Lorie Line & Her Fab Five to Highlight Holiday Music at Stephens

From Iowa State Center

What: Lorie Line & Her Fab Five

When: Sunday, November 20 at 3 p.m.

Where: Stephens Auditorium, Ames

Tickets: $41.25 for subscribers; $48 for non-subscribers; $25 for 18 & under and $20 for ISU students.

 Tickets are on sale now for Lorie Line’s highly popular holiday extravaganza. This year’s theme, Christmas Bells Are Ringing!, will give fans a huge hint about her upcoming show. Yes, bells are back!  After a two-year hiatus from bell ringing, this year’s show promises to please Line’s audience as she brings happy bell ringing back to the stage, along with a brand new 2011 collector bell.

“I love making my fans happy during the holiday season,” says Line. “Times are tough for a lot of people these days, and I get the opportunity to take everyone to a great place for just a couple of hours. That will definitely be on my mind as I develop and perform the show this year.”

Known for her unique arrangements and musical style, Line has been recording and producing more music than ever. This year will mark her 26^th CD and Music Book and it will highlight brand-new Christmas music as featured in the upcoming show.  Line has a huge following of piano players and just recently published her third beginner book in a series called “Practice, Practice, Practice!” Sure to be a big hit, this is her first holiday book for young pianists.

“My favorite show to produce is beautifully elegant, simple, yet glamorous. I guess that would be a true reflection of my every day life – simple with a little kick of glam.” On stage with Line this year will be just five of her favorite musicians to accompany her, affectionately known as the “Fab Five,” The year’s cast features the playful Dave Budimir on trombone; rocker David Young on guitar; wacky Nate Babbs on drums; funky Ben Kelly on bass, and the classic beauty Maureen Nilsen on violin. 

Known for her over-the-top costumes, Line plans to wear the latest and greatest from world-famous fashion designers as well as a few of her personal “show stoppers” from the past, created by designer Jack Edwards, who is now retired.

“I think my audience loves the tradition of coming to my show. They’ve been sharing the season with me for years,” says Line. “Each year it is a little different and I think fans look forward to seeing what will be new.” A favorite tradition and always a highlight is seeing all the kids in the audience get to interact with Santa, and once again they will be invited to the stage.

This year marks Line’s 22^nd consecutive year of touring. Once again she will be traveling down the road at rapid speed, performing 40 shows in 34 cities this holiday season. She will close the tour in Minneapolis, her hometown, at Orchestra Hall.