Rialto Center For The Arts To Ring In 2024 With Eight Performances

The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University is ringing in 2024 with back-to-back blockbuster performances by legendary icons of music and dance.

The 2023-2024 Rialto Series Season themed Holding the Light, a curated journey through the arts that builds upon the themes of the 2021-2022 Season of Mastery and the 2022-23 Season of Power + Spirit, continues into the new year with performances including:

• History's most awarded acapella group Take 6 featuring a sextet of virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony supported by syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements and funky grooves of gospel, jazz, pop and R&B on Jan. 27.
• Two-time Oscar and Grammy Award winner Peabo Bryson, who created and performed timeless classics including "Beaty and the Beast" with Celine Dion, "A Whole New World" with Regina Belle and "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack, on Feb. 10.
• The King's Singers, who set the gold standard in acapella singing for over 50 years, at Rialto Feb. 25. Formed in 1968 by six recent graduates of King's College, Cambridge, their extensive discography earned a Grammy, an Emmy and a place in Gramophone magazine's inaugural Hall of Fame.
• Internationally renowned Parsons Dance showcasing bold movements that solidified their place among the world's leading dance companies, at the Rialto on March 10.
• Wynton Marsalis protégé Jumaane Smith, an acclaimed trumpeter, vocalist and composer celebrating the origins of jump blues and jazz in "Louis! Louis! Louis!" featuring original works and timeless classics from Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima and Louis Jordan at Rialto March 23.
• An April 6 double-header of Afro-Cuban music superstars, with Act One featuring pianist Harold López-Nussa's distinctive combination of classical, folkloric and popular elements while also embracing jazz improvisation of ritmo, and Act Two featuring Grammy-nominated percussionist master Pedrito Martinez, who has recorded or performed with legends including Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Sting, and contributed to over 100 albums and performed music for films.
• Georges Bizet's beloved opera "Carmen"-a captivating tale of love, jealousy, fate and revenge- presented by Georgia State Opera Theater on April 13-14.
• Legendary trombonist Marshall Gilkes joining the Georgia State Jazz Band for an evening of exhilarating jazz rhythms, soulful melodies and electrifying improvisation including works from his 2022 album "Cyclic Journey" played on his signature model trombone on April 19.

"We hope these events of the Rialto's Season Holding the Light will enable Atlanta arts lovers to experience new or longtime favorite artists live on our stage," said Lee Foster, executive director. "Tickets to live events and performance art experiences remain excellent holiday gifts easy to purchase online."

Tickets for all performances are available at Rialto.GSU.edu.

Free (validated) parking is provided for all Rialto Series shows at the 100 Peachtree Parking Garage

(formerly the Equitable deck) via GPS at 123 Fairlie Street NW, Atlanta 30303). Single tickets and subscriptions are available at Rialto.GSU.edu, the Rialto Box Office or (404) 413-9TIX (9849). Follow the Rialto @RialtoCenter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

In addition to the Holding the Light Season, the Rialto continues its popular, free lunch-and-learn performing arts series, Feed Your Senses on each month's third Wednesday at noon. Programming features a local artist or speaker, providing a casual and fun insider's look at their craft.

Feed Your Senses is supported in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Georgia Council for

the Arts and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly (a partner agency of the National

Endowment for the Arts), the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs and 100 Peachtree.

About the Rialto Center for the Arts

The Rialto Center for the Arts at GSU is the cultural centerpiece of downtown, located in the heart of Atlanta's historic Fairlie-Poplar district. Thanks to GSU acquiring and refurbishing the building in 1993, and revitalizing the district, the Rialto has stood at the corner of Forsyth and Luckie Streets for over 100 years. Today the intimate, 833-seat performing arts venue is home to the Rialto Series, featuring the best of Indigenous and international jazz, world music and contemporary dance, as well as Georgia State's School of Music performances. In spring 2023 the venue marked a return to its cinema roots with installation of a new state-of-the-art screen and digital projector.

The Rialto is the go-to venue in downtown Atlanta for other arts organizations' performances, visiting production companies and independent film screenings. In addition to the highly acclaimed Rialto Series, the Rialto is committed to serving the community through its extensive education and outreach programs on mission to advance creativity, innovation and the boundaries of imagination through engaging arts, education and entertainment. The Rialto earned its reputation as the place where Atlanta meets the world through its one-of-a-kind international programming, bringing together diverse communities and creating conversations about culture, art and history. In 2022, the Rialto Center was nominated for a Southeast Emmy for a long-form online performance broadcast. Visit Rialto.GSU.edu to learn more.

About Georgia State University

Georgia State University, an enterprising public research university in the heart of Atlanta, is a national leader in graduating students from diverse backgrounds. The university provides its world-class faculty and more than 52,000 students with unsurpassed connections to the opportunities available in one of the 21st century's great global cities. For more visit GSU.edu.

About College of the Arts

Established in 2016, the Georgia State University College of the Arts is a destination for students who want to unlock and enhance their creativity with a serious arts education in a vibrant downtown setting. Offering top degree programs in art, music, film, theatre and more, the college aims to inspire and empower students and faculty to excel in arts creation, scholarship, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship. The College of the Arts includes the Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design, the School of Film, Media & Theatre, the School of Music, the Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) and the Rialto Center for the Arts. For more visit TheArts.GSU.edu.

2024 Rialto Press Release Supplement with Show Descriptions and Ticketing Details

The Rialto Center of the Arts at Georgia State University presents its 2023-2024 Season Holding The Light, with single tickets or subscriptions available via Rialto.GSU.edu, the Rialto Box Office or by phone (404) 413-9TIX (9849).

The winter-spring season events include:

TAKE 6 on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. (Tickets: $59, $69, $89, $120)

Known as the most awarded acapella group in history, this sextet features the virtuosic voices of Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley united in crystal clear harmony against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements and funky grooves forming an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop. Discover how they not surprisingly earned eight Grammy Awards from 19 nominations, as well as 10 Dove Awards, two NAACP Image Awards and a Soul Train Award.

Peabo Bryson on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. (Tickets: $59, $69, $89, $120)

Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy an enchanting evening of love songs by one of the top male vocalists of the last 40 years. Possessing a beautifully rich voice, this two-time Oscar and Grammy Award winner created and performed timeless classics including "Beaty and the Beast" with Celine Dion, "A Whole New World" with Regina Belle and "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack.

THE KING'S SINGERS on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. (Tickets: $34, $44, $54, $68)

Presenting the gold standard in acapella singing for over 50 years, this group formed in 1968 by six recent graduates of King's College, Cambridge, is world-renowned for their consummate musicianship, drawing on both the group's rich heritage and pioneering spirit to create an extraordinary wealth of original works and unique collaborations. Their extensive discography has led to numerous awards including a Grammy, an Emmy and a place in Gramophone magazine's inaugural Hall of Fame. Georgia State University Singers under the direction of Dr. Deanna Joseph will join The King's Singers for a memorable afternoon of rich music.

PARSONS DANCE on March 10 at 3 p.m. (Tickets: $46, $56, $66, $81)

Known for an energized, athletic, and joyous style, Parsons Dance is internationally renowned for creating and performing contemporary American works. Their bold movement solidified their place among the world's leading dance companies. Works, like the iconic Caught exemplify innovation and huge audience appeal.

JUMAANE SMITH on March 23 at 8 p.m. (Tickets: $34, $44, $54, $68)

Experience the excitement of acclaimed trumpeter, vocalist and composer Jumaane Smith celebrating the origins of jump blues and jazz in "Louis! Louis! Louis!" featuring original works and timeless classics from Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima and Louis Jordan. A protégé of Wynton Marsalis, Smith has performed on five GRAMMY Award-winning records, two Emmy-nominated TV performances, and recently in Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story." Smith also toured and recorded with Michael Bublé as lead trumpet and vocalist.

HAROLD LÓPEZ-NUSSA AND PEDRITO MARTINEZ on April 6 at 8 p.m. (Tickets: $46, $56, $66, $81)

Raise the Roof with the double-header of Afro-Cuban music superstars! Act One features pianist Harold López-Nussa's distinctive combination of classical, folkloric and popular elements while also embracing jazz improvisation of ritmo. Act Two features Grammy-nominated percussionist master Pedrito Martinez, who has recorded or performed with legends including Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, Elton John, James Taylor and Sting. Martinez also contributed to over 100 albums and performed music for films including "Chico and Rita" and "Calle 54."

"CARMEN" BY Georges Bizet PRESENTED BY THE GEORGIA STATE OPERA THEATER

on April 13 at 7 p.m. and April 14 at 3 p.m. (Tickets: $17, $24, $36)

Experience the timeless allure of Georges Bizet's beloved opera "Carmen," a captivating tale of love jealousy, fate and revenge in a world where passion ignites and destinies collide.

MARSHALL GILKES WITH THE GSU JAZZ BAND on April 19 at 8 p.m. (Tickets: $17, $24, $36)

Legendary trombonist Marshall Gilkes joins the Georgia State Jazz Band for an evening of exhilarating jazz rhythms, soulful melodies and electrifying improvisation. With works from his 2022 album "Cyclic Journey" as part of the set, Gilkes will perform on his signature model trombone, an instrument as versatile as its inspiration.

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