Ford Center Announces 10th Anniversary Season

2013-14 schedule includes Broadway hits, classical ballet and entertainment for all ages

Hungarian State Folk Ensemble
Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Communications

OXFORD, Miss. – The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi is celebrating its 10th year of production with a season lineup sure to delight and entertain.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Aug. 28 for the 2013-2014 season, which opens Sept. 28 with Wisconsin Public Radio’s Michael Feldman and his live radio show, “Whad’ya Know?” Season ticket packages and individual tickets offer a range of pricing options for a variety of series performances.

“We are excited to celebrate the 10th year of the premier performing arts complex in north Mississippi with a schedule that we believe honors our reputation for quality performances and provides numerous opportunities to make the arts accessible to the community,” said Norm Easterbrook, Ford Center director. “From tried-and-true Broadway hits to new dance shows, the beloved Peking Acrobats and a free concert by the United States Navy Concert Band, there is truly something for everyone.”

Among others, fall 2013 performances include award-winning singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers, who takes the stage Oct. 10, and an acoustic performance from Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin on Nov. 10. The national Broadway tour of the smash musical “Mamma Mia!” closes out the season on May 11, 2014.

New this year is a special focus on dance, with variety ranging from the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble on Oct. 15 to the “Prophets of Funk,” performed by the David Dorfman Dance Company on April 9, 2014. The Ford Center is also introducing Campus Connections, a program that features faculty-led student ensembles or involve themes that are of particular importance to students in the campus community.

“The Ford Center is here to promote the performing arts to all ages,” said Kate Meacham, the theater’s marketing director. “We want the entire north Mississippi community to feel ownership of the center and feel a connection to the wide range of performances, exhibits and special programs that are offered throughout the year. Part of our mission is to complement the university’s commitment to excellent academics and service. The program celebrating our 10-year anniversary does just that.”

A favorite community event will return in December, when visitors can take in the magic of theGingerbread House Village, a collection of gingerbread houses submitted by local residents, community organizations and businesses. Tours of the village are free to the public. A collection of photographs by Jack Mitchell, one of the world’s premier arts photographers, will be on display in the Ford Center lobby beginning Nov. 15.

To view the full 2013-2014 Ford Center performance schedule, visit http://www.FordCenter.org. Tickets can be purchased online, by mail or by calling the University Box Office at 662-915-7411.

— Sharon Morris, Ole Miss News Desk