Culture

The NPR music program “Mountain Stage with Larry Groce” will return to Athens Sunday, March 16 at 7 p.m. The program, produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, is heard weekly on WOUB Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at midnight. The show features five guest artists in a two-hour showcase that is recorded for later distribution to more than 100 NPR stations nationwide and overseas on the Voice of America satellite service.

Mountain Stage host and artistic director Larry Groce says his team is looking forward to returning to Athens. “We have a great station in WOUB and the folks in Athens love great music, regardless of genre, therefore they appreciate what we strive to do with the show. The University and venue staff always makes us feel at home and the Auditorium is a beautiful setting to see a show.”

The March 16 performance will feature Pink Martini and the Von Trapps – as well as other artists yet to be announced.

Pink Martini’s founder Thomas Lauderdale is excited to present his newest musical co-conspirators, The von Trapps, the great-grandchildren of Georg and Maria von Trapp.

Pink Martini will be releasing an exciting full-length studio collaboration album, due in March 2014, featuring this quartet of wondrous, clear-voiced singers all lifting their voices in concert with Lauderdale’s brilliant, multi-lingual globe-trotting arrangements. In celebration of the release, The von Trapps will tour with Pink Martini and perform songs from the brand new album.

The event will be held at Ohio University’s Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and is being sponsored by the Ohio University Concert Series and WOUB Public Media. Tickets will be available for purchase Monday, January 27 beginning at noon.

Tickets are $25 for the first 10 rows and $15 for general admission and can be reserved by calling 740-593-1780 or online at www.ohio.edu/performingarts.