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In This Issue:
• Brief Reminders:
Friday, January 27, 2006
Tickets: $38/32/18, UW-Madison Students $10
Don’t miss this celebrated tenor! The exciting program for this first concert of 2006 (1/27) includes songs by Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius,
Karl Maria von Weber, Richard Wagner and Sir Francesco Paulo Tosti.
Thursday, February 16, 2006 • 8:00 pm
Tickets: $36/30/18, UW-Madison Students $10
Haven’t checked on any mythological characters for a while? Worry not! German
by name, but Canadian in origin, the lively Baroque orchestra Tafelmusik will
be serving up the juicy, thrilling, and humorous mythical stories of Ovid’s Metamorphoses
in mid-February. Tafelmusik is German for “music for the feast,” and a delectable
feast it shall be!
The program was conceived as a submission to the Metamorphosis Festival in Toronto.
Mythical stories, especially ones of transformation, inspired some of the greatest
music of the Baroque era. Jean-Philippe Rameau, Henry Purcell, Jean-Bapiste Lully,
Antonio Vivaldi and Biagio Marini were all influenced by Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
R.H. Thomson, one of Canada’s greatest actors, will narrate as Tafelmusik brings
selections of these composers to life on stage.
This glorious orchestra doesn’t believe in sitting still. They tour around the
world and also spread their magical sounds to classrooms in the Toronto area.
Targeting the younger generation, they have released Baroque Adventure: The Quest for Arundo Donax, first in the new TafelKIDS™ series.
Where else can you get a taste of some of the world’s liveliest Baroque music
while meeting larger than life characters? Bask in the exuberant sounds that will
transform you! This scrumptious feast for the ears is not to be missed!
All Colors on Stage
Diversity in the Theater
Were you in the theater for the September 29 performance of Angelique Kidjo?
Did you see her sharing her message of peace and understanding among all nations
with dozens of audience members of all skin colors and ages dancing on stage alongside
her? The same scenario happened again during Emeline Michel’s show on November
5. These are two of many examples of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s commitment
- and contribution - to diversity on campus and in Madison.
Indeed, the World Stage series, under various names, has been in existence since
the late 1980s, drawing a very diverse crowd, which often reacts to the performance
in culture-specific ways (e.g. African audience members dancing to the stage
and giving money to the performers). The post-show dance parties present local
performers - but ones who come from a variety of countries and cultures.
In the past two years we’ve added the Madison World Music Festivals, presenting
an extraordinary line of musicians who are not-yet-well-known in the USA (though
highly regarded in their countries-of-origin), as well as musical genres that
are largely unknown in this country, making for a very unusual and enjoyable mind-expanding
extravaganza. You won’t find a more diverse line-up (or audience) anywhere in
the area.
We are proud to contribute to this region’s exposure to many varied and exciting
cultures. Have you been affected by the artists we have presented? Do you have
a story to share about the significance of our international programming to your
own life? Please send it to Esty Dinur for inclusion in the newsletter and the theater’s website.
Meet Our Staff:
Derek Kwan, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Have you taken advantage of the informative pre-concert lectures that the Theater
offers? If you haven't, try it sometime! The person who helps to organize them
is Derek Kwan. Derek has worked in the arts for several years and is now a graduate
student in the Boltz Art Administrative program. He has been working with us since
August 2005.
Describe some of the outreach events you coordinate: “I help coordinate master classes, lecture/demonstrations, pre-concert lectures,
and Meet the Artist programs. For example, Parsons Dance members Abby Silva and
Julie Blume led a master class for UW students in the intermediate and advanced
modern dance classes.Angela Hewitt offered a clinic to UW piano students. The
Claremont Trio also led a lecture/demonstration for 30 fifth graders at Crestwood
Elementary School.”
What are some of the reactions of the participants? “The reactions are extremely positive, from the audience to the performers themselves.
The participants are so appreciative to have hands-on contact with some of the
world’s greatest living artists. These artists in turn are extremely enthusiastic
about spreading their knowledge and expertise to future performers and patrons
of the arts. ‘
What is the most rewarding thing about this position? “Having the opportunity to create a positive arts experience for others to enjoy.”
What is the most memorable event that you’ve planned? “The Claremont Trio’s lecture/demonstration at Crestwood Elementary School.
It was truly inspiring for those fifth grade students to see artists not too much
older than themselves performing at such a high level. The fifth graders were
awe struck at how skilled and down-to-earth the musicians were.”
Have you had any funny or unusual encounters with the artists?
“Fortunately, the artists I’ve worked with at the Wisconsin Union Theater have
been very tame. However at Jazz at Lincoln Center, unusual encounters were normal.
On occasion, I would tour manage our Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. The night before
traveling to Canada, I received a call at 2:30am from one of the musicians who
had been kicked off his flight to New York where he was going to meet us. Fortunately,
I was able to find a replacement.”
Pick of the remaining season? “I’m really looking forward to the Fado singer, Cristina Branco. Her music is
so passionate and soulful.”
What do you like to do when you are not working? “I love hanging out with family and friends, eating good Mexican food, and watching
Duke basketball.”
Anything else that you’d like to share? “For upcoming events, be sure to check out the Education & Outreach page
on our website at
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Saturday, January 28, 2006 • 8:00 pm
Tickets: $30/24/18 • Students of any school $10
(please bring a valid i.d.)
On January 28 enjoy a first-of-its-kind collaboration. For the price of one ticket,
watch high school spoken word finalists as they compete for a trip to New York
City to participate in the national Youth Spoken Word contest (7 pm); then dance
in the aisles to the political/conscious hip hop of Senegal’s amazing Daara J
(8:30 pm); want to dance some more? Join us at the Rathskeller for a post-performance
dance party with Madison’s own Atimevu Drum and Dance.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 • 7:30pm
Mills Hall, Humanities Building, 455 N. Park Street
Tickets: $32, UW-Madison students free
A two-in-one entertainment and education! In this 2/14 concert with commentary,
renowned pianist Jeffrey Siegel discusses two of the world’s favorite composers
and plays Mozart’s Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, maman,” K. 265 (Twinkle,
twinkle, little Star) and Sonata in A major, K. 331, as well as Chopin’s Variations
on “La ci darem la mano,” Op. 2 from Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni.” As usual,
questions and answers follow.
Saturday, February 18, 2006 • 8:00 pm
Tickets: $30/24/18, UW-Madison Students $10
They’ve been playing for 20 years, but the Klezmatics show no signs of slowing
down. Quite the opposite—they’ve now joined Joshua Nelson to play a fusion of
their soul-stirring Jewish roots music and Nelson’s affecting Kosher-gospel vocals.
The genre was pioneered by Nelson, who took the Hebrew sounds prominent in many
black synagogues and blended them with Jewish liturgical and African-American
musical styles. Mix that with the Klezmatics’ ecstatic, wild, spiritual, provocative,
reflective and danceable Yiddish music—and you get a new, exciting experience,
not to be missed.
Singing in Hebrew and English, these superb musicians focus on the mythical exodus
of the Hebrew slaves from Pharaoh’s Egypt and its modern-day parallels in the
American Civil Rights movement.
We’re not the only ones raving. Witness Oprah Winfrey when she says, “I’ve never
heard a voice like Joshua’s before; he literally brings the house down. [He is]
the next big thing in music.” As for the Klezmatics, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer, they “boldly mix Jewish traditions with contemporary techniques. They jazz
up an old East European Klezmer tune with a dash of salsa.”
Join these superb artists, dance in the aisles, then continue dancing at a free
dance party with Madison’s own Yid Vicious. Don’t miss this unique event.
Joshua Nelson
Next Season in the Travel Adventure Series
Care to know what's coming up? Here are two of the six offerings for the 2006-2007
season:
Feb 5 & 6, 2007 Rails across Rusia - St. Petersburg to the Pacific with
John and Mary Nolan
Feb 26 & 27, 2007 The Mysterious Mayas with Sandy Mortimer
TAS subscribers: keep an eye on your mail! We'll send you an early bird offer
in the next few weeks.
Friday, February 10 & Saturday, February 11, 2006 • 7:00pm
Location: WI Union Theater
Free!
Here is your opportunity to share in unusual, traditional lessons from American
Indian Elders. The annual Evenings of American Indian Storytelling, a long-time
favorite on the UW-Madison campus, highlight diverse languages and stories, recounted
by storytellers from throughout the U.S. Navajo, Crow Creek, Cherokee and other
community leaders, teachers and artists will share and exchange cultures and languages
that thrive only through the determined effort of individuals who care enough
to document, teach, use and listen to them today.
Friday's theme is Creation Stories and Oral Histories. These are sacred beliefs
and personal accounts that have been passed down for millennia among members of
individual tribes. To hear these stories is a great honor and most will be partial
accounts of original Creation Stories that sometimes demand nine days or more
to deliver in their entirety.
Saturday features Trickster Stories, describing characters to watch out for.
Creative, cunning, talented and fun to recall, encounters with tricksters teach
life lessons that everyone can relate to!
Each evening will be graced by the traditional music of The Madtown Singers.
Consisting of UW-Madison alumni, the group has been together for decades. They
usually offer Gary Sandefur (Chickasaw), Dean of Letters and Science, a seat in
the drum circle.
Newsletter staff
Editor: Esty Dinur
Concept Designer: Heather Good
Layout Designer: Claire Weissenfluh
Writers: Megan Detrie, Esty Dinur, Claire Weissenfluh, Colleen Robinson
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