Fairfield arts center announces performing arts season

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center has announced its lineup for its 2023-24 Performing Arts Season.

The season includes 12 acts from October through May, ranging from country music to ballet to hip-hop. Season tickets and package sales are available to purchase now at the arts center’s box office by calling 641-472-ARTS. Individual tickets can be purchased starting Sept. 5.

Fairfield Arts & Convention Center Executive Director Lindsay Bauer said she is very pleased with the variety of shows the arts center is offering patrons this season.

“We are excited to offer a diverse array of performances for the upcoming season, showcasing some of the world's most talented and sought-after artists,” she said. “From dinosaurs to dance, from country music to classical, we have something for everyone and we look forward to sharing another incredible season of performances with our community and visitors from afar.”

Shows in the artist series begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Children 3 and under are free, and youth aged 4-17 can purchase a youth ticket for $10 in person.

The 2023-24 Performing Arts Season is as follows:

Oct. 5 — Hotel California

This Eagles tribute band will deliver a night of unforgettable rock songs such as “Take it Easy” and “Hotel California” that will transport you back to the band’s glory days of the 1970s. Bauer said this is the group’s first time performing in Fairfield.

Oct. 15 — Glenn Miller Orchestra

This world-famous musical act returns to Fairfield to play its timeless classics like “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

Nov. 16 — Vienna Boys Choir

The Vienna Boys Choir last performed in Fairfield about eight years ago, and the group returns this year. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious choral groups in the world, with more than 500 years of tradition.

“The immaculate voices of these young choristers will transport the audience with a repertoire of classical music and popular songs that delight the senses and touch the heart,” Bauer said.

Nov. 25 — Irish Christmas in America

Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features “top Irish music, song, and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy,” Bauer said. The tour features special guest singer Caitriona Sherlock, which Bauer called “a stunning addition to this year’s show showcasing the very best of new Irish female vocal talent.”

Dec. 14, 15, 16 — The Nutcracker Ballet

The shows for The Nutcracker Ballet will be at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 14-15, with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. on Dec. 16. The ballet tells the enchanting story of young Clara and her magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince. The story never fails to delight audiences of all ages, and this year, local students will have the opportunity to audition to participate in the performance alongside the professional dancers.

“This will be such a great experience for students, who will be mentored by professional dancers while learning this timeless piece of choreography,” Bauer said.

Children aged 5 through high school will have the chance to audition for the performance.

Jan. 26 — Rhinestone Cowgirls

Rhinestone Cowgirls is a tribute to the legendary ladies of country music such as Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, and many more.

“With stunning vocals, dazzling costumes, and the songs you know and love, you don't want to miss out on this fantastic night of music,” Bauer said.

Feb. 13 — Dinosaur World Live!

This live performance starts at 7 p.m., and involves life-size dinosaur puppets that will make you believe you’re back in the Jurassic period. Bauer described it as “going on a dinosaur safari.” This is also another show that had to be rescheduled from the 2019-20 season because it was canceled due to the pandemic.

March 2 — Aaron Tippin

Country legend Aaron Tippin will perform the evening of the Kenny Norton Southeast Iowa Farm Show held that day at the arts center. Bauer said Tippin’s accolades include charting more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including three Number Ones: “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You,” and “Kiss This.”

March 14 — Drum Tao

This globally renowned taiko drumming troupe from Japan was supposed to perform during the arts center’s 2019-2020 season, but their performance was canceled because of the COVID pandemic. The band is in its 30th year of touring, and dazzles audiences with its stunning costumes and fantastic drumming technique.

April 3 — Step Afrika!

Step Afrika! is a dance group that has refined a technique developed in Black fraternities and sororities called “stepping,” and it is the first professional “step” dance crew. It seamlessly blends traditional west and southern African dances with contemporary dance forms.

“I’ve been waiting to book this group,” Bauer said. “They’re based out of Seattle, and they are really well respected and cool people.”

May 3 — Hip-hop Orchestra Experience

Hip-hop Orchestra Experience blends classical music with hip-hop and rap, and is part concert, part dance party.

“Their music uniquely challenges the MCs and classical musicians pushing the boundaries of both hip-hop and concert music, creating something completely new,” Bauer said. “The program includes seminal works of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, deconstructed and re-imagined with funky rhythms and rapid-fire rhymes.”

Bauer said the group is partnering with Fairfield’s movie house Cinema Fairfield to show a documentary the group has created about hip-hop and music sampling. That film will be shown at the arts center on May 1. The group will do educational outreach in local schools on May 2, before their live performance on May 3.

May 18 — Rumours

This Fleetwood Mac tribute band consists of a group of young musicians from San Francisco who grew up idolizing the music of Fleetwood Mac, a British-American rock band formed in 1967.

“They’ve been touring for about 10 years, and their lead singer’s voice is almost a perfect rendition of Stevie Nicks,” Bauer said. “It’s like you’re hearing Stevie Nicks from back in the day.”

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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