone magazine called NGDB's platinum-selling “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” “one of the most important recordings ever to come out of Nashville.” These days McEuen layers his country with folk and rock, but his sound still comes straight from Americana's core.

‘Fire on the Rock’ - April 18-19
This popular challenge, “Fire on the Rock,” finds local chefs engaging in a food fight of sorts, as the gourmands whip up delectable edibles in a playoff-style competition April 18-19 on a stage-rigged kitchen, which include grills, ovens, a bevy of culinary gadgets and, a la “Iron Chef,” a secret ingredient to, well, spice things up.

ASU Gospel Choir - April 23
One of the High Country's most popular ensembles, Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music’s Gospel Choir, presents an evening of inspiration choral music in the black gospel tradition on April 23. Conducted by Jason Thompson, the ensemble electrifies audiences with its energetic singing and powerful message.

Livingston Taylor - April 25
Yes, he’s James’ little brother, but the Boston-born, Chapel Hill-reared singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor is a notable artist in his own right, with a charming and warm stage presence that has manifested a busy concert schedule. His newest CD, “There You Are Again,” was greeted with such praise as “… a CD gem ... a jubilant, star-studded adult pop affair” by the Boston Herald, and “star-studded” and “spirit lifting” by the Philadelphia Daily News.

Rocket Players Youth Theatre presents

‘High School Musical 2’ – April 30- May 10
What time is it? Summertime! School’s out—and the Wildcats are back for an all new adventure. Join Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the rest of the East High gang as they dive into the enchanted world of Lava Springs Country Club and put their talent to the ultimate test. The Rocket Players Youth Theatre will present “High School Musical 2” April 30-May 10.

HayesGrass (semifinals) – May 4-5
The second annual local bluegrass band competition continues with the final four contestants in the Hayes Grass semifinals May 4-5.

Hot Club of San Francisco – May 10
The ensemble Hot Club of San Francisco borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club de France, but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group’s superb lead guitarist Paul Mehling. During this May 10 concert, Hot Club will project on the Hayes BIG Screen a selection of silent surrealist films and accompany them with live gypsy jazz.

HayesGrass (finals) – May 15
After last year’s highly successful contest, the Hayes Center HayesGrass is holding finals May 15 looking to crown this season’s winner to open for the Lonesome River Band on May 16.

Lonesome River Band – May 16
Celebrating 26 years as one of bluegrass music’s most popular and influential acts, the incarnation of the famous quintet, the Lonesome River Band brings its signature sound back by popular demand on May 16. Through vocalists and rhythm sections have come and gone since 1991, Sammy Shelor’s driving banjo style remains constant. The opening act will be the HayesGrass winner.

Michael Cooper - June 13
An eye-popping visual artist and virtuoso mime whose exquisite performances have dazzled audiences for almost 30 years, Michael Cooper’s one-man extravaganza on June 13 combines his breathtaking handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stilt dancing and a physical repertoire that ranges from the madcap to the sublime.

Summer Blues Festival - June 6
The popular blues-rock trio The King Bees makes its fourth appearance on the Hayes Center stage to headline this Summer Blues Festival concert. Last summer they brought the empress of blues Sandra Hall with them. Who will join them this year?

Chicago City Limits – Aug. 23
New York City’s legendary improv comedy show, “Chicago City Limits,” which the New York Post deems the “funniest show in town” and the New York Times raves of its cast as “the perfect masters of improvisation,” performs smart, topical humor in 90 breakneck minutes on Aug. 23. Critically lauded for never lapsing into vulgarity and seldom even stooping to cheap laughs, CCL is inventive and fresh even within the confines of improv styles and games they've been working on and perfecting for decades.

The fall 2009 Hayes Center Presenting shows will be announced during the summer of 2009. More shows will be added throughout the year, so check the center’s Web site frequently.

Tickets are on sale now. Call the box office at 828-295-9627. Persons may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special group rates are also available. Season and Flex passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire ’09 season.

The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road (off U.S. 321), Blowing Rock; phone 828-295-9627.

“The mission of the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center is to pursue excellence in every way, including programming and superior services for our patrons; engage audiences of diverse ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds; instill in the children and youth of the community a lifelong love and participation in the arts; and be a community gathering place for active exchange about culture and creativity,” a spokesperson for the center said.