CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Brooks Center for the Performing Arts will host performers from throughout the globe for the 2008-2009 season.

They include Grammy Award winners, Juilliard-trained musicians and a legendary television and stage actress.

“The season boasts masters of Bach and Mozart sonatas, jazz and Celtic riffs, rib-splitting comedy and dramatic tragedy, and pirouettes and demi-pointes,” said Brooks Center director Lillian Harder.

The Brooks Center’s Boni Belle Brooks Series, which features premier visiting artists and attractions, will showcase Paquito D’Rivera and Regina Carter, two innovative jazz musicians; The King’s Singers and Rockapella, two male vocal groups; and the North Carolina Dance Theatre and dance company MOMIX.

The Boni Belle Brooks Series also features many of Broadway’s best hits, presenting performances of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Pajama Game” and the 25th anniversary tour of “Nunsense” starring television and stage actress Sally Struthers.

Other performances in the series include The Lovell Sisters Band, three sisters from Northwest Georgia who perform bluegrass; and Leahy, an award-winning Canadian-based Celtic family band made up of eight brothers and sisters.

Free chamber music performances continue in 2008-2009 as the university’s Lillian and Robert Utsey Chamber Music Series presents four concerts. Russian pianist Gleb Ivanov and British trumpeter Alison Balsom will give solo recitals. Concertante and the Corinthian Trio have musicians who were trained at Juilliard.

The Utsey Chamber Music Series Endowment funds Utsey Series appearances at the Brooks Center. The endowment is South Carolina’s only fund dedicated to presenting free chamber music performances.

"We are deeply grateful to all who have given to the endowment throughout its history,” Harder said. “Those contributions have made it possible for Clemson to showcase the best and brightest classical musicians as well as put the university on the map as a top presenter of classical music.”

The Brooks Center’s Family Series offers a variety of entertainment and educational options for children. Among the events planned for the 2008-2009 season are performances of “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley,” an updated version of the Greek classic “Jason and the Argonauts” and an interactive crime investigation: “CSI: Live.” Other offerings include the Broadway musical “Oliver!” as well as “Peter and the Wolf” presented by the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra and Foothills Dance Conservatory.

“Wholesome performances have always been a hallmark of our programming,” Harder said. “This season the Family Series offers an array of shows designed to educate, inspire and entertain.”

Ensembles in the Clemson's performing arts department will present more than 70 hours of live music and drama.

“We encourage you to support these student artists as they showcase their talents,” said Richard Goodstein, chairman of the performing arts department.

Season tickets (five or more tickets) for the 2008-2009 Brooks Center season are on sale from Monday, July 14, through Friday, Aug. 1. Single tickets go on sale on Friday, Aug. 15.

Tickets and additional information are available at www.clemson.edu/Brooks or the box office from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at (864) 656-7787.