Date: Feb 22, 2010

Hofstra's Astman Concert Series Lets Music Lovers Ring in Spring with Tributes To Dinah Shore, Desi Arnaz, Songs from Broadway and the Movies, The Rat Pack and More

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University’s Joseph G. Astman Concert Series will say goodbye to winter and ring in spring with tributes to singers and songs from the stage and screen.

All performances take place at Monroe Lecture Center Theater on Hofstra University’s South Campus.

Tickets are $19, $17 senior citizen (over 65) or matriculated non-Hofstra student, $10 children under 12. For tickets and information, please contact the John Cranford Adams Playhouse Box Office at (516) 463-6644.

The spring 2010 schedule is as follows:

February 28 at 2 p.m.: “A Celebration of the Life and Music of Dinah Shore” starring Lynn DiMenna. Celebrated cabaret performer and radio correspondent Lynn DiMenna, accompanied by her fabulous musical trio, brings you a choice sampling from the songbook of one of radio and television’s most popular personalities for nearly a half-century! Join us for this Dinah Shore birthday celebration, and you’ll delight in favorites such as “For Sentimental Reasons,” “It All Depends on You,” “I’ll Walk Alone,” and “Blues in the Night.”

March 27 at 8 p.m. and March 28 at 2 p.m.: Long Island premiere - “Babalu-cy! The Art of Desi Arnaz”.
Written and created by Long Island native Greg Purnhagen, this award-winning musical show shines a spotlight on the life and career of the great Cuban-American entertainer. Joined by a seven-piece band and a certain crazy redhead, Mr. Purnhagen performs songs associated with Desi Arnaz’s career, giving the audience a new appreciation of his many contributions to American popular culture and music. You’ll find yourself ready to jump up and join in the conga line! Get out your straw hat and sing along to “Cuban Pete,” “ I Love Lucy,” “ I’m in Love With the Dragon’s Dinner,” “We’re Having a Baby,” “Cielito Lindo,” “I’ll See You in C-U-B-A,” “The Straw Hat Song,” and, of course, “Babalu.”

April 23 at 8 p.m.: “From the Great White Way to the Silver Screen: Songs From Broadway and the Movies” starring vocalists Andrew Heller and Laura Wolfe. Combine two fabulous performers with a talented quintet of musicians, and let us entertain you! Powerhouse Texas tenor Andrew Heller recently released his sixth CD, Places, celebrating some of his favorite haunts – real, romanticized and imagined. Laura Wolfe recently appeared in the Los Angeles premiere of Cole Porter’s Red, Hot, and Blue. Additional musical credits include the world premiere of Happy Lot, starring Michael Feinstein and Betty Garrett, Oklahoma! and Guys and Dolls.

May 1 at 8 p.m.: “Spring Time, Swing Time, String Time,” featuring Karen Olson, viola/violin, accompanied by a musical sextet, along with special guest vocalists and performers. This unique performance features special musical arrangements of some classic movie selections made famous by The Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.), as well as several other unforgettable cinema songs.
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Related Link: Hofstra's Joseph G. Astman Concert Series