Cue the Wisconsin Union Theater 2016-2017 Season
The 2016-2017 Theater season will bring a range of talented performers to the Union. Photo by Skot Weidemann.
With fall comes the beginning of a new school year, as well as the beginning of a new season for the Wisconsin Union Theater. From some of your favorite artists to groups you haven’t heard of yet, the 2016-2017 season features a wide range of talent. This variety ensures that individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life will find a performance that interests them, and highlights the theater’s dedication to diversity by mixing tradition with the unexpected.
While the season is already underway, there are still some great performances yet to come. The lineup includes a mix of free and ticketed events. As always, members get a discount on tickets.
Coming up Oct. 7, bluegrass veterans David Grisman and Del McCoury will perform traditional country tunes at Shannon Hall. If you’re a Grateful Dead fan, this will be a can’t-miss event (fun fact: Grisman was friends with Jerry Garcia and appeared on a Grateful Dead album).
William Shakespeare enthusiasts can pay tribute to his First Folio as well as the 400th anniversary of his death by attending The Pleasure of His Company: Our 40 Year Love Affair with William Shakespeare. The Oct. 21 performance features a couple that has devoted 40 years to acting and interpreting classical texts.
Also coming to the Union in October are four acclaimed jazz musicians. Lionel Loueke, Erik Harland, Dave Holland and Chris Potter will share the stage Oct. 22 for a contemporary jazz show. This talented crew includes independent record label owners, Independent Music Award winners and even Grammy Award winners. The night is guaranteed to entertain.
When is the last time you chatted with a feminist rock band from Russia? Pussy Riot is coming to Shannon Hall Nov. 17 for a conversation and Q&A session. The band’s music about feminism, LGBT rights and opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin caused several members to be imprisoned. Learn more about how their case was adopted by human rights groups and other musicians.
Lastly, while the holiday season may seem far off, it’s not too early to start planning holiday festivities. The Blind Boys of Alabama, a group of blind, African American gospel singers whose songs were the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement, will be at the Union Dec. 1. The Ten Tenors, an a capella group, will perform their renditions of both classical compositions and contemporary music Dec. 11.
To see more acts coming to the Union during the 2016-2017 season, please visit https://union.wisc.edu/visit/wisconsin-union-theater/
