Nazareth College Arts Center 2019-2020 Season Announced

Emmy Award-winning TV host and comedian W. Kamau Bell, YAMATO Japanese Taiko Drums, Single Tickets on Sale April 24

Rochester, NY (04/16/2019) — The Nazareth College Arts Center is proud to announce its 2019-2020 season of touring events. The 19- show season includes an Emmy Award winning comedian and television host, an interactive show with live animals, a Latin-pop vocal powerhouse, an award-winning string quartet, the percussive energy of Japanese taiko drums, and more!

"The Nazareth College Arts Center's varied and unique programming attracts a wide range of patrons of all ages and backgrounds," said Arts Center Executive Director Rita Mannelli. "Cultural experiences shouldn't be limited to any specific demographic or age group. We hope our new season of world-class touring performances will resonate with the entire community, from our past audiences to new patrons looking for a night out or to caregivers and their families who want an affordable and quality option for live performance."

Season highlights include sociopolitical comedian and author W. Kamau Bell performing his one-man show "The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour" on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater. Host of the Emmy Award winning CNN series United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell delivers incisive, scathingly funny commentary on modern society that will change your view of race, politics, and social issues in America. "The Curve" is a comedic, topical exploration of the current state of America's racism that combines stand-up comedy, video and audio clips, personal stories, knowledge-dropping, and solo theatrical performance. Please note, this show contains strong language and content not suitable for all audiences.

Another TV host, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kindgom's Peter Gros, comes to Callahan Theater with a menagerie of live animals on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Gros is dedicated to inspiring young people to care about wildlife and wild places. He starred on the original Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom series -one of the best known and longest-running series on nature and the animal world-and is now an advisor for the show's continued run on Animal Planet. In his popular live presentations, Peter shares his exciting animal world, travel experiences, and timeless tales. He highlights his many adventures from the last 30 years with a mix of video clips and bloopers while introducing friendly exotic animals to audience members and telling inspirational stories dealing with issues of conservation, travel, and wildlife filming.

More world-class performances in Callahan Theater include Harlem 100: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Michael Mwenso and the Shakes accompanied by guest vocalists Brianna Thomas, Vuyo Sotashe, and tap dancer Michela Marino Lerman, this multimedia show captures the sights and sounds of Harlem when legendary artists such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and Billie Holiday made Harlem the cultural center of the U.S. during the Roaring 20s!

The holiday season will be filled with returning favorites Garth Fagan Dance (December 11-15, 2019), as well as Washington D.C. political satirists The Capitol Steps for two performances on New Year's Eve (Tuesday, December 31, 2019) at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Two holiday-themed shows will also be presented: Angelina Ballerina The Very Merry Holiday Musical, based on the popular children's book series, will dance her way into your heart in Callahan Theater on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 2 p.m., followed by It's a Wonderful Life: Live From WVL Theatre on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 8 p.m., a 1940s era play within a (radio) play that will breathe new life into the timeless Christmas classic!

Other Callahan Theater performances include L.A.'s Dustbowl Revival, a musical collective of funk, folk, and "Americana swing" (Rolling Stone) on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 8 p.m.; the renowned Philadelphia-based Koresh Dance Company on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 8 p.m.; Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 8 p.m., and YAMATO The Drummers of Japan on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 8 p.m. Three more titles based on popular picture books will also come to Callahan Theater: Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's black-light production of The Rainbow Fish on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Inlet Dance Theatre's What Do You Do With an Idea on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 6 p.m., and TheaterWorksUSA's The Magic School Bus "Lost in the Solar System" on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The 2019-20 season also includes three shows in the Glazer Music Performance Center, a new venue that opened in Fall 2018 with an intimate concert hall built for acoustics:

Nine-time Austin Music award winner Gina Chavez, known for passionate, original bilingual music that encompasses cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggae and folk on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 8 p.m.

A multimedia adventure through space for the whole family with Chicago's Axiom Brass on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 2 p.m. The award-wining brass quintet will perform Limitless, featuring stunning visuals of the cosmos on the big screen accompanied by the music of Bach, Piazzolla, and more.

The Calidore String Quartet has enjoyed an impressive number of awards, including a 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant and a 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. Praised for "deep reserves of virtuosity" (New York Times), the quartet performs works by Schubert, Bartok, and Beethoven in an intimate chamber music performance on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 8 p.m.

TICKETS
Renewing subscribers enjoy priority access to all events in advance of the public. Tickets to the Arts Center's 2019-20 season go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Tickets can be purchased online at artscenter.naz.edu/season, or by calling or visiting the Box Office (located in the lower level of the Arts Center) between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Box Office can be reached at 585-389-2170.

The Arts Center offers two subscription options: patrons who order three or more different shows receive 15% off their entire order; patrons who order five or more different shows receive 20% off their entire order. Subscribers enjoy numerous benefits including the first opportunity to renew for the following season, the ability to purchase additional tickets throughout the season at their discounted subscriber rate, half-price tickets to Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department performances, and the courtesy of ticket exchanges prior to curtain time.

Nazareth College Arts Center 2019-2020 Season

Saturday, October 5, 8 p.m. in the Glazer Music Performance Center
Gina Chavez
A nine-time Austin Music award winner, Gina Chavez's passionate, bilingual songs traverse cumbia, bossa nova, vintage pop, reggaeton, and folk. With dynamic vocals and sharp social commentary, Chavez take audiences on a journey through the Americas, expertly blending sounds with tension and grace.
Tickets: $25-$40

Saturday, October 19, 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Peter Gros of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
An interactive show with live animals, led by wildlife expert and TV host Peter Gros.
Tickets: $15-$35

Thursday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Harlem 100: Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance
Created in collaboration with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, this multi-media show captures the sights and sounds of Harlem when legendary artists such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes and Billie Holiday made Harlem the cultural center of the country. Hosted by Michael Mwenso and the Shakes, with guest singers and a tap dancer!
Tickets: $28-$40

Sunday, November 10, 2 p.m. in the Glazer Music Performance Center
Axiom Brass
A multimedia adventure through space, for the whole family! Chicago's Axiom Brass quintet performs Limitless, featuring stunning visuals of the cosmos on the big screen accompanied by the music of Bach, Piazzolla, and more.
Tickets: $25-$40

Saturday, November 23, 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Dustbowl Revival
A Rochester Jazz Festival favorite! Funk, folk, and "Americana swing" (Rolling Stone) combine for this eight-piece band with a powerhouse female vocalist.
Tickets: $28-$40

Saturday, November 30, 2 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Angelina Ballerina The Very Merry Holiday Musical
A heartwarming holiday musical based on characters from the best-selling children's book series. Presented by Vital Theater Company.
Tickets: $15-$20

Saturday, December 7, 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater
It's a Wonderful Life: Live From WVL Radio Theatre
Four actors play multiple roles in this 1940s era romp, presenting the Christmas classic as a live radio play! Sponsored in part by St. John's
Tickets: $25-$50

Wednesday - Sunday, December 11-15
Garth Fagan Dance
Premieres by Garth Fagan and Norwood Pennewell, plus spectacular revivals from the company's repertoire.
Tickets: $40-$55

Tuesday, December 31, 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater
The Capitol Steps
Rochester's favorite New Year's Eve tradition of award-winning, bipartisan political satire ripped from current headlines.
Tickets: $45-$75

Friday, January 17, 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater
The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour*
Host of the Emmy Award-winning CNN series United Shades of America, sociopolitical comedian and author W. Kamau Bell performs his one-man show. May contain strong language and content not suitable for all audiences.
Tickets: $45-$75 *not eligible for subscriber discount. Buy early to get the best seats at the best prices!

Saturday, February 1, 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Koresh Dance Company
Known for an exciting and emotional blend of ballet, modern and jazz, Koresh Dance Company illuminates the stage with joy using body percussion and rhythms drawn from Artistic Director Ronen Koresh's Israeli folk roots and the human experience.
Tickets: $35-$50

Saturday, February 8, 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater
YAMATO The Drummers of Japan
Experience "the energy of life," told through the percussive sounds of Japanese taiko drums. Sponsored in part by Susan and Steven Eisinger and Josephine M. Perini
Tickets: $35-$60

Saturday, February 15, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Callahan Theater (4 p.m. is sensory-friendly)
The Rainbow Fish
Go under the sea with the Rainbow Fish in this sparkling puppetry production based on three stories from the beloved children's book series. Presented by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.
Tickets: $15-$20

February 28-29, March 1 in Callahan Theater
Rochester City Ballet
Details to be announced soon. See artscenter.naz.edu for updates.
Tickets: $37-$47

Saturday, March 7, 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater
Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience
A live band invites audiences to "Come Together" to share memories and create their own setlist from the music of the greatest band of all time-The Beatles!
Sponsored in part by Dr. Dawn Lipson
Tickets: $25-$50

Saturday, March 14, 6 p.m., in Callahan Theater
Inlet Dance Theatre presents What Do You Do with an Idea?
Based on the New York Times best-selling book, an ensemble of dancers create a magical world where ideas grow and take flight.
Tickets: $15-$25

Saturday, April 4, 8 p.m. in the Glazer Music Performance Center
Calidore String Quartet
Praised for "deep reserves of virtuosity" (New York Times) and a balance of "intellect and expression" (LA Times), the award-winning Calidore String Quartet performs the music of Beethoven and more.
Tickets: $25-$40

Saturday, May 2, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Callahan Theater (4 p.m. is sensory-friendly)
TheaterWorksUSA presents The Magic School Bus "Lost in the Solar System"
An eccentric science teacher takes her class on a journey to space, based on the award-winning book series and television show.
Tickets: $15-$20

May 15-17 in Callahan Theater
Rochester City Ballet
Details to be announced soon. See artscenter.naz.edu for updates.
Tickets: $37-$47

ABOUT
The Nazareth College Arts Center has been Rochester's premiere performing arts center for world-class music, theatre, dance, and family entertainment since 1967. The Arts Center serves as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, artists, and audiences of all ages to create, study, and experience the visual and performing arts. The live performances of the Arts Center Series provide area residents with opportunities to engage with touring artists from across the country and around the world. The K-12 school performance series serves over 10,000 students each year with content-rich experiences that augment classroom learning. The Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre and Dance present exceptional productions, recitals, and exhibitions, which are open to the public, while preparing students for successful careers in arts-related fields.

The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2019-20 season is sponsored by The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation and M&T Bank.

Media please note: High-resolution photos are available at naz.edu/artscenter/newsroom.

Interviews and photo/footage opportunities may also be arranged.

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