Music icon and winner of 25 Grammy, CMA & American Music Awards Willie Nelson comes to the Circle Square Cultural Center! Willie’s popular hits such as “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”, “On The Road Again”, “Always On My Mind” and many more classics are ageless songs that span generations. With his brilliant 6 decade career that speaks volumes of his music’s relevance and performance power, the 75 year old Willie Nelson continues to sell out venues all over the world!

Well known hits: On The Road Again, Midnight Rider, Always On My Mind and many more!

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

All prices are plus tax.

Do you have a dance routine or juggling skill that can't be beat? Are you ready to bring your harmonica ability to the Ocala masses? Have people told you that you have the voice of an angel? Prove it! Come put your talents to the test for the 3rd annual “THE WORLD HAS TALENT” Talent Show. This is not the time to be shy or coy if you think you’ve got what it takes to win prizes and applause. Audition date to be announced.

Auditions held: 10am – 3pm

Being a teenager in the Bronx back in the ‘50s and early ‘60s was unlike being a kid anywhere else in the universe. There was a magic in the air that blended right in with the sweet aroma of Mama’s cooking. It was the liberating sound of doo-wop and rock and roll. This music had heart, soul, purity and a sound... oh, the sound...tunes that made you want to dance...lyrics that once in a while, even made you cry.

With superlative vocals and musicianship, dynamic enthusiasm and a genuine love of the music they perform, the Bronx Wanderers recreate the magic of the era and build an energetic bond with their audience, guaranteeing an evening of toe-tapping, hand clapping and dancing in the aisles all night long.

Influenced by: Dion, Frankie Valli, Kenny Vance & Dean Martin

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

From a very early age Lesley showed great interest in music. Even at an age when she did not have any reading skills, she would sift through 45's and pick out her favorite songs just by the color of the label. Because of her constant interest, when Lesley was fifteen her parents sent her off to get professional vocal training. Every now and then Lesley would sing with her cousin's band. One night while performing at The Prince George Hotel, Lesley's talent was discovered by the president of Mercury records, Irving Green. Green rushed Lesley into recording a few demos and sent them around the company for everyone to hear. They all agreed Lesley had something and introduced her to producer Quincy Jones. Jones and Lesley made a great team. With his great production skills and Lesley's voice, success was fate. After a night of the two searching through demo records, Lesley picked out a song. The selected tune was "It's My Party" and after the song's release, it topped the charts. The nation was won over and crowned Lesley "Princess of Rock 'n' Roll”.
 
Well known hits: It's My Party, She's a Fool & Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

© Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
ELVIS, ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE CONTEST and LOGO are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Can you “Fill the Blue Suede Shoes™”? Contestants in The Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ - “Fill the Blue Suede Shoes™” preliminary contest will be judged on vocals, appearance, stage presence, and overall performance. The winner of this preliminary contest will qualify to compete in The 2012 Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ in Memphis, TN during Elvis Week, August 2012.

Registration form and payment must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

Download the official rules and guidelines and registration form here:

2012 Ultimate Official Rules and Guidelines (PDF, 109kb)

2012 Elvis Call for Contestants 2012
(PDF, 209kb)

If you love Elvis®, then you'll certainly enjoy this event. Elvis tribute artists will come from all over to entertain you with live performances of The King's hits. These tribute artists dedicate themselves to preserving the memory of The King. They look like Elvis, sound like Elvis, dress like Elvis and even dance like Elvis. During this event, the tribute artists will be competing for a spot in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Contest™ in Memphis, TN in August 2012 where a prize of $20,000 awaits the grand prize winner.

Come and watch the competition and cheer on your favorite Elvis tribute artist. The preliminary round is at 11 am. The final round is at 7pm.

Preliminary Round
Doors Open: 10am - Show Begins: 11am

Final Round
Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

In 1967, a politically charged and musically experimental band was formed in the windy city – a band that over the past four decades has become one of the longest running and most successful rock and roll bands in American music history. That band is CHICAGO – and Beginnings is the premiere tribute to their music – music that has come to define generations. 

Great Chicago tribute bands should have an excellent horn section…Beginnings does! The band consists of two guitarists, a drummer, a keyboardist and four in the horn section. The vocals are shared by four different members of the band and all four of them really do a great job.

Well known hits: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Beginnings, & You’re the Inspiration.

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

Having progressed far beyond her first major hit, “You Light Up My Life”, Debby Boone’s new Big Band show and CD titled “Swing This” is, in her own words, the party she has waited her whole life to throw. The New York Observer raves, “This girl has taste… She’s full of surprises, too!” With songs including “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “Get Me to the Church on Time”, and “You and the Night and the Music”, Debby offers her own personal take on the exhilarating Vegas style Swing Songs that inspired her to become a singer in the first place. The thrilling combination of the Big Band Swing style music and Debby’s “playful” vocal abilities demonstrates her “impressive range with jazz standards”, as claimed by The Columbus Ohio Dispatch. Audiences will not be able to resist the urge to get up and “Swing”!

Well know hits: Sing, Sing, Sing, Get Me to the Church on Time & You and the Night and the Music

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

This popular musical by Johann Strauss II (The Waltz King!) is a delightful comedy and the most memorable of all the Viennese operettas. Filled with well-known melodies and grand waltzes, audiences have been singing these songs for generations. Join the Ocala Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Matthew Wardell and the University of Florida Opera Theatre for a grand night of beautiful music and lively exciting theatre. The UF Opera Theatre is under the direction of Dr. Anthony Offerle and will be joined by internationally renowned opera artist Dr. Elizabeth Graham as the guest stage director for this special performance.

Doors Open: 6:30pm - Show Begins: 7:30pm

(General admission.)

These talented performers will sing arias from the Opera Tampa's current season and from the most beloved operas of all time.

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

(General admission.
Ticket needed for admission.)

Circurious is a heart-stopping, mind-boggling display of artistry and athleticism as seen on Disney Cruise Lines and at hundreds of venues across the country. Discover all the wow factor and star quality of the circus tent, concert hall, and Broadway stage in one fantastic evening. Indulge your curiosities and celebrate your senses as aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, illusionists, singers, dancers, world record holders, and indescribable feats reignite your belief in human potential!

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

(General admission.)

In the summer of 1962, the The Contours with original member Joe Billingslea recorded Berry Gordy Jr.'s, "Do You Love Me," resulting in the group's (and label's) first hit. Within two weeks of its release, the song roared to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, taking the #1 spot on the R&B charts and #3 on the pop charts, remaining on the charts for five months. The song was the Gordy label's first million-seller, and it still holds the record as Motown's fastest rising hit of all time. In 1963, the group charted another hit, sending "Shake Sherry" to the #21 position on the R&B charts (#43 pop). In 1964, they charted "Can You Do It" at #41 R&B.

The Contours with Joe Billingslea continue to record and tour extensively. Their show is jam-packed with dazzling, high-energy choreography, impeccable harmonies and those timeless Motown grooves that everyone knows and loves. This show is as high energy as it was in the 1960s, though the flips and splits of yesteryear have been replaced by a brilliant choreography more suited to gentlemen in their second half-century of life!

Well known hits: Do You Love Me, First I Look at the Purse & Just A Little Misunderstanding

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

Lou Christie is a chart topping, multi-million selling songwriter, recording artist, and performer.  Lou's first million selling song, “The Gypsy Cried," transformed a local choirboy into a national teen idol, while still a teenager himself.

Over the decade of the ‘60s Lou followed success with greater success. “Two Faces Have I” was his next big hit featuring his stratospheric falsetto. Lou forever embedded himself and his uniquely talented voice into America's consciousness with his number 1 multi-million selling success “Lightning Strikes.” Lou’s chart topping success continued with two more million selling hits, “Rhapsody in the Rain” and “I’m Gonna Make You Mine.” Rhapsody’s success was fueled by the fact that it was the first song banned on the radio due to its suggestive lyrics.

Lou has shared the stage with many of the greats of Rock 'n' Roll including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard.

Well known hits: The Gypsy Cried, Two Faces Have I & Lightning Strikes

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

Do you have a dance routine or juggling skill that can't be beat? Are you ready to bring your harmonica ability to the Ocala masses? Have people told you that you have the voice of an angel? Prove it! Come put your talents to the test for the 3rd annual “THE WORLD HAS TALENT” Talent Show. This is not the time to be shy or coy if you think you’ve got what it takes to win prizes and applause. Audition date to be announced.

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

(General admission.)

Seasoned professional singers who grew up on Mo-Town bring you the best of this all-American sound.  You’ll be "Dancin' in the Streets" when Motown & More thrills the audience. Hear favorites made famous by: Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye and more.

Well known hits: Dancing in the Streets, I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) & Reach Out, I'll Be There

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm

The extravaganza will feature performances by four of Florida’s top barbershop quartets. These quartets will amaze you with their close 4-part harmonies reminiscent of years ago while keeping you laughing at their hilarious jokes and antics.

Doors Open: 1pm - Show Begins: 2pm

Logan Wells’ ability to capture and connect immediately with any audience is a result of her warm interactive style, a superb vocal ability, and a stage presence achieved only by seasoned performers. Her experience brings to life a biographical stage production that tells the life story of country music’s legendary Patsy Cline. Enjoy a narrative interlaced between over 20 of Patsy’s most beloved songs telling the story of her humble beginnings in Winchester, VA to her meteoric rise to fame.

Well know hits:  Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Walkin' After Midnite & Sweet Dreams

Doors Open: 6pm - Show Begins: 7pm