The Paris Henry County Arts Council is offering three exciting and fun filled bus trips to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville during our 2008-2009 season.

You won't have to worry about the high price of gasoline, finding parking downtown, contenting with traffic jams, or what to do on a Saturday afternoon. Just ask the folks who have traveled with us before to see a Broadway production at TPAC. It is a special time together. This year our bus trips have a theme centered around the Broadway production with games to play and prizes to win.

RAIN - The Beatle Experience (Saturday November 15th) Ticket/Bus $73 - Money and Reservations due by September 8th*

*What's your favorite Beatles' tune? "Yesterday," "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "Come Together," "Here Comes the Sun," "Something," "Penny Lane," "hey Jude" or….. The list could go on and on, of course, and you're sure to have more than one favorite from among the dozens of songs by the best-selling, influential band that has had more #1 hits than any other artists worldwide.

Rain: The Beatles Experience is a live performance of the legendary band's music, blended with camera projections, historic footage, and special lighting effects.

"The title describes what you fell after the concert. You have had a Beatles experience," said TPAC president Kathleen O'Brien, who immediately began negotiations to bring 'Rain' to TPAC after she saw the show herself.

"Four very talented musicians sing the Beatles' various songs and take you back in time. They're joined by a fifth musician, a keyboard player, to recreate the Beatles's sound note for note. This is not a Vegas-style impersonation show. There's some level of expectation for the band to look and dress somewhat like the Beatles' but it's not an impersonation. It's a concert, a multi-media event, that draws audiences of all ages, from children to grandparents," said O'Brien.

"The band members talk to the audience during the show and at one point asked us to raise our hands if we were seeing 'Rain' for the first time. An equal number of people raised their hands when asked it they had seen 'Rain' before that night. This act is taking the country by storm. When I attended, the audience was just amazed at the talent and how the production is put together. They gave standing ovations throughout the concert. People who enjoy the Beatles will kick themselves if they don't go to this show and then have to hear about how great it was from their friends."

To hear the music and see the video of a segment of the show check out on the internet: <http://www.tpac.org/rain>

FAREWELL ENGAGEMENT! Riverdance (February 28th) Ticket/Bus $83 - Money and Reservations due December 8th

The return of an all-time favorite on its farewell tour, *Riverdance *celebrates traditional Irish dance and music, (Along with a bit of Spanish Flamenco and African-American tap, to compare the art forms). It's a big, beautiful show-Colorful, fun, and entertaining from start to finish.

Amy Starnes, Senior Group Sales Manager at TPAC shares her enthusiasm for this show by stating, "One specific night out in Dublin, I experienced the phenomenon that is *Riverdance*, and I was hooked. I've never encountered, before or after, a show with such energy, excitement and creativity. The precision each Irish dancer exhibits combined with the fast-paced rhythms of the band had my toes tapping throughout the entire show. I found myself bouncing in my chair, while I clapped and beamed with excitement from start to finish. I love how the show weaves Irish history, including the important cultural moments of St. Patrick and the Great Famine, with the energy of Irish dance and music. I never miss a chance to see the show when it comes to Nashville either! The show whisks me away to the beautiful emerald isle and right smack into the middle of a Céilidh (Irish dance). I hope you will all come and experience the sights and sounds of Riverdance, here at TPAC on its farewell tour this season! And, in the words of the Irish, "Cead Mille Failte!"

Jersey Boys (March 28th) Ticket/Bus $105 - Money and reservations due by December 15th*

Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, among other honors*, **Jersey** Boys* is Broadway's most recent mega-hit, selling out in New York and on national tour to major cities nationwide.

The musical tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons-with authentic Jersey Boys' language-intermixed with "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night") and more of the band's hit songs.

"Most of the people I know who have seen this show in New York say it's their all-time favorite. You know the music, but the story-and the way it's staged-will completely engage and surprise you. This show is so well done, with a full ensemble cast and onstage musicians," said Kathleen O'Brien, TPAC president and chief executive officer.

"Jersey Boys is not a traditional musical or musical revue. It really is groundbreaking and highly entertaining. We're extremely proud to note that Bob Gaudio, the band member who wrote those famous songs is now a producer who lives in Nashville. He was critical to the development of the show."

Get your reservations in early to guarantee a space for you on the Arts Council bus. Only fifty orchestra section tickets are available for each Broadway Show. These special seats were reserved for the Arts Council at the HCA/TRISTAR Broadway gala event last March at TPAC.

For further information call the Arts Council office at 642-3955 or see here to download your reservation form.

TPAC has just added a "virtual brochure" that includes music from each production.