British guitarist Anna Cara will fill in for Nita Strauss in Alice Cooper’s touring band while Strauss takes a break to welcome her first child this summer.
Cara, 22, from Newcastle, England, has worked with Marc Storace (from the Swiss band Krokus) and Tommy Henriksen (guitarist with both Alice Cooper and the Hollywood Vampires). She is making her debut with Alice April 2 to 4 at his special “Welcome to Our Nightmare” shows in Las Vegas. These unique shows are a collaboration with illusionist Criss Angel and take place in his theater at Planet Hollywood.
Alice has his U.S. “Alice’s Attic” tour April 14 to May 9 and will return Las Vegas May 22 to 24 for three more “Welcome to Our Nightmare” shows. Keeping his usual busy schedule, he then has a European “Alice’s Attic” tour from June 13 to July 12 and promises more shows in the fall.
“Nita found a brilliant British female guitarist to fill in for her while she is on maternity leave,” Alice Cooper said. “Anna Cara is a beautiful dynamic shredder in the vein of Nita but with a style of her own. She will fit in with our gang perfectly while Nita is away and we can’t wait for the sick things to meet her. Welcome to the show, Anna!”
“This is like a dream come true, to join Alice and his great band,” Cara said. “Back when I started playing guitar at 14, I was watching Alice Cooper live shows on YouTube dreaming of joining one day! Nita Strauss is a tough act to follow, and she’s been so encouraging to me this past month, so I am looking forward to showing everyone who I am and what I can do.”
Strauss said: “When I was asked in an interview who I thought was the best up and coming guitarist, I had no hesitation in answering ‘Anna Cara.’ Anna’s precision and soulful, emotional playing will make her an amazing asset to the Cooper tour! Working with Alice for 12 years has been the experience of a lifetime and I look forward to seeing you all back on the road (with a +1 along for the ride!) Until that time comes, I know that the show is in good hands and the fans are in for a treat!”
Alice Cooper tour dates:
4/2-4 — Las Vegas, NV — Criss Angel Theatre (“Welcome to Our Nightmare” with Criss Angel)
“Alice’s Attic” U.S. tour
4/14 — San Antonio, TX — Majestic Theatre
4/15 — Irving, TX — Toyota Music Factory
4/17 — Topeka, KS — Performing Arts Center
4/18 — Cedar Rapids, IA — Alliant Energy Powerhouse
4/19 — Terre Haute, IN — The Mill
4/21 — Toledo, OH — Stranahan Theatre
4/23 — Columbus, OH — Mershon Auditorium
4/24 — Pikeville, KY — Appalachian Wireless Arena
4/25 — Huber Heights, OH — Rose Music Center @ The Heights
4/27 — Virginia Beach, VA — The Dome
4/28 — Durham, NC — Performing Arts Center
4/29 — Spartanburg, SC — Memorial Auditorium
5/1 — Albertville, AL — Sand Mountain Amphitheatre
5/2 — Albany, GA — Civic Center
5/3 — Pensacola, FL — Bay Center
5/5 — Fort Myers, FL — Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall
5/6 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Aurene Theatre
5/7 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville festival
5/9 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
5/22-24 — Las Vegas, NV — Criss Angel Theatre (“Welcome to Our Nightmare” with Criss Angel)
“Alice’s Attic” European tour
6/13 — Istanbul, Turkey — Lifepark Open Air
6/18 — Clisson, France — Hellfest
6/19 — Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain — Azkena Rock Festival
6/21 — Dessel, Belgium — Graspop Metal Meeting
6/24 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Copenhell Festival
6/25 — Oslo, Norway — Tons of Rock Festival
6/27 — Rattvik, Sweden — Dalhalla Open Air
6/30 — Plzen, Czechia — Logspeed Arena
7/2 — Ballenstadt, Germany — Rock Harz Open Air
7/3 — Clam, Austria — Clam Rock @ Clam Castle
7/4 — Eisenstadt, Austria — Lovely Days Festival
7/7 — Zurich, Switzerland — The Hall
7/8 — Luxembourg, Luxembourg — Rockhal
7/9 — Gelsenkirchen, Germany — Amphtheatre
7/12 — Romano D’Ezzelino, Italy — AMA Music Festival
