Ghost towns mini course
Ranging from the classical to the experimental to the political, the Wisconsin Union Theater 2011-2012 line-up truly reflects its history. In the final season before the theater goes dark for two years of renovations, an award-winning, international group of performers promises to fill one of the theater’s most important goals: to bring cultural enrichment to the students and faculty of UW Madison.
This year’s Concert Series showcases a combination of the classical and the innovative. On the classical side, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, a string octet with over 30 CDs to its name, will open the series on September 30. This ensemble is world-renowned and the London Times claims they are so skilled, they are “just about beyond criticism, in fact.”
The series continues with Caroline Goulding on the violin November 3. Just 19 years old, Goulding is already known for her fresh sound and new interpretations. She was recently awarded the coveted Avery Fischer Career Grant and was nominated for a Grammy for her 2009 debut recording on the Telarc label. In addition to her solo concert, she will play with the UW Chamber Orchestra on November 5.
Powerhouse performers cellist David Finckel, pianist Wu Han and violinist Philip Setzer will play an all Mendelssohn program on February 24, followed a month later by the UW’s own Pro Arte String Quartet. Celebrated by the New York Times as playing “wonderfully personal, intense music, performed with real devotion and accomplishment,” they will celebrate their 100th anniversary with four free concerts next season, including in the Wisconsin Union Theater on March 24. Grammy-nominated pianist Peter Serkin, one of the most renowned musicians performing today, rounds out the series on May 5.
The World Stage Series includes music and performance of all genres and backgrounds. It opens with Yamato, the drummers of Japan on October 27. Madison favorite Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, will enchant with songs and styles from several African cultures on November 1. Her colorful music draws from all over the continent, including Mandingue melodies, Congolese rumba, and Zulu choirs and will take place in The Sett in Union South.
Back from their Spring 2011 sell-out gig, Gaelic Storm plays the not-so-traditional music of Ireland, adding influences from American rock, pop, and any other style that strikes their fancy on February 17. Cuban band Sierra Maestra, one of the leaders of the global explosion in Cuban music’s popularity, will perform March 23. World Music Central (USA) claims, “If son is indeed the soul of Cuba, then Sierra Maestra are the heartbeat at the center of that soul.”
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, the son and band of Afro-pop’s pioneer Fela Kuti will showcase their talents April 12, combining a tight brass section, an incomparable groove of African percussion and voices and pointed lyrics. Kuti’s music comes with a political message for young Africans, to fight political corruption. Says Kuti, “I want to make Afrobeat for my generation. Instead of ‘get up and fight,’ it’s going to be ‘get up and think.’”
The World Stage series ends with Leahy on May 4. Blending Celtic with numerous musical styles, this group is a Canadian powerhouse of eight musical brothers and sisters.
The Isthmus Jazz Series features classical jazz with modern influences. Madeleine Peyroux has garnered critical acclaim for each of her six albums and for her live performances, including one in the Wisconsin Union Theater in 2007. She performs October 12 with opener Nelly McKay, whose experimental vocal style is set to match Peyroux’s. Trumpeter and five-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard will perform October 21. Known as a straight-ahead artist in the hard bop tradition, Blanchard has recently used an African-fusion style of playing.
Winner of the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble, New York’s Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra ends the Jazz lineup on February 4. This group, renowned for their originality, has garnered nine Grammy nominations and two awards.
Performances in The Special Events Series run the gamut, defying any one categorization. Sweet Honey in the Rock is a female African-American a cappella ensemble performing October 7. All of their performances are interpreted into American Sign Language by one of their permanent members. The indescribable stylings of Grammy-award-winning band Béla Fleck & The Flecktones come to the Union stage March 1. The 21st annual Marcia Légère Student Play Festival, March 10-11, showcases UW students as writers, directors, and actors. The Neale-Silva Young Artists Competition Winners Recital on April 29 is a free concert with some of the most talented classical student musicians in Wisconsin.
As part of the Dance Series, the King of Tap Savion Glover, will perform November 11, and Pilobus, a group that combines gymnastics, performance art and shadow play, will be featured on April 14. The Travel Adventure Film Series, throughout the year, will transport you to the shores of the Mediterranean, the deserts and hills of Pakistan and Afghanistan, through Mexico, and up the Nile. Also returning is Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel, who will both discuss and play Bach, Brahms, and Schuman.
For more information about ticket prices and to see more on each of these performers, click here.
By Erin Bannen, Wisconsin Union Theater Marketing intern
