Arts DEVO

Life after Dan For the first time in 13 years, there will be someone other than Dan DeWayne introducing the performers at Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium. The 2013-14 school year is going to be the first season of Chico Performances-produced events since DeWayne retired as director. Exactly who the new person will be who will curate the schedule has still not been announced, but in the interim, the hard-working Chico Performances staff has continued running the program and is getting prepared to promote the upcoming season’s schedule, which was announced earlier this week.

Upon first glance, there are a lot of familiar faces returning to the Laxson stage: uke-master Jake Shimabukuro (Sept. 13), Ballet Folklorico (Nov. 21), Pink Martini (Jan. 26, 2014), Tommy Emmanuel (Jan. 30, 2014) and Béla Fleck (Feb. 6). While it’s probably no surprise that Arts DEVO isn’t jumping out of his chair in excitement over another exhausting round of Aussie Emmanuel’s endless fret-pecking (sorry folks, I know he’s a fave), there are a lot of great surprises and some impressive big names on the new schedule. Series tickets go on sale July 1, and individual shows go on sale Aug. 5. Visit www.chicoperformances.com for more info. Here are a few highlights:

Oct. 2: Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell: A powerful country singer-songwriter collaboration fresh off an impressive album (Old Yellow Moon) released last spring. This pairing could be the show of the year.

Oct. 24: Momix: The world-renowned modern-dance troupe recreates the natural world in Botanica (pictured).

Oct. 27: Alton Brown: If I’m watching TV, there’s a good chance I’m watching the nerdy Food Network host (Good Eats, Iron Chef America). I’m really looking forward to this odd live event.

Nov. 14: Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt: Between an acoustic set by this impressive duo and the previous month’s Harris and Crowell gig, fans of American songwriting heavyweights won’t need to go out again all year!

Nov. 19: Andrew Bird: This is AD’s personal pick of the season. Bird is a great songwriter who adds a good amount of moody atmosphere to his otherwise rustic indie-folk/country/Americana sound.

March 12: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: The famed orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and his trumpet at the helm.

April 12: Arlo Guthrie: The folk-singing son of Woody will pay homage to his father as well as the rest of his family in a program titled Here Come the Kids.

DEVOted to art Of course, there’s stuff going on right now as well. Especially arts-related stuff:

Friday, June 14: Overdose Gallery: Visit www.overdosegallery.blogspot.com to sign up for a viewing of Johnny Alexander’s one-day Inter/Face exhibit.

Friday, June 14, 4-8 p.m.: Figure Drawing Group artist reception, Sally Dimas Art Gallery.

Saturday, June 15, noon-4 p.m.: Challenge Show reception: Participants in Chico Art Center’s rock, paper, scissors challenge show their work.

Sunday, June 16, 6-10 p.m.: 20 Years of Sisko: David Sisk hosts a music show, slide show and art auction. Visit Facebook and like “Public Sisko Announcements.”

June 17-21: Performance Arts Camp for Children: Unplugged Arts hosts arts retreat. Contact Jeanne Christopherson for more info: jkristoffer2222@hotmail.com or 345-6324.