The Van Wezel Announces 2009-2010 Season Of 'Fierce' Shows

The Van Wezel's 2009-2010 40th Anniversary Season is going to be fierce! It features a lineup of the hottest stars, performers and acts for everyone. Our Great Orchestra/Classical series is unlike any other. We have confirmed some of the youngest and brightest stars in Orchestral and Classical music to date. Our Broadway series will have you visiting Xanadu at one minute then joining the cast of Mamma Mia! at a wedding on a Greek island next! The Van Wezel is excited to bring programs that reflect the diversity of the ever changing population of Southwest Florida. The Van Wezel will host a number of SchoolTime Performances and Special Events throughout the year. Last year over 21,000 students and adult learners and educators benefitted from our Education Program.

Executive Director, Mary Bensel stated "I am so thrilled to be with the Van Wezel during this exhilarating 40th Anniversary Season. To have Tony Bennett commemorate our anniversary with a special concert and party is wonderful as he has a rich history with the Hall and he is one of the true icons in the business. We have planned such a jam packed season from Stephen King making a rare appearance to Boyz II Men opening the year and the Tibetan Monks blessing the end of our anniversary with a week long residence in addition to all the new stars and shows joining beloved favorites -it truly is an incredible celebration!"

Variety Series

The Van Wezel will kick off the 2009-2010 in October, 2009 with Boyz II Men. This Grammy® Award-winning R & B Band recorded five #1 hits and have sold more than sixty million albums; hits include; "End of The Road", "I'll Make Love to You" and "One Sweet Day", just to name a few (Oct.30), sponsored by: Michaels on East; Jewel, singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress and poet has garnered three Grammy® Award nominations, an American Music Award and an MTV Video Music Award; Best known #1 smash hit "Who Will Save Your Soul" (Nov.4), sponsored by: Bright House Networks & 106.5 CTQ; Always a sell-out at the Van Wezel, The Ten Tenors will perform a diverse repertoire in concert such as Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Who Wants to Live Forever," a Bee Gees medley, and ABBA's "Dancing Queen". Join a lavish celebration of vocal power, witty onstage antics and pitch-perfect musicality with one of Australia's hottest exports on (Nov.6), sponsored by: Lakewood Ranch; The New Shanghai Circus acrobats, jugglers and contortionists defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in this spellbinding show. If it is humanly possible (and even if it isn't) they do it with flair!

Nov.15), sponsored by: Boar's Head & Herald Tribune Media Group; Making a rare appearance at the Van Wezel is author of more than fifty worldwide best sellers. Stephen King will grace our stage to preview his new book, Under the Dome. Mr. King will be interviewed on stage by Susan Rife of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and entertain questions from the audience. The first 250 people who purchase tickets to the show (one per order) will be able to purchase in the lobby on the night of the show a pre signed copy of Under the Dome (Nov.16); Jackson Browne, internationally known for the piano-driven "Doctor My Eyes", the upbeat "Take It Easy" (co-written with The Eagles' Glenn Frey), "Running on Empty", "The Road", "Rosie" and "The Load-Out/Stay" (Brown's send-off to his concert audiences and roadies) are just a few of the American rock singer-songwriter and musicians repertoire (Nov.18), Sponsored by Bradenton Herald; The Bacon Brothers features movie star, Kevin Bacon on guitar and vocals and brother Michael on guitar, cello and vocals. They are a dynamic force on the American music scene and one of the most popular live bands on the concert circuit. They call their sound forosoco, a fusion of folk, rock, soul and country...their fans call it Awesome! (Nov.20), sponsored by: 107.9 WSRZ; Kicking off the holiday season is Dave Koz's wondrous Smooth Jazz Christmas returning to the Van Wezel by extreme popular demand with a great new show and another special group of friends including David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell and Peter White. Be sure to put this "Rockin' Show" on your Holiday list! (Nov.28), sponsored by: Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

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