Posted on April 19, 2004 at 10:55 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Alys Stephens Center announces its new season lineup for 2004-2005, and ticket packages are now on sale. Call (205) 975-2787 or log on to www.AlysStephens.org.

This season the Alys Stephens Center invites audiences to feed their hearts, minds and souls with the power and beauty of live performances. On the menu are extraordinary classical musicians, sidesplitting satire, fiery gospel music, rising stars, innovative children’s shows, powerful singers and songwriters, virtuoso guitarists, enlightening and timeless jazz, cool pop, contemporary and folk dance, amazing acrobats and a tantalizing taste of Celtic roots music.

“Indulge in the Arts,” sponsored by NBC 13 and The Birmingham News/Birmingham Post-Herald, is an invitation to enjoy the delicious performances celebrating the Alys Stephens Center’s eighth year. Over the past seven years, the Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham’s own world-class performing arts center located on the UAB campus, has welcomed more than 250,000 people each year for more than 300 events, bringing audiences a diverse mix of classical, pop, jazz, dance, world music, comedy and family entertainment. There’s a taste to fit everyone’s palate in the passionate, exciting world of the performing arts.

The new season begins September 25 when two of America’s most beloved jazz performers, velvety vocalist Nancy Wilson and elegant pianist Ramsey Lewis, team up for a tasty treat. An appetizing sampling of the performances to come this season are Al Franken, Branford Marsalis, Blind Boys of Alabama, Saatmarga: A Festival of Indian Jazz, Peter Cincotti, California Guitar Trio, The Chieftains, The Temptations, soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and many more.

New this season is the exotic Patty McDonald Global Rhythm Series. Returning this season are the sizzling BellSouth Red Hot and Jazz Series and the sweet ASC Kids Club Series, sponsored by Jane Stephens Comer, as well as the center’s established favorites: the Birmingham Music Club Classically Inclined Series; the Protective Life Eclectic Palate Series; the Jemison Investment Contemporary Vibes Series; the Viva Health, a Member of the UAB Health System, Movement and Magic Series; the Laser’s Edge Strings Attached Series; and the Gloria Narramore Moody Foundation Rising Star Series.

Also featured this year are two special events, the center’s annual Starlight Gala and a new event, the Alys Stephens Center’s Stars Fell On Alabama Talent Competition. Coming this fall, look for an announcement of authors and dates for a new series, Authors Take the Stage.

The series are designed as the perfect complement for the Alys Stephens Center’s four state-of-the-art venues: the Jemison Concert Hall, the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall, the Morris K. Sirote Theatre and the Odess Theatre.

Returning for the 2004-2005 season is the Alys Stephens Center’s wildly popular It’s Your Choice subscription package offering the public the opportunity to create their own personal mix of shows. Select any five regular performances, add the total ticket cost, then subtract 10 percent for a special package created for each patron’s personal tastes. Ticket packages are now on sale. Single tickets go on sale August 16. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early because many shows are expected to sell out.

The season begins September 25 with Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis, part of the BellSouth Red Hot and Jazz Series. Also featured in the series are “An Evening with Branford Marsalis” October 22 and Manhattan Transfer March 13.

Next is political humorist Al Franken October 16, just in time for presidential elections, as part of the Jemison Investment Contemporary Vibes Series. Also in the series are Peter Cincotti November 13 and Regina Carter, jazz violin, January 22.

Cellist Alexandre Bouzlov takes to the stage October 17 as part of the Gloria Narramore Moody Foundation Rising Star Series, which showcases the best new talent. The series continues January 23 with pianist Vassilis Varvaresos and concludes April 10 with violinist Ju-Young Baek.

The Blind Boys of Alabama will spread the spirit of gospel October 17 as part of the Protective Life Eclectic Palate Series, which includes the beloved ensemble The Chieftains March 6 and pop legends The Temptations April 24.

For the third year, the Alys Stephens Center and the Birmingham Music Club collaborate for the Birmingham Music Club Classically Inclined Series, opening October 23 with the Warsaw Philharmonic with Olga Kern. The series also features The Canadian Brass January 30, pianist André Watts February 13, Academy of St. Martins in the Fields Chamber Music Ensemble February 25 and soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian May 1. All of the shows in this series feature Preludes, enlightening 30-minute discussions of the program held in the intimate Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall one hour prior to showtime.

Returning this year by overwhelming demand is the ASC Kids Club, a series devoted to feeding the hearts and imaginations of children and designed to provide quality arts experiences in a small casual setting. Featured are “So You Want to be a Star” on October 24; Natyananda Dance Company on November 13; “Christmas Comes to Mugwumpville: An ASC Holiday Celebration” on December 12; Passion for Percussion on January 9; African Music and Dance with Atu on February 12; “Yours, Anne” on March 6; Math In Motion on April 16; and Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff on May 1.

The best guitarists in the world are featured in the consistently sold-out shows of the Laser’s Edge Strings Attached Series, which moves to the bigger Sirote Theatre this season due to demand. First up is Karla Bonoff with longtime partner Kenny Edwards, November 4. Next is California Guitar Trio November 18 and Patty Larkin February 24.

Cross oceans and boundaries with the new Patty McDonald Global Rhythm Series opening with “Saatmarga” A Festival of Indian Jazz” November 7. Next is Peking Acrobats February 20 and concluding is Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli April 22.

The energetic and exciting Viva Health, a Member of UAB Health Systems, Movement and Magic Series opens November 12-14 with Southern Danceworks’ premiere of a new work from Robert Battle. The series continues with Philadanco January 14-15 and Mark Morris Dance Group February 26-27.

Subscription packages range from $43 to $407, and special discounts and offers are available for UAB students, faculty and staff and for groups of 10 or more. Gift certificates are always available. To purchase season tickets or for a season brochure, call (205) 975-2787, or toll-free 1-877-278-8457 (877-ART-TIKS). Single tickets go on sale August 16 and can be purchased by phone, at the Alys Stephens Center Box Office at 1200 10th Avenue South, or by logging on to www.AlysStephens.org