BroadwayWorld.com Classical Music Stories

Luke Howard Launches Solo Album SUN, CLOUD at Melbourne Recital Centre Today

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

In 1802 a chemist and amateur meteorologist named Luke Howard presented a paper recommending a new system of classifying clouds, using the names cumulus, stratus and cirrus. Fast forward to 2013 and his namesake, pianist and composer Luke Howard is set to launch a sublime new solo album, appropriately enough called 'Sun, Cloud'.

Sun, Cloud is a captivating and textured album brought to life by a heady mix of piano, celeste, string quartet and electronics. Recorded over the past year in Australia, Iceland and Norway, it draws upon the minimalist approach of his previous projects such as the Luke Howard Trio and Magnolia.

"I'm an unashamed defender of beauty in music. 'Sun, Cloud' explores this outside the jazz idiom; it's a more classical approach", says Luke.

For 'Sun, Cloud' he worked with members of the Oslo Philharmonic and Melbourne Symphony, as well as past collaborators Janos Bruneel (Open Road), Ben Edgar, Daniel Farrugia, Leonard Grigoryan (Magnolia), and Ben Robertson.

Twice a finalist in the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, Luke now divides his time between Australia and Europe. He has shared the stage and recording studio with many musicians in his career, including Ben Frost, Paul Grabowsky, the Grigoryan Brothers, and Lior. He has played on over fifty recordings and has also written music for film and theatre. Luke's music has been described as "cinematic in its approach" (The Age) and "pastoral, almost semi-classical" (The Australian).

Following on from the recent sold-out launch of his trio album 'A Dove, A Lion, A Coast, A Pirate' (Which Way Music), 'Sun, Cloud' will be launched at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 23 May.

The album will be available for puchase at the launch and at www.lukehoward.com.

Luke will perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Salon tonight 23 May 2013 at 7.30pm. Call 03 9699 3333 or visit www.melbournerecital.com.au. Tickets: $35 & $25 concession.

Houston Symphony and Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Present ISRAEL AT 65 Concert Today

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Today, May 23, the Houston Symphony, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, will present a concert at Jones Hall recognizing the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. Acclaimed Israeli singer David D'or will join the Symphony for an evening of pop, classical and traditional Jewish music. Known for his four octave range, D'or has thrilled audiences around the world with his ability to effortlessly sing many styles of music.

"We are thrilled to partner with and sponsor the Houston Symphony concert in recognition of Israel's 65th Birthday," stated Jewish Federation of Greater Houston President and CEO Lee Wunsch. "By showcasing world-renowned singer David D'Or, the Houston community will have the opportunity to hear some of the impressive talent that comes from Israel. In its short 65-year history, Israel has produced innovative technology and made significant strides in every field including the arts. This concert will be a celebration of all of its accomplishments."

Houston Symphony Special "Israel at 65" will play Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston, TX, today, May 23, 2013 at 8:30 PM, featuring David Zeva, conductor, and David D'or, vocalist. Tickets from $25. For tickets, visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

During the 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony will be in its 100th year as one of America's leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $28.7 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 280 concerts for 280,000 people, including 84,000 children, annually. For tickets and more information, visit www.houstonsymphony.org.

Door County to Host 2013 Midsummer's Music Festival, 6/7-17

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:28:57 PST

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Green Bay waters is one of the most beautiful communities in the Midwest - Door County, Wisconsin. The Door Peninsula is a place with picturesque views overlooking the second largest of the Great Lakes. Offering over 300 miles of scenic shoreline, it is a haven for boating, camping, and enjoying the rich tapestry of colorful foliage.

Door County is also home to a thriving arts community and one of the most magnificent music festivals in the Midwest. Each summer a group of world-class musicians from organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pro Arte Quartet, Aspen Music Festival, and artist faculty from major universities join together in this cozy environment to form Wisconsin's premier chamber music ensemble at the Midsummer's Music Festival. The festival offers a series of 30 exquisite classical music concerts in a host of unique venues ranging from a 120-year old lakeside warehouse, to a quaint community church from the 1850s, to the grand hall of a palatial mansion overlooking Green Bay. One event features a dinner cruise through Death's Door Strait aboard the Island Clipper and then a concert on Washington Island at the Historic Island Dairy, now a concert facility, museum, and gallery. Each venue exudes character and offers a distinct musical experience for the listener.

The theme of this year's festival is "Bursting with Passion" and will include works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Brahms, and more. Now in its 23rd year, the main concert series featuring the full complement of 16 musicians runs from June 7 through July 17. There is a short Labor Day series August 28-Sept 1. And Pro Arte Quartet will close out the season on September 17. Most concerts are $25, private residence concerts are $50, dinner concerts are $85, and the historic dinner cruise concert is $95. The grand finale at the Ellison Bay Estate is $150.

"As we became acquainted over the years with our many favorite Door County spots, we thought, what if we could add breathtaking music?" said Jim Berkenstock, co-founder of the festival. "For music-lovers used to larger concert halls, what if they could enjoy that intimate impact that comes from being within reach of the musicians and their rich sonorities? And if we could all linger to chat after the concert at an elegant but informal reception - wouldn't that be an exceptional experience?" he added.

"What I find to be really extraordinary about Midsummer's Music Festival is the level of virtuosity of the performers and the enthusiastic energy they exude," said Jean Berkenstock, co-founder of the festival. "The players are drawn from some of the finest orchestras in the country, and it is truly exciting to bring their talents together to perform in these intimate venues, and see how readily the community has adopted them," she added.

Midsummer's Music Festival presents a rare opportunity to enjoy a varied and colorful series of works for smaller ensembles. From the great masters such as Beethoven and Brahms, to some lesser-known but very accomplished composers, each concert offers an unforgettable musical experience. The musicians of Midsummer's Music deliver outstandingly exuberant performances of some of the finest chamber works ever written. Ensconced in the scenic beauty, history, and exciting activities of the Door Peninsula, audiences never fail to be swept away.

While there are many classical music festivals across the country, Midsummer's Music Festival is unique. All performances take place in fascinating venues that enhance the magic of each Midsummer's Music concert. Ranging from an historic church to a lakeside boat house, to the private home of an area resident, the series gives tourists and residents alike an incredible opportunity to explore many different corners of scenic Door County, Wisconsin, while enjoying outstanding music every step of the way.

The Midsummer's Music Festival kicks off with a Gala Opening Night on June 7, which includes champagne and chocolate, guest speakers, a concert, and post-concert reception. Guests will be whisked away to the musical magic of an English Garden for the opening night premiere, featuring works of Vaughan Williams and Charles Villiers Sanford, where taste buds will be dazzled with chocolate and champagne. Special guests will join in toasting the opening of the Door County arts season. World-class musicians will deliver a delightfully balanced and elegantly executed performance. The evening will end on a relaxed note when patrons can meet the Midsummer's Music Festival musicians and chat with fellow concertgoers at the post premiere party where food and wine abound!

On June 14 at the Hardy Gallery, at the end of Anderson's Dock surrounded by water, there will be a special Midsummer's Music concert on the eve of the Scandinavian Fyr Bal Festival in Ephraim. Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as Fyr Bal (pronounced "fear ball") re-creates traditions of the early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer's Eve (the longest day of the year). Artists, food, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer. Hop on the trolley or stroll through the village and visit the many historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. A signature Fyr Bal event, evening bonfires, represent the burning of the 'Winter Witch' and usher in the long days of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Classical music lovers will want to listen to a beautiful concert (don't miss the glorious sunset shining through the islands at intermission), and then explore some of the other Scandinavian traditions while in the area.

Another highlight of the festival will be the Midsummer's Music sunset dinner cruise and concert on July 11. Guests will set sail at 4 p.m.on the Island Clipper for an extended cruise through Death's Door Strait while enjoying a fabulous dinner prepared by Alexander's of Door County. Then they will board the Viking Train for a spirited trip to the Historic Island Dairy on Washington Island. There they will take in breathtaking music in a program entitled "Adventurous Currents." Finally guests will bask in a sunset return cruise to the mainland as they enjoy champagne and dessert. Tickets are $95 and include boat ride, train ride, dinner, and concert.

And for the Midsummer's Music Grand Finale on July 17, the festival will host an elegant evening at The Ellison Bay Estate. The 2300 square foot living room of this lavish home will serve as a magnificent setting for an enchanting classical music encounter. This two-story Grand Parlor is adorned with extensive stone terraces with carved balustrades, a fireplace with a hand-carved mantle, and romantic balconies that overlook the parlor. The home is reported to be the largest single family home in the state of Wisconsin. This special evening will include a gourmet dinner catered by Alexander's of Door County that includes a personalized menu with an exclusive wine selection. Tickets are $150 per person. Attire is dressy Door County Casual.

For more information, visit www.midsummersmusic.com or call 920-854-7088.

The Midsummer's Music Festival's 2013 Concert Schedule:

Midsummer's Music Festival - June 7 - July 17

"In an English Country Garden" - Program A

Friday, June 7, 7:30pm

Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Egg Harbor Gala Opening Night with reception, $35

Saturday, June 8, 7:30pm

Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay, $25

Wednesday, June 12, 7:30pm

Bjorklunden, Lawrence University, Baileys Harbor, $25

Interlude in A Minor, Gerald Finzi

Quintet in D Major, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Quartet in F Major, Opus 15, Charles Villiers Stanford

Gala Opening Night with champagne and chocolate, guest speakers, a concert, and post-concert reception: Let us whisk you away to the magic of an English Garden for our opening night premiere, where you taste buds will be stimulated with chocolate and champagne. Special guests will join in as you toast the opening of the Door County arts season. Our world-class musicians promise to deliver a delightfully balanced and elegantly executed evening. End the event on a relaxed note by meeting our musicians at the post-premiere party where food and wine abound!

"Blessed Spirits" - Program B

Friday, June 14, 7:30pm

Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, $25 (takes place during Fyr Bal Festival)

Saturday, June 15, 7:30pm

Sister Bay Moravian Church, Sister Bay, $25

Sunday, June 16, 4pm

East Institute for Fine Arts Benefit, Archeytype Inc, Green Bay, $50

Tuesday, June 18, 7:30pm

Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, $25

Thursday, June 20, 5:30pm

Whistling Swan Restaurant & Fish Creek Town Hall, $85, concert only, $25

Dance of the Blessed Spirits, Christoph Willibald Gluck

Octet in B-flat Major, Opus 62, Thieriot

Septet in E-flat Major, Opus 20, Ludwig van Beethoven

Fyr Bal Festival in Ephraim

Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced "fear ball") re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer's Eve. Artists, food, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor, welcome the arrival of summer. Hop on the trolley or stroll through the village and visit the many historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants for which Ephraim is well-known. A signature Fyr Bal event, evening bonfires, represent the burning of the 'Winter Witch' and usher in the long days of summer. Fireworks complete a perfect day. Stay and enjoy the hospitality of our many lodging accommodations. A warm Scandinavian welcome awaits you in Ephraim any time of the year, but especially so during Fyr Bal Festival, June 15-17. Surrounded by water, the Hardy Gallery on Anderson dock offers an extraordinarily beautiful evening of music, art, and sunset. http://www.ephraim-doorcounty.com/events/fyrbal.htm

"International Colors" - Program C

Friday, June 21, 7:30pm

Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Egg Harbor, $25

Saturday, June 22, 7:30pm

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Ephraim, $25

Tuesday, June 25, 7:30pm

Hellmich Residence, $50

Thursday, June 27, 5:30pm

Mission Grille & St Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay, $85, concert only, $25

Theme and Variations, Pietro Bottesini

Sextet in C Major, Opus 37, Ernst von Dohnanyi

Quintet No. 2 in C Minor, Opus 115, Gabriel Fauré

"Color and Character" - Program D

Friday, June 28, 2013, 7:30pm

Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, $25

Saturday, June 29, 7:30pm

Sister Bay Moravian, Sister Bay, $25

Sunday, June 30, 7:30pm

Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, $25

Tuesday, July 2, 7:30pm

Golobic Residence, Sister Bay, $50

Quintet in B Minor, Opus 115, Brahms

Quintet No. 2 in E-flat, Franz Vincent Krommer

Sextet in E-Flat Major, Opus 81, Ludwig van Beethoven

Adventurous Currents - Program E

Sunday, July 7, 3pm

The Clearing, Ellison Bay, $25

Tuesday, July 9, 7:30pm

Redfield Residence, Ellison Bay, $50

Wednesday, July 10, 7:30pm

Door Community Auditorium Stage, Fish Creek, $25

Thursday, July 11, 4:00pm

Dinner Cruise, Concert Historic Dairy, Washington Island, $95

Octet, Opus 3, Mily Balakirev

Septet in A Major, Opus 132, Frédéric Kalkbrenner

Andante from Petite Symphonie, Charles Gounod

Sextet in D Major, Opus 110, Felix Mendelssohn

About the Dinner Cruise

Where: Dinner Cruise and concert, Gills Rock to Washington Island's Historic Island Dairy www.historicislanddairy.com - Set sail on the Island Clipper www.islandclipper.com for an extended cruise through Death's Door Strait, enjoy a fabulous dinner by Alexander's of Door County www.alexandersofdoorcounty.com, then board the Viking Train for a spirited trip to the Historic Dairy Farm on Washington Island, to take in "Adventurous Currents." Finally, bask in a sunset return cruise to the mainland that will feature champagne and dessert - a fitting end to an event that will be the highlight of the season.

Elegance, Élan, and Energy - Program F

Friday, July 12, 7:30pm

Dude Residence, Baileys Harbor, $50

Saturday, July 13, 7:30pm

Bjorklunden Main Hall, Baileys Harbor, $25

Sunday, July 14, 7:30pm

Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, $25

Divertimento in C Major, "Birthday", Franz Joseph Haydn

Serenade in D Major, Opus 65, Heinrich Hofmann

Quintet in A Major, Opus 18, Felix Mendelssohn

Music for a Grand Parlor - Midsummer's Music Festival Finale

Wednesday, July 17, 2013, 4:00pm

The Ellison Bay Estate, $150

Quartet in D Major, K285, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Septet in D Minor, Opus 74, Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Sextet in Bb Minor, Opus 63, Sergei Liapunov

The Ellison Bay Estate

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy superb chamber music in one of the most elegant homes in the Midwest. This concert takes place at the palatial mansion an opulent French-inspired estate in Ellison Bay. The 35,000-square-foot, 43-room mansion is said to be the largest single-family home in the state. This concert pairs exquisite music with luxurious surroundings and a superb post-concert buffet.

"Three's Company" - Program G

Wednesday, August 28, 7:30pm

Bjorklunden Campus, Baileys Harbor, $25

Thursday, August 29, 7:30pm

Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Egg Harbor, $25

Friday, August 30, 7:30pm

Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay, $25

Sunday, September 1, 3:00pm

The Clearing School, Ellison Bay, $25

Grand Sonata in F Major, Opus 65, Jan Ladislav Dussek

Trio in D Major, Opus 70, No. 1, "The Ghost", Ludwig van Beethoven

Trio in D Minor, Opus 49, Felix Mendelssohn

"Grand Eloquence" - Program H

Saturday, August 31, 7:30pm

Ephraim Moravian Church, Ephraim, $25

Monday, September 2, 3:00pm

The Ellison Bay Estate, Benefit with United Way of Door County, $150

Quartet Movement in A Minor, 1876, Gustav Mahler

Café Music (1986), Paul Shoenfield

Quintet in F Minor, 1879, César Franck

About the Venues:

Birch Creek Music Performance Center - Birch Creek Music Performance Center is a summer music school (academy) in Door County, Wisconsin, for advanced young musicians. The largest venue in the series, the Birch Creek Music Performance Center provides an acoustically sound environment that is ideal for classical chamber concerts. 3821 County E, Egg Harbor, WI, 54209, 920.868.3763 www.birchcreek.org

Björklunden - Björklunden Vid Sjön, a 425-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin, serves as Lawrence University's northern campus. The concerts take place in beautiful Vail Hall, opened in 2007. 7603 Chapel Lane, Baileys Harbor, WI, 54202, 920.839.2216 www.lawrence.edu/dept/bjork/

The Clearing - Located near the tip of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, The Clearing is situated on the Niagara Escarpment, a limestone cliff that rises out of Lake Michigan's Green Bay and defines the western edge of Door County. The Clearing's physical assets -- beautiful views of the water and the setting sun, historic stone and log buildings and hiking trails that wind through the property's 130 acres of forest and meadow - combine to create one of Door County's great cultural and natural treasures. Enjoy "Adventurous Currents" in "The Schoolhouse", built by Clearing founder Jens Jensen high atop the bluff overlooking the waters of Green Bay. 12171 Garrett Bay Road, Ellison Bay, WI, 54210, 877.854.3225 www.theclearing.org

Door Community Auditorium - Door Community Auditorium is Door County's year-round center for performing arts, entertainment and education. The auditorium and adjoining Link Gallery are brimming with exhibits, concerts, movies, lectures and diverse performances presented by a mix of professional, amateur and student artists. 3926 State Hwy 42, Fish Creek, WI 54212, Website: www.dcauditorium.org, 920.868.2728.

Dude Residence - An inviting residence overlooking the waters of Baileys Harbor.

East Institute for the Fine Arts/Arketype Inc. - A benefit for Green Bay East High School's Institute for the Fine Arts launched in 2011. Fine Arts Institute students study under master teachers and artists, receive private instruction, develop an artistic portfolio, and earn academic credit for their private and independent study in the arts. This beautiful concert takes place at Arketype Inc, a refurbished historic church in downtown Green Bay. Arketype Inc., 612 Stuart Street, Green Bay 54301 website. East Institute for the Fine Arts, www.gbaps.org, 920.448.2090.

Ephraim Moravian Church - The oldest church on the Door County peninsula. The building was completed in 1859 by a group of Norwegian settlers. This historic structure provides an inspiring setting for a classical music concert. 9970 Moravia St, Ephraim, WI 54211, 920.854.2804, www.ephraimmoravian.org

Fish Creek Old Town Hall - Another vintage and historic structure from the village's earliest days situated right at harbor's edge. 4176 Maple St., Fish Creek, WI, 54212, www.visitfishcreek.com, 920.868.2316

Golobic Residence - An entrancing residence in Sister Bay overlooking the waters of Green Bay.

The Frances Hardy Center for the Arts - This venerable Ephraim landmark was built in the 1880s by Adolph Anderson during the era when ships from the Goodrich Line made this a port of call in the summertime. The Dock and Warehouse hold a lot of meaning for Ephraim residents and visitors alike, not to mention the decades of boaters who painted their respective vessel's name on the Warehouse's clapboard siding. The gallery is home to some of the most creative and popular gallery exhibitions in Door County. Surrounded by water and exquisite art, the vibrant musical colors of this concert reflect those on the gallery walls. Anderson Dock, PO Box 394, Ephraim, WI, 54211, 920.854.2210, www.thehardy.org

Hellmich Residence - An enticing residence deep in enchanting woods near Carlsville.

Historic Island Dairy - Built in 1916, the Historic Island Dairy was the heart of the Island's dairy industry for over 50 years. The entry lobby features a history exhibit, a timeline of key events in the Island's past and a 45-minute narrated video of historic Island photographs. The first floor contains an art gallery featuring Island artists. The Dairy is surrounded by fields planted with 5,000 lavender plants, transforming it into one of the largest lavender farms in Wisconsin. 1309 Rangeline Road, Washington Island, WI, 920.737.1531, www.historicislanddairy.com.

Redfield Residence - A convivial and spacious residence overlooking the waters of Lake Michigan between Bailys Harbor and Jacksonport.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church - A quaint English -style Tudor chapel, which is home to a fine Steinway grand of historical interest. 2336 Canterbury Lane, Sister Bay, WI 54234, 920.854.9600, www.stlukes-sisterbay.org

Sister Bay Moravian Church - One of several historical Door County churches reflecting the widespread and early influence of the Moravian faith in the area. The Moravians are known for their long-standing commitment to music, and this cozy countryside sanctuary features excellent acoustics. 10924 Old Stage Rd Sister Bay, WI, 54234, 920.854.4080, www.sisterbaymoravianchurch.org.

The Ellison Bay Estate, is an opulent French-inspired palatial mansion in Ellison Bay overlooking the waters of Green Bay. The 35,000-square-foot, 43-room estate is said to be the largest single-family home in the state of Wisconsin. The Grand Hall is an elegant space adorned with extensive stone terraces with carved balustrades, a fireplace with a hand-carved mantle, three upstairs galleries, each with a romantic balcony overlooking the main hall, and crowned with a classic Trumeau ceiling. It is the perfect setting for an elegant concert filled with passion and romance. 2177 Porcupine Bay Road in Ellison Bay, WI http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-1253-4387650/2177-porcupine-bay-road-ellison-bay-wi-54210

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County - The concerts take place in the former art gallery which is housed at the Fellowship, 10341 Hwy. 42, north Ephraim, located next to the Green Gables Shops. A regional artist is featured each month in the Gathering Room. Displays include all types of artwork. The Fellowship is home to one of the finest pianos in Door County, which will figure prominently in this evening's concert. www.uufdc.org

Woodwalk Gallery - Contemporary art in an historic barn setting featuring 47 regional artists and large-scale, ethereal landscapes by artist/owner Margaret Lockwood with studio on site. Featured artist events, theater happenings, receptions - Door County, Wisconsin at its best. The 1890s barn and straw-bale construction studio are worth the ¾ mile drive off the main peninsula Hwy 42 north of Sturgeon Bay. 6746 County Road F, Fish Creek, WI 54212, 920.868.2912 www.woodwalkgallery.com

Picture © Midsummer's Music Festival, Photo by Bill Jacobs.

A FIERCE GREEN FIRE, Estonian National Ballet and More Set for Napa Valley Opera House, June 2013

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:24:07 PST

The Napa Valley Opera House yesterday announced the following schedule of performances taking place throughout the month of June.

Tickets are available for all shows and can be purchased online at NVOH.org or by calling the box office at (707) 226-7372.

June Performances:

Expressions Music & Theater, Various Recitals

Performances:

· Music & Theater Recital - Saturday, June 1 at 11 a.m.

· Expressions Pre-K & Level 1 Dance Recital - Saturday, June 1 at 2:30 p.m.

· Expressions Level 1 & 2 Dance Recital - Sunday, June 2, 1 p.m.

· Expressions Level 2 & Competition Recital - Sunday, June 2, 5 p.m.

Tickets are available for $10 per person, per show.

Documentary: A Fierce Green Fire

Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $7 per person.

The Battle for a Living Planet is the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement - grassroots and global activism spanning fifty years from conservation to climate change. Directed and written by Mark Kitchell, Academy Award-nominated director of Berkeley in the Sixties, and narrated by Robert Redford, Ashley Judd, Van Jones, Isabel Allende and Meryl Streep, the film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2012, has won acclaim at festivals around the world, and in 2013 begins theatrical release as well as educational distribution and use by environmental groups and grassroots activists.

Running time: 101 minutes

Brian Culbertson's Napa Valley Jazz Getaway

Performances:

· Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

· Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

For event information and to purchase tickets, visit http://napavalleyjazzgetaway2013.com/.

Film: Paul McCartney - Wings Over America

Saturday, June 8 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $10 per person.

ROCKSHOW is a 1980 concert film by Wings, filmed during their 1976 North American tour. It features 30 songs from four concerts of the tour: New York, May 25 (four songs); Seattle, Washington, June 10 (five songs); Los Angeles, California, June 22 (15 songs); and Los Angeles, California, June 23 (six songs). This was part of the Wings Over the World Tour that also spawned the triple live album Wings Over America. McCartney remained reluctant to make the entire film available to the general public until now.

Running time: 141 minutes (includes exclusive 12-min interview with Paul McCartney)

Film: The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $10 per person.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film written and directed by Stephan Elliott. The plot follows the journey of two drag queens and a transsexual woman, played by Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp, across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus that they have named "Priscilla", along the way encountering various groups and individuals.

Rated: R

Running Time: 104 minutes

Fatoumata Diawara

Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available starting at $15 per person.

On her debut album, singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara - called "the most beguiling talent to hit the world music scene in some time" - uses elements of jazz, pop, and funk along with her ancestral Wassoulou tradition, accompanying her voice with rhythmical guitar playing and her own percussion work. Her lyrics touch on such serious and personal subjects as a woman's right to choose her spouse, and the songwriter's own painful experience with the African practice of being raised away from her parents.

Mariachi Divas

Saturday, June 22 at 8 p.m.

Ticket are available starting at $25 per person.

Directed and founded by trumpet player Cindy Shea in 1999, Mariachi Divas have made big waves on the national and international music scene. Mariachi Divas are a unique, multi-cultural, all female ensemble, imbued with the true flavor of Los Angeles and have been represented by women of a wide variety of descents. In 2009, Mariachi Divas won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Album of the year for their release, Canciones De Amor.

Tuesday Night Flicks: Adam's Rib (1949)

Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $7 per person.

Successful attorney Amanda Bonner (Katharine Hepburn) decides to defend Doris (Judy Holliday), who stands accused of the attempted murder of her husband (Tom Ewell) and his mistress (Jean Hagen), while Bonner's lawyer husband, Adam (Spencer Tracy), signs on as the prosecuting attorney. The sensational trial that ensues finds them sitting at opposing sides of the courtroom -- and the dinner table. Not only do Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy throw comedic sparks , but their exquisite verbal jousting was scripted by the outstanding husband-wife team of Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon. The result is one of Hollywood's greatest comedy classics, still packing a punch with its sophisticated gender politics. Arguably the best of the Tracy-Hepburn vehicles, Adam's Rib shows the stars at their finest in roles that not only made their off-screen love so entertainingly obvious, but also defined their timeless screen personas--she the intelligent, savvy, rebellious woman ahead of her time, he the easygoing but obstinate modern man who can't help but love her. Screen teams don't get any better than this.

Running Time: 101 minutes

Mark Hummel's Blues Harp Blowout: Little Walter Tribute

Thursday, June 27 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available starting at $25 per person.

Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout returns to the Opera House, this time paying tribute to Blues Harp great, Little Walter. For the past 22 years, Mark Hummel has been putting together these great all-star performances. On this, his third trip to the Opera House, Mark joins forces with Corky Siegel, James Harman & Little Charlie Baty along with the Blues Survivors paying tribute to the great Little Walter.

Greg Brown

Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available starting at $25 per person.

Greg Brown was born in the Hacklebarney section of southeastern Iowa and raised by a family that made words and music a way of life. His seasoned songwriting, storytelling, and music are deeply rooted in that place. He moves audiences with warmth, humor, a thundering voice and his unpretentious musical vision.

Estonian National Ballet

Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m.

Tickets are available starting at $30 per person.

The Estonian National Ballet will perform Marina Kesler's "Othello" and Tiit Helimet's "Time."

"OTHELLO"

Marina Kesler's ballet is inspired by one of the most captivating and exciting dramas of all times - William Shakespeare's Othello and by Arvo Pärt's music. Our daily life does not pass uneventful and everyone has something to learn. But when do we lose control of our fate, so that our fate becomes in control of us? The production stresses the timelessness of human nature and depicts people's ability of making choices. The moment of decision is preceded by a borderline state, where it is still possible to choose the line of action - good or bad. In the moment of confusion, when tormented by heartache and disappointment, decisions are made that cannot be undone. By choosing evil, you may lose everything.

In 2007 Marina Kesler received the Estonian Theatre Award for the humane message and interesting choreography of her ballet Werewolf that premiered in the Estonian National Opera.

"TIME"

Tiit Helimets ballet is inspired by TIME. How does our life change with TIME? How do we change with TIME? What will be created trough TIME and what will be destroyed? The ballet is constructed as elements of time (minutes, an hour, seconds, and lastly a century). First movement represents minutes and two couples on the stage represent opposition in their movement style. Second movement represents an hour and a god like figure creates a being and deliberates if a creature has a chance for survival or not. Third movement is about seconds and represents our new lifestyle where genders are mixed and lifestyle has become too fast causing world to explode. Fourth movement represents century, where the mother of earth raises and gives another opportunity for human survival bringing the ballet back to the beginning again.

Paula Matthusen is a composer of electro acoustic music who collaborates with choreographers and theatre companies in creating and designing productions. In addition she realizes sound installations. Her work often considers discrepancies in musical space - real, imagined, and remembered.

Abi Basch is a playwright and director whose work has been produced in the U.S. by renowned companies and festivals. Abi is a core member of kInDeRdEuTsCh pRoJeKtS, a German/American physical theater company that generates movement-based multi-media plays and performance installations based on her scripts.

The Napa Valley Opera House is located in the heart of Downtown Napa and is one the city's only event venues. The Opera House originally opened its doors in 1880 and remains one of Napa's most important cultural icons. During the 1980's and 1990's the Opera House experienced a multi-million dollar renovation and reopened for performances in 2003. Since the reopening, the Opera House has recaptured its original grandeur and then some. Drawing the biggest names in music, the venue has welcome talents such as Shawn Colvin, Chris Botti, Wynston Marsalis and the renowned Emerson String Quartet. For more information about the Napa Valley Opera House or to purchase tickets to a show, visit www.NVOH.org. You can also "like" the Opera House on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NapaValleyOperaHouse and follow the event venue on Twitter at @NVOH.

Kristen Hertzenberg Set for 4TH WITH THE PHIL in Las Vegas, 7/4

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:52:48 PST

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will bring back and expand upon a beloved tradition in July when it presents a new Independence Day celebration called 4th with the Phil at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The celebration on Thursday, July 4th will include a family fun day held in Symphony Park from 4PM, a Pops concert held in Reynolds Hall at 7:30PM and a fireworks display at 9PM over the park, located in downtown Las Vegas. It will be the first Fourth of July concert in three years for the orchestra and marks its 15th birthday. Tickets go on sale on Monday, May 13th.

Las Vegas-based conductor Matt Catingub will lead the orchestra in a celebratory symphonic Pops concert. The concert will conclude with excerpts from Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture performed during the fireworks display and the concert will feature two of Las Vegas's most-beloved singers, Clint Holmes and Kristen Hertzenberg as special guest vocalists.

Immediately prior to the performance of the 1812 Overture, concertgoers will have the opportunity to leave the hall to watch the fireworks display from the Reynolds Hall lobby or outside in Symphony Park. The fireworks display will be telecast onto the big screen in Reynolds Hall for those who choose to remain inside.

Concert tickets are priced at $25, $50 and $75 and a limited number of VIP packages including box tier seats and entry to a pre-concert BBQ in the courtyard are available for $125 per person. Doors will open to Reynolds Hall at 6PM. All concert ticketholders will be permitted into Symphony Park from 4PM. All Reynolds Hall concessions will also be available to concertgoers.

Tickets on sale Monday, May 13th from The Smith Center Box Office, phone (702) 749-2000 or online at www.lvphil.org.

4th with the Phil in Symphony Park, 4PM-9:30PM: The day's festivities will begin in Symphony Park at 4PM. People are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy live musical entertainment on the outdoor stage during the day. A variety of food and drink vendors will be onsite to provide July 4th favorites such as hot dogs, hamburgers, shaved ice, beverages and beer. More details about the outdoor stage performers and concessions will be released in June. (Note: No outside food or beverage, except bottled water, will be permitted into the park.) The Smith Center's Boman Pavilion will be open throughout the day as a cooling station.

When the Las Vegas Philharmonic Pops concert begins in Reynolds Hall at 7:30PM, the music will be audio simulcast live out into the park. The day concludes at 9:00PM with a fireworks display over the park by Zambelli Fireworks.

Entry to Symphony Park will be $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 12 and under. Advance tickets on sale Monday, May 13th from The Smith Center Box Office, phone (702) 749-2000 or online at www.lvphil.org. Gate sales will be available on the day.

Kristen Hertzenberg arrived in Las Vegas from New York City as an original cast member of Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular and played the role of "Christine" from the fall of 2007 until the show's closing in 2012. Most recently, she starred as "Heidi" in a Las Vegas production of [title of show].

A graduate of the University of Texas, she then went to Boston where she earned a Masters in Opera from the Longy School of Music. She performed classically across New England, Florida, New York, Texas, and Austria before discovering a love for theatre.

Before moving to Las Vegas, she played "Sophie" in Terrence McNally's Master Class (Caldwell Theatre) and "Sheila" on a European tour of HAIR. She spent nearly two years on the road with that production, beginning in Paris and then playing in major cities across Italy, Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands.

She and her husband are now raising their four-year-old daughter in Las Vegas where Kristen also enjoys being active in the community. A versatile singer spanning all genres, she can also frequently be found in the studio recording demos for composers and songwriters.

Kristen was thrilled to perform with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Abilene Philharmonic for their Holiday Pops concerts in 2010 and 2011. Her biggest audience to date was at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where she performed the National Anthem on NASCAR Sunday for a crowd of 150,000 and 10 million viewers on FOX.

Learn more at KristenHertzenberg.com.

Juanjo Mena to Lead LA Phil in Four Performances at Walt Disney Hall, 5/30-6/2

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:03:43 PST

One of Spain's most distinguished conductors, Juanjo Mena, makes his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut, leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic in four performances, Thursday, May 30, at 8 pm, Friday, May 31, at 11 am, Saturday, June 1, at 8 pm, and Sunday, June 2, at 2 pm. The program opens with Brahms' Symphony No. 3, continues with Mozart's popular Symphony No. 40 and concludes with Brahms' Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 6 and 5.

Juanjo Mena, Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester and Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic in Norway, is a frequent visitor to U.S. orchestras. Worldwide, he has appeared with the Dresden Philharmonic, Munich Radio Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre National de Lyon, Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Danish Radio Symphony, Orchestra FilarMonica Della Scala, Orquesta Nacional de España, Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de São Paulo, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, and the BBC Scottish Symphony, among others. Two of Mena's most recent Chandos releases with the BBC Philharmonic were awarded Gramophone's Editor's Choice: "The Three-Cornered Hat" by Manuel De Falla (May 2011), and his album of Gabriel Pierné works (March 2011). Mo. Mena has also recorded a collection of Basque symphonic music for Naxos with the Bilbao Symphony. Mena made his LA Phil debut at the Hollywood Bowl in September of 2011.

Complete Program:

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3

MOZART Symphony No. 40

BRAHMS Hungarian Dances

No. 1 in G minor

No. 6 in D

No. 5 in G minor

Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place in Walt Disney Concert Hall's BP Hall one hour prior to theThursday, Saturday and Sunday concerts, and are free to all ticket holders. Upbeat Live on Friday takes place on stage at 9:45 am. Thomas Neenan, lecturer in Music History and Music Theory at the California Institute of Technology and Director of Music at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades, hosts. For full artist biography, visit: laphil.com/mena.

The concerts will take place Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 8 PM; Friday, May 31, 2013, at 11 AM; Saturday, June 1, 2013, at 8 PM; and Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 2 PM at the Walt Disney CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, Claif.

Subscriptions and single tickets for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2012/13 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall are currently available. To purchase, visit LAPhil.com, the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. To order by phone with credit card, please call the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office at 323.850.2000, or Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000. For more information, call 323.850.2000.

From the Top Gala Fundraiser UNIQUE AND UNMISSABLE Set for Tonight at Back Bay Center

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

The ninth annual From the Top Gala fundraiser, UNIQUE AND UNMISSABLE, will take place tonight, May 22 at 6:30 PM at the Back Bay Events Center (180 Berkeley Street, Boston). The evening will include performances by the nation's outstanding young classical musicians with From the Top host and renowned concert pianist Christopher O'Riley. Jonathan Batiste and The Stay Human Band from New York, NY will be featured throughout the evening. Proceeds benefit From the Top's mission to support and celebrate America's next generation of classical musicians. Past From the Top galas have raised more than $300,000.

Tickets start at $500 and are available at fromthetop.org/gala or by contacting Kara Gavagan, Development Officer, Events & Stewardship, at kgavagan@fromthetop.org or 617.437.0707 x125.

The evening's featured performers include extraordinary alumni of From the Top's radio, scholarship, and arts leadership programs: Ray Ushikubo, an 11-year-old pianist from Riverside, California who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Adé Williams, a 15-year-old violinist from Chicago, Illinois who was the 2012 Junior Division Laureate of the Sphinx Competition for outstanding minority string players; and Tyler Rhodes, a 19-year-old award-winning classical guitarist from Austin, Texas with a moving personal story. Serving as emcees for the evening are From the Top alumni Lauren Chipman of Los Angeles, California, a violist for the Indie band The Rentals and founding member of The Section Quartet, and Ibanda Ruhumbika of New York, New York, a tuba player with Jonathan Batiste and The Stay Human Band.

Based in Boston, From the Top is an independent non-profit organization that celebrates the power of music in the hands of extraordinary young people. As the preeminent showcase for young musicians, From the Top shines a light on diverse young people ages 8 to 18 by sharing their stories and performances, providing scholarships, and engaging them as leaders in weekly NPR broadcasts, live concerts, and outreach events across the country. From the Top's radio program is heard on more than 250 stations and airs locally, Sundays at 11:00 AM on Classical New England 99.5 FM.

2013 Gala Committee - Monica Julieta Pinzon Bueno, Eran Egozy and Yukiko Ueno, Linda and Michael Frieze?Nina You and Michael Hawley, John and Pamela Humphrey, Elizabeth Hunnewell, Swanee Hunt, Betsy and Andrew Kessler, Dicken and Sara Ko, Karen Levy, Nancy and Richard Lubin, Nancy Perkins and John Arata, Sue and Joel Sherman, Elizabeth Sikorovsky, ?Salwa and Ro Bert Smith, Anthony Tjan and Laura Murray-Tjan, Hadassah Wagner ?Yiyan Zhou and Roger Wu.

For more information, visit the From the Top Gala website: www.fromthetop.org/gala, or catch the show on its YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/fromthetop.

EL SISTEMA GREATER BOSTON SHOWCASE to Unite Nine Music Programs, 6/1

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:11:36 PST

Eight revolutionary El Sistema inspired music programs will join forces for The First Annual El Sistema Greater Boston Showcase on June 1st at the Franklin Institute in the South End. It promises to be a monumental performance celebrating the blossoming El Sistema movement in the Greater Boston Area.

The event, sponsored in part by the Free For All Concert Fund, will begin with an afternoon "performathon" of musical offerings from each of the eight programs. It will culminate in an evening Gala Concert featuring the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, led by maestro Benjamin Zander and Conservatory Lab Charter School's advanced Dudamel Orchestra, under the baton of Adrian Anantawan. The event is hosted by Conservatory Lab CharterSchool and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Three years ago, Conservatory Lab Charter School became the first program in Boston to offer 2.5 hours of daily El Sistema music instruction to all of its 146 elementary school students, incorporated into the regular school day. Since then, seven more programs have taken hold in the Greater Boston Area, offering free, excellence-driven, daily music instruction in underserved communities. These programs, also featured in the June 1st event, include Bridge Boston El Sistema, El Sistema Somerville, Josiah Quincy School Orchestra Program, Margarit Muñiz Academy El Sistema Program, The Roxbury Youth Orchestra, Youth and Family Enrichment Services, and Kids4Hamony of Pittsfield, MA.

The El Sistema movement came to Boston from Venezuela, initially through the efforts of Mark Churchill, founder and director of El Sistema USA. For 38 years the Venezuelan network of youth orchestras has offered intensive, ensemble-based music education to that country's underserved children. Playing together in orchestra fosters cooperation, self-confidence, and perseverance, transforming youth culture and promoting higher graduation rates. In recent years El Sistema has spread throughout the world, transforming the lives of untold numbers of children and young people. El Sistema is the leading expression of the international "social action through music" movement.

While the Venezualan youth orchestras have become famous for rousing renditions of Leonard Bernstein's "Mambo" and the passionate conducting of alumnus Gustavo Dudamel, the chief aim of El Sistema is not to produce professional musicians but to change lives through the power of music.

Seven master teachers from El Sistema in Venezuela will be in residence during the week prior to June 1. They will assist in the preparation of the concert, visiting all of the programs, and give open workshops and presentations in the El Sistema approach to teaching music and nurturing young people.

The El Sistema Greater Boston Showcase marks the culmination of a two-month exchange program between the BPYO and Conservatory Lab CharterSchool that includes mentoring, teaching assistance, and attendance at concerts and rehearsals.

The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra's motto is "Shaping future leaders through music." An artistic institution of the 21st century, the BPYO provides an environment for musical excellence and leadership development that strengthens communication and deepens the human experience for 120 outstanding young musicians, ages 12 to 21. The BPYO recently concluded an enormously successful Boston season and will embark on a major five concert tour to the Netherlands this coming June.

Jacqueline Ann Holloway and Robert Westley Join Salon/Sanctuary's ON POINT, 6/3

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:29:32 PST

Actor/sword fighters Jacqueline Ann Holloway and Ro Bert Westley will be joining NYCB dancers Jared Angle and Megan LeCrone and members of the Sebastians Chamber Orchestra for On Point: From Duel to Pas de Deux, to be presented by Salon/Sanctuary Concerts. An exploration of the shared origins of sword fighting and ballet, On Point will be presented on Monday June 3rd at The Liederkranz Club at 7:00PM. Musical selections will include Heinrich Ignaz von Biber (1644 - 1704)Battaglia à 10 in D Major; Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (1620 - 1680) Balletto for Strings and Continuo in G "Die Fechtschule" and GF Handel (1685 - 1759), Sonata in B-flat, Op. 2, No. 3, HWV 388.

Jacqueline Ann Holloway is a recognized Advanced Actor Combatant with The Society of American Fight Directors and Fight Directors Canada, and has studied with some of the most influential and prolific Fight Masters in the US and abroad. Currently, she is apprenticing under American and Canadian Fight Master Ian Rose in Philadelphia. She has taught, directed, and performed in staged fights throughout NYC, Philadelphia, NJ, Chicago, Washington DC and Vancouver. Jacqueline is one of the founding members of the 95 Runagates, an ensemble of accomplished actor/combatants living and working along the east coast dedicated to the education and performance of exceptional stage combat and theatre. Some of her recent choreography credits include The Passion of Dracula, Romeo & Juliet, (Tri-State Actors Theater) I Hate Hamlet (Bickford Theater) The Beaux Stratagem (Swarthmore Theater). Acting credits include the Shape of Things (Plays and Players), Passion of Dracula, Christmas Carol,(Tri-State Actors Theater) Crimes of the Heart, Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Women's Theater Co) ,King Lear (Collongswood Shakespeare), and Empress of the Moon (Iron Age Theater). She has taught the Lawrenceville School, Germantown Academy, Temple University (assistant), Dreamcatcher Rep, Tri-State Actors Theater and Mercy Vocational.

Ro Bert Westley has performed, directed, and choreographed movement and staged violence for award winning theatre productions, internationally acclaimed opera houses and films for twenty-three years. Most recently he choreographed New York City premieres of Hand to God at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lesser America's Trevor and Studio 42's Billy Witch. Other New York City credits include; Second Stage Theatre's production of Butcher of Baraboo, The New York Musical Theatre Festival production of The Screams of Kitty Genovese, the Keen Company's Tea and Sympathy, and The New York Fringe Festival's The Salacious Uncle Baldrick and Waiter, Waiter. Regional credits include the Asolo Theatre Repertory's The Game's Afoot and God of Carnage, the 75th Anniversary Tour of Porgy and Bess. Robert has directed and choreographed physical action for Boston's New Repertory Theatre, National Lyric Opera of New York, Opera Providence, Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, The Lost Colony, The Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Los Angeles' Circle X Theatre.

Robert's fight direction has been given specific mention in the New York Times and been praised in New York Magazine's The Year in Theatre as, "hands-down, the best-executed stage fight of the year." in 2011.

As a performer of action and swordplay Robert has worked in productions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York Theatre Workshop and for independent live action companies across the country. He has worked as a stunt double and stunt performer for action films such as The Key Man starring Hugo Weaving, Eyeborgs starring Danny Trejo and Fall Down Dead with David Carradine.

Robert has taught and coached acting, theatrical movement and stage combat both nationally and internationally and has instructed at Boston University's Theatre Conservatory and Opera Institute, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, National Theatre Conservatory, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, the Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, the Manhattan School of Music, the University of Alabama, Temple University and numerous workshops and intensives in America and Great Britain.

Robert Is a member of SAG-AFTRA, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a recognized Fight Director and Certified Stage Combat Instructor with the Society of American Fight Directors. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Boston University's School of Theatre Arts Professional Theatre Training Program and a Master of Arts in Theatre Studies from Northern Illinois University.

BAM Announces 34 Events in Opera, Theater, Music and Dance for 2013 Next Wave Festival!

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:12:45 PST

Joseph V. Melillo, executive producer of the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, today announced programming for the 2013 Next Wave Festival. The festival runs from September 17 through December 22 and comprises opera, theater, music, and dance productions in the institution's three mainstage venues: the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, the BAM Harvey Theater, and the BAM Richard B. Fisher Building.

BAM Executive Producer Joseph V. Melillo comments, "This fall, we offer our audiences a rich assortment of adventurous, groundbreaking work by American and International Artists, including the BAM debuts of 15 dance, music, and theater-makers. It is particularly exciting, in the 31st iteration of the Next Wave Festival, to see the robust variety of productions that has been made possible with the addition of the flexible Fishman Space-now in its second season of unique festival engagements."

BAM President Karen Brooks Hopkins says, "We are enormously grateful to American Express for their continuing support of the Next Wave Festival. We would also like to extend our thanks to those who have made the first year of expanded family programing in the BAM Richard B. Fisher Building a resounding success and an additional connection to our community."

"American Express is thrilled to support the artistic achievements at this year's Next Wave Festival," said Timothy J. McClimon, President, American Express Foundation. "We have a long history of celebrating the cultural passions of our Cardmembers and investing in the communities where they live and work."

2013 Next Wave Festival season tickets (four or more presentations in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House and BAM Harvey Theater) and single tickets to BAM Fisher presentations (with the exception of Bodycast*) go on sale June 17 to the general public (June 10 to Friends of BAM). Single tickets to September presentations in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House and BAM Harvey Theater go on sale August 12 (August 5 for Friends of BAM). Single tickets for all other Next Wave engagements go on sale September 3 (Aug 26 for Friends of BAM). To purchase tickets visit BAM.org or contact BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100. *Tickets for Bodycast are available only as add-ons to season ticket package.

HIGHLIGHTS: Featuring 34 opera, theater, music, and dance engagements in BAM's three venues-from September 17 through Dec 22, 2013.

Opera
Anna Nicole...................Mark-Anthony Turnage, Richard Thomas
War Sum Up................. Hotel Pro Forma, Latvian Radio Choir

Theater
The Blue Dragon............Ex Machina, Robert Lepage
Not What Happened........Ain Gordon, Pick Up Performance Co(s)
Hans was Heiri...............Zimmermann & de Perrot
Nosferatu....TR Warszawa,Teatr Narodowy, Grzegorz Jarzyna
An Enemy of the People...........Henrik Ibsen, Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, Thomas Ostermeier
The Humans..................Alexandre Singh
Water............................Filter Theatre, David Farr
La Belle et la Bête..........Lemieux Pilon 4D Art
Bodycast.............Suzanne Bocanegra, Frances McDormand, Paul Lazar
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner......Fiona Shaw, Phyllida Lloyd
A Piece of Work.............Annie Dorsen

Music
The Table.....................Karbido
We Have An Anchor......Jem Cohen
Documerica..................ETHEL, Steve Cosson
The Edge of Heaven......Gary Lucas, Gods and Monsters
The Sweet Science Suite.............Fred Ho
Goldberg's Variations...............Andy Biskin, Rube Goldberg
Electronium: The Future Was Then...Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
21c Liederabend, op. 3......Paola Prestini, Beth Morrison

Dance
A Rite.............Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Siti Company, Anne Bogart
Sider..............................The Forsythe Company
DanceMotion USAsm ........Doug Varone and Dancers
Come, and Back Again.....David Dorfman Dance
En Atendant & Cesena......Rosas, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Run Don't Run.............Brian Brooks Moving Company
Dark Theater................Dance Heginbotham
Dark Lark......................Kate Weare Company
And then, one thousand years of peace.....Ballet Preljocaj
Sun.............................Hofesh Shechter Company
Play/Pause..................Susan Marshall & Company, David Lang
Moses(es).....................Fist & Heel Performance Group, Reggie Wilson
Bleed..........................Tere O'Connor Dance

BAM Next Wave Festival also features a full slate of humanities, music, film, and visual art events and programming.