The Lancaster Performing Arts Center has built a sterling Southland reputation for showcasing some of the finest acts in show business. This fall’s lineup is no exception.
First up this evening at 8 p.m. is Edwin McCain. During an impressive 20-year career in the music business, McCain has combined hit songs, an authentic spirit and an affable sense of humor to become one of the most sought-after performers in the industry.
McCain has been called the “Great Romantic” and has an exhaustive touring schedule each year. McCain’s “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More” are considered by many as “wedding must-haves.” You’ll often hear his ballads on the shows “American Idol” and “The Voice.” Even Justin Bieber has been known to belt out “I’ll Be” at his concerts.
McCain is familiar on television from the Animal Planet show “Flipping Boats.”
“We started the business to put good boats into good families’ hands by restoring them in ways that might otherwise be financially out of reach.”
McCain’s heart remains with his music and traveling the road to entertain fans. “The 15-year-old me would have crawled through a river of fire to be the singer-songwriter that I am today. I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do this,” he said.
Air Supply
“The Lost in Love Experience: Air Supply” features the duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. The Oct. 30 show is sold out.
Like any group, Air Supply faced early disappointment. Then Graham wrote several songs that became world-wide smash hits in “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love.” “Lost in Love” was released in Australia in 1978. It found its way to legendary producer Clive Davis of Arista Records who immediately offered Air Supply a record deal.
“Lost in Love” was released in America in 1980 and became the fastest-selling song in the world, topping the charts in a multitude of countries. “All Out of Love” was the second single released and also topped the worldwide charts.
Seven consecutive top-five singles at the time equaled the Beatles’ run. The albums “Lost in Love;” “The One that You Love;” “Now and Forever;” and “The Greatest Hits” sold in excess of 20 million copies. “Lost in Love” was named song of the year in 1980 and, along with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies.
Air Supply was the first western group to tour China, Taiwan and most of Southeast Asia, when some of these countries had forbidden pop music to cross their borders. In 1983 they recorded “Making Love Out of Nothing At All” which solidified the group as a permanent force in modern pop music.
Hasta la Muerte
Scheduled for Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., Hasta la Muerte will feature Lupita Infante. The historic “Day of the Dead” celebration is presented by Las Cafeteras Las Cafeteras and is an engaging new production rooted in the indigenous Mexican tradition of celebrating life and death known as Dia de las Muertos.
Benise–20th Anniversary Spectacular
Roni Benise (best known as Benise) is an American self-taught and self-described “Nouveau Spanish Flamenco Guitarist.” The music starts at 8 p.m. Nov. 4.
Benise left his family to move 1500 miles away to Los Angeles with a dream of pursuing a rock-type stardom. With a lack of viable venues, he and a group of friends took the music to the streets as a busker, playing everything from neighborhood theaters to flea markets where he quickly established a following.
Together, they came up with an act that married Latin rhythms to a near-Cirque du Soleil atmosphere. He takes the world (specifically, strongly-flavored Latin-flavored pieces such as flamenco, salsa, tango and samba, underscored by African tribal rhythms) and fuses it with rock, creating an entirely new sound that appeals widely to mainstream music fans and aficionados of world music.
The mixture caught the attention of PBS and led to his 2006-2007 “Nights of Fire” production that has aired on many PBS-affiliate stations, and for which he won an Emmy award. The show is a blend of theater and music drawing from the Spanish flamenco, Argentine tango and Brazilian samba traditions.
ARTrageous
The children will love this show scheduled for 3 p.m. on Nov. 6. Imagine an artist creating a masterpiece before your eyes in mere moments. The ARTrageous troupe of 12 artists, singers, dancers and musicians create a palette by mixing captivating vocals, intricate choreography and exciting audience interaction. Another production will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 7.
Matt Fraser
America’s top psychic/medium will take to the stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 12. Matt Fraser is a best-selling author, and star of a hit television series “Meet the Frasers” on E! Entertainment. Fraser performs best before a live audience and gives readings while getting “up close and personal” on a spiritual journey.
Fraser has said he “inherited his gift to hear messages from heaven” from his grandmother and mother. It has been reported that Fraser made his first contact with the dead by contacting the spirit of his grandmother. He has said that his Native Indian heritage is important to his psychic abilities.
In 2012 Fraser published the book “The Secrets to Unlocking Your Psychic Ability.” His second book, “When Heaven Calls,” was released in 2020.
It’s Magic
This show will take place at 3 p.m. Nov. 13. Now in its 60th year, “It’s Magic” is considered to be America’s longest running all-star magic revue. Presented by Milt Larsen and Terry Hill, “It’s Magic” is a showcase of dazzling displays of some of the entertainment industry’s most award-winning magicians and illusionists.
Ricky Nelson Remembered
Performed by his sons Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the Nov. 18 show takes a fond and heartfelt look back at an original teen idol and one of rock ‘n roll’s most beloved stars. Showtime is at 8 p.m.
The siblings keep the music alive in a unique multi-media presentation filled with song, video and nostalgia. Ricky Nelson started out young. He was tall, blue-eyed and handsome. His musical ability was a natural progression from his father, bandleader and television star-producer Ozzie Nelson, and his mother, big band singer Harriet Hilliard Nelson.
Ricky Nelson hit the Top-10 charts in 1957 with a remake of Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin.’” He soon had a string of hits including “Stood Up,” “Poor Little Fool,” “Travlin’ Man” “Fools Rush In” and arguably his biggest hit “Hello Mary Lou.”
Later, while performing as Rick Nelson, he formed the Stone Canyon Band in 1969 and produced another hit in “Garden Party” inspired in part by an “oldies-but-goodies” concert at Madison Square Garden. Rick Nelson died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1985.
Lester Barrie’s Comedy Headliners
Come out on Nov. 19 for side-splitting comedy from Lester Barrie’s Comedy Headliners. The show starts at 8 p.m.
Barrie won the best comedian award over Dave Chappele decades ago on “Star Search.” Since then, he has toured nationally and internationally and recently performed his first stand-up comedy special “Super Saint” now available on Amazon.
Barrie’s television credits also include two recurring seasons on the Sci-Fi series “Sliders,” as well as appearances on “NYPD Blue” and “In the House” with L.L. Cool J. Barrie’s most notable movie role was the preacher in “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.”
Barrie has been an opening act to Ray Charles and has been a co-headliner with Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Bruce Bruce and has served as a writer for “Comics Unlimited” with Byron Allen.
The Lancaster Performing Arts Center is located at 750 W. Lancaster Blvd. The box office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For tickets or more information call (661) 723-5950 or visit www.lpac.org.
