VSU Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as part of the 2010-11 arts season.

With this week’s scheduled opening of Theatre Guild Valdosta’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the region’s 2010-11 arts season opens.

Audiences can expect plenty of musicals in the coming year from local high school productions to visiting national tours to locally grown professional shows.

But there are also plenty of concerts, art exhibits and more in the works for the season.

And while today’s list contains dozens of arts events for the coming months, it is still not complete as we did not hear from a few places, some are still creating their schedules and others will be featured at a later date in these pages.

Still, it’s a big, bold season and it is upon us once again.

ANNETTE HOWELL TURNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Where: 527 N. Patterson St.

Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Sundays and Mondays.

Most opening receptions, however, are 5-7 p.m. Mondays on designated dates.

Admission: Free.

More information: Call (229) 247-2787; or visit www.turnercenter.org

ART EXHIBITS

AUG. 9-SEPT. 22: Exhibits by Shane Prine; Carollo, Broske, Golden; Armando Chicone; South Georgia Regional Library summer art & Turner Center kids summer art.

SEPT. 27-NOV. 3: Exhibits by Winton/Cromartie; 10 artists of Tallahassee, Fla.; Southern Artists League show; W.G. Nunn Elementary School students; East African art.

NOV. 8-JAN. 5: Exhibits include Air Force Art collection; Julian Hagan; Valdosta State University seniors; East African art.

JAN. 2-MARCH 2: Exhibits include Drawproject; Robert Raden; artist to be named at a later time; Valwood School youth art; East African Art.

MARCH 6-30: Youth Art Month.

APRIL 11-JUNE 1: Spring Into Art.

OTHER EVENTS

WORLD WAR II MUSICAL TRIBUTE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11. This Veterans Day show features Elizabeth Jones’ The Sounds of Dixie and Jeani Synard’s tap dancing class.

CRISTOFOURI HOLIDAY CONCERT: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. This four-part piano group, with members including Valdosta’s Ed Barr, returns to the arts center.

HOOTENANNY: 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Feb. 23, children’s performances; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, family concert. Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly are featured performers in this down-home musical event.

ARTS, INC.

Where: Programs in Lowndes County and Brooks County.

Arts, Inc. teaches South Georgia youngsters in areas of stringed instruments, dance, etc. Throughout the year, the program presents various concerts and recitals featuring these young people. The 2010 year-end program is tentatively scheduled for December with the place to be announced later.

GINGERBREAD PLAYERS

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Tickets: $6, general admission.

More information: Call (229) 24-STAGE; or visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com

Note: Gingerbread Players is the children’s organization of Theatre Guild Valdosta.

SHOWS

TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS: Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 2, 3. A play by Donna Abela. “Disguised as the next outsider due to die, Shahrazad tells stories to the king. Strange and amazing stories about merchants and fishermen, Ali Baba and bandits, kings and professors, calligraphers and demons. The king ponders her stories of greed and foul play until, finally, his fury is subdued. Thanks to Shahrazad, the king relinquishes his vow and the outsiders are released and anyone who seeks help in the king’s land is now welcome.”

THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE: March 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27. Dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the story by C.S. Lewis. “This new dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. The intense action features chase, duels, and escapes as the witch is determined to keep Narnia in her possession and to end the reign of Aslan. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life.”

LITTLE ACTORS THEATRE

Where: The LAT headquarters are at 601-B N. Patterson St.; the shows are traditionally held at Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, off North Forrest Street. These are shows by children for children.

More information: www.littleactorsvaldosta.com

SHOWS

IF THE SHOE FITS: Oct. 16, 17. “This is a take-off of Cinderella, but in this one the prince doesn’t want to get married, he wants to go to college and set up a website for the castle.”

SPRING MUSICAL: March 5, 6. A musical to be decided at a later date.

MISSOULA THEATRE: June 2011. The professional traveling theatre troupe that travels the nation working with children makes its annual LAT-sponsored stop in Valdosta.

LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL OFF-BROADWAY

Where: Auditorium, Lowndes High School, off Norman Drive.

More information: Visit the website lhs.lowndes.k12.ga.us

NOTE: Each semester’s children show to be announced.

SHOWS

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND: 7 p.m. Sept. 23, 24, 25; 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Created by the musical team of lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty, this musical retells Hans Christian Anderson’s story of the Little Mermaid, with a wee bit of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” tossed in, and lessons about race, all told in the French Caribbean.

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, 29, 30; 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31. By songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, this musical revue showcases 39 pop standards, with rock and R&B.

5, 6, 7, 8: 7 p.m. Jan. 14, 15, 16. The annual student created and directed song and dance revue.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE: 7 p.m. March 17, 18, 19; 2:30 p.m. March 20. A musical with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, with a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. Touted as “a musical within a comedy,” this show pays tribute to the American musicals of the Jazz Age. All wrapped with a show within a show format.

PEACH STATE SUMMER THEATRE

Where: Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

When: Shows play in repertory theatre, starting June 4 and running through July 17.

More information: Visit www.valdosta.edu/psst

SHOWS

CAROUSEL: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical about a spirit who must set right the messes he made among the living, features songs such as “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

DISNEY’S THE JUNGLE BOOK: PSST continues its tradition of presenting Disney-inspired children’s musicals. This time, the live version of Disney’s animated-musical take on Rudyard Kipling’s tale of a boy raised by animals in the jungle.

HAIRSPRAY: This musical was originally a non-musical 1980 movie directed by John Waters. It then became a live Broadway musical before becoming a film musical. PSST has wanted to present this comical but powerful look at civil rights for many years.

PRESENTER SERIES

Sponsored by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

Where: Shows are performed at Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St.

More information: Visit the arts center, 527 N. Patterson St.; call (229) 244-2787; or visit www.turnercenter.org

NOTE: The 2010-11 season is currently being negotiated and will be announced at a later date; however, Presenter Series organizers did release the following performance dates: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 21; 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 18; 2 p.m. Sunday Jan. 23; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 22; 7:30 p.m. Thursday March 31.

SOUTH GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR YOUTH IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

Where: Shows held at Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, off North Forrest Street.

More information: Visit the website: sgcyoutharts.org

NOTE: This is a musical program for area youngsters. Auditions are by appointment, dates, etc., available at the website.

SHOWS

THE BOY FRIEND: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. A musical by Sandy Wilson. A comic musical set on the French Riviera during the Roaring ’20s. In many ways, this show is a parody of 1920s-era Rodgers and Hart musicals.

SPRING CABARET: Tentatively scheduled for early spring.

THEATRE GUILD VALDOSTA

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Tickets: $17, musical; $12, other shows. Season packages available.

More information: Call (229) 24-STAGE; or visit www.theatreguildvaldosta.com

SHOWS

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 6, 7; 3 p.m. Aug. 8; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, 14, 15, 19 20, 21. A musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. “The biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable.”

CHRISTMAS BELLES: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 19, 20; 3 p.m. Nov. 21; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26, 27; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 4. A comedy by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. “It’s Christmas in Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle sisters are trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive amid Elvis impersonators, family secrets and one cranky sheep.” A redneck follow-up to these playwrights’ “Dearly Beloved,” a show which Theatre Guild Valdosta presented in 2008.

GREATER TUNA: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20, 21, 22; 3 p.m. Jan. 23; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27, 28, 29. A legendary comedy among theatre folks by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. “Welcome to Tuna, Texas! It may be the third smallest town in the Lone Star State, but it’s big on laughs.”

SIMPLY DIVIDED: 7:30 p.m. May 12, 13, 14; 3 p.m. May 15; 7:30 p.m. May 19, 20, 21. A comedy by Jeff Lovett. “The town of Simply, Ala., has fallen in hard times, but a new face in town brings hope to four women (and laughs to the rest of us).”

VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES

NOTE: The Times sponsors concerts from various military bands, an annual cooking school, and other events. Here are a few of the scheduled events.

SENIOR LIVING SHOWCASE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, James H. Rainwater Conference Center, off Norman Drive. Annual event featuring numerous vendors, ideas, etc., for South Georgia’s senior citizens. Admission: Free.

THE UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND AND SOLDIERS CHORUS: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St. Famed Army band and chorus presents symphonic works, American standards, Sousa marches and more. Tickets: Free and available from The Times after Sept. 15.

TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL: 6 p.m. March 22, Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St. Annual cooking school, featuring a touring professional chef, etc. Ticket: $10, and will be available from The Times, Publix, and World Hi-Fi after Feb. 21.

AIR FORCE BAND: Tentatively scheduled for early spring.

VALDOSTA HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE

Where: Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, off North Forrest Street.

NOTE: Valdosta High School Theatre was contacted but did not supply a schedule for the 2010-11 season. The group traditionally performs a cabaret, a musical, and other plays.

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY ART

Where: VSU Art Gallery, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

Gallery hours: The gallery is open Mondays through Fridays.

More information: Call (229) 333-5835; or visit www.valdosta.edu/art

VSU ART FACULTY EXHIBITION: Aug. 23 through Sept. 10, with a free, public reception, 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23.

VIRGINIA DERRYBERRY: “Alchemical Narratives”: Paintings: Sept. 20 through Oct. 8, with a free, public reception, 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20.

TOM LUNDQUIST: “Poissons de Chant”: Digital Images: Oct. 20 through Nov. 5, with a free, public reception, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20. Special fundraising event planned.

FALL SENIOR EXHIBITION: Nov. 14 through Dec. 6, with a free, public reception, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14.

VALDOSTA NATIONAL 2011: All-Media Juried Competition: Jan. 18 through Feb. 5, with a free, public reception, 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18.

TRAVIS GRAVES: “Some Kind of Nature”: Sculpture/video. Feb. 14 through March 4, with a free, public reception, 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14.

VSU ART STUDENT COMPETITION: All-Media Juried Competition: March 21 through April 8, with a free, public reception scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 21.

SPRING SENIOR EXHIBITION: April 17 through May 2, with a free, public reception, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 17.

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY MUSIC

Where: Most concerts are performed in Whitehead Auditorium, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood, except where noted.

Admission: Free for most events, except where otherwise noted.

More information: Call (229) 333-5804; or visit www.valdosta.edu/music

NOTE: Some dates may change. The 2011 schedule remains tentative.

PERFORMANCES

NEPHTALI SANTIAGO, GUITAR: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20. Faculty recital.

STEVEN TAYLOR, CELLO: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27. Faculty recital.

TODD LEAVITT, BASS: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Faculty recital.

MAILA SPRINGFIELD, PIANO & DAVID SPRINGFIELD, TROMBONE, PIANO: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Faculty Recital.

WIND ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28.

M. BRENT WILLIAMS, VIOLIN: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29. Faculty recital.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

SHANNON LOWE, BASSOON: 3 p.m. Oct. 3. Faculty recital.

BRASS ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5.

POPS IN THE PARK: 6 p.m. Oct. 21, outdoor amphitheatre outside of the VSU Fine Arts Building. Annual outdoor concert to benefit VSU Music scholarships. Admission charge.

SUSAN EISCHEID, OBOE & ELIZABETH GOODE, FLUTE: 3 p.m. Oct. 24. Faculty recital.

ROBERT McCOY, SAXOPHONE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24. Student recital.

JOREN CAIN, SAXOPHONE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Faculty recital.

TIM HILGERT, TROMBONE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Student recital.

STUDENT CHAMBER MUSIC SHOWCASE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27.

NEW JAZZ ENSEMBLE & SPOTLIGHTERS: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

MICHAEL STAUB, SAXOPHONE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30. Student recital.

VALERIE L. HOLTON, PIANO: 3 p.m. Oct. 31. Graduate recital.

DAVID DEES, SAXOPHONE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Guest recital.

CUARTETO del SUR: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Guest recital.

BRITTANY GODWIN, SOPRANO & ASHLEY LAYTON, SOPRANO: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6. Student recital.

SALLI-TYMNA PARKER, OBOE & DESTYNEE WALKER, CLARINET: 3 p.m. Nov. 7. Student recital.

BRYAN GARRIS, FLUTE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Graduate recital.

PAN-AMERICAN ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

FLUTE STUDIO RECITAL: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Choir Room, VSU Fine Arts Building.

JOSH HARRELL, BARITONE: 3 p.m. Nov. 21, Trinity Presbyterian Church, on Bemiss Road. Student recital.

WIND ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21.

STUDENT JAZZ COMBO: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

NANCY DAVIS, PERCUSSION: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23. Student recital.

SAXOPHONE QUARTET/SAXOPHONE STUDIO: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

NANCY ALVARADO, VIOLIN: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29. Student recital.

ANDREW BENNETT, TROMBONE & MATT JERNIGAN, TRUMPET: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Student recital.

RYANN COOPERWOOD, PIANO: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Student recital.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

CHAMBER SINGERS: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 5, VSU’s West Hall Rotunda. Annual Christmas performance. Event requires tickets.

SOUTH GEORGIA STRING PROJECT: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Local youngsters perform stringed instruments.

VSU OPERA: 10 a.m. Jan. 14; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15; 3 p.m. Jan. 16.

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY THEATRE & DANCE

Where: Theatres in the VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

Tickets: Regular shows, $12, adult; $10, senior adult; $8, child, nor VSU student; $7, group rate of 10 or more. Musical, $15, adult; $12, senior adult; $10, child, non-VSU student; $10, group or 10 or more. Season memberships also available.

More information: Call (229) 333-5973 (once school returns); or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts

SHOWS

BURIED CHILD: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16, 17, 18; 3 p.m. Sept. 19; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20, 21, 22, Lab Theatre. Playwright Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1979 breakthrough drama that dissects the erosion of the American family in the context of the social and political environments of the 1970s.

ROMEO & JULIET: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 8, 9; 3 p.m. Oct. 10; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 12, 13, Sawyer Theatre. William Shakespeare’s immortal tale of young love found and tragically lost.

SWEET CHARITY: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 13; 3 p.m. Nov. 14; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 16, 17, Sawyer Theatre. With music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and book by Neil Simon, VSU Theatre & Dance’s annual musical of a dance-hall girl’s search for true love, with songs that include the famed “Big Spender,” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now.”

ENCHANTED MIRRORS: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4; 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5, Sawyer Theatre. This year’s children’s theatre production is an original “choreodrama” by VSU Theatre & Dance’s Eric Brandt Nielsen with music by James Shrader, VSU Music department head. In addition to these listed dates, this show will tour schools in the region. To book this show at an area school in February or March 2011, call Jacque Wheeler, (229) 333-5820.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 19; 3 p.m. Feb. 20; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, 23, Sawyer Theatre. Playwright Jon Jory’s stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel about a young woman’s coming of age amidst Britain’s early 19th century’s expectations of manners and morals, and yes, there’s a bit of love, too.

25th ANNUAL DANCE CONCERT: 7:30 p.m. March 31, April 1, 2; 3 p.m. April 3, Sawyer Theatre. VSU Theatre & Dance presents an annual dance show celebrating a quarter century of dance, featuring original dances from VSU’s dance instructors and choreographers.

EMERGING ARTISTS SHOWCASE: 7:30 p.m. April 21, 22, 23; 3 p.m. April 24. Music theatre performances and original choreography by VSU Theatre & Dance students.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SLEEPING BEAUTY: THE BALLET: Jan. 28, 29, Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, North Forrest Street. Produced by the Valdosta School of Ballet, and also featuring faculty and students, this production raises money for VSU Theatre & Dance scholarships.

ANNUAL CABARET FUNDRAISER: Jan. 23, VSU Student Union Ballroom. Students present a dinner experience of song to benefit VSU Theatre & Dance scholarships.

VALDOSTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Where: Whitehead Auditorium, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. Exceptions noted.

Tickets: $25 per concert. Special season tickets available.

More information: Call VSU College of the Arts Outreach, (229) 333-2150; or visit www.valdostasymphony.org

Conductor: Howard Hsu.

CONCERTS

“SCHUMANN THE ROMANTIC” SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT I: 8 p.m. Sept. 25. Concert features the works of Schumann: “Hermann and Dorothea Overture,” Piano Concerto, Symphony No. 2. Soloist: Elizabeth Pridgen, piano.

“MAGINIFICENT MOZART” SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT II: 8 p.m. Nov. 20. Concert features the works of Mozart: “Sinfonia Concertante,” with soloists Brent Williams, violin, etc.; Mass in C minor, with soloists Audrey Luna, Tamara Hardesty, sopranos; Frank Timmerman, tenor, and Karl Paoletti, baritone. This concert conducted by Paul Neal, VSO associate conductor and features the Valdosta State University Concert Choir, VSU Chamber Singers, and the VSO Chorus.

“THE NUTCRACKER” SPECIAL CONCERT #1: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St. “The VSO in conjunction with Dance Arts Inc., under the director of Linda Chase, is proud to present, as part of the Valdosta Sesquicentennial Celebration, the first ‘Nutcracker’ with live orchestra in the history of the city.”

SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT III: 8 p.m. Feb. 12. Concert features the works of Beethoven: “Creatures of Prometheus Overture”; Violin Concerto featuring soloist Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral.”

SPECIAL CONCERT #2: 8 p.m. March 26; 3 p.m. March 27. Concert features Adams’ “Short Ride in a Fast Machine,” music from “Star Trek,” Holst’s “The Planets,” featuring footage from NASA.

SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT IV: 8 p.m. April 30. Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection.” Soloists: Tamara Hardesty, soprano; Janine Hawley, mezzo soprano, with the VSU Concert Choir, VSU Chamber Singers, and VSO Chorus.

WILD ADVENTURES

Where: Old Clyattville Road.

Concert admission: Shows included in the park’s regular admission. Reserved seating available at an additional price.

NOTE: 2011 shows announced at a later date.

More information: Call (229) 219-7080; or visit wildadventures.com

CONCERTS

THIRD DAY: Sept. 25. Christian rockers.

VINCE NEIL: Oct. 2. Motley Crue front man rocks solo.

EVENTS

RED, WHITE & YOU: Sept. 4-6. The park’s Labor Day weekend event, celebrating those who serve.

PHOBIA: Friday and Saturday nights in October. The park’s annual Halloween events.

KID-O-WEEN: During the day, Saturdays and Sundays in October. More child-friendly Halloween events.