H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center is ready for a versatile 2016-2017 year filled with tribute bands, musicals and iLuminate dance shows.

This year will launch off with American Idol sensation Scotty McCreery on Sept. 22 and an opening act from rising artist, Seth Alley. Following their act are two tribute bands, The Purple Xperience (Sept. 29) and ABBA The Concert (Oct. 7).

Fall will wrap up with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” musical (Oct. 12), TV game show: “The Price is Right” Live! (Oct. 14), Ballroom Dance Lessons (Oct. 24) and Ship

pensburg University Community Orchestra fall concert (Nov. 20).

During the colder months, Luhrs celebrates the season with festive, holiday music from Melissa Etheridge (Dec. 7), The Hit Men (Dec. 10) and The Lennon Sisters (Dec. 13). On Jan. 22, get ready for The Cat in the Hat to bring a “Seussical” of fun with his light-hearted lessons and rhymes. Then, on Feb. 8, “America’s Got Talent’s” illustrious iLuminate act will perform its dancing light show for the first time ever at Luhrs.

At the turn of a new semester, Luhrs presents a free lecture from BD Wong from the H.O.P.E Scholarship program titled, “All the World’s a Stage: From Exclusion to Inclusion” (Feb. 23). Then the SU Band (Apr. 2) and Community Orchestra (Apr. 23) will showcase their talent in their annual spring concerts. Luhrs concludes the school year with “One Night of Queen” (Apr. 6), Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live! (Apr. 29) and “Pippin” (May 3). The Center will continue to have a handful of events in the summer, such as a Paul McCartney tribute on June 3, before starting all over again for the following year.

Leslie Folmer Clinton, associate vice president for external affairs, university relations and marketing director at Luhrs Center, stresses the importance of bringing top-name entertainment to the SU campus at an affordable price.

“Our 11th season brings a new lineup of incredible talent performing right here in southcentral PA — no need to travel to Baltimore or Philadelphia to see high-caliber entertainment, when you can experience it in comfort, surrounded by fantastic acoustics in the intimate setting of the Luhrs Center,” Clinton said.

Luhrs strives to present programs which educate, enlighten and entertain its guests through various art forms in their very own backyard. Much of Luhrs’ success is linked to the patrons who support it and viewers who attend. Several Luhrs acts are brought back time and time again due to their vast popularity.

“Shows are selected based on their availability, cost and whether our patrons will purchase a ticket to see the show. Many times our patrons will recommend artists that they like or have seen and ask if we can bring them to the Luhrs Center,” Clinton said.

To view Luhrs’ full schedule, or to purchase tickets, go to http://www.luhrscenter.com/. SU students receive a $5 discount off regular ticket prices with their student ID.

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