Scottsdale Arts Shines the Spotlight on France

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present the internationally acclaimed Piaf! The Show on Saturday, Oct. 22, as part of its 2016-17 Discovery Series exploring the arts and culture of France.

Tickets start at $29 through www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or 480-499-TKTS (8587).

Starring vocalist Anne Carrere, Piaf! The Show celebrates the life and music of legendary French actress and singer Edith Piaff (1915-1963), one of the 20th century's greatest performers. In two 45-minute acts, the multi-media show narrates the rags-to-riches story of the Parisian singer's career through her classic songs and never-before-seen photographs. Carrere and a quartet of musicians on piano, percussion, accordion and double bass take the audience on an unforgettable journey through the streets of Paris during the time of "La Vie en rose."

Conceived and directed by the Nice-based theatrical maverick Gil Marsalla, Piaf! The Show premiered in 2015 as a tribute to "The Little Sparrow of Montmartre" on the centennial of Piaf's birthday. It has become a worldwide success, packing theaters and earning rave reviews, with Carrere hailed as "Edith Piaf's legitimate musical heiress."Piaf! The Show's current global tour also includes a special presentation at Carnegie Hall in January on the 60th anniversary of Piaf's final performance at that famous venue.

"Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has a 40-year history of welcoming artists from the world," remarked Director Ally Haynes-Hamblen. "Anne Carrere is a rising star on the international stage, and we're thrilled to present her Arizona debut as part of our Discovery Series."

Spanning many different artistic disciplines, the Center's Discovery Series offers an in-depth exploration of French culture throughout the 2016-17 season, including live performances, films and education programs. Highlights include a Nov. 29 solo concert by French pianist Helene Grimaud as part of the Virginia G. Piper Concert Series; American pianist Jeffrey Siegel performing music by French composers as part of his Keyboard Conversations series on Feb. 28; performances by L.A.-based DIAVOLO: Architecture in Motion, led by French-born Artistic Director Jacques Heim, on March 16 and 17; an onstage cooking demonstration with world-famous French chef Jacques Pepin and Claudine Pepin on March 25; and OrigiNation: A Festival of Native Cultures on March 26.

An expanded series of Arts-Connect events - most free of charge - will be offered in collaboration with Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Alliance Francaise and other community partners. Included are film screenings, lectures, workshops and culinary experiences focusing on a variety of cultural topics - from French fashion to baking and comics. A complete schedule of events is available at www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/events/genre/discovery/.

SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its dynamic partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational and outreach opportunities for the community, while fostering the active engagement of individuals, businesses, education and government with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed operating divisions - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art - serving more than 375,000 participants annually.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of voices and perspectives, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of dance, music, theater, comedy and film from around the world.

LOCATION AND PARKING
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

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