Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) will bring music and performance of a wide variety from around the world to south central Kansas for its 36th season.
Opening the year’s series on October 23, will be The Cashore Marionettes: Life in Motion. For more than 30 years, Joseph Cashore has designed and performed with his marionettes. The program features the marionettes in everyday scenes dealing with emotions and experiences set to music by famous composers such as Copland, Strauss and Beethoven.
The annual Christmas season performance will feature Sons of Serendip on Dec. 4. Finalists on season nine of NBC’s hit performance show, America’s Got Talent, the quartet blends a unique combination of harp, cello, piano/keyboard and voice.
Well-known and well-loved by HBPA audiences, The King’s Singers will present their “Gold50” program on Feb. 12, in celebration of the group’s 50 years of existence. The program will feature a cappella arrangements of contemporary folk songs, art songs and pop songs, exploring the music through the centuries.
The Berlin-based ensemble, Armida Quartet, will take the stage on March 5 with “Mozart Exploded.” By juxtaposing Mozart pieces with those by contemporary composers, the program re-envisions Mozart as a young, radical and modern composer. Readings of letters written by Mozart help supplement the experience.
Wrapping up the season will be singer/songwriter Ruth Moody on April 9. A member of the all-female folk group The Wailin’ Jennys, Moody’s voice and impressive multi-instrumentalism is highlighted by a talented band, providing an enchanting evening of musicianship.
HBPA season tickets are available from $80 to $90 for adults. Single tickets can also be purchased for individual performances. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens.
Performances are held on the Hesston College and Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) campuses. More information about the season and individual performances, as well as ticket information can be found online.
Started in 1982 as Hesston Performing Arts, the series expanded in 1998 when Hesston College joined forces with Bethel College for The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series. The series presents five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year. HBPA is funded in part by the city of North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment (Hesston), the North Newton Community Foundation, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Area businesses and patrons provide additional funding for the HBPA series.