Bass Hall Reopens, Hosts Legend, BSS, More in '09

Last May, the University of Texas Performing Arts Center undertook a major renovation project with Bass Hall. The venue, originally finished in 1981, sat about 2,800 and held a 100 member orchestra, but the $14 million Ponce de Leon-inspired upgrade and facelift has given the hall a new lease on life. Now hosting 3,000, UTPAC and Bass proudly open the doors once again in January featuring "state-of-the-art acoustics, a magnificent glass-front façade and larger, light-filled lobby; an expanded five-story lobby and atrium, increased restroom capacity; more bars and concession areas; new flooring, sidewalls and décor; and a sixth-floor outside deck with impressive views overlooking the UT campus."

To celebrate, UTPAC is presented a handful of exciting shows in January. Beginning January 23, they re-open with a two-week celebration of diverse events to showcase all the things they present to Austin and the UT-Austin community. They’ll be welcoming John Legend, Goran Bregovic and his Weddings and Funerals Band, violinist Itzhak Perlman as well as Canadian music collective and Juno award winners, Broken Social Scene. The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choruses, and Jazz Trio (featuring Samuel Ramey, Frederica Von Stade, Barbara Conrad) will be presenting "World of Sound," a 150-person celebration of music from jazz to rock to dance rock, with Ghostland Observatory making a special appearance.

For more information on all of these events, visit UTPAC online.