11 May 2016Shenkman Arts Centre Fresh New 2016-17 Season Worth the Squeeze_ (press release) _ Hungry theatre-goers will get the opportunity to unwind the rind on a new season of English live performance today. The fresh crop of entertainment coming to Shenkman Arts Centre goes on sale exclusively to Front + Centre members today, Tuesday, May 10 at 10 a.m. and to the general public on Monday, May 16 at 10 a.m. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ “We encourage everyone to grab a slice of life – real life – the kind that nurtures minds and memories through live performance experiences,” says Caroline Obeid, the Centre’s Artistic Producer and Manager. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The Shenkman Arts Centre Presents series dubbed Slice of Live yields a variety of performers who will present their view of the world. Their insights may be brilliant, bright, bitter or sweet, but they will always be deliciously entertaining. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ With something for every palate, Shenkman Arts Centre Present’s new season is now ripe for the picking. Here’s a sampling of the home-grown performers who will be at the Centre in 2016-17. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A string of JUNO winners are welcomed this season, the first of which is in September when a cappella veterans ** The Nylons ** visit us with their final tour. After 38 years, it’s truly the end of an era! ** Jane Bunnett ** and her all-female, Cuban sextet ** Maqueque ** (pronounced Ma-keh-keh), ** ** will bring us an impressive and highly energetic take on the island’s famous rhythms in October with the launch of their new CD _ . _ Vancouver’s ** The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer ** stops by in February in a double-bill with Ottawa’s own ** MonkeyJunk ** . Perhaps best known as a member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, folk musician ** Stephen Fearing ** will be here in March. ** ** In the same month is Montréal sax master ** Rémi Bolduc ** ’s breathtaking tribute to the great Oscar Peterson. ** ** Classical music will be featured at the always-sold-out Sunday afternoon ** Café Classico ** events in November and March. Flashback faves ** Classic Albums Live ** will return with odes to Led Zeppelin _ _ in November and David Bowie in March. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ** Sharon and Bram ** in October and ** Fred Penner ** in April are the “bookends” to a spectacular family performance season. Contemporary company ** Tara Luz Danse ** will showcase their new family-friendly work: _ Les bâtons (Sticks) _ . Members of the ** NAC Orchestra ** come together with two KinderNACO concerts. The classical music shows for young children are _ WINDerful Musical Zoo _ in November and _ We’ve Got the Beat _ in April. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ring in the New Year on December 31 with our ** 6th Annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Show ** . NYE Comedy is always a sold-out show, and this year we’re making it even better by adding an after party! As always, the comedians won’t be announced until September. The laughs will continue in January when CBC Radio One’s ** _ This is That _ ** is on stage with an hilarious skit/improv show. It’s just like the radio show, but live! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expect a sweet fall harvest in September when Shenkman Arts Centre Presents will announce more shows. They are anticipated to be some of the juiciest picks of the season!