Reach for the stars: Melissa Etheridge, ThePianoGuys, Lyle Lovett, Air Supply and more highlight upcoming McCain Performance Series; season tickets on sale June 20

MANHATTAN — The 2016-2017 McCain Performance Series at Kansas State University will really have audiences seeing stars — and lots of them.

With country music giants Kathy Mattea and the Oakridge Boys, Broadway hits including “Annie,” “Pippin” and “42nd Street,” and such popular acts as Pat Metheny, Brian Regan, Straight No Chaser, Bobby McFerrin, Chef Robert Irvine from the Food Network and many others, the coming season at McCain will serve up some of the best in entertainment from September through May.

“This year’s star-studded lineup may feature the most headliners ever assembled in the history of the McCain Performance Series,” said Todd Holmberg, McCain Auditorium executive director. “The series also showcases a wide array of other notable artists, Broadway shows and other attractions from around the world meant to engage, entertain and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. More so than ever, we have something for everybody at McCain!”

Season tickets for the upcoming season go on sale Monday, June 20, with discounts available for those who subscribe to seven or more events. Single tickets will be available starting July 31. To get priority seating, join the Friends of McCain with a season ticket order of seven or more events by July 8. Friends members receive other exclusive privileges, including invitations to meet the artists, free parking and access to the Director’s Lounge before shows and at intermission. Benefits vary by donation level.

Tickets can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428.  A downloadable brochure is available online at k-state.edu/mccain. Discounts are always available to the military and Kansas State University students, faculty and staff.

Kicking of the 2016-2017 McCain Performance Series Sept. 20 will be ThePianoGuys, the YouTube sensation known for mash ups of classical themes with pop songs. The entertainment continues all season long with star attractions like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band, Pat Metheny, Straight No Chaser and the Havana Cuba All-Stars in the fall, and the Ten Tenors and Melissa Etheridge in time for the holidays. The hit musical “Mamma Mia!” will help warm up January, while Tower of Power, the Shaolin Warriors, “STOMP” and more will be featured in the spring.

K-State News and Communication Services,

Division of Communications and Marketing

The Junction City Community Band performed in concert Sunday evening at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

( Photo courtesy of Nita Miller )

WABAUNSEE COUNTY -One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. on Sunday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by Eva M. Rogers, 65, Fort Wayne, IN., was eastbound on Interstate 70 one mile west of Carlson Road.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It left the roadway to the left, entered median, overturned, entered the westbound lanes and came to rest on its top.

Rogers was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

A passenger in the Toyota Millard R. Rogers, 65, Fort Wayne, IN., was transported to Stormont Vail.

They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

The Kansas Legislature will meet in special session Thursday, June 23, to take up the issue of school funding. They have been ordered by the Kansas Supreme Court to increase funding for public schools, K-12.

During his attendance at a Flint Hills Regional Council meeting  State Senator Jeff Longbine indicated it could be longer than one day. He told JC Post it appears that it may be longer than one day. New legislation will have to be introduced and there will have to be committee hearings and votes in each House.   “I’m advocating that we go in on Thursday, we get those committee meetings done as quick as we possibly can, work through the weekend, and try to get our job done as fast as possible.”

Longbine reported that the legislative leadership is considering having the committee meetings on Thursday and Friday, maybe taking the weekend off, and returning to work on Monday. “My experience has been that if you come in on Monday you’re very likely to be there until Friday. Hopefully we can find a way to shorten that session up.”

 

Numerous issues and concerns surfaced during the 2016 legislative session in Kansas, with several having to do with budget shortfalls and funding for public schools.

But State Senator Jeff Longbine pointed out one positive result of the session during comments to the Flint Hills Regional Council on Friday in Manhattan.  He referred to a large rural telecom bill which will increase broadband capabilities and prescence.

Longbine reported that when investment money starts flowing there should be great improvements in rural broadband in Kansas.

Leadership of the Irwin Army Community Hospital will hold a change of command ceremony Thursday, June 23 at 10 a.m. on the Cavalry Parade Field at Fort Riley.

Col. Risa Ware will relinquish command to Col. John Melton.

Melton is taking command following an assignment as the deputy commander for administration, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Ware has been the commander since July 2014 and will move on to become the Corps Specific Branch Proponency Officer for the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at Fort Sam Houston, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Board of Regents has voted not to raise the salaries of five of the six state university CEOs for fiscal 2017.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the board also voted Thursday to raise the base salary of Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott by 2 percent. His raise will come in the form of deferred compensation.

Scott is the state’s most-senior university CEO.

All university CEOs received 2 percent increases to their salaries last year but they said at the time that they would donate their raises back to their universities, citing budgetary challenges.