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An entertaining season: Monroe Arts Center announces 2012-13 line-up
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MONROE - Comedy, music from the 1950s and 60s, an evening with John Lennon, and the debut of a music festival are all a part of the Monroe Arts Center's 2012-13 Entertainment Season, its 37th year.

The Sunday Concert Series opens the 2012-13 season on Sunday, Sept. 23 with piano and violin duo Sarah Plum and Mei-Hsuan Huang. In October, classical pianist Christopher Atzinger, known for his "abundant energy and natural musicality," will take the MAC stage. A return of Madison's Pro Arte Quartet on Sunday, Nov. 11 closes the series.

Two shows will be presented at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) in the upcoming season. On Saturday, Oct. 13, Da Yoopers will bring their off-beat musical comedy act to Monroe. Touting themselves as the "number one fishing, hunting, and beer drinking comedy show in America," their sound is both a reflection and celebration of the culture found in "da U.P." (Upper Peninsula of Michigan). They are best known for their hit songs "Rusty Chevrolet" and "The Second Week of Deer Camp."

At PAC on Friday, April 13, the stage show "Just Imagine," starring Tim Piper as John Lennon, will highlight the music, the stories behind the songs, and insights about the Beatles.

Four different musical shows will be presented at MAC, beginning on Saturday, Nov. 3 with country singer and songwriter, Katie Armiger, and her band. Armiger has had two No. 1 hits on the Great American Country video charts, appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, and toured with country superstars Jason Aldean, Craig Morgan and Luke Bryan.

On Friday, Nov. 30, there will be a performance by The Good Lovelies. The trio entertains with part Western-swing and part folk-roots music, combined with three-part vocal harmonies, constant instrument swapping and witty on-stage banter.

Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets returns to the MAC stage in their brand-new show, "Always in Style." With high-powered energetic vocal performances and clever comedy schtick, the group delivers a musical salute to the music of the 1950s and 1960s.

The Bottom Line Duo will perform Friday, April 5. As the only full-length bass and cello duo show in the world, the musicians break down common stereotypes about chamber music through a program filled with refined comedy and a repertoire of modern and popular sounds.

Musicians, singers and songwriters, along with workshops and music vendors, will make up the three-day Wisconsin Music Arts Festival in June 2013. The focus of the festival will be on creating music. As part of this festival, headline acts Livingston Taylor and the BoDeans will be presented at the MHS Performing Arts Center.

"Not just the brother of James," singer, songwriter, and musician Taylor will perform at the PAC Friday, June 21. And still going strong after a quarter century, the BoDeans will perform on Saturday, June 22, with roots-rock, blues, country and soul music. Opening for the BoDeans is the fiery Minnesota band, Lucy Michelle and The Velvet Lapelles. With an eclectic mixture of instruments, the five-piece group combines equal parts old-time, mountain, bluegrass, gypsy, rag, punk, and pop music.

Numerous MAC-sponsored community events are planned for the upcoming season. Broadcast live on Big Radio, MAC Radio Live-Showcase of Talent variety show will bring talented individuals in the area to the stage for two consecutive nights of entertainment in January. Other special events include the annual Holiday Silent Auction, a free holiday concert, the Underwriters Preview Party, and A Taste of Spring.

For information, a season brochure, and tickets, contact the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700, or (888) 596-1249, or online at www.monroeartscenter.com.