Arts & Lectures
2005-2006 Performing Arts Season News Release
For Immediate Release

June 7, 2005

UCSB Arts & Lectures 2005-2006 Season of Performing Arts—an unparalleled array of live dance, theater, music and spoken word

Summary Facts:

UCSB Arts & Lectures proudly announces its 2005-2006 Season of Performing Arts. Arts & Lectures brings the highest caliber professional performing artists from around the world and across the spectrum of artistic disciplines to the Central Coast. “We are pleased to present another season of wide-ranging and brilliant artists,” says Arts & Lectures Director Celesta Billeci. “This coming year we will feature twenty-five Santa Barbara debuts and two U.S. debuts among the wealth of great performances.”

Season highlights include: the Southern California debut of tenor Salvatore Licitra, who made “the most triumphant Met debut in recent memory” (Newsday); the U.S. debut of John Cleese’s new-solo show Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot; a compelling evening of roots music with the legendary Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller; the return of national institutions Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Paul Taylor Dance Company; and a scintillating jazz show with the groundbreaking Chick Corea & Touchstone. 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, Recital, Jazz—that not only lend thematic unity to diverse performances but also provide a 15% discount. The Roots Music Series returns after its successful first year and features five performances of music anchored in the blues, country, soul and gospel. This series kicks off with an artist the Los Angeles Times calls “the most captivating female artist ever in country music,” Emmylou Harris with ace guitarist/singer Buddy Miller on Tuesday, September 27 at the Arlington Theatre. On Thursday, October 27, brilliant blues guitarist and singer Keb’ Mo’ will return to Campbell after his sold-out show in 2002. On Tuesday, November 1 the series continues with a 40th Anniversary Celebration of “Alice’s Restaurant” with Arlo Guthrie. Tuesday, April 18 will see the utterly captivating mezzo-soprano Lila Downs invigorating a new wave of cross-border Latino music in concert. The series concludes on Tuesday, April 25 with a concert by two multiple Grammy-winning legends of blues and soul, Taj Mahal and Mavis Staples.

The Word of Mouth Series presents five unique thinkers (in four events) with engaging abilities to express themselves. On Saturday, November 5, our audience will enjoy an evening with delightful writer Alexander McCall Smith, the author of the international bestsellers The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series and his new The Sunday Philosophy Club series. Comedic genius John Cleese will present the U.S. debut of his new one man-show Seven Ways to Skin an Ocelot on Saturday, January 28. This event is a special benefit for A&L. The talented duo of author Anne Lamott and singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter will present a dazzling evening of storytelling and song on Tuesday, April 4. On Sunday, April 9, one of the United States’ most brilliant cultural critics, long-time New York Times scribe Frank Rich, will deliver a lecture On Art, Culture & Politics.

The Recital Series presents four encounters with matchless music. On Wednesday, October 5 the series opens with a piano recital by the prestigious Van Cliburn Gold Medal Winner (to be chosen in June). The series next features the Southern California debut of one of the hottest rising stars in the world of opera, tenor Salvatore Licitra on Sunday, November 6 at the Lobero Theatre. The recital on Tuesday, April 11 features Yundi Li, one of the youngest contestants ever to claim top honors at the International Chopin Piano Competition. The series concludes on Thursday, May 18 with a recital by pianist André Watts, one of the most celebrated and beloved piano superstars. Not part of the series but also of interest to classical music fans, the Emerson String Quartet—hailed as “America’s greatest quartet” by Time magazine—will perform on Friday, December 9 at Abravanel Hall in a concert co-presented with the Music Academy of the West.

The four-concert Jazz Series—and Arts & Lectures 05-06 season—opens with Madeleine Peyroux, the Billboard chart-topping jazz vocalist, on Tuesday, September 20. On Sunday, October 16 Eddie Palmieri, one of the foremost Latin pianists of the last half-century, performs with the Latin Jazz Ensemble. On Saturday, January 21 we present the Santa Barbara debut of the sizzling chanteuse Dee Dee Bridgewater, backed by the swinging Hollywood Jazz Orchestra in a special Tribute to Ella. The series concludes with a concert by pioneering keyboardist Chick Corea & Touchstone, performing passionate Spanish-influenced compositions on Tuesday, February 7.

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 special Christmas concerts on Sunday, December 4 at Trinity Episcopal Church by the Aulos Ensemble, one of the first American “original instruments” groups, with soprano Julianne Baird. On Wednesday, May 10 Grammy-winning classical guitarist Sharon Isbin will perform two recitals at the Austin Val Verde Estate in Montecito. The series concludes with two concerts by Mark O’Connor and his Appalachia Waltz Trio, playing his crowd-pleasing chamber-inspired Americana music, on Sunday, May 21 at Rockwood (Santa Barbara Women’s Club).

THEATER

Arts & Lectures 2005-06 theater presentations have something to offer everyone, from fresh hip-hop theater to a history-based radio play. LA Theatre Works performs The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, centered on the John T. Scopes Trial about teaching evolution, with a cast scheduled to include Edward Asner, James Cromwell and Marsha Mason, on Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15.

Viewed as a pioneer in the emerging genre of hip-hop theater, sensational Will Power delivers his energetic monologue Flow, portraying seven assorted community storytellers on Tuesday, October 25.

Winner of the 2004 HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Jury Award, Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack! Adventure takes audiences on a riotous journey to the wildest places on the internet and around the globe. The play, which Time Out New York rated a “Don’t Miss,” will have an eight-show run from January 17-22 at the Victoria Hall Theater.

Under the artistic direction of Academy Award-winner Tim Robbins, The Actors’ Gang—one of Los Angeles’ most inventive theater ensembles—performs the off-Broadway hit The Exonerated on Thursday, April 20. This play is a riveting evening based on tales of death row inmates whose wrongful convictions were overturned.

DANCE

A&L will present five outstanding dance concerts by companies from around the globe.

On Tuesday, October 11 Ronald K. Brown/Evidence will make its Santa Barbara debut. Brown has created a movement language that is all his own, modern dance influenced by the fast paced, rhythmic movements of Africa.

On Wednesday, February 12 England’s acclaimed Stan Won’t Dance breaks all the rules about what dance and theatre can be, seamlessly combining text, high-octane choreography and video media in its latest creation Sinner. This will be a U.S. debut.

Returning after its sold-out Arlington show in 2004, the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, famous for its soul-stirring, high-energy performances, will dance on Tuesday, March 7 at the Arlington Theatre.

Julio Bocca, exceptional and striking Argentine star of American Ballet Theater, leads a troupe of elegant dancers and passionate musicians—collectively known as Bocca Tango—that will transform Campbell into a Buenos Aires tango hall on Sunday & Monday, March 12 & 13.

On Wednesday, April 26 the Paul Taylor Dance Company, called by New York Magazine “one of the most intelligent, stylish and physically magnificent dance troupes we have” will leave the audience ecstatic.

WORLD MUSIC

Arts & Lectures keeps world music fans fulfilled with an expanding horizon of international music. Two legends of Bulgarian and Romani wedding music, saxophonist Yuri Yunakov and clarinetist Ivo Papasov, bring their high-energy music—once banned by the Soviets—to Santa Barbara for a dazzling concert on Monday, November 14.

On Wednesday, January 25, Wu Man, called “the artist most responsible for bringing the pipa to the Western World” by the Los Angeles Times, will give a concert accompanied by a percussionist. Man is a master of the ancient Chinese lute and a star of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road tours and recordings.

The eight brothers and sisters of the band Leahy, hailing from Ontario, Canada, perform a beguiling brew of Celtic and country music, full of high spirits, toe-tapping tunes, energetic step-dancing and instrumental virtuosity on Sunday, February 12.

On Tuesday, February 28 three of the most important figures in classical Persian music—Iran’s great vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian; tar (long-necked lute) maestro Hossein Alizadeh; and kamancheh (spike-fiddle) master Kayhan Kalhor—will perform a stirring concert. They will be joined by Homayoun Shajarian on tombak (drum) and vocals.

Known for dramatic adaptations of folk singing styles and spine-chilling harmonies, punctuated by whoops and quavers, the 22-member Bulgarian State National Radio and Television Chorus known as Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares is one of the premier women choirs worldwide. They will sing on Monday, March 6.

For over 30 years Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a 10-man Zulu a cappella group that gained worldwide acclaim on Paul Simon’s Graceland, has thrilled and moved audiences with the music and spirit of South Africa. They return to Campbell after their 2002 sold-out show on Thursday, April 6.

The final world music event of the season will be on Sunday, April 30 at the Arlington Theatre when Ravi Shankar, revered sitar master and most acclaimed Indian musician, and his talented daughter Anoushka are joined by an ensemble of folk musicians and singers for a “Festival of India.”

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Composer, choreographer, poet, singer and dancer—in one highly provocative package—Meredith Monk is celebrating 40 years of groundbreaking art. With her group she presents The Impermanence Project, a multi-layered and celebratory meditation on the delicacy and power of the human spirit on Saturday, February 11.

On May 4 at Lotte Lehmann Concert Hall, the six-member California EAR Unit, an exuberant chamber ensemble dedicated to the creation, performance and promotion of new music, will perform Minimalist Jukebox as part of the LA Philharmonic’s month long celebration/ retrospective of the genre of Minimalism.

PERFORMANCES PLUS

Arts & Lectures invites patrons to extend their evenings with meet-the-artist receptions and dinners by purchasing VIP tickets. After L.A. Theatre Works performs The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial on October 14, patrons can enjoy a special private post-performance reception with the cast of Edward Asner, James Cromwell and Marsha Mason (subject to change) of this powerful radio play. On November 5, patrons can attend a dinner with bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith prior to his reading. On January 28 patrons can attend a gala dinner with John Cleese after the U.S. debut of his new one-man show. This event is a special fundraiser for Arts & Lectures. Patrons at the February 7 jazz concert by Chick Corea & Touchstone can meet the band at an exclusive post-show reception. On April 30, those who purchase VIP tickets will have the honor of attending a post-concert reception with Ravi and Anoushka Shankar.

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 14 before the LA Theatre Works’ performance of The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, the Club will serve the savory cuisine of Tennessee. On November 1 prior to the Arlo Guthrie concert, patrons may enjoy “a Thanksgiving Dinner that can’t be beat!” On February 7 before Chick Corea & Touchstone, the meal will be a “jazzy” Latin buffet. On February 28 fantastic foods from Iran will be served prior to the concert by Masters of Persian Music. On April 6 before Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Club will serve a delicious South African buffet. On April 25 prior to the concert by Taj Mahal and Mavis Staples, the Club will serve foods from Chicago’s favorite restaurants. 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 (Recital, 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. 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 single events go on sale Saturday, September 10 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) 893-2078.

©2005 UCSB Arts & Lectures, University of California, Santa Barbara