The just-announced 2015-16 lineup at Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts offers another strong cross-cultural blend of jazz, world, roots and classical music, dance and more.
The season promises to be an especially notable one for dance, launching with Mark Morris Dance in October and including guitarist Paco Peña’s flamenco dance-music program in November and the biennial contemporary dance festival Off the Edge in March 2016.
The lineup:
Oct. 17: Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble
Oct. 24: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, the veteran Cuban players on their farewell tour
Nov. 7: Paco Peña presents "Flamencura"
Dec. 5: Georgia State University School of Music's 18th annual Gala Holiday Concert
Jan. 30: Ramsey Lewis, the famed jazz pianist performs his "The In Crowd" album in its entirety on its 50th anniversary
Feb. 6: Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the 13-member ensemble known for getting audiences out of their seats and dancing
Feb. 13: Capitol Steps, political satire
Feb. 20: Jones Family Singers in a "Sacred Sounds" program of "rafter-shaking" gospel
Feb. 26: Johnny Mercer Celebration 2016, featuring trumpeter-vocalist Joe Gransden and vocalist Kathleen Bertand
Feb. 27: Shemekia Copeland, singing Chicago blues
March 4-5: Off the Edge, contemporary dance fest showcasing Kyle Abraham, La Otra Orilla, others
April 2: Boban and Marko Marković Orchestra, 12-piece Balkanic brass ensemble
April 8: Georgia State University Jazz Band with special guest to be announced
April 10: Zakir Hussain and the Masters of Percussion
April 15-17: Georgia State University Opera
April 23: Cécile McLorin Salvant, jazz songstress
Subscriptions are on sale, with single tickets available Aug. 3, at the Rialto box office (80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta) or 404-413-9849, rialto.gsu.edu.
ARTS
MODA explores intersection of health, design
The Museum of Design Atlanta has organized a new exhibit, “Design for Healthy Living,” that explores the impact of the built environment on health.
The interactive exhibition provides examples from Atlanta and beyond that illustrate how these design strategies are employed to promote physical activity and healthy living. Among the Atlanta projects featured: the Atlanta Beltline, the Serenbe development, the redesign of Lee Street and Wheat Street Gardens.
Through Aug. 9. $10; $8 seniors, military and educators; $5 ages 6-17 and college students. 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-979-6455, www.museumofdesign.org.
Flux Night headed to MLK Historic Site
After taking a bye in 2014, Flux Night will return for its fifth edition on Oct. 3 in a new location: the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
The free night of public art and performance will take as its theme “Dream,” in homage to the neighborhood that nurtured King through his boyhood.
“This exhibition is not itself nostalgic, as neither are dreams, but is instead a collective imaginative exploration of equity and justice,” according to the announcement from nonprofit presenters Flux Projects.
“Dream” is being curated by Nato Thompson of Creative Time, known for producing temporary public art in the U.S. and internationally.
Flux Night previously has attracted more than 20,000 to its original Castleberry Hill neighborhood setting. fluxprojects.org.
MUSIC
Just Voices take time for theme
The spring program the Atlanta a cappella choir Just Voices’ will present on May 2 and 3, “It’s About Time,” will include one work that took some 500 years to complete.
Renaissance poet Garcilaso de la Vega (1503-1536) wrote a poem of love that he simply titled "Soneto V." Fast forward to the 21st century, and conductor-composer Z. Randall Stroope, now director of choral and vocal studies at Oklahoma State University, finally set the poem to music, titling it "Amor de Mi Alma" ("You Are the Love of My Soul").
Like “Amor” or the Irish traditional tune “Quick! We Have But a Second,” the pieces to be sung by the 24-singer group under founding conductor Liz Frazer address time’s passage in one way or another.
Including classical music, spirituals, folk and jazz, the concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Virginia-Highland Church, 743 Virginia Ave., Atlanta; and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Tickets: $10 door, $5 students. www.justvoices.org.
THEATER
New leader for Atlanta’s Tonys
The Suzi Bass Awards, the nonprofit that stages Atlanta's version of the Tony Awards and promotes local theater, has named Denice Brooks its executive director.
Brooks is a singer who has toured internationally with artists including Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole and has appeared on Broadway in shows including “Porgy and Bess” and “Showboat.”
“I believe that theater is the heart, soul and spirit of live entertainment,” said Brooks, who has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience. “I am excited and honored to take the helm of this beloved organization in this theater-rich city.”
She replaces long-time leader Deadra Moore, who stepped down in early this year to resume her acting career but will remain a Suzy Awards volunteer.
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