Local talent, international fame highlight 2011 PLAC concert lineup

With a roster spanning local favorites and international touring talents, the Pearson Lakes Art Center unveiled the lineup for it's 2011 season during a press conference held Friday, Aug. 27.

Clouse described the season's mix as "a lot of new things happening and a lot of local favorites coming back," and said the season's selections were based on input from an array of PLAC concert aficionados.

"A lot of shows that come our way either come through past recommendations or (are acts that) Tom or Andrea, the former performing arts director, or myself, have seen," Clouse said. "Also, some (are) favorites that we've had the prior year that we're able to bring back, mostly by audience request and popularity of the shows, so we have kind of a mix this year."

Hometown favorites, traveling talent

PLAC concert goers who enjoy taking in the familiar sounds of natives including Dave Rowley, Damon Dotson or Okoboji alum John Moore will see all three take the stage at the PLAC -- plus more locally-grown talent -- in the 2011 season.

Along with notable locals is an eclectic mix of both up-and-coming and well established out-of-towners from a mix of genres.

In April, the PLAC will host "A Night of Music, Memories and Stories with the Doors' Ray Manzarek," the iconic keyboardist who penned "Light My Fire."

In July, the facility will host The National Blues Foundation's 2010 International Blues Challenge Winner Grady Champion, a blues and roots artist quickly garnering acclaim after taking top honors at the largest world-based blues contest.

Visual and performing arts merge with Batten, Crow Hill Guitars

In October, the PLAC will host Jennifer Batten, a guitarist who spent three tours with Michael Jackson, playing to audiences of over 6 million. Batten is considered to be one of the top 50 guitarists performing today.

PLAC CEO Tom Tourville said performing arts planners at the facility have had their eye on Batten for a number of years, and, through some tenacity, were finally able to secure a concert date with the talent for the 2011 season.

"We've been aware of her for several years," Tourville said. "We've had some discussions with her manager, I think three years ago, but she's just very difficult to get. Jennifer tours Europe about six months a year ... finally we just beseeched her manager enough that he said 'OK.' "

In addition to Batten's performance, Clouse notes the visual arts committee at the PLAC was able to secure a display of Crow Hill guitars to be featured in conjunction with the concert.

"It made sense to combine the two events," Clouse said. "That's something that the Arts Center would like to do more of; (allow) some of the visual arts exhibits have some relation to a show we present that month."

Returning and revitalizing

While the 2011 season includes plenty of new offerings, Clouse said the PLAC kept several traditions alive, including the return of the Growing Iowa's Economy Speaker Series, as well as Low Dough Shows and the Lakes News Shopper's Free Concert series.

She says the current lineup of 17 acts could grow and the PLAC is always working with potential acts that can sometimes only be booked several weeks in advance.

Additional entertainment acts, as well as the lineup for the Growing Iowa's Economy Speaker series, will be announced at a later date.

Add some variety, save some money

For the 2011 season, the PLAC is offering a new way to purchase tickets, Clouse says.

"We try to do something unique by having patrons have the opportunity to pick their own package," Clouse said. "So if they purchase any number of tickets to five different shows, they can receive two dollars off each ticket. And there's no limit to the package, they can get one to 10 packages of five or more to give as gifts."

Clouse says she hopes the special will help PLAC patrons add some variety to their 2011 concert-going experience.

"Hopefully it will encourage them to see a show that they may not have considered seeing before in order to take advantage of the discount," she said.

PLAC CONCERTS

Left for 2010:

* Sept. 16 - Campbell Brothers

* Oct. 14 - Corey Stevens

* Nov. 12 - Dave Rowley and Damon Dotson

* Dec. 9 - InPulse

2011 Season

* April 28 - Pictures of Then

* May 19 - Billy "Big Daddy" Cade, BB King Tribute and Scottie "Bones" Miller, keyboardist

* June 8 - Glenn Miller Orchestra

* June 15 - The Headliners, jazz

* June 22 - Chad Hollister*

* July TBA - John Moore

* July 13 - Grady Champion, blues and roots

* July 30 - The Second City, comedy

* August 17 - Dave Rowley and Friends

* Oct. 13 - Jennifer Batten, guitarist

* Nov. 3 - Damon Dotson

* Free show