Above: Members of The Animal Band (from left) are Rina Melius, Jim Moore, Mark Horwitz, Dan Schafer and William Ellis (front).

Western Carolina University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center will continue its “Galaxy of Stars” series with a performance by The Animal Band on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Billed as fun-filled entertainment for the whole family, The Animal Band has performed on stages across North America, including five sold-out performances at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. The band also was featured on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and its own PBS one-hour special.

Clad in animal print and vibrant colors, The Animal Band incorporates the audience in its performances with songs that teach children about important issues, such as recycling and how to dial 911 during an emergency. In 1998, the group heard testimony about the effectiveness of its songs when a 4-year-old boy saved his father’s life by dialing 911, and said he learned how to call for help by listening to a song on his Animal Band CD.

In 2004, the group’s founder, Jim Moore, received the first Media and Entertainment Excellence Award from members of Congress for his efforts to educate children through music.

“Standing before Congress was quite an honor,” said Moore. “I was standing there listening to things being said about my life and how my work has affected kids across the country. Just to know that a simple song with a cool melody helps to save a life is very rewarding. That’s what every songwriter dreams about – to see their work utilized in ways like that.”

The Animal Band also was awarded a children’s music recording of the year Nammy Award in 1999 for its “Animal Rock” CD, one of five CDs released since the group’s formation in 1990. In addition to its music recordings, the band has released a concert film in 2004 and most recently a children’s book written by Moore, titled “The All Animal Band.”written that have a wonderful Christmas message,” said Paul Lormand, director of the Fine and Performing Arts Center. “We chose the show because it is appropriate for 3-year-olds and up, and although it is for children, adults can relate to it as well. Moore uses a wonderful imagination and very clever lyrics. It’s a very positive and very supportive event, and it’s going to be a wonderful show.”

The Nov. 29 performance will be at 7:30 p.m. in the main performance hall of the Fine and Performing Arts Center. Two school matinees, designed for students at the public, private and home-school sectors, will be available at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the center.

Tickets are on sale now at $25 for adults, $20 for senior citizens ages 60 and older, $20 for WCU faculty and staff, $15 for groups of 15 or more, and $5 for students.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Fine and Performing Arts Center box office at (828) 227-2479 or visit http://wcufapac.ticketsxchange.com/.

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Last modified: Friday, Nov. 2, 2007