June 1, 2004
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

UCSB Arts & Lectures 2004-2005 Season
of Performing Arts—an unparalleled array
of live dance, theater, music and spoken word

Summary Facts:

• UCSB Arts & Lectures 2004-2005 Season of Performing Arts
• 41 exciting Jazz, Classical Music, Theater, Spoken Word, International Dance, World Music and Roots Music events
• Subscriptions are being accepted now; tickets to individual events on sale on Thursday, September 9
• Five thematic Discount Package Series: Jazz, International Dance, Classical Music, Roots Music, and Word of Mouth
• Create-Your-Own Series: Buy tickets to any five or more events
• All series allow patrons to get better seats, money-saving discounts, free ticket exchange and a free ticket to see the Juilliard String Quartet (limited availability)
• Introducing Sonic Visions: two live music and film events
• Charge by phone, (805) 893-3535, or by fax, (805) 893-8637
• For tickets and information, phone UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535

UCSB Arts & Lectures proudly announces 2004-2005 Season of Performing Arts that builds on the excitement and success of A&L’s just concluded 45th anniversary season. A&L continues to bring the highest caliber professional performing artists on tour from around the world and across the spectrum of artistic disciplines to the Central Coast.

To help make patrons’ experiences even more cohesive and less expensive, Arts & Lectures offers two new thematic series this season—Roots Music and International Dance. “The artists in these new series exemplify the current riches in the performing arts touring world,” Arts & Lectures’ Director Celesta Billeci says. “The Roots Music Series will bring musicians that draw deeply from traditional sources like country, the blues and gospel, yet perform with verve and inventiveness. The International Dance Series will showcase five terrific troupes from around the globe that rarely make appearances outside of the U.S.’s major cities. I am excited for the opportunity to bring all these phenomenal performers to the Central Coast.”

Other season highlights include: a five-day run of the hilarious off-Broadway smash Matt & Ben; a rare piano recital by the incredibly talented Daniel Barenboim; an afternoon with the extraordinary comedienne Lily Tomlin; the debut Santa Barbara recital by acclaimed soprano Dawn Upshaw, accompanied by pianist Richard Goode; a sure-to-be wondrous concert by Bobby McFerrin; and a compelling tribute to John Coltrane and Miles Davis by Directions in a Music, a jazz quintet led by Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove. A&L’s usual captivating slate of lectures, readings and international films will be announced prior to each quarter.

DISCOUNT PACKAGE SERIES

Patrons will have the option to purchase Discount Package Series—Roots Music, Word of Mouth, Classical Music, Jazz, International Dance—that not only lend thematic unity to diverse performances but also provide a 15% discount. The Roots Music Series features five performances of music anchored in the blues, country and gospel. This series kicks off with blues legend and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Etta James with the Roots Band on Monday, November 8. On Sunday, January 9 at the Arlington Theatre, k.d. lang will let loose her terrific pipes and examine Canadian roots in a show based on her upcoming CD Hymns of the 49th Parallel. On Saturday, January 29 the series continues with Sweet Honey in the Rock, the venerable African American female a cappella group. Sunday, March 6 will see a Special Night of Acoustic Music with Los Lobos, the invigorating Mexican-American group from L.A. The series concludes on Wednesday, April 20 with a concert by the David Grisman Quintet, featuring the talented mandolinist who plays everything from bluegrass to klezmer. Not part of the discount series but also in the roots genre are the Blind Boys of Alabama, who will present their uplifting Christmas program Go Tell It on the Mountain on Tuesday, December 7 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre.

The Word of Mouth Series presents four unique thinkers with engaging abilities to express themselves. On Friday, October 15, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, author of Angels in America, will expound on faith, death and life in a rousing on-stage conversation. Star of film (Moulin Rouge! and others) and stage (Sexaholix and others) John Leguizamo will perform moments from his fantastic life on Wednesday, December 1. Legendary actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin will perform portions of her masterwork Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe and reprise some of her classic characters on Saturday, February 12. On Monday, April 25, hilarious writer and Santa Barbara favorite David Sedaris, known for his witty pieces on This American Life and bestsellers such as Me Talk Pretty Someday, will read new work. Not part of this discount series but also part of the word of mouth genre will be Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, an energy-filled evening of lyrical wit, on Tuesday, January 18, and the enchanting return of the multi-talented musician/singer/storyteller Laurie Anderson with her latest solo show on Monday & Tuesday, January 24 & 25.

The Classical Music Series presents three evenings of matchless music. On Thursday, October 14 a concert by superstar pianist Daniel Barenboim, featuring a program including parts of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, opens this series. (Barenboim’s recital is an ArtAbounds performance, co-presented with the Lobero.) Two of the greatest pianists of our age, Emanuel Ax & Yefim Bronfman, will play an unforgettable duo concert on Sunday, March 20. The series concludes on Friday, April 15 with a recital by soprano Dawn Upshaw, acclaimed for the unaffected beauty of her singing, and pianist Richard Goode, hailed for his tremendous emotional expressiveness.

The four-concert Jazz Series opens with Branford Marsalis, one of the most talented saxophonists and bandleaders in his field, on Sunday, October 10. On Thursday, February 10 three spectacular jazzmen—pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter Roy Hargrove—lead their quintet Direction in Music. On Saturday, April 9 we present the joyous return of the supergroup the SF JAZZ Collective with Joshua Redman, performing A Tribute to John Coltrane. The series concludes with the dynamic teaming of diva Dianne Reeves and ace trumpeter Terence Blanchard on Thursday, May 5. Jazz aficionados should also be interested in an exciting concert on Sunday, May 15 by Bobby McFerrin, whose miraculous voice seems able to do just about anything.

The five-event International Dance Series features riveting dance from around the globe. The series opens with two nights of Lyon Opera Ballet, the acclaimed French ensemble noted for its risk-taking, graceful and dynamic dancers and imaginative productions, on Monday & Tuesday, October 4 & 5. One of Spain’s most popular and celebrated dancers, the spellbinding Sara Baras, makes her Santa Barbara debut, performing Sueños—traditional flamenco puro at its finest and most essential—with her company on Februrary 15. On Wednesday, March 30, Çudamani, Balinese Gamelan Music & Dance will bring thirty young virtuoso musicians and dancers from Indonesia to the Campbell Hall stage. The witty and wild Australian Dance Theatre will perform its sensational Birdbrain, a variation on Swan Lake, on Tuesday & Wednesday, April 12 & 13 at the Lobero Theatre. The series concludes on Tuesday, April 26 with a performance by one of the most talked about European dance troupes, Emio Greco PC, a cutting edge company formed by Italian choreographer Emio Greco and Dutch director Pieter C Scholten.

CHAMBER MUSIC IN HISTORIC SITES®

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

CMHS opens with a special event on Sunday, October 3 at the Montecito Country Club—a free recital by the internationally renowned Juilliard String Quartet. Subscribers to A&L’s 2004-2005 season can request a free ticket to this concert (availability limited), a special benefit made possible by the Library of Congress and Santa Barbara residents Jon and Lillian Lovelace.

On Saturday, December 4 the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music The Tallis Scholars will perform a new Christmas program at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito. The series concludes with two recitals by the prodigiously talented bassist Edgar Meyer on Saturday, May 21 at The Barton Myers Residence.

THEATER

From Shakespeare to spectacle to off-Broadway smashes, Arts & Lectures 2004-05 theater presentations have something to offer everyone. Matt & Ben, the “certified hit” (Variety) about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, male bonding, screenwriting and celebrity will settle in for an eight-performance run Tuesday-Sunday, November 17-21 at the Center Stage Theater.

Quebec’s Cirque Éloize combines the sweetly human and the astonishingly super-human in energetic, stylish spectacles that have thrilled audiences from Lincoln Center to the Edinburgh Festival. They will perform their latest wonderment Rain on Wednesday & Thursday, January 26 & 27 at the Lobero Theatre. (Cirque Éloize is an ArtAbounds performance, co-presented with the Lobero.)

On Wednesday, March 9 The Aquila Theatre Company, internationally admired as a foremost producer of touring classical theatre, will stage Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most charming comedies.

On Wednesday, April 6 The Civilians, the acclaimed, Obie Award-winning New York troupe, will present Gone Missing. The six-actor company creates over 30 characters, intertwining humorous and poignant stories and songs about losing things, both large and small.

DANCE

In addition to the five major events that are part of the International Dance Series listed above, Arts & Lectures will present two more outstanding dance concerts by companies based in the U.S. On Tuesday, November 16 Alonzo King’s crowd-pleasing and beautiful LINES Ballet returns to Santa Barbara with Before the Blues, his new stunning evocation of the historic American South set to an original score by jazz master Pharaoh Sanders.

On Tuesday, May 12 AXIS Dance Company, the internationally acclaimed troupe of disabled and non-disabled dancers, will perform fascinating pieces choreographed by Bill T. Jones, Victoria Marks and a new work by Ann Carlson co-commissioned by UCSB Arts & Lectures.

WORLD MUSIC

Arts & Lectures keeps world music fans fulfilled with an expanding horizon of international music. One of Portugal’s biggest fado icons, the fabulously talented Mariza, with her rich and sensual voice, embodies the poetic mystery of this moving music perched tenderly between regret and joy. She will perform on Monday, October 18.

On Wednesday, November 3, Angélique Kidjo, a charismatic singer from Benin in West Africa who “dominates a stage like a tiny Tina Turner” (Boston Globe) will perform with her band.

Putumayo World Music—now firmly established as the premier independent world music label—celebrates its tenth anniversary with Putumayo Presents: Latinas a bill that brings three extraordinary South American divas to Campbell Hall on Wednesday, November 10: Totó la Momposino (Colombia), Belô Velloso (Brazil) and Mariana Montalvo (Chile).

On Wednesday, February 2 amazing fiddler and step dancer Natalie MacMaster, an icon among fans of Celtic music, will perform. Hailing from Cape Breton Island, MacMaster and her music are fresh, lively and appealing.

The magnificent Indonesian spectacle of Çudamani, Balinese Gamelan Music & Dance will bring a group of 30 virtuoso performers noted for great technical precision and high collective spirit to Campbell Hall on Wednesday, March 30.

The final world music event of the season will be the lively Gypsy Crossings when the vital Romanian ensemble Taraf de Haïdouks and masterful Belgian guitarist Biréli Lagrène exhibit their on-stage energy and instrumental prowess on Tuesday, May 3.

SONIC VISIONS: LIVE MUSIC AND FILM EVENTS

This season Arts & Lectures teams up with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to present two wonderful evenings that bring together film and live music. On Friday, October 29 The Jazz Passengers do a hilarious radio play-style take on the 1954 camp classic The Creature from the Black Lagoon, performing new dialogue and terrific music. Hailed as an “absurdist mix of jazz and musical comedy” (Rolling Stone), this wild evening is a perfect Halloween treat and comes complete with 3-D glasses. On Saturday, February 5 a single ticket will allow patrons to see a classic silent film double feature, Buster Keaton’s The General at 4 pm and Alfred Hitchock’s rarely screened Blackmail at 7:30 pm, both accompanied by the Alloy Orchestra. Entertainment Weekly claims that the three-man Alloy Orchestra has “rejuvenated the art of the silent film with thrillingly quirky, percussive scores.”

PERFORMANCES PLUS

Arts & Lectures invites patrons to extend their evenings with meet-the-artist receptions and dinners by purchasing VIP tickets. Before k.d. lang performs at the Arlington Theatre on January 9, concertgoers can attend a special private reception with the artist. On January 29, patrons can attend a dinner with the women of Sweet Honey in the Rock after their concert. This event is a benefit for the UCSB Women’s Center in honor of its 30th Anniversary. Patrons at the February 10 jazz concert by Directions in Music, featuring Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove, can meet the band at an exclusive post-show reception. On February 12, those who purchase VIP tickets will have the honor of attending a post-show dinner with Lily Tomlin.

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 4 before the Lyon Opera Ballet performance, the Club will serve a savory French buffet. On November 10 prior to the Putumayo Presents: Latinas concert, patrons may enjoy a robust South American buffet. On February 2 before Natalie MacMaster, the meal will be a mouth-watering buffet of foods from Canada’s Maritime Provinces. On March 9 a traditional English feast will be served prior to Aquila Theatre Company’s production of Twelfth Night. On March 30 before Çudamani, Balinese Gamelan Music & Dance, the Club will serve a delicious Indonesian buffet. On April 26 prior to The Netherlands based Emio Greco PC, the Club will serve scrumptious Dutch cuisine. Each buffet costs $18, which includes tax. For reservations or information call The Faculty Club (805) 893-3096.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

All performances are in UCSB Campbell Hall unless otherwise noted.

Arts & Lectures is currently selling season subscriptions—Discount Package Series (International Dance, Classical Music, Roots Music, Word of Mouth, Jazz) and Create-Your-Own Series. 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. Donors and subscribers get excellent seats, free ticket exchanges and lost ticket insurance. As a special bonus, each subscriber may request a free ticket to a concert by the esteemed Juilliard String Quartet on October 3 at the Montecito County Club. Arts & Lectures also welcomes orders for single tickets and will fill those orders in early September after subscriptions are filled. A compact subscriber’s guide is now available. Our full-color season brochure will be mailed in the middle of July. Tickets to individual events go on sale Thursday, September 9 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.