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Old Town Pocatello First Friday Art Walk September 3, 2010

Wrap up your summer fun at Art Walk this Friday night in Old Town between 5:00pm and 8:00pm.  Participating businesses invite you to share the excitement and creativity of area artists and musicians.   

    •    Mind Your Body Wellness Studio S. Main – Chocolates! Lenna will offer Ukrainian food, Yoga, Theta healing with Carey.   

    •    Mind Your Own Beadness 200 S. Main – Station Square will host music by Caleb Morrison.  Bee’d Happy clothing, Laura Zuber silver jewelry, Walter kindle’s Vector Art.

    •    Vinyl Perk 155 S. Main will feature Artist / Photographer David Halverson. Enjoy a sweet tea or Iced Mocha.  

    •    Cynthia Louise Boutique S. Main (Whitman Hotel) will feature local jewelry, clothing and accessories.   

    •    New Dawn Gallery 357 W. Center- Come experience Ancient Mexico featuring photographs from pre-Columbian sites in the Yucatan by Anne Merkley and paintings inspired by prehistoric cave art by Georgia Orwick.  

    •    Time Labs and Healing Foods 100 S. Arthur will host Kristina Boswell who features unique creative cards.

    •    Gate City Fine Arts Gallery 315 W. Center will feature oil paintings by Cory Snow.

    •    Myers Anderson Architects 101 N. Main will present acrylic paintings and pencil drawings by artist Lori Scoffield Beer.  

    •    The Home Specialist Real Estate Company 150 N. Main presents porcelain artist Peggy Anderson.

    •    Gordon Photography 233 N. Main Suite C will exhibit photographic works by Eric Gordon.

    •    Walrus & Carpetner Books/ Cordillera Gallery 251 N. Main presents Craters of the Moon Redux. Photography by Roger Boe, text by Will Peterson, Music by Justine Rollins and Glenn Albers.

    •    Portneuf River Outfitters 257 N. Main will host the Portneuf Valley Quilt Guild featuring locally hand-made quilts, including two award-winning "art" quilts.

    •    Mustard Seed Dreams 362 N. Main welcomes fiber artist Molly Hale who will present her line of hats and scarves.  

    •    Pocatello Art Center 444 N. will host "Experimental Painting"...mixed medium, abstracts, new techniques. A reception will be held from 5-8 pm.

    •    The Shady Lady 655 N. Arthur will be featuring Ron Lewis and his many years of Idaho Fish & Game retirement portraits.

    •    Portneuf Valley Brewing 615 S.  First Street will feature painter Tim and singer/songwriter bluesman Fred Anderson will be providing entertainment in the pub from 8:30pm to 11pm.  No cover.

    • La Laraine (inside the Paris building) will celebrate their grand opening and will be featuring the art of Dorothy Galloway, Larainy Hatch, Richard Bingham, Ann Merkley, Peggy Anderson, Golden Millward, Jeanne Hand, Ken Ballinger,, Gloria Parker and Bob Beason and brass sculpture. The children’s gallery will feature the art of Kourtnie and Colton Mya, Taylor, Ellie Aubrey, and Cade.

    • Cynthia Louise Boutique LLC, 122 S. Main St. Suite 2 inside the Whitman Building, will feature jewelry artist Karen Vargason with Heavenly Heart Creations, cellist Sophie Spreier will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Do you think it's a great idea? Or should people be allowed to smoke if they chose to?

What do you think?

SAGEBRUSH ARTS FEST will be held September 11th and 12th, 2010

Saturday – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Free to the Public located at 5th Avenue and Carter Street on the beautiful lawn of

Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho

This Arts Fest is sponsored by US Bank and the Pocatello Art Center of Pocatello.

The Children’s Art Yard, which is free to children at the Sagebrush Arts Fest, is one of our main features during the weekend.  Bring your children and grandchildren while you too enjoy the beautiful art which include oils, watercolors, photography, jewelry and pottery, just to name a few mediums.    You may get a balloon for your little one and sit around the stage for entertainment all day if you wish.

The Sagebrush Arts Fest began in the late 1960’s as an art show and sale.  It grew to become “Art in the Park” and was located in the mid-1980’s at Upper Ross Park.  In the early 1990’s it was moved to the “quad” at Idaho State University and in early 2000, it was relocated to the ISU Campus on the corner of 5th and Carter Streets, where it remains today.  Carolyn Purnell, President of the Pocatello Art Center and chair of the Fest for the 5th year, says, “It is one of the best locations in Pocatello and everyone has told us they love coming because it is such a beautiful park-like venue” with quality art, artist and articians.   Artists from all over the Pacific NW come to Pocatello to be in this fine arts show, many returning for their 11th and 13th years.  

This event is a family affair, giving adults and youngsters alike the opportunity to be introduced to and enjoy fine art.  It provides Pocatello and surrounding areas an opportunity to meet with professionals and to purchase their art at reasonable prices.  Some say, “I come each year to do a little holiday shopping for that unique gift that is “one-of-a-kind”.”

One of the highlights of the two days, is our Children’s Art Yard under the big tents.  This is free to the children, ages  5 – 14, for the two days of the Fest.  They can partake of arts and crafts supervised by adults, some of which are professional art members of the Art Center.    

There is always delicious food by the Boy Scouts, Troop 315

Do you think these are much needed improvements? Or should the money be spent on projects elsewhere? Will the construction affect you?

Public input sought

By Sean Ellis

sellis@journalnet.com

    POCATELLO — Federal dollars will cover most of the cost of major improvements to the Alameda Road-Jefferson Avenue intersection, while the Portneuf Medical Center will pay for most of a project that will improve safety at the Hospital Way-Center Street intersection.

    The city will ask the public this week for its input on how to best improve the Alameda-Jefferson intersection, while the Hospital Way-Center Street project has already been approved and is due to be completed this year.

    The Alameda-Jefferson project is still in the conceptual stage and an open house will be held Wednesday to discuss proposed improvements to reduce traffic congestion along the major arterial. The meeting will be held from 3-6 p.m. at City Hall.

    Engineering staff from the city and Idaho Transportation Department will be on hand to discuss the project and answer questions. The city will be asking the public to choose from several options for improving the busy intersection.

    Jefferson Avenue, Hiline Road, Alameda Road and Pocatello Creek Road all meet at that intersection. Congestion there is exacerbated by E. Alameda Road, which runs past Tendoy Elementary School and connects onto Jefferson. Motorists trying to make that connection find it very difficult during peak traffic hours.

    There are several options for improving the intersection, and they all revolve around streamlining traffic flow from E. Alameda Road to Alameda Road and Pocatello Creek.   

    “All of our alternatives change the dynamics of where you come into Jefferson at E. Alameda Road,” says Jesse Schuerman, a Pocatello traffic engineer. “That’s the main problem with that intersection.”

    Based on the most recent count, there are 11,500 vehicle trips daily on Pocatello Creek near that intersection, 10,000 on Alameda Road, 9,350 on Jefferson, 7,550 on Hiline and 2,300 on E. Alameda Road, near Tendoy.

    There are three main options for improving the E. Alameda Road-Jefferson connection.

    One of them is creating a frontage road that goes through the abandoned lot at the intersection and connects to Pocatello Creek near Winco.

    The other two options involve bypass roads that also connect to Pocatello Creek, but cut through what is now a church parking lot.

    The project will also include actual improvements to the intersection itself, including road widening and an additional turn lane from Pocatello Creek onto Jefferson.

    The transition from Pocatello Creek to Jefferson comes in at a weird angle and the city also wants to square up that turn.

    “Even without the intersection improvements, the bypass or frontage road will make a significant improvement to that intersection,” Schuerman says.

    He says that project is still in the concept stage and the public’s input is very valuable at this point of the process.

    “We don’t want to shove anything down anyone’s throat,” he says. “But I think once people see what we have got planned, they will like it.”

    The federally funded project is still four years away and will cost an estimated $5 million. The city will be required to pay a small local match.

    Meanwhile, PMC will cover $176,00 of the $237,000 project to improve safety at the Hospital Way-Center Street intersection.        The City Council recently approved the project, which should be substantially completed by Nov. 15.

    That intersection already has a lot of issues and they will increase once PMC’s new hospital is finished, Schuerman says.

    One of the biggest issues is the left turn from Hospital Way onto Center, which can prove tricky because of traffic coming off the hill further up Center.

    The project will install a signal light that will control all left turns, and it will include a dedicated right-turn from Center onto Hospital Way.

BLACKFOOT, ID (August 31, 2010) – The 18th annual Idaho State Arm Wrestling Championships will be held on Saturday, September 4th at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot.

    The event – held at 2 pm at the Key Bank Community Free Stage located behind the grandstands – is open to the public to compete. There will be weight divisions for all ages starting with a class of age 6 & under for the kids, as well as divisions for those over age 40.  

“We have one of the largest events in the West with a large turnout of youth entries,” says tournament director Elaine Blik of Aberdeen. “It is a fun event to watch especially when the younger children take the stage. All the parents and grandparents are there to support the kids in their quest for a state title.”

    Registration begins at 12 pm and the competition will begin at 2 pm with the Novice Divisions.  A parent or guardian signature is required for those under the age of 18 who wish to compete. The entry fee is $10 for all youth divisions. The entry fee includes a tournament shirt and awards are given for the top 3 in each division and all participants receive awards. The youth divisions will begin approximately 4 pm. Champions in the teen divisions will also receive a champion hoodie.

    Adult registration will close at 4:30 pm and competition will begin at 5:30 pm for the adult classes.  Adult competition includes classes for Novice (beginner), men’s left and right arm, women’s left and right arm and Men’s Masters’  (men over age 40) right arm competition. Awards will be given for the top 3 winners with special awards for the Champions. There will be an entry fee for the adults and the first 100 entries are guaranteed free tournament shirts.

    The sport of arm wrestling continues to catch on with many different athletes nationwide. It is a sport that requires very little equipment and only takes two people to make the competition.

Arm wrestling no longer carries the stigma of guys drinking and arm wrestling for a beer or two, or just to prove who the “tough guy” is. Competitors include men and women from different walks of life and occupations. They diet, work out and train for arm wrestling just as in any other sport. In Idaho, children as young as 4 years old are arm wrestling.  

“We are proud of the fact that we have promoted the sport in Idaho for all ages and made it a family-oriented sport in our area”, says Elaine Blik, who recently returned from the National Arm Wrestling Championships held in Billings, Montana, winning her eighth National title along with her daughter, Rainee, who also won her first Junior National title.  The Bliks have been promoting arm wrestling in Idaho since 1992 and will be traveling to Mesquite, Nevada for the 2010 World Championships this December.

For further information about Saturday’s competition, contact Elaine Blik at (208) 681-7312.    

The 2010 Eastern Idaho State Fair returns to Blackfoot on Saturday, September 4 through Saturday, September 11. Complete schedules and 2010 Fair information can be found at  HYPERLINK "http://www.funatthefair.com" www.funatthefair.com or by calling (208) 785-2480.

An annual tradition for 108 years, the Eastern Idaho State Fair is a favorite destination to over 200,000 visitors, creating fond memories and unforgettable experiences to all ages. This year’s theme, Rock Around The Stock, is a celebration of Idaho’s agricultural heritage – a vital part of the Fair throughout its history. For those who raise the stock – we salute you!

Glen Beck recently held his "Restoring Honor" near the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have  A Dream Speech." Was this appropriate? Why or why not?

By Vanessa Grieve

vgrieve@journalnet.com

    POCATELLO — A spring event that’s helped fuel Pocatello’s economy for more than two decades, the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, is pulling out of the community, officials announced Thursday morning.

    But local rodeo organizers said during a press conference at the Holiday Inn they may have already found a suitable replacement.

    The chairman of the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo Association, JD Johnston, said plans are in the works for Pocatello to replace the event next spring with the 15th Silver tour stop in the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour rodeo.

    “The DNCFR is leaving Pocatello,” Johnston said. “This is the next progressive step in professional rodeo.”

    Recent studies have concluded the DNCFR’s economic impact to Southeast Idaho ranges from $4.5 million to $6 million. The new host city of the DNCFR, which has gained national recognition and induction into the pro rodeo hall of fame, will be announced Sept. 1.

    But Johnston said landing the new event will allow the PFRA to expand upon what they have done with the DNCFR during the past 24 years.

    Dale Almond, the president of the PFRA, said the local association, even in the early days, had a vision of one day hosting nationally ranked competitions for rodeo contestants. Pocatello’s new rodeo will continue that tradition, he said.

    “There are a lot of people that would love to host this event,” Almond said. “We feel like this step into this new limelight will help us to allow the professionals in rodeo to not only exceed their expectations, but also allow them to become better and earn the moneys need to participate at the (National Finals Rodeo).”

    Johnston said the new rodeo will also bring a new variety of flair to the community.

    “The Million Dollar Tour series is the fastest growing segment of pro rodeo right now,” Johnston said. “This is a step forward for us to build on what we have for 24 years and take it into the future to build it up even more. This is what contestants in the (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) are looking for.”

    Almond explained that the Wrangle Million Dollar Tour has eight Gold tour stops and it would make Pocatello No. 15 of the tour’s Silver stops.

    “Those rodeos are the key rodeos that these contestants need to participate in to win a portion of that $1 million purse,” Almond said. “Those winnings as well as the winnings at our rodeo and others like us will all count toward the top 15 money winners in the country that qualify for the Wrangler National Finals in Las Vegas.”

    Almond said Holt Arena has been a great rodeo venue. Plans are still being made as to the specific dates of the event, with the possibility of hosting it some time in April of next year.

    He said the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour anticipates drawing the top 20 to 30 contestants in the country to compete to go to the national competition.

    Johnston said the details of the negotiation have not been finalized.

    “As much as the DNCFR started in Pocatello, we felt this is a good move to progress forward in the sport and to let the sport progress as a whole,” Johnston said.

    Chubbuck Mayor Steve England said it has been a pleasure to host the DNCFR in the area, but he believes it is a good time to move onto the next rodeo experience.

    The DNCFR evolved from the Victory Rodeo, which started in Pocatello in 1942, according to a rodeo history written by local rodeo expert Angela Askey. In 1946, it became known as the Pocatello Rodeo and Indian Ceremonial Celebration. It was later changed again to the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo, hosted in conjunction with the Bannock County Fair, according to Askey. In 1959, the rodeo was moved to the present North Bannock County Fairgrounds.

    It gave way to Idaho’s first indoor professional rodeo, hosted inside Holt Arena, in March of 1981. That event became the DNCFR in 1987.

    Attendance during the five-day rodeo typically totals about 27,000.

EISF 2010 info.

• Gate tickets are $6 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6 to 11 and $4 for senior citizen (65+). Gates open at 8 a.m. and vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

• Carnival wristband days are Tuesday, Sept. 7, Wednesday, Sept. 8 and Thursday, Sept. 9. The $25 cost for the wristband includes gate admission.

• For more information, call 785-2480 or visit www.funatthefair.com

• To get to the EISF grounds, take I-15 to Blackfoot and take exit 93. Turn east into town and drive down Bergner Blvd. It will eventually become a one-way street called Judicial. Turn left on Broadway St. and continue several blocks. The fairgrounds will be directly ahead.

By Jenny Hopkins

jhopkins@journalnet.com

    BLACKFOOT—It is a rare occurrence to be able to see hypnotized people performing the chicken dance in front of a hoard of giggling onlookers, drivers intentionally smashing up their cars, and three legendary recording groups all in one week — and yet those are just a few things being offered as entertainment for the upcoming Eastern Idaho State Fair.

    The eagerly awaited fair will be held from Sept. 4 to 11 this year. The theme “Rock Around the Stock” pretty much says it all, as everything from rodeo to tractor pulls and a rock concert are in the entertainment mix.

    Activities will kick off on Saturday morning with one of the biggest parades in Southeast Idaho with more than 125 entry participants. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and travel down Shilling Ave. from Rich St. to Alice Street.

    Grand Marshall is Glen Clark, whose food concession stand, Wimpy’s, has been a state fair favorite for nearly 25 years.

FREE STAGE PERFORMERS

    One of the most popular free shows is comedy hypnotist Michael Swenson, certified stage hypnotist from San Diego, California. Swenson has worked with companies such as Sea World and Disney, and will have spectators and brave volunteers alike laughing it up during one of his several daily shows. This one fills up fast, so check the times on the free stage just north of the tunnel for times and get there early for a seat.

    Also performing on the free stage this year will be comedian Dick Hardwick. Hardwick has been a guest on Jeff Foxworthy’s syndicated radio show and appeared in concert with Johnny Mathis and Reba McEntire.

    Comedy duo T.C. Hatter and Marcianne is a great show for the kids, but adults will also enjoy their combination of magic, juggling, music and funny stories they present.

    Ziv was born in Israel and has been writing music since he was a child. He and bass player Kenny from Colorado and Mark from Michigan perform alternative rock music.

GRANDSTAND EVENTS

    There will also be entertainment events each night at the grandstand area of the fairgrounds. Remember, a processing fee of $2.50 will be added to each ticket for the grandstand events.

    On Saturday, Sept. 4, check out the Bull Riding Championships starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for kids 11 and under.

    The RMPA Tractor Pull will be held on Sunday, Sept. 5 starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for kids 11 and under.

    The IMPRA Rodeo Finals will be held on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 6 and 7 at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for kids age 11 and under.

    Another great show for the kids is the 2010 Boost Mobile Freestylemx.com tour, being presented on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Freestyle motocross riders will do tricks and flips on their motorcycle to impress the crowd and the judges.

    There will be two events, “big air,” during which each rider gets three jumps that usually cover more than 60 feet, and 10 judges evaluate the style, trick difficulty and use of the course. Rider with the highest score wins.

    For the other event, “freestyle motocross,” riders perform two routines, on a course that features jumps and angles of varying lengths. Again, a panel of judges will score the riders based on difficulty of the tricks and variation.

    Foreigner, hailed as one of the most successful rock bands in the world, will perform on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. If you have listened to a rock radio station any time within the last 20 years, you have heard a Foreigner song. “Juke Box Hero,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” are just a few of their chart-topping hits. The $30 ticket price includes gate admission.

    Another set of legendary musicians, Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys, will take the stage on Friday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys have gone through many line up changes since the foundation of the group in 1945, and are famous for their vocal harmonies.

    Kenny Rogers started his solo career in the 70s and is well-known for his songs “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “She Believes in Me,” “Love Will Turn You Around” and many others. The $30 ticket price includes gate admission.

    One of the few times you will ever be able to see guys and gals intentionally crashing their cars — with cash prizes as incentive, of course — will be Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Demolition Derby, starting at 7:30 p.m. The ticket prices of $18 for adults and $14 per child age 11 and under includes gate admission.

    People spend months working on old, beat-up cars just to destroy them in a matter of minutes to the delight of spectators of all ages. Drivers will compete in a series of heats, including an all female Powder Puff division, until there is one drivable car left. The winners of each heat will go carburetor to carburetor in the finals for a shot at a cash prize.

    There are many other activities going on at the 2010 Eastern Idaho State Fair including horse shows, Indian relay races and talent contests. For more information go to www.funatthefair.com

2010 EISF schedule:

Gate tickets $6 for adult, $2 for children ages 6 to 11, $4 for senior citizens (65+).

September 4 – Saturday

8 a.m.  4-H Horse Show

9 a.m. Stock Dog Competition – Sheep

11 a.m. Parade – Shilling Street

12 p.m. - Carnivla rides open

12 – 6 p.m. McDonalds/KUPI Kiddie land Day

Noon Stock Dog Competition – Cattle

2 p.m. State Arm Wrestling Tournament

3 p.m. Lil’ Cowpoke Rodeo – West Events Arena

7:30 p.m. Professional Bull Riding Invitational

September 5 – Sunday

9 a.m. Horse Show – Miniatures – West Arena

Noon Pari-Mutuel Racing – Indian Relay Races

1 p.m. - Carnival rides open

7 p.m. R.M.P.A. Truck and Tractor Pull

September 6 – Monday

8 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

9 a.m. Draft Horse Hitches – Infield

11 a.m. Carnival rides open

Noon Pari-Mutuel Racing – Indian Relay Races

7:30 p.m. I.M.P.R.A. Finals Rodeo

September 7 – Tuesday

8 a.m. Team Penning/Branding/Sorting Grandstand

9 a.m. Draft Horse Hitches – Infield

9:30 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

1 p.m. Carnival rides open, wristband day

7:30 p.m. I.M.P.R.A. Finals Rodeo

September 8 – Wednesday

8 a.m. Barrel Racing – Grandstand

9 a.m. Draft Horse Hitches – Infield

9:30 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

1 p.m. Horse Pulling – Grandstand

1 p.m. Carnival rides open, wristband day

8 p.m. 2010 Boost Freestylemx.comTour

September 09 – Thursday

8 a.m. Idaho Junior Rodeo – Grandstand

9 a.m. Draft Horse Hitches – Infield

9:30 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

Noon Indian Relay Races

1 p.m. Carnival rides open, wristband day

8 p.m. Grandstand Concert: Foreigner

September 10 – Friday

9 a.m. Draft Horse Hitches -Infield

9:30 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

Noon Pari-Mutuel Racing – Indian Relay Races

Noon  Carnival rides open

6 p.m. 4-H and FFA Market Animal Sale

8 p.m. Grandstand Concert: Kenny Rogers featuring the Oak Ridge Boys

September 11 – Saturday

9:30 a.m. Horse Show – West Arena

Noon Pari-Mutuel Racing – Indian Relay Races

Noon Carnival rides open

1 p.m. Farm Bureau Talent Contest

7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby

Are they necessary?

Press release

POCATELLO —  A part of the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25’s effort to reduce General Fund monies spent on extra-curricular activities included the cost of using Holt Arena for home varsity football games.

Part of the Holt adjustments, for this coming year, include raising all categories of ticket prices by $2 and adding a $2 ticket fee for each person using a pass or student activity card. Fans with the passes or activity cards will need to purchase those tickets either at the regular Holt ticket booth or sometime during the week before each game at the Bursar’s Office at one of the District 25 high schools.

2010 Holt Arena prices for Varsity High School Football

Adults $8

Children 12 and under $4

Local Middle School students as well as visiting high school students $6

Other than IHSAA yearly and Lifetime passes and Dairymen of Idaho passes, all other passes such as local high school activity cards, District #25 faculty and staff passes, District #25 Lifetime passes and Lifetime passes awarded by District 25 high schools, and Senior Citizen passes, all require the additional $2 fee.

POCATELLO — Idaho State University will host a range of entertainment productions in the 2010-11 “A Season of Note” series held in the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall of the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.

    There are nine shows in this year’s series, including everything from The Harlem Gospel Chio and JIGU! – Thunder Drums of China, to Blue Suede Shoes – The Ultimate Elvis Experience.

    “We’re again presenting a wide variety of programs for our patrons to enjoy,” said George Casper, ISU director of events. “This is as strong of a series as we’ve put on yet.”

    Tickets range in price from $20 to $36, depending on the show and seat selection. Season tickets go on sale Aug. 9 and individual performance tickets go on sale Aug. 23. Tickets can be purchased at the Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the summer and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the school year. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at (208) 282-3595 or online at www.isu.edu/tickets.com. They can also be purchased in-person at Vickers Western Stores in Pocatello or Idaho Falls.  The Box Office is open one hour prior to show times.

    There are three season ticket packages available: Package A, the full season, for $215 for the main level and $153 for the upper level; the five-performance Package B, which includes Collin Raye, ABBA-Mania, Eric Bibb, Harlem Chior and Time for Three, $121 main level and $103upper level; and the five-performance Package C, which includes tickets for Collin Raye, Jigul, Blue Suede Shoes, Jason Farnham and Red Chamber, $126  main level and $108 upper level.  These prices do not include the $4 postage and handling fee.

    Ticket prices for the individual shows are noted below. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. More information is available at www.isu.edu/stephens/. Upcoming series shows are:

    • ABBA-Mania, Sept. 16 -- ABBA-Mania has been quoted as the No. 1 ABBA musical production in the world with stops in Malaysia, South American, the Dominican Republic, Jakarta, Grand Cayman Islands and the United States.  ABBA-Mania features nine musicians and singers, who perform 21 of ABBA’s hits, with all the costume changes, choreography, a live band, back-up singers and big studio sound.  The Toronto Sun calls ABBA-Mania “Vocally and musically superb.”  Tickets prices are $26 main level, $22 upper level.  Website:  www.centerstageartists.com.

    • Eric Bibb, Oct. 9  – Back by popular demand – this internationally popular, acoustic finger picking guitarist and singer, is known for this blues, gospel folk and New Orleans R & B roots music.  Nominated for nine W. C. Handy Blues Music 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.” In the words of “House of Blues Radio Hour” host Elwood Blues, “You are what the blues of the new century should be about.”  Ticket prices are $20 main level, $16 upper level.  Website: www.ericbibb.com.

    • JIGU! – Thunder Drums of China, Oct. 27 – JIGU! In Chinese it means to “beat or touch the drum.”  Hailing from the Shanix province, this world-renown company of drummers, percussionists and musicians can astound audiences in this ultra-sensory entertainment experience.  The fine art of drumming and percussive performance is indicative of the culture of the Shanix province.  Performances by JIGU! are deeply rooted in these folk origins, which are blended with many modern musical elements.  Ticket prices are $32 main level, $28 upper level.  Website: www.sroartists.com.

    • Blue Suede Shoes – The Ultimate Elvis Experience, Nov. 13 – Scot Bruce and Mike Albert team up to bring you a riveting tribute to the “King of Rock and Roll” that you won’t soon forget. Bruce performs as Elvis, the way we remember him during his early career, followed by Albert, who is superb as Elvis in his Vegas years.  Together, they attempt to recreate the electrifying musical excitement of the King, in a biographical concert that has played to sellouts across the county.  Their performances feature audience interaction and a dynamite back-up band.  Ticket prices are $32 main level, $28 upper level.  Website: www.a-c-t-s-inc.com.

    • Collin Raye Christmas, Dec. 16 – Five times nominated as country music’s Male Vocalist of the Year, Raye still puts on shows that are electrifying in their intensity.  He is proud of his five Platinum albums, 25 Top 10 Hits, 15 No. 1 smashes and 12 chart-topping videos.  “In the beginning, I wanted hits and all that,” he reflects.  “But what drives me now is what music means to people.  Songs have landed on-me that made me realize there’s more to this that I thought.  It’s about entertaining people one minute and healing them the next.  It’s kinda like a ministry.” Ticket prices are $36 main level, $32 upper level. Website: www.collinraye.com.

• Harlem Gospel Choir, Jan. 19 – The Harlem Gospel Choir is the most famous gospel choir in America today.  It travels the globe, sharing its joy of faith through its music and raising funds for children’s charities.  In this new era of hope and change the Choir’s voices reflect the renaissance of Harlem’s culture.  Their songs of hope and inspiration will touch the depths of your soul and lift your spirit. More than just a style of gospel, The Harlem Gospel Choir is the original “real deal” straight from New York.  Ticket prices are $26 main level, $22 upper level.  Website: www.harlemgospelchoir.com.

    • Jason Farnham and Friends Valentine’s Show, Feb. 12 – Jason Farnham, of Los Angeles, California, is truly the “International Entertainer of Contemporary Piano Music.”   His signature original compositions include his hit “When,” his novel arrangement of the Irish haunting melody “Be Thou My Vision,” and his versions of favorites like “The Girl from Ipanema” and “Autumn Leaves.”  Guest artists Ian Dobson and Coco York will accompany him. York has shared the stage with such artists as Lionel Richie, B. B. King and Tanya Marie. Dobson grew up in Seattle alongside many well-known grunge legends.  He has performed for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Starbucks, Boeing and at various universities. Ticket prices are $20 main level, $16 upper level.  Website: www.jasonfarnham.com.

    • Time for Three, March 17– The Time for Three Trio transcends traditional classification, with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own.  The members – Zachary De Pue, violin; Nicolas Kendall, violin; and Ranaan Meyer, double bass – carry a passion for improvisation, composing and arranging. The group has performed hundreds of engagements as diverse as its music: from featured guest soloists with The Philadelphia Orchestra to opening for k. d. lang. Ticket prices are $26 main level, $22 upper level.  Website: www.Tf3.com.

    • Red Chamber – Secrets of Chinese Court, Passions of the West, April 9 – Whether it is fast and furious stringband music, the sultry beauty of Imperial Court Classics, or cutting edge contemporary creations, Red Chamber’s fiery passion embodies every note.  The quartet consists of Mei Han, leader, an internationally acclaimed zheng (zither) master and ethnomusicologist; Gullian Liu, one of the world’s leading pipa (lute) masters; Zhimin Yuis, a ruan (lute) virtuoso; and Geling Jiang, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who started her professional career at  age 10. Red Chamber takes its inspiration from the traditional Chinese “Plucked String” repertoire that is seldom ever heard in the west.  It creates a unique sound while performing a repertoire that spans centuries. Ticket prices are $20 main level, $16 upper level.  Website: www.kbamonline.com.