January/February 2011

A preview of Performing Arts at Johnson County Community College

www.jccc.edu/TheSeries Places

Jazz Winterlude

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

The Hot Club of San Francisco

Martin Short

Step Afrika!

Vienna Boys Choir Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

                                                                   

                                  

                          

                                                                                        

                          

                     

                              

                                        

                                

                                  

                        

                                            

                         

                     

                                          

       

            

              

 

   

                

                    

      

          

      

    

     

            

            

   

          

         

              

      

    

      

      

    

   

        

              

   

        

         

Winterlude heats up jazz

Winter may be howling at the door, but JCCC will be hosting four days of hot jazz during its second annual Jazz Winterlude Jan. 20­23, 2011, in Polsky Theatre and Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center.

This year’s festival features an all­new lineup of performers, including the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble and former Kansas drummer Todd Strait; jazz clinics for middle and high school students; and a free kick­off performance.

Jazz Winterlude begins with a free performance by the New Order Jazz Band featuring Megan Birdsall from 7­8 p.m.Thursday, Jan. 20, in the Polsky Theatre, followed by two full days of jazz, 8:30 a.m.­10:15 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21­22, and a Sunday brunch 11 a.m.­1 p.m. Jan. 23 with the Dan DeLuca Trio in the Capitol Federal Conference Center, Regnier Center.

Performing groups are all new, except the Sunday brunch Dan DeLuca Trio.

The seven­piece Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble, an offshoot of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Washington, D.C., has been added to the schedule for school band workshops and a performance that includes tunes from the Smithsonian’s repertoire. In particular, this performance will be a tribute to alto sax player Johnny Hodges, complete with a couple of Benny Goodman songs.

The Jazz Winterlude committee is Doreen Maronde, retired assistant dean, Arts and Humanities; Ron Stinson, JCCC professor of instrumental music; Angel Mercier, program director, Performing Arts Series arts education; and Janice Mires, administrative assistant.

“I have been told that Jazz Winterlude features more groups in a single weekend than any other area festival. We have many opportunities for the public and students to hear top groups in all jazz formats,” Maronde said.

Food will be available on campus throughout the festival. Parking is free.

Tickets are $20 Friday; $25 Saturday; $30 Friday­Saturday; and $25 for Sunday brunch. They are available through the PAS box office at 913­469­4445, or online at www.jccc.edu/jazzwinterlude.

Jazz Winterlude program: Thursday, Jan. 20

7­8 p.m. New Order Jazz Band featuring Megan Birdsall Reception with musicians Polsky Theatre/lobby Free

Friday, Jan. 21

8:30 a.m.­3 p.m. School band clinics Polsky Theatre, Yardley Hall, Recital Hall

3­4 p.m. Jazz as a Profession Panel discussion: Millie Edwards, Gerald Spaits, Todd Strait Recital Hall

4­5 p.m. Dan Thomas Quartet Polsky Theatre

Some Like It Hot featuring Kathleen Holeman Yardley Hall

5:30­6:30 p.m. Bram Wijnands Trio Polsky Theatre

Angela Hagenbach Quartet Yardley Hall

6:30­8 p.m. Dinner break

8­9 p.m. Westport Jazz Ensemble including Todd Strait Yardley Hall

9:15­10:15 p.m. Joe Cartwright Quartet featuring Kim Park Yardley Hall

Saturday, Jan. 22

8:30­3 p.m. School band clinics Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks sessions Polsky Theatre, Yardley Hall, Recital Hall

3­4 p.m. What to Teach Panel discussion with Hermon Mehari, Joe Parisi, Todd Strait Recital Hall

4­5 p.m. Diverse Trio Polsky Theatre

Julie Turner/Tommy Ruskin Group Yardley Hall

5:30­6:30 p.m. Dwight Foster Quartet Polsky Theatre

Millie Edwards Quartet Yardley Hall

6:30­8 p.m. Dinner break

8­9 p.m. Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble Yardley Hall

9:15­10:15 p.m. PBT featuring Todd Strait and Carol Comer Yardley Hall

Sunday, Jan. 23

11 a.m.­1 p.m. Jazz Brunch Dan DeLuca Trio Capitol Federal Conference Center, Regnier Center

                              

                                          

                            

                          

                   

                                                                     

                                      

                                                

           

                                    

   

                                            

                                          

                                        

                                    

                                        

                                            

                                      

 

                                        

                                      

                                                                 

                                            

                                              

                       

        

                                                   

                              

                                      

                                          

                                

       

   

Modern dance lovers welcome Lar Lubovitch One of America’s most versatile, popular and leading modern dance choreographers, Lar Lubovitch has displayed musicality and sophisticated formal structure in the more than 100 dances he has choreographed for his company. Now in its 43rd year, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company performs a program of old and new dances at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in Yardley Hall.

The program will see the revival of Lubovitch’s signature work North Star; and two other works.

“Talk back” with Lar Lubovitch will take place after the performance.

Created by Lubovitch in 1978, North Star was the first dance ever set to a composition by Philip Glass, and the second of six Lubovitch works set to Minimalist music during the 1970s. In North Star, the choreographer explores the full kinetic potential of Glass’s experimental score, in constantly flowing, shifting patterns of movement that the Boston Globe described as delivering a “trance­inducing aesthetic at its purest and most satisfying.” In a bit of irony, the PAS was co­commissioner for a new work by Glass, The American Four Seasons, in fall 2010.

Grant support for this performance of North Star is provided by the New England Foundation for the Arts through American Masterpieces: Dance Touring Program.

Lubovitch’s 14­member troupe has no shortage of talent, and since its inception in 1968, the company has gained a reputation as one of the world’s top­ranked modern dance companies. Lubovitch has been cited by The New York Times as “one of the 10 best choreographers in the world.”

Works created by Lubovitch for his company are included in the repertoire of other select companies throughout the world, including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater and Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project. ABT staged the premiere of two works he created at the Lubovitch company: Meadow in 1999 and “… smile with my heart” in 2002.

Born in Chicago, Lubovitch was educated at the University of Iowa and the Juilliard School in New York. His teachers at Juilliard included Antony Tudor, Jose Limon, Anna Sokolow and Martha Graham. He danced in numerous modern, ballet, jazz and ethnic companies before forming the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.

Lubovitch made his Broadway debut in 1987 with the musical staging for the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical, Into the Woods, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. In 1993 he choreographed the highly praised dance sequences for Broadway’s The Red Shoes. The final ballet from that show joined the repertoire of the American Ballet Theatre and National Ballet of Canada. For his work on that show, he received the 1993­94 Astaire Award from the Theater Development Fund. In 1996 he created the musical staging (and two new dances) for the Tony Award­winning Broadway revival of The King and I. Most recently he devised the musical staging for Walt Disney’s stage version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Berlin. In 2004 he was honored with the Elan Award for his outstanding choreography.

In addition to his work for stage, screen and television, Lubovitch has also

made a significant contribution to ice­dancing choreography. He created dances for Olympic gold medalists John Curry, Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill and choreographed a full­length ice­dancing version of The Sleeping Beauty (PBS) and The Planets (A&E) nominated for an International Emmy Award, a Cable ACE Award and a Grammy Award.

In 2007, to supplement the activities (creating, performing and teaching) of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, he founded the Chicago Dancing Company, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to present a wide variety of excellent dance and build dance audiences in his native Chicago.

Lubovitch’s radiant, highly technical choreography and deeply humanistic voice have been acclaimed throughout the world, and local audiences will appreciate his contributions to dance.

Tickets $45, $35

                                                             

                                      

                                                               

                                        

                                          

                                                             

                                                                            

                                          

                                        

                                          

                 

                                                

                            

                    

   

 

                                                  

   

             

         

‘Silent Surrealism’ pairs Gypsy jazz and silent films The country’s most celebrated Gypsy jazz ensemble, The Hot Club of San Francisco, will accompany four silent surrealist films in a night titled Silent Surrealism at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, in Polsky Theatre.

The multimedia performance follows the tradition of 1920s Paris when “avant­garde” cinema was paired with live music in a small theater. The bourgeoisie, big thinkers of the time, aristocracy and escapists all gathered to experience this cutting­edge art and, later, reconvene at the local cafes to discuss and debate the merits of the film, actors and director.

Fast­forward 90 years. Continuing this early French tradition, a similar scene plays out as The Hot Club of San Francisco presents Silent Surrealism that includes four black­and­white shorts — Now You Tell One, It’s a Bird, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Land Beyond Sunset.

The Hot Club accompanies these films with the distinctive music made famous by Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France. Silent Surrealism is a brilliant multimedia trip back to a time when the artistic and literary style emerged as a means of expressing the imagination, when writers and filmmakers were more interested in the implications of words and images and providing the audience with the opportunity to vicariously experience the unknown or unimaginable.

The Hot Club of San Francisco is an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of the pioneering Hot Club de France, founded in Paris in 1932 to promote the development of “innovative” jazz as a musical genre. The ensemble borrows the all­string instrumentation of violin, bass and guitars from the original Hot Club, but breathes new life into the music with innovative arrangements of classic tunes and original compositions from the group’s superb lead guitarist Paul Mehling.

Hearing the ensemble carries the listener back to the 1930s and to the small, smoky jazz clubs of Paris. Often called Gypsy jazz, the music of The Hot Club of San Francisco has entranced audiences around the globe for more than 18 years.

“The Hot Club of San Francisco keeps this historic music fresh and alive.”

— Acoustic Guitar

Tickets $30

A free Gypsy jazz guitar master class will be offered at 4 p.m. Feb. 4 in Polsky Theatre. For more information, call PAS arts education at 913­469­8500, ext. 4221.

The Hot Club of San Francisco

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Martin Short is long on comedic charm What s not to like about Martin Short? Oh so funny on stage, TV or film playing roles from Ed Grimley to Franck the wedding planner, Short is even more charismatic and entertaining in person. Come enjoy his performance of stand up comedy in An Evening with Martin Short at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, in Yardley Hall.

Short is everything we want in a comedic hero: a good guy.An Ontario native, Short attended McMasters University where he received a degree in social work in 1972. Short met Canadian comic actress Nancy Dolman during the run of the 1972 production of Godspell. They were married 30 years before Dolman tragically died of cancer in August 2010.

Short’s fame began in Ontario, where he won an Emmy Award on the SCTV Comedy Network, bringing him to the attention of Saturday Night Live. After only one season, Short had a host of impressions in Grimley, Jackie Rogers Jr., Jerry Lewis and Katharine Hepburn. His abilities on SNL put him on the fast track into feature films Three Amigos, Inner Space, Mars Attacks, Jungle 2 Jungle and his scene stealing Franck in Father of the Bride I and II.

Not limiting himself to acting, Short has written, produced and starred in three highly acclaimed comedy specials for television. Short’s television credits also include an Emmy nominated role in the NBC mini series Merlin and his role as the “Mad Hatter” in NBC’s Alice in Wonderland. In 2001, he created and starred in Primetime Glick for Comedy Central, which also garnered him an Emmy nomination. Short was nominated for a 2010 Emmy for his portrayal of Leonard Winstone on the FX network’s legal thriller Damages.

Along with TV and film, Short has enjoyed success on Broadway with the musical comedies, Mel Brook’s The Producers with Jason Alexander in 2003 and Fame Becomes Me in 2006.

Now a U.S. Canadian citizen, Short has been recognized by the public and his homeland. In 1994, Short was awarded the Order of Canada (the equivalent to British knighthood) and was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in June 2000.

Tickets $50, $60, $130 pit

Bring your Valentine: pre­show dinner served in Café Tempo for $25 a person. Reservations are required. Call the box office at 913­469­4445.

                                             

                                        

                                        

                      

                                          

                                                                              

         

 

                  

 

 

      

      

   

        

        

    

           

    

          

    

    

     

    

    

   

      

             

 

 

        

           

    

   

   

Step Afrika! Step Afrika!, the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping, will perform at 9:45 a.m.Tuesday­Wednesday, Feb. 1­2, in Yardley Hall.

Stepping is a unique dance tradition created by African­American college students. In stepping, the body is used as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps and spoken word. Stepping comes from a long and rich tradition in African­based communities that use movement, words and sounds to communicate allegiance to a group.

Stepping is without question a rising art form and an important part of America’s artistic and cultural heritage. As stated by historian Jacqui Malone and author of Steppin’ on the Blues, stepping is “one of the most exciting dance forms to evolve in the 20th century.” The form is also spreading its wings to new venues and participants, such as Latino and Asian­American Greek­letter organizations.

Recommended for grades 6 and up.

Tickets $5

For information about outreach opportunities, contact PAS arts education, 913­469­8500, ext. 4221.

January 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Holiday gift certificates available at the box office 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Kansas City Symphony

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, plus Strauss

2 p.m. Yardley Hall $35­$55, $12 youth Megan Birdsall

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19

Todd Strait,drummer

18 20 21 22 16 17 Jazz Winterlude

Jazz Winterlude Jazz Winterlude 8:30 a.m.­10:15 p.m.

8:30 a.m.­10:15 p.m. * New Order Jazz Band Polsky Theatre,

$25 Saturday, with Megan Birdsall Yardley Hall

$30 Fri­Sat 7 p.m. Polsky Theatre $20 Friday, $30 Fri­Sat

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28 27 26

Lar Lubovitch Dance

24 25 Jazz Winterlude brunch

Dan DeLuca U.S. Air Force Heartland 11 a.m.­1 p.m. of America Band

Lar Lubovitch Dance Capitol Federal 7 p.m. Yardley Hall Company

8 p.m. Yardley Hall Conference Center $25 Free but tickets

are required Kansas City Symphony $35, $45 Family Series Call 913­469­4445

for details 2 p.m. Yardley Hall

$18­$38

Peter and the Wolf

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23 29

        

 

         

     

     

   

                                                    

                 

                                                          

   

                                      

 

    

     

 

         

     

        

 

   

     

        

   

    

    

   

      

    

    

                    

    

    

        

 

   

      

          

Performing Arts EventsJ o h n s o n C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y C o l l e g e

February 2011 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Step Afrika! PAS arts education

9:45 a.m. Yardley Hall $5

3

13 19

1 2

The Hot Club of San Francisco

Silent Surrealism 8 p.m. Polsky Theatre

$30

Störling Dance Theater Underground

7:30 p.m. Yardley Hall $20­$50

Kansas City Symphony

The Moldau, Mozart’s Prague

2 p.m. Yardley Hall $35­$55, $12 youth

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6

18 16 14

7 8 9 10

15 17

Step Afrika!

11

5

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An Evening with Martin Short

8 p.m Yardley Hall $50, $60, $130 (pit)

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*Ruel Joyce Recital Series Kansas City

Symphony Players noon Recital Hall

21 22 23 24

Vienna Boys Choir 8 p.m. Yardley Hall

$30, $40

*The Odd Couple, academic music and theatre 7:30 p.m. Bodker Black Box Theatre

26 25

*The Odd Couple academic music

and theatre 2 p.m.

Bodker Black Box Theatre

27 *Ruel Joyce

Recital Series Suspentio, flute

and piano noon Recital Hall

28 ▲

Vienna Boys Choir

For best seats, order early.

Call 913­469­4445 or buy tickets online www.jccc.edu/TheSeries for tickets and information.

Service fee applicable.

Purchase live online

Box Office: 10 a.m.­5 p.m. Monday­Friday • Call 913­469­4445 Tickets are required for most events in Polsky Theatre and Yardley Hall. Programs, dates and times are subject to change. Discounts are sometimes available for music, theater and dance students.

Performing Arts Series Administrative Office: Open 8 a.m.­5 p.m. Monday­Friday • Call 913­469­4450 A request for interpretative services must be made 72 hours before a performance. Call the box office at 913­469­4445 or TDD/TTY 913­469­4485.

Persons with disabilities who desire additional support services may contact services for patrons with disabilities, 913­469­8500, ext. 3521, or TDD/TTY 913­469­3885.

*free­admission event

     

   

     

 

   

 

 

                                              

                     

                                                             

                          

                 

                 

                                        

                                                

                                               

                                                           

                                                

                   

                                                    

                                        

                        

                                          

           

                                        

                                            

                        

     

     

www.jccc.edu/TheSeries

JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

12345 COLLEGE BLVD

OVERLAND PARK KS 66210­1299

The boys are back

No group of choristers has won more hearts than the Vienna Boys Choir. Dressed in sailor suits with angelic faces and voices to match, the two dozen boys prove themselves as superb artists from the very first note.

With distinctive charm and purity of tone, the Vienna Boys Choir will present an evening of timeless music with an appeal to the whole family at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Yardley Hall.

Paul Laird, musicologist at the University of Kansas, will present Artist Insights at 7 p.m.

Their diverse crowd­pleasing repertoire encompasses Austrian folk songs and

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Johnson County

Community College

waltzes, classical masterpieces, beloved pop songs and medieval chants.

Although 500 years old, the world’s most famous boys choir maintains its clear, soprano voices and remains perpetually young. The Choir is divided into four touring groups, all of equal standing, ranging from ages 10 to 14. There are around 100 choristers in the four groups, each of which spends nine to 11 weeks of the school year on tour. The choirs share in tours, concerts in Vienna, CD recordings and television appearances. Each choir has a choirmaster and two tutors who travel with the boys. A recent feature film Silk Road: Songs along the Road and Time, illustrates the life of a chorister during a year on tour.

Emperor Maximilian I established the boys choir to sing sacred music in the Imperial Chapel of Vienna, a city rich in the musical heritage of Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. The choir still performs much of their music.

During World War I, the choir had no money to maintain its institute and boarding school and so had to resort to public concerts for the first time, at first in Austria and later elsewhere. In 1924, following the breakdown of the Habsburg Austro­Hungarian Empire, the choir was rescued by the last imperial chaplain, rector Josef Schnitt who first called the court singers the Vienna Boys Choir.

Today the Vienna Boys Choir is a private organization divided into three distinct sections: the choir, school and boarding house. Almost 250 children study and rehearse at the school.

The school is proud of its alumni, many of whom go on to become professional musicians, conductors, singers or instrumentalists. Each season, a new choir of boys carries on the rich traditions of Vienna’s musical life and performs for nearly a half­million fans throughout the world.

The Vienna Boys Choir performed previously at Yardley Hall in November 1998, 2000 and 2005.

Tickets $30, $40