California Center for the Arts unveils new season

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido has unveiled its lineup for the 2010-2011 season.

Now in its 17th year, the center’s schedule offers a wide selection of acts, including an appearance by chef, food critic and television host Anthony Bourdain, who will be at the center on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Tickets for the event, dubbed “No Reservations: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain,” have already gone on sale.

Tickets for the rest of the season will go on sale at noon on July 6. Go to www.artcenter.org for more on ticket prices, a complete schedule and other information.

Other acts include a night of sketch and improv comedy from the Second City Touring Company (on Friday, Feb. 25), the Chicago-based troupe where Bill Murray, Jim Belushi, Chris Farley, Tina Fey and other noted comedians got their start; several performances of “Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show” featuring Jason Edwards, who starred in the show on Broadway (Aug. 6-8); and Jeffrey Siegel offering three different “Keyboard Conversation” shows featuring the music of Bach, Beethoven and Barber (Oct. 24), Schumman (Jan. 16) and the music of Paris (April 3).

Rebecca Noland, the center’s performing arts director, said she wanted to present a schedule that was well-balanced and included shows that fulfilled many of the area’s artistic needs.

“For me, it’s important that we represent all areas of the performing arts,” Noland said.

She added that the season includes some returning programs that have shown success at the center, but that there are new offerings — such as the Second City troupe and Bourdain — that may appeal to new and possibly younger audiences.

Noland noted that this is the second year in which the art center has to book acts based on a new model, that only allows the center to book shows if it has money to cover the entire cost of the production. The move was designed to reduce the city’s subsidy for the art center.

Though the stricter rules only allowed the center to present seven shows in 2009, the center’s upcoming season nearly doubles that number. The rest of the shows are presented by outside companies.

“The selection process is a little bit more unique now that we’re working under a new model,” Noland said. “I start with a wish list of things and we look at those through different angles.”

Also included in the hefty schedule are a performance by RiffTrax Live (Aug. 19), which features some of the actors who starred in the cult television show “Mystery Science Theater 3000” cracking jokes and “riffing” on bad movies; a center-sponsored performance of “Forever Plaid” (Jan. 29); and “The Drowsy Chaperone” (March 4-6); and a performance by the Chicago-based Hubbard 2 Dance Troupe (March 12), also presented by the art center.

Big Band lovers might enjoy Mark W. Curran and Tony Capko’s Jazz Giants as they perform a tribute to Frank Sinatra (Oct. 17); or the Robert Holt Orchestra (Nov. 17).

The season kicks off with a free Independence Day celebration and fireworks show, featuring the Marine Band San Diego, art projects for kids and patriotic performances.

Some of the center-presented shows this season include the “Keyboard Conversation” shows with Siegel (which Noland said are among the center’s most popular offerings); several performances for school children; and three nights with the Orchestra Nova (Oct. 9, Dec. 19 and April 30) that will feature, respectively, opera, holiday music and classical music from around the globe. It is also presenting The International Tenors (March 27).

The center is also offering several free concerts on the first Wednesdays of several months.

These shows include a show by the Poway-based Mojalet Dance Collective featuring Stick Together (Oct. 6); Joey P. and the Hats (Nov. 3); and an evening with San Diego-based guitarist Christopher Dean (Dec. 1); Joey Molina’s Broadway Review (Jan 16); and Celtic group Highland Way (March 2).

The Center is also presenting the Southwestern College Concert Choir for the world premiere of “Misa Azteca,” (Oct. 30) a concert piece based on the Roman Catholic High Mass “Ordinary” and a tribute to Aztec culture.

It’s sung in Spanish, Latin and ancient Nahuatl, said Noland, who noted that the choir will then perform the piece at Carnegie Hall.

“This is a world premiere event and, in my opinion, it’s exactly the type of event I would like to present,” she said. “It’s a first-time experience.”

The event precedes a free “Day of the Dead” celebration that takes place Nov. 1.

Leah Masterson, a spokeswoman for the center, said the art center is hoping the diverse lineup will attract Inland Corridor residents.

“Being a regional arts center, we’re excited to be able to bring this line-up not only to the Escondido community, but also to the surrounding communities in Poway, Rancho Bernardo and all of North County,” Masterson said. “Our desire is to reach out to all of these communities, and help fill the need for quality entertainment in San Diego County.”

Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=1811

Posted by unestidstwern on Jun 17 2010. Filed under Archive. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry