April 28, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Center will present a new summer concert series, featuring The Swell Season May 26 and just-announced shows from Sam Bush June 25, Mary Chapin Carpenter July 23 and Jonny Lang Aug. 28.

The summer concert series is part of a new plan for year-round programming presented by the Alys Stephens Center. Three of the fun, casual concerts also will include a free, summer-themed "Summer Tunes, Brew and Barbecue" party before the show; two shows will feature opening acts. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets or for more information.

Wednesday, May 26

The Swell Season, with opening act Justin Townes Earle, 7 p.m. in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Part of the ASC casual Summer Concerts Series. Tickets are $35. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org. Folk rock duo The Swell Season features Academy Award-winners Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from the 2007 film "Once." They'll return to North America to support their acclaimed new album, "Strict Joy," one of NPR's top records of 2009. Earle, son of Steve Earle and named for songwriter Townes Van Zandt, represents classic songwriting and classic country. In 2009, he received the Americana Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year.

Friday, June 25

Sam Bush, with opening act Alison Brown Quartet, 8 p.m. in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Part of the ASC casual Summer Concerts Series; come early for summer tunes, brews and barbecue in the courtyard beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50, $42, $35. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org. Hailed the "King of Newgrass" by fans and media alike, Bush is one of contemporary string music's most compelling performers and an innovator in acoustic music for more than 30 years. Grammy-winner Alison Brown takes the banjo and guitar far beyond their Appalachian roots with a high-octane blend of bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and Latin influences.

Friday, July 23

Mary Chapin Carpenter, 8 p.m. in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Part of the ASC casual Summer Concerts Series: come early for summer tunes, brews and barbecue in the courtyard beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $55, $48, $38. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org. During the course of an 11-album recording career, singer/songwriter Carpenter has won five Grammy awards and sold more than 13 million records. She has scored 12 Top 10 singles, including "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," nominated for a Record of the Year Grammy.

Saturday, August 28

Jonny Lang, 8 p.m. in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Part of the ASC casual Summer Concerts Series: come early for summer tunes, brews and barbecue in the courtyard beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $57, $47, $37. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org. Hear the language of deep blues, searing rock 'n' roll guitar and passionate lyrics when Grammy-nominated, former prodigy instrumentalist Lang makes a whirlwind stop at the Alys Stephens Center.

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.

Swell Season. Download image.

Sam Bush. Download image.

Mary Chapin Carpenter. Download image.

Jonny Lang. Download image.