October 1, 2012
Kanawha Valley arts calendar for 2012-13
Blue Man Group's wildly popular theatrical show combines music, comedy and technology to produce a unique form of entertainment. Oct. 3 at the Clay Center. Part of the Broadway in Charleston series.
Pioneering rock, soul and funk band Earth, Wind & Fire perform Sept. 27 at the Clay Center.
Advertiser

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Here are the listings for the upcoming season of entertainment for the Kanawha Valley and surrounding area.

West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

All symphonic and pops concerts begin at 8 p.m. in the Maier Foundation Performance Hall in the Clay Center. Prices for grand series subscriptions range from $120 to $460. Symphonic Series subscriptions range from $72 to $325; ZMM Pops Series subscriptions range from $48 to $220. Individual concert tickets are $12 to $64 for adults, $10 for $52 for students.

Capitol Conference Center Symphonic Series

Grieg: Piano Concerto: Sept. 21 and 22. Works by Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Shostakovich and Edvard Grieg. Featured artist: Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano.

Respighi: Fountains of Rome: Oct. 19 and 20. Works by Ottorino Respighi, John Williams, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Maurice Ravel. Featured artist: Aubrey Foard, tuba.

Mendelssohn: Scottish Symphony: Nov. 9 and 10. Works by Felix Mendelssohn and Max Bruch. Featured artist: Michael Ludwig, violin.

Mozart: Requiem: Jan. 25 and 26. Works by Johannes Brahms and W.A. Mozart. Featured artists: Mariel van Dalsum, mezzo-soprano; Gerald Gray, tenor; and Timothy LeFebvre, baritone. Also, the West Virginia Symphony Chorus, David Castleberry conductor.

Bruckner 8: March 1 and 2. Works by Anton Bruckner and W.A. Mozart: Featured artist: Alexandre Moutouzkine, piano.

Saint-Saëns: Organ Symphony: May 3 and 4. Works by Béla Bartók, Francis Poulenc and Camille Saint-Saëns. Featured artist: Peter DuBois, organ.

ZMM Pops Series

"Home for the Holidays": Dec. 7 and 8. Favorite holiday music with special touches and unique arrangements by Maestro Grant Cooper and the WVSO.

"And the Winner Is ... Music of Movies": Feb. 8 and 9. Each selection will be voted on before the concert by symphony fans and presented like a movie awards show.

"Cirque de la Symphonie": March 15 and 16. An extraordinary troupe of aerial artists, jugglers and contortionists all perform in the lush musical surroundings of a symphony orchestra.

"Music of the Night": April 12 and 13. Broadway veterans Norman Large and Christina Saffran perform showstoppers from Broadway hits including "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Cats."

City National Bank Family Series

All family concerts begin at 11 a.m. at the Clay Center. Season tickets for the two concerts are $25 for adults, $14 for children. General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for students and children.

Little Red Riding Hood: Nov. 10. Maestro Grant Cooper retells this childhood classic with his "Boyz in the Wood."

Symphony at the Circus: March 16. The acrobatic high jinks of Cirque de la Symphonie and favorite circus tunes are featured.

Orchestras & All That Jazz: April 13. The WVSO features the intersection of jazz and classical music.

Ballet co-production

"The Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky's holiday classic is presented with the Charleston Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. at the Clay Center. Tickets are $22 to $52 for adults, $10 to $32 for children.

Clay Center Presents

All shows begin at 8 p.m. and are at the Clay Center unless otherwise stated. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: Sept. 23. Fiery rock legend Pat Benatar and guitarist/husband Neil Giraldo bring all of Benatar's '80s gold, including hits like "Love is a Battlefield," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "We Belong." Tickets $40, $55 and $75.

Earth, Wind & Fire: Sept. 27. Pioneering rock, soul and funk band known for hits like "September," "After the Love is Gone" and "Boogie Wonderland." Tickets $55, $75 and $95.

Phildanco: Oct. 12. Elegant but fierce dance company known for innovative choreography that blends African-American-based dance with ballet, jazz and modern technique. Tickets $15, $25 and $35.

Wayne Brady: Oct. 14. A night of comedy with the Emmy Award-winning actor, singer, comedian and game-show host. Tickets $25, $35 and $45.

"Hello Dolly" with Charleston Light Opera Guild: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27, 2 p.m. Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3, 2 p.m. Nov. 4. Broadway classic featuring such songs as "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," "It Takes a Woman" and, of course, "Hello, Dolly." Tickets $15 and $20.

Broadway in Charleston

All shows are at the Clay Center and begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Season ticket packages are $215 and $345 for six shows, $180 and $290 for five, and $145 and $235 for four. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Blue Man Group: Oct. 3. Wildly popular theatrical show that combines music, comedy and technology to produce a unique form of entertainment. Tickets $45 and $65.

Cirque Dreams: Holidaze: 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Reimagined holiday spectacle with acrobatic gingerbread men, toy soldiers and snowmen, spinning penguins, dancing puppets and more. Tickets $35 and $58.

"Shrek: The Musical": Dec. 20. Based on the animated film, the Broadway adaptation features 19 new songs, dance numbers and lots of laughs. Tickets $40 and $61.

"Fiddler on the Roof": April 4. Broadway classic based on the stories of author Sholom Aleichem. Tickets $34 and $58.

"Experience the Beatles with Rain": April 23. A multidimensional experience with historic footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s. Features Beatles music from their earliest days to their breakup. Tickets $34 and $58.

"Rock of Ages": May 7. Arena-rock love story featuring the music of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon and more. Tickets $40 and $61.

Community Music Association

All concerts begin at 3 p.m. in the association's new venue in Geary Auditorium, Riggleman Hall, at the University of Charleston. Season tickets are $90 for adults, $30 for full-time college students and $10 for youths age 18 or younger. Single tickets are $35 adults, $10 college students, $5 for youths 18 and under. Call 304-744-1400 or visit www.communitymusicassociation.com.

"Liverpool Legends: The Beatles Tribute": Sept. 30. The Beatles tribute group has performed from Carnegie Hall to Liverpool, home of the original band, and is a popular mainstay in Branson, Mo.

Mac Frampton's "Fanfare for the American Hero": Nov. 11. In observance of Veterans Day, pianist Mac Frampton brings a full orchestra with a host of world-class singers.

"The Water Coolers": Jan. 20. An award-winning off-Broadway musical comedy that tackles such topics as husbands, wives, kids and technology. "E! Entertainment" dubbed it one of the hottest tickets in town.

From Galway to Broadway: March 17. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Broadway performers Ciaran Sheehan and Kimilee Bryant bring Irish spirit to life powered by a piano and Irish strings.

Saxton's Cornet Band: April 14. As the United States marks the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Saxton's Cornet Band presents a two-part program of music from the era.

Woody Hawley series

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and are at the Clay Center, usually in the Walker Theater. Season tickets available for $115. Individual tickets $18, except where noted. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.

Jim Hurst: Oct. 6. Savvy guitar picking and impeccable vocal range with an artist who steps beyond the musical boundaries of bluegrass and country.

Rob Carlson: Nov. 3. One of Connecticut's most prolific songwriters, recognized for his highly acclaimed album, "Peaceable Kingdom," and for his parodies and comedy bits written for the American Comedy Network.

Michael Jackson: Jan. 5. Singer-songwriter with a smooth baritone voice and intricate guitar playing known for hits "Bluer Than Blue" and "Give Me Wings."

Cheryl Wheeler: March 9. Natural storyteller with an eclectic sense of humor and a beautiful voice. Onstage seating.

Jonathan Edwards: April 6. Witty folk singer-songwriter best known for 1971 gold-record hit "Sunshine." Special meet and greet.

Peter Yarrow: May 11. Best known for his work with iconic folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow is recognized for co-writing the legendary song "Puff the Magic Dragon." Onstage seating. Special meet and greet. Tickets $20.

FOOTMAD

Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance shows begin at 8 p.m. in the Culture Center Theater, except where noted. Season tickets are $70 for adults, $35 for students. Individual tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students and free to children under 13. Call 304-415-3668 or visit www.footmad.org.

Girsa: Oct. 6. Eight female Celtic artists playing traditional Irish music.

Ernie Hawkins: Nov. 17. An accomplished acoustic blues guitarist.

The Steel Wheels: Dec. 1. Americana roots music.

Hank Williams Tribute: Dec. 29. Rob McNurlin, John Lilly, Buddy Griffin, Ritchie Collins, Kayton Roberts and Roger Carroll play the music of Hank Williams.

Full Set: Feb. 23. The group performs traditional Irish music.

Christine Balfa and Balfa Toujours: April 6. Location to be announced. Reviewer Barry Ancelet dubbed the group "the future of Cajun music."

'Mountain Stage'

All shows begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Rodney Crowell, Lucero, Sara Watkins: Oct. 14. Americana, alternative country, progressive bluegrass, folk and more. Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium, Athens, Ohio. Advance tickets $25 (first 10 rows), $15 all other seats. Call 740-593-1780 or www.ohio.edu.

Brandi Carlile, Logan Venderlic, Kat Edmonson, Ben Taylor, The Trishas: Oct. 21. Alternative country, folk rock, jazz and more. WVU Creative Arts Center, Morgantown. Advance tickets $18, day of the show $23. Call 304-293-SHOW or www.ticketmaster.com.

Beth Orton, Jesse Harris, David Wax Museum: Oct. 28. British folk rock, singer-songwriters and pop. Culture Center Theater, Charleston. Advance tickets $15, at the door $25. Call 800-549-TIXX or www.mountainstage.org.

Dr. Dog, The Mountain Goats, Spirit Family Reunion, Red Wanting Blue: Nov. 4. Indie folk, folk rock, indie rock and more. Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Huntington. Advance tickets $25, day of the show $30. Call 304-696-6656 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Bruce Cockburn, Iris Dement, Brooke Waggoner: Nov. 18. Folk rock, alternative country and indie pop. Culture Center Theater. Advance tickets $15, at the door $25. Call 800-549-TIXX or www.mountainstage.org.

Chamber Music Society

Except where noted, Charleston Chamber Music Society shows begin at 7 p.m. at Christ Church United Methodist. Season tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for first-time members and $10 for students. Individual shows are $20, and children's admission is free with a paying adult. For more information, call 304-344-5389 or visit www.charlestonchambermusic.org.

Antonio Lysy and Patricia Hoy: Oct. 6. Cellist Antonio Lysy has performed as a soloist in major concert halls worldwide; the playing of Canadian pianist Patricia Hoy has been described by reviewers as "powerful," "passionate" and "sensuous."

Orchestra 2001 with George Crumb: 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the University of Charleston. The orchestra premieres a new work by Charleston's own Pulitzer Prize-winning composer George Crumb.

West Shore Piano Trio: March 9. A talented, up-and-coming trio of pianists, "The West Shore Trio plays with a very vibrant and colorful sound," says Dr. Haewon Moon, of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Elysian Camerata: April 6. From Bach to Bartók, this Philadelphia-based ensemble has won praise for its inspiring and engaging performances. Talia Schiff, daughter of former Charleston Symphony Conductor Charles Schiff, is cellist for the group.

Daedalus String Quartet: May 11. The Washington Post was effusive in its praise for this leader among the new generation of string ensembles, featuring "jet-propelled rockets of blistering virtuosity ... the music rang gloriously."

Montclaire String Quartet

All concerts begin at 3 p.m. Sundays in the Erma Byrd Gallery at the University of Charleston. Season tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for children. General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for students and children.

"Miniatures": Oct. 12. Pieces by Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Bridge, Shostakovich, Kirchner, Turina, Ives, Ljova and Piazzolla.

"With Love, MSQ": Jan. 13

Kreutzer Sonata: Feb. 24

"Grand Finale": April 28

Womansong

Holiday concert: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Christ Church United Methodist. Free.

Spring concert: 7:30 p.m. April 27, location to be announced. Free.

West Virginia Symphony Chorus

Mozart Requiem, with West Virginia Symphony Orchestra: 8 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26 in the Maier Foundation Performance Hall in the Clay Center. Tickets: $12 to $64 for adults, $10 to $52 for students.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier "Midnight Mass for Christmas": Nov. 30 at Christ Church United Methodist.

Charleston Civic Chorus

Winter concert: 3 p.m. Dec. 2, Baptist Temple. Chorus will perform "Canticum Novum," a composition by Stephen Paulus accompanied by harp, flute, oboe and percussion. Free.

Kanawha Kordsmen

"Wine and All That Cheese: A Barbershop Cabaret": 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Charleston Woman's Club, 1600 Virginia St. E. Tickets $15. Call 304-346-7464 or visit www.kordsmen.org.

"Charleston Harmony": June 22. Features international champion quartet O.C. Times. For more information, call 304-346-7464.

Charleston Ballet

Except for "The Nutcracker," performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Theater. Except for "The Nutcracker," shows cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students. Call 304-342-6541 or visit www.thecharlestonballet.com.

"La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer)": Oct. 19 and 20. Set in exotic India, this full-length ballet features a love triangle between Nikiya, a bayadere or temple dancer; Solar, a noble warrior; and Gamzatti, beautiful daughter of the wealthy Raja. Performed with guest dancers from Columbia Classical Ballet, of South Carolina.

"The Nutcracker": Dec. 14 and 15. The seasonal family favorite returns to the Clay Center in a collaboration between the ballet and the West Virginia Symphony, featuring more than 150 performers. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets range from $22 to $52 for adults and $10 to $32 for children under 12. For tickets, call 304-561-3570 or visit tickets.theclaycenter.org.

"Partners and Pairs": March 22 and 23. Includes an encore performance of "Squaredance," a ballet danced to Appalachian folk tunes; a dramatic classical pas de deux, "Diana and Actaeon"; and "Majisimo," a ballet for five couples described as an exhibition of passion, athleticism and style, performed to the music of Massenet.

River City Youth Ballet

All performances begin at 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary and will be announced.

Music In Motion: Nov. 30, featuring live and local musicians, Culture Center Theater. General admission.

Nutcracker in Review: Dec. 15, Clendenin Middle Community Center. General admission.

Toymaker Workshop and Graduation Ball: Feb. 22, Clay Center. Reserved seating.

JADCO Contemporary Dance Company

"Chasing Butterflies": School performances 9:15 and 11 a.m. March 8; public performance 7:30 p.m. March 8 in the Clay Center. An original children's ballet written and directed by January Wolfe and orchestrated by Mark Scarpelli tells the adventures of friends Capable and Bucket as they overcome obstacles to reach Eagle's Point, where Capable is convinced she will find her beloved butterfly, Violet. Tickets are $7 per student for the school shows; $24 for adults and $17 for children under 12 for the evening show.

Recommended Stories

Copyright 2012 The Charleston Gazette. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Popular Videos
The Gazette now offers Facebook Comments on its stories. You must be logged into your Facebook account to add comments. If you do not want your comment to post to your personal page, uncheck the box below the comment. Comments deemed offensive by the moderators will be removed, and commenters who persist may be banned from commenting on the site.
Advertisement - Your ad here
Get Daily Headlines by E-Mail
Sign up for the latest news delivered to your inbox each morning.
Advertisement - Your ad here
News Videos
Advertisement - Your ad here
Advertisement - Your ad here