Evolution, classical-jazz collaborations and world exploration will be among the themes of the 2008-2009 series at the Lied Center.

The season was announced at a gala event Friday at the center.

“I’m very excited about the season,” said Karen Christilles, the center’s associate director. “I’m really, really thrilled with how things came together.”

The season will culminate with “Tree of Life – Origins and Evolution,” a multi-disciplinary performance of music, dance and theater featuring the Turtle Island String Quartet. The event is the culmination of a two-year project including the quartet and several KU departments looking at artistic ways to express evolution.

In addition, L.A. Theatre Works will present “The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial,” which is a radio show-style reading of the 1925 Tennessee vs. John Scopes evolution proceedings.

Other highlights include several performances that mesh the classical and jazz genres, including one that will bring Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis to town.

Another collaborative performance will be in September with “First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World.” It will involve National Public Radio’s Neal Conan reading from journals of famous explorers, with music by the Ensemble Galilei and National Geographic images projected on a screen.

The full schedule:

¢ Peter Ostroushko and the Heartland Band, 7 p.m. Aug. 22 (free outdoor concert).

¢ “Homeland” by Laurie Anderson, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12.

¢ “First Person: Stories from the Edge of the World,” 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.

¢ “The Velveteen Rabbit” by ODC/Dance, 2 p.m. Sept. 21.

¢ Alexander String Quartet and Branford Marsalis, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26.

¢ “Revolution: Sweat. Dance. Rock & Roll,” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

¢ “A Quarreling Pair” by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

¢ Brasil Guitar Duo, 2 p.m. Oct. 12.

¢ The Harlem Quartet, 2 p.m. Oct. 26.

¢ Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5.

¢ Soweto Gospel Choir, 2 p.m. Nov. 9.

¢ “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

¢ “A Stan Kenton Christmas” by Boston Brass and the Brass All-Stars Big Band, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

¢ “Stolen Moments: 100 Years of Jazz” by Metta Quintet, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

¢ Kansas City Symphony, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25.

¢ Interpreti Veneziani, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30.

¢ “The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial” by L.A. Theatre Works, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4.

¢ Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8.

¢ Imani Winds, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11.

¢ “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.

¢ Wu Man and Friends, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19.

¢ “The Pajama Game,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27.

¢ Golden Dragon Acrobats, 7 p.m. March 25.

¢ Calder Quartet, 7:30 p.m. April 2.

¢ “Ain’t Misbehavin,'” 7:30 p.m. April 4.

¢ “An Evening of Chamber Music” by Philip Glass, 7:30 p.m. April 7.

¢ “Tree of Life – Origins and Evolution,” featuring the Turtle Island String Quartet, 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 25.