Wayne Brady

Here’s a story about a man named Brady.

Kevin Selover, marketing coordinator of NIU’s Convocation Center, hopes this story has a happy ending, as tickets went on sale Thursday for comedian Wayne Brady’s appearance at the arena.

“I think he’s an excellent fit for the Convocation Center,” Selover said. “Wayne Brady & Friends” will perform at the arena, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, at 8 p.m. Nov. 1. The show will feature Brady and other comedians improv-ing, singing and dancing.

Eric Schultz, assistant director of ticketing, said the mix has widespread appeal. He expects the event to draw 3,500 to 4,500 people of varying ages.

“Wayne Brady appeals to many different audiences,” Schultz said. “We’ve had calls from people of all ages – young people, middle age people, to people in their 60s and 70s.”

Eric Shapiro, a junior communication major, plans on attending.

“He has a very unique sense of humor. He doesn’t miss a beat with his improv. I am looking forward to it,” he said.

Selover said people will not be disappointed.

“Wayne Brady brings a lot to the table,” he said. “He does a lot of improv which is his forte. He is also a very talented musician, so he does some singing. All around, it’s a lot of entertainment from just one man.”

Reserved tickets, ranging from $18 to $45, are available at all Ticketmaster locations, the arena box office, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 312-559-1212.

Rascal Flatts & Co.

Country music sensations Rascal Flatts, Chris Cagle and Brian McComas will perform at NIU’s Convocation Center as part of County Music Television’s Most Wanted Live concert tour in September.

“Last year’s country lineup, Diamond Rio, was a huge success,” said Selover. “This year we decided to go with a younger band such as Rascal Flatts and figured their pop crossover would be a good fit for the Convo Center.”

The tour will come to the arena, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Rascal Flatts has become popular with CMT viewers through their six CMT videos, two of which reached the top spot. The band’s self-titled debut album, which included the smash hit “I’m Movin’ On,” has gone platinum.

Cagle has had five videos appear on CMT with two reaching the No. 1 position on the CMT Top 20 countdown. He won the CMT Flameworthy Breakthrough Video of the Year with his hit video “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” a No. 1 hit single from his debut album “Play It Loud.”

Rising star Brian McComas recently made his first appearance on CMT MOST WANTED LIVE to perform the hit single “99.9% Sure (I’ve Never Been Here Before),” from his self-titled debut album. So far, the single has been on the chart for over 16 weeks.

Tickets are $29.50 and are available at the arena box office and at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 312-559-1212 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.