Two Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers in one night is a tough
act to follow, but Eastern Michigan University Convocation
Center assistant director Marcy Szabo feels good about
the lineup of live performances EMU has scheduled at the
Convocation Center this fall.
"We're open for anything," Szabo said. "We like
to have a diverse group, and I think we do."
Though she's still looking for an urban act that makes
sense price-wise, Szabo has put together a fall lineup
with live shows that span classic rock, country music,
Christian rock and live comedy.
The run starts in a big way with legendary singer-songwriter
Bob Dylan, who along with Elvis Costello, comes to the
Convocation Center Oct. 12. Dylan was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, the third year of the
Hall's existence. Costello, with his band The Attractions,
was feted in 2003.
EMU has already sold 4,000 tickets to the Dylan show,
putting Szabo's personal goal of 5,000 well within reach.
The Convocation Center holds 6,200 for concerts.
"I'm really excited," Szabo said. "(Dylan) was here in
the summer and did a show at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights
(that drew 5,000). I really want to beat them."
Here's a look at live entertainment coming to EMU in October
and November:
 |
ROLLING INTO EMU: Musical
legend Bob Dylan
and Elvis
Costello perform at the
Convocation Center
Oct. 12. |
Bob Dylan and his Band with Elvis
Costello and Amos Lee:
Dylan's 27-city tour rides through Ypsilanti on the heels
of the Oct. 1 release of "Dylan," the CD billed as the "ultimate
Bob Dylan collection." The new CD ranges from the original
1963 recording of "Blowin' In The Wind" to newer material
like 2001 Oscar winner "Things
Have Changed" (from the movie "Wonder Boys"). Dylan, 66,
started his current tour in Austin, Texas, Sept. 15. Set
list mainstays so far have included "Thunder
on the Mountain," "Workingman's Blues" and "All Along the
Watchtower."
Costello, 53, has been at it nearly as long as Dylan and
has written in genres that range from punk and new wave
to jazz and opera. He recently re-released a deluxe edition
of his 1977 "My Aim Is True," which includes classics like "Alison" and "(The
Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes." He opens for Dylan as
a solo act behind folk and blues performer Amos Lee.
Tickets range from $29.50-$69.50 and can be ordered online
at www.bobdylan.com, www.elviscostello.com or www.amoslee.com.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
 |
Buddy Jewel |
Buddy Jewell: Jewell paid his dues as a road musician
and country music demo singer for a decade before winning
the Nashville Star contest (and a record deal) in 2003.
The Arkansas native comes to the 1,500-seat Pease Auditorium
Oct. 13.
Jewell's hits include "Help Pour Out the Rain
(Lacey's Song)" and "Sweet Southern Comfort," which were
No. 3 on the U.S. Country charts in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
The former, inspired by his daughter, hit No. 29 on the
Hot 100.
Jewell's show at Pease is one of seven benefit concerts
the singer is doing for Xentel. This concert will benefit
the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union.
Tickets are
$20. For more information, go to www.buddyjewell.com.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
 |
LAUGH OUT LOUD:
Comedianne Laurie
Kilmartin
is part of
the lineup for "VH1
Best Show Ever!
Live." |
VH1 Best Show Ever! Live: On Oct. 19,
Pease opens its doors to the live version of VH1's pop
culture showcase, "Best
Week Ever." Comedians and Best Week Ever regulars Chuck
Nice, Mike Britt, Laurie Kilmartin, and John Mulany will
riff on the week's events in pop culture in a live show
that has all the features of the weekly TV edition, but
with more edge.
Tickets are $15 for the general public
and $10 for students. For more information, go to www.bestweekever.tv.
Doors open at 8 p.m.
 |
FOR A CAUSE: Switchfoot
and Relient K
will play the
Convocation Center Nov. 12.
The bands
will donate $1
from each concert ticket to
Habitat
for Humanity. |
Switchfoot and Relient K with special
guests, Ruth: Double-platinum
Christian rock band Switchfoot headlines the 34-city "Appetite
for Construction Tour", which stops at the Convocation
Center Nov. 12. The bands are donating $1 from each ticket
sold to Habitat for Humanity.
Switchfoot, a San Diego-based
group takes its name from a surfing term that describes
a shift in the direction a surfer is facing. The band makes
its stance on political and social issues clear.
"American
Dream," one
of the tracks on its latest CD, takes on our collective
ambition for excess. Other tracks examine materialism and
the dehumanizing effect of technology. Switchfoot also
has cracked the pop and modern rock top 10 with the singles, "Dare
You To Move," and "Meant To Live."
They're joined by the pop-punk outfit Relient K, which
released "Five
Score and Seven Years Ago" in March. The band is known
for the quirky sense of humor that produced songs like "The
Only Thing Worse Than Beating A Dead Horse is Betting On
One" and the aside, "Crayons Can Melt On Us for All I Care." Indie
rock act Ruth opens.
Tickets are $23 each and $20 each
for a group of 15 or more. For more information, go to www.switchfoot.com, www.relientk.com or www.ruthrock.com.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
