IU Southeast's Ogle Center announces new season
Curtis Stigers is among the performers who will be featured in the Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center's 2006-2007 season. The new season, underwritten by Clark Memorial Hospital, includes the introduction of Jazz at the Ogle, a two-day weekend event. Jazz at the Ogle will feature the distinctive music of jazz musician Curtis Stigers on Oct. 6, followed by a huge jam session on Oct. 7 with veteran jazz musicians from across the Midwest. The center is located on the IU Southeast campus.
The Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center at IU Southeast recently announced its 2006-2007 season, a lineup of 21 exciting shows and 68 performances from across the nation that cross entertainment genres and appeal to diverse audiences.
The new season, underwritten by Clark Memorial Hospital, includes the introduction of Jazz at the Ogle, a two-day weekend event. Jazz at the Ogle will feature the distinctive music of jazz musician Curtis Stigers on Oct. 6, followed by a huge jam session on Oct. 7 with veteran jazz musicians from across the Midwest.
"We have many jazz fans in the Louisville area, so we wanted to bring in something specifically for them. With the addition of numerous performances by the IU Southeast Music and Theatre departments as well as the Louisville Orchestra NightLites concerts, this season is certainly one of our best ever, "said Kyle Ridout, manager of the center.
After the Jazz at the Ogle weekend, the center begins its Different Drummer Series, featuring a compilation of musical talent from around the country. This series kicks off with the Brown-Forman presentation of Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Celebration (Nov. 4), followed by a special holiday program in December that pairs the unlikely duo of Emile Pandolfi (known for his popular Broadway music) and James Sibley, a stand-up comic (Dec. 9). The Different Drummer Series wraps up in spring 2007 with Chapter 6, an a Cappella group (Jan. 13), and the well-known master of jazz, Chuck Mangione (Feb. 17).
After the Different Drummer Series, the Ogle Center immediately begins the New Discovery Series, a celebration of young, gifted musicians. Three musical prodigies will come to the Ogle Center as part of this series. They are 19-year-old jazz singer Rachael Price (Feb. 23), 13-year-old pianist Peng Peng (March 16) and 18-year-old violinist Caitlin Tully (April 20). Said Ridout, "We designed this series because of the immense pool of young, gifted musicians already beginning their performance careers and as a way to inspire the young musicians in our own community. That is why we have kept the ticket price very low."
The fall season will also include two outstanding ensembles from the IU Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington. The IU Brass Choir (Oct. 21) and the IU Philharmonic Orchestra (Jan. 27) will perform as part of IU's Moveable Feast of the Arts. This initiative is designed to showcase IU's cultural resources on the regional campuses and in communities across the state.
Ridout said the center will also present 53 performances and workshops when it once again hosts the popular Chase Children's Series.
"When we began this series more than 10 years ago, we had no idea of the overwhelming response the series would get from teachers and students," Ridout said. "We only knew that we wanted to help those students who could not afford to come to an arts performance. The Chase Children's Series is all about introducing children to the arts. In many instances, these youngsters have never seen a professional show or even been inside a performing arts facility."
Last year, more than 10,000 children from the Louisville, Ky., area attended at least one of the Chase Children's Series performances. This year, more than 25,000 seats will be available to area schools. Thanks to generous contributions from area corporations, foundations and individuals, all shows are free of charge to students. Reservations for the series are required, and teachers are encouraged to contact the Ogle Center to make arrangements to bring school children to an educational performance.
To obtain tickets to Ogle Center performances, contact Ticketmaster at 502-361-3100. For subscriptions to a series, or for more information on the Chase Children's Series or other events, call the Center Ticket Office at 812-941-2526. The center can also be accessed online at http://oglecenter.ius.edu/ .
Paul W. Ogle Cultural and Community Center 2006/2007 Season
Jazz Maniac Weekend
Curtis Stigers, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6, 2006
With one of the most distinctive voices in music, Curtis Stigers, the singer/saxophonist/songwriter, pushes the boundaries of conventional jazz performers and expands the jazz repertory creating modern jazz standards. Stigers' latest release, I Think It's Going to Rain Today, is a new collection of songs by some of the greatest and most influential songwriters of our time. Putting his unique mark on tunes by Sting, Randy Newman, Mose Allison, Willie Nelson and Tom Waits, as well as writing two new original songs, Curtis continues to blaze a path as one of his generation's finest and most original interpreters of modern songs.
Side-By-Side Jam Session, 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006
Who are those sidemen who back up the major jazz artists of our time? Come to the Ogle Center and find out. You'll be able to experience some of the best sidemen in the business of jazz. These veterans of jazz will come together for one night only for one huge jam session.
Different Drummer Series
Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Celebration, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006
Sponsored by Brown-Forman Corporation, violinist/composer/fiddler Mark O'Connor is widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America and surely one of the brightest talents of his generation. He was influenced by master violinist Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson and French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Along the way, between these two marvelous musical extremes, Mark O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from a multitude of musical styles and genres to form his own personal style. Mark O'Connor has appeared at The White House, the Presidential Inauguration Celebration and the ceremonies of Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Games for which he composed Olympic Reel. He is often featured on major network television shows, and his past appearances include CBS Sunday Morning, Great Performances on PBS, and the Kennedy Center Honors.
Emile Pandolfi, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006
Emile Pandolfi's free-flowing, emotional manner speaks to music's very soul. Having received his degree in piano performance, he applies his technique to Broadway and popular music as well as classical. During the holidays, he collaborates with James Sibley whose down-home friendly humor takes him all over the country as a stand-up comic. This show will have plenty of holiday music and laughter just in time to put us in the mood or help us relax from the frantic holiday season.
Chapter 6, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007
This amazing group from Chicago made its professional debut in 2001 and has received numerous awards and recognitions for technique, performance and some very original arrangements. Their comedy-infused blend of pop, jazz, gospel and rock brings spontaneous bursts of laughter and applause throughout the show. This high-energy a Cappella group features a diverse repertoire ranging from freshly-arranged swing standards and pop/rock classics, to signature pieces such as Ode To Krispy Kreme, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and Chapter 6's very own version of The Wizard Of Oz.
Chuck Mangione, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007
When Jazz radio stations throughout the U.S. recognized Chuck Mangione's Feels So Good as their all-time No. 1 song, you know you have a legend. For more than five decades, Mangione's love affair with music has been characterized by his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm and pure joy that radiates from the stage. Mangione's music is always upbeat, optimistic and uplifting. In addition to his busy touring schedule, Mangione is currently caricatured on the hit Fox television show, King of the Hill.
New Discovery Series
Rachael Price, Voice, 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, 2007
Originally from Nashville, Tenn., 19-year-old Rachael Price, a jazz studies major at the New England Conservatory in Massachusetts, astonishes audiences with depth and maturity that voice performers her age rarely have. Price was a 2003 semifinalist at the Montreux International Jazz Vocal Competition in France and once again wowed the audience (and was the youngest competitor) at the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. In August 2005 she made her professional U. S. jazz festival debut -- opening for Joshua Redman.
Peng Peng, Piano, 7 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007
Born in China, 13-year-old Peng Peng has won numerous competitions including the Julliard School's Pre-College Mozart Piano Competition. Peng Peng began piano lessons at the age of five and, by the age of eight, gave his first public recital. An avid composer, Peng Peng studies composition at Juilliard with Andrew Thomas. Thus far, he has written two works for solo piano, a cello/piano duo, a string quintet and a symphony.
Caitlin Tully, Violin, 7 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2007
Making her professional debut at the age of ten with the Vancouver Symphony, 18-year-old violinist Caitlin Tully brings a level of musicianship and inspiration to her music that is beyond reproach. In the United States, she has made many notable appearances, including a performance on PBS with Sheri Lewis, a broadcast of Live from Lincoln Center, a performance with Itzhak Perlman and members of the Perlman Music Program, and an appearance on Boston's From the Top radio show with Christopher O'Riley. She began playing at the age of four when she declared that a violin was the only gift she wanted for Christmas.
Moveable Feast of the Arts
IU Brass Choir, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006
The IU Brass Choir has long been one of the world's premier brass ensembles. Listeners and reviewers have consistently praised its sound quality, musicality and precision of execution in repertoire spanning more than five centuries. Under the direction of Edmund Cord, the musicians of the IU Brass Choir have delighted audiences with pieces ranging from the time of Gabrieli to works by contemporary composers.
IU Philharmonic Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007
The IU Philharmonic Orchestra, the premier orchestral ensemble of the IU Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, will weave a rich tapestry of symphonic works in its performance at IU Southeast under the banner of IU's Moveable Feast of the Arts initiative. With conductor David Effron at the helm, the program includes Jacques Ibert's Escales, Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and Sergei Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 4. Featured as piano soloist for the Rachmaninov will be the winner of the Jacobs School's piano concerto competition. The Philharmonic's performance on campus follows a showcase presentation at The Midwest Clinic-An International Band and Orchestra Conference, which will be held on Dec. 19, 2006.
Chase Children's Series
Quitumbe Andean Ballet, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Sept. 7 and 8, 2006
Located in Ecuador, the Quitumbe Ballet was born in 2002. It builds its repertoire from traditional dance with an "ethno-contemporary" approach where history, social content and cultural identity are intrinsic elements. Its choreography demonstrates the artistry of the young dancers who recognize and live the ancestral heritage of the millenary cultures of Ecuador. Ecuador has a marvelous natural richness, as well as significant ethnic diversity and ancestral culture, which is expressed in unique rituals. Come share the gift of the Quitumbe Ballet with your students as the dancers bring this legacy to life through their ritual steps. Appropriate for grades K-12.
Brad Tassell will put on a comedy show for kids in October.
Brad Tassell, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Monday—Friday, Oct. 16 through 20, 2006
What is funnier than Harry Potter, less hairy than Clifford and better dressed than Captain Underpants? Brad Tassell's Kids Comedy show, which features songs about pickles in ears, teachers with warts, stuff coming out of noses, and much more. The program uses music and fun to address a variety of issues important to elementary students. Among them: bullying, appropriate humor, choosing a career, using your imagination, the importance of education and succeeding at any age. Music and fun stresses a variety of important issues pertinent to our elementary students. Appropriate for grades 3-8.
Brad Tassell's Mime Workshop, 2 p.m., Monday—Friday, Oct. 16 through 20, 2006
Join Brad Tassell as he demonstrates the magic of mime. This 60-minute participatory workshop is designed for high school and college theater students who want to learn more about the art form. Appropriate for grades 9-college.
Dancing Wheels, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26 and 27, 2006
Dancing Wheels is the nation's first modern dance company to integrate professional stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair) dancers. Its lecture/performance has been applauded by educators and children across the country for its sensitivity relating to disability/accessibility issues as well as its innovative approach to the art of dance. The program utilizes narration, discussion, demonstration, audience participation, performance and question and answer to explore the diversity of dance, accessibility in real life situations and in the arts, motivation and self-esteem. Young people come away with a sense of achievement and a greater understanding of the potential within us all. Appropriate for grades K-12
Johnny Appleseed, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9 and 10, 2006
Seventy-year-old Johnny Appleseed shares some tall adventures concerning his travels throughout the Midwest. This is storytelling in theater form, with legend and fact becoming one. John Chapman was a nonviolent man in a violent time and, as such, deserves our attention today. Appropriate for grades 3-6
Thaddeus Rex, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Wednesday—Friday, Nov. 29, 30, and Dec. 1, 2006
After graduating from IU, Thaddeus Rex discovered his true dream and left behind a conventional career track to teach children the fun and the power of imagination. Now an accomplished songwriter, comedian and self-professed book nut, he has developed a reading club and lesson plans to help parents and teachers utilize his concerts as a centerpiece for reading promotion. It has been said that if Dr. Seuss and Monty Python had gotten together with They Might be Giants and Arlo Guthrie, you might end up with a style very close to Thaddeus Rex. Appropriate for grades K-6
Mr. Stinky Feet, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Tuesday—Thursday, Jan. 16, 17, and 18, 2007
Award-winning kid rocker Jim Cosgrove knows what kids like to laugh about and sing about. Jim's laid-back style and ability to connect with children has made him a cool favorite on the concert circuit, especially with parents who have dubbed him the "Jimmy Buffet for kids." His interactive concerts are educational and entertaining for both kids and grownups. When you combine things that are silly and even gross with lessons about life, kids will learn and retain the lessons. Kids are smart, and he likes to sing smart songs about things they think are funny. With songs about stinky feet, dancing animals and red wagons, he takes audiences on a musical adventure that allows them to express their personal rhythm. Appropriate for grades K-6
Jabberwocky, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Tuesday—Thursday, Feb. 6, 7, and 8, 2007
Tales & Scales' newest offering is the adventure of a young boy looking for his lost sister on a playground at the park. What he finds is that only he can rescue her from the explosive and percussive Jabberwocky monster. With courage and perseverance he takes his trusted trombone and goes out to save her. Composer Doug Lofstrom takes us through battles of heroic horns, dueling drums and hope as our young hero learns to believe in his own abilities to defeat the monsters -- both real and imagined. Tales & Scales' newest MusicTale will not fail to delight and will engage audiences of all ages from the youngest Mimsey to the oldest Jub Jub Bird. Appropriate for grades K-6
Super Scientific Circus, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 27 and 28, 2007
Super Scientific Circus proves that science can be fun using amazing circus skills involving boomerangs, bubbles, beach balls, bullwhips, magic and mime. Students will learn how to make and throw their own boomerang, how to blow giant soap bubbles and how to put a needle through a balloon. Super Scientific Circus demonstrates and explains concepts as diverse as friction, inertia, atoms, molecules, gravity, centripetal and centrifugal force, aerodynamics, sonic booms, air pressure and ultraviolet light, static electricity, magnetism and more. Appropriate for grades K-6
Thomas Edison, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, March 19 and 20, 2007
The time is October 21, 1929, the fifth anniversary of Thomas Edison's incandescent lamp. Henry Ford, Tom Jr., and the great inventor himself speak to a room full of reporters revealing facts and fiction about the man some say invented the 20th century. Appropriate for grades 3-6
Super Scientific Circus demonstrates and explains scientific concepts. The group will perform at IU Southeast in February 2007.
