Laurie Anderson will perform October 18

Kicking off UNC Asheville’s 2006-07 Cultural and Special Events season, virtuoso Laurie Anderson will perform “The End of the Moon” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Diana Wortham Theatre, at Pack Place in downtown Asheville. The performance is co-sponsored by the Asheville Art Museum with special funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Hailed as “…the reigning performance artist of her time” by the Boston Globe, Laurie Anderson consistently intrigues and entertains audiences with her multimedia presentations. Her original work, “The End of the Moon,” was conceived while she was the first NASA artist-in-residence. It is an anecdotal, wide ranging and epic solo work. Combining stories, songs and an evocative soundscape for violin and electronics, “The End of the Moon” explores the relationships between war, aesthetics, spirituality and consumerism.

Born Laura Phillips, Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Barnard College and a master’s degree in sculpture from Columbia University. Her career as a performance artist began during college when she composed and played a symphony on automobile horns. During the past 35 years, Anderson has continued to be a varied and active performer. In addition to countless concerts and performance pieces, she composed the soundtracks for two Spalding Gray films, provided voice talent for the animated film “The Rugrats Movie,” and wrote a supplemental article on the cultural character of New York City for the Encyclopedia Britannica. Anderson has collaborated with dozens of performers, including William Burroughs, Peter Gabriel, Bobby McFerrin and Lou Reed. She has released 11 albums and continues to perform worldwide.

“The End of the Moon” is held in conjunction with “Black Mountain College: A Community Celebration in 2006/07.” This year-long community project marks the 50th anniversary of the closing of Black Mountain College. Public programs will feature films, talks, performances and exhibitions developed in partnership with Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Diana Wortham Theatre and UNC Asheville.

All seats are reserved. Tickets for the general public are $45. Call the Diana Wortham Theatre box office at 828/257-4530 for tickets.

For more information about this performance or UNC Asheville’s Cultural & Special Events season, call 828/251-6227.