Overture's February Line-up Encourages Shared Artistic Experiences

Overture Presents and free/low-cost programs continue in February with a variety of artistic experiences, from movement/dance, to music, to silent film.

"There's always a great show to see at Overture, and February is no exception," commented Tim Sauers, Overture's VP of programming and community engagement. "Whether you're bringing your sweetheart to Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy on Valentine's Day, your Pitch Perfect-loving friend to GOBSMACKED!, your family to MOMIX's brand new show or to the 2018 Grammy-winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, there's an experience to be shared with anyone."

Kids in the Rotunda - Black Star Drum Line | Sat., Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. | Rotunda Stage | FREE

MOMIX Opus Cactus | Tues., Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. | Overture Hall | $25+ | PHOTOS
After a ten-year rest period, MOMIX's Opus Cactus is back again with a new look, fresh energy and fun surprises. Artistic director Moses Pendleton brings the desert landscape of the American Southwest to life with his signature illusionistic style, creating dynamic images of cactuses, slithering lizards and fire dancers on stage in this unique, modern dance experience for all ages.

GOBSMACKED! | Thurs., Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. | Overture Hall | $25+ | PHOTOS

Though one of the oldest forms of music, a cappella singing has only recently broken through to mainstream popularity. Movies such as Pitch Perfect, TV shows such as "Glee" and groups like Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser and Naturally 7 have catapulted a cappella from street corners to stadiums. The producers of GOBSMACKED! have created a show for the whole family that takes the audience on a journey through music which not only showcases modern a cappella at its best but also tells an urban tale of love, loss and redemption.

GOBSMACKED! will feature performers such as world-champion beatboxer Ball-Zee, the three-time winner of the UK Beatbox Champion. Joining Ball-Zee will be a myriad of musical talent including Marcus Collins, the 2011 runner up in the UK version of "The X-Factor," acclaimed Norwegian singer and pianist Monika Sik-Holm, UK stage actress Emilie Louise Israel, West End actor Nick Hayes and Joanne Evans and Ed Scott who have performed with GOBSMACKED! since its inception.

Kids in the Rotunda - Kiddyoke with The Gomers | Sat., Feb. 10, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. | Rotunda Stage | FREE

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy - Visions from Cape Breton & Beyond | Wed., Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. | Capitol Theater | $35+ | PHOTOS

Since marrying in 2002, two of Canada's brightest stars have been captivating audiences all over North America with their exceptional musical skills and obvious joy at playing the fiddle together. Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy have received both industry-acclaim and a loyal fan base by combining their magnificent individual talents, giving audiences an unforgettable musical experience every performance. The "Kingsville Folk Music Festival" audiences will have an opportunity to experience a remarkable performance that embodies everything that has shaped Natalie and Donnell's character and musical careers. The performance will feature many selections from "One", Natalie and Donnell's recording debut as a duo. It was a chance meeting with legendary producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple) - who recruited Justin Cortelyou (Taylor Swift, Ke$ha, Alan Jackson) to co-produce - that led to the recording sessions in Cape Breton.

Kids in the Rotunda - Ken Lonnquist | Sat., Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. | Rotunda Stage | FREE

Duck Soup Cinema - Mantrap | Sat., Feb. 17, 2 & 7 p.m. | Capitol Theater | $3 children, $7 adults | PHOTOS

MC-Joe Thompson | Organist-Jelani Eddington

This 1926 black-and-white film, based on the novel of the same name by Sinclair Lewis, stars Clara Bow and was released during the Jazz Age - the time of the embrace of female suffrage. A vivacious manicurist marries a backwoods trader and moves to frontier Canada, but comes to realize she misses the city when a New York City divorce lawyer, shows up...

For more than 30 years, Overture has revived and celebrated the heritage and legacy of Capitol Theater, originally built for silent film and opened in 1928. Local vaudeville-style acts open each performance with live organ accompaniment to mirror the actors' emotions on the 1928 Grand Barton Organ, one of the last of its kind still in its original theater.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Madison Community Foundation has provided a $35,000 matching grant to restore the Grand Barton Organ. The first $35,000 given to the Restoration Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar. At 90-years-old, the Grand Barton Organ is the crown jewel of the Capitol Theater. One of the few remaining Barton Organs still located in its original venue, the Grand Barton Organ has had minor repairs over its 90 years, but requires more extensive care. A comprehensive restoration is extremely labor-intensive as each piece of the Organ must be painstakingly disassembled, cleaned, and restored or replaced as needed.

Shopkins Live! Shop It Up! | Sun., Feb. 18, 1 & 4 p.m. | Capitol Theater | $25+ | IMAGES

Shopkins Live! Shop It Up! features innovative set design, creative costuming and state-of-the-art projections in this premiere live production packed with show stopping performances featuring the Shoppies. Join Jessicake, Bubbleisha, Peppa-Mint, Rainbow Kate, Cocolette, and Polli Polish as they perform the coolest dance moves, sing the latest pop songs and show off the trendiest fashions.

International Festival | Sat., Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Overture Center | FREE

Celebrate the rich cultural heritage in the community and enjoy more than 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections. Click here for a full list of performers and vendors that will take part.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Sat., Feb. 24, 8 p.m. | Overture Hall | $25+ | PHOTOS

Winner of the 2018 Grammy for Best World Music Album! For over 50 years, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with their uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. With a deep respect for both their cultural and personal history, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is ever-evolving with an eye toward their long musical legacy.

National Geographic Live! - On the Trail of the Big Cats with Steve Winter | Tues., Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. | Capitol Theater | $34+ | PHOTOS

Go around the world in search of big cats with award-winning photographer Steve Winter. A determined explorer, Winter will lead you from Asian jungles where resilient tiger populations persist, to the Himalaya, home of the rare snow leopard. Follow him into the rainforests of Latin America to view the elusive jaguar?and to Hollywood in pursuit of the American cougar. He'll share both dangerous and lighter moments: from getting stuck in quicksand to mishaps with remote-controlled cameras. Co-author of the new National Geographic book Tigers Forever, Winter's mission is to share the beauty of big cats while working to save them. "By saving the world's top predators, we save huge forests, rivers, wildlife, and ultimately, our planet." -Steve Winter

Tickets are available at the Overture Center box office (201 State Street), by visiting overture.org or by calling 608.258.4141. Group orders of ten or more may be eligible for a discount and can be placed by calling 608.258.4159.

Funding for Kids in the Rotunda is provided by American Girl's Fund for Children, Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, Nancy E. Barklage & Teresa J. Welch, the Kuehn Family Foundation, Ian's Pizza, UnityPoint Health - Meriter and by contributions to Overture Center for the Arts. MOMIX Opus Cactus is part of the Bell Laboratories Dance Series with additional support from UW Health/Quartz. Duck Soup Cinema is sponsored by Goodman's Jewelers and underwritten with a generous gift from Robert N. Doornek. International Festival is sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group, Madison Community Foundation, Dane Arts and Ho-Chunk Gaming - Madison. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio. National Geographic Live! Is sponsored locally by Exact Sciences and nationally by The Great Courses Plus.

Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wis., features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and five galleries where national and international touring artists, ten resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in nearly 700,000 educational and artistic experiences each year. Overture.org

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