May 3, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center will present an arts season brimming with the world's greatest artists: legendary Liza Minnelli, 17-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny, country music royalty Roseanne Cash, comedian Joan Rivers, classical superstar Joshua Bell, NPR host Ira Glass, master of satire David Sedaris and more.

New this season is a summer concert series, three festivals including 11 days of fun events in September, even more arts-education events for the entire community, easier subscriber options and an exciting new artistic genre: living art.

The Alys Stephens Center (ASC) is Alabama's own world-class performing arts center on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). As the center turns 14, thought has turned to ways the ASC better can serve the community by building lasting connections to the arts and fostering arts education. To that end, the center has increased its offerings by nearly a third, with more free events, interactive programs and performances, and the introduction of year-round programming.

In early 2011, the ASC will embark on its biggest arts education endeavor in its history: a brand new arts-education institute to serve Alabama and the Southeast as a leader in arts education.

The ASC is dedicated to the advancement of education, research and public engagement through the pursuit of excellence and innovation in the performing arts - in the same way UAB is in all other fields. The Alys Stephens Center sits as the cultural center of Birmingham and is a classroom, laboratory and public square to explore the human experience through the arts. In that tradition, the center this season will introduce living art and present three living art experiences: MASS Ensemble, the Mystical Arts of Tibet and the School Sculpture Residency Project. Each company will be in residence for seven days creating and demonstrating large-scale, dynamic works of art for the entire community to share and enjoy.

This year it is easier than ever to become a season subscriber and earn the great benefits that come with that designation. Instead of a themed series, custom-design a unique subscription with the popular "It's Your Choice" package: Choose any four regular season performances, then deduct 10 percent from the total cost. Season subscribers can purchase tickets now. New subscription orders will go on sale Monday, June 7, and single tickets Monday, Aug. 9. For a brochure or to purchase tickets, call 205-975-2787, toll free 1-877-278-8457, visit the ASC Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. South in Birmingham or go to www.AlysStephens.org. Sign up online for the center's popular ASC E-Club for exclusive discounts, show announcements and reminders, ticket giveaways and more.

In addition to world-class performances, the Alys Stephens Center's Arts in Action program also presents top-quality, far-reaching arts education events, workshops, meet-the-artist events and performances for people of all ages. Since 2002, this education program has presented unique performing arts experiences to more than 15,000 area students and adults each season. Most of these programs are free or very low cost, and even provide free buses from schools to the center for most programs.

The ASC Junior Patrons group offers young professionals the chance to experience great live performances, receive special discounts for many ASC shows, access to the Junior Patron VIP Lounge and invitations to Junior Patron and ASC Social Club events throughout the year, which are free to members.

New this year is the addition of the 15-member ASC Corporate Board, a complement to the ASC's Advisory Board and ASC Junior Patrons Board.

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.