LONG BEACH - After 52 years, the Long Beach Community Concert Association has announced it will stop presenting an annual series of affordable musical concerts for the greater Long Beach community - but will continue to sponsor the series as it moves to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center."We're thrilled that the Carpenter Center will carry on the LBCCA tradition of offering reasonably priced performances of artistic merit," said Mike Goldber, president of the LBCCA's board of directors. The newly-named Sunday Afternoon Concert Series will begin Oct. 12 with a performance by violinist Aleksey Igudesman and pianist Hung-ki Joo. Igudesman and Joo are classical musicians who have gained popularity by combining comedy and popular culture with classical music. The rest of the 2011-12 concert schedule includes: Nov. 27, 2011, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir - The percussion-driven vocal ensemble has been performing together since 1992. They become renowned for their authenticity of African-American roots music. Jan. 29, 2012, Swinging with the Big Band - An afternoon of Big Band swinging featuring the Gene Krupa Tribute Band, Mary Lou Metzger, String of Pearls and the Demarche Sisters. May 6, 2012, The Belle of Broadway - Featuring Susan Egan, whose Broadway credits include the title role in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and the longest running Sally Bowels in "Cabaret." She originated the role of Belle in "Beauty and the Beast." Season subscriptions are $100, with group discounts available. Single tickets are $35 and go on sale June 1. For tickets and information, visit carpenterarts.org or call (562) 985-7000.

********** Published: March 10, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 47