Appalachian Performing Arts Series opens with musical parody ÔCapitol Steps'

Kara Hodge - Entertainment Beat

The Appalachian Performing Arts Series, starting Sept. 28, will feature shows ranging from ballet, classical music, drama, operetta and jazz, to ethnic dance, musical theatre and political satire for the 2000-01 season.

ÒCapitol StepsÓ is the first show of the series, and premieres Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. The musical and political parody will be performed by a troupe of congressional staffers-turned-comedians that travel the country satirizing the very people and places that employed them. Started in 1981 at a Christmas party of former U.S. Senator Charles Percy, ÒStepsÓ has performed over 500 shows a year all over the United States.

The second piece of the Appalachian Performing Arts Series features jazz spokesman T.S. Monk. The son of the jazz composer and pianist Thelonious Monk, T. S. Monk became obsessed with drums at the age of seven after listening to his fatherÕs recording session of ÒBrilliant Corners.Ó T.S. Monk began playing trumpet and grew up under the influences of Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Monk can be seen on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.

The North Carolina Dance Theatre will be performing ÒSnow WhiteÓ and other works on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Acclaimed for its talented dancers and high energy, the group features a variety of shows ranging from interpretation of full-length classical ballet to contemporary works. The company has made several successful New York City appearances and two European tours, plus performed at major dance festivals including Spoleto, American Dance Festival and the Aspen Dance Festival. The story-ballet ÒSnow WhiteÓ hopes to bring family into the traditional production by combining humor and dance to the childrenÕs classic.

Operatic style and music will bring the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players to Farthing Auditorium Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. As the companyÕs most popular opera, ÒThe MikadoÓ has spawned a number of imitations.

The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players were founded in 1974 by Artistic Director and General Manager Albert Bergeret who uses the Gilbert and Sullivan Canon with a corps of repertory singers, comic actors and musicians to create a unique piece for the audience.

The final performance of the millennium will be Charles DickensÕs classic ÒA Christmas Carol.Ó Featuring outstanding sets, period costumes and special effects this new production has been adapted for the stage by Buffy Sedlachek with original music composed by Kevin Rotty, along with a number of traditional English Christmas carols.

ÒA Christmas CarolÓ highlights the story of a powerful redemption and the simple message of selfless giving and will be performed Monday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.

The Appalachian Performing Arts Series is also offering a new way for students to get tickets for the shows this year. The Office of Cultural Affairs is offering a Student Flex Card, which allows students to pay in advance for up to six tickets at a time. The Flex Card offers the convenience of pre-paying without the hassle of deciding what shows to attend. The card is presented at the door for redemption and can be purchased for $36 at the Farthing Auditorium Box Office.

Season tickets are also available through Sept. 28. Prices range from $59.40 for students to $138.60 for faculty. Individual tickets are priced at $6 for university students, $14 for university staff and $16 for the general public. All shows will be performed in Farthing Auditorium. For tickets, questions about the Flex Card, or for more information about the Performing Arts Series, call the Farthing Box Office at 262-4046 or visit the web site at www.oca.appstate.edu.

Collapsis once again proves to be big hit to Boone audience

Ian Hutchinson - Entertainment Beat

When you are trying to pull the audience onto the dance floor for an opening act, it is hard to pry a lovely freshman from her set of newfound groupies or a skeptic from his beer. Nonetheless, that attempt was made at Legends Friday night.

Initially, there were a series of stops and starts among one group of students. They would start to stand up to approach the stage, but then they uneasily sat back down. When asked why, they said, ÒWeÕre waiting for a rocker.Ó

After about fifteen minutes of Shiver rocking, the same group of students (groupies included) showed their appreciation for the opening act and approached the stage. While a domino effect did not occur in the audience, a few brave souls ventured forward to show their respect while they cowardly guarded their beer.

For a new opening act, especially one new to America, the Switzerland-based Shiver performed with excellent musicianship.

They had a style reminiscent of Radiohead and appear to have a promising future. They had an excellent series of originals as well as a few great covers in their set.

During one of their rockers, this listener not only heard a great sonic variety, but at one point, a deftly woven James Bond riff was incorporated into the song.

Possibly the only flaw of their performance was the transition between songs, but thatÕs to be expected in many fledgling acts.

After the Shiver set was complete, a few returned to their all-but-neglected alcohol while several waited in anticipation of Collapsis. The freshmen and her groupies waited as well.

It wasnÕt long before Collapsis took the stage and the audience reception was great. Collapsis returned to Legends with an incredibly polished show, an obvious result of their recent success and the number of concerts they have played over the last year.

Frontman Mike Garren showed excellent improvement when it came to interacting with the audience and the band itself flowed seamlessly from one song to the next.

The highlights of the set were ÒStumble,Ó ÒAutomaticÓ and ÒOctober.Ó Every song performed on the album ÒDirty WakeÓ that evening was perfectly reproduced in the live atmosphere of Legends.

Overall, the entire show was worth its weight in gold. The only snags during the show were some conflicts between the soundboard and the stage microphones, which could have easily been avoided.

If youÕre looking for a great show, be sure to check out Collapsis the next time they are in your area.