The season continues with a jam-packed September, including a show by the trio of Texan brothers, LOS LONELY BOYS, on September 15; a jazz supergroup made up of the core members of RETURN TO FOREVER featuring CHICK COREA, STANLEY CLARKE and LENNY WHITE will showcase their mind-blowing improvisational skills on September 22; next come the quirky and outrageous B-52s on September 25; followed by the legendary classic country music superstar MERLE HAGGARD on September 27; and the long-awaited return of acclaimed neo-traditionalist singer-songwriter GILLIAN WELCH on September 30.

The 09-10 season is full of exceptional shows, says Roy Furshpan, Director of CenterArts. Weve been an organization for almost 30 years now, and I think its one of our most exciting series to date. With almost 40 different performances to choose from, there is truly something for everybody this year, he adds. And many of the artists we are presenting will be appearing here for the first time.

Other season highlights include a new solo show from Monty Pythons JOHN CLEESE on November 6; a special appearance by comedian LEWIS BLACK on November 16; on December 18 THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND will show how to celebrate the holidays Big Easy style with their CREOLE CHRISTMAS program; on February 12 its an acoustic music lovers dream team featuring SAM BUSH, JERRY DOUGLAS, and EDGAR MEYER; followed by folk-hipster SUZANNE VEGA and her band on February 20; and on March 31 the national touring production of the smash Tony Award-winning Broadway musical HAIRSPRAY sets up for another song-filled evening; The season finishes with another stellar performance direct from Broadway, CIRQUE DREAMS, on May 19.

Theres plenty to excite dance fans in the new season including PILOBOLUS, an outrageously acrobatic company founded by Momixs Moses Pendleton performing on November 10; an evening of African dance on January 27 from the SPIRIT OF UGANDA, a company made up of young African dancers ranging in age from 8 to 18 who are touring to promote awareness of Africas dual crisis of AIDS and civil war; and the always outrageous comedic antics of LES BALLETS TROCKADERO de MONTE CARLO will be on display on February 23.

For those interested in classical music, CenterArts is offering some of the biggest names in the concert world, including an October 2 appearance by the GOLD MEDAL WINNER of the VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION and although the winner has not been announced as of press time, this special recital will offer classical music fans an opportunity to see one of the great virtuosos of the future; The acclaimed ST. LAWRENCE STRING QUARTET will perform a recital on February 6 featuring a new piece composed especially for the Quartet by American composer John Adams; the famed MOSCOW STATE RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will fill the Van Duzer stage with its 100-plus members for a program of Russian masterworks on March 18; and on April 25, Chinas 22-year-old piano prodigy YUJA WANG offers up a recital to show just why she has quickly risen to the top of the classical music world in the span of just a few years.

Our goal is to offer an exceptional range of spectacular events from around the world, says Roy Furshpan. Events that we hope will inspire, entertain and delight. We want to present performances that you would not necessarily expect to see in a community the size of ours.

Subscribers to CenterArts season can receive priority seating and discounts of up to 30% over regular ticket prices. There are specially priced tickets available for HSU students, as well as children and seniors. For more information on becoming a CenterArts season subscriber, or to receive a free brochure with a complete listing of the 2009-010 season, call CenterArts at 707-826-3928. Information is also available on line by visiting the CenterArts website at: centerarts.humboldt.edu