July 16, 2002
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

UCSB Arts & Lectures 2002-2003 Season of Performing Arts—
an unparalleled array of live dance, theater and music

Summary Facts:

• UCSB Arts & Lectures 2002-2003 Season of Performing Arts
• 34 exciting Classical Music, Theater, Spoken Word, Dance, World Music, Blues and Jazz events
• Subscriptions being accepted now; tickets to individual events on sale on Saturday, September 7
• Four thematic Discount Package Series: ArtAbounds, Chamber Music and Recitals, Joint Adventures, and Latin Jazz
• Create-Your-Own Series: Buy tickets to any five or more events
• All series allow patrons to get the best seats, money-saving discounts and free ticket exchange
• More Chamber Music in Historic Sites® concerts, more Dinner-and-a-Show evenings, more Meet-the-Artists receptions
• Charge by phone, 893-3535, or by fax, 893-8637
• For tickets and information, phone UCSB Arts & Lectures at 893-3535

With its 2002-2003 Season of Performing Arts, UCSB Arts & Lectures presents another year of the highest caliber professional performing artists on tour from around the world and across the spectrum of artistic disciplines. Highlights of the season include: a concert by Maria Farantouri and Maryó, the two greatest Greek divas, performing on the same bill for the first time; the Chucho Valdés Quartet and Joe Lovano performing a new work co-commissioned by Arts & Lectures; and the Santa Barbara debut of the internationally acclaimed Nederlands Dans Theatre II.

“Our 2002-2003 season promises many evenings of great entertainment,” says Celesta Billeci, director of Arts & Lectures. “I am particularly thrilled about our Latin Jazz series and about presenting Philip Glass’s unique film and concert event Shorts—to name just a few of my many personal favorites. And I am very excited about our new support groups, Arts & Lectures’ Circle of Friends and Producers Circle. For years A&L has enjoyed the enthusiastic patronage of our subscribers, donors and ticket buyers. Now, through these new organizations, we are able to formalize our relationships with our donors and to offer special benefits that acknowledge their generosity.”

DISCOUNT PACKAGE SERIES

Patrons will have the option to purchase Discount Package Series—ArtAbounds, Joint Adventures, Chamber Music and Recitals, Latin Jazz—that not only lend thematic unity to diverse performances but also provide a 15% discount. The ArtAbounds Series, co-presented with The Lobero, features three pacesetting performances of dance and music. This series kicks off our entire season with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center featuring the Orion String Quartet in a visionary fusion of chamber music and modern dance on Thursday-Saturday, October 3-5, at the Lobero Theatre. On Wednesday, February 5 in the Arlington Theatre, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet will dance a spectacular and sumptuous Sleeping Beauty with full orchestra. The ArtAbounds series concludes with the rare opportunity to hear regal Metropolitan Opera diva Denyce Graves, accompanied by pianist Warren Jones, in the intimate environment of Campbell Hall on Tuesday, March 18.

The Joint Adventures Series celebrates the fruitfulness of artistic collaboration with three unique performances. On Wednesday, October 16 at the Arlington Theatre, Philip Glass and his Ensemble will play live accompaniment to Shorts, six silent films commissioned by Glass from Peter Greenaway, Atom Egoyan, Godfrey Reggio, Shirin Nesrat and Michal Rovner. This special live concert and film event is co-presented with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in association with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Acclaimed violinist Nadja Solerno-Sonnenberg, noted for her dazzling technique and fiery passion, joins Sergio and Odair Assad, classical guitar virtuosos, for a concert that thrillingly bridges musical worlds on Thursday, January 30. Legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, the man who seemingly single-handedly brought Indian music to the West, will be joined by the only artist he has completely trained, his daughter, sitar prodigy Anoushka Shankar for an unforgettable two-generational concert on Thursday, May 1 at the Arlington Theatre.

The Chamber Music and Recitals Series presents three events of matchless music. The world-renowned Juilliard String Quartet returns to UCSB for a concert featuring the music of Mozart, Schuller and Beethoven on Sunday, January 26. The March 18 recital by mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves mentioned above is also part of this series. The series concludes on Thursday, April 3 with the Santa Barbara debut recital by piano prodigy Lang Lang, who will bring his romantic flash to bear on a program including works by Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Mozart/Liszt.

The Latin Jazz Series opens with The Calle 54 Concert, which finds its genesis in the movie of the same name and includes pianists Bebo Valdés, Eliane Elías and Chano Dominguez. The concert will transform Campbell Hall into Tito Puente’s sizzling New York nightclub for the evening of Wednesday, October 9. On Wednesday, November 13 Juan de Marcos Gonzalez leads his 13-member Afro-Cuban All Stars, featuring musicians from Sierra Maestra and Los Van Van, in an evening of zest and Latin joy. On Wednesday, April 16 the Chucho Valdés Quartet will swing into Campbell, presenting the U.S. premiere of a work co-commissioned by Arts & Lectures and featuring incomparable saxophonist Joe Lovano.

CHAMBER MUSIC IN HISTORIC SITES®

In addition to the chamber concerts and recitals already mentioned above, Arts & Lectures is pleased to continue the Chamber Music in Historic Sites® performances, presented in association with the Pearl Chase Society. These concerts help us unite town and gown by traveling to unique and intimate architectural environments to celebrate the experience of music.

We will witness the debut season of Navah Perlman/Giora Schmidt/Zuill Bailey on Sunday, November 3 in the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel Ballroom. This piano trio’s program includes work by Beethoven, Lotti and Schubert. The Biltmore’s famous high tea will be served in the garden as part of this event.

On Sunday April 6 soprano Ellen Hargis and lutenist Paul O’Dette will perform a delightful program of 16th and 17th century European love songs in the Julia Morgan Ballroom of the classic Montecito estate The Peppers. Again, a garden reception is included with the ticket.

The last concert of the series occurs in the dramatic setting of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Mural Room, as the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet performs music from Spain and Latin America with its trademark maverick charisma on Saturday, May 10.

THEATER AND SPOKEN WORD

Renowned English actor Steven Berkoff presents “a master class in evil,” grippingly depicting fiends from Iago to Richard III in Shakespeare’s Villains on Saturday, October 26.

San Francisco’s Joe Goode Performance Group, hailed for its edgy spontaneity and subversive humor, presents The Best of Joe Goode, a wondrous evening of witty and affecting dance, theater and song on Thursday, November 7.

Toronto’s cutting edge theatre company da da kamera presents In On It, its latest electrifying production, a two-actor, multiple character play about fate, romance and our need for narrative on Saturday, January 18. The Los Angeles Times called this 2001 Obie Award-winner a “must-see event.”

Sarah Jones, who won the Best One-Person Show Award at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Arts Festival for her previous show Surface Transit, will present her latest work, Waking the American Dream, a powerful and funny play that looks at the immigrant experience through 10 characters on Thursday, February 27.

On Friday, March 7 Terry Gross, host of NPR’s Fresh Air, gives a peek behind the scenes at what makes this Peabody Award winner tick, discussing her incisive interviewing technique that brings us to a place where celebrity becomes more understandable and more human.

On Wednesday, April 9, America’s foremost repertory theatre The Acting Company returns to Santa Barbara, this time to perform the California premiere of Studs Terkel’s American Dreams: Lost and Found. True to Pulitzer Prize-winning Terkel’s work, the play captures the humanity of its subjects, a variety of Americans who reveal their simple dreams and grand aspirations in highly dramatic, funny and touching stories.

Because his October 2001 performance sold out so quickly that we could not meet audience demand, UCSB welcomes back the uproariously funny David Sedaris, one of America’s wittiest and most irreverent voices and author of the best-selling Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked. Sedaris will be reading new work on Sunday, April 27.

We also welcome back Santa Barbara favorite Spalding Gray in his latest show, Black Spot, about turning 60, surviving a serious car crash and moving into a new home on 9-11. This engaging raconteur takes the stage on Wednesday, May 7.

DANCE

In addition to the two major dance events that are part of the ArtAbounds Series—Bill T. Tones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on October 3–5 at the Lobero and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancing The Sleeping Beauty at the Arlington on February 5—Arts & Lectures will present four other diverse dance concerts.

Ballet National du Senegal, a company of exceptionally beautiful dancers and talented musicians, has wowed audiences since 1960 with the traditions and spirit of West Africa. They will present their high-energy choreography and vivacious music on Friday, October 11.

The grandson of the legendary Gypsy dancer El Farruco, Farruquito has become one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary flamenco dance. He and his company will provide an evening of passion, precision and pulse-pounding excitement on Wednesday, February 12. Farruquito is presented in association with the Flamenco Arts Festival.

New York City’s vibrant troupe Ballet Hispanico reflects the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world, performing dances in ballet, contemporary, jazz and ethnic styles on Friday & Saturday, February 21 & 22. “When Ballet Hispanico’s dancers take the stage, watch out,” insists New York Newsday. “Their joy is infectious.” Ballet Hispanico is presented in association with the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival.

On Monday & Tuesday, April 14 & 15 at the Lobero Theatre, the 14 dancers of the internationally acclaimed Nederlands Dans Theater II make their much-anticipated Santa Barbara debut. They bring youthful vigor, breathtaking athleticism and brilliant technique to challenging contemporary choreography, including work by NDT’s revered artistic advisor Jirí Kylián.

WORLD MUSIC

Arts & Lectures keeps world music fans fulfilled with an expanding horizon of international music. Malian Salif Keita, hailed as the “Golden Voice of Africa,” sings in a high, haunting manner that makes his funk-heavy Afro-pop thrilling and unique. His no-holds-barred passion and majestic demeanor elevate his ethereal sound. He performs with his band Wanda on Wednesday, October 23.

On Friday, November 1, Maria Farantouri & Maryó and musicians will present A Tribute to 20th Century Greek Urban Music. These two charismatic Greek divas will present the whole range of modern Greek popular song from the urban blues of Asia Minor and Piraeus to sophisticated settings of Greece’s greatest poets. This U.S. tour brings these giants of Greek music together for the first time.

Palestinian Simon Shaheen, virtuoso on oud and violin, and his band Qantara play ecstatic music that fuses genres. Their thrilling mix of Arabic melodies, jazz improvisation and Latin American rhythms is haunting, meditative and often quite startling. Their concert is Wednesday, March 12.

On Saturday, April 12 Muzsikás triumphantly returns to Campbell Hall after its unforgettable performance in 2000. Featuring the otherworldly vocals of Márta Sebestyén, this Hungarian group balances the raw sound of the village with keen musicianship, whether playing Gypsy dances or exploring Bartók’s folk roots.

Rolling Stone calls Youssou N’Dour “a singer with a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems locked inside it.” N’Dour gained fame in the U.S. for his soaring vocals on Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” His live performances with his 10-member band Le Super Étoile are renowned for their pure kinetic joy. They will rock Campbell on Tuesday, April 29.

BLUES AND JAZZ

In addition to our jazz programming, much of which takes on a Latin flavor (see the Latin Jazz series described above) for 2002-2003, Arts & Lectures is proud to present a great American musical form, the blues.

Two-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ (born Kevin Moore) plays an urgent and tender blues, communicating with absolute sincerity through his graceful guitar playing and smoky singing. His meteoric solo career has put him at the forefront of the acoustic blues revival. Don’t miss his rare Santa Barbara appearance on Monday, October 28.

Seven-time Grammy Award winner Pat Metheny leads the Pat Metheny Group into town for its Speaking of Now tour on Sunday, November 17. Acclaimed for his inventive recordings, tireless innovation, breathtaking compositions and groundbreaking collaborations, Metheny has defined jazz guitar for over three decades.

Since 1939 The Blind Boys of Alabama have thrilled religious and secular audiences with irresistible, inspirational gospel songs. Winners of a 2001 Grammy Award, these legendary singers bring audiences to their feet with their potent “James Brown does gospel” style performances. They will be joined by ace harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, heir to the big city blues harp tradition, for a rousing concert on Thursday, February 6.

DINNER-AND-A-SHOW

Once, again, Arts & Lectures has arranged with The Faculty Club to offer international buffets before six performances. Patrons may arrive on campus early and enjoy a gourmet dinner featuring the cuisine from the country or region whose artists they will see that evening, then proceed to Campbell Hall for a great performance. On October 9 before The Calle 54 concert, the Club will serve a savory Latin America feast. On November 1 prior to the Maria Farantouri & Maryó show, patrons may enjoy a robust Greek buffet. On February 6 before the Blind Boys of Alabama, the meal will be a mouth-watering Southern buffet. On March 12 the intriguing food of the Arab world will be served prior to the Simon Shaheen performance. On April 12 before Muzsikás, the Club will serve a delicious Hungarian buffet. On May 7 prior to Spalding Gray’s performance, the Club will serve his favorite meal, a New England clam bake. Each buffet costs $18, which includes tax, and will be served from 6-7:30 pm. For reservations or information, call The Faculty Club, 893-3096.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Arts & Lectures offers patrons an opportunity to meet some of this season’s artists at special catered receptions following their performances. These opportunities extend evenings with exquisite refreshments and stellar company. The four receptions: January 30 with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and The Assads; February 5 with Dancers of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet; March 18 with The Metropolitan Opera’s Denyce Graves; and May 1 with Ravi and Anoushka Shankar. The purchase of a patron ticket also includes priority seating.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

All performances are in UCSB Campbell Hall unless otherwise noted.

Arts & Lectures is currently selling season subscriptions. The season brochure, enabling anyone to purchase Discount Package Series (ArtAbounds, Chamber Music and Recitals, Joint Adventures, Latin Jazz), Create-Your-Own Series and single tickets, is available now. Discount Package Series ticket buyers save 15%. Create-Your-Own Series subscribers, who purchase tickets to any five or more events, save 10% off the price of each ticket. Subscribers get the best seats in the house, free ticket exchanges and lost ticket insurance. Arts & Lectures also welcomes orders for single tickets and will fill those orders in early September after subscriptions are filled. Tickets to individual events go on sale Saturday, September 7 at 10 am.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.