Illinois Central College Guest Artists Series Opens August 10 with a Tribute to ABBA

                The 2018-2019 Illinois Central College Guest Artists Series opens August 10 with a tribute to an iconic Swedish pop music group whose music has enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity. Dancing Dream, a tribute to Abba, brings audiences all the hits of the legendary band in an authentic tribute featuring many of the classic Abba songs featured in the recent motion picture Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Dancing Dream performed a sold out show at ICC in 2015, and this time the group is back as a larger six-member ensemble with a set list including memorable classics such as Dancing Queen, Take a Chance On Me, Waterloo and more.

                The Dancing Dream show is the first of five shows in the 2018-2019 Guest Artists Series season featuring performances by nationally- and internationally-touring professional artists. All performances take place in the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria Campus.

                The full slate of shows and ticket prices includes:

·        Friday, August 10, 2018, at 7:30 pm - Dancing Dream: A Tribute to Abba - general public $31, students $21

·        Saturday, October 13, 2018, at 7:30 pm - The Everly Set: Jack Skuller and Sean Altman approximate the Everly Brothers - $26/$16

·        Sunday, December 9, 2018, at 2:30 pm - Lightwire Theater presents A Bigger & Brighter Very Electric Christmas - $26/$16

·        Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 7:30 pm - The Starlets present A Tribute to Girl Groups of the Fabulous ‘50s & Sensational ‘60s  - $26/$16

·        Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 7:30 pm - Kelly O’Brien presents The Dolly Show (a tribute to Dolly Parton)  - $26/$16

               The second show in the series, The Everly Set, features award-winning singers Jack Skuller and Sean Altman as they approximate the Everly Brothers. Their show presents all the favorite hits of brothers Phil and Don Everly, like Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Suzie, and Cathy’s Clown. The performance also includes other rarities and Everly-influenced classics, all sung with the same supercharged Everly harmonies that influenced The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Hollies and the Bee Gees.

               The December show features a return performance by Lightwire Theater, which rose to fame as a semifinalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and as winners of Tru TV’s Fake Off. This family show captivates audiences of all ages with a combination of theater and technology to bring a story to life in complete darkness. A Bigger & Brighter Very Electric Christmas is a tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits, including music.

               The March event by The Starlets features a tribute to the music of girl groups of the fabulous ‘50s and sensational ‘60s featuring the music of iconic groups including The Ronettes, The Angels, The Shirelles, The Chordettes and The Supremes. The premier headlining act from Sunset Singers, this terrifically talented trio of ladies and their backing band will transport the audience back to a simpler time of listening to records on the jukebox at the corner malt shop.

               Voted as the U.K’s best Dolly Parton impersonator by The Agents Association of Great Britain, the final show of the season features Kelly O’Brien bringing her tribute The Dolly Show to the stage at ICC. Backed by a four-piece band, O’Brien brilliantly captures essence of the lady from Tennessee, combining Dolly's greatest songs with flawless comic timing in this dazzling show. A world-class entertainer with stunning vocals, O’Brien captivates audiences with her rendition of Dolly's famous vocal style in a must-see show.

               Full season ticket packages cost $115 and include tickets to all five shows in the Guest Artists Series season. Those purchasing the full season ticket package get to choose their own seats (based on availability) and retain those same seats for all shows in the series. Full season ticketholders also receive two complimentary tickets for each season ticket package purchased to ICC Theatre Program productions.

                Pick 4 Flex Packs also are available for $95 and include four tickets that can be split or used in any combination for the five Guest Artists Series events. Seating for Pick 4 Flex Pack purchasers is assigned by the box office based on the best available seating for each performance.

               The ICC Guest Artists Series is presented by the Arts at ICC, which has a rich history of enhancing the arts community and expanding education beyond the classroom. Arts at ICC presents more than 500 exhibits, performances, lectures, rehearsals, meetings, master classes, clinics, seminars, receptions, orientations, forums, auditions and tournaments annually.

               For information about tickets or the individual performances, visit ArtsAtICC.com or call the box office at (309) 694-5136.