The Centenary Stage Company and Centenary University will present the virtuosic Americana band, Sleepy Man, for a special performance at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 3 at 8 p.m. This benefit concert will support the Centenary University Innovation Fund.  New Jersey’s Mizzone brothers and friend Josh Thomas, known as Sleepy Man continue to drop unique and catchy songs anchored by the driving banjo of youngest brother, Jonny Mizzone.

Formally known as an instrumental YouTube sensations, the band has developed into a touring and recording sensation releasing their first album in 2011.  The driving banjo and harmonies produce a unique sound best characterized as a blend of Americana, folk, country, rock, pop and bluegrass.  Fans say, “you find yourself needing to move and tap along because the music is too infectious and catchy not to” and many compare their sound reminiscent to Mumford & Sons or The Lumineers.  Since the release of their first album, Sleepy Man has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and performed at TED Conferences.  Sleepy Man just released their new single “Feeling I’m Awake” to rave fan reviews: “Sleepy Man’s best original to date… an innovative mixture of folk, country, bluegrass, pop, and rock (and even a little bit of Irish trad and punk thrown in for good measure).”

Tickets for the show at the Lackland Performing Arts Center are $22.50 for adults and $17.50 children in advance. Tickets increase $5 on the day of the performance.  All proceeds to benefit the Centenary University Innovation Fund.  The Centenary University Innovation Fund was created by Centenary University’s 13^th President Dr. Dave Haney.

“One of my primary goals as President is for Centenary to remain as innovative as possible,” says Haney.  “As a result, we are setting up a fund that faculty, staff and students can draw on to support prototypes of innovative ideas that would ultimately provide benefit to the university and its constituents.”

For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900.