MERIDIAN, MS—Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren and Mickey Dolenz are headlining a Sept. 26 all-star tribute to the Beatles’ “White Album” to open the 2019 Fall Performing Arts Series at the MSU Riley Center.
"Even though there are only five shows this season, it is an absolutely all-star lineup, with everything from eclectic blues to a star-studded Beatles celebration to an engaging Celtic Christmas show to one of the top a cappella vocal groups in the country," said Executive Director Daniel Barnard.
In addition to Rundgren, Cross, and Dolenz (of The Monkees), "It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to The Beatles’ White Album" will feature two other icons of 1960s, ’70s and ’80s music: Jason Scheff (formerly of Chicago) and Joey Molland (of Badfinger). The artists will perform their own greatest hits as well as songs from the epic 1968 Beatles album that produced such favorites as "Revolution," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Straight No Chaser, the nine-man a cappella group that got its start at Indiana University, will bring its Open Bar Tour to the Riley Center on Oct. 26. The group plans to designate a local restaurant as a pre-show meeting place for fans. It will reveal the location on the Straight No Chaser website (www.sncmusic.com), Facebook page (@StraightNoChaser), Instagram (sncmusic) and Twitter (@SNCmusic).
The singers even hint that they may stop by for a song or a drink. They also will randomly select and put some concertgoers on stage during their performance of “Table 23.”
Canadian singer, songwriter and comedian Norman Foote uses charmingly silly songs plus puppets to delight children as well as their parents. He will bring his guitar and props to town on Nov. 14.
An Acoustic Evening with John Hiatt on Nov. 20 will showcase one of America’s most respected and beloved songwriters. The long list of artists who have turned Hiatt compositions into hits includes Bonnie Raitt ("Thing Called Love"), Three Dog Night ("Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here"), Rosanne Cash ("The Way We Make a Broken Heart") and Jeff Healey ("Angel Eyes").
The Fall Series concludes with "Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas Tour" with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, December 15. Singers Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and Megan Walsh and violinist Tara McNeill will celebrate the holidays in heartwarming fashion.
All performances start at 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday show featuring Celtic Woman, which begins at 6 p.m.
Ticket prices vary per show. The series offers a range of season-ticket options that include discounted prices and other perks. If subscribers lose or forget their tickets, the Box Office will issue duplicates on the spot. With a simple phone call, subscribers can also arrange to leave their tickets at the Box Office for friends, family members or clients.
On Sale ticket dates:
Current Season Ticket Holders: renew no later than Aug. 2
New Season Ticket Buyers: Aug. 5
Build Your Own Package: Aug. 12
Individual Tickets: Aug. 26
Norman Foote Family Pass: Aug. 26; All zones are $45, which includes 1-2 adults and 1-4 children. Tickets for additional children are $10 each.
Tickets and information are available by phone at 601-696-2200 or in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, 2200 Fifth St. in downtown Meridian. Tickets also can be purchased starting one hour before showtime on the day of a show. For more information, visit www.msurileycenter.com.
The MSU Riley Center thanks The Riley Foundation and Mississippi State University. Their continuing support makes these shows possible.