THE ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS LES BALLETS TROCKADERO de MONTE CARLO

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31st
TIMES-UNION CENTER – MORAN THEATER

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or the Trocks as they are lovingly referred to by their fans, have become an international phenomenon!  The all-male cast of burly ballerinas performs a wide range of ballet and modern dance styles.  With their impeccable technical skill as well as side splitting comedic timing, this performance is sure to have you rolling in the aisles with laughter!
The Trocks perform at Jacksonville’s Times-Union Center on Tuesday, January 31st at 7:30PM.

Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo has established itself over the years as a major dance phenomenon throughout the world, appearing in over 30 countries and over 500 cities worldwide.

The original concept of the show has not changed since 1974; it is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire.  The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance.  The fact that men dance all the parts – heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, or angst-ridden Victorian ladies – enhances, rather than mocks,

the spirit of dance as an art form, amusing the most knowledgeable, as well as novices, in the audiences.

Tickets start at $35.00 and can be purchased at www.artistseriesjax.org or The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373.  Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 632-3228 or groupsales@fscj.edu.

For more information on the show, visit http://www.trockadero.org/.


To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call

The Artist Series Box Office at

(904) 632-3373

(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the

The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

THE ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS
 









THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16th at 7:30PM
TIMES-UNION CENTER – MORAN THEATER

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Back to taunt Jacksonville for a second time,  The Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2005, Monty Python's Spamalot, will return to the fair city of Jacksonville for one night only on Thursday, February 16th at 7:30PM at the Times-Union Center’s Moran Theater.

Lovingly "ripped-off" from the internationally famous comedy team's most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Spamalot is the winner of three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director (Mike Nichols), as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Musical.

The original cast recording of Monty Python’s Spamalot recently won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Based on the Tony Award-winning direction of Mike Nichols and the riotous choreography of Casey Nicholaw, Monty Python's Spamalot features a book by Eric Idle, based on the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, with music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez.

Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Spamalot features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight.  Monty Python's Spamalot is produced by Stephen B. Kane, Michael McFadden and Phoenix Entertainment.  

Mike Nichols has been acclaimed as one of the great American directors in film, theater and television.  He has won the Academy Award and eight Tony Awards.  He recently received the Directors' Guild of America Award for Lifetime Achievement as well as a DGA Award for the direction of the HBO adaptation of Angels in America.

Casey Nicholaw’s outstanding work on Monty Python’s Spamalot earned him nominations for the Tony Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award.  He followed up Monty Python’s Spamalot with another smash hit Broadway musical, The Drowsy Chaperone for which he earned numerous nominations as director and choreographer.

Aside from his work with Monty Python in films and on TV, Eric Idle has written a West End play, Pass the Butler; three novels, including The Road to Mars, The Rutles - A Mockumentary; and many songs too rude to mention.  He has sung opera, acted in movies, appeared on television and crossed America performing comedy on The Greedy Bastard Tour. His diary of his 15,000 mile journey by bus was recently published by Harper Collins, and his long awaited sequel The Rutles2: Can't Buy Me Lunch was released by Warner Video in March.  There's no saying what he might do next...

John Du Prez has composed over 20 feature film scores including A Fish Called Wanda, A Private Function, The Meaning of Life, Personal Services, UHF, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I, II & III. He has worked with Eric Idle since 1978.

Monty Python isn't a person, but a group of British actors and writers (and one American) that performed their famous comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, with subsequent international fame and success.

Tickets for Spamalot start at $46.50 and can be purchased at www.artistseriesjax.org or The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373.  Discounts are available for groups of 10+ by calling (904) 632-3228 or groupsales@fscj.edu.

For more information on the show, visit www.MontyPythonsSpamalot.com.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call
The Artist Series Box Office at
(904) 632-3373
(toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series’ website: www.artistseriesjax.org

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK FOR JAXEVENTS.COM SMG JACKSONVILLE LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE WEBSITE DESIGN

 Have you visited www.JaxEvents.com recently? We’re starting the New Year with a brand NEW look. Our website, managed by SMG Jacksonville, has undergone a major transformation to ease navigation and provide more detailed information regarding events held at SMG managed facilities in Jacksonville. These venues include the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, EverBank Field, and the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

“We collaborated with the directors of each of our Jacksonville facilities to find out more about their specific patron needs and then enlisted the help of the Dalton Agency to make our vision and our design a reality. We’re proud of the finished product, it’s attractive, functional and easy to navigate,” says Robin Timothy, Assistant General Manager & Director of Marketing for SMG Jacksonville.

Sarah Bartlo, SMG Director at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts is the project manager for the website design and launch. Bartlo adds, “We logged countless hours designing the site to fit the needs of our customers. We have to keep up with the times and over the past few years demand for information and instant service online has greatly increased. JaxEvents.com offers more information than ever before along with direct links to purchase event tickets and to reach booking contacts. Plus we have provided a primary, one-stop email address to contact our staff for any questions our patrons might have.”

Log on to www.JaxEvents.com to see our new and improved site. Be sure to click the link on the top right corner to sign up for our JaxEvents weekly newsletter. The newsletter is your ticket to receive concert announcements, exclusive presale offers and event related news.

Follow JaxEvents on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JaxEvents and on Twitter @JaxEvents.

STREET MUSE PROJECT: A DOCUMENTARY PROJECT EXPLORING THE CULTURE OF STREET AND PUBLIC MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FEATURING GULL

The Street Muse Project has launched a Kickstarter for their latest endeavor which seeks to document street performances in Africa.  Says Len Albright, urban sociologist and half of the team behind the project, "We see music as a way for people to form an emotional bond with another person. We see this emotional bond at the heart of cross-cultural learning and compassion. The history, politics, and humanitarian crises of many East and West African nations are very complex and challenging.  Through the sharing of music and musicians' stories, the Street Muse Project will offer all who participate a way to form an emotional bond and starting point for learning and engagement. The stories and music of individuals can lead us all to broader themes of humanity.  We see value in the power of music to inspire learning."

His collaborator on the project is dynamic multi-instrumentalist Gull (Nate Rappole).  Over the past 5 years he has been performing as a street musician across the United States and Mexico and is known for the percussion project that involves the simultaneous playing of the drums and guitar.  In the Spring of 2011, Nate was joined on a tour of the American South by Len Albright, who had recently completed a PhD in urban sociology. They discussed the possibility of interviewing musicians on the streets in other parts of the world and how the sharing of this could open pathways for creative politics and experiences across the globe.  The Street Muse Project was born.

You can learn more about the project, watch Gull in action, and donate at the Street Muse Project Kickstarter.  Gull will also be performing a special "virtual busking" countdown at iconic New York City spots in the hours leading up to the end of the Kickstarter campaign this Friday and Saturday.  Keep track of him and watch him play via his Facebook page.

PARAMOUNT AND CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PARTNER ON "CIRQUE DU SOLEIL WORLDS AWAY", WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ANDREW ADAMSON, AND PRESENTED BY JAMES CAMERON

Studio to Release the 3D Event Film, Worldwide in 2012

Paramount Pictures and Cirque du Soleiljointly announced today that the studio has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the Cirque du Soleil 3D feature film entitled "Cirque du Soleil Worlds

Away". Written and directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "The Chronicles of

Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"), and executive produced by

Academy Award ® winning filmmaker James Cameron, the 3D film event features

artistic and acrobatic performances from some of the most elaborate Cirque du

Soleil productions.The film was produced by Adamson, Aron Warner, Cirque¹s Martin Bolduc and Ed

Jones and Cary Granat. Vince Pace oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the

film.

A number of production companies collaborated to bring the film to life.

In addition to Cirque, Warner and Adamson¹s Strange Weather Productions, Reel FX

and Cameron Pace Group all contributed to this groundbreaking production.

"The coupling of filmmaker James Cameron¹s groundbreaking 3D visual

accomplishments and Andrew Adamson¹s beautiful direction, combined with a

timeless original story written especially for this movie, will make for a truly

amazing moviegoeing experience for audiences of all ages " said Rob Moore, Vice

Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

Said Jacques Méthé, Executive Producer, General Manager, Images, Events,

Lifestyle of Cirque du Soleil, ³This 3D event brings the spectator beyond what

they could see at a show, it takes them on the stage. This unique point of view

allows the audience to discover the artistic details of our productions and

reveal the human spirit that our artists bring to the audience in their

performances. Jim and Andrew have masterfully captured what a Cirque du Soleil

3D experience could offer and Paramount will present it to the world.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of

filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content

company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment

brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in

filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation,

Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and

Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions,

Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount

Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Cirque du Soleil

From the 20 or so performers the company featured when it all began in 1984,

Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality

entertainment with 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists who hail

from some 50 different countries.  Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and

delight to over 100 million spectators in nearly 300 cities on six continents.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit  www.cirquedusoleil.com

AMERICAN VOICES NOW ACCEPTING ENSEMBLE APPLICATIONS TO TOUR WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD

Who/What:

American Voices, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is now accepting ensemble applications for the American Music Abroad 2012-2013 touring season. 

To represent the full spectrum of the American musical landscape, musical ensembles from across the United States that specialize in Hip Hop, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Country, and other American roots music including but not limited to Native American, Latin, Afro-Caribbean, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Gospel and Zydeco are invited to apply for this international exchange program.  TheAmerican Music Abroad program offers the opportunity to conduct musical exchange tours abroad, particularly to countries not often visited by American musicians, to foster cross-cultural engagement and understanding.

When:

January 16, 2012: Application deadline 5pm PST

January 27, 2012:  Announcement of up to 40 ensembles invited to live auditions.

Mid-February, 2012: Live Auditions. 

Spring/Summer 2012: Announcement of 2012-13 American Music Abroad finalists.

Where:

More information and applications for the 2012-2013 tours are available at www.exchanges.state.gov and www.americanvoices.org/ama

Musicians inquiring about applications can call 314-732-1323, email: ama@americanvoices.org or skype: americanmusicabroad

Background:

American Music Abroad engages with people across the world through music.  Working in partnership, American Voices and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will produce a series of month-long, multi-country cultural exchange programs for approximately 10 ensembles drawn from a wide variety of American musical genres.  

Through public concerts, interactive performances with local musicians, lectures and workshops, the American Music Abroad program builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy, which embraces the full range of diplomatic tools – in this case music – to bring people together and foster greater understanding.

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® CIRCUS PRESENTS DRAGONS IS COMING TO JACKSONVILLE JANUARY 19-22, 2012 DRAGONS is a Once in a Millennium Event Celebrating The Year of The Dragon!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents DRAGONS is a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros.^® Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. 

DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends and is coming January 19-22 to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The anticipation builds throughout Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS as Children Of All Ages bear witness to one phenomenal Ringling Bros. circus act after another, from Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants and fierce tigers to the frenzied Globe of Steel. As the audience observes these and even more real world displays that pay tribute to the dragon, their continued excitement will bring glimpses of the elusive beast. But, the big question remains; what will it take to lure a true dragon from its golden lair?

Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS opens an hour before show time with the All Access Pre-show available and FREE to all ticket holders.

For more information, visit www.Ringling.com or visit us on Facebook.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 21 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 22 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

.

Ticket Prices and Purchase:

Tickets are $69 (Circus Celebrity), $45 (Front Row), $35 (VIP), $25 (Upper Level)  and $15 (Lower Level). Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees not included.  All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale November 25 at 10:00 a.m.  Tickets are available at www.ringling.com or www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Jacksonville Memorial Arena  box office (phone: 904-630-3900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.