January 11, 2010

Smokey Robinson. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Legendary "King of Motown" Smokey Robinson will be the spotlight performer at the Alys Stephens Center Viva Health Starlight Gala, Saturday, April 24. Tickets go on sale Jan. 11. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets or for more information.

The Viva Health Starlight Gala is an annual fundraiser benefiting UAB's Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center and the center's educational initiatives and programs. The black-tie event is the season's most elegant celebration of the arts.

Two ticket packages are available for this black-tie evening. The Grand Gala Evening package begins with an exclusive cocktail party and live entertainment in the Alys Stephens Center Grand Lobby. For the performance enjoy premium seating, then continue the evening with a gala dinner prepared by Frank Stitt at Bottega Restaurant & Café. The Grand Gala package is $750 per individual.

The Starlight Gala Evening package includes an elegant cocktail party and live entertainment in the Alys Stephens Center Grand Lobby, with select seating for the performance. The Starlight Gala package is $125 per individual. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets or for more information.

With his eternally smooth and instantly recognizable falsetto, legendary R&B singer, songwriter and producer Robinson's honey-coated voice could be called the audio equivalent of food for the soul, with soul. The Motown legend earned a hefty 37 Top 40 hits for Motown Records between 1960 and 1987. In fact, from "Shop Around" (first Motown No. 1 R&B hit and first Motown million-seller) to "Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat" (both 1987 Top 10 smash hits), Robinson began collecting accolades which never seemed to stop.

Robinson's latest CD, "Time Flies When You're Having Fun," has that traditional style, and his familiar croon has an indisputable sentimental appeal. Whether it's his signature languid numbers or a groove-driven mid-tempo tune, every song delivers what can best be described as "classic Smokey." Robinson brought on board the talents of friends Carlos Santana, India.Arie and Joss Stone for the intoxicatingly smooth R&B/pop repertoire. Completely written by Robinson, except for his sumptuous remake of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why," this enticing set veers from grooving to old-school reminiscent and rhythmic, with some red-hot slow grind.

About UAB's Alys Stephens Center

UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world's best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.