Fushu Daiko: Elemental
Thursday September 18, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

Since our beginning in 1990, Fushu Daiko has practiced joyously in the pursuit of ever-increasing mastery of taiko drumming, understanding, and appreciation in the way of taiko, Japanese culture, and all of life.

Fushu Daiko is made up of many nationalities and backgrounds, yet we have been drawn together by the taiko. Through its sound, Fushu Daiko wishes to create a sense of connection in the hearts of those who hear the taiko's beat.

Henry Rollins: Provoked
Wednesday October 1, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

For almost two decades, Rollins has been performing talking/stand-up shows internationally. He tours with his hard-rock group, Rollins Band, and is a Grammy Award winner for Best Spoken Word Performance.

The former frontman of legendary Californian band Black Flag, he is the author of Smile, You're Traveling (Black Coffee Blues Part 3). Rollins has written articles for Spin and Details; published numerous books under his own imprint, 2-13-61 Publications; and done EPKs for Black Sabbath, Wayne Kramer and Jerry Lee Lewis. Presently Rollins is shooting Season 2 as host of "The Henry Rollins Show" on IFC.

The king of the spoken word show, he relishes going on stage and talking to college students. His observations never fail to touch a nerve with audiences.

He has said, "Those 20 kids that stick around after a show--that is my family. That's why I'm never nervous before I go on stage. That's why I talk for three hours. I wanna take 'em all home. They're the only people I need."

Adam Pascal: Broadway State of Mind
Thursday November 13, 2008 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

Adam Pascal, award-winning original star of Broadway’s "RENT" and "Aida" and the feature film "RENT," performs an evening of classic Broadway songs from composers old and new, (including Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Jonathan Larson, Jason Robert Brown, and more), as well as classic rock songs from his musical influences. 
Adam Pascal’s “Broadway State of Mind” is a show that will have both Broadway and rock fans on their feet!

2009 WCU Trumpet Festival
Bobby Shew-Jazz Trumpet
Friday January 16, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

FREE FOR EVERYONE!

(Check out a video clip!)

A very valuable trumpeter, Bobby Shew has the rare dual ability of being able to play lead in big bands and star as a soloist in combos. His style is out of the hard bop tradition. Shew, who became an important jazz educator, was ironically mostly self-taught. He worked with Woody Herman (1965), Buddy Rich (1966-1967), and then for a long stretch in Las Vegas show bands.

In 1973, Shew settled in Los Angeles and worked in the studios, but found time to play jazz, most notably with the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin big band. Louie Bellson has used him on many occasions over the past several decades, and Shew was often in demand for big band work with Buddy Rich, Don Menza, and the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut. Starting in the 1980s, he has appeared more often with smaller groups. Bobby Shew has recorded as a leader for Inner City, Sutra, Jazzhounds, Atlas, Delos, Pausa, Mo Pro, Mons, Double-Time, and MAMA.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

African Children’s Choir: Journey of Hope
Wednesday January 28, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

Following the brutal reign of Idi Amin in Uganda, during which hundreds of thousands of children were orphaned and left starving to death, the African Children’s Choir™ was born. In fact it was the singing of one small child that inspired the founder Ray Barnett and his team of volunteers to recruit the first African Children’s Choir™ from amongst these desperate children.

Their mission was and still is to show the world that Africa’s most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. Join the African Children’s Choir™ on their inspirational Journey of Hope out of war torn Uganda in 1985. The Choir's joyful music is a blend of song and dance throughout the entire continent of Africa, featuring more than ten languages and unique cultural dancing. 

Parson’s Dance Company
Thursday February 26, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fine and Performing Arts Center

Parsons Dance is an internationally renowned contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of choreographer David Parsons. Parsons Dance creates and performs contemporary American dance of extraordinary artistry that is entertaining and enriching to diverse audiences.

Check out the video clip!