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The 2018-2019 subscription series at the Fairmont Opera House kicks off Saturday night when Hornucopia takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. This is the first of 10 installments of the series, which continues through May.
Cost for an adult subscription is $170 for all 10 shows or $93 for five shows. Seniors over age 55 can purchase a full subscription for $127.50 or $70 for five shows. Student prices are $85 for the full package or $46.50 for five shows.
More information is available at www.fairmontoperahouse.org or by calling (507) 238-4900.
Blake Potthoff, executive director of the Opera House, is excited about the diverse acts in the series.
"I've intentionally made the subscription series this year have a very large variety because that's what it should be," he said. "It should be an opportunity to expand your cultural boundaries. Whether you like it or don't like it, you will experience something different. We've got everything from magic to classical ballet to horn groups to country groups."
Potthoff noted that the Continental Ballet Company's performance of Sleeping Beauty, appearing in November, will have a special performance just for students.
"The Schmeeckle Foundation fully paid for all the tickets so the kids are coming for free. Then the Martin County Area Foundation paid for all the transportation so the schools aren't on the hook for anything," he said.
Like the ballet, the majority of the programs slated for the series are family-friendly.
"We don't, as a rule, book anything that is not a family show unless we state otherwise," Potthoff said.
He indicated the New Year's Eve beer-tasting, part of the a la carte programming at the Opera House, as an event geared toward adults. The a la carte programming offers an additional seven acts interspersed through the duration of the subscription series. Admission to the a la carte performances is not included in the subscription membership.
One of the highlights of the a la carte offerings will be One Night in Memphis scheduled for March.
"We did so well with the Johnny Cash (tribute) show last season, and now we're adding Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins to it," Potthoff said. He anticipated the show selling out well in advance of the March 30 performance.
"Usually shows like this are out of our fee range. There's no way we should have gotten it here, but we did," he said. "It should be a sell-out show."
Potthoff said that people only had a few days left to purchase their subscription memberships and select their seats for the shows.
"That's really the selling point of a season subscription is that you get the same seat. If you like a certain spot to sit, that's yours for the entire season," he said.
The subscription series includes:
o Hornucopia, 7:30 p.m. Saturday -- The innovative tribute show pays homage to artists and bands that featured horn sections from 1960 through today. The group performs multiple styles from rock to ska, swing to pop, soul to funk and latin to blues.
o Vitaly Beckman, 4 p.m. Oct. 7 -- The illusionist makes paintings spring to life, and audience members will see their faces vanish from their own driver's licenses.
o Continental Ballet Company: Sleeping Beauty, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 -- In this classic children's fairy tale, Princess Aurora is cast with a spell to make her sleep for 100 years unless she is awakened by a kiss from her true love.
o Harmonious Wail, 2 p.m. Dec. 16 -- The trio recently celebrated its 30th anniversary performing Americana infused with gypsy jazz and music ranging from club sounds of Paris to Memphis blues.
o Ordinarius, 3 p.m. Jan. 13 -- This Brazilian a capella group formed in 2013 is now on its first world tour singing Brazilian arrangements as well as current pop standards.
o Theatreworks USA: Charlotte's Web, 2 p.m. Feb. 3 -- The performance is based on E.B. White's classic story of the friendship between Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider.
o Danger Committee, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 -- These entertainers combine juggling, knife throwing and comedy for hilarious thrills.
o We Banjo 3, 7:30 p.m. March 9 -- With their banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin, the quartet blends old world tradition and authentic Americana into an innovative style they call "Celtgrass."
o Femme Fatale, 7:30 p.m. April 12 -- An irresistible songstress, memorable tunes and a clever con are woven through music, song and vintage film clips into this new stage show.
o VoicePlay, 7:30 p.m. May 18 -- This a capella group has been described as original and imaginative for their sounds and antics.
Tickets for individual shows in the a la carte series are $20 for adult, $15 for seniors, $10 for students and $5 for children under 10, with the exception of the craft beer tasting, which will be $30, and the Legacy Band, which will be a free-will donation. The a la carte performances include:
o Farewell Angelina, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 -- This all-female country group showcases four powerhouse vocalists and their multitude of instruments.
o Rhythmic Circus: Holiday Shuffle, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 -- Back by popular demand, Rhythmic Circus will perform their Holiday Shuffle show.
o Second Annual Craft Beer Tasting, 3 p.m., followed by Madd Company and Transit Authority, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 -- The Opera House's second annual craft beer tasting will be followed by two tribute bands faithful to the music of Bad Company and Chicago.
o Jason Farnham, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 -- Farnham mixes classic and contemporary pieces with his own original compositions.
o One Night in Memphis, 7:30 p.m. March 30 -- Starring cast members of the Broadway hit Million Dollar Quartet, the show is an official tribute to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
o Minnesota State Legacy Band, 7:30 p.m. April 27 -- To celebrate its 120th anniversary, the Minnesota State Band will perform music throughout its history, particularly from the community band heyday in the early 1900s.
o Blake & Co. Show, 2 p.m. May 5 -- The executive director of the Opera House will be joined by his family and friends for this annual fundraiser for the Launch the Legacy campaign.