BLOOMINGTON - The lineup for the coming season has an increased emphasis on comedy, jazz and big band music as the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts responds to audience interests.

The 2007-2008 schedule also shows a push to the familiar, to performers like Robert Cray who have "Grammy" on their resumes, and less risk on lesser-known performers.

Twenty-three acts are on the schedule, which was released to the public Sunday but which went to facility financial supporters earlier. Tickets go on sale Monday. (See accompanying list and ticket information).

The schedule only includes events organized by the managers of the center, the Bloomington Cultural District. Community groups, such as the American Passion Play, and outside promoters also bring shows to the center.

Cultural district Executive Director Bruce Marquis considers the first season, concluding May 6, a success with attendance expected to reach a record 100,000 for the building in downtown Bloomington.

It also presented a learning experience, as any venue's inaugural season poses "a leap of faith" in booking talent for an audience and then a chance to learn from the market and adjust, he said.

The facility is old, built in 1921 as the Scottish Rite Temple. But it's re-opening last fall, after a long renovation and with new emphasis on touring acts, makes its managers work as if they were in a new facility.

- Lesson: The market loved humor. Kathy Griffin could have sold out twice in November. Response: Season II includes Second City, David Sedaris, El Vez the "Mexican Elvis" and the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

- Lesson: In a market this size, the Cultural District needs to stay more with the familiar, said Marquis and marketing director Joel Aalberts. Response: Riders in the Sky, the Western group from the "Toy Story" soundtrack, is booked, whereas an equally good, lesser known Western band isn't.

There is a branding process at work. "We're still establishing a foundation," said Aalberts.

The idea is, after people see the more familiar performers and have good experiences, they will place more trust in groups booked in subsequent seasons. They also can make connections when the center, say, brings in that other Western band and tells people it is like Riders in the Sky.

Families and older patrons also were considered in booking acts. Big band jazz and a Mark Twain performance from acclaimed actor Hal Halbrook are responses to that market. Productions like the "Velveteen Rabbit" serve children and parents.

The Cultural District lineup strives for diversity in the performing arts, but it cannot be all things to all people, nor do its managers try. They had to meet budget restrictions for a facility that seats 1,200 and Marquis said they also avoided competing with community groups.

For example, the center will bring in no touring symphonies this year. The Illinois Wesleyan Civic Orchestra and the Illinois Symphony already use the building.

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Second season

2007-2008 events at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts:

Aug. 4 - Missoula Children's Theatre, "The Little Mermaid." Touring group accompanied by local children.

Sept. 14 - Buckwheat Zydeco. 11-piece bayou band led by Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr.

Sept. 21 - Ballet Folklorico "Quetzalli" de Veracruz. Popular Mexican dance company.

Sept. 29 - The Second City, "One Nation Under Blog." Comedy from Chicago-based ensemble.

Oct. 6 - The Robert Cray Band. Blues group.

Oct. 12 - Riders in the Sky. Western band.

Oct. 18 - David Sedaris, writer and humorist.

Oct. 20 - The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Swing band.

Nov. 3 - Scrap Arts Music, "Phonk!" Innovative percussion group.

Nov. 10 - Hal Holbrook in "Mark Twain Tonight!" One-man theater.

Dec. 1 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, "Wild and Swingin' Holiday Party." Swing group.

Dec. 8 -Suzy Bogguss, "Christmas Holiday Show." Country star with local roots.

Jan. 19 - Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Big band.

Feb. 2 - El Vez. Salsa-rock fusion from the "Mexican Elvis."

Feb. 8 - Gaelic Storm. Celtic world music group.

Feb. 9 - Enchantment Theatre Company, "The Velveteen Rabbit." Production with singers and life-sized puppets.

Feb. 16 - Harlem Gospel Choir. Black-gospel group.

Feb. 21 - Hal Sparks. Comedian.

March 1 - I Love a Piano. Revue performing Irving Berlin music.

April 11 - Ragamala Music and Dance Theater, "From Temple to Theater." Asian dance.

April 18 - Reduced Shakespeare Company, "Completely Hollywood (abridged)." Comedy troupe.

April 26 - Theatreworks, "Seussical." Children's theater.

May 16 - Arlo Guthrie. Folk artist.

Tickets: All shows go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. Call (309) 434-2777 or toll-free at (866) 686-9541. Online purchase available at www.cityblm.org/

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