"It's a very diverse year," said Thomas Jackson, associate director of the McCain Performance Series, about this year's season of performances. This fall and the spring of 2010 are scheduled to feature performances from improvisational humor groups to Russian ballet theatres. In this issue, we preview the events scheduled to take place during fall semester through winter break. Each is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. in McCain Auditorium on the listed date, unless noted.

September 18: The Second City
    Thomas Jackson called The Second City "one of the premier improvisation humor groups around."  With an alumni list that includes comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Steve Carell, The Second City is scheduled to start this season on a very humorous note.

September 24: Jon Nakamatsu
    A high school German teacher who learned on the side to play the piano, Nakamatsu won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997. The competition is considered the most prestigious event of its kind in the world, and Nakamatsu was the first American player to have won it since 1981.

October 1: War of the Worlds
    A stage version of the 1930's radio broadcast that made many American's think the world was being invaded by aliens, the H.G. Wells classic is also scheduled to be accompanied by the Sir Arthur Doyle play "The Lost World."

October 10: Orquestra De Sao Paulo
    The Orequestra features world-famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who performs with the group in spite of having been nearly deaf all of her life. The ensemble performs music from popular Brazilian composers.
    "They are the premier orchestra of Sao Paulo," Jackson said.

October 18: Rain, a tribute to the Beatles.
    One of the worlds signature tribute bands, they perform a show that features a variety of multimedia effects, including old clips of commercials from the era of the Beatles. Rain is also known for their music.
    "They dress, and look and sound and perform just like the Beatles, and they're one of the best Beatles tribute groups that have ever been," Jackson said.

October 27: Tap Dogs
    Using a set composed of construction site items, Tap Dogs portrays a picture of steel yards in Australia, the country which they are from. Tap Dogs have performed in McCain twice in the last ten years, and sold out both shows according to Jackson.
    "It's an amazing light and sound and music show. It's incredible," he said.

November 10, in Nichols Theatre: Brasil Guitar Duo
    The Duo first learned to play classical music, but later adopted the traditional music of their homeland Brazil. They are scheduled to do a variety of community outreach events, both at K-State and in greater Manhattan.

November 19: Shaolin Warriors
    The Shaolin Warriors come from China to demonstrate advanced knowledge of Kung Fu. The Warriors also are scheduled to show the McCain audience a look into the life of a Warrior and a glimpse of the Zen Philosophy they practice.

December 4: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
    The Grammy nominated swing band is scheduled to take the stage with their "Wild and Swingin Holiday Party," featuring traditional holiday songs such as "We Three Kings" and "Jingle Bells," and new songs such as "Zat you Santa Clause?" The group performs swing style music of the same genre that the Glenn Miller Orchestra performed last season. Thom Jackson said this show should be one of the best.
    "If there is one show that I would say that everyone should come out and see, it's Big Bad Voodoo Daddy."
 

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