NORWICH – The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich, has announced its lineup of shows for 2012/13.

The season will open on Oct. 13 with illusionist Jason Bishop. As America’s Hottest Illusionist, Jason Bishop might have a person passing through his body one moment or make goldfish appear from nowhere the next. Bishop is an international award-winning illusionist who was the youngest person to win the Magician’s Alliance of Eastern States Stage Award and one of the youngest people to compete in the Society of American Magicians World-Class competition. Sponsored by Norwich Pharmaceuticals.

Elvis will be in the building on Dec. 15, when Blue Suede Christmas, the Ultimate Elvis Holiday Bash starring Scot Bruce, comes to town.

Because of Scot’s uncanny resemblance to the young “King” (and his ability to sing, strum a guitar, and swivel his hips), his live show has taken him across the U.S. and all over the world. Scot has not only had the honor of performing with the legendary Jordanaires (Elvis’ original backup singers), but in January 2011, Scot appeared as “Elvis at 21” as part of the prestigious Elvis exhibit at the Smithsonian. Martin Guitars has been so impressed with his performances that they presented him with an exact replica of Elvis’ original Martin guitar. You will not have a “Blue Christmas” at this show. Enjoy your favorite holiday favorites with that special Elvis swagger. Sponsored by NBT Bank.

The new year will see Acadian group Vishte on Feb. 9. Made up of seventh generation Acadians living separate but parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from Prince Edward Island, Canada have teamed up with Pascal Miousse from the nearby Magdelen Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while retaining and staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The band members are accomplished multi-instrumentalists and step-dancers incorporating the fiddle, guitar, accordion, penny-whistle, banjo, mandolin, piano, jaw-harp and bodhran into each performance. The members of Vishte have toured their brand of new-traditional Acadian music in over 1,000 performances in 8 countries.

Virtuosic showpieces, romantic tenor arias, gypsy pyrotechniques and a World Accordion Champion – this is Quartetto Gelato and they are coming to Chenango County on March 9! This dazzling ensemble enchants audiences and critics worldwide with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion, and charismatic anecdotes. With a performance repertoire that travels the globe including classical masterworks, operatic arias, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and folk songs, the group’s theatrical stage presence and relaxed humor establishes an intimate rapport with audiences worldwide. Where music meets theatre and audiences are taken on an unforgettable musical journey. Sponsored by the Mid-York Press.

Area dance patrons will have a chance to view the breathtaking work of Koresh Dance Company on April 13. Renowned for their powerful stage presence, Philadelphia’s Koresh Dance Company has been hailed as a vital force to both national and international stages. Koresh Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Israeli born choreographer and artistic director Ronen Koresh and his brother, executive director Alon Koresh. The company presents repertory which includes over 60 works by Ronen Koresh as well as work by guest choreographers including Robert Battle, Donald Byrd and Itzik Galili. Roni is an artist who draws on his life experiences and the culture that surrounds him to create new work. From these life experiences, Roni has developed a repertory of work that ranges from explosive and passionate to intimate and restrained. Partially sponsored by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

A sixth performance has been added this year - just in time for Mothers Day! The hilarious “Forbidden Broadway” will make its way to the Martin W. Kappel Theater on May 11. “Forbidden Broadway” was first seen at Palsson’s Supper Club in New York’s Upper West Side in 1982. An unemployed actor, Gerard Alessandrini, wanted a showcase for his talents and decided to assemble some of the musical parodies of Broadway shows he had written into a nightclub act. Critics and audiences were wowed and its has since become New York’s longest running musical comedy review. “Forbidden Broadway” has won Tony, Drama Desk, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards. Sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company.

Season tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by calling the Chenango Arts Council at 336-ARTS (2787). The Council is located at 27 West Main Street, Norwich, www.chenangoarts.org.