Jazz
There鈥檚 not much that musician, producer and jazz lover Khris Dodge wants to miss over the spring, but he is especially hyped about the Jazz Fest鈥檚 鈥淭he Music of Nelson Riddle鈥 (Jan. 13, Fox 蜜柚直播). It鈥檒l be a huge music bonanza, with Jeffrey Haskell leading the band and a plethora of remarkable vocal talent.
鈥淯nder Professor Haskell鈥檚 musical direction, the vocal talents of Tony-nominated singer Ann Hampton Callaway, the never less-than-amazing Katherine Byrnes, the smooth vocal stylings of Joe Bourne, and 65 other musicians on stage, this concert will transport concert-goers to a different time and place,鈥 says Dodge.
He also has UA Present鈥檚 Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue (Jan. 18, Centennial Hall) on his list, as does blues lover Susan Holden. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue first shot to fame when they performed for one of NPR鈥檚 Tiny Desk Concerts, and their popularity has persisted because of the talent and energy.
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鈥淕oing to their show is like attending a part hard-rock, part New Orleans brass/jam band, part funk, and part dance concert wrapped around soulful trombone and trumpet playing inspired through traditional jazz roots,鈥 says Dodge.
A concert with Trombone Shorty is 鈥渓ike a musical block party in New Orleans,鈥 says Holden. 鈥淗e just might blow the roof off the building.鈥
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Jan. 31, Fox 蜜柚直播) also made Dodge鈥檚 cut.
The group鈥檚 current tour includes 鈥渟ongs from their latest release, 鈥楲ouie, Louie, Louie鈥, which features the music of Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, and Louis Prima,鈥 he says.
鈥淭hose three names right there should get you to this show. But when you match that music with a popping horn section and a rhythm section that doesn鈥檛 know how to stop swinging, you know that you are in store for an amazing night of music.鈥
The Jazz Fest has plenty to keep lovers of the music occupied, including Bobby McFerrin (Jan. 20, Fox 蜜柚直播), Pink Martini with the 蜜柚直播 Symphony Orchestra (Jan. 20, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall) and the immensely popular 蜜柚直播 Jazz Institute Ellington Band (Jan. 11, Fox 蜜柚直播).
But here鈥檚 the Jazz Fest concert we are most excited about: The staggeringly talented Magos Herrera and Maqueque, an all-star group of Cuban women (Jan. 16, Fox 蜜柚直播). We suspect the energy will be wild, the talent over the top, and the jazz sublime.
OK, we are also truly excited about Sheila Jordan (Jan. 19, Temple of Music and Art), too. She鈥檒l be sharing the stage with bass player extraordinaire Cameron Brown. She sang and studied with Charlie Parker, has recorded almost 25 albums, and was presented with the National Endowment for the Art鈥檚 Jazz Master Award in 2012. When she tears into be-bop, no one can compare.
The John Pizzarelli Trio (March 6, Fox) should pack the theater. 鈥淗is singing and guitar playing just make you go 鈥榓hhh鈥.yes,鈥欌 says Dodge. 鈥淔rom the Great American Songbook to Bossa Nova, there is an effortless fluidity that always makes me smile when listening.鈥
A few more that should be on jazz lovers鈥 calendars: The Glenn Miller Orchestra (March 10, Fox 蜜柚直播) and Herb Alpert and Lani Hall (Jan. 27, Fox), both courtesy of the Fox Theater; Portland Cello Project, a group of about nine cellist (artists come and go and come back) who bring the instrument to surprising and new places come courtesy of UA Presents (Jan. 19, Crowder Hall), and the breathtaking Kathleen Grace, who performs jazz and blues with Larry Goldings (Jan. 14, Club Congress).
Blues/country/world/pop/folk
Paul Thorn brings his 鈥淒on鈥檛 Let the Devil Ride鈥 tour to town (Jan. 11, 191 Toole) and Holden will be there.
鈥淚f Tina Fey and Elvis had a baby, it would be Paul Thorn,鈥 she says.
鈥淚f you like blues, rock and soul music that hints at a church upbringing, you will love Paul Thorn. This music is soul food, full of good vibes, humor and high energy. He鈥檚 touring his new album, 鈥楧on鈥檛 Let the Devil Ride,鈥 which takes us back to his church roots in Tupelo and is a collection of obscure and joyful gospel tunes.鈥
We are particularly excited about Tish Hinojosa 鈥 The 蜜柚直播 Kitchen Musicians Association brings her here to raise money for the 蜜柚直播 Folk Festival (Jan. 20, 蜜柚直播 Jewish Community Center). The folk singer 鈥 who sings in both English and Spanish 鈥 caresses a song with amazing tenderness and beauty.
And the 蜜柚直播 Kitchen Musicians group is also bringing in the Cajun band BeauSoleil (Feb. 2, El Casino Ballroom). It鈥檚 not only a favorite venue of ours, but it鈥檚 got a great dance floor 鈥 and this band鈥檚 music demands you get up and dance.
We Banjo 3 hails from Galway 鈥 where much of Ireland鈥檚 music is played constantly and with love, humor and expertise. The band combines bluegrass with traditional Irish tunes. What鈥檚 not to love about that? InConcert 蜜柚直播 brings them here (Feb. 2, Leo Rich Theatre).
Holden also has her sights on Roseanne Cash; the 4-time Grammy winner brings her 鈥淪he Remembers Everything鈥 tour here (Feb. 20, Fox).
鈥淗er new material is relatable to most of us of 鈥榮enior鈥 status,鈥 says Holden.
鈥淲e鈥檝e lost loved ones and parents, we鈥檝e experienced broken promises and failed relationships, we worry about our kids and grandkids, and we鈥檝e possibly faced and conquered life-threatening illness. The way she tells it, our paths at this age are often painful but at the same time beautiful and worth it.鈥
鈥淟onesome Traveler鈥 (Feb. 3, Fox) is a folk-lover鈥檚 dream. It鈥檚 a much-lauded theatrical presentation of American Folk music. Expect tunes from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lead Belly, Ian & Sylvia 鈥 baby boomers will be in heaven.
Another baby-boomer-must-go: Joan Osborne singing the songs of Bob Dylan (Feb. 6, Fox). 鈥楴uff said. And this: The 鈥淢usic of the Eagles鈥 with the 蜜柚直播 Symphony SuperPops (Feb. 9-10, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall).
The Max Raabe and Palast Orchester performs German popular and cabaret songs from the Weimar era, plus American songs from the same era. The New York Times says Raabe and the 12-piece orchestra are 鈥渉armonically rich, casually jazzy and (have) inventive arrangements鈥 (March 15, Fox).
Keb鈥 Mo鈥 takes the stage all by his lonesome (May 21, Fox), and that鈥檚 more than enough for us. The bluesman mesmerizes.
And finally, keep your eyes on Monterey Court, where music is a constant and local and sometimes national talent keep audiences enthralled. You鈥檒l find such favorites as Wayback Machine & The Wooley Dawgs (Jan. 12), P.D. Ronstadt and the Company (Jan. 27) and the Titan Valley Warheads (Jan. 31). Monterey Court celebrates music made right here.
Choral
Grammy-nominated Conspirare, A Company of Voices (April 16, Centennial Hall) is made up of soloists from around the country and it impresses. UA Presents presents the group, which is touring with 鈥淐onsidering Matthew Shepard,鈥 a moving musical response to the murder of Matthew Shepard, a victim of a hate crime in 1998.
罢耻肠蝉辞苍鈥檚 True Concord Voices & Orchestra will perform the rich choral music from Latin America (Jan. 18, St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church; Jan. 19, Catalina Foothills High School; Jan. 20, Grace St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal Church). The featured artist is Corinne Winters, whose talent has been lauded around the world.
True Concord Voices & Orchestra is also tackling a couple of giants: Bach鈥檚 St. Matthew Passion, which will feature 10 soloists, multiple choirs and two orchestras (Feb. 22, Fox; Feb. 23, Catalina Foothills High School; Feb. 24, Catalina United Methodist Church).
And a month later, the Grammy-nominated True Concord will follow it up with 惭辞锄补谤迟鈥s heart-stopping Requiem. Also on the bill is Morten Lauridsen鈥檚 transcendent Lux Aeterna (Eternal Light) (March 29, Valley Presbyterian Church; March 30, Catalina Foothills High School, and March 31, Catalina United Methodist Church).
An 蜜柚直播 Repertory Singers concert is, well, sublime. We are particularly looking forward to 鈥淧salms of David and Songs of Solomon鈥 (April 28, Temple Emanu-El). The concert includes music by Daniel Asia set to the poetry of e.e. Communngs, and John Dunstable and Edward Bairstow鈥檚 music for 鈥淪ong of Songs.鈥
Classical
蜜柚直播 practically vibrates with classical music, which makes narrowing the picks down near impossible.
But, we try.
There are the obvious ones: UA Presents brings in violist extrordinaire Joshua Bell (Feb. 15, Centennial Hall), the 蜜柚直播 Symphony Orchestra鈥榮 Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring pianist Barry Douglas (Feb. 15-17, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall), and the Civic Orchestra of 蜜柚直播鈥s 鈥淭he Emperor鈥 concert, featuring University of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 Rex Woods on the piano for Beethoven鈥檚 Concerto No. 5 (March 16, Grace St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal Church; March 17, Crowder Hall).
But there鈥檚 so much more.
Trumpet great Pacho Flores joins 蜜柚直播 Symphony Orchestra to premiere Arturo Marquez鈥檚 Trumpet Concerto. Flores has gained fans and won awards around the world (Jan. 25-27, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall).
The 蜜柚直播 Friends of Chamber Music brings the San Francisco-based Alexander String Quartet and Cliburn Competition medalist Joyce Yang for a program that includes Mozart, Schumann and Samuel Adams (Feb. 13, Leo Rich Theatre).
The Star鈥檚 music writer Cathalena E. Burch is looking forward to seeing 蜜柚直播 Sympony鈥檚 conductor in a different role.
鈥淲e鈥檝e oohed and ahead over maestro Jos茅 Luis Gomez behind the podium, and in March we get to see him in the spotlight as the violin soloist for 惭辞锄补谤迟鈥檚 Serenade No. 6,鈥 she says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 his way of taking us into his world, the origins of his music career, and to get a glimpse of another side of his musical passion鈥 (March 9-10, Catalina Foothills High School).
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is taking to the road for its first tour in 35 years and stops here thanks to UA Presents. It is considered one of Europe鈥檚 greatest orchestras and it is bringing along the magnificent violinist Sandy Cameron (March 31, Centennial Hall).
Theater
No need to travel to bigger cities to catch a good play; our city offers an abundance of satisfying theatrical experiences.
Take, for instance, 蜜柚直播 Theatre Company鈥檚 production of August Wilson鈥檚 brilliant 鈥淭wo Trains Running.鈥 The late playwright wrote a series of plays about the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th century. 鈥淭wo Trains Running鈥 takes place in 1969, when the fight for civil rights was in full swing. Lou Bellamy, who has become the definitive director of Wilson鈥檚 works, is at the helm of this production. (Jan. 19-Feb.9, Temple of Music and Art.)
If you love theater, adventure and being on the edge of something new and exciting, the 蜜柚直播 Fringe Theatre Festival is for you (Jan. 10-13, various locations). The Festival solicits scripts from around the world and participants are picked at random 鈥 that means undiscovered talent gets a fair chance, and sometimes well-developed talent gets a chance to experiment without the pressure of expectations.
The Fringe Fest is one event that actor/director Maria Caprile has on her list.
鈥淎ll of you who think you can鈥檛 afford theatre, or don鈥檛 have the time, or just don鈥檛 want to sit still for two hours, you need to check out the Fringe,鈥 she says. 鈥淧erformers from all over the country bring their unique talents to share with us for one weekend only. Don鈥檛 miss it.鈥
Any chance to see a Tennessee Williams stage production is a good one, so mark your calendar for Roadrunner Theatre Company鈥檚 鈥淐at on a Hot Tin Roof鈥 (Jan. 11-Feb. 3, Roadrunner Theatre, with the exception of the Jan. 24-27 performances, which will be at the Temple of Music and Art鈥檚 Cabaret Theatre). The cast is strong, the story riveting and the words glorious.
Winding Road Theatre Ensemble has laughter on its mind with its staging of Aaron Posner鈥檚 鈥淪tupid F#!*ing Bird鈥 (Jan. 31-Feb. 17, Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre).
Posner has adapted Chekhov鈥檚 鈥淭he Seagull,鈥 and given us a satirical take on the process of creating art. First staged in 2013, the play has found audiences and gained fans around the country.
Something Something Theatre Company will stage a world premiere of a play 鈥 Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos鈥 鈥淭he Hall of Final Ruin鈥 (Feb. 22-March 10, Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre). The dark comedy is about a 19th century woman in Santa Fe who hopes for a good death and a burial in the church she loves. But that all seems to be happening sooner than she had expected.
Experimental theater has reached a new level in 鈥淲hite Rabbit Red Rabbit,鈥 which Invisible Theatre will stage (Feb. 21-23, Invisible Theatre). The Nassim Soleimanpour play demands no rehearsals, no directors and no sets. The actor will step on stage and be handed the script. What happens then is up to the performer. That is gutsy and could be grand fun.
It鈥檚 also another Caprile won鈥檛 miss.
鈥淚鈥檝e been dying to see this show ever since I heard (very little) about it from someone who had seen it in New York City,鈥 she says.
鈥淎s a director, I love to find moments to surprise the audience, but 鈥榃hite Rabbit Red Rabbit鈥 is a surprise to everyone, including the actor reading the script. ... The element of surprise is integral to this show and I can鈥檛 wait to see it. Invisible Theatre is staging it over several evenings, featuring various 蜜柚直播 actors. The show is bound to be a little different each night. If you see it, don鈥檛 share its secrets.鈥
Also at Invisible Theatre, Susan Claassen once again takes on the persona of the great designer Edith Head, in 鈥淎 Conversation with Edith Head,鈥 written by Claassen and Paddy Calistro (Feb. 25-March 2, Invisible Theatre). Claassen鈥檚 resemblance to the famous Hollywood designer is uncanny, and the show, a deep dishing on Silver Screen greats, is fascinating.
鈥淐alendar Girls鈥 started out as a movie in 2003 and was such a hit that it was turned into a stage play five years later. St. Francis in the Foothills Theatre mounts the comedy about a group of older women who decide to make a nude calendar to raise money for a memorial for a recently deceased spouse (March 8-24, St. Francis is the Foothills).
It鈥檚 a charmer and Caprile is going to catch it.
鈥淚 read this script and thought it would be a challenging delight to stage,鈥 she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see what director Samantha Cormier is going to present to us. If you鈥檝e seen the movie, you know that this is a delightful story about a cast of characters that are just plain fun. 鈥
Ericka Quintero, a theater teacher at Salpointe Catholic High School and an actress, is looking forward to some hearty laughs when she sees the road show of 鈥淪omething Rotten,鈥 brought here by Broadway in 蜜柚直播 (Feb. 5-10, Centennial Hall). The story takes place in the late 16th century when two brothers struggle to come up with a play that can successfully compete with their contemporary William Shakespeare.
鈥淕et ready for a belly full of laughs,鈥 says Quintero. 鈥淏ig, bright and vibrant characters ensure a great time.鈥
Quintero also looks to ATC for one of her don鈥檛-misses: 鈥淎merican Mariachi鈥 about an all-girl mariachi group in the 1970s (March 9-30, Temple of Music and Art).
鈥淏reaking the mold of traditional all male mariachi groups, this play proves the wild idea of an all-girl mariachi band which in reality was once unheard of,鈥 she says of the Jos茅 Cruz Gonz谩lez play. 鈥... The connection to culture and music is sure to be a fiesta.鈥
The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre will stage a new adaptation of Federico Garc铆a Lorca鈥檚 masteful 鈥淏lood Wedding,鈥 about a young woman who, on her wedding day, runs away with a former suitor (March 28-April 14, Scroundrel & Scamp theater). The story of passion and rebellion, which leads to tragedy. Lorca is a powerful story teller. Try not to miss this one.
Quintero will seek out more music when she sees Live Theatre Workshop鈥檚 production of 鈥Always Patsy Cline.鈥 A play about the singer and her short, eventuful life, is packed with Cline鈥檚 songs (April 4-May 11, Live Theatre Workshop).
鈥淪urely a crowd pleaser for the musical talent of Patsy Cline lovers,鈥 Quintero says. 鈥淎 lovely story featuring 蜜柚直播 stars Amanda Gremel and Samantha Cormier. A must see for sure.鈥
Musical theater lovers are in for a treat this spring. Broadway in 蜜柚直播 brings in the road show of 鈥淔iddler on the Roof鈥 (April 9-14, Centennial Hall). 蜜柚直播 Theatre Company did a knock-out production of the classic musical a few seasons back, and it served to remind us of the power of the story and the music. It鈥檚 a musical that can be seen again and again.
A more contemporary musical, but no less thrilling, will be staged by the University of 蜜柚直播鈥檚 蜜柚直播 Repertory Theatre: 鈥淪pring Awakening鈥 (April 7-28, Tornabene Theatre in UA Arts Complex). The rock musical, based on an 1891 German play, won multiple Tony Awards. It will make you positively giddy.
Shakespeare lovers have a choice this spring: The Rogue Theatre will mount the comedy 鈥淢uch Ado About Nothing鈥 (Jan. 10-27, The Rogue), and 蜜柚直播 Repertory Theatre will go to the other extreme with the tragedy 鈥淩ichard III鈥 March 11-31, Marroney Theatre). Either way, you鈥檒l be able to indulge in the Bard鈥檚 language and storytelling.
The Rogue will finish out its season with two promising productions: Mary Zimmerman鈥檚 鈥淭he Secret in the Wings鈥 (Feb. 28-March 17) and Arthur Miller鈥檚 鈥淭he Crucible鈥 (April 25-May 12). Zimmerman takes a look at the dark side of fairy tales in this loose adaptation of less well-known stories from the genre. And Miller鈥檚 鈥淭he Crucible,鈥 about the Salem witch trials, feels all too relevant today (both productions at The Rogue).
Comedy
There鈥檚 plenty of funny stuff coming our way, including Jeff Foxworthy (Jan. 4, Desert Diamond), Brian Regan (March 9, Fox 蜜柚直播) Ron White (April 5, Desert Diamond) and Chris D鈥橢lia with his Follow the Leader tour (April 7, Fox 蜜柚直播) .
But the Star鈥檚 Cathalena E. Burch, who writes about music and comedy, has a few others she wants to see.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a toss-up between Lewis Black (Feb. 1, Fox) and George Lopez (AVA, May 11),鈥 she says.
鈥淚f you like politically-charged comedy and if you鈥檙e no fan of the current White House occupant, you鈥檒l find kinship in the blistering comedy of either. Lopez, though, is probably the most relevant to us in 蜜柚直播 given our proximity to the border. Lopez of late has taken sharp aim at the Trump administration鈥檚 border policies and the whole family separation issue.鈥
Opera
Corinne Winters, who will be here performing with True Concord, takes some time for a solo concert (Jan. 22, Holsclaw Hall). The soprano has wowed audiences around the world and this is a choice opportunity to hear and see her in an intimate setting.
UA Presents brings in the magical Ana Mar铆a Mart铆nez (Feb. 5, Crowder Hall). The soprano, whose career spans the globe, is a Grammy winner and is hailed as one of today鈥檚 foremost sopranos.
And the Star鈥檚 Burch finds 蜜柚直播 Opera presents a quandary if you are going to select just one performance to see.
鈥淭his is a tough one: 蜜柚直播 Opera is bringing us 惭辞锄补谤迟鈥檚 beloved 鈥楳arriage of Figaro鈥 (April 13-14, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall) and Verdi鈥檚 鈥楲a Traviata鈥 (Feb. 2-3, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall) this winter,鈥 she says.
鈥淏ut AZO also is continuing its mission to explore new works with the dramatic World War I epic 鈥楽ilent Night鈥 (March 9-10, 蜜柚直播 Music Hall). The Kevin Puts opera won the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 and has been praised and gushed over around the country. This is an opera you won鈥檛 want to miss.鈥
Dance
The extraordinary Camille A. Brown & Dancers brings its 鈥淢r. Tol E. RAncE鈥 performance here, thanks to UA Presents. Inspired by the book 鈥淥n the Real Side: From Slavery to Chris Rock,鈥漛y Mel Watkins, as well as by Spike Lee and Dave Chappelle, the performance uses dance, music and animation to address tolerance. It鈥檚 been getting bang-up reviews around the country (Feb. 21, Centennial Hall).
You do not want to miss this: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, which UA Presents brings in (March 27, Centennial Hall). This lauded company, founded by one-time Alvin Ailey members, will perform its 鈥淪tar Dust鈥 concert, which pays tribute to David Bowie. That鈥檚 hard to turn away from.
It鈥檚 impossible to sit still when there鈥檚 Cuban music and dance on the stage, and it will be when Havana Cuba All-Stars brings its 鈥淎sere: A Fiesta Cubana鈥 here (March 31, Fox). The All Stars play a rich tapestry of Cuban music, and the dancers coming with the group are among that country鈥檚 finest.
UA Presents will take us a little further south, to Argentina, with the Che Malambo dance company. It is an explosive group made up of 14 men who astound with their precision and grace. This is a dance-lover鈥檚 dream. (April 28, Centennial Hall).
罢耻肠蝉辞苍鈥檚 Artifact Dance Project is totally immersed in live music, storytelling, and very impressive dance. So missing a performance by the company is missing an artistic celebration. So, get out your calendars: Artifact premieres a new piece, 鈥淕oliath 鈥 A Story Retold鈥 (March 21-24, Stevie Eller Dance Theatre). The company鈥檚 cofounder Ashley Bowman choreographed the piece, a modern retelling of the classic David and Goliath story.
And in May, Bowman, co-founder Claire Hancock and playwright Patrick Baliani collaborate for 鈥淢onologue of a Muted Man (May 9-12, Ina Gittings Studio 124). Hancock takes on multiple characters in this one-woman show choreographed by Bowman.