McKinney Performing Arts Center hosts Bearfoot concert Nov. 14 

McKINNEY, TEXAS (Oct. 28, 2008) – Bearfoot, a young bluegrass-influenced band from Alaska, performs at McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.  

The ensemble features twin fiddles, fast-picking mandolin and guitar, upright bass, and beautiful harmony vocals. Bearfoot originally met as students at an Alaskan music camp when the youngest was just 14. The young five-member band became regular crowd favorites at prestigious festivals. Bearfoot was awarded the Telluride Bluegrass band competition in 2001, joining the prestigious ranks of previous winners such as Dixie Chicks and Nickel Creek.  

“The group brings a fresh approach to bluegrass and acoustic music, and the audience will never be bored as they experience everything from evocative three-part harmonies to original songs to bluesy covers of contemporary tunes. Bearfoot's stage presence appeals across generational boundaries,” said MPAC Director David Taylor.  

In addition to a full touring schedule, Bearfoot members also conduct Bluegrass Music Camps for Kids across the country. McKinney students will have an opportunity to interact with Bearfoot musicians during a special master class for Caldwell Elementary prior to the band’s public performance. This workshop is sponsored by Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra with additional support from the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Reserved seating tickets for Bearfoot range from $20 to $30 and are available through MPAC’s Emerson Ticket Office at 214-544-4630 or on-line at www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org. MPAC Fall 2007 – Spring 2008 Season is sponsored by Emerson Process Management. 

Bearfoot’s performance at MPAC is sponsored by Carlson Wagonlit Travel of McKinney and Holland America Line. On Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., join MPAC for a free multi-media Alaska travel presentation created to provide a glimpse of the history, scenic grandeur, wildlife and friendliness of the people to those planning an Alaska vacation. The program, produced by Holland America Line, features their 2008 Alaska Cruise Tour Destination Film. 

Additional support is provided by McKinney Community Development Corporation, City of McKinney, The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Holiday Inn & Suites McKinney-Eldorado, Tucker Hill, North American Title Company, Carlson Wagonlit, Holland America, McKinney Parks, Recreation and Open Space, North Texas History Center, All Star Golf, Synergy Bank, S.S.B., Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra and McKinneyNews.Net.  

About McKinney Performing Arts Center

McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) at the Historic Collin County Courthouse, located in downtown McKinney, opened on March 31, 2006.  Built in 1876 and drastically remodeled in 1927, the building served as a functioning courthouse until vacated in 1979. 

McKinney Performing Arts Center photo by Allen Rich

After 25 years of neglect, the facility was rehabilitated by the City of McKinney and the McKinney Community Development Corporation and re-crafted as a multi-purpose rental facility and performing arts venue.  Now in its third year of operation, MPAC’s programming expands to include a season of MPAC-presented performing arts.  These events are designed to compliment the activities of the local arts organizations that rent MPAC’s Courtroom Theater.