Artists for the Performing Arts Series

Best known for the stuttering number three single "Give Me Just a Little More Time," the Chairmen of the Board were one of the smoothest and most popular soul acts to emerge from Detroit in the early '70s. Although their time at the top of the R&B charts was brief -- their first Top Ten arrived in 1970, their last in 1973 -- they recorded a handful of '70s soul classics, all distinguished by the high, trembling vocals of General Norman Johnson, who also wrote the bulk of the group's material.

The Chairmen of the Board's first single, "Give Me Just a Little More Time," was an instant hit, reaching number three on the pop charts and number eight R&B in early 1970, putting Invictus on the map. Two other singles, "(You've Got Me) Dangling on a String" and "Everything's Tuesday," followed, which established them as R&B chart contenders, but they failed to climb past 38 on the pop charts. Although the subsequent "Pay to the Piper" reached number 13 on pop, it was their last Top 40 hit. The Chairmen of the Board continued touring and releasing albums until 1976.

Legendary music icons, THREE DOG NIGHT, enter their 4th decade bringing with them some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets than THREE DOG NIGHT.

This Grammy-nominated band is not content resting on their legacy alone. Always working to expand their audience, THREE DOG NIGHT has embraced and been embraced by 21st century music technology. New fans buy THREE DOG NIGHT's music on iTunes as well as at record stores. In fact, their releases from this decade alone have sold nearly 1 million copies! On web sites such as MySpace, Facebook, iLike, Hi5, imeem and Bebo, THREE DOG NIGHT has garnered over 1,000,000 music plays. THREE DOG NIGHT maintains an aggressive, year-round touring schedule of over 80 dates a year.

Boasting chart and sales records that are virtually unmatched in popular music, THREE DOG NIGHT had 21 consecutive Top 40 hits, including 3 #1 singles, 11 Top 10's, 18 straight Top 20's, 7 million-selling singles and 12 straight RIAA Certified Gold LPs. Their hits appeared on best selling charts in all genres (pop, rock and country).

"Don't look for the stereotypical top hat and black cape of an old-time magician. The Spencers are young, attractive and hip 21st-century entertainers."
-- The Dallas Morning News, TX

Walk away from the Spencers’ show and you’ll be surprised at what you hear. These masters of mystery never cease to amaze. Kevin and Cindy Spencer have mastered an elusive quality that elevates an ordinary performance into the realm of inspired awe. With charisma, their personalities travel beyond the stage lights to touch not only their viewers’ inquisitive minds, but their hearts as well.

For more than a decade, Kevin and Cindy Spencer have entertained audiences throughout the United States and around the world with one of the most successful touring illusion shows in the nation. They have earned the reputation as one of the most highly regarded acts in magical entertainment and one of the most sought-after illusion teams in the business. Their show, The Spencer's Theatre of Illusion, is much more than a magic show. It’s a powerful theatrical experience that you will never forget.

And be prepared to experience the magic yourself because the Spencers don’t want you to just sit there and watch - they want you to participate! You Won't Believe Your Eyes!

Firefall	Saturday – November 22, 2008	7:30 pm

Firefall seems an especially appropriate handle for the country-flavored rock 'n' roll band that carried the torch of musical forebears such as The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Flying Burrito Brothers into the mid 70s and beyond.

By 1983, they'd cut eight albums (scoring gold for the first three, with the third going on to platinum-plus), and put 11 singles on the charts, including such unforgettable tunes as "You Are The Woman", "Just Remember I Love You", "Cinderella" and "Strange Ways". Throughout the 1980s, the band continued to tour and were a popular live act, playing fairs, festivals, theaters and bigger clubs, and occasionally joined their friends The Doobie Brothers, The Beach Boys, Little River Band and Bob Seger on bigger stages. Firefall's original singles were still faves with pop and A/C radio audiences, and as the classic rock radio format evolved, a number of the band's songs enjoyed renewed exposure.

Firefall has toured extensively in the U.S., including three trips to Alaska, Europe twice and Japan twice. The group endures because of the strength and integrity of their music. In concert, they can play over an hour of nothing but hits and radio recognizable tunes. Firefall flourishes because of the energy and spontaneity that is so evident on stage and in the studio.

Cab Calloway Orchestra	Saturday – December 13, 2008	7:30 pm

You won't forget it: those smooth, shiny instruments all in a row, the soloists singing and playing their hearts out, the silky smooth ensemble passage work, those spicy brass harmonies, the whole room bouncing and swaying to the irresistible rhythm, everybody singing "HI DE HO!"...It must be The Cab Calloway Orchestra, now under the Baton of Cab's Grandson: C. Calloway Brooks. The Calloway family has been dazzling audiences since the 1920's and this year is no exception. Calloway Brooks, along with The Cab Calloway Orchestra deliver both the authentic sound of a hot Jazz orchestra and a snazzy stage style - bringing out a Jump, Blues, and Boogie experience of “Swing that is king and Jive that's alive”.

Using the Calloway band's original vintage orchestrations as a starting point, coupled with the awesome musicians who have played with this big band for decades, The Cab Calloway Orchestra creates the authentic, unforgettable sensation of a Modern Jazz Orchestra in full flight. So, if you want to Swing, Swing, Swing, and every other thing, strap on your Zoot Suit with the “reet pleet” and bring that Cotton Club brand of hot sophistication and the REAL Minnie the Moocher to your stage!

Ballet Jörgen – “Anastasia”	Friday – January 16, 2009	7:30 pm

Ballet Jörgen – “Anastasia” Ballet Jörgen Canada will create its largest undertaking to date with the magical story of the Russian princess Anastasia. Created by acclaimed choreographer and Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen, Anastasia will be set to an original full orchestra score by Canadian/Russian composer Ivan Barbotin.

The mystery of what happened to the young 17 year old princess, Anastasia, has fascinated people for 90 years spanning a multitude of books, movies and musicals. Anastasia is both a tragic story of a simple, innocent girl and the subject of modern mythology, as little is certain of what actually happened that fateful summer of 1918. The human drama of this young girl born into privilege and cast out into a world of immense heartache proves an extraordinary gripping tale. The ballet will explore the emotions, aspirations and affections of this loveable yet controversial character as the world is transformed around her.

Ballet Jörgen Canada, renowned for its ability to succinctly tell a fascinating story in an engaging and dramatic fashion will follow the young daughter of the fallen Russian emperor through the ballrooms of St. Petersburg, the Russian Revolution, to captivity and beyond.

The Fifth Dimension	Saturday – February 7, 2009	7:30 pm

The Fifth Dimension In 1967, a little known vocal group called The 5th Dimension recorded a song called “Up, Up and Away” which turned out to be one of the biggest smash hits in musical history. The single won several Grammy Awards, the group capitulated to stardom, and their story has been one of success ever since.

The 5th Dimension has released over a dozen hit albums and received 14 gold records, 6 platinum records and 7 Grammy Awards. The 5th Dimensions classics include such hits as: “One Less Bell To Answer,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep,” and “Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In.”

The 5th Dimension has headlined in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City regularly and continues to tour extensively throughout the rest of the United States, Europe and the Orient. Their personal appearance itinerary has placed them on the world’s most glamorous stages for over 40 years, including a tour of England and a performance at Radio City Music Hall with the late Frank Sinatra. While remaining true to their roots of intricate harmonies, The 5th Dimension continues to grow with the times to appeal to audiences of all ages and nationalities.

The Grascals	Saturday – March 14, 2009	7:30 pm

The Grascals appreciate the innovative mingling of bluegrass and country music that has been a hallmark of the Nashville scene for more than forty years. As their two Grammy nominated releases, The Grascals (2005) and Long List Of Heartaches (2006), prove, whether they're digging into one of their original songs and instrumentals, reworking a bluegrass classic like ''Will You Be Loving Another Man,'' interpreting bluegrass-country songwriter Harley Allen's award-winning ''Me And John And Paul'' or urging guest Steve Wariner on to a blistering guitar solo on his ''Hoedown In Motown,'' the Grascals' rare musical empathy gives them an unerring ear for just the right touch to illuminate each offering's deepest spirit.

In a remarkable feat, the sextet moved to the top of the bluegrass world in just one year from winning the International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year award (2005) to earning its top Entertainer of the Year honor (2006), while scoring a Song of the Year trophy, entries in myriad critics' ''best of the year'' lists and a set of personal appearances that would be the envy of almost any entertainer.

Whether in the studio or on stage, their music both honors the past and forges into the future, bringing a breath of fresh, yet familiar air to a musical world that, all the evidence shows, just can't get enough of it.

John Ford Coley & Ambrosia	Saturday – April 4, 2009	7:30 pm

John Ford Coley , singer, musician, actor and author, continues to play for a worldwide audience. Most famous for his work as half of the grammy-nominated duo “England Dan and John Ford Coley”, where he's received double platinum and gold records, John also did teen films and a few TV roles in the 1980s, has written songs for films, and continues to produce other artists.

John Ford Coley is most famous for hit songs such as: “Love Is The Answer”. “Gone Too Far”, “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight”, “Nights Are Forever”, “We’ll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again”. “Come Back To Me”, “Soldier In The Rain”, “Sad To Belong”, “Simone”, “Westward Wind”, “Part of Me, Part of You.” In 2003, the “Nights are Forever” song appeared in the feature film “Dickie Roberts Former Child Star”.

In between the extensive road duty, John lives in the Nashville area with his family of wife, kids, and quarter horse, where he's penned a book on his years in the music industry.

Ambrosia is one of America's best loved Pop acts. In the new millennium the members of Ambrosia have given some of their most ambitious concert performances to date. The buzz surrounding Ambrosia isn't surprising given the heights the band scaled during the 70's and early 80's. Top 10 hits such as "Biggest Part of Me", "How Much I Feel", "You're the Only Woman" and "Holdin' on to Yesterday" have earned the band five Grammy nominations, continual radio airplay, and multi-platinum status. Though a headlining world tour and three Grammy nominations followed, one of the biggest honors bestowed upon them was Quincy Jones' declaration that "Biggest Part of Me" was one of his all time favorite songs.

The Year 2008 marks the 38th anniversary of Ambrosia, and the band has celebrated with a very busy touring schedule that has reaped box office success, while proving to the world that Ambrosia will be a driving force in the new millennium.