(Posted August 20, 2001)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Artist Series will offer entertainment events for the 2001-2002 season ranging from gospel singing to folk music to modern dance starting with Ballet Hispanico Sept. 29 in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall on the Juniata campus.
The Juniata College Artist Series offers six performing arts concerts each year and asks each performing group to teach workshops or residencies within the Huntingdon community or on the Juniata campus.
For tickets and information about the Juniata College Artist Series, please call (814) 641-3333. General admission tickets for single performances are $15, except where otherwise noted. Season tickets are $65. Single-show tickets for seniors over age 65 and children age 18 and under are $8 and season tickets are $30. Juniata College students are admitted free with a student ID.
The 2001-2002 Juniata College Artist Series schedule is as follows:

--Ballet Hispanico, Sept. 29 at 8:15 p.m.

Performing dances based on Latino culture, Ballet Hispanico has a repertoire of more than 70 new works. The group features dances by such choreographers as Ramon Oller, Alberto Alonso, Pedro Ruiz and Ann Reinking.
The New York City-based company was founded in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, the group's artistic director. The dancers blend ballet and ethnic dance forms into programs that emphasize Hispanic-American culture.

--The Cleveland Duo, with James Umble, Nov. 30 at 8:15 p.m.

Violinist Stephen Warner and Carolyn Gadiel Warner, pianist and violinist, perform together as the Cleveland Duo, an offshoot of their work with the Cleveland Orchestra. Saxophonist James Umble has performed with the couple since 1994. The three musicians play a mix of classical compositions as well as international and world music. The performance is in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall.
Umble plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophone and is associate professor of saxophone at Youngstown State University in Youngstown Ohio. The Warners, who are married, made their debut as the Cleveland Duo in 1980. The Warners and Umble recorded a CD, "Dejeuner sur l'Herbe" in 1993. The recording was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993.

--The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Feb. 1, 2002 at 8:15 p.m.

The 12- to 15-member group performs African-American folk music that includes spirituals, gospel music, secular folk songs, calypsos and other Afro-Caribbean and African vocal forms. The group has been performing since 1968, under the direction of Albert McNeil. The performance is in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall.
The group's repertoire includes "Carmen Jones," "Porgy and Bess" by George Gershwin, and tributes to Harry Belafonte and black musical theatre performers. Albert McNeil is professor emeritus of music at the University of California at Davis. The ensemble has performed in 70 countries.

--Charlotte Blake Alston and Simple Gifts, March 16, 2002, 7 p.m.

The performance is in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall.
Charlotte Blake Alston is a storyteller, singer and composer who works in the traditions and style of "griots," the storytellers and historians of West Africa. Her performances are based on myths and legends, or African-American poetry and songs. Alston also is the host of the Philadelphia Orchestra preschool concert series.
Simple Gifts is a three-woman folk music group specializing in a variety of ethnic folk music, including such styles as klezmer, Gaelic, gypsy and Balkan traditions. The band members are: Linda Littleton, Rachel Hall and Karen Hirshon. Between them, the three women play 12 instruments, including fiddle, concertina, mandolin, banjolin, recorders, hammered dulcimer, guitar and piano.

River City Brass Band, April 5, 2002, 8:15 p.m.

Based in Pittsburgh, the River City Brass Band is a 28-person ensemble that has been performing across the United States for 20 years. The group has released 12 recordings on its own label. Their albums include "Pittsburgh on Parade," "Footlifters," "Concert in the Park" and "Big Band Brass." The performance is in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall.
The group plays music by American composers, many of the pieces commissioned specifically for the band. In concert, the band performs jazz, big-band, opera, folk and movie music.

The Parsons Company, April 14, 2002, 7 p.m.

General admission for this performance is $20. The 11-member ensemble performs modern dance works, primarily choreographed by founder David Parsons. The company has performed on five continents and has collaborated with musicians such as jazz pianist Billy Taylor, jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter and Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento. The performance is in Rosenberger Auditorium in Oller Hall.
The company has appeared on television many times, most notably in 1987 on "Alive From Off Center," performing "Caught," the ensemble's signature dance piece. The company's latest work is titled "Images."

Contact: John Wall office: (814) 641-3132
e-mail: wallj@juniata.edu

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.