Arts Place proudly announces its 2011-12 Performance Series, Singing the Blues. The 2011-12 series offers musical events featuring jazz and stride piano, contemporary barbershop, bluegrass, folk roots and western swing, acoustic gospel-infused folk-blues, and chamber blues. Do you see a theme? These musical performances feature top-notch singers and musicians that will make blue your favorite color. This year we are offering a terrific series with 5 events in Hall-Moser Theatre at our Portland Center.

Season tickets are on sale now, saving you more than 28% off individual ticket prices. Plus, you'll receive tickets for all five artists in the best seats available. Purchase your season tickets today for this exciting series!

The 2011-12 Performance Series is supported in part by sponsorships from First Merchants Bank and Bank of Geneva, and with special promotional assistance by Indiana Public Radio.

The Arts Place 2011-12 season begins on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. with the Larry Harris and On the Fritz. This performance will be held in conjunction with the Annual Membership Meeting.

Jazz pianist Larry Harris returns to Arts Place performing jazz and stride piano. Joining him is award-winning contemporary barbershop quartet, On the Fritz. Formed in 2009 at Anderson University, the group features Jay County natives Seth and Tristan Rodden, along with lead singer Jeremy Mang and baritone Theo Hicks. The performance is sponsored by First Merchants Bank.

On Saturday, November 5, Bearfoot will entertain with their unique brand bluegrass. Call it "new-timey," call it "post-bluegrass," call it "string band music for the 21st century"—whatever the name, there's a revolution under way where string band traditions meet youthful creativity; look right to its center, and that's where you'll find Bearfoot. Click here to listen.

“Confident and inspired, the group serves up a collaborative effort that should appeal to a broad range of people who like classic bluegrass that isn't afraid to tread on pop waters.”

— Ryan Duffy,Valley Advocate

Start the New Year off in style at Arts Place on Friday, January 27, 2012 with a night of acoustic gospel-infused Folk-Blues by Eric Bibb with Grant Dermody. Guitarist Eric Bibb, already enjoying success in Europe, is becoming a familiar face – and voice – in the U.S. acoustic folk-blues scene. Bibb’s unique talent continues to draw critical acclaim around the world. Twice nominated for the W.C. Handy Awards and winner of the “Best Newcomer” title in the British Blues Awards, Bibb has been appropriately described as “discreetly awesome” and “a total original.”

Bibb will be joined by Grant Dermody (DER-muh-dee), a harmonica player, singer, songwriter, and teacher from Seattle, Washington. Described as "an understated harmonica virtuoso and a vocalist of subtlety and warmth" by Don McLeese of No Depression magazine, Grant is a highly versatile musician.

“If you were going to build the perfect acoustic bluesman, he’d probably turn out looking and sounding exactly like Eric Bibb.” -- Chicago Sun Times

On Friday, April 13, 2012 the season will close with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues.Is it blues, is it classical? Walking the line between Beethoven and B.B. King and armed with the creative genius and instrumental prowess that have defined his career for nearly four decades, Corky has pioneered an original, genre-busting Chamber blues - a fresh, innovative sound capturing the sparkling qualities of classical music merged with the emotional melodic style of blues, all within an intimate chamber setting. Click here to listen. This event is sponsored by Bank of Geneva and will be presented in memory of James D. Briggs, Jr.

“Audiences don't merely like it, they love it.” - The Banff Centre - Canada