Community Performance Series 2016-17 Season Tickets Now on Sale

Community Performance Series Announces Upcoming Season, Kicking Off Sept. 24 with Patti LuPone

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Patti LuPone will kick-off the 2016-17 CPS Guest Artist Series on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music (Photo: Rahav Segev).

POTSDAM, NY (09/02/2016)(readMedia)-- Community Performance Series will present an incredible array of artistry with its 2016-17 season. Genres in their Guest Artist Series and Meet the Arts Series include Broadway classics, folk, post-modern classical, percussion, jazz and family theatre.

The 2016-17 CPS Guest Artist Series will kick off with an unforgettable performance by the multitalented Patti LuPone. The concert will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. In her performance, titled "Don't Monkey with Broadway," the award-winning vocalist will explore classic Broadway show tunes by the likes of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jule Styne, Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.

The 17th Annual Ranlett Organ Recital will follow on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in Hosmer Hall, featuring organist Rachel Laurin. The annual recital will also include a free organ encounter on Saturday, Oct. 22, also at 3 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the American folk legend Arlo Guthrie will bring his distinctive, expressive storytelling to the Hosmer stage. After decades on the road, Guthrie's concerts have become a refined mix of fan favorites and his inimitable style.

The postmodern, indie-classical string quartet ETHEL will perform pieces from their "Blue Dress" program on Friday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Hosmer Hall. The concert will feature the original compositions of three powerhouse female composers-Anna Clyne, Missy Mazzoli and Julie Wolfe. Each of the composers chose a muse as inspiration for this project, basing their works on the likes of Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Playing some of the pieces for the first time on their "Blue Dress" tour, ETHEL is sure to enthrall audiences with their high energy and deep connection to playing new material.

The 33rd McElheran Visiting Artist, NEXUS, will perform on Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Helen Hall. The highly acclaimed percussion group will perform original arrangements ranging from novelty ragtime and haunting African rhythms to improvised film music. The four masterful percussionists are sure to deliver a stunningly virtuosic spectacle of sound and rhythm.

On Thursday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m., the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis will close the CPS Guest Artist Series season with his group, the Branford Marsalis Quartet. The band will perform from its album, "Four MFs Playin' Tunes," on which the song takes center stage, with the band members bringing their considerable musical expertise to bear, focusing on each tune as an important musical entity unto itself and not merely a vehicle for showcasing individual talent.

The CPS Meet the Arts Series, which features educational and family-friendly theatre, will also continue to provide opportunities for both school-day performances and public performances this year.

Public performances in the MTA series will include "Let's Talk About IT!" on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. in SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, and "A Year with Frog & Toad," showing on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. in the Sara M. Snell Music Theatre. Meet The Arts Series tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.

For teachers who would like to learn more about the school-day performances and educational opportunities offered by Community Performance Series, please contact CPS Education Coordinator Patti Mason at (315) 267-2612.

Tickets are now on sale, and can be purchased by visiting the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of SUNY Potsdam's new Performing Arts Center, by calling (315) 267-2277 or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Single tickets can also be purchased in-person at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.

A 25 percent discount is available exclusively at the CPS Box Office, when purchasing tickets to three or more Guest Artist Series events. Ticket prices differ depending on the event and location. Student tickets cost as little as $15, and adult tickets range from $20 to $50. Discounts are also available for senior citizens and SUNY Potsdam faculty/staff.

For more information on the 2016-17 season and artists, visit www.cpspotsdam.org, or check out the CPS Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/cpspotsdam.

CPS is a college-community partnership presenting world-class performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of only three arts campuses in the entire SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam's arts curriculum offers the full palette: music, theatre, dance, fine arts and creative writing. No matter the discipline, people from all backgrounds can find their creative compass at Potsdam, with myriad arts immersion experiences available for both campus and community.

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