Spectacular Guests 2011

SPECTACULAR welcomes
Harishke Samaranayake.

Harishke is from Colombo, the economic Capital of Sri Lanka. He is an ordained missionary Elder in the Community of Christ and currently attends the Colombo Congregation. Harishke obtained a Law Degree from the University of London through a scholarship given by the church.

Harishke says, "I like to learn new things and acquire new insights where ever I go and whatever I do. I love the jungle and animals! Whenever I have free time I go on a picnic in the jungle. I am an extremely funny person. I am so funny that I embarrass myself! I have always had a dream to see a world without poverty, injustice and inequality. I know I can’t do this by myself, but I also know it can’t be done without me. God has asked us to achieve a world that is Christ-Centered and Christ–Like. Coming to Spectacular is an opportunity to share my thoughts about the uncharted path to this goal!"

Harishke will be with us for the week and will share his testimony during our worship on Tuesday evening.

TED SWARTZ Appearing all week long at SPECTACULAR

In 1992 Ted graduated from seminary and began a ministry that took him, not to a pulpit in a congregation, but to audiences across the U.S. and beyond. The first 20 years of this work included the creation of Ted & Lee TheaterWorks with Lee Eshleman and development of plays such as Armadillo Shorts, Fish-Eyes, Creation Chronicles, Live at Jacob’s Ladder and DoveTale.

Since Lee’s death in May, 2007, Ted has been writing and performing new plays with a number of other artists. Ted lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Along with writing and acting, his loves include his wife, Sue, three sons, Eliot, Ian, and Derek — and new daughter-in-laws, Katrina and Hannah; oh, and baseball.

Gerald Shenk, professor of church & society, Eastern Mennonite Seminary says of Ted’s work: “Shocking, isn’t it, how someone with a seminary degree can dredge up such incredible jollity from the stiff and sturdy accounts of Jesus and his first followers? We thought we knew the scriptures pretty well until Ted came along with his tricky mirror. It turns out that humor in fact unlocks some aspects of the story that would otherwise escape a detailed analysis. Camels and needles, indeed!”

Ted is a longtime friend of SPEC and we’re very excited to have him back again this year. Ted will be engaged in the “Worship and Celebration” class as well as performing Wednesday night on-stage in the MSC.

Mike Lewis – The Jesus Painter
Appearing at SPECTACULAR,
Sunday-Tuesday, July 24-26.

Mike Lewis has been painting at Christian events since mid 1998. He paints large portraits of Christ in less than twenty minutes.

It began when his close friend, Christian songwriter Seth Haines, told him that he had written a song called "Intimate Portrait" and wanted Mike to paint a portrait of Christ on stage during the song. Although Mike was in art school, he had never really painted before. The request was actually rather unreasonable in terms of possibility. Seth wanted a portrait large enough for an entire audience to see and also a likeness to Christ painted in seven minutes. Artists will tell you that usually portraits are very time consuming and some spend years on a single piece. Intimidated by the request but challenged by God, Mike decided to trust him and began planning for the painting. After several months of thought and preparation the night arrived. Mike did not have the available funds to do a practice painting so the first try was live on stage. After a short prayer with his friend Mark Herrera that whatever happened God would be glorified through the artwork he walked to the stage and began to paint. Mike says that immediately everything disappeared except the canvas. He has described it as his most peaceful personal time with Christ. He began to swirl colors from the entire spectrum into the face of Christ.

Since that experience, Mike has painted Jesus countless times all over the world. He’s painted on stage many times with the likes of David Crowder and Steven Curtis Chapman as well as at SPECTACULAR last year. We’ve invited Mike back to SPEC this year where Mike will be instructing a visual arts class called “The Mosaic Project”.

CHASEN Appearing at SPECTACULAR,
Saturday night, July 23

Chasen is comprised of Chasen Callahan, Evan Silver, Aaron Lord and Jared Barber, and is based out of Greenville, South Carolina

Albums:
That Was Then, This Is Now – INO Records (2010)
Shine Through the Stars – independent project (2008)

Radio Success:
“Castaway” – No. 1 at CHR for five weeks
“On and On” – No. 1 at CHR for six weeks
“Crazy Beautiful” – Top 5 “Drown” – Top 5

Touring:
Kutless
Disciple
Stellar Kart
Seventh Time Down
Lifest
Sonshine Fest

What the critics said about Chasen’s latest album, “That Was Then, This Is Now”:

      “One of 2010’s Most Likely To Succeed”—CCM Magazine    
     “I have no doubt that That Was Then This Is Now will occupy a prominent place in your top albums of 2010 by the end of the year.”—Christian Music Review    
     “I won’t be surprised if there’s a New Artist of the Year nomination for this worthy band.”—Alpha Omega News  
     “That Was Then, This Is Now could prove to be the beginning of something rather special.”—The Christian Manifesto   
     “... the success of this CD is more than assured.”—Plugged Music Reviews  
     “When the CD hits the stores in Mid March, run, don’t walk, and go get it. You won’t be sorry.”—Extant Magazine   
     “Highly talented band with a stunning array of songs in their arsenal. Instantly enjoyable, Chasen Callahan's vocals are a pleasure to listen to. What a stunning album.”—Louder Than The Music

ComedySportz
Appearing at SPECTACULAR
Sunday night, July 24

ComedySportz features two teams of comedy “actletes” competing for laughs and points, with a referee keeping things moving and calling fouls. An average of seven to twelve games are played during a match, drawn from a repertoire of over a hundred improv games. In "Shakespeare" a team will improvise a scene inspired by an audience suggestion in Shakespearian style. In "Forward/Reverse" the referee sends the scene back and forth at will, as though scanning a scene in a DVD, sending the actletes into a frenzy. Every show is different, with different players, different games, and different audiences supplying new suggestions. The fans judge the scenes and games and ultimately decide the winners and losers. ComedySportz also asks “willing volunteers” to join us for a game or two each match, and we make them look great!

"If you haven't seen it...YOU should."—NBC     "Innovative and hilarious!" —USA Today     "...an increasingly artful and popular form of stage entertainment."—SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

DANIEL MARTIN Appearing at SPECTACULAR, Monday night, July 25

Daniel Martin has quickly established himself as the most in-demand comedy magician in the college market. His high energy fusion of Interactive Magic, Exhilarating Escapes & Sarcastic Improvisation are leading to record breaking crowds.

From the moment Daniel steps foot on stage you know something very special is about to happen and you’ll quickly see why Daniel has been nominated for "Entertainer of the Year" by Campus Activities Magazine and was recently nominated for the 3rd year in a row for "Best Male Performer" He is continually hailed by his peers as one of the most creative acts performing today with his original magic having been featured on CBS, NBC, ESPN, Revision3 & VH1. His new "ABRA-frickin'-CADABRA" tour has taken the country by storm leading to consistent standing ovations at events all over the country...now it's your turn!