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ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø will present the "Weird Al" Yankovic "Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour" at the Belcher Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2018.

"Weird Al" was here a few years ago and it was such a fun show!" said Cynthia Hellen, senior director of the Belcher Center. "We have had many requests to bring him back, so we are very happy for this opportunity to bring him to East Texas!"

The tour is described as a stripped-down, no-frills production that will feature Yankovic and his band of 30 years hanging out on stage playing music. After his highly successful Mandatory World Tour (200 dates including the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall), Yankovic wanted to take a break from the high-octane theatrics that he's known for and go bare-bones - no costumes, no props, no video screens.

Because of the nature of the show, Yankovic will be performing exclusively in intimate theatres and settings.

Drawing from a back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Weird Al promises to deliver a different set list every night - no two shows along the tour will be the same. Rather than focusing on the hits from his career, the show will feature Yankovic's non-parody material - the deep cuts and obscure tracks.
"After 35 years of big productions, I just wanted to take it down a few notches and have a little musical palate cleanser," Yankovic said. "This show will be loose, unpredictable, and maybe a bit sloppy - we'll be making it up as we go along!"

Opening the show each night will be Al's long-time friend (and UHF cast member), the legendary comedian Emo Philips.

Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. His most recent release Mandatory Fun (2014) was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard's Top 200. In November 2017, Legacy Recordings will release the career-spanning Squeeze Box: The Complete Recordings of "Weird Al" Yankovic, including all 14 of his studio albums re-mastered for vinyl and CD format, plus a rarities album and 120-page book of photos from the archives, all housed in a replica of his signature accordion.

Tickets for the show will go on sale at noon Friday, Oct. 20, at the Belcher Center Box Office or online at www.BelcherCenter.com.

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø's 2,000-seat S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center is the premier performance center in Longview, Texas. The Belcher Center functions as the university's chapel three times per week for student worship and instruction by incredible Christian speakers and music groups, with chapel services that are open to the public. With world-class acoustics and staging, the center attracts shows that Longview residents would not be able to see without traveling many miles. For additional information, visit www.BelcherCenter.com.

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø is the premier Christian polytechnic university in the nation where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community. LETU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a range of disciplines and delivery models at LETU's residential campus in Longview, Texas, and in hybrid and fully online options at centers in the Dallas and Houston areas. For additional information, visit www.LETU.edu.