Columbia State Community College's Lyceum Committee kicks off it's 2009-2010 Calendar with three great shows/workshops at the beginning of October. On Thursday October, 1, the Nashville Ballet will visit the Cherry Theater on the Columbia Campus and present Ferdinand the Bull. On Monday, October 5, the Mitsugi Kai Japanese Dance Company visits the Cherry Theater for a demonstration/workshop, and on Tuesday, October 6, Robert Edwards takes the Cherry Theater audience on a Journey Through the Blues.

The Lyceum Committee and Office of Student Services will host a performance presented by the Nashville Ballet. The dance company brings the classic tale of "Ferdinand the Bull" to the stage of the Cherry Theatre at Columbia State on Thursday, October 1, at 6 p.m.

"In Munro Leaf's story, Ferdinand is a bull who does not like kicking, lunging, and snorting. He would rather simply smell the flowers than become embroiled in meaningless conflicts. Of course society wants a fighting bull, an angry bull, but Ferdinand's story tells us that difference is not always a negative thing, and that standing out from the crowd can make one a potent and valuable individual," said Stuart Lenig, professor of speech and drama at Columbia State.

The Nashville Ballet production features music by composer Mario DaSilva, costume and set design by Eric Harris and Choreography by the Nashville Ballet's artistic director, Paul Vasterling.

Nashville ballet has been in operation since 1981. The company is Middle Tennessee's only professional ballet Company and owns offices and studios in Nashville and opened a second location in Brentwood in 2005. The Ballet has entertained the area for more than a quarter of a century and is an educational, historical and cultural resource.

The performance is free and all ages of children and adults are welcome. The show lasts around an hour and offers gentle humor, beautiful dancing, and lively physical performances.

"Ferdinand the Bull is one of the most delightful classic children's tales of all time and richly deserves its valued place in the literary canon," said Lenig. "Ferdinand's message is a story for all age groups and charms adults and children alike."

The Mitsugi Kai Dance Company from Nasu, Japan, will be at Columbia State Community College for a special performance and workshop on Monday, October 5, in the Cherry Theatre at 1 p.m. The event will be hosted by Columbia State's Lyceum Committee.

The company will share Japanese culture through a performance of traditional classical Japanese dance, folk dance, ancient Japanese costumes, and classical Japanese instruments

During their tour of the United States Mitsugi Kai leader Hanayagi, Mitsugi, will be joined by Ms. Keiko Herbert of Nashville and Ms. Takako Grimes of Columbia. Both are naturalized citizens of the U.S. who were born in Japan and maintain close ties to their dance and Japanese cultural roots.

"It is a rare privilege to have such fine local talent add to this event," said Stuart Lenig, professor of speech and drama at Columbia State.

Besides their appearance at Columbia State, their only appearance at a community college in the state, the ensemble will be performing at the University of Memphis and Belmont University under the auspices of the Consulate General of Japan and the Japan-US Association.

The Cherry Theater performance will be approximately one hour and the dancers will explain the culture and tradition of Japanese dance in between and during performances.

The dance company will host a brief workshop following the performance at 2 p.m. During the workshop, performers will explain the costumes and dance styles of Japanese culture and participants will be encouraged to learn a few simple dance steps to understand how Japanese dance works and what is required to perform this style.

The Mitsugi Kai Dance Company tours to foster global understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture around the world. Audiences have found the style of dance beautiful, aesthetic, spiritual, and relaxing.

Blues artist Robert Edwards (pictured) brings his hot and smoky blues to Columbia State's Cherry Theatre for an exciting show that chronicles the art form of the blues on October 6 at 7pm.

Edwards, a local favorite has played at Embers Grille and Tavern (Columbia), Bluesboro (Murfreesboro), and B.B. King's Blues Club (Nashville). His interest in the blues began at an early age. "When I was five years old I saw B.B. King on TV and I knew that was what I had to do," said Edwards.

His band plays an eclectic blend of old and new blues numbers, blending the origins of the form from the turn of the century with the more recent styles of blues craft forged by artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn, Robert Cray, and the legendary B.B. King.

A sidelight to the intimate concert is Edwards' rare and exquisite knowledge of the blues. Edwards has lectured on the history of blues music and has a voluminous knowledge of the legendary players and events in the history of the style. His performance will be punctuated with stories and historical insights into the work of blues artists and how they created the form.

"What I like most about the blues is being able to release emotion without actually having to say anything, and having other people understand what it is," said the Culleoka native.

The Robert Edwards concert is generously co-sponsored by grants from the Columbia State Foundation and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The show is free and open to the public. Cherry Theatre patrons are urged to come early for a good seat.

The Cherry Theater is located in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on Columbia State's Columbia Campus at 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, Tennessee.

For more information about Lyceum, click here or contact Stuart Lenig at Columbia State 931-540-2877 or slenig@columbiastate.edu.