Encompassing three generations of gifted guitarists, The Romeros unique Spanish-classical sound has delighted audiences and won the raves of music critics worldwide. In honor of the Quartet’s 50th anniversary, founding member Angel Romero appears as special guest, playing original compositions by his father, Celedonio Romero, founder of the Romeros. Internationally renowned innovators of the guitar quartet format, they have performed at the White House, Vatican, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Wolf Trap, and with virtually every major symphony.
[This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.]

With their singular blend of comedic and musical talents, the irrepressible brothers have made a sweeping impact on both the art of comedy and generations of fans.  Such lasting influence is a testament to their natural warmth, superlative craftsmanship and the unadulterated joy they bring to the stage.  As they mark more than 50 years in show business this year, the Smothers Brothers are being deservedly saluted as time-honored legends by adoring audiences across the nation.

Now in its 53rd year, Paul Taylor Dance Company remains one of the most exquisite, admired, and popular ensembles in the world.  Its experienced and close-knit dancers are hailed for their flair and technique, while its repertory by its prolific founder and choreographer is second to none.  Still at the helm, Paul Taylor’s many master works have been licensed by no less than 75 companies worldwide and won numerous awards and accolades, including a National Medal of Arts and a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” Fellowship.

Photo by: Howard Scatz

Lift your spirits with the pulsating rhythms and four-part harmonies of the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama.  Formed some six and a half decades ago, the Blind Boys have spread their passion for soul infused spiritual music far and wide, winning an impressive four consecutive Grammy awards and topping the gospel charts along the way.  Glorious gospel meets down-home blues!

Photo by: Shannon Brinkman

A dazzling reinvention of Stephen Sondheim’s magnificent musical thriller that won 2 Tony Awards, 4 Drama Desk Awards, 3 Drama League Awards, 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a NY Drama Critics Circle Special Citation. The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through England’s upper crust. Justice will be served—along with lush melody, audacious humor and bloody good thrills.  A Broadway national tour!

Five-time Grammy Award winner Billy Joel and legendary director/choreographer Twyla Tharp have joined forces to create the spectacular new musical Time Magazine declares “The #1 show of the year!” Winner of two Tony awards, Movin’ Out brings 24 Billy Joel classics to electrifying new life as it tells the story in song and dance of five life-long friends over two turbulent decades. Another Broadway national tour!

Since being named Gold Medalist at the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2001, fiery soloist Olga Kern has played numerous recitals and appeared with many of today’s major conductors and orchestras, including an extensive, much heralded 2007 tour of the United States with the Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Spivakov.

For her CSUN solo recital, she performs a program of international and Russian masterworks, including Haydn’s Piano Sonata in C major, Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C# minor.

Photo by: Fernando Baez

With the sensational 14-piece String of Pearls Orchestra, original arrangements, and seven singers and dancers—and featuring a mix of up tempo instrumentals and romantic ballads—IN THE MOOD comes as close as one can get to reliving an authentic, swinging 1940s big band musical revue.  Experience the music that moved a nation’s spirit and helped to win a war.

Tango First Century is an exotic and sensual tribute to the rich, international traditions of tango.  Featuring 14 virtuoso musicians and dancers on stage, highlighted by director Romulo Larrea on the melancholy bandoneon, the production traces tango’s unique history, from the classic songs of Carlos Gardel, to the dance’s golden years in the red light district of 1930s Buenos Aires and the contemporary masterpieces of acclaimed composer Astor Piazzolla.

Director, author, photographer and film actor John Waters reaches out to film buffs of all stripes in a program entitled This Filthy World, a free-wheeling lecture that explores the characters in his movies (Cecil B. Demented, Pink Flamingos, Cry-Baby, and Hairspray, among others) and what inspires him in life, film, and art.  Join us for what is certain to be an offbeat presentation by one of our nation’s most fiercely independent artists. 

An audience Q & A follows his presentation.

South Africa’s musical emissary to the world, the eight-member a cappella ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo has introduced the beauties of Zulu bass, alto, and tenor harmonies to a grateful international audience over the past four decades.  Catapulted to the world stage with their appearance on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album, which many consider a seminal event in the explosion of world music, the ensemble has recorded more than 40 albums and won multiple Grammy awards on their path to becoming the most popular musical group in African history.

Violinist Gil Shaham is sought after for concerto appearances with celebrated orchestras as well as recital appearances at prestigious concert halls and festivals across the world.  Employing his priceless 1699 “Countess Polignac” Stradivarius, Shaham will be joined by preferred chamber group Sejong, fifteen individually distinguished solo and chamber musicians hailing from eight different nations. They will perform Haydn’s Violin Concertos in G and Haydn’s Violin Concertos in C, and Mendelssohn’s Octet.

Shaham- Photo by: Boyd Hagen

Sejong – Photo by: Darryl Estrine

A master of the Hawaiian slack key guitar style, Keola Beamer’s mellow, melodic concerts evoke the natural beauty and tranquil settings of his island homeland. A leader in the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance movement, he has dedicated his life to the preservation of traditional Hawaiian culture with the simplest and yet most powerful of tools—traditional songs, hula, and solo guitar.
[This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.]

For more than 30 years, as the host of A Prairie Home Companion on NPR stations nationwide, Garrison Keillor has held captive millions of public radio listeners with his weekly variety show.  In this tour-de-force solo performance, the Midwestern raconteur and yarn-spinner delights audiences with an evening of pure storytelling, an entertaining mix of comic observations, wry tales of life in small town America, and the latest installment of news from Lake Wobegon.