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2008 Summer Entertainment Series Under the Stars

ARVADA, CO – The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities announces its 2008 Summer Entertainment Series under the Stars, featuring a wide variety of performances, from cowboy poetry, Western swing and bluegrass acoustics to rock 'n' roll with a classical twist, beautiful ballet dancing and hilarious political satire. Add in an entertainment legend and Arvada Center favorites for a lineup you won't want to miss. Tickets are now on sale to the public. Concert details, including dates and prices, can be found below.

Don't forget, the Arvada Center is the perfect place to take the family—for a picnic on the lawn, playtime on the Squiggles playground or just enjoying the entertainment in the intimate setting of our outdoor amphitheater. Discover the Arvada Center this summer and find music, poetry, dance, comedy and lots of family fun!


The Arvada Center Chorale presents Ol' Man River:
The Music of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II

With the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra and Guest Soloists
The Arvada Center Chorale showcases favorites from lifelong friends Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. Timeless tunes such as Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Last Time I Saw Paris transport the audience to the golden age of American Musical Theater when Showboat, considered the first true American musical play, premiered Ol' Man River and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man. The Chorale will be joined by some of the Arvada Center's most popular performers; Beth Flynn (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), Laura Ryan (Langley Concert) and Milton Craig Nealy and Brian Kelly (The Full Monty). Join us for an evening of music and memories.
Friday, June 13, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $15 Lawn; $25 Covered; $30 Premium Covered

The Song Remains the Same – The Music of Led Zeppelin
Jeans 'n Classics

This symphonic rock concert combines a classic rock band and headliner vocal with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, making Jeans 'n Classics concerts the hottest and fastest growing phenomenon on the concert scene. You are in for a rockin' evening with a classical twist of Led Zeppelin tunes, including Dazed and Confused, All of My Life and Stairway to Heaven.
Saturday, June 28, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $20 Lawn; $32 Covered; $38 Premium Covered

Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Mozart under Moonlight

Jeffrey Kahane, music director and piano, leads the CSO in a rare treat of a performance…an all-Mozart evening at the Arvada Center. As the region's only full-time professional orchestra, the CSO embraces a tradition of musical excellence and enriches the souls of music lovers of all ages. This memorable concert includes Overture from the Abduction from the Seraglio, K. 384, Piano Concerto No. 20, K. 466 and Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543. An evening of great classical music under the moonlight is an event you won't want to miss.
Thursday, July 10, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $20 Lawn; $30 Covered; $40 Premium Covered

Southern Exposure & Baxter Black
An up close and personal evening with bluegrass music and cowboy poetry favorites, Southern Exposure and Baxter Black. Described as "…the nation's most successful living poet," by the New York Times, Baxter Black, ex-veterinarian and sorry team roper, humorously accounts the flaws and foibles of everyday cowboy life. From the Tonight Show to PBS and NPR, Baxter's hometown verse has been heard by millions and partners nicely with the well-known music of Southern Exposure. The perfect blend of traditional and contemporary Bluegrass tunes, Southern Exposure has carved out a permanent place in hearts all across Colorado.
Saturday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $18 Lawn; $32 Covered; $45 Premium Covered (Ticket also includes a pre-show reception with Baxter Black and Southern Exposure)

Debbie Reynolds
An entertainment legend and Colorado's own Unsinkable Molly Brown, Debbie Reynolds comes to the Arvada Center this summer! Backed by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, Debbie Reynolds, the grand dame of Broadway, silver screen star and Las Vegas headliner will delight you with her energy, talent and charm. An evening of classic entertainment you'll never forget.
Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $35 Lawn; $55 Covered; $70 Premium Covered

Colorado Ballet
"Great ballet shouldn't just stir the soul – it should shake it up!" states Colorado Ballet, and that's just what they are going to do this summer in our outdoor amphitheater. Featuring Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet, choreographed by Peter Anastos and music by Frederic Chopin; Giselle (Act II Pas de deux), choreographed by Jean Corrali and Jules Perrot, as revised by Marius Petipa; and music by Adolphe Adam and "…smile with my heart," choreographed by Lar Lubovitch and music by Marvin Laird (Fantasie on Themes by Richard Rodgers). The Arvada Center is excited to have the Colorado Ballet grace its stage with a program full of romance, humor and of course, beautiful dancing.
Friday, August 15, 7:30 p.m.
$10 Child (Lawn); $20 Lawn; $35 Covered; $45 Premium Covered

Asleep at the Wheel
And Guest Cowboy Poet Andy Nelson

Hailed as the post-modern "Kings of Western Swing," this nine-time Grammy Award®-winning group returns to the Arvada Center for a night of amazin' swing and classic country blues. An enticing medley of fiddles, horns, steel guitars and piano create a sensational musical energy that is sure to have you on your feet! Andy Nelson, poet and horse rancher from Pinedale, Wyoming will open the evening with some light hearted cowboy humor and set the stage and mood for a great night of music.
Saturday, August 16, 7:30 p.m.
$10 child (Lawn); $18 Lawn; $36 Covered; $42 Premium Covered

The Capitol Steps
A presidential election year provides excellent food for political satire, and the Capitol Steps gang will break through the campaign rhetoric that's been driving you crazy. A night full of good-natured ribbing, bipartisan of course, is just what these political pundits dish out. No matter who's in the headlines, the Capitol Steps are equal opportunity offenders. They'll also share some barbed vignettes from their latest CD, Campaign and Suffering. This evening will help you regain the perspective you'll need to make it through to Election Day.
Saturday, August 23, 7:30 p.m.
$10 child (lawn); $20 Lawn; $35 Covered; $40 Premium Covered

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org. A Pick a Pack Series is available—choose any 5 concerts for $150, covered only (no premium seats) or any 3 concerts for $99, covered only (no premium seats). The child ticket price of $10 is for children 12 and older and lawn seating only. Packages are not available on line.

A barbecue dinner is available from the Arvada Center's catering service for a cost of $11.95 in advance or $12.95 at the concert. Meals can be ordered when purchasing tickets. In compliance with city regulations, no alcoholic beverages or glass containers can be brought into the amphitheater. The Arvada Center offers beer and wine service. Concessions open at 6:00 p.m. Patrons are welcome to bring their own meals to the performances.

Both covered and lawn seats are available for summer concerts. Beach chairs are rented on a first-come, first-served basis for lawn patrons at a cost of $2. Audience members may bring their own chairs only if the chairs have no legs and are not over 26" in height. All chairs are subject to the approval of the house manager. Amphitheater gates open at 6:30 p.m. Please note that all summer amphitheater events are held rain or shine.


The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the metro area's largest cultural attractions, devoted to all aspects of the arts. It is generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

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