2014 Palladium season includes Randy Newman, George Benson & much more

The Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2014/15 season just ahead of its June 20-21 Great American Songbook Hall of Fame weekend.

Included in the Songbook series: Singer/songwriter Randy Newman in a Thanksgiving week show, George Benson offering a tribute to Nat King Cole,  and dancer/choreographer/director Tommy Tune (who I'll forever appreciate for staging the "Take a Glass Together" number from "Grand Hotel." Watch it and feel joy.) The Dance series, offered in the Tarkington, includes Tania Perez-Salas Compania de Danza and the Russian National Ballet Theatre's "The Sleeping Beauty."

The Jazz and Blues lineup features Al Jarreau, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, and the teaming of Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Classical concerts include performances by Emerson String Quartet, pianist Leon Fleisher with the Far Cry Chamber Orchestra, and Itzhak Perlman.

Country? How about Vince Gill, Tracy Lawrence, and Martina McBride, among others? World Music shows include The Assad Brothers, Eileen Ivers, and Tango Buenos Aires. Gladys Knight and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are also in the Pops mix.

The catch-all Spotlight shows include Sweet Honey in the Rock, 13-year-old Ethan Brotnick (who claims the title of the youngest entertainer to headline a Vegas show), and Jim Belushi in an improv show with the Chicago Board of Comedy.

Holiday shows are also on the way from George Winston, Celtic Thunder (in a symphony tour), and Dave Koz. The Family series includes Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train Live!

There's more, of course. But you can go to www.TheCenterPresents.org for the rest.

So what do you think? Anything on the list excite you?