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KNOXVILLE — Modern percussion troupe Street Beat visits the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus Friday, Oct. 23, as part of the 2009-2010 Cultural Attractions Series.

Street Beat: Percussion & Dance will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Clarence Brown Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students, $20 for faculty and staff and $25 for the public. Tickets will be available at the door, but may still be reserved through http://knoxvilletickets.com, by phone at 865-656-4444 or in person at the University Center Central Ticket Office. For parking information, call 865-974-5455.

Street Beat creator Ben Hansen and his 10-member company of drummers, musicians and dancers perform what critics have called an “urbanized journey through percussion.” Using ordinary items such as buckets, trash cans or a set of car rims, Street Beat performers combine urban rhythms, hip-hop moves and break-dance acrobatics.

The Los Angeles-based group performed in more than 400 shows in 2008, bringing their mix of African, Cuban, Latin, West African and jazz concepts to audiences around the country. The Street Beat troupe have become popular school assembly guests at elementary and middle schools, teaching students that music can come from anywhere, including household items. The group is part of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’s Arts for All program, as well as the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Arts Teach program.

Each year UT Knoxville’s Cultural Attractions Series brings top-notch performing arts to the campus and community. Highlighting diverse music and dance programs, past performers include the Moscow Festival Ballet, Irish troupe Gaelic Storm and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Other 2009-2010 events include La Bottine Souriante, the celebrated traditional roots band from Quebec; the Idan Raichel Project; and TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming. For more information on the 2009-2010 Cultural Attractions Series, visit http://cpc.utk.edu/Committees/cac.

C O N T A C T :

Rebekah Winkler, (865-974-8304, rwinkler@utk.edu)