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Continuing its mission to champion Oklahoma as a world-class center for the arts, the Armstrong International Cultural Foundation's 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series at Armstrong Auditorium will bring the world's greatest performances to the heartland of America.

Sixteen events are scheduled to appear on Armstrong's lineup in five exciting series: Russian Masters, Vocal Masters, Chamber, Folk and Pops.

The Russian Masters series will feature the Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg State Orchestra March 1, the Kuleshov-Mogilevsky Piano Duo April 22 and the Moscow Festival Ballet January 31, performing Tchaikovsky's timeless classic, Sleeping Beauty.

Heading up the Vocal Masters series is "the world's reigning male chorus" (New Yorker) Chanticleer October 25, followed by four-time GRAMMY-winning soprano and Met Opera icon Dawn Upshaw January 19. On March 27, baritone Jubilant Sykes returns to the Armstrong series, and the Armstrong College Choral Union performs Brahm's Requiem and Handel's Cornonation Anthems May 3.

The Romeros, hailed as "the royal family of the guitar", begin the Chamber series November 3, followed by cellist Lynn Harrell and the Miró String Quartet on February 16. Two of the world's most critically acclaimed musicians, Eugenia Zukerman on flute, and Oklahoma-native Yolanda Kondonassis on harp make an unrivaled pairing of chamber music April 15.

Armstrong's Folk series will begin this Independence Day weekend as the GRAMMY-winning Mark O'Connor brings the country's most talented young fiddlers on his American String Celebration tour July 3, 2011. The concert will be held outdoors on the Grand Mall and will be followed by a fireworks show. An unbelievable new show, StepCrew, will bring together three exhilarating dance forms—Irish Stepdance, Ottawa Valley Stepdance and Tap—in their March 20 show. The Irish theme continues February 27 when the Chieftans, Ireland's premier musical ambassadors, bring their infectious melodies and driving rhythms to the Armstrong stage.

New to Armstrong's lineup this season is a Pops series, headlined by the inimitable Marvin Hamlisch conducting the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in the delightful "Gershwin Project" September 8. Broadway leading man Brian Stokes Mitchell will follow November 10 with his jazz combo to bring his smooth and soulful style to a program of jazz and Broadway favorites. Finally, the ever vibrant GRAMMY-winning trumpeter and former Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen is back on tour, bringing his Big Band to Armstrong March 8 with repertoire that covers a broad range from Basie to Ellington and Broadway to Hollywood.

Season subscriptions and event tickets go on sale June 1.