Save Mart Center announces lineup of events

The Save Mart Center at Fresno State has announced its lineup of sporting and entertainment events, including a variety of concerts, family shows and sporting events.

Stephen Tadlock, general manager of the Save Mart Center, indicated, "The initial list of confirmed events is representative of our goal to attract a variety of entertainment offerings, so that all segments of the Central Valley community can come together and enjoy the new Save Mart Center."

The 2003-04 campaign kicks off on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., with the Bulldog Basketball Extravaganza , the inaugural public event in the Save Mart Center, marking the official start of the Grand Opening Celebration. Fans will be entertained by the Bulldog men's and women's teams, who will play intra-squad games and compete in slam-dunk and three-point contests.

The mesmerizing Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will hold the distinction as the first performer ever to take the stage at the Save Mart Center on Friday, Nov.7 at 8 p.m.; Andrea Bocelli's worldwide success has been phenomenal, scoring a variety of number one singles and albums.   With his recent release of "Sogno" selling in excess of four million copies, Bocelli's unique voice and irresistible warmth combine to overcome barriers of language and culture. The Bocelli appearance is presented locally by the Fresno Grand Opera.

Grammy-nominated matchbox twenty will perform in concert at the Save Mart Center on Tuesday, Nov. 11at 7:30 p.m.   The band is touring in support of its third album, More Than You Think You Are, featuring the hit single, "Disease," a track co-written with Mick Jagger.   After their mega-selling debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996), produced hit singles such as "3 a.m.," "Push," and "Real World," matchbox twenty followed up with their sophomore release, Mad Season, in 2000.   Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 20 at 10:00 am.  

The Fresno Falcons of the East Coast Hockey League take to the ice for the first time in their new home on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m., as they take on their rivals, The Bakersfield Condors.   The Fresno Falcons start their new season as members of the coast-to-coast, 31-team ECHL, sporting a new logo and jerseys, and an NHL affiliation with the San Jose Sharks.

Modern rockers Good Charlotte are scheduled to take center stage on Sunday, Nov. 23,

as they tour in support of their latest release, The Young and The Hopeless, featuring songs such as "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" and "The Anthem."   This sophomore effort follows their eponymous debut album, Good Charlotte, which put the band on the map with their first single, "The Little Things."   Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 am.

The 7th Annual Fresno State Classic featuring Fresno State vs. UL-Monroe- Women's Basketball Home Opener will be the talk of the town on Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m., as the Lady Bulldogs defend their Fresno State Classic title. The Bulldogs, who finished with an overall record of 21-13 last year also will welcome University of Utah and Western Kentucky to the Save Mart Center.

The Fresno State Men's Basketball 2003 Home Opener, the McCaffrey Classic, will feature the Bulldogs taking the court on Friday, Dec. 5 and Sat. Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.   Defending WAC Champions, the Bulldogs will play in their new home as they fight to defend their 14-game and seven-title McCaffrey Classic winning streak, both the longest in tournament history.   The Bulldogs will suit up against Arkansas-Monticello on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.   UC Irvine and Princeton University will fill out the roster.

More than 40 of World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) top superstars invade the Save Mart Center on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m., as WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT LIVE "Unleashed" rocks the house.   This event will feature the Superstars from the Raw brand of World Wrestling Entertainment including: Triple H, Randy Orton, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, Hurricane, Goldust, Rico, Scott Steiner, Stacy Keibler, Trish Stratus, The Dudley Boys, Chris Jericho, and many more. Card subject to change.   

Prepare to marvel at the international cast of skating stars in this year's Smucker's Stars on Ice coming to the Save Mart Center on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.    Now in its 18th consecutive year as America's most prestigious, state-of-the-art figure skating production, Smucker's Stars on Ice will deliver an electrifying blend of star power, diverse artistry and superb performances that have become its hallmark since 1986.   This all-new U.S. tour features Olympic Champion Tara Lipinski, Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier and Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze, six-time U.S. National Champion Todd Eldredge, Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion Alexei Yagudin, World Champion Yuka Sato and more.

George Lopez is one of the premier comedic talents in the entertainment industry today

and fans will be in for an evening of uproarious laughter as he brings his unique brand of humor to the Save Mart Center on Sunday, Feb. 15.   Lopez, a multifaceted talent who performs on stage, film and television, may be best known as co-creator, writer, producer and star of the ABC network sitcom, "George Lopez."

Fans are sure to enjoy the hilarious antics of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters coming to the Save Mart Center on Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.   The Globetrotters have entertained more than 20 million fans in 117 countries in the team's 76-year history, and this year will play more than 300 games in the U.S. and abroad.   As generations share a new Globetrotter experience with their children, they will experience old-school fun with a new flavor, including introducing several new and amazing ball-handling routines before every game and the traditional on-court "meet and greet" session for kids at the conclusion of the game.   Tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 22, at 10:00 a.m.  

Christian music fans will be enchanted by the inspirational songs of The Gaither Homecoming Friday, March 19.   Gospel great Bill Gaither will appear along with a cavalcade of singers, musicians and comedians, whose collective talents have been honored with countless awards, including Grammy's, Doves and ASCAP's first-ever Songwriter of the Century.   A special treat on this show will be music featured off the Hopper's new record "Steppin' Out," and the solo recording from Kim Hopper titled, "Imagine."       

The Professional Bull Riders' Built Ford Tough Series rolls into town for two big nights on Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27.   This exciting event combines the heart-pumping action of bull riding with an electrifying show featuring rock music and pyrotechnics.   Each stop on the PBR's Built Ford Tough Series features the world's 45 top-ranked bull riders from the United States, Australia, Canada and Brazil competing against the most feared, yet respected bucking bulls in the sport.  

Get ready to sing and dance with everybody's favorite "dino-star" Barney on Tuesday, April 6 and Wednesday, April 7.   "Barney's   Colorful World" presented by Toys "R" Us, will take families on an adventure that begins in a jungle, motors to the Arctic, sails to a beach and then goes under the sea!   "Barney's Colorful World" will feature classic Barney songs, elaborate sets, and endless magic and memories for families everywhere.

Make plans now to attend the premier west coast Southern Gospel event as the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival is set to arrive at the Save Mart Center on Thursday, April 29 through Saturday, May 1.   With an exciting new location, this year's event promises to be the biggest and best ever,   featuring all of the Southern Gospel groups from coast to coast including The Hoppers, The Florida Boys, The Pfeifers, The Dixie Melody Boys, The Herb Henry Family, The Watchmen and many, many more.

Watch out NBA fans..the wait is over!   NBA excitement hits the Valley when the   perennial powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers take the court against their Pacific Division rivals, the Sacramento Kings , for California's most exciting exhibition match-up on Oct. 19, 2004. Central Valley fans can watch Laker superstars Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Karl Malone as they put the heat on King greats Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, and Chris Webber for a first-ever night of fast-paced NBA action.

Tickets for events may be purchased at select Save Mart Supermarkets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (559) 485-TIXS (8497).   Some shows, although officially announced, may not go on sale until closer to the actual event dates.