THE SHANGRI-LA ACROBATS will appear in the season’s final performance of the Cleveland-Bradley Concert Association Series. The concert will be April 30, 7 p.m., at the Conn Center on the Lee University campus.
Chinese Acrobats of Hebei are a rigorously trained and highly accomplished acrobatic troupe. Based in China, the acrobats have toured from South Africa to the South Pacific, and from Korea to the United Kingdom; now the acrobats of Hebei, China, introduce their talents to the United States.
A typical Acrobats of Hebei program features the following: contortionism, which was a favorite of Chinese emperors and requires amazing flexibility; pole climbing, one of the main traditional acrobatic feats in China with drawings showing this event 1,000 years ago; and Wushu, which is traditional Chinese group gymnastics.
Hebei Acrobats also perform more familiar activities such as hoop diving, plate spinning, hat juggling, lion dancing and the traditional Chinese sport of Diablo. This lavishly costumed production also features an original music soundtrack. Performers range from 19 to 25 years of age.
At this final concert of the current season, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase season memberships for the 2012-13 season at a 10 percent discount.
Next season will feature four outstanding concerts beginning on Oct. 4, with “Broadway Today.” Three current Broadway stars will sing songs from the past three seasons of Broadway as well as music from some of the classic plays that made Broadway the place for entertainment.
On Nov. 5, Jim Witter will bring his show to town — “Feelin’ Groovy” music of Simon and Garfunkel. It is the music of the ’60s. Remember “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Sound of Silence”?
The two spring 2013 concerts are the Side Street Strutters on Feb. 26, 2013. This seven-piece ensemble brings back the memories of the great jazz hits like “Don’t Get Around Much Any More” and “Almost Like Being in Love” and features the beautiful voice of Meloney Collins.
Then on April 25, 2013, back by popular request is Jason Coleman in the “Legacy of Floyd Cramer.” Coleman was here last year playing the music of his famous granddad Floyd Cramer. “People have begged our association to get him back and we are pleased to do that,” says Nancy Casson, president of the Cleveland-Bradley Concert Association.
You can get a brochure of next season’s concert by calling one of the above listed numbers or pick one up at the Red Ribbon on Inman Street, across from the Museum Center at Five Points.
