Punch Brothers bringing acoustic magic to Encore series

punch brothers medium

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, one of the most popular
progressive acoustic bands in the country, will perform at Northwest
at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the Performing Arts Center. Call
660.562.1212 for tickets.

Northwest’s Encore performing arts series continues at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the Performing Arts Center with the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, one of the country’s top progressive bluegrass and string music bands.

Since forming two years ago, the Punch Brothers have played to sold-out crowds around the world. Composed of Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Chris Eldridge (guitar), Noam Pikelny (banjo) and Greg Garrison (bass), the band has captured the attention of music lovers across genres by mixing elements from bluegrass, jazz and classical music.

Chris Thile, formerly of the Grammy-winning band Nickel Creek, is also known for his appearances on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion” radio show, and the Punch Brothers’ first album, “How to Grow a Woman from the Ground,” received a Grammy nomination.

The band’s 2007 Nonesuch Records debut “Punch” -- which features Thile’s ambitious four-movement chamber suite, “The Blind Leaving the Blind” -- has also won widespread critical acclaim.

In concert, the Punch Brothers perform their own compositions as well as interpretations of bluegrass standards, classical pieces by Bach and other composers and pop songs by the Beatles, the White Stripes and Radiohead.

All Encore events at Northwest begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Orchestra seats cost $22, and balcony seats cost $20. Tickets can be purchased from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building. To make telephone purchases, call the center at 660.562.1212 (ext 1212 on campus).

Encore season tickets and discounts for groups of ten or more are also available. For details, call the Office of Campus activities at 660.562.1226 (ext. 1226 on campus).

Other Encore shows at Northwest scheduled for the 2008-’09 season include:

“Late Night Catechism” (Thursday, Jan. 22). If you went to Catholic school as a kid, this uproariously funny play will take you back to your youth. If not, find out what you missed! Irrepressible “Sister” teaches a roomful of “students” (the audience) by rewarding those who give “correct” answers and making others sit in the corner to reflect on their misdeeds.

“The Souls of Our Feet,” an evening of American tap featuring the Tapestry Dance Company (Tuesday, Feb. 3). Recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces program, this salute to the art of tap dancing produces plenty of fancy footwork and fascinatin’ rhythm. If you think tap dancing hasn’t changed since Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were making talkies for RKO, you won’t want to miss this hoofers’ extravaganza.

“Movin’ Out,” a musical by Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp (Monday, April 13). The Five-time Grammy-winning rocker and legendary director/choreographer have joined forces to create a spectacular new musical that “Time” magazine called “so soul-stirring and exhilarating, it practically bursts out of the theatre!” Winner of two 2003 Tony Awards, “Movin' Out” brings Joel’s classic hits to life by telling the story of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades.

Valet parking returns this year as a service available to all Encore patrons. By making a free-will donation to Northwest’s Alternative Spring Break program, patrons can have their cars parked across the street from the Performing Arts Center and returned to the main entrance after the show.

For more information about the 2008-’09 Encore performing arts series, e-mail oca@nwmissouri.edu or go to www.nwmissouri.edu/campusactivities/encore.htm.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

Return to Previous Page