Ray Charles' music lives on at IU Auditorium Thursday

Expect the band to be jumpin', and the people, too, when "I Can't Stop Loving You" takes the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, paying tribute to the legendary musician Ray Charles. The show will include a 12-piece jazz orchestra, bright lights and 20 singers and dancers that producer Lucas Bonewits said he is sure will have the audience members on their feet in no time.\n"For people who love Ray Charles or have grown up loving him, this is the next best thing to having him back," Bonewits said.\nBonewits said he looks forward to coming to IU because the performers want to make sure to put Charles's music out to everyone. \nIU is no stranger to the legend's music, IU Auditorium Director Doug Booher said.\n"IU and Bloomington have had a long love affair with Ray's music, packing in local performances several times throughout his career," Booher said. "This show is a fitting tribute to that legacy because it incorporates the soul and spectacle that always distinguished Ray's shows."\nBooher said that audiences coming to see this show should plan to join in the celebration of the life and music of Charles with an energetic and electrifying concert.\nAlong with its high energy dances and light spectacle, audiences should expect to hear some of the greatest hits from Charles' career, such as "Hit the Road Jack," "Georgia on My Mind" and the show's title track "I Can't Stop Loving You," according to the IU Auditorium Web site.\n"When coming to see this show, audience members should plan to come and join in the celebration of the life and music of Ray Charles with an energetic and electrifying concert," Booher said. \nBonewits said he strongly encourages everyone to come see "I Can't Stop Loving You" because it is something that people of all ages can enjoy.\n"People who have grown up with his music will love recognizing the hits, but his music is so catchy and enjoyable that even people who don't know it will be singing along by the end," Bonewits said.\nTickets can be purchased at the IU Auditorium Box Office or through Ticketmaster.com and are $29 to $45 for the general public and $15 to $29 for all IUB students with a valid ID.