Debbi Calton of WMGK Philadelphia interviewed Annie Haslam last week – listen here

Lead Vocalist Annie Haslam diagnosed with serious spine injury

Philadelphia, PA – September 27

Annie Haslam, the lead singer of renowned progressive rock pioneers Renaissance, has been diagnosed with a serious vertebral compression fracture and is required to wear a Jewett Back Brace for two to three months. Her doctors have prescribed a minimum two to three week abstention from all travel. As a result, Renaissance will be forced to postpone the first nine dates of the first leg of their upcoming 2012-2013 Concert Tour.

The dates affected are:

Wednesday October 3 – Howard Theatre Washington DC
Thursday October 4 – Variety Playhouse Atlanta GA
Friday October 5 – The Plaza Live Orlando FL
Saturday October 6 – Capitol Theater Clearwater FL
Sunday October 7 – Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for Performing Arts Fort Lauderdale FL
Thursday October 11 – Le Gesu Centre Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Friday, October 12 – Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry, NH
Saturday October 13 – Showcase Live Foxborough, MA
Sunday October 14 – Center For The Performing Arts – The Egg Albany, NY

Ms. Haslam’s specialist has advised that she may begin performing live again starting with the group’s scheduled Friday, October 19th performance at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield,CT. The group plans on rescheduling the cancelled shows and adding more dates in 2013.

“I am very upset about having to postpone these shows,” commented Ms. Haslam. “We’ve all been so excited about bringing our classics to the fans as well as previewing material from the new studio album Grandine il Vento.”

Renaissance recently completed mixing their first new studio album in twelve years, which is expected to be released in early 2013. The 2012 dates the band will be performing are:

**Friday October 19 – Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT
**Saturday October 20 – The Concert Hall at Ethical Culture New York, NY
**Thursday, October 25 – Victoria Theater – New Jersey Performing Arts Center Newark, NJ
**Friday October 26 – Keswick Theater Glenside, PA
*Saturday, October 27 – Scottish Rite Auditorium Collingswood, NJ
*Sunday, October 28 – Strand Center for the Arts Lakewood, NJ

* Program comprising Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories
** Program comprising Novella in its’ entirety plus a treasure trove of favorites and debuting selections from the
new album Grandine il Vento

Excitement abounds in the Renaissance camp!  Our Kickstarter campaign is coming to a close – thank you for your generous support! And almost one year since our last sold-out concert tour, we are proud to announce the first run of performances of the 2012-2013 touring schedule.

We will present two different programs on the tour:

• Classic album Novella along with timeless favorites and selections from our soon to be released album Grandine Il Vento,
• Reprise of the successful ‘Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories’ concept

As more shows are added there will be updates via the Renaissance mailing list, the band’s Facebook page and official website.

Please note that this is the first run of shows being announced and that performances in additional cities and countries are planned.

Our Philadelphia friend and concert promoter Bill Rogers, who promoted our sold-out filmed/recorded September 23, 2011 ‘Turn Of The Cards’… ‘Scheherazade & Other Stories’ show at the Keswick Theater, has asked us to reprise the same show this October 27th at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, New Jersey for fans that couldn’t get tickets for that performance.

There will be a ticket pre-sale available for fans this coming Monday March 5 and general availability will begin on Tuesday March 6.

Pre-sale link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0200486291D58669 – password is ‘BRE’

Stay tuned for updates about the new studio album, the tour and other goodies!

Renaissance is proud to  headline the final NEARfest on June 23 2012

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the entire band, our crew, management, and those who helped to make our recent tour such a wonderful success and experience for all, we thank each and every one of you for your devotion and support.

We recorded and filmed the Keswick Theatre performance. Being it all sounds and looks great, we will be releasing a CD and DVD available only through our website in time for the Holidays (along with some very special Renaissance goodies).

As we now move forward with our own Renaissance, it is the loyalty and love we receive from each of you that makes this all so very worthwhile.

With much love and appreciation,

Good day to all.

Band, crew and equipment are neatly packed up and ready to head north today as the Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories tour kicks off in Vermont Saturday. Annie, Michael, Rave, Dave, Frank, and Jason are all in fine form and spirits after a very intense schedule of rehearsals.

Everyone is looking forward to this run of shows and re-connecting with longtime friends and fans. Annie and Michael commented, “We wish that we could be playing for all our fans around the world, but we’ll be feeling their love every time we take to the stage. We’ve decided to record and film the shows so we can share the evening with everyone and will look forward many more shows in 2012”.

Ticket sales have been great, and there are a still a few of the special VIP packages left.

Photo: Richard Barnes

A limited number of Very Special Guest  packages will be made available to fans already holding tickets for the upcoming September tour. This package includes the following:

• Attend soundcheck with Renaissance (approximately 5-6pm on day of show, no photography or video)
• Personalized autographed Very Special Guest laminate pass on lanyard
• Personalized autographed official tour poster
• Attend a Meet and Greet with Renaissance directly after the show, plus your photo taken with the band (bring your own camera)

Cost: $99.00 per person. Available for purchase here.

Dear Renaissance Fan:

We are excited about the upcoming fall U.S. tour, and look forward to seeing as many of you at the shows as possible.

The band would LOVE to perform across the entire country, and for that matter, the planet. Unfortunately, where we tour is mostly a function of local concert promoters’ interest and awareness. To help achieve this we must consolidate and expand the band’s fan base. This will help with not only touring, but also distribution of a new studio album and other output from the band.

With this in mind, we are asking for your help. Please reach out to every Renaissance fan, or anyone you know that should be one. Invite them to sign up for the mailing list at www.renaissancetouring.com/welcome and to ‘like’ the band’s official page on Facebook (also to invite their friends). The email signup form will ask who referred them.  As a thank you to you, the band will reward the the top three ‘enlisters’ with a prize:

• First prize:  Annie’s personalized backstage pass from 1979 Azure D’or tour AND a personal commisioned 8×10 painting by Annie. Annie will call you to discuss the creation of your one of a kind painting.
• Second prize: A rare Turn of the Cards Valentine card (the UK release date was Valentine’s day!) autographed by Annie and Michael, and a promotional Turn of the Cards sticker
• Third prize: Original 1970s press photo autographed by Annie and Michael

Only mailing list signups count toward the prizes (Facebook likes do not.) We want both, but there’s no good way to tally referals on Facebook. The link to refer folks to is:

www.renaissancetouring.com/welcome

As a further gesture of thanks… we are giving all fans a desktop wallpaper of an original painting by Annie (pick your screen shape – regular or widescreen):

The Magical Planet by Annie Haslam

Thanking each of you in advance for your help and fanship.

Annie Haslam & Michael Dunford
www.renaissancetouring.com
www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

November 11th

We always enjoy seeing so many of you at this special time of year, like seeing old friends. Please come with ‘tuned’ up voices to join us in some favourite Holiday Classics. Personally I feel so at home at the Sellersville Theatre, able to relax, be myself, and laugh with reckless abandon when needed… Truly a Blessing! Our dear friend Jann Klose will be opening the show and joining us for a song or two. Jann opened up for Renaissance on our 2009 Anniversary tour (east coast US) and is a great singer/songwriter. For my Art loving friends I will also be taking some of my original paintings to the show.

For ticket information please go to the Sellersville Theatre website. We all hope to see you there, where we will raise the roof with song and laughter!

Love and Peace, Annie

SNOWBALL by Annie Haslam