(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Aug. 13, 2012) - - - The 2012-2013 Columbia State Community College First Farmers Performance Series features an impressive lineup selected to appeal to a variety of entertainment tastes.

"It's our most diverse season yet," said Janet Smith, Ph.D., Columbia State president. "We have Chinese acrobats, an internationally known performer and songwriter, vaudeville, classical piano, comedy theater and a flamenco/jazz fusion guitarist."

Smith added that First Farmers and Merchants Bank is continuing its commitment to the cultural enrichment of the region as the naming sponsor, with the performance series entering its eleventh season.

On Oct. 25, the Golden Dragon Acrobats present their award-winning combination of acrobatics, ancient and contemporary music, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and theatrical techniques.

The Wonder Bread Years on Nov. 15 is a combination of stand-up comedy and theater saluting the collective memories of the Baby Boomer Generation. Even comedian Jerry Seinfeld added his endorsement, commenting, "This show has my funny seal of approval!"

Sweeping piano sounds bring grandeur and spirit to the holidays when pianist Emile Pandolfi takes the stage on Dec. 13 to perform familiar Christmas favorites of the season.

Feb. 7, 2013, flamenco/jazz fusion guitarist Jesse Cook incorporates his world of musical influences, creating a hybrid and blended performance that promises to be both traditional and edgy.

The Squirm Burpee Circus takes the stage March 7, 2013, with human cannonballs, love ladders, sidesplitting slapstick, whimsical props and fantastical costumes found in the eccentric world of Nouveau Vaudeville.

All series performances are presented at 7 p.m. in the Cherry Theater, located in the Waymon L. Hickman building on the Columbia campus. Individual tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Purchase all six shows and receive the 20 percent discounted price of $96. To charge tickets by phone using a major credit card, call (931) 540-2879. Tickets can also be purchased at the Columbia State ticket office in the Pryor Administration building, Room 108, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The box office located in the Waymon L. Hickman Building, Room 100A, will open one hour prior to each performance. For more information visit www.columbiastate.edu/performance-series.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.