The upcoming season at the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond has a broad international touch.

"In programming this season's diverse offerings, we hoped to inspire our audiences to 'See the World Differently' through the extraordinary lens that only the arts can provide," said Kathy Panoff, the center's executive director.

"We live in an age where the need for a global perspective is becoming increasingly important, and the arts, as a universal medium, eloquently address this need," Panoff said.

Several world attractions are making their first trip to Richmond. These include Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, who bring their soulful chimurenga to the stage.

Also appearing will be the Gypsy ensemble Taraf de Hadouks, Palestinian-American oud and violin virtuoso Simon Shaheen, the African Children's Choir and the Portuguese fadista Mariza.

The Shanghai Quartet and ensemble-in-residence eighth blackbird will offer premiere performances of works commissioned by the Modlin Center.

There will be other well-known names as well, not necessarily from the music world.

Humorist David Sedaris returns from his sellout performances two years ago and following the release of his latest book, "When You Are Engulfed in Flames." And America's favorite storyteller and radio host, Garrison Keillor, is joined by Robin and Linda Williams.

For serious Broadway musical fans, Stephen Sondheim will be featured in conversation with Frank Rich, a noted columnist for The New York Times. Rich was a founding editor of the Richmond Mercury, a now-defunct weekly newspaper, in the early 1970s.

Below is a listing of the dates of major events sponsored by the Modlin Center. For tickets, performance times and details on any event, call (804) 289-8980 or visit modlin.richmond.edu.

Sept. 6: "An Irish Homecoming" hosted by Cherish the Ladies with guests Maura O'Connell, Bohola and Dermot Henry, Alice Jepson Theatre.

Sept. 17: eighth blackbird, "strange imaginary remix," Camp Concert Hall.

Sept. 18-19: Reduced Shakespeare Company, "The Complete History of America (abridged): Special Election Edition," Alice Jepson Theatre.

Sept. 21: Cherryholmes, Camp Concert Hall.

Sept. 23-24: Battleworks Dance Company, Alice Jepson Theatre.

Sept. 30: Aquila Theatre Company, Homer's "The Iliad," Alice Jepson Theatre.

Oct. 1: Shanghai Quartet, Camp Concert Hall.

Oct. 3: Dick Hyman and Friends, with Lynn Roberts, Camp Concert Hall.

Oct. 6: David Sedaris, author and humorist, Landmark Theater (adult themes and language), tickets: (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com.

Oct. 15: Max Raabe and Palast Orchester, "Tonight or Never," Camp Concert Hall.

Oct. 17, 19: Saratov Academic Youth Theatre, "The Humpbacked Horse," Empire Theatre, Theatre IV, , info: (804) 344-8040 or theatreIVrichmond.org.

Oct. 18: Saratov Academic Youth Theatre, "Uncle's Dream," Alice Jepson Theatre.

Oct. 20: The East Village Opera Company, Alice Jepson Theatre.

Oct. 24: Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, Camp Concert Hall.

Oct. 27-28: Monday Night World Theatre, dramatic reading of "Sixteen Wounded," Cousins Studio Theatre.

Oct. 29: L.A. Theatre Works, "War of the Worlds" and "The Lost World," Camp Concert Hall.

Nov. 3: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Camp Concert Hall.

Nov. 10: New York Times columnist Frank Rich, "On Art, Culture and Politics," Camp Concert Hall.

Nov. 11-12: Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, Camp Concert Hall.

Nov. 17: Taraf de Ha?douks, The Original Gypsy Kings, Camp Concert Hall.

Nov. 22: Omaha Theater Company, "Horrible Harry," Camp Concert Hall.

Dec. 5: Rockapella, "A Rockapella Holiday," Camp Concert Hall.

Jan. 13-15: MOMIX, "Passion," Alice Jepson Theatre.

Jan. 18: Garrison Keillor, Landmark Theater, tickets: (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com.

Jan. 21: Vijay Iyer Trio with Stephan Crump and Marcus Gilmore, Camp Concert Hall.

Jan. 27-28: Cirque Eloize, "Nebbia," Alice Jepson Theatre.

Jan. 30: Richmond Symphony, James River Singers, UR Schola Cantorum, "Music in Times of Civil Unrest," Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 2: An evening with Stephen Sondheim, hosted by Frank Rich, Landmark Theater, tickets: (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com.

Feb. 6: Simon Shaheen, oud/violin, and Qantara, Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 7: The 5 Browns, Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 16: Jennifer Larmore, mezzo-soprano, Antoine Pollac, piano, Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 18: Paquito d'Rivera and New York Voices, "More Brazilian Dreams," Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 22: Shanghai Quartet, Virginia premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki's Quartet No. 3, Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 23: "Scintillating Centenarians": A celebration of the 100th birthdays of Elliott Carter and Olivier Messiaen, Camp Concert Hall.

Feb. 24: "DRUMLine Live!", Landmark Theater, tickets: (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com.

Feb. 27-28, March 1: Department of Theatre and Dance, "Imagine," Alice Jepson Theatre.

March 3: Spectrum Dance Theater, "The Theater of Needless Talents," Alice Jepson Theatre.

March 4: Spectrum Dance Theater, "Interrupted Narratives/War," Alice Jepson Theatre.

March 7: Dan Zanes and Friends, Camp Concert Hall.

March 17-18: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alice Jepson Theatre.

March 21: Dan?, traditional Irish band, Camp Concert Hall.

March 23: The African Children's Choir, "Journey of Hope," Camp Concert Hall.

March 25: eighth blackbird, "Slide," world premiere by Rinde Eckert and Steve Mackey, Camp Concert Hall.

March 29: Chanticleer, "Wondrous Free," Camp Concert Hall.

March 30: Peter Serkin, piano, Camp Concert Hall.

April 1: Mariza, Portuguese fadista, Camp Concert Hall.

April 20: The Infamous Stringdusters, Camp Concert Hall.
Contact Walt Amacker at (804) 649-6247 or wamacker@timesdispatch.com.