Belly dancers, acrobats, jugglers, actors and a wide range of musicians will take the stage this season of the Kent Spotlight Series.
Arlo Guthrie, the Bellydance Superstars, The Peking Acrobats and Roger McGuinn are among the 16 artists scheduled to perform over the next eight months at the Kentwood Performing Arts Center, the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center and the ShoWare Center.
“We always try to make it a nice variety of different music, theater and dance,” said Ronda Billerbeck, the city culture programs manager, of the 12th annual Spotlight Series, presented by the Kent Arts Commission and the city Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. “It’s pretty music-heavy.”
Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers open the series with their 1940s and 1950s swing and blues music at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Kent-Meridian. Tickets are $26 for general seating, $24 for seniors ages 55 and older and $20 for those ages 25 and younger.
Guthrie and his family conclude the series at 8 p.m. May 1 at the ShoWare Center. Tickets cost $40 for VIP, $37 for premium and $27 for reserved seats.
“He (Guthrie) was here with a much smaller band in 2005,” Billerbeck said. “With the Guthrie family, it’s him and his kids and grandkids.”
Members of the Arts Commission as well as city leaders wanted to see a couple of events at the ShoWare Center, the city-owned facility that opened in January.
“It’s an opportunity to venture into presenting bigger shows where we need more seats to accommodate fans,” Billerbeck said. “We’ll give it a try and see how it goes.”
Besides Guthrie, the ShoWare Center also will host the Pink Floyd Experience at 8 p.m. Jan. 21. The two-hour tribute show features six musicians, a massive light show and Pink Floyd icons such as the blinking eye, marching hammers and pig blimp.
“It’s a well-known and high-quality tribute show with the music and stunning production value,” Billerbeck said.
Tickets cost $42 for VIP, $34 for premium and $27 for reserved seats.
The world-touring belly-dance show comes to Kent for the first time. The Bellydance Superstars perform a7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Kent-Meridian. Tickets are $30 for general seating, $28 for senior citizens and $25 for those ages 25 and younger.
“It’s a big production show sort of like Riverdance but with belly dancers,” Billerbeck said.
The Peking Acrobats come back to town for the third time on Jan. 29 at Kentwood. The acrobats last appeared in 2007 in Kent. Tickets are $30, $28 or $25.
“They are always a favorite,” Billerbeck said.
McGuinn, the former front man for The Byrds and an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist, plays at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Kentwood. Tickets cost $26, $24 and $20.
Other shows include the “Late Nite Catechism” play on Dec. 12, the “In the Mood” musical on Feb. 20 and juggler Thomas Arthur on March 20.
For ticket information, go to www.kentarts.com or call 253-856-5051.
Kent Spotlight Series 2009-2010
Sept. 26: Lavay Smith
Oct. 10: Bellydance Superstars
Oct. 23: Roger McGuinn
Dec. 6: Magical Strings
Dec. 12: Late Nite Catechism (play)
Jan. 21: Pink Floyd Experience
Jan. 29: The Peking Acrobats
Feb. 5: International Guitar Night
Feb. 6: The Little Engine That Could (theater)
Feb. 20: In the Mood musical
March 11: Men of Worth
March 13: Robinson Crusoe (theater)
March 20: Thomas Arthur (juggler)
April 3: Hapa
April 9: The Wailin’ Jennys
May 1: Arlo Guthrie and family
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