The Yorkton Arts Council's 36th season of Stars for Saskatchewan is now on sale. Margaret Cugnet, the council's chair for performing arts, is thrilled at the ten performances they have scheduled for 2010/2011.
A number of the acts have performed in Yorkton before, and this season features a majority of groups, rather than solo performers.
September 8 kicks off the season - an early start says Cugnet - with pianist Jim Witter. He has played in Yorkton twice before, and returns with a show featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel.
On September 27, Inti-Illmani, featuring more than 30 wind, string and percussion instruments will make their Yorkton debut. The group has a 40-year history, and will be featuring soloist Francesca Gagnon - the voice of Alegria of Cirque du Soleil.
The Nylons will return to Yorkton October 14. Cugnut looks forward to their version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
November 19 will be International Guitar Night, an act that Cugnut feels will be both entertaining and educational. With fresh members every year, these musicians share the stories of their compositions with the audience.
Ending off 2010 is Prairie Debut presents Bax and Chung - two talented pianists performing together on one piano. Lucille Chung has performed in Yorkton before, and her husband joins her on this tour. Cugnut hopes to offer a workshop for local piano players with these nationally-recognized artists.The New Year starts off on January 20 with the return of Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà - an all-female violin ensemble.
January 28 brings Prairie Debut presents Jorge Miguel. In their first Yorkton performance, the group will feature Spanish Flamenco music, and even a Flamenco dancer.
Jazz will fill the air March 11 as Mosaique performs. Six Canadian musicians (three who have previously performed in Yorkton) join forces to present jazz of the 1920's.
On March 23, just after St. Patrick's Day, the Echoes of Ireland will perform. The Magic of Ireland was featured two years ago, but this show will feature storytelling along with Celtic music and dance.Wrapping up the season on April 17 is Fernando Varella, a Puerto Rican-born operatic singer who is being compared to Pavarotti and Bocelli.
Tickets for these shows can be purchased separately, or as a series. Cugnet encourages the public to take advantage of the package price, which breaks down to $16 per concert for adults. The average show costs at least $30 when bought separately.
The series is now on sale, and single tickets will go on sale in mid August.
Tickets can be purchased from the Yorkton Arts Council office located at the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre, open Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Jim Witter - Wednesday September 8, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
He's back! this time with Feeling Groovy - the music of Simon & Garfunkel. Whether it be his country music, contemporary Christian, or the music of Billy Joel and Elton John or The Beatles, Jim's versatility as an artist has allowed him the opportunity to reach out and share his music and his infectious personality with audiences of all ages across Canada and the United States. His unique approach and comfortable rapport, along with his rich, powerful voice and ease of manner at the piano, make him a favourite with theatre
Inti-Illimani - Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
After 40 years, Inti-Illimani's music continues to intoxicate audiences around the globe. Entrenched in traditional Latin American roots and playing more than 30 wind, string and percussion instruments, Inti-Illimani's compositions are a treasure for the human spirit. Their mellifluous synthesis of instrumentals and vocals captures sacred places, people's carnivals, daily lives, loves and pains that weave an extraordinary cultural mural. Few Latin American performers can rival this Chilean Group in terms of the sheer beauty of sound. Much like a Zen affirmation, Inti-Illimani's music floats within your soul; filling it with calmness and hope relentless virtuosity a concert this is pure exhilaration. They produce an original fusion of Latin American, jazz, Afro-Latin and Italian/European sounds. Touring with the company will be Francesca Gagnon aka "The voice of Alegria " of Cirque du Soleil.
The Nylons - Thursday October 14, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
With seven gold and platinum recordings, this four member vocal group is a true international success story. Known for their flawless a cappella sound, dazzling harmonies and smooth sophisticated arrangements, The Nylons immense appeal has taken them across North America, Europe, Australia, China and Japan. From their formation in the back of a delicatessen in Toronto in the late 1970s to headlining at Carnegie Hall, The Nylons have a storied history. The Nylons continue to perform worldwide to passionate audiences and critical acclaim.
International Guitar Night - Friday, November 19, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
The International Guitar Night (IGN) is the world's premier touring guitar festival. Each show brings together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting. Each tour, IGN founder Brian Gore invites a new cast of guitar luminaries to join him for special evenings of solos, duets and quartets that highlight the virtuosity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Audiences cherish the virtuosity of the playing and the friendly, informal ambiance of the performances. Participants relish the chance to play with peers from different genres, and to collaborate rather than compete. This unique brand of "guitar positivity" has helped make IGN the most successful guitar showcase of its kind. Joining Brian on this tour are: Clive Carroll, Alexandre Gismonti and Pino Forastiere.
Prairie Debut presents Bax and Chung - Saturday, December 11, 2010 - 8:00 p.m.
Winners of several international piano competitions, Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung have performed around the world as recitalists and with over 130 leading orchestras. In 2003, just prior to their marriage, Lucille and Alessio performed their first concert as a piano duo and since then the two-piano and one piano-four-hand format has become an important addition to their solo careers. Their two award winning records and performances on the world's most prestigious platforms have established Alessio and Lucille as one of the most dynamic and brilliant young Canadian piano duos of their generation.
Angele Dubeau & La Pieta - Thursday, January 20, 2011 - 8:00 p.m.
One of Canada's most prominent virtuoso violinists, Angele Dubeau has performed on the world's greatest stages in a spectacular career that has spanned more than thirty years. In 1997, Angèle Dubeau founded La Pietà, an all female string ensemble featuring some of Canada's best musicians. Known for their impeccable precision, their rich interpretations, but above all the contagious happiness that enlivens their stage presence, Angele Dubeau & La Pieta will bring joy and warmth to the hearts of all classical music lovers with their exciting and thought-provoking program.
Prairie Debut presents Jorge Miguel - Friday, January 28, 2011 - 8:00 p.m.
The Soul of Flamenco - guitar, rhythm, voice and dance - "Passion" is a word that applies to the latest work by Jorge Miguel, to the music and to his commitment to explore the roots of the tradition and to find within that depth the seeds of new possibilities for the ancient art of Flamenco. One of the oldest forms of "world" music, Flamenco inhabits the contemporary performing arts - passionate, fatalistic music that has deep roots in southern Spain. It has three key elements - the guitar, the song and the dance. Miguel's mission is to offer the flamenco tradition through the singers voice and feet of an ensemble committed to its authentic spirit. This is true Flamenco, proud, complex and ageless. Ole!
Mosaique - Friday, March 11, 2011 - 8:00 p.m.
Featuring the jazz age and music of the 1920's (Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong and George Gershwin) by six of Canada's outstanding musicians: James Campbell (clarinet), Guy Few (trumpet), James McKay (Bassoon), Chloe Dominguez (cello), Mark Fewer (violin) and John Novacels (piano).
Echoes Of Ireland - Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - 8:00 p.m.
Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt and seasoned actor/ activist / author Malachy McCourt, collaborate with The Magic of Ireland in an unique, interactive, musical experience that promotes authentic Celtic culture through traditional rhythm, song and Irish Dancers leaping and twirling lightning fast as though Fairies were guiding the soles of their feet. The brother's McCourt are a story telling force to be reckoned with. Their masterful memories of childhood and beyond, will simultaneously tug and tickle your heartstrings
Fernando Varela - Sunday April 17, 2011 - 8:00 p.m.
Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and relocating to Central Florida at the age of 8, Fernando demonstrated a love of music but never trained as a singer nor aspired to be one until he was well into his teenage years. While in his senior year at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando, Fernando became inspired to sing and he was accepted into the Central Florida Lyric Opera. Within five short years, he was transformed from an aspiring young singer into an exciting, dynamic performer and his star continues to rise. Fernando's global performances span more than 24 countries in which he has won critical acclaim. He has been called the Puerto Rican Pavarotti, the Latino Bocelli. His heart surrounds each song that he performs; his charisma enfolds his audiences; his music uplifts the soul; and, an evening of his music becomes a "religious" experience.
