Target Presents Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center
By: Molly Hagan Aug. 27, 2010
An exciting range of performances, including, Behind-the-Scenes at Harlem's famed Apollo theater, a New York Film Festival Sneak Preview, the U.S. Premiere of La Gruta de Baba, a multimedia work by leading contemporary Mexican composer/singer Juan Pablo Villa, the Fish Police, South London funk-punk-hip hop band in its U.S. debut, new works by Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects, and Christmas in Balthrop Alabama, a down-home style, off-beat holiday celebration, are on the schedule for the new fall season of Target®Free Thursdays at the David Rubenstein Atrium.
The schedule of Target®Free Thursdays performances for September through December 2010 follows. All performances start at 8:30 p.m. at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Admission is free. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The ‘wichcraft cafe, serving food and drinks, is open before, during and immediately following the performance. The Atrium closes at 10 p.m.SEPTEMBER 2 AT 8:30 P.M.
THE APOLLO EXPERIENCE
Hosted by Billy Mitchell
Get ready for the Apollo Experience as Harlem's historic, landmark theater makes its way downtown to the David Rubenstein Atrium. The evening is hosted by Billy Mitchell, "Mr. Apollo," who shares humorous and personal backstage stories about legendary performers who got their start at the Apollo, including James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson and more. Past "Amateur Night at the Apollo" winners will perform. Highlighting the evening is a "Mock Amateur Night at the Apollo" contest in which selected audience members will have a chance to show their stuff, with the audience picking a winner. Note: Audience members who want to perform should bring a CD with their background music. Participants will be chosen randomly. No prizes, just bragging rights for a night in the spotlight with The Apollo and Lincoln Center! For more information visit: www.Apollotheater.com.
SEPTEMBER 9 AT 8:30 P.M.
NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Hosted by Richard Pena
Presented in collaboration with Film Society of Lincoln Center
Join Richard Pena, Program Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center and members of the festival selection committee for a special sneak preview of this year's New York Film Festival (September 24-October 10). Peek behind the scenes of one of the world's most important film festivals, held annually at Lincoln Center. Excerpts of films to be shown include David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's The Social Network, one of the most talked-about movies of the fall, a modern fable about Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook, and Julie Taymor's The Tempest, which brings an original dynamic to Shakespeare's 400 year-old story by changing the gender of the sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress Prospera, portrayed by Helen Mirren. A discussion will follow the screening of film. For more information visit: filmlinc.com.
SEPTEMBER 23 AT 8:30 P.M.
JUAN PABLO VILLA: LA GRUTA DE BABA U.S. PREMIERE
Music composed and performed by Juan Pablo Villa
Visuals by Arturo López
Presented in collaboration with Celebrate México Now
Mexican singer and composer Juan Pablo Villa showcases his distinctive vocal style in the U.S. premiere of La Gruta de Baba. Villa uses sound, pitch and texture to explore the raw power of voice. Accompanying his improvisation-based concert are visual artist Arturo López's live sequence of ephemeral projections that use ink, sand, water, oil, and 2-D puppets. Moving seamlessly from one image to the next without any editing, Barrera provides insight into the creative process of painting, from the moment the first line is drawn to the point at which the painting is finished. The images and rhythms are reinvented in each performance, and are directly linked to the music. Celebrate México Now, produced by CN Management, is a groundbreaking citywide festival, now in its seventh year that presents artists in the vanguard of contemporary Mexican art and culture. Visit: www.mexiconowfestival.org.
SEPTEMBER 30 AT 8:30 P.M.
CANTA LIBRE
Karen Lindquist - Harp
Bernard Tomosaitis - Cello
Veronica Salas - Viola
Bryony Stroud-Watson - Violin
Sally Shorrock - Flute
Harp, flute and string ensemble Canta Libre performs chamber music of late-19th /early-20th-century France. The chamber ensemble has as its core the delicate yet warm voice of the harp, an instrument that was at the peak of its popularity in the salons and concert halls of Paris in that era. With its founder Sally Shorrock, the ensemble has taken their interpretations of intimate arrangements to major festivals and venues around the world, from Bargemusic to Spoleto. For artist information visit: http://www.cantalibre.org/
OCTOBER 7 AT 8:30 P.M.
ROY NATHANSON'S SOTTO VOCE: SUBWAY MOON
Nathanson, co-founder of the Jazz Passengers, leads his band in a multi-media poetry/song-cycle that explores the imaginative possibilities of a public- and sacred-space shared everyday. With a vaudevillian sensibility and crack musicianship, Nathanson creates performances that seamlessly meld sound, word, and image. Featuring Nathanson on saxophone with fellow Jazz Passengers trombonist Curtis Fowlkes and violinist Sam Bardfeld, along with vocalists and bassist Tim Kiah, human beat-box/singer Napoleon Maddox, videographer Andrew Gurian and subway samples by producer Hugo Dwyer, Subway Moon will take the audience on a wild ride. More artist information at: http://www.myspace.com/roynathanson
METROPOLITAN KLEZMER
Ismail Butera - Accordion
Pam Fleming - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Kudu
Melissa Fogarty - Soprano
Michael Hess - Violin, Nai Flutes
Dave Hofstra - Bass, Tuba
Debra Kreisberg - Clarinet, Saxophone
Reut Regev - Trombone
Eve Sicular - Band Leader, Drums
Metropolitan Klezmer approaches tradition with both deep respect and a good dose of irreverence to create performances that are imaginative in every way. "Anything but stereotypical, and nothing but terrific," said Cosmik Debris. Praised for their mix of levity and gravity as well as their formidable musicianship, Metropolitan Klezmer brings eclectic exuberance to Yiddish music including vibrant versions of Klezmer dance frolics, trance chants, hard-swinging Second Avenue classics and retro-fitted tangos. More artist information available at: www.metropolitanklezmer.com and http://www.myspace.com/metroklez
NED SUBLETTE
KISS YOU DOWN SOUTH: SONGS FROM NEW ORLEANS
"I live between Piety and Desire / On my one hand a blessing, on the other hot hellfire." Appearing solo with his Spanish guitar, singer, songwriter, author and postmamboist Ned Sublette gives his only New York City concert of 2010. Sublette will perform numbers from his forthcoming CD Kiss You Down South, featuring songs composed in and inspired by New Orleans, the city that has been the subject of two of his books, including The Year Before the Flood: A Story of New Orleans (2009) in which he quotes the lyric (above) from a song written in 1992. With a uniquely personal Texo-Cuban guitar style, raunchy humor, a dense, poetic worldview, and a sense of emotional urgency, Sublette sings in English and Spanish to tell stories that might, unfortunately, be true.
LINCOLN CENTER'S WHITE LIGHT FESTIVAL OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL EVENT
Details TBA
NOVEMBER 4 AT 8:30 P.M.
THE FISH POLICE U.S. DEBUT
TERROR PIGEON DANCE REVOLT
Making its U.S. debut, South London's The Fish Police mixes funk, punk and hip hop to create unique tunes with edge, which will soon be available on the band's upcoming debut album CheeseBurger Man. The group cites among its influences Japanese TV, fast food, games, cartoons, hip hop, scratching, punk, funk and fake tans. The experience of seeing Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! live has been hailed as everything from kid playtime gone wrong to a religious awakening. More dance party than concert, the show happens on the stage and in the audience. Audience members are given costumes, taught the lyrics to songs, and encouraged to go wild. It's like Halloween, Junior Prom and New Year's Eve and Christmas all at once. Over epic electronica beats and horns, the group sings about new romance, old friends, and that magical thing that happens when the roads are too icy for professors to get to school. Additional artist information at: http://www.thefishpolice.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/theterrorpigeondancerevolt
SUSAN PEREIRA AND SABOR BRAZIL
Performing an array of works from their album Tudo Azul, as well as an extensive repertoire of Brazilian inspired music, Sabor Brasil mixes traditional styles ranging from samba to bossa nova with original contemporary jazz works. This versatile ensemble harnesses the silky, rich tones of vocalist, pianist, and composer Susan Pereira to deliver a performance showcasing a mastery of complex Brazilian rhythms combined with beautiful lyric interpretations and skillful scat singing. "Tudo Azul, by Susan Pereira and Sabor Brasil, is a stellar collection of soul-felt performances...sure to move you deeply." Alfredo Cruz, radio producer and former on-air host at NPR, KLON/KJJZ-FM and WBGO-FM. More information about the artists at: susanpereira.com
HOT CLUB SAN FRANCISCO
Celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt (on what would be his centennial year) and Stephane Grappelli's pioneering Hot Club de France, this gypsy jazz ensemble borrows the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group's superb lead guitarist Paul Mehling. The music carries its listeners back to the 1930's, to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris and the refined lounges of the famous Hotel Ritz. For more artist information visit: http://www.hcsf.com/
SPECIAL EVENT TBADECEMBER 2 AT 8:30 P.M.
JODY OBERFELDER DANCE PROJECTS
Choreography by Jody Oberfelder
Program: Dance works: For All Intents and Purposes, Dancing Diva, Moved (to music of Stephin Merrit)
Film: Come Sit Stay (directed by Jody Oberfelder)
Jody Oberfelder, voted Outstanding Choreographer at the FringeNYC Festival, creates strong, athletic post-modern works, as well as opera and theater pieces. The New York Times called her new choreography for Dido & Aeneas, commissioned by the Orchestra of St. Luke's, "fresh, imaginative, and utterly charming." Her company, which just celebrated its 20th Anniversary season, has performed at venues and festivals throughout Europe and Asia, including: Paris' Centre National de la Danse, Die Werkstatt in Dusseldorf, The Pusan National Theater in Korea, The 20th Annual International Festival of Modern Dance in Seoul, and The Belgrade Dance Festival. Stateside appearances include Jacob's Pillow, Dance MASS MoCA, Washington College, MOCAD in Detroit, and The Yard in Martha's Vineyard. Visit: www.jodyoberfelder.com.
ULLA-LAA!
Led by virtuosic flutist and expressive pop/folk vocalist of many languages, Ulla Suokko, this ensemble takes audiences on a multicultural, sensuous and imaginative journey through the many faces of love. Suokko is a cosmopolitan bard in the tradition of the medieval troubadours, proclaiming the power of the heart and soul. An advocate of the healing power of music, Dr. Suokko was one of the musicians who brought music to the relief workers and to the families of the victims of the WTC tragedy. In addition to holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Juilliard School, she has performed in some of New York City's most prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall and the Miller Theater. Internationally, she has toured to Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Ulan Bator and Gobi desert in Mongolia; Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, the Georgian Republic; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information about the artist visit: www.ullasuokko.com.
CHRISTMAS IN BALTHROP, ALABAMA
"Jemison Thorsby" - Pascal Balthrop - guitar, vocals
"Georgiana Starlington" - Lauren Balthrop - keyboards, vocals
"Douglas Snead" - Chris Buckridge - bass, alto saxophone
"Benton Whitehall" - Matt Moon - tenor saxophone
"Aurora Rockledge" - Alex Suarez - baritone saxophone
"Miss 12-Year-Old Babbie Jackson" - Annie Nero - bass
"Clanton ‘Lake' Mitchell" - Josh Kaufman - electric guitar, keyboards
"Luverne Dozier" - Therese Cox - accordion, vocals
"Titus Falkner" - Jason Lawrence - drums
"Cotton Tyler Guin" - Andrew Vladeck - banjo
"Ansley Henderson" - Mike Quoma - electric guitar
"Toxey Goodwater" - Michael Arthur - ink & paper
In 2006, Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop moved to New York City to start a band and ended up founding a town. "Balthrop, Alabama" (population 11 or so) is their bustling folk rock township and you're invited to their holiday party! Come experience the magic of the holidays in Balthrop, Alabama! Everyone in town has conjured a brand new holiday classic, each with a very Balthrop bent. You won't find any roasting chestnuts or singing snowmen in these lyrical tales of whee and woe - instead you'll be regaled with new-found legends of lovelorn jailbirds and flying cows. Accompanying the band in pen and ink will be town-drawer Toxey Goodwater, née Michael Arthur. While the music plays, Toxey's drawings appear live on the big screen as he draws them, a holiday chalk-talk that will warm the cockles of the hardest of hearts. For more information about the artists visit: http://www.balthropalabama.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/balthropalabama.
DECEMBER 23 AT 8:30 P.M.
TBADECEMBER 30 AT 8:30 P.M.
CHRIS BYARS QUARTET
Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center's The Rhythm Road
This New York-based quartet generates new, inventive music inspired by the 1950s Bop tradition. Its members have spent years developing relationships with and learning from musicians who thrived during the period. As part of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rhythm Road project, the Chris Byars Quartet toured the Balkans, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Central Europe in 2008 and 2009, using jazz as common ground for mutual understanding and cooperation between communities. The quartet gathers inspiration from the music and traditions of the regions where they tour while continuing explore the work of home-grown musicians such as Gigi Gryce. Gryce, an inspiration to the ensemble, was an American jazz musician who converted to Islam in the 1950s. For more information visit: http://www.jalc.org/theroad/
Photo Credit: Ben Strothmann
Videos