Artist series readies 68th season

Published 10:26 am Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Austin’s most prestigious concert series is coming back.

The Austin Artist Series annual season ticket campaign begins in a week.

“We are one of the largest and longest-running artist series in the Midwest,” said Phil Burkhart, AAS president.

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The series, in its 68th year, will stay true to its roots. There are five concerts set for Knowlton Auditorium’s stage this season, any of them a reason to buy season tickets, according to Burkhart.

There’s shows like the New Reformation Band, a Classic Jazz-style ensemble ready to showcase their Dixieland skills along with ragtime, blues and swing staples. They’re set for the end of September. A Tribute to Frankie Valli and Broadway by the Unexpected Boys is the second show on the schedule at the end of October.

The unique show in the series is the Kenya Acrobats, a family troupe performing an array of stunts. While there is always one or two off-the-wall shows in the series, Burkhart said acrobatics shows usually draw bigger crowds and many families.

A Russian group of cellists is the classical act in this season, as the Rastrelli Cello Quartet will perform classical interpretations of modern and timeless music. Don’t let their cellos fool you: They’ve got plenty of range, from the classics to jazz, ragtime and polka.

The final act of the AAS is a performance by TV legend John Davidson, who will come to town at the end of May next year.

Residents can come to all these shows for $35 a ticket for adults or $75 for families. To purchase a ticket, call Shirley Cahill at 433-1681 or Lois Flaherty at 433-9104.