One of the greatest things about WKNC is our ability to partner with North Carolina State University campus departments. Way back in May, we were approached by Center Stage to help promote a new venture called Off-Center. Since we’re a little off-center ourselves, nestled way down at 88.1 on your radio dial, we were thrilled. No doubt Center Stage does an excellent job of bringing national acts to campus; check out the schedule for yourself. With the re-opening of Thompson Hall, though, came the unique opportunity to create something new.
We have long wanted to expand the Center Stage series to include artists for which Stewart Theatre might not be the best venue: young artists or ensembles early in their career, some of the many fine artists who call North Carolina home, and some of the hard-to-describe performances that may not attract huge audiences, but that our faithful patrons know can provide an evening of exhilarating entertainment.
Next weekend, Sept. 18 and 19, Center Stage launches its Off-Center series with Double Barrel Benefit 6 alumnus Lost in the Trees. The Chapel Hill-based ensemble is often described as a folk orchestra, but you need to see them for yourself to really understand their sound. Lost in the Trees perform Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre. We could not have chosen a better kickoff ourselves.
Raleigh’s ELM Collective, who plays Saturday, Sept. 19 at the same time and location, is groovy in a different way. The band boasts a global sound from four continents and a mission to blend culture through their music. Learn more about the band and flutist/physics professor Marco Buongiorno-Nardelli in the Winter 2009 Scope, a magazine from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Tickets for both shows are only $5 each for N.C. State students and can be picked up at the Ticket Central box office on the second floor of Tally Student Center. Members of the general public can enjoy Lost in the Trees and ELM Collective for $12-$15 each. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (919) 515-1100, or skip some of the processing fees by getting them in person at Ticket Central.