Center for the Performing Arts Announces 2014-15 Season, Includes Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, and More
By: Courtnie Mele Jun. 18, 2014
President and CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko unveiled the 2014-15 season at the Center for the Performing Arts - home of the Palladium. The new season represents multiple series, including Country, Printing Partners Classical, The Stratford Songbook, Taft Law Jazz & Blues, Coca-Cola World Stage, and The Buck Group Dance. In addition to the six series, the Center will present Drewry Simmons Vornehm Pop & Rock, Spotlight, Holiday, and CNO Financial Group Family shows.
Highlights from the new season include the incomparable Tony Bennett, composer and songwriter extraordinaire Randy Newman, the full-length classical ballet Sleeping Beauty, the up-and-coming Sarah Jarosz and The Milk Carton Kids, George Benson in a tribute to Nat King Cole, the historic return of Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea in a rare duo performance, country superstar Martina McBride, holiday shows by Dave Koz, George Winston, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, as well as an appearance by the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman, among other must-see artists.
Subscriptions are on sale June 17 at the Palladium box office window, by phone at 317-843-3800 or toll-free at 877-909-2787, and online at www.TheCenterPresents.org/subscribe. The season lineup is outlined on the Center for the Performing Arts' website: www.TheCenterPresents.org. As a non-profit arts and cultural organization, the Center for the Performing Arts relies on subscription sales, generous individual gifts, and sponsorships to fulfill its mission to welcome, engage, inspire and transform.
2014-2015 Center Presents Season
The Stratford Songbook Series
Great American Songbook High School Vocal Competition
Friday, July 25, 2014 at 7pm, Palladium
A new generation of Songbook stars is revealed in nationwide regional competitions sponsored by the Great American Songbook Initiative. Those young artists who are selected to participate in a week of intensive mentoring in Carmel show their talent in the final competition to select the 2014 Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador. In addition to a monetary stipend, the ambassador earns the opportunity to perform with two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award nominated entertainer and founder of the Feinstein Initiative, Michael Feinstein. Join Michael Feinstein for this show and be inspired and awed by the accomplishments of the next generation of Songbook artists.
Tommy Tune: Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales
Accompanied by his music director, Michael Biagi on piano
Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 8pm, Palladium
In Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales, Broadway's tallest tapper takes to the world's smallest stage, dancing, singing and tale-telling through 50 years of big time showmanship - all on only 4 square feet. "You have to see it to believe it." - P.T. Barnum
Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole
Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 7pm, Palladium
In his four-decade career, George Benson has garnered ten Grammy Awards, been heralded as an unparalleled jazz guitarist, and a vocalist with great emotional range and sophistication. Benson brings heartfelt renditions of some of Cole's greatest songs and will perform with an orchestra. The evening is a tribute to Nat and his memorable voice in music, and for his creation of a timeless body of work that continues to inspire artists around the world.
Tony Bennett with Very Special Guest Antonia Bennett
Friday, November 21, 2014 at 8pm, Palladium
As timeless and treasured as the songs he made famous, Tony Bennett has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, including 10 million in the last 10 years. "My ambition is to actually sound better as I get older. It's all about meaning it more, giving it more depth," Bennett says. His "Duets II" album (à Italics AND quotes? Just checking) debuted at No. 1, making him the only recording artist in history to achieve this at age 85!
Sunday, November 23, 2014, 7pm, Palladium
Randy Newman has long been one of the most musically and lyrically ambitious singer-songwriters in popular music. His songwriting success includes other artists popularizing his work: Three Dog Night had a hit with "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" and Joe Cocker scored with the hilariously lascivious "You Can Leave Your Hat On." (àPunctuation to be moved inside quote) Newman's own Top 40 success came with the most unlikely track, "Short People." Other hits include "It's Money That I Love" and "I Love L.A." He has been a prolific film composer, a regular Academy Award nominee and an Oscar winner for "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc. Among his notable scores are Ragtime, The Natural, Parenthood, Awakenings, Avalon, Pleasantville and Leatherheads. In recent years, he has specialized in composing for a range of critically acclaimed blockbuster family films, including, Toy Story, James and the Giant Peach, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Cars. Though Newman projects the image of a misanthrope in his own work, he summons tremendous warmth and tenderness in the songs he created for these movies.
Michael Feinstein with Marilyn Maye
Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 7pm, Palladium
A concert evening featuring multi-platinum, five-time Grammy and two-time Emmy nominee, Michael Feinstein. He will perform favorites from the Great American Songbook.
The Buck Group Dance Series
Tania Pérez-Salas Compañia de Danza
Friday, November 14, 2014 at 8pm, Tarkington
Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 8pm, Tarkington
An evening of visually stunning and highly emotive works from Mexico's premiere contemporary choreographer. All ticket holders are invited to enjoy a Q&A with the artistic director and dancers immediately following the performance.
Program:
Made in Mexico (Hecho en Mexico)
Waters of Forgetfulness, 1998 (Las Aguas del Olvido)
Ex-stasis, 2010
Diavolo: "Architecture in Motion"
Jacques Heim, Artistic Director
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 8pm, Tarkington
Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 8pm, Tarkington
Brace yourself for a full-throttle evening of entertainment that combines the artistry and beauty of dance with the power and gravity-defying feats of world champion stunt performers, gymnasts, and martial artists. Thrilling and playful, Diavolo creates a powerful and provocative production that will amaze you. Internationally renowned for the unique way in which they reinvent dance, re-imagine theatre, and redefine thrills, Diavolo takes movement, athletics, and daring to the extreme, creating abstract narratives about the human experience using surreal architectural set pieces.
Program
Transit Space
Trajectoire
Russian National Ballet Theatre
The Sleeping Beauty
Friday, March 20, 2015 at 8pm, Tarkington
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 8pm, Tarkington
Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 3pm, Tarkington
The crown jewel of legendary choreographer Marius Petipa's career, The Sleeping Beauty is the magical fairy tale of the beautiful, sleeping princess who awaits the kiss of her prince. Brought to life by one of Moscow's finest ballet companies, this enchanting tale is set to Tchaikovsky's magnificent score. A grand theme of good versus evil, the ballet is about the story of Aurora, who has been cursed since birth by the evil fairy Carabosse. After pricking her finger on a spindle, the princess and her whole kingdom fall into a deep sleep that will last one hundred years until she is saved by the brave prince, Désiré. Performed by a company that is dedicated to the timeless tradition of classical Russian Ballet.
Youth America Grand Prix
Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow
Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 3pm, Palladium
Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) is the world's largest student ballet scholarship competition that awards scholarships to leading dance schools worldwide. We present YAPG (àSpelling: the P and G are swapped) finalists and stars of the world's leading dance companies in a thrilling evening of classical ballet excerpts. YAGP's level of reputation as a showcase for dance students from America and abroad is such that even passing the preliminary round to be selected to participate in the New York City Finals gives a participant an important distinction and a boost to their professional dance career.
Taft Law Jazz & Blues Series
Saturday, September 20 at 8pm, Palladium
Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. He has garnered seven Grammy Awards across jazz, pop and R&B genres and scores of international music awards. Known for acclaimed albums, the theme from Moonlighting and his most recognizable hit, "We're In This Love Together," Jarreau always finds new ways to mix things up and maintain his signature sound as "the voice of versatility."
Big Band Holidays: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Special Guest Cécile McLorin Salvant
Friday, December 5, 2014 at 8pm, Palladium
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant will add soul and swing to the holiday season. Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is composed of 15 of jazz music's leading soloists under the leadership of musical director and trumpet virtuoso Wynton Marsalis.
Cécile McLorin Salvant has exploded on the jazz scene as a masterful interpreter of song, with a canny ability to select unique and rarely performed repertoire. A rising star in the jazz scene, Salvant joins the orchestra for an evening of big band holiday jazz at its best.
Stanley Clarke Trio
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 7pm, Palladium
Four-time Grammy winner Stanley Clarke has achieved "living legend" status and he is known as the liberator of the electric and acoustic basses. Clarke has been a constant force of nature in American music since the early 1970s with the success of the jazz-fusion group Return To Forever. He has the distinction of being the first bassist in history to headline sold-out world tours and have gold albums. He was also the first to double on acoustic and electric bass with equal virtuosity and ferocity. Clarke has received Emmy nominations for his film scores, and he was Rolling Stone's very first Jazzman of the Year and bassist winner of Playboy's Music Award for ten straight years. Clarke was honored with Bass Player Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award and is a member of Guitar Player Magazine's "Gallery of Greats."
Dee Dee Bridgewater: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
Friday, February 20, 2015 at 8pm, Palladium
Using music from her double Grammy Award winning CD, Dear Ella, Dee Dee Bridgewater sings the songs of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. This dazzling tribute to her musical mentor, Ella Fitzgerald, garnered two Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" and "Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocals.".
Wayne Shorter Quartet
Featuring Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 8pm, Palladium
One of the most influential saxophonists and composers in the pantheon of modern music, let alone jazz, Wayne Shorter celebrates a legendary career spanning more than half a century. His Wayne Shorter Quartet live performances are called "exercises in superlative overload." Calling it "the most skillful, mutually attuned and fearlessly adventurous small jazz group on the planet," the UK Guardian said that the quartet "celebrates humanity's hope for harmony." Shorter is joined by pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade, all virtuosos and bandleaders in their own right. Their new Blue Note album, Without a Net, is his first for the label in over four decades and is an astounding document of an artist reaching and exploring, still very much at the peak of his powers. The session netted Shorter 2013 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll wins for Jazz Album, Jazz Group, Soprano Saxophone and Jazz Artist of the Year.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 8pm, Palladium
For over half a century, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been blazing their own paths of artistic innovation at the keyboard. From the great Miles Davis bands of the 60's, to the stadium-filling, genre-shattering Headhunters and Return to Forever of the 70's, to the unparalleled, award-winning careers ever since. Hancock and Corea are among the most important influences on jazz---and beyond---of our time. In a rare and historic duo performance, jazz royalty will reign on the Palladium stage as they come together for a very special evening of music.
Spotlight Shows
The 5 Browns
Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 8pm, Palladium
Classics and popular show tunes with a fresh energy and dynamic character played with 440 keys and 45 feet of piano. The 5 Browns have the distinction of being the only family of five to be simultaneously accepted at Juilliard.
Sweet Honey In The Rock - 40th Anniversary
Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 7pm, Palladium
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of this renowned Grammy nominated a cappella quintet in a fiery and engaging blend of blues, African, jazz, gospel and R&B music. This show will be sign language interpreted.
Ethan Bortnick
Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 7pm, Palladium
Ethan Bortnick, the youngest performer ever to headline his own concert tour, will bring his captivating new family music special to the Palladium. At only 13 years old, Ethan has already moved audiences nationally and internationally as a pianist, composer, singer and entertainer. In 2011, he made history as the youngest entertainer to headline a show in Las Vegas.
Jim Belushi & The Board of Comedy
Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 7pm, Palladium
Spend a hilarious evening with actor and comedian, Jim Belushi, as he and some friends bring their brand-new sketch comedy show to the Palladium. With more than 30 years of experience and an alumnus of "Saturday Night Live" and Chicago's famed Second City, Belushi is now bringing to the stage an improvised comedy show that features members of the Chicago Board of Comedy.
The Priests
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 7:30pm, Palladium
The Priests released their eponymously-titled debut album in 2008 and their career instantly reached the heavens. Album sales secured them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest-selling classical debut ever. They have sung to audiences that include the British Royal Family and the Irish President. They were nominated for Classical Brit Awards for Classical Album of the Year for three consecutive years and in 2010, they shared a stage with Pope Benedict XIV in London's Hyde Park. The Priests are three Roman Catholic priests from Northern Ireland.
Holiday Shows
George Winston
Thursday, November 20 at 7:30pm, Tarkington
"Innovative, celebrated and accomplished. Winston is the real deal." RAB, Toledo City Paper
Inspired by the seasons and topographies, George Winston plays over 100 solo concerts a year. His concerts feature a variety of styles, including melodic folk piano, New Orleans R&B piano, and stride piano. He performs songs from his seasonal favorites AUTUMN, DECEMBER, WINTER INTO SPRING, and SUMMER, as well as Peanuts pieces from his Vince Guaraldi tribute albums LINUS & LUCY -THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, and LOVE WILL COME-THE MUSIC OF VINCE GUARALDI, VOL. 2, and more.
Celtic Thunder Symphony Tour
Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 7:30pm, Palladium
This will be the first ever Symphony Tour for Celtic Thunder, who will depart from their traditional and critically-acclaimed large set productions to perform songs from their 2013 chart-topping album Christmas Voices in a dynamic live music experience accentuated by the instrumentals of a full symphony orchestra. Holiday favorites and their signature hits will be featured.
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2014
With special guests Jonathan Butler, Christopher Cross and Maysa
Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 7pm, Palladium
While jolly ol' St. Nick is busy making his list and checking it twice, Santa Koz is coming to town. Multi-GRAMMY nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz has become synonymous with the season, thanks to his high-energy holiday tour, which celebrates its 17th anniversary this year. "Dave Koz = Christmas," said the El Paso Times and Examiner.com assured readers, "There really is a...Santa Koz," calling the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour "a must see show."
For more information and to see the full schedule, click here.
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