Parts of the 2011-12 Rialto Series being announced today by the Rialto Center for the Arts read like a United Nations of culture.
Among the 19 concerts, there are Yasmin Levy and Omar Faruk Tekbilek exploring Israeli and Turkish roots music together, Israeli pianist-composer Idan Raichel and Mali guitarist-songwriter Vieux Farka Touré touring as part of a world music quartet, and Latin jazz master Poncho Sanchez and New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard mounting a tribute to Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie.
Such cultural collaborations have dotted the downtown theater’s schedule for years by design — not only for the exchanges onstage, but for ones in the audience. “We’re really committed to being that bridge to cultural understanding and to bringing presentations that bring all demographics together,” said Rialto director Leslie Gordon in an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Gordon believes it’s important to represent diversity at the Rialto because Georgia State University, which operates the 833-seat theater, is the most diverse school in the University System of Georgia.
“We’re very focused on the community that we serve,” she said, “and believe it’s important to reflect where we live.”
The Rialto Series always boasts a strong jazz component as well, to play off the synergy of the jazz program of the neighboring GSU School of Music. And dance, another element in the mix, got a boost this year when the Charles Loridans Foundation gave the Rialto a $100,000 grant to help underwrite those performances as well as master classes and open rehearsals.
Here’s the schedule, exclusive to the AJC:
● Music: “A Night in Treme — The Musical Majesty of New Orleans,” inspired by the HBO series “Treme,” featuring trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., trombonist Glen David Andrews, the Soul Rebels Brass Band and even a Mardi Gras Indian chief (Oct. 22); Mali’s Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba (Nov. 5); GSU School of Music’s Gala Holiday Concert (Dec. 3); Holiday Jazz Vespers featuring the Atlanta Jazz Chorus and special guests (Dec. 10); “The Music of Johnny Mercer and Friends” featuring trumpeter Joe Gransden and vocalist Maria Howell with the GSU Jazz Band (Feb. 11); Yasmin Levy and Omar Faruk Tekbilek (Feb. 18); McCoy Tyner Trio with saxophonist Joe Lovano (Feb. 25); Spanish Harlem Orchestra (March 17); sitar player Anoushka Shankar (March 24); “Fête de Louisiane!” with Cedric Watson et Bijoux Creole and Feufollet (March 31); GSU Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra presenting Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (April 13-15); trumpeter Dave Douglas with the GSU Jazz Band (April 20); Idan Raichel and Vieux Farka Touré Quartet (April 21); Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard in “Cubano Be! Cubano Bop! A Tribute to Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie” (April 28).
● Dance: Compagnie Dernière Minute, a French troupe led by Pierre Rigal, performing “Asphalte” (Oct. 30); Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence: A Dance Company (Nov. 19); Contemporary Dance Festival featuring U.S. and international troupes, organized by Atlanta choreographer Lauri Stallings (Jan. 27-28); Trey McIntyre Project (March 10).
● Comedy: Political humor and satiric songs from the Capitol Steps (Jan. 21).
Subscriptions are on sale now; single tickets available Sept. 1. Information: 404-413-9849 or www.rialtocenter.org.
