Center for Positive Living to have concert Saturday

The Center for Positive Living proudly presents Eric Hansen in Concert on Saturday at 7 p.m.. at the Amado Territory Ranch Madaras Cultural Center.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from the Center for Positive Living Bookstore in Suite 1 of the Amado Territory Ranch Mercado, or reservations may be made by calling 625-6100.

Eric attended the Chicago Musical College, where he studied voice andclassical guitar. He left the conservatory to join Chicago’s Free StreetTheater, a traveling performing arts outreach program. After four years with Free Street, he won a major role in “I’m Getting My Act Togethe and Taking It on the Road.”

The show took him to New York City where he pursued a career on stage, working in touring musicals and Theatre by the Sea in Portsmouth. He toured Europe with “Annie Get Your Gun” and landed the title role in “Volodya/Russian Hero” at the eclectic LaMaMa Experimental Theater Company.

In 1995, he decided on a career as a solo singer-songwriter and won twoBack Stage Bistro Awards from New York critics. His song, “Holy Man” won first place in the Unisong International song writing competition, chosen out of over 600 entries in the acoustic category.

In 1997, Eric was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsis Deficiency, which destroys lung function.

His dynamic performances and voice quality belie the fact that he is living with a 38 percent lung capacity. The condition, however, meant a life-style change - no more smoky bars, and he has had to pace himself.

Proving that what may first appear as a ‘dark night of the soul’ can become a point of personal transformation, Eric was sponsored by New

York’s Hudson Guild, where he wrote and taught the music curriculum for 140 pre-kindergarten children in the poor and working-class neighborhood

of Chelsea. His CD, “Nobody Knows” delights children of all ages.

In 1999, Eric moved to Tucson in search of better air quality, and today performs locally for churches, centers, and clubs. He is the Music

Director for the Religious Science Center for Positive Living and he has recorded five CD’s.

Along with Eric, “Late Rain” will also perform on April 12. This alternative folk band is based in Tucson, and led by singer/songwriter

Dave Argentati. Their acoustic-flavored original songs range from up-tempo to contemplative ballads.

For more information, contact the Center for Positive Living at 625-6100.