Beyoncé tour brings ‘Sasha Fierce’ to U.S. for new I AM… summer dates

Backed by an all-female band, acclaimed R&B singer Beyoncé will bring her I AM… World Tour back to the United States this summer. The 19-city outing kicks off June 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, and closes with a four-night stand from July 30 to August 2 at Encore Theatre at the Wynn in Las Vegas, NV.

Highlights for the coast-to-coast jaunt include a June 24 event at Verizon Center in Washington, DC, a July 1 performance at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA, a July 13 concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, and a July 23 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Beyoncé is also scheduled to headline the 15th annual Essence Music Festival on July 3 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA.

Members of the singer’s official fan club can access a limited number of pre-sale Beyoncé tickets beginning today, April 20. General on-sales follow on April 25 for all dates except Beyoncé’s four-night Las Vegas residency, which will be announced at a later date.

In order to make the North American tour accessible for all her fans, Beyoncé is making 2,000 seats per venue available for $20, plus applicable service charges. Face values for I AM… World Tour tickets vary depending on the venue, but typically range from $69 to $175.

In addition to lowering prices for select seats, Beyoncé has also partnered with General Mills to co-sponsor food drives along her tour itinerary. Select cities on the tour will allow on-site donations of non-perishable items. More information will be available beginning April 25 at ShowYourHelpingHand.com.

Beyoncé is touring behind the November 2008 release of the double-album “I Am…Sasha Fierce.” The performer’s third solo effort also earned her a third consecutive No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200. The record explores two sides of Beyoncé’s personality, introducing one as the alter-ego Sasha Fierce.

The I AM… World Tour, produced by Live Nation and Music World Entertainment, is the singer-actress’s first full-length tour since her sold-out Beyoncé Experience Tour in 2007. Beyoncé performed in North America earlier this year for a brief round of concerts across Canada in March, which extended into the U.S. for a single show on April 1 at KeyArena in Seattle, WA. Her 2009 European concert schedule kicks off next week on April 26 at Arena in Zagreb, Croatia.

Beyoncé itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)