STING TO ROCK DALLAS

Grammy Award-winning artist Sting takes the stage for the second act of the Kick-off Concert Series

By Steve Pate

Thursday, September 9, 2010 - 1:28am

Trivia Time: What do Sting and former Dallas Cowboys have in common?

Answer: They’ll be on the same stage May 22 at Dallas’ new Winspear Opera House.

And here’s the good news: A mere 400 tickets remain for the event that combines Sting’s dynamic, international flavor to two American favorites — the Super Bowl and America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys.

This is the second of three musical events brought to you by the Host Committee’s Kick-Off Concert Series. The Series enjoyed a rousing blast-off last month at Fort Worth’s Bass Hall, featuring Faith Hill’s down-home country and pop hits. Cowboys Stadium will house the final concert in September, with the performer to be announced soon.

The approaching Dallas concert promises a uniqueness all its own. Winspear only opened last fall, and Sting will be the first superstar to sing there. Just as importantly, Sting typically plays arenas and larger venues. This could be an incredible music night with remarkable acoustics.

Winspear is slightly larger than Bass Hall, and hence the 400 additional tickets. The two outstanding venues also have their own unique contours.

Kit Sawers, the Host Committee’s VP of Special Events, has had to do some modest juggling.

“There are some seating differences in Bass Hall and the Winspear Opera House,” Sawers said. “The floor is configured a little bit differently, so we’re adjusting peoples’ seats from Bass Hall.

“But I think that everyone will be very, very excited to be in this brand new venue. A lot of our audience will not have had the opportunity to attend a performance yet at Winspear.”

Winspear opened last fall and has enjoyed several musicals and ballets. Sting, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, should wow with his wild variety of rock, blues, reggae, jazz and more.

The surprising comedy duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the announcers for Super Bowl XLV next February at Cowboys Stadium, added to the evening at Bass Hall. But a prior commitment has forced Buck to bow out this time.

To the rescue come the Dallas Cowboys.

“Troy has recruited some Cowboys from his playing days and from Roger Staubach’s playing days,” Sawers said. “We’ll definitely have some fun with those guys, adding a little more of a Cowboys flair to the Sting concert.

“We promise a very funny opening again, just as there was in Fort Worth,” she added.

Sawers also promises to sprinkle in several clever videos from the Super Bowl production team. But once Sting hits the stage, he will almost certainly seize the night.

“Sting is about to launch a huge tour,” Sawers said. “Having him in such an intimate venue will be an extraordinary opportunity for the members of our audience.”

Tickets may be purchased by calling Kristen Miles at 214-252-5107 or by logging onto www.northtexassuperbowl.com/concertseries.