ValleyPerformingArtsCenterbringstheworldtoitsstageforthe2017-18season!

VPAC’snewseasonmakesastrongcommitmenttointernationalartists,andtoartistswhodemonstrateVPAC’stheme“MusicKnowsNoBorders.”InadditiontoartistsfromSpain,Mexico,UnitedKingdom,Ireland,Cuba,Russia,Guatemala,Pakistan,Israel,Australia,andJapan,VPACfeaturesmultipleperformancesthatfocusonsocialjusticeandcivilrightsclosertohomeintheUnitedStates,includingKathleenBattle,TerenceBlanchard,andStepAfrika.AlsodiverseJazzprogramming,LeonardBernsteinCentenary,DIAVOLO25thAnniversary,UprightCitizen’sBrigadeAll-Stars,CheechMarinhosts,DavidSedaris,MilosForman’sAMADEUSLIVEwithLAChamberOrchestraandMembersoftheLAOperaChorus,andSouthPacific

(LosAngeles,CA)May8,2017–Followingaseriesofpopularworldmusicperformances,VPAC’sExecutiveDirectorThorSteingraberannouncestodaya2017-18Seasonthatfeaturesinternationalandlocalartistsrepresentingaconvergenceofculturesfromaroundtheglobe.FromtheAfro-CubanAll-StarstoPakistan’sTheSachalEnsemble,fromamariachioperatotheMoscowStateSymphonyOrchestra,fromJapan’sYamatoDrummerstoAmericanprimadonnaKathleenBattleperformingherconcertdedicatedtotheCivilWarEraUndergroundRailroad,VPAC’snewseasonembracesmusicthatknowsnoborders.“AtValleyPerformingArtsCenterwegivevoicetothemusicaldiasporas,”saidSteingraber.“Thisisourforemostvalueandtheunder-pinningofourprogramming.VPACiscommittedtoanearnestlynon-politicalidea—theconcerthallisaninclusiveplace.Afterall,earsknownoborders.Handsclapandfeetstompregardlessofnation-of-origin,religion,orculturalbackground.Thecommunaljoyofmusicanddanceisimmediate,intergenerational,andaccessible.”

NewsRelease

Themanyhighlightsnextseasoninclude:Spain’sThePacodeLuciaProject(November4);theAfro-CubanAll-StarswithHaroldLópez-Nussa(January19);StepAfrika!:Migration,rootedinZuluandSouthAfricangumbootdance(February9),thereturnofFlamencodancerLeilahBroukhimwithDejandoHuellas,tracingherJewishandPersianlineage(January21);ChicanobandQuetzalwiththesoulfulMariachiFlordeToloache(May5),and¡LaNuevaCuba!TheNextGenerationFeaturingPedroMartinez,DayméArocenaandRobertoFonseca(April21).“AsthevenuethatservestheSanFernandoValley’s1.9millionresidents,wetakeseriouslyourresponsibilitiesasthepurveyorofmulti-disciplinaryartists.Inthepasttwoyears,wehavefoundthatdiverseprogrammingattractsdiverseaudiences.Andmorerecently,wefindthatouraudiencecravesbeingapartofaglobalcommunity.InFebruary,VPAC’sdaylongGlobalCurrentsFestivalfeatured70artistsrepresenting13nationsandcultures.Theresponsewasresounding,andprovidedustheaddedcouragetoboldlyreflectthevaluesofourcommunityonourstage,”addsSteingraber.Inadditiontotheimpressiveline-upofinternationalartists,VPACfurthersitscommitmenttoLosAngelesartistsandartsorganizations.TheseasonwillcommencewithanOpeningNightperformanceonSeptember16,featuringascreeningofAMADEUSLIVE,directedbyMilosForman,withliveclassicalaccompanimentbyLosAngelesChamberOrchestra(RichardKaufman,conductor)aswellasvocalaccompanimentfrommembersoftheLAOperaChorus.Laterinthefall,VPACwillwelcomeLosAngelestrailblazers:DIAVOLO–ArchitectureinMotiontocelebratetheir25thanniversarywithaday’sworthofDIAVOLOfavorites,includingafamily-friendlyperformanceandinteractiveoutdoorexperiences(November11).ThedaywillculminateinaperformanceintheGreatHallfeaturingTheVeteran’sProject,anewpieceinspiredanddancedbymembersoftheveterans’community.OthercollaborationswithLosAngelesartistsincludeNewWestSymphony,ColburnOrchestra,Clayton-HamiltonOrchestra,CheechMarin,UprightCitizensBrigade,Quetzal,GabyMorenoandlocallysourcedcastsforitsoriginalproductionsofMariachiOperaCruzarLaCaradelaLunaandJustinRoberts’family-friendlyHansel&Gretel:ADeliciouslyWickedMusicalTreat.SubscriptionticketsarenowavailableatValleyPerformingArtsCenter.orgorbycalling(818)677-3000.ValleyPerformingArtsCenterislocatedonthecampusofCaliforniaStateUniversity,Northridge(CSUN),18111NordhoffStreetNorthridge,CA91330-8448,atthecornerofNordhoffandLindley.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter2017-18SeasonMusicKnowsNoBorders FlamencoLegendsbyJavierLimón:ThePacodeLucíaProjectNovember4,2017|8PMForfiftyyears,thefeverishandfierceartofflamencoguitarspreadlikewildfirefromSpaintopointsaroundtheglobe,ignitedbythelatePacodeLucia.Heinspiredmanyyoungartistsandcollaborators,meldingsound,botholdandnew,intheU.S.andabroad.DeLuciaoftensharedthestageandrecordingstudiowithmusicalgreatssuchasCarlosSantanaandEricClapton.Honoringthatlegacy,10-timeLatinGrammy-winnerJavierLimónreassemblestheoriginalbandthattouredwithPacodeLucia.Limón

revivesboththevibrantfolkloricmusictraditionsofSouthernSpainandmodernflamencointhistributeperformance,ThePacodeLuciaProject.AnatCohenTentetMusicalDirector,OdedLev-AriNovember30,2017|8PMIsraeliclarinetvirtuosoAnatCohenisthePiedPiperofjazzandfolkmusic,andwhereversheleads,herbandandaudiencefollow,bolsteredbytheexpertmusiciansofherten-pieceband.AsJazzTimessays,“Withtheclarinetshebecomesasinger,adancer,apoet,amadscientist,laughing—musically—withthesheerdelightofreachingthatnewplace,thatnewfeeling,witheachchorus.”Thecharismaticfemalebandleaderstandsoutinapredominantlymaleenvironment,andherdistinctstyleemanatesfromherhomelandtoinfluencethebroaderjazzlandscape.Cohenwasawarded"ClarinetistoftheYear"fromDownBeat,JazzTimesandforeightyearsinarow,wasrecognizedbytheJazzJournalistsAssociation.Cohen’stapestryofsoundscapturesthejubilationofmanygenres,spanningmodernandtraditionaljazz,classicalmusic,klezmer,Brazilianchoro,andArgentinetango.Cohen’ssoundbreakstheconfinesofgenreandregion.JuandeMarcosandtheAfro-CubanAll-StarsWithHaroldLópez-NussaTrioJanuary19,2018|8PMManyoftheveteranCubanmusiciansandsingersoftheAfro-CubanAllStarshavecareersdatingbacktothe1950sHavanascene.ThebigbandperformsallthestylesofCubanmusic,honoringtherichheritageofbolero,chachachá,salsa,sonmontuno,timba,guajira,danzón,rumbaandabakua.Internationallyknownfortheir1997albumATodaCubaleGusta,theAfro-CubanAll-Stars’successblazedthetrailformanymoreCubanartistsandhelpedopenthedoorforthemusic'spopularityinNorthAmerica.ThisquintessentialCubanbandcanbeseenintheOscar-nominateddocumentary,BuenaVistaSocialClub,whichfollowstherevivedcareersofmusicianslargelyforgotteninthewakeofCastro’stakeoverofCuba.TheAll-Stars’earthymusic,featuringrhythmsfromAfricantraditionsdatingasfarbackasslavery,carryingtheheartofthedowntroddenwithanexuberantandupbeatspirit.StepAfrika!Migration:ReflectionsonJacobLawrenceFebruary9,2018|8PMStepAfrika!isrootedinZuluandSouthAfricangumbootdanceandtheAfricantraditionofstepping,whichblendpercussivedancetocreateearth-shakingmovementandelectrifyingrhythms.StepAfrika!performersemployprecisetiming,complexcompositions,call-and-responsechantsandimpressivefeatsofathleticism.Theirtheatricalpiece,MigrationincorporatescostumesandmusictotellthemovingstoryofblackfamiliesmigratingtotheNorthtoescapesharecropping,povertyanddiscriminationintheAmericanSouthintheearly1900s.Asbackdroptotheperformance,legendaryartistJacobLawrence’s60paintedpanels,“TheMigrationSeries,”capturethehopeandmovementoftheGreatMigration.StepAfrika!makesLawrence’simagescometolifeasperformersrecreatetheimagesonstage,depictingapivotalchapterinAmericanhistory,astorytoldwithbreathtakingemotionandartistry.LeilahBroukhim:DejandoHuellas(Traces)January21,2018|7:30PMFlamencopowerhouseLeilahBroukhimreturnstoVPACafterherwildlypopularperformancein2015,thistimewithanpersonalstoryaboutherownJewishandPersianlineage,DejandoHuellas(Traces).Throughdance,shetellsastorythatbeginswiththeAlhambraDecreein1492,whichforcedtheSephardicJewstochoosebetweentheirhomesandtheirreligion,expellingtensofthousandsofpracticingJewsfromCatholicSpain.Broukhim’sfuriousflamencofootworkexaltstheSpanishartform,whileheremotionalexpressiontellsthetaleofawomansearchingforthemeaningandidentity.DejandoHuellasmakesitsLAdebutafterperformancesinParis,NewYork,MadridandCopenhagen.

¡LaNuevaCuba!TheNextGenerationRobertoFonseca|DayméArocena|PedritoMartinezGroupApril21,2018|8PMAsanewgenerationofCubanjazzartistsexplodeontotheglobalscene,theislandnation’smusicaltraditionscollidewithhead-spinninginnovation.NPR'sAllThingsConsideredproclaimedthatthePedritoMartinezGroupis“writinganewchapterinCubanmusichistory.”ThepolishedandupbeatGrammy-nominateddrummer-singerPedritoMartinezbeganhoninghislightning-fastdrummingskillssincetheageof11inhisnativeCuba.Histhrillingcongadrumperformancesbringaudiencestotheirfeetinexhilaration.VocalistDayméArocenalosesherselfinhermusic,usinglyricsandscatsingingtoimproviseonthesoundsaroundher.Arocenadeploysherpowerfulvoice,likeacryfromHavana,breakingoutandbreakingfree.Herrelationshipwithjazzisalwaysfresh,alwaysevolving,asitbubblesupfromherheartandhersoul.TheNewYorkTimescalledCubanjazzartistRobertoFonseca“acharismaticsparkplugofapianist.”FonsecatouredwiththeBuenaVistaSocialClubandrecordedinJapan,allofwhichhelpedhimcultivatehisuniquesound.HissoloprojectZamazu,isaculminationofhisinfluences:Afro-Cuban,jazz,classicalandtraditionalCubanmusic.HechoinLasAmericasiLe,SpecialGuestGabyMoreno November18,2017|8pmAdouble-billthatwillgostraighttotheheart.EachboostsaGrammywin,andeachservesupauniqueblend.iLehailsfromPuertoRicoandspentadecadewithherbrothersinthebandCalle13.Herrecentalbumcombinesalt-rockwithtraditionalboleros.MorenoleftGuatemalaasachildandnowcallsLosAngelesherhome.Herguitarandbluesyvocalsmoveeasilybetweenpop,soul,andclassicalLatinsounds.CruzarlaCaradelaLunaAMariachiOperafeaturingMariachiVargasdeTecalitlánMusic&LyricsbyJosé“Pepe”Martínez&LeonardFogliaBookbyLeonardFogliaFebruary16-17,2018|8PMTacklingatimelytale,theselegendaryMexicanartistscombinetheirtraditionalmusicwithhighdramatodepictthecross-borderstoryoftwofamiliesandthreegenerations.BandmemberandcomposerJosé“Pepe”MartínezjoinedforceswithwriterLeonardFogliatocreateafull-lengthmariachioperathatpremieredin2010atHoustonGrandOpera.Sevenyearslater,itsthemesofhumanstrugglearemorerelevantthanever.VPACpresentstheWestCoastpremiere,followingsuccessfulperformancesinChicagoandParis.QuetzalwithMariachiFlordeToloacheMay5,2018|8PMAone-of-a-kindVPACdoublebill!ThebilingualChicanoband,Quetzalhasbeenmixingjazz,R&Bandrockforover20years,usingtheirarttospreadpositivesocialchangeandawareness.HailingfromEastL.A.,theGrammyAward-winningbandjoinsalonglineageofChicanomusicianstofindwidespreadsuccessinAmerica.Theirdanceablerhythmscomewithcompellinglyricsandstoriesaboutovercomingstruggles,inspiredbythepeopleandneighborhoodsofEastLosAngeles.QuetzalcontributedtotheformationofArtivistEntertainment,whichfostersartthatpromotespositivesocialchange.MariachibandFlordeToloacheisn’tcontenttograbaLatinGrammynominationwhilebreakingthegenderbarrierasanall-femalemariachiband.Theirbackgroundsarealsofarmorediversethananyother

mariachiband,withancestriesthatareGerman,PuertoRican,Italian,Mexican,Cuban,Australian,andDominican.Namedforamagicalflowerusedtomakealegendarylovepotion,thesoulfulbandsingsinSpanishandEnglishwhiletranscendingcultureandgenderbyforgingnewpathsformariachimusic.JazzClubTheSachalEnsembleSongofLahore/OnstageSessionsNovember14,2017|8PMWhenSharialawwasinstitutedinPakistanin1977,thegovernmentcrackeddownonnon-religiousmusic,turningthecityofLahore,aonceathrivinghotspot,intoamusicaldesert.MusicproducerIzzatMajeedsays,"Wewerelosingourinstruments,losingourmusicians,losingourculture,"andsoheconvenedadevotedgroupofsurvivingLahoremusicianstorehearseandrecordprivately.Withscarcelocallisteners,TheSachalEnsemblemademusicforaglobalaudience,fueledbyaloveofAmericanjazz.ThecourageousartistsarethesubjectofSongofLahore,adocumentaryfilmabouttheensemble’sfirsttriptoAmericatocollaboratewithWyntonMarsalisandJazzatLincolnCenter.TheensemblemergesEasternandWesternmusic,craftingasoundthattranscendswarandoppression.MusicianNijaatAlisays,"Godwilling,thiswillhelptheentireworldseethatPakistanisareartists,notterrorists."CécileMcLorinSalvant/OnstageSessionsApril18-19,2018|8PMCécileMcLorenSalvantcooslikeadoveandbiteslikeahawk.TheGrammyAward-winningvocalisthasarangethatisunmatched,soaringtotheraftersanddivingtotheearthydepths.InadditiontocarryingonthelegaciesofSarahVaughn,EllaFitzgerald,andBillieHoliday,McLorenSalvanttacklesracialstereotypesreachingbackmorethanacentury,performingforgottenVaudevillenumbersonceperformedinblackface.Onceattractedbythedramaandgrandnessoftheoperastage,McLorenisclassicallytrained.Buttheyoung27-year-oldartistfoundahomeintheworldofjazz,embracingthebroadthemesandflexibilityitoffersher. AmirElSaffar’sTwoRiversEnsemble/OnstageSessionsApril26,2018|8PMJazztrumpeterAmirElSaffar,borntoanAmericanmotherandIraqifather,studiedclassicalmusicintheU.S.andIraqimaqammusicinBaghdad.TheWiresaysthat“ElSaffarisuniquelypoisedtoreconcilejazzandArabicmusic…theresultofengagementacrosstheboard,presentedwithclarityandeloquence.”HisuniquefusionusesmicrotonesandornamentscommoninArabmusictocreatefreshharmoniesandmelodiesnottypicallyheardinWesternjazz.ElSaffar’salbumTwoRiversreleasedin2007tocriticalacclaim,andhisNewportJazzFestivalperformancein2015wastoutedbyDownBeatmagazineas“certainlythefirstMiddleEastern-imbuedjazzcomboatNewporttowinastandingovationforitsfirstsong.”ElSaffarandhissextetpushmusicforwardwithonefootineachculture,blending,borrowing,improvisingandbreakingdownbarriers.TerenceBlanchardFeat.TheE-Collective,Breathless/OnstageSessionsMay1-2,2018|8PMFive-timeGrammywinnerTerenceBlanchardhascomposedscoresfordozensoffilms,includingallofthosebydirectorSpikeLeesince1991.BlanchardhaslayeredfunkygroovesandR&Bwithpowerfulsocialandpoliticalmessagestotremendouseffect.Thejazzcomposer-trumpetercreatedATaleofGod’sWill(ARequiemforKatrina)asameditationonthedestructionandsufferingleftinthewakeofHurricaneKatrinainNewOrleans.WithhisE-Collective,BlanchardthendebutedthealbumBreathless,tragicallyinspiredbyanddedicatedtoEricGarner,theStatenIslandmanwhowasfatallysuffocatedinanaltercationwithpolice.AlthoughBlancharddoesnotshyawayfromdifficulttopics,heiscommittedtothehealingimpactofhismusic.

JazzSwingingSeriesToRaywithLoveStarringMaceoParker|FeaturingTheRayCharlesOrchestra&TheRaelettesOctober19,2017|8PMMaceoParkerrecallstheexactmomentasachildwhenhefirstheardRayCharlesontheradio.Followingacareerofacclaimedsolohits,playingwithJamesBrown,andweeksatoptheBillboardContemporaryJazzCharts,ParkerbringsitfullcircleasheperformswiththeRayCharlesOrchestra.Thefull,hard-hittingbigbandsoundcomescompletewithTheRaelettes,theAmericangirlgroupthatprovidedback-upvocalstoRay'ssignaturestyle.Parker'ssoulfulvoiceevokestheauthenticspiritofRayCharles.Parkerisbothamusichistorianandapartofmusichistory,payingtributeinapreciseandconfidentrecreationofRayCharlesclassicswiththefunksoundweknowsowell.MilesElectricBandMarch1,2018|8PMJazzisintheblood.Legendaryjazztrumpeter,bandleaderandcomposerMilesDavisspent50yearsonthecuttingedgeof20th-centurymusic.HisGrammyAward-winningnephew,drummerVinceWilburn,Jr.,provesthatjazzrunsinhisveinswithhiscommandingleadershipoftheMilesElectricBand.RecreatingtherepertoirefromDavis’electricperiod,the11-memberensemblefeaturesTheRollingStones’bassist,DarrylJones,Grammy-nominatedperformersJohnBeasley,RobertIrvingIII,andBadalRoy,alongwithaposseoftopshelftrumpeters.MilesElectricBanddoeswhatnoothergroupcan--owningtherightstoDavis’musicandhavingDavis’bloodrelativeatcenter-stage,itisthequintessentialMilesDavisexperience.TheClayton-HamiltonJazzOrchestraMay12,2018|8PMTheGrammy-nominatedClayton-HamiltonJazzOrchestracapturestheinfectiousfunattheheartofbigbandmusicfromtheSwingEraofthe1930sand‘40s.TheLosAngelesbasedensembleisbothswingingandsophisticated.These19musicianscomprisethemostreliablyexcellentbigbandaround.JazzTimescalledthem“oneofcurrentjazz’smostvitallargeensembles.”Asachild,co-founderanddrummerJeffHamiltonfellinlovewithhisparents’bigbandrecords,goingontoperformwithEllaFitzgerald,BarbaraStreisand,RosemaryClooney,theCountBasieOrchestraandmanymoreonnearly200recordings.JeffClaytonmajoredintheoboeatCSUN,thereaftertouringandrecordingwithStevieWonderandplayingwithsuchstarsasKennyRogers,MichaelJackson,PattiLabelleandMadonna.Theirexceptionalskillsandpassionateloveofthecraftmakethemanirresistiblefirmamentinjazzandbigbandhistory.SoaringAMADEUSLIVERichardKaufman,conductorLosAngelesChamberOrchestraMembersoftheLAOperaChorusSeptember16,2017|7PMOneofthegreatestbiopicsevermade,thislookattheincomparablelifeofWolfgangAmadeusMozartsweptthe1984Oscars.Newlymasteredforliveaccompaniment,VPACinvitestwoofLA’smostesteemedmusicalgroupstobringthefilmtolife.TheLosAngelesChamberOrchestra’sperformancealsohonorsSirNevilleMarriner,thecompany’sfoundingMusicDirectorwhoconductedthefilm’soriginalsoundtrack.TheGreatHallwillresoundwithMozart’smasterpieces,nonemorepoignantthan

hisRequiembuildingtothefilm’stragicending.MoscowStateSymphonyOrchestraPavelKogan,ConductorDmitryMasleev,PianoRachmaninov:TheRock|Tchaikovsky:PianoConcertoNo.1(DmitryMasleev,piano)Scriabin:SymphonyNo.2November2,2017|8PMForthreedecades,thisquintessentialRussianorchestrahasbeenledbyconductorPavelKogan.Underhisleadership,MSSOhastraveledtheworldandrecordedextensively.TheybringtoVPACanall-Russianprogram.TheRoyalPhilharmonicOrchestraofLondonCharlesDutoit,ArtisticDirectorandPrincipalConductorDebussy:PetiteSuite|Haydn:CelloConcertoNo.1C-Major|Stravinsky:TheFirebird(complete)January26,2018|8PMStravinksy’sTheFirebirdcapsanimportantfarewellperformancebyCharlesDutoit,oneofthemostrecordedconductorsofalltime.HebringstoVPACthegranddaddyofLondon’ssymphonyorchestrasaspartofhisfinaltour,concludingsixdecadesonthepodium.AcademyofStMartinintheFieldsJoshuaBell,DirectorandViolinEdgarMeyer:NewCommissionMozart:ViolinConcertoNo.5Beethoven:SymphonyNo.6March15,2018|8PMForthefourthtime,JoshuaBellreturnstoVPAC.Witnessingtheviolinvirtuosoatthehelmoftheensemble,whileperformingasoloorevenfromthechairattheheadofthesection,isalessoninleadershipforaudiencesfromallwalksoflife.Theremarkablesymbiosis,musiciantomusician,isunparalleled.InadditiontoBeethovenandMozart,Bellwillperformabrand-newviolinconcertobyAmericancomposerEdgarMeyer.KathleenBattleUndergroundRailroad:ASpiritualJourneyMarch29,2018|8PMPerformingfiveencorestoasold-outhouseattheMetropolitanOpera,theoncereigningprimadonnareturnedlastyearwithhernewprogram“KathleenBattle:UndergroundRailroad-aSpiritualJourney.”WroughtfromherchildhoodinOhiointheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch,Battleperformsaprogramofspirituals,dedicatedtoournation’searlycivilrightsactivists,thosewhosecretlyaidedintheescapeofslavesfromtheSouth.VPACbringsthisrareprogramforitsonlyLosAngelesengagement.OnstageChamberMusicVPAC’sintimateonstageexperiencehasbecomeastapleforchambermusic.MarkSwedwroteintheLosAngelesTimes,“Ourperspectivewasthemusician’sperspective.Weallheardthebalancesalittledifferently,dependingonwhomwesatnearestto,justlikeperformersdo.Immersiveartisalltherage,andhereforgoodreason.”AcademyofStMartinintheFieldsChamberEnsemble/OnstageSessionsOctober12,2017|8PMKorngold: SextetforstringsinD-Major,Op.10(1916)Shostakovich: PreludeandScherzoforStringOctet,Op.11Mendelssohn:OctetforstringsinEb-Major,Op.10

ErichW.KorngoldescapedAustriaforLosAngeles,becomingoneofthemostprolificfilmcomposersoftheera,oncontractwithWarnerBrothersfrom1935to1947.Beforehisescape,Korngold’searlyyearsinEuropeshapedhimtobecomeoneofleadingfiguresinmodernmusic.TheAcademyofStMartinintheFieldOctetperformshis1916SextetalongwithpiecesbyShostakovichandMendelssohn.EliotFisk-GuitarJ.S.BachCelloSuites/OnstageSessionsDecember6,2017|8PMFiskhasboldlytranscribedBach’scellosuitesforclassicalguitar,afeatnottobeunderestimated–pluckingisentirelydifferentthanbowing.Heprovidesusanopportunitytoexperienceoneofthemostenduringpiecesofclassicalmusicinafreshway.DanishStringQuartet/OnstageSessionsBartok:StringQuartetNo.1|DSQNordicFolkMusicSelections(Traditional)Beethoven:StringQuartetNo.7,Op.59No.1Feb21,2018|8PMTheycallthemselves“modernVikings.”Everywheretheygo,thesefouryoungfirebrandsaremakingwaves,pairingexquisiteensembleplayingwithalevelofintensitythatseemsanationalbirthright.VPACisproudtopresenttheirLosAngelesdebutinaprogramthataddsNordictraditionalmusictoBeethovenandBartok.LeonardBernsteinat100BernsteinOnStageJohnMauceri,Conductor|NewWestSymphonyNovember17,2017|8pmConductorJohnMaucerihascreatedaconcertpackedwithpiecesfromtheentirecanonofBernstein’scompositionsforthestage,includingtherarelyperformed1600PennsylvaniaAvenueandTroubleinTahiti.TheformermusicdirectoroftheHollywoodBowlOrchestraisknownforhisonstagecommentarybetweenpieces,andonthisoccasion,asaonceyoungprotegéofBernstein’s,Mauceriwillrecallbothpersonalanecdotesandmusicalinsights.KEIGWIN+COMPANYCelebratesBernsteinFebruary3,2018|8PMIn2012attheKennedyCenterinWashingtonD.C.,choreographerLarryKeigwinpremieredtwooriginalpiecesperformedtoBernstein’slushorchestralsuitesfromOntheTownandOntheWaterfront.Bernstein’smusicisbroughttolifebyKeigwin’sgracefuldancerswhosetechniqueembracesastrongnodtoshowbizaswell.KeigwinandhiscompanywillbringthesetwopiecestoVPACalongwithtwoworldpremiereschoreographedtotwootherBernsteincompositions,PianoTrioandSonataforClarinetandPiano.OntheWaterfront,FilmwithLiveOrchestraFebruary24,2018|8pmTheAmericanFilmInstituteranksOntheWaterfrontasoneofthe10bestAmericanfilmsofalltime.WitheightAcademyAwards,the1954classicstarringMarlonBrandodepictstheviolentandcorruptworldoftheNewJerseylongshoremen.ItistheonlyfilmthatLeonardBernsteinscored,andVPACpresentstheoriginalsymphonicarrangementsperformedbyNewWestSymphony.

Scenes&SongsBillPorterTheSoulofRichardRodgersMarch23,2017|8pmBillyPorterdoesnotholdback.Thepowerhouseperformerearneda2013TonyAwardforhisperformanceasthedragqueenLolainKinkyBoots,addingtoaBroadwayresumethatincludesMissSaigon,FiveGuysNamedMoe,Grease,SmokeyJoe’sCafé,ShuffleAlongandthe20thAnniversaryBroadwayconcertofDreamgirls.Thebusyactor,composer,anddirectorhasalsoproducedfoursoloalbums.Themostrecent,BillyPorterPresents:TheSoulofRichardRodgers,featuresPorter’sfreshtakeonthecomposer’sclassics,fromMyFunnyValentinetoEdelweiss.PorterbringsRodgerstoVPAC,alongwithhiscoolstyleandsearingvocals.RodgersandHammerstein’sSouthPacificMcCoyRigbyEntertainment&LaMiradaTheatreApril13-15,2018|8pm;3pm&8pmIntheirthirdyearatVPAC,McCoyRigbyEntertainmentbringsanotherclassictothestage.RichardRodgersandOscarHammersteinwerenotshyaboutusingtheBroadwaystagetoaddressthedifficultissuesoftheirtime.Their1949musicalisbasedonJamesMichener’sPulitzerprize-winningwartimenovel.Butitistheinfectioussongsthataremostenduring,fromtheromanticSomeEnchantedEveningtotherollickingThereisNothingLikeaDame.Shape&MotionDIAVOLO-25YearAnniversaryMarathonSignatureworksfromthecompany’sPast,Present,andFutureNovember11,2017|7PMIn1992,inaValleystudionotfarfromwhereVPACstands,oneofLA’smostinnovativedancecompanieswasborn.Inthe25yearssince,fewhavecapturedthespiritofLAbe_tterthanDIAVOLOfounderandArtisticDirectorJacquesHeim.VPACcelebrateshiscompany’smilestonewithanentiredayofprogramming,startingwithafreeoutdoorcommunityfestivalat1pm.At7pmthatevening,theGreatHallperformancefeaturesawe-inspiringpiecesfromthreeseparateerasofthecompany’shistory.CappingthedayisDIAVOLO’snewestwork,theVeteransProject,whichbringstogetherthecompany’sdancerswithveteransfromUSarmedforces.Inall,DIAVOLOwillperformtendifferentpiecesinasingleday.FestivaltimesandactivitiestobeannouncedontheVPACwebsite.DublinIrishDance:SteppingOutFebruary25,2018|3PMTeamingwithaneight-membertraditionalIrishband,thisCelticsensationintroducesanewgenerationtothefervoroftraditionalIrishdance.Thiscompanyofhigh-steppershavetouredtheworld,manyappearingintheoriginalRiverdanceandMichaelFlatley’sLordoftheDance.ThisnewshowtellsthestoryofabygonegenerationwhoescapedfamineinIreland,immigratingacrosstheoceantoNewYorkCityandpointsbeyond,luredbythepromiseoftheAmericanDream.AspenSantaFeBalletApril7,2018|8PMReturningforitsthirdyearatVPAC,AspenSantaFeBalletbringsthreeworksaccompaniedbypianistandVanCliburnSilvermedalistJoyceYang,performingworksbyJanacekandPhilipGlass.The

performancewillfeatureanewlychoreographedpiecebyJormaEloandtwoofthecompany’sstandards–WhereWeLeftOffbyNicoloFonteandReturntoaStrangeLandbyJiriKylianFamilyImagoTheatreLaBelle,LostintheWorldoftheAutomatonPlazadelSolPerformanceHallNovember19,2017|3PMThistellingofBeautyandtheBeasttradesthecastle,forestandprovincialtownforawondrousnewsettingonasteamshipinhabitedbyalivingmechanicalman.LaBellecapturesyouthfulimaginationswithelegantpuppets,animatronics,andanendlessstreamofvisualeffects.Thestoryofthebeautifulwomanandthemechanicalmancomestolifethroughsongs,storytelling,andavastlandofmake-believe.Theadultswillenjoyatouchofslapstickhumor,reminiscentofsilentfilmstarsCharlieChaplinandBusterKeaton.Thewholefamilywillmarvelatthetouchingtaleoflovebetweentwoverydifferentbeings,unitedinawonder-filledworld.VPAChasimportedthisinventivetheatercompany,Imago,fromPortlandOregon.Hansel&Gretel:AWickedlyDeliciousMusicalTreatMusicalbyJustinRobertsandErnieNolanFairyTalebyTheGrimmBrothersMicahChambers-Goldberg,AnimatorDirectedbyMichaelMatthewsDecember3,2017|3PMReturningafterasold-outengagementlastseason,thewholefamilywillbetemptedbythisdeliciousmusicaltreat.Two-timeGrammynominatedkid-indiesongwriterJustinRobertsreimaginedtheGrimmfairytalewithacontemporaryrockvibeandcleverlyricsthatwillsticktoyourmemorylikecottoncandy.Thefast-pacedhouroffamily-friendlytheater,features14joyfulmusicalnumberssuchas“CrumbbyCrumb,”andanimatedbackdropsthatareasmagicalastheyarecolorful.VPAC’soriginalstageproductionofHansel&Gretelistheperfecttreatforyourfamilytounwrapthisholidayseason.MUMMENSCHANZyou&meFebruary11,2018|3PMThetheatertroupeMummenschanzusesmasks,props,choreography,lightandshadowtocreatedreamlikeperformanceswithoututteringaword.TheSwissgroupgainedinternationalattentiononTheMuppetShowin1976,deliveringafunnyandprofoundnonverbalmessageaboutappreciatingeveryone’suniqueindividuality.Mummenschanz’snewfamily-friendlyshowyou&mebringsgraceandwhimsytothepresentday,toourrelationshipwithtechnologyandwitheachother.Theinventivepropsandchoreographygofarpastpantomime,transformingperformersintofancifulbeingspluckedfromthefarreachesofimagination.Yamato–TheDrummersofJapanChousensha–TheChallengersMarch11,2018|3PMYourchestwillpoundandthewallswillshakewithwadaikodrumming,theancientJapaneseartperformedbyYamato,amasterfultroupethathasperformedforover23yearsin53countries.TheYamatoDrummers’techniquecombinespinpointprecisionwithjaw-droppingpowerandathleticism,astheyconcentrateeveryounceoftheirstrengthintotheirtremendousdrumblows.Theirdedicationtotheirartalsocompelsthemtolivetogetherinacommunityandcreateeachelementoftheirperformancethemselves,includingthemusic,lightingdesign,choreography,costumesandprops.

ManuelCinema:TheMagicCityPlazadelSolPerformanceHallMarch18,2017|3PMImmersive,innovative,intimate,ingenius-everywheretheygo,thisChicagotroupewinsravereviews.TheycometoVPACfollowingdebutsinAustralia,France,andGermany.ManualCinemacombinestheoldandthenew,fromshadowscreatedonvintageprojectorstoinnovativemulti-mediastorytellingwithmultiplescreensandlivecameras.TheMagicCityisalooseretellingofEdithNesbit’s1910novelaboutayounggirl,Philomena,whoescapesadifficultchildhoodbycreatinganimaginativeworldinasecludedattic.Philomena’sjourneyinspireshertoacceptanewdefinitionofwhatfamilycanbe.There’snoagelimitonimaginationinthisstrikingnewshadowpuppetperformance.BenBrantleydescribestheirworkinTheNewYorkTimes,“...aspectralparadeoffantasticalimages.”ComedyUprightCitizen’sBrigadeAll-StarsOctober14,2017|8PMFromtelevisionsetsandmoviescreenstheworldovertocenterstageatVPAC,thealumsofUprightCitizensBrigadecometogetherforaone-of-a-kindreunionperformance.Thetroupehasspawnedthreedecadesofcomedy’sbiggestsuperstars,andintheirNewYorkandHollywoodclubs,theykeepaudienceslaughingnightlywithfreshup-and-comers.Inanunprecedentedpartnership,VPACinvitesthemtobringtheirbesttothebigstage.AnEveningwithDavidSedarisMay12,2018|8PMOver-sharing:Sedarismakesitafineart.Withonlyapodium,amic,andhisunbridledstorytelling,Sedarisdeliverslaughsatapainfulpace.HiswittyandwiseinsightsofhumannaturehavemadehimAmerica’sfavoriteraconteurformorethantwodecades,andnowSedarisbringsfreshmaterialwroughtfromwritingtwonewbookssincehislastappearanceatVPACin2015.CheechMarinHostsanEveningofComedyJanuary12,2018|8PM"Thebordercrossedme,"observedCheechabouttheChicanoexperienceandlifeasaLosAngelesnative.Withanunequalledcatalogoffilm,T.V.,andrecordings,thefive-decadeveteranhasdoneitall-fromkingofcounterculturetohisfamiliarvoiceinDisney'sTheLionKing.CheechreturnstohisoldCSUNstompinggroundsandbringssomeoftheyounggunsofcomedywithhimtoVPAC.HolidayAMichaelFeinsteinChristmasDecember8,2017|8PM‘Tistheseasonasfive-timeGrammynominee,MichaelFeinstein,performsholidayclassicsfromhisiconicalbum,AMichaelFeinsteinChristmas.Earlyinhiscareer,FeinsteinworkedcloselywithfamedcomposerIraGershwin,honinghistalentsandevolvingintoacaptivatingperformer,composerandarranger.Thisconsummateentertainerbuiltanastoundingcareerspanningthelastthreedecades,introducingthemusicoftheGreatAmericanSongbooktotheworldthrougheducationalprograms,masterclasses,hisEmmy-nominatedPBS-TVspecials,NPRseries,andconcertsaticonicvenuessuchasTheWhiteHouse,BuckinghamPalace,TheHollywoodBowl,CarnegieHallandSydneyOperaHouse.

VPAC&StarEntertainmentpresentsFiestaMexicanaFelizNavidadDecember9,2017|7PMBackforanencoreperformance,thisMexicanfiestacelebratesChristmaswithtraditionalmusicanddance.ChoreographerKareliMontoyahasdistinguishedtheBalletFolklóricodeLosÁngelesasthenation’spremierMexicanAmericanfolkdancecompany,andGrammyAwardwinnerJaime“Pollo”CuellarleadsMariachiGaribaldi,theWestCoast’spremiermariachiensemble.VocalistsShay,PaulinaandJoanaMarriNúñez,violinistAshlieNeilsonandPaigeBrooksRuizperformclassicYuletidefavorite.Thefiestaisn’tcompletewithoutthe“PrideofPacoima,”theshow-stealingHaddonMariachi,a35-memberchildren’smariachifromtheValley’sHaddonElementarySchool.TheKlezmaticsHappy,JoyousHanukkahDecember16,2017|8PMTheKlezmaticscelebrateYiddishcultureandthemiraculouslegacyofHanukkahforaudiencesofallculturesandbackgrounds.TheGrammyAward-winningklezmersuperstars,TheKlezmatics,revitalizedtheEasternEuropeanJewishmusictradition,performinginover20countries.Outspokenhumanrightsadvocates,theircontemporarythemesandeclecticmusicalinfluencesembracerhythmsfromfarcornersoftheglobe.HappyJoyousHanukkahbringship,EastVillagesensibilitiestothistimeofyear,whencandlesandfamilywarmthedarknights.SpecialEventsColburnOrchestraFREEEVENTDecember10|3PMTheTENTenorsWishYouWereHereMarch3,2018|8PMAustralia’sall-malevocalistgroupTheTENTenorshasnabbedsixplatinumandgoldrecords,andsoldover3.5millionconcertticketsdoingwhattheydobest:deliveringanexplosiveliveconcertexperience,mergingcontemporarywithclassical,fromBuckleytoBocelli,Broadwaytohardrock.TheTENhaveperformedalongsidemusiclegendsAndreaBocelli,KeithUrban,RodStewart,WillieNelsonandChristinaAguilera,andhasappearedontheJerryLewisMDATelethonforanaudienceof32millionviewers.Theircomplexharmoniesandpowerfulvocalshavedeliveredflat-outfunconcertexperiencesandearnedfansaroundtheworld. LAOperapresentsGreatOperaChorusesFREEEVENTApril28,2018|3PMPressContacts:TimChoy,NikiBlumberg,Davidson&ChoyPublicity

323-954-7510|t.choy@dcpublicity.com;n.blumberg@dcpublicity.comGaryW.Murphy,PublicRelationsConsultant310-914-0178|gmurphypr@gmail.com