Tribeca PAC Sets 2016-17 Season; Tickets Now on Sale

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the longest operating performance venue in lower Manhattan, proudly presents Azul Dance Theatre, performing on Friday and Saturday November 11 and 12 at 7:30pm, A Musical History of the Lower East Side, performing on Friday, November 18 at 8:00pm, Michael "Big Mike" Lynch (American Idol), performing Friday, January 6 at 8pm, Tiempo Libre performing Saturday, February 11 at 8pm, and more! We also continue to present a diverse slate of Family programming, free film retrospectives, and a variety of dance, comedy, and special events., and more! All 20164-2015 7 events are listed below with more information.

Tickets are $21-$35 and on sale now. To purchase tickets, call 212-220-1460 and/or visit www.tribecapac.org.

Event Information

TRIBECA DANCE
Azul Dance Theatre presents "VISION"
Friday & Saturday November 11 & 12, 2016 at 7:30PM; $30

Founded by Artistic Director Yuki Hasegawa, Azul Dance Theatre is a collective of NY-based contemporary dance artists. Azul creates dances that convey the invisible flow of energy known as "Chi" in Eastern philosophy to express the sensitive relationship between individual self and cosmic force. Azul Dance Theatre's residency at BMCC Tribeca PAC is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative.

TRIBECA SPOTLIGHT: NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR

Artists Without Walls & Charles R. Hale present A Musical History of the Lower East Side
Friday, November 18, 2016 at 8PM, 2016; $25

The show will consist of songs reflecting the ethnicity of the Irish, Italian, Jewish, Arabic, Hispanic and Afro-African residents of New York's Lower East Side, including Jazz and Opera to Irish, Latin, Italian and Yiddish music. This show premiered at Rockwood Music Hall in 2015 to a packed house of standing room only. With Ashley Bell (Vocalist), Deni Bonet (vocalist, violinist), David S. Goldman (singer/songwriter, producer), Charles R. Hale (producer, writer), Noah Hoffeld (cellist), Niamh Hyland (vocalist, guitarist, songwriter), Yuri Juárez (guitarist, arranger / composer) Jhair Sala (percussionist), Basya Schechter (vocalist, guitar, oud and saz) and Mala Waldron (vocalist).

Musical Traditions with Ustad Shafat Khan
Friday, December 9, 2016 at 8PM, 2016; $21

Ustad Shafaat Khan, world-renowned Indian Classical musician, has performed worldwide from India to Japan. He has shared a television performance with Ray Charles in Germany and recently performed alongside Stevie Wonder at the Bonaroo Festival-one of the largest music festivals in the U.S. His unique concert presentations include Indian classical/folk music on Sitar, Tabla and vocal, Sufi inspired compositions, and a multi-cultural fusion ranging from western classical, jazz, and rock, to pop, flamenco, and African rhythms. "Virtuoso...Classical purity astonishing... intellectual and poetic...creator as well as performer" raves The Washington Post.

Michael "Big Mike" Lynche of American Idol fame
Friday, January 6, 2017 at 8PM, 2017; $25

Florida native Michael Lynche ("Big Mike") wowed millions of fans on American Idol's Season 9 with his comforting and powerful voice, and is remembered as the only "Save" of the season. His debut single, "Who's Gonna Love You More" reached the Urban Adult Contemporary charts, while "Today" impacted Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio. His music is influenced by a wide range of artistic sounds and styles, including The Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt and Earth, Wind & Fire.

A Night of Female Comics with Headliner Leighann Lord
Friday, March 10, 2017 at 8PM, 2017; $21

Leighann Lord is frequently heard on XM-Sirius Satellite Radio and appeared on many stand-up comedy shows including Girls Night Out, The Original Def Comedy All Star Jam, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen to name a few. As a comedic commentator Leighann has pulled pundit duty on VH1, Fox News, and MSNBC giving her informed and funny take on politics, world news and current events. Leighann has performed several times at TPAC in previous stand-up events as well as the most recent Writers-in-Performance presentation. More comics TBA.

Brooklyn Women's Chorus
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 8PM, 2017; $21

A community chorus, The Brooklyn Women's Chorus was formed in October 1997 by Park Slope resident and musician, Bev Grant. With a repertoire ranging from South African freedom songs to socially relevant songs by contemporary American songwriters like Garth Brooks, Jackson Browne, Pat Humphries and Bev Grant, song topics range from freedom and justice to peace, resistance and women's labor history. Their albums include Brooklyn Women's Chorus and the Power of Song, and I Will Sing, which was recorded live at Tribeca PAC in 2014. The Brooklyn Women's Chorus is its own sanctuary for women who are seeking community and a safe place to find and raise their voice in song.

SPECIAL EVENT
Tiempo Libre
Saturday, February 11 at 8PM, 2017; $35 & $25

Three-time Grammy-nominated Afro-Caribbean music group Tiempo Libre is one of the hottest Latin bands today. Tiempo Libre is celebrated for its sophisticated tropical music featuring an irresistible, exhilarating mix of jazz harmonies, contemporary sound and seductive Latin rhythms. A "World Class Act..." declares the London Evening Standard. "Dance Music of Sophistication and Abandon" raves the New York Times. Throughout the past 14 years, the band has appeared around the globe and has been featured on television shows including The Tonight Show and Dancing with the Stars to name a few.

SCENES THROUGH THE CINEMA LENS
Scenes Through the Cinema Lens is a film retrospective focusing on the performing arts curated by Krin Gabbard, professor of Comparative Literature and English at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and author of Hotter Than That: The Trumpet, Jazz, and American Culture. Viewing includes an informal Q&A.

Better Git Charles Mingus in Your Soul
November 15, 2016 at 7:30PM; Free

Although he never had a hit record, Charles Mingus (1922 - 1979) was the greatest jazz composer after Duke Ellington. Mingus played with everyone from Kid Ory to Hamiet Bluiett, stopping at virtually every stylistic moment in the history of jazz. All of this history was always alive in his music. We'll watch some rare concert footage of Mingus bands as well as an extraordinary film from 1981, Stations of the Elevated, in which Mingus's music plays a crucial role.

Gravity Is No Limitation: Great Jazz Dance on Film
December 13, 2016 at 7:30PM; Free

Some of the best jazz dancing appeared in "race" films intended for black audiences in the 1930s and 1940s. We'll watch the Nicholas Brothers, a young Sammy Davis Jr, and the amazing "Whitey's Lindy Hoppers" in films you probably never knew existed. We'll also watch a few choice moments from Hollywood films with Gene Kelley, Savion Glover, and the Condos Brothers.

Great Comedy Teams
March 14, 2017 at 7:30PM; Free

You will not have to put your hands over the ears of your children, whom you should bring if you have any! Featuring Burns and Allen, Laurel and Hardy, The Ritz Brothers, Abbott and Costello, the Marx Brothers, and a few surprises. Maybe it's all in the timing. Maybe not. We shall see.

Trumpet Stories
April 18, 2017 at 7:30PM; Free

This program features great jazz trumpet soloists such as Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, MiLes Davis, and Lee Morgan. We will also sample the strange history of the trumpet as represented in Hollywood films such as Young Man With a Horn (starring Kirk Douglas), Mo' Better Blues (with Denzel Washington), Born to Be Blue (with Ethan Hawke), and Miles Ahead (with Don Cheadle).

MONK IN MOTION: NEXT FACE OF JAZZ

Winners will perform here at Tribeca PAC, in concert, with her or her own band. Tickets on sale this December.

1st Place Winner - TBD
Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 7:30PM; $30
We will be presenting the 1st Place Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. The competition takes place in the fall of 2016.

1st Runner-Up - TBD
Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 7:30PM; $30
We will be presenting the 1st Runner Up of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. The competition takes place in the fall of 2016.

2nd Runner-Up - TBD
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 7:30PM; $30
We will be presenting the 2nd Runner Up of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. The competition takes place in the fall of 2016.

LOST JAZZ SHRINES
Remembering Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers & Mikell's Jazz Club
Friday, May 17, 2017 concert at 8:30PM; $30 - Tickets on sale this fall.

The presentation will be an evening remembering Art Blakey. In addition to our concert presentation, TPAC will present a pre-concert humanities program, at 7pm, focusing on the development and legacy of Mikell's Jazz Club. Musical Director Bob Watson. Performers TBA.

WRITERS-IN-PERFORMANCE
Presentation: Friday & Saturday, Dec 2 & 3, 2016; $10 Suggested Donation

The Writers in Performance workshop is designed to give writers the opportunity to explore performing their written pieces. Whether they are playwrights, poets, monologists, writers of prose, or spoken word artist, this workshop gives the writers an opportunity to create a performance piece out of their writings. Workshop participants are chosen on the strength of their writing plus either performance ability, or willingness to explore that aspect of creativity. The workshop mixes professionals with students. Each year we include students from BMCC. (Auditions TBA in September 2016. Check our website and social media for updates.)

TRIBECA FAMILY THEATRE

10Club Tickets On Sale: The regular ticket price for most most Tribeca Family events during the 20164/157 season are $30, but 10Club members enjoy 10 tickets for only $12 each. 10Club memberships are on sale now by calling 212-220-1460, online at http://tribecapac.org/family/, or visiting Ticketing Services in person, located in the lobby of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY. You may also log on to www.tribecapac.org for single tickets.

Some of the Family events are also available a day earlier for teachers and their classes. Go to www.tribecapac.org/school-time for more information if you are a teacher.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 1:30PM; $30
Ages 5 - 12 years old
This enchanting musical is based on C.S. Lewis' adventure story about four children of war-torn England, who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This strange and wondrous place is ruled by the cold-hearTEd White Witch, who makes the winter last year round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the children fulfill an ancient prophecy by defeating the witch, thus restoring sunshine and peace to the spell-bound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.

Chicken Dance
Saturday, November 19 at 1:30PM; $30
Grades K to 2nd / Ages 4 - 7
ArtsPower's newest musical portrays the colorful story of Marge and Lola, two barnyard chickens on a mission to win the barnyard talent contest first prize of two tickets to see the great Elvis Poultry in concert! But first, they must present a performance that will score higher than a flock of very talented ducks who seem to have the contest locked up. Can Marge and Lola face their challengers, against all odds, and win the talent contest?

A Season of Miracles
Saturday, December 10 at 1:30PM; $30
Grades K thru 8th / Ages 4 - 13
"A Season of Miracles" is a sparkling collection of holiday stories. Scenes within the play include "The Nutcracker," "Gift of the Magi," "The Kwanzaa Kite," and "The Chanukah Miracle." Crafted and set to music by Tony-Award winner Larry Hochman with the timeless tone of each classic piece, this magical presentation is designed to warm the hearts and perhaps change the perspective of young audiences as they think about the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season. Pushcart Players of New Jersey.

A Year with Frog and Toad
Sunday, February 26 at 1:30PM; $30
Grades PreK to 5th / Ages 4 - 10
A Year With Frog And Toad was nominated for 3 TONY Awards - including Best Musical. Based on Arnold Lobel's beloved children's books and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score by Robert and Willie Reale, the show is an inventive, exuberant, and enchanting experience for the whole family. This whimsical musical follows two great friends -- the cheerful, popular Frog and the curmudgeonly Toad -- through four, fun-filled seasons, meeting new friends like Man Bird and Lady Bird; Father, Mother and Young Frog; Turtle; Squirrel and many more along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in their differences that make them unique and special.

The Lightning Thief
Sunday, March 19 at 1:30PM; $30
Ages 6 - 11 years old
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles! Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. Now Percy has ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves. Theatreworks USA.

Olive & Pearl
Saturday, April 1 at 1:30PM; $21
Toddlers - 5 years old
Centered on thematic elements of home, Olive & Pearl is the story of a young girl, Olive, who is lovingly being raised by her Granny, Pearl. The characters play fairy house, go on an imaginary journey to the moon and learn the Jig. The moon, which is an elegantly carved wooden puppet, pearlescent in color, plays a significant role within the home. Home is not only the structure of one's house, but the place one longs for, like the magic, glowing moon, to feel safety, love and warmth. Magical, visual, stimulating, and oftentimes funny, Olive & Pearl is a supportive performance first for the very young. Treehouse Shakers.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters - An African Tale
Saturday, May 13 at 1:30PM: $30
Grades K to 5 / Ages 4 - Adult
When a great African king desires a wife, only the most perfect maidens in the land are invited to meet him. Mufaro's pride and joy, his two daughters of very different dispositions, travel a half day's journey through a mystical jungle and across a deep river to be presented to the king. Along the way the two girls encounter a number of mysterious situations that test their courage, kindness and strength of spirit. Combining authentic African drumming, powerful and majestic choreography and thrilling original music, the splendor of Zimbabwe and energy of the African land will burst onto stage in this Caldecott Award winning Cinderella tale!