The Troy Arts Council has just sealed the deal on what promises to be one of its best event calendars ever.

John Jinright, TAC presenter chair, said although he didn’t see any of the performances live at the Performing Arts Exchange in Norfolk, Virginia in September, he is confident of the selections that he and Dr. Williams Denison, TAC president recommended.

“At the PAE, we talked to agents, explored rosters and made inquires and we are very excited about the programs that the TAC will offer during 2010-2011.”

Jinright and Denison have gotten to know the different agents and that is beneficial in that the agents know the TAC’s tastes on programming and can make recommendations.

“Actually, we have been working on this calendar since last August and have now gotten everything firmed up and all the deposits made,” he said.

Beginning in September, each month, the TAC will bring something new and exciting to the stage of the Troy University Claudia Crosby Theater.

“In September, the Billy Jonas Band will be in concert,” Jinright said. “Billy Jonas has been recognized by USA Today as one of the nation’s top children’s artists. Prior to the evening concert, the band will visit all four of the public schools in the county. The evening concert will be a family oriented kind of singing along. Billy Jonas performs at the White House Easter Egg Hunt so his name will be familiar to many.”

In October, the Crosby Theater should be packed for the “Yesterday & Today” Beatles Tribute.

“This will be an all-request show and members of the audience will meet with the staff and make requests that will be the focus of the show,” Jinright said. “The Beatles music continues to be popular and it will be a great show.

The Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company will be at the Claudia Crosby Theater in November. The world famous Chinese dance troupe blends the East and West.

“This performance will be visually spectacular,” Jinright said. “This is a performance not to be missed.”

The dance company will work with the dance students at Troy University and Lily Chi will hold a public lecture about the Chinese culture, customs and traditions.

In December, Shelia Jackson and Company will present the Christmas Concert, which has become a holiday tradition in Troy.

“Life Is So Good” and that’s the wholesale attitude with which to begin a New Year.

“This performance is about a man who, at age 90, decides that he wants to learn to read,” Jinright said. “We are hoping to bring the author of the book to the campus during the same time as the performance. It’s a very compelling book. It’s an easy read. The book and the play will ring a chord with the kind of folks that we are.”

In February, the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra will perform a special Valentine treat.

“We have asked the orchestra to play special selections for Valentine’s Day – a kind of ‘from Russia with love’ performance,’” Jinright said. “The orchestra will also perform for the schools.”

March, April and May will bring a variety of performances to the stage of the Claudia Crosby Theater. “Riverdance” will meet 101 violins in a high-energy, flashy pop/classical mix in March. April will bring a world-class classical trio to town.

Those who have always wanted to see and hear a Stradivarius will get a rare chance.

And Dr. Johnny Long and the Southeast Alabama Community Band will bring the season to a rollicking close in May.

Jinright said the 2010-11 Troy Arts Council events calendar will be outstanding and encourages all arts enthusiasts to mark their calendars for the TAC’s annual patrons drive featuring Ray Smith and all that jazz at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at The Studio.