Amsel Quartet above their native Amsterdam. They perform for Joplins Pro Musica November 14, 2013.

photo by Martin van Rossen MISSOURI ARTS COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 2013

2013-14 Season: Arts Directors Give Personal Picks

by Barbara MacRobie Even before theres a nip in the air, Labor Day heralds a fresh time for the performing arts. As the harvest moon waxes and wanes, companies kick off new seasons that will run through next spring. Weve asked theater, dance, and music directors from across the state to name an event in their own season that especially tickles their fancyplus a favorite in someone elses season. Here are their picks plucked from Missouris bumper crop of 2013-14 shows.

Columbia

We Always Swing Jazz Series: Arturo OFarrill Quintet

Friday, January 24 7 p.m., Kimball Ballroom, Stephens College $18-$36
When I founded We Always Swing in 1995, says Executive Director Jon W. Poses, my idea was to present a global, modern jazz seriesmodern roughly defined as post-World War II. We offer people a snapshot of what jazz is today, from up-and-coming 20-somethings to octogenarian masters. Jazz is an ongoing evolutionary, revolutionary music. Since 2009, the Jazz Series has been affiliated with the University of Missouri-Columbias College of Arts and Sciences, but has an independent budget. The Jazz Series presents 10 to 12 concerts each year in several different locations around Columbia. Though Jon exclaimed that selecting a single event over any other is like playing favorities with your children! he did settle on the GRAMMY-winning Arturo OFarrill and

photo by John Abbott

his Quintettrumpet, saxophone, bass, and drumsas a concert of choice, not the concert of choice. Founder of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and Orchestra, Arturo is a wonderful pianist, Jon says. Ive chosen him because we had an early supporter, Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa, a pathologist who was a Cuban native, and when he passed away in 2000, his wife Laura embraced our idea of presenting a Cuban native or someone attached to Cuban culture each season as the memorial concert. Arturos father, Chico OFarrill, was one of the great Cuban band leaders of the 40s and 50s. He moved his family to Mexico, where Arturo was born, and then to New York City. Arturo is not playing in KC or St. Louis, and he has never performed in Columbia before.
More about We Always Swing and Arturo OFarrill Quintet wealwaysswing.org and 573-449-3009 Arturo OFarrill Quintet performance details Arturo OFarrills website: arturoofarrill.com Arturo OFarrills YouTube Channel Clips from 13 of Arturo OFarrills CDs

Jons pick from someone elses season

St. Louis

The Sheldon: Chucho Valds Quintet

Saturday, February 15 8 p.m., The Sheldon $15-$45
One of my favorite pianists is Chucho Valds. Hes also Cuban, and did the first Dr. Carlos Perez-Mesa Memorial concert here in 2000. He was here again in 2011. Were really proud that weve presented him in two different concerts. Hes a master and a wonderful person. The five-time GRAMMY winner will perform his adventurous blend of jazz, Afro-Cuban, and contemporary music. Musicians and music lovers have been enjoying the perfect acoustics of The Sheldon since the building opened its doors in 1912 as the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Today the concert hall and art galleries host more than 350 events each year. During the 2013-14 season, the Jazz at the Sheldon Series is one of six series such as Fantastic Folk and Sheldon Classics. There are also more than a dozen non-series special events.
More about The Sheldon and Chucho Valds Quintet thesheldon.org and 314-533-9900 Chucho Valds Quintet performance details Chucho Valds website: valdeschucho.com Chucho Valds videos We Always Swing Jazz Series 2013-14 Season Eldar Djangirov Trio, October 6 Donald Harrison Quintet, October 27 Aaron Diehl Quartet, December 8 Arturo OFarrill Quintet, January 24 Matt Wilson Quartet, January 26 Bill Charlap Trio, February 9 Christian McBride Trio, February 23 Sean Jonos Quartet, March 9 Newport Jazz Festival: Now 60, March 20 Catherine Russell, April 13 Brad Mehidau Trio, April 20 Jazz at the Sheldon 2013-14 Season
Brubeck Brothers Quartet, October 5 Jonathan Batiste and Stay Human, January 18 Chucho Valds Quintet, February 15 Catherine Russell, April 19

Joplin

Pro Musica: Amstel Quartet

Thursday, November 14 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church FREE
Joplins annual classical chamber series is going into its 33rd season of providing ageless music for all ages, says Bonnie Yetter, managing director, quoting Pro Musicas tagline. And weve kept our concerts at no charge, except for every other year when we bring in an international symphony. The 2013-14 photo by Marco Borggreve season is one of those years and in March will feature the Haifa Symphony Orchestra from Israel. Concerts take place in area churches and at Missouri Southern State University. Another international visitor has especially caught Bonnies attention: the barrier-breaking young Amstel Saxophone Quartet. In my seven years of working for Pro Musica, weve never had a sax quartet, Bonnie says. Its a plus that theyre from the Netherlands. I always like to bring people of other cultures to our audiences and to studentswe take all our groups on educational tours, and the kids are always fascinated by people from another country. There are a million string quartets out there and we could fill our whole season with them, but we like to get variety into our year. The Amstel Quartet is really something different. The quartet plays original new music for saxophones as well as transcriptions of classics, pops, film scores, and world music. Also as a personal interest for me, Bonnie adds, my granddaughters playing the sax right now!
More about Pro Musica and the Amstel Saxophone Quartet promusicajoplin.org and 417-625-1822 Amstel Quartet in Joplin performance details Amstel Quartets website: amstelquartet.nl Amstel Quartets YouTube channel Free downloadable full-length tracks

Bonnies pick from someone elses season

Springfield Symphony Orchestra: The Wild West

Saturday, May 17 7:30 p.m. (pre-concert music at 7 p.m.), Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts $11-$36
graphic design by Greg Knight

I love what the Springfield Symphony doesthey have really good and interesting programs, with special themes. The Wild West is more of a pops program. Theyre doing the William Tell Overture and the Grand Canyon Suite, which I love. Ive always liked cowboys! The Springfield ensembles 2013-14 season includes six classical and three pops concerts plus other performances in partnership with local musicians and other artists. All nine shows on the main season take place in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts on the campus of Missouri State University. This 79th season will be the first under the baton of newly appointed Music Director and Conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett. The California native comes to Springfield from a dual post with the North State Symphony in California and the Juneau Symphony in Alaska and, and will also direct the Topeka Symphony Orchestra.
More about the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and The Wild West springfieldmosymphony.org and 417-864-6683 The Wild West performance details Pro Musica 2013-14 Season Strata Trio, September 19 Linden String Quartet, October 24 Amstel Quartet, November 14 New York Polyphony, December 5 Chatham Baroque, February 6 Haifa Symphony Orchestra, March 2 Horszowski Trio, March 27 Springfield Symphony 2013-14 Season Love at First Sight, September 28 Fairy Tales and Legends, October 19 Folk Art, November 23 Holiday Concert, December 14 Classical and Neo-Classical, January 11 An Evening in Italy, February 15 Seville, Sibelius, and Sean Chen, March 15 Russian Fireworks, April 12 The Wild West, May 17

Waynesville

Pulaski Fine Arts Association: Auschwitz Lullaby

February 28March 15 Theatre on the Square $5-$10
A 100-seat theater on the town square of Waynesville, the seat of Pulaski County, is the home of four to five productions every year thanks to the Pulaski Fine Arts Association. We are a nonprofit community-based organization entirely of volunteers, says Dalton McCart, facility manager, webmaster, and director (and the college-aged son of board president Natalie McCart). PFAA has been performing in the Waynesville/St. Robert/Ft. Leonard Wood community since 1996, and in Theatre on the Square since 2000. The seasons usually include musicals, mysteries, shows especially geared to children, and dramas with an edge. But Auschwitz Lullaby is unlike anything we have done before, Natalie says. As the name implies, this work by Chicago playwright James C. Wall takes place during World War II in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz in Poland, Natalie says. I think the idea came to me to do a piece like this after reading a speech by Dr. Karl Paulnack [currently dean of the Ithaca College School of Music]: even from the concentration camps, we have poetry, we have music, we have visual art.Why? Well, in a place where people are only focused on survival, on the bare necessities, the obvious conclusion is that art must be, somehow, essential for life. The camps were without money, without hope, without commerce, without recreation, without basic respect, but they were not without art. He then says: Art is part of survival; art is part of the human spirit, an unquenchable expression of who we are. Art is one of the ways in which we say, I am alive, and my life has meaning.
(art for production not yet available)

To understand that even in the worst human conditions imaginable, people sought comfort through the arts, just blew me away. The decision was finalized after I had the chance to hear a presentation from a concentration camp survivor and speak with him. His reason for public speaking was simple, he said. So that we may never forget. We choose this piece to say yes, Dr. Paulnack, we agreeArt is part of the human spirit! And to say to all the survivors and their families and to society in general, We shall never forget!
More about the Pulaski Fine Arts Association and Auschwitz Lullaby pfaa-tots.webs.com and 573-855-6625 or 573-528-6440 Pulaski Fine Arts Association 2013-14 season calendar through March Presidents message about the complete 2013-14 season

Natalie and Daltons pick from someone elses season

Rolla

Ozark Actors Theatre: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
November 14-24 Cedar Street Playhouse $12-$20
Ozark Actors Theatre is about a half hour from us, and we share some members, Dalton says. They are about to start production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We chose this show as it was one we ourselves did for Christmas in 2009. It holds a special place for many of our board and active members as they were a part of it. For me, it started my theatrical careerI was the light technician and for my mother, it was her first time directing a show. This show went over extremely well in our local community, and we feel it will go over just as well with our neighbors. Though The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe falls within the 2013-14 performing arts season, its actually the final production of OATs 26th season, Each year, there are three Equity shows in the summer and an autumn show featuring local volunteer talent. Every season has a theme. The 26ths has been Fairy Tales and Fables; the 27ths will be Mistaken Identities. OAT also produces a rolling Performing Arts Series throughout the year, scheduling events as opportunities come up. Programs range from jazz and improv comedy to So You Think You Can Dance: Rolla. All shows take place in the historic converted First Baptist Church that is the Cedar Street Playhouse.
More about the Ozark Actors Theatre and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe ozarkactorstheatre.org and 573-364-9523 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe audition details Ozark Actors Theatres YouTube channel Upcoming productions in the Performing Arts Series Pulaski Fine Arts Association 2013-14 Season The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, September 20October 5 The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, November 29December 15 Auschwitz Lullaby, February 28March 15 The Three Musketeers, May 9-24 Alice in Wonderland, July 11-26

Kansas City

photo by Mike Manley

Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company: One, Two, Three, Four Dance

Friday-Saturday, September 20-21 8 p.m., White Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, University of Missouri-KC $15-$24
Mary Pat Henry and the late Leni Wylliams began enriching the Kansas City dance scene with their vision of beautiful, athletic, thought-provoking contemporary dance 22 years ago. The company has accrued acclaim locally and on tour nationally, and is artist-in-residence at UMKCs Conservatory of Music and Dance. Though Wylliams/Henry is especially known for big works where its members dance together as an ensemble, Mary Pat says she decided to open the 2013-14 season with a twist. I looked back at the dancers whom I have had the honor to work with and they are all such special artists in their own right, I wanted to see them as individual artists, she says. I wanted the audience to get to experience more works where the focus was on individual dancers and not a company work. I wanted to showcase each dancer individually. I had never done that before as a full evening. You will have a more intimate experience because you will watch one or two or three dancers. You will see the dancers different styles of moving, because you focus more on the dancers in smaller works. It is nice when a choreographer chooses to create a work for the style of a particular dancerit shows a different side of a choreographer when they are doing smaller works. The evening will let the audience slow down and see dancers as individuals and not as company dancers. All the dancers will be spotlighted, which is lovely for the dancers. I think the audience will all have different favorites, which will be fun.
More about Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and One, Two, Three, Four Dance wylliams-henry.org and 816-241-4511 One, Two, Three, Four Dance performance details Wylliams/Henry company videos

Mary Pats pick from someone elses season

Kansas City Ballet: Fancy Free

October 11-20 Muriel Kauffman Theater, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts $35-$105 (dynamic pricing, so prices subject to change closer to the show dates)

As well as two classics, Fancy Free by Jerome Robbins and Allegro Brillante by George Balanchine, the opening program of Kansas City Ballets season features three premieres: Triple Play by previous artistic director William Whitener, and new ballets by Jodie Gates and Devon Carney, the companys new artistic director, who is a veteran of Cincinnati Ballet and Boston Ballet. Devon Carney is spending time teaching company class and grooming the dancers to his vision for the companys future, says Mary Pat. He is an impressive choreographer, and it will be a delight to see his new work on the first series of the companys season. We are all looking forward to seeing which direction he will take the company and the new work he will create for them. He will bring his artistic voice to an established company, and it will be a fresh new direction artistically and for audiences. Tatiana Dokoudovska began the company in 1957. The 28-member troupe has taken a grand leap forward by moving into the spectacular new Kauffman Center for performances, and into its own new Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity (named for the second artistic director) for programs including the Kansas City Ballet School.
More about Kansas City Ballet and Fancy Free kcballet.org and 816-931-2232 Fancy Free performance details Kansas City Ballets YouTube channel Wylliams/Henry CDC 2013-14 Season One, Two, Three, Four Dance, September 20-21 New Dance Partners with Kansas City Ballet and Owen/Cox Dance Group, September 27-28 TBA, site-specific work, January-February TBA, spring performance Kansas City Ballet 2013-14 Season Fancy Free, October 11-20 The Nutcracker, December 7-24 Dracula, February 21March 2 Cinderella, May 9-18

Kirkwood Theatre Guild: Behind the Curtain Open House: Backstage Tours of I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change
Wednesday, November 13 5 p.m., Robert G. Reim Theater, Kirkwood Community Center FREE
The Depression couldnt dampen the theater mavens of Kirkwood, a historic railroad suburb west of St. Louis (whose 1893 train station is the only stop Amtrak makes outside the central city). Since 1931 the Kirkwood Theatre Guild has been producing plays, four or five every year since at least the 50s. Executive Director Terry Sibbitts highlights a special feature in conjunction with the 2013-14 seasons first show.
graphic design by Gale OLeary

Our annual Open House, Terry says, is a unique opportunity for anyone to learn about all the elements that go into producing a live theatre production. After a brief introduction about what community theatre mean, visitors tour different stations. They learn about basic theatre terminologyand a few superstitions! They go to the booth to learn about lighting, sound, and stage managing. Finally, they come backstage to hear from our designers and carpenters about what it took to build the set. There are refreshments and plenty of time to ask questions and mingle after the tour. As a community theatre, we take the responsibility of involving the public very seriously. The Open House allows people to nose around, ask questions, and maybe begin their own journey into the wonderful world of live theatre!
More about the Kirkwood Theatre Guild and I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change ktg-onstage.org and 314-821-9956 I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change performance details

Terrys pick from someone elses season

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis: Fly

October 16November 10 Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, Webster Groves $16.50-$76
This show by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan (Khan is directing) has had amazing reviews and has even extended a run in Atlanta. It is a story of the AfricanAmerican Army Air Corp fighters, notably known as the Tuskegee Airmen. This is a group of men I have always had a deep interest in. Their dedication to our country where their personal freedom was a battle as well is a testament to their character and bravery. I am anticipating this show not only for the story but for some of the technical elements. It will incorporate live action with video footage and the inspirational Tap Griot, a dancing storyteller who expresses the feelings that the four men cannot. I am certain this will be a thrilling and moving experience! Since 1966, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has been gracing the region with professional productions from classics to world premieres. The 2013-14 season encompasses 12 productions in three series: the Mainstage and Studio series at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University in suburban Webster Groves, and the Imaginary Theatre Company at schools and community venues.
More about the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Fly repstl.org and 314-968-4925 Fly performance details Kirkwood Theatre Guild 2013-14 Season I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change, November 8-17 All My Sons, January 17-26 Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, March 7-16 9 to 5, May 2-11 The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis 2013-14 Season
Cabaret, September 11October 6 Fly, October 16November 10 Freuds Last Session, October 30November 17 The Mousetrap, December 4-29 The Velveteen Rabbit, December 14-23 Opus, January 8February 2 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, January 16 (only) The Other Place, January 22February 9 Other Desert Cities, February 12March 9 Soups, Stews, and Casseroles: 1976, March 12-30 Noises Off, March 19-April 13

Hannibal Concert Association: Charlie Albright

Friday, February 21 7:30 p.m., Roland Fine Arts Center, Hannibal-LaGrange University $5-$20
We are fortunate in Hannibal to enjoy great performances in our own backyard thanks to the Hannibal Concert Association, says Michael Gaines, executive director of the Hannibal Arts Council. The Arts Council has given the Concert Association, which would otherwise be homeless in cyberspace, some real estate on its own website. When you click on the link at hannibalarts.com, you pull up a brochure detailing a quintet of concerts. Moreover, says Michael, A cool thing about our season is that if you buy a season ticket, you can go to Quincy, Illinois, and Keokuk, Iowa, and get free and half-price tickets for the Quincy Civic Music Association and Keokuk Concert Association shows. The two towns are, like Hannibal, on the Mississippi riverfrontnorth of Hannibal by about 30 miles for Quincy, 60 miles for Keokuk.

photo by Tatsunori Hashimoto

I am very pleased, Michael says, that HCA has chosen Charlie Albright as part of its 68th concert season lineup. Yes, thats 68th! This young classical piano virtuoso is only in his mid-20s. I personally love his improvisations as much as I do his classically-based repertoire. Hes a young musician with a lot going for him. Not only is he a Harvard graduate, but also he trained at the New England Conservatory of Music and Julliard School of Music. Underachiever? I think not! Cant wait to hear him!
More about the Hannibal Concert Association and Charlie Albright hannibalarts.com and 573-221-6545 Hannibal Concert Association 2013-14 season brochure Charlie Albrights website: charliealbright.com Charlie Albrights YouTube channel Tracks including a free download

Michaels pick from someone elses season

Moberly Area Council on the Arts: Six Appeal

Saturday, September 28 7 p.m., Moberly Area Community College Auditorium $3-$10
Moberly has a really cool lineup, and I personally cant wait to drive west for the season kick-off with Six Appeal. Ive always been intrigued with a cappella vocal bands. I sit there in the audience and wonder, How are they doing this with just their voices? These laid-back young singers from Minneapolis bring so many different styles of music to lifeusing just their voices. Amazing! The Moberly Area Council on the Arts partners with Moberly Area Community College to sponsor and produce performing arts programs and visual arts exhibits. The shows take place

in different venues throughout the city including the college, Moberly Area High School, Moberly Municipal Auditorium, and Central Christian College Auditorium.
More about the Moberly Area Council on the Arts and Six Appeal moberlyarts.org and 660-263-4100, ext. 11262 Six Appeal performance details Six Appeals website: getsixappeal.com Six Appeals YouTube channel Clips from FourPlay, Six Appeals 2009 debut album Hannibal Concert Association 2013-14 Season The Brothers Four, September 27 Denny Laine, October 26 Charlie Albright, February 21 The Unexpected Surfer Boys, April 29 Kelly V. Smith as Cher & Shania Twain, May 9 Moberly Area Council on the Arts 2013-14 Season
Six Appeal, September 28 Scary Stories by Steve Otto, October 26 Candy Coburn, November 2 A Holiday Evening With Sylvia McNair, December 14 Kansas City Celtic Pipes and Drums, January 25 Ron Brockmans Memories Orchestra, February 15 Liberty Jazz, March 1 Mr. Stinky Feet, March 29 Bob MilneRagtime Pianist, April 11

Columbia: We Always Swing: Jazz Series Hannibal: Hannibal Concert Association Joplin: Pro Musica Kansas City: Kansas City Ballet Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company Kirkwood: Kirkwood Theatre Guild Moberly: Moberly Area Council on the Arts Rolla: Ozark Actors Theatre St. Louis: Jazz at the Sheldon The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Springfield: Springfield Symphony Orchestra Waynesville: Pulaski Fine Arts Association

All photos and graphics are courtesy of the artists and organizations featured. 2013-14 Season: Arts Directors Give Personal Picks was created in September 2013 for the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency and division of the Department of Economic Development. The Missouri Arts Council provides grants to nonprofit organizations that meet our strategic goals of increasing participation in the arts in Missouri, growing Missouris economy using the arts, and strengthening Missouri education through the arts. For information, contact moarts@ded.mo.gov. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. Please feel free to share and distribute. Attribution: courtesy of the Missouri Arts Council.