The East Village Opera Company
You’ve heard opera, and you’ve heard rock—but you’ve never heard opera rocked like the East Village Opera Company! The East Village Opera Company — a powerhouse five-piece band, a string quartet, and two outstanding vocalists— brings the towering emotion and timeless musicality of opera into the 21st century by transforming famous arias from the world's most renowned operas into majestic rock anthems, performed at full length and in the original languages. Sometimes using influences from rock 'n' roll giants of yesteryear or putting its own contemporary spin on classic melodies, East Village has as much appeal for progressive rock fans as it does for opera devotees. You can find out more about East Village as well as watch and listen to them by visiting their website at www.eastvillageoperacompany.com
Eugene Ballet in Swan Lake
In Swan Lake, romantic music, beautiful costumes, and elaborate scenery set the stage for classical ballet’s most beloved story of a prince’s love for an enchanted princess. From its first incarnation in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to the many productions mounted around the globe today, this timeless story of a young man's love and eventual betrayal of a swan queen, set to one of Tchaikovsky's most enduring scores, continues to engage audiences and inspire new generations of dancers. The Eugene Ballet, one of the most sought-after dance companies in the Western United States, is a 20-member ensemble that performs a blend of classical and contemporary works, along with educational programs. Read all about the Eugene Ballet Company at www.eugeneballet.org.
The African Children's Choir
The African Children’s Choir is comprised of African children from the age of seven to eleven who have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. Despite the tragedies that have marred their young lives, their voices are radiant with hope, entertaining audiences worldwide with their joyful African melodies and dance. Each year, a new choir is selected, and the children from the previous year's choir return to their homelands to attend school, their education completely funded by The African Children's Choir. Dressed in brilliantly colored costumes, the choir’s programs are a wonderful mix of African song and dance with popular, gospel, and contemporary music, much of which is accompanied by the children on traditional African instruments. Founded in 1984, the choir has performed at many prestigious events and concert halls around the world. They’ve sung with many musical luminaries, made hundreds of radio and television appearances (including an April 2007 American Idol performance with Josh Groban), recorded several popular CDs, recorded songs for the major movie soundtracks including Hotel Rwanda and Blood Diamond, and been nominated for a Grammy Award. To learn more, visit their website at www.africanchildrenschoir.com.
Sophie Milman
singer with a bent toward American popular songbook standards. At just 24 years of age, Sophie has established herself as one of the jazz world’s most exciting performers. She is a tiny creature on stage who suddenly becomes the focus of the room with her musical and visual presence, the sophistication and depth to her voice belying her age while she evokes the spirit of the great jazz singers of the '40s and '50s. Since her self-titled debut was released in 2004, it has sold almost 100,000 copies worldwide, hit the Billboard Top 5 in Canada and the Top 15 in the United States, and topped the iTunes jazz charts. The three years since have been a whirlwind of awards and touring for Milman. Her new album, Make Someone Happy, was listed as one of iTunes “Best Selling Jazz Albums of 2007”. You won’t want to miss the sultry, soulful voice of this glamorous jazz ingénue. Watch Sophie perform by going to her website at www.sophiemilman.com.
Bearfoot
Bearfoot is a fast rising, young acoustic bluegrass band based out of Anchorage, Alaska featuring powerful, emotive vocals, touching arrangements and instrumental excellence backed up by solid rhythm. Likened to groups such as Nickel Creek in their fresh approach to bluegrass and acoustic music, their repertoire ranges from three-part harmonies evoking the high-lonesome sound of Bill Monroe, to original tunes, to bluesy covers of songs by Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. Bearfoot has performed at the International Bluegrass Music Association Festival where they were showcased, Wintergrass Festival, Rockygrass Festival, and at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. It was at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival that Bearfoot won the 2001 Band Competition, an honor they share with past recipients Nickel Creek (1995) and the Dixie Chicks (1991). You can check out Bearfoot’s website at www.bearfootbluegrass.com
Tom Rush
‘60s folk icon Tom Rush first introduced the world to the songs of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor over 35 years ago and has been captivating audiences throughout the country ever since with his ever-romantic, gently rustic folk music. Rush is a gifted musician and performer whose distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads, and the passion of gritty blues. Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the '60s and the renaissance of the '80s and '90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. Listen to Tom Rush’s music, purchase CDs, or read more about his career at www.tomrush.com.
Hot 8 Brass Band
New Orleans’ Own Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans street music for over a decade, playing the traditional Second Line parades, hosted each Sunday afternoon by Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and infusing their performances with the funk and energy that makes New Orleans music loved around the world. The members of the Hot 8 Brass Band were born and raised in New Orleans and many began playing together in high school. Blending hip-hop, jazz, and funk styles with traditional marching music, their signature elements are the magical harmonies and tones they coax from their well-loved, well-worn horns. The band was introduced to an even wider audience with an appearance in Spike Lee's 2006 documentary When the Levees Broke. The band participates in important Katrina relief projects, has been featured on CNN, Nightline and the New York Times, and won over audiences worldwide. Listen to the Hot 8 and read more at www.hot8brassband.com.
Arts on Tour 08-09 Season Subscription
This full season subscription includes tickets for all seven Arts on Tour 2008-09 performances: The East Village Opera Company, Swan Lake, the African Children's Choir, Sophie Milman, Bearfoot, Tom Rush, and Hot 8 Brass Band.
