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Janesville Presents! announces season

JANESVILLE — A touch of Ireland, a taste of jazz and a totally new wave of American roots music are all part of the upcoming Janesville Presents! season.

Janesville Performing Arts Center Executive Director Emily Gruenewald announced the concert lineup after pianist Alpin Hong's performance Friday night.

Next year's season includes four shows: the Boulder Acoustic Society, singer Cathie Ryan, up-and-coming jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer and the play "Happily Ever After: A Cinderella Tale."

The lineup of four shows is fewer than last year, but not unprecedented, Gruenewald said.

"It's varied from year to year," Gruenewald said. "We've usually had four to seven shows—we had seven this year, and it was one of our bigger years."

Of course, both the organization and its patrons are feeling the economic pinch.

Janesville Presents! wanted to keep its rates reasonable and still offer people choices from a variety of genres, Gruenewald said. The lineup includes:

-- Boulder Acoustic Society, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. Here's how the group describes itself: "Old school but never old, Boulder Acoustic Society is the new wave of American roots music. It's what happens when four songwriters get together to mash up blues, folk, gospel, indie and world music to soothe their musical curiosity."

The group includes Janesville native Aaron Keim on bass, ukulele and vocals.

-- Cathie Ryan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. The Los Angeles Times described the singer-songwriter as "one of the leading voices in Celtic music." Ryan moves between traditional favorites and her own songs.

-- "Happily Ever After: A Cinderella Story," 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11. Pushcart Players presents a version of the Cinderella story designed to appeal to the school-age set and their parents.

-- Michael Kaeshammer, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 9. Think Harry Connick Jr.—sexy and ridiculously talented. Kaeshammer's jazz piano has a fresh energy and verve that appeals to a wide range of musical tastes.

For tickets

What: Janesville Presents! 2009-2010 season.

When: Four shows between Sept. 25 and April 9.

Where: Janesville Performing Arts Center, 408 S. Main St., Janesville.

Cost: $25 for adults; students 18 and younger are free. Tickets for "Happily Ever After" will be priced differently. Season tickets are $70 for the Boulder Acoustic Society, Cathie Ryan and Michael Kaeshammer.