The Ferst Center for the Arts recently announced its 2008-2009 performance season, with the Georgia Tech venue set to host seven Atlanta premieres and more than 25 audience favorites from around the globe ...
Seven Atlanta Premieres and Returning Favorites Set for Georgia Tech Venue
The Ferst Center for the Arts recently announced its 2008-2009 performance season, with the Georgia Tech venue set to host seven Atlanta premieres and more than 25 audience favorites from around the globe.
The roster of events for the venue’s 17th season features dance, theater and comedy, and spans the musical spectrum from hip-hop and classical to jazz and bluegrass, including several GRAMMY winners and nominees.
The season opens with Jon McLaughlin, young American heartland singer known for his Oscar-nominated song from the movie Enchanted. Season highlights include the fusion of hip-hop with socially conscious lyrics from Atlanta-based group Arrested Development, legendary jazz artists Joe Sample and Randy Crawford, GRAMMY Award-winning guitar master Earl Klugh and a special engagement with one of America’s foremost comediennes Lily Tomlin. The Ferst Center continues to offer one of the city’s best dance series, presenting nationally and internationally-recognized dance companies.
Special 2008-09 five-show ticket packages – at a 20 percent discount off individual tickets – are now on sale and may be ordered from the Ferst Center Box Office at 404-894-9600. Individual tickets for the new season will go on sale August 5, with prices ranging from $15 to $100. Details for all shows are available at www.FerstCenter.org.
The event series includes:
Music: Young American heartland singer-songwriter, Jon McLaughlin, on August 22, Atlanta-based hip-hip group Arrested Development on Sept. 26, the fusion of rock and opera from returning 11-person group East Village Opera Company on Oct. 10, the assembly of Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck with Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee on Oct. 17, an evening of jazz from the Joe Sample Trio featuring Randy Crawford on Oct. 18, bluegrass entertainers The Del McCoury Band featuring The Doyle & Debbie Show on Nov. 15, Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers performing An Nollaig – An Irish Christmas on Dec. 6, the holiday favorite A Peter White Christmas on Dec. 13, Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra on Jan. 18, acoustic guitar player Earl Klugh on Feb. 14, GRAMMY-nominated Latin band Tiempo Libre on Feb. 15, the Atlanta premiere of jazz crooner Matt Dusk on March 5, alto sax master David Sanborn on March 7, evocative Portuguese blues music from Mariza on March 29 and America’s first family of bluegrass Cherryholmes on April 18.
Dance: The Atlanta premiere of the Aspen Sante Fe Ballet on Nov. 14, holiday show Navidad Flamenca from the Atlanta premiere of Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana on Dec. 7, dancer-illusionists Momix on Jan. 24, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance Company on Feb. 20, 22-time world champion dance company Trinity Irish Dance on March 8 and the Atlanta premiere of Shen Wei Dance Arts on April 3.
Variety: Multimedia presentation by returning performance artist and musician Laurie Anderson on Sept. 14, Political satire from Washington insiders The Capitol Steps on Oct. 3, the Atlanta premiere of L.A. Theatre Works on Oct. 31, a special engagement with entertainer Lily Tomlin on Nov. 7 and the Atlanta premiere of kids’ rock band Dirty Sock Fun Time Band on Dec. 6.
Located in the heart of the Georgia Tech campus at 349 Ferst Drive NW, the Ferst Center (www.ferstcenter.org) adds to Atlanta’s arts landscape by offering a showcase of some of the most highly acclaimed talent from around the world.
The 2008-09 Season Performances** (listed chronologically) include:
**All programs subject to change.
For media inquiries or photography, contact Kristin Hill at 404.262.3000 or kristin.hill@edelman.com.
Jon McLaughlin
Friday, August 22 at 8 p.m.
$15, $25
Young American heartland singer-songwriter and pianist Jon McLaughlin is living his dream – his album Indiana hit the top of the charts last year and in January he performed the Oscar-nominated song from the movie Enchanted live on the Academy Awards.
Official Web site: www6.islandrecords.com/site/artist_home.php?artist_id=596
Laurie Anderson
Sunday, September 14 at 5 p.m.
$34, $44
Performance artist and musician Laurie Anderson returns with her new show Homeland, a powerful song cycle that reflects on America today. Known primarily for multimedia presentations, she has cast herself in roles as varied as visual artist, composer, poet, photographer, filmmaker, electronics whiz, vocalist, and instrumentalist. She was recently named the winner of the 2007 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize recognizing outstanding talents in the arts.
Official Web site: www.laurieanderson.com
Arrested Development
Friday, September 26 at 8 p.m.
$26, $36
The Atlanta-based GRAMMY Award-winning hip-hop group has been leading folks in the direction of freedom and spiritual evolution for over 15 years. Their progressive rap collective fuses soul, blues, hip-hop, and funk with political, socially conscious lyrics that celebrate African-American culture and history.
Official Web site: www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com
The Capitol Steps
Friday, October 3 at 8 p.m.
$32, $42
The Capitol Steps is the only group in America that attempts to be funnier than Congress. Taking a stab at anyone within reach of their verbal swords, these Washington insiders (representing 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience) have recorded 27 albums, including their latest, Springtime for Liberals. Political satire at its best!
Official Web site: www.capsteps.com
East Village Opera Company
Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m.
$20, $30 and Children $20 any section
Rock meets opera with the exhilarating and adventurous music of the East Village Opera Company. This 11-person group, comprised of a five-piece band, a string quartet, and two vocalists, reinvents classic opera arias into bona fide rock anthems. The band offers dynamic arrangements of opera's greatest hits, including "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto, "Habanera" from Carmen, and "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot.
Official Web site: www.eastvillageoperacompany.com
Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck with Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee
Friday, October 17 at 8 p.m.
$32, $42
Abigail Washburn assembles an all-star collaboration with 7-time GRAMMY Award-winner Bela Fleck on banjo, Ben Sollee on cello, and GRAMMY-nominated Casey Driessen on fiddle. The unprecedented acoustic repertoire blends Appalachian fiddle tunes with jazz, classical, and Chinese folk music for a surprising, fresh and cohesive sound.
Official Web site: www.abigailwashburn.com
Joe Sample Trio featuring Randy Crawford
Saturday, October 18 at 8 p.m.
$40, $50
What could be better than an evening with legendary jazz pianist Joe Sample and the sparkling vocals of the phenomenal Randy Crawford? Crawford draws a circle back to the beginning of her career as she reunites with Sample for a soulful and eclectic collaboration that features the best of these two jazz artists.
Official Web site: www.vervemusicgroup.com/joesample and
www.e-fansite.com/randycrawford/bio.html
L.A. Theatre Works War of the Worlds / The Lost World (Atlanta Premiere)
Friday, October 31 at 8 p.m.
$15, $25, Special Children’s Price $20
L.A. Theatre Works, America’s premiere radio theatre company, presents a double bill of chills and thrills with two masterpieces of science fiction and adventure: H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World. Heard nationally on public radio stations across the U.S. and on XM Satellite Radio's Sonic Theatre channel, L.A. Theatre Works presents a unique live radio theatre style performance.
Official Web site: www.latw.org
Lily Tomlin
Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m.
$65, $75, $100 includes post-show reception with Ms. Tomlin
The incomparable Lily Tomlin, one of America's foremost comediennes who continues to venture across an ever-widening range of media, starring in television, theater, film, animation, and video, presents her hilarious one-woman show. Throughout her extraordinary entertainment career, she has received numerous awards, including six Emmys and two Tonys for her one-woman Broadway shows Appearing Nitely and The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.
Official Web site: www.lilytomlin.com
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (Atlanta Premiere)
Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m.
$28, $38, Special Children’s Price $20
Founded by Georgia native Bebe Schweppe in 1990, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is described by The New York Times as “A breath of fresh air.” The versatile and gifted troupe of 12 dancers performs an eclectic repertoire of pieces by some of the world’s foremost choreographers.
Official Web site: www.aspensantafeballet.com
The Del McCoury Band featuring The Doyle & Debbie Show
Saturday, November 15 at 8 p.m.
$28, $38
The Del McCoury Band embodies the best of bluegrass: eight IBMA Entertainer of the Year Awards and the praise of both traditional bluegrass lovers and alternative music fans. Openers Doyle and Debbie take audiences on a wild ride through a slew of wickedly funny original songs, simultaneously lampooning and idolizing country music's tradition of male/female duos (some Doyle and Debbie content may not be suitable for children).
Official Web site: www.delmccouryband.com and www.doyleanddebbie.com
Dirty Sock Fun Time Band (Atlanta Premiere)
Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m.
$15, $18, Special Children’s Price $12
This high energy kids' rock band, voted the Best Kids Band of 2006 by TIME OUT NY KIDS, is irresistible. Featured on JACK’S BIG MUSIC SHOW on children’s television station NOGGIN, their hit songs 'Dino-Soaring' and 'Music Everywhere' demonstrate their ability to rock in all kinds of musical styles and play some of the most innovative and exciting children’s music to date.
Official Web site: www.dirtysockfuntimeband.com
Eileen Ivers
An Nollaig – An Irish Christmas
Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m.
$32, $42, Special Children’s Price $20
Widely known as “the violinist from Riverdance,” seven-time all-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers' recording credits include over 100 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores. One of the world's most celebrated fiddlers, and the daughter of Irish immigrants, Ivers has been deeply rooted in traditional Irish music since the age of eight. An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas features traditional carols, holiday favorites, and dance tunes that were lovingly passed down through the generations.
Official Web site: www.eileenivers.com
Navidad Flamenca by Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana (Atlanta Premiere)
Sunday, December 7 at 5 p.m.
$32, $42, Special Children’s Price $20
For the first time in over a decade, Flamenco Vivo/Carlota Santana stages a glorious holiday show - an exciting blend of dance and live music. Villancicos (Spanish language Christmas carols), Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings), and other Hispanic traditions make up this captivating program. Building bridges between cultures through the universal spirit of flamenco, founder Carlota Santana is committed to creating new works and developing young artists and choreographers.
Official Web site: www.flamenco-vivo.org
A Peter White Christmas
Saturday, December 13 at 8 p.m.
$36, $46
Guitarist Peter White leads a merry evening of smooth holiday jazz with Rick Braun on trumpet and Mindi Abair on saxophone. Great chemistry, holiday songs, and top hits from the artists make this a holiday favorite year after year at the Ferst.
Official Web site: http://www.peterwhite.com
Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra (Atlanta Premiere)
Sunday, January 18 at 5 p.m.
$30, $40, Special Children’s Price $20
In a dazzling display of orchestral virtuosity, the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Derek Gleeson present "An Evening of Celtic/Traditional and Contemporary Irish Music." The program includes original works and unique arrangements by Irish composers for symphony orchestra by Ireland's leading exponents of the genre, featuring traditional Irish instrumentalists and a soprano vocalist.
Official Web site: www.dublinphilharmonic.com
Momix
Saturday, January 24 at 8 p.m.
$34, $44, Special Children’s Price $20
Is it illusion or reality? Blurring that fine line with exceptional inventiveness, MOMIX makes you gaze in awe and wonder as dancer-illusionists fool the naked eye using props, light, shadow, humor and the human body. Marvel at the very best of MOMIX, a company that – after 20 years – continues to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide.
Official Web site: www.mosespendleton.com
Earl Klugh
Saturday, February 14 at 8 p.m.
$32, $42
Considered by many to be one of the finest acoustic guitar players today, GRAMMY Award-winning guitar master Earl Klugh plays contemporary jazz and melodic ballads in the harmonious and soothing style that is his trademark. His music is a direct expression of his many and varied influences – gentle Brazilian rhythms, blazing fusion, and old school R&B.
Official Web site: www.earlklugh.com
Tiempo Libre
Sunday, February 15 at 5 p.m.
$30, $40, Special Children’s Price $20
GRAMMY-nominated Tiempo Libre is one of the hottest young Latin bands today. The Miami-based band has become known for their incendiary, joyful performances of timba - an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of Cuban son.
Official Web site: www.tiempolibremusic.com
Ronald K. Brown / Evidence Dance Company
Friday, February 20 at 8 p.m.
$28, $38, Special Children’s Price $20
Praised as “one of the most profound choreographers of his modern dance generation” by The New York Times, Ronald K. Brown / Evidence Dance Company blends African, modern, ballet and hip-hop dance styles to tell stories about what is important about the human experience. For over 20 years the dance company’s focus on the seamless fusion of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word has provided a unique view of human struggles, tragedies and triumph.
Official Web site: www.evidencedance.com
Matt Dusk (Atlanta Premiere)
Thursday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
$15, $25
Toronto-born jazz crooner Matt Dusk embraces swing, jazz and pop, easily polishing classics like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “As Time Goes By.” Poised for international stardom, Matt’s velvet voice, great personality and good looks made him a star in Canada by his mid-20s. American audiences will recognize him as the entertainment on the Fox reality TV show The Casino.
Official Web site: www.mattdusk.com
The David Sanborn Group
Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m.
$38, $48
Veteran alto sax master David Sanborn has played a crucial role in establishing the sound of contemporary jazz and instrumental pop. In his remarkable three-and-a-half-decade recording and performing career, he's consistently embodied the dual ideals of virtuosity and versatility, revealing a one-of-a-kind talent on his own releases while building a singularly impressive resume that includes work with everyone from Gil Evans to Bruce Springsteen.
Official Web site: www.davidsanborn.com
Trinity Irish Dance
Sunday, March 8 at 5 p.m.
$28, $38, Special Children’s Price $20
A 22-time world champion dance company based in Chicago, Trinity Irish Dance exhilarates audiences with its vigorous power, daring compositions, and staggering proficiency. Uniquely Irish-American, the company crosses dance and cultural boundaries to create a new vocabulary for Irish step dancing, while the company’s aerial grace, hard-driving percussive power, colorful costumes, and breathtaking agility combine for an authentic and memorable performance.
Mariza
Sunday, March 29 at 5 p.m.
$26, $36
Seducing audiences worldwide with her amazing singing and charismatic stage presence, Mariza is the undisputed princess of fado, the evocative Portuguese blues music that emerged from Lisbon about 200 years ago. Fado music, filled with rich, emotionally textured songs of longing and despair, has seen a huge revival in recent years.
Official Web site: www.mariza.com
Shen Wei Dance Arts (Atlanta Premiere)
Friday, April 3 at 8 p.m.
$32, $42, Special Children’s Price $20
This brilliant New York-based company was established at the American Dance Festival in 2000, and is fast emerging as one of the most compelling dance phenomenons of the 21st century. Fusing dance, theater, Chinese opera, painting, and sculpture, Artistic Director Shen Wei's extraordinary works incorporate original movement techniques, spiritual beliefs, and a unique blend of Western and Eastern cultures.
Official Web site: www.shenweidancearts.org
Cherryholmes with Carolina Chocolate Drops
Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m.
$25, $35, Special Children’s Price $20
America’s new first family of bluegrass, Cherryholmes has stormed to the top of the bluegrass world, receiving the 2005 International Bluegrass Music Award for Entertainer of the Year and a 2006 GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. The Carolina Chocolate Drops are three young African-American stringband musicians who play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music from the piedmont of the Carolinas.
Official Web site: cherryholmes.musiccitynetworks.com and www.carolinachocolatedrops.com
About the Ferst Center for the Arts
The Ferst Center for the Arts is a part of the Georgia Institute of Technology and is located in the heart of the Georgia Tech campus. Named after Georgia Tech alumnus Robert Ferst, the mission of the Ferst Center is to enhance the education of Tech students and to serve as a bridge to the greater Atlanta community by offering a showcase of some of the most highly-acclaimed talent from around the world. Funding is provided in part by contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly, and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. Major corporate support is provided by the Coca-Cola Company and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For ticket information call 404-894-9600 or visit www.ferstcenter.org.