Glenridge Performing Arts Center Announces 2015-2016 Season
Includes Acclaimed Jazz, Cabaret, Comedy, Live Theater, and Community Performances
[Sarasota, FL: November 9, 2015] Now in its 12th year, the Glenridge Performing Arts Center (7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota) announces a season schedule even more robust than the last. The season is filled with an all-star jazz line-up, musicians and live theatre from varied genres. Audiences are also be invited to enjoy their local favorites such as Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, Ring Sarasota, and the Sarasota Concert Band.
Tickets for the entire season are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.GPACTix.com, or by calling the GPAC Box Office at 941-552-5325.
Highlights of the 2015-16 Season
The jazz line-up throughout the season, offered in collaboration with the South County Jazz Club, includes the legendary Four Freshmen, Bria Skonberg (trumpet/vocal), pianist Cyrus Chestnut, the Harry James Orchestra, and the unforgettable jazz banjo player Cynthia Sayer and her Sparks Fly Quartet.
Other highlights include the following:
- Michael Lasser explores the music and talents of Fred Astaire and Irving Berlin, with music, media, and wit on January 20 (Astaire) and January 23 (Berlin).
- A modern-day folk trio A Band Called Honalee drawing inspiration from Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles. Bob Dylan, The Byrds and other legends of 60s folk-rock performs on February 3.
- The Wall Street Journal says Jazz triple threat trumpeter, vocalist and composer Bria Skonberg, performing here on Feb 13, “looks like a Scandinavian angel, plays like a red hot devil and sings like a dream.”
- “The Lady with All the Answers” on February 17 is a one-woman, off-Broadway tour de force providing a compelling portrait of the bubbly, frank and slightly eccentric Ann Landers.
The Glenridge Performing Arts Center 2015-2016 Season Schedule
Pine View Jazz Band
Saturday, December 12 at 8:00PM
Tickets: $15/$10 Jazz Club, GPAC Family
Tap your feet and snap your fingers to the sound of Pine View School’s awarding winning Jazz Band. From sounds of the 20’s to music of today, let’s take a musical journey that reminds us why we love the sound of a Big Band! You won’t believe these are teenagers, including our featured vocalists, singing music of Sinatra, Judy Garland, Michael Bublé and more! Sit back and bask in the sound of 15 brass and woodwinds. You don’t want to miss this!
The Four Freshmen
Sunday, December 13 at 2:00PM
Tickets: $35/$30 Jazz Club, GPAC Family
The Four Freshmen were one of the top vocal groups of the 1950s loved for their unusually, free, improvisational approach to harmony singing. Brian Wilson often recognized The Four Freshmen as an inspiration behind the development of the Beach Boys’ sound.
Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as the 2000 Vocal Group of the Year, The Four Freshman still have that vocal flair that caught hearts over 50 years ago. Members, Brian Eichenberger, Stein Malvey, Curtis Calderon, and Bob Ferreira are captivating audiences today.
Co-produced with the South County Jazz Club
Miami University Glee Club
Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $5
Founded in 1907, the Miami University Men’s Glee Club is one of the nation’s oldest collegiate choruses. Numbering nearly 100 singers, the Club is among the oldest and largest groups of its kind in the nation. The Glee Club’s repertoire encompasses everything from Gregorian Chant and Renaissance motets to modern popular music, folksongs, and spirituals. Riding the 21st century wave of show choir madness, the Miami University Glee Club presents vocal music of the highest quality. That’s been their tradition for over 108 years. Visiting us all the way from Oxford, Ohio, these gentlemen are the bees’ knees!
LECTURE: Michael Lasser – In the Steps of Fred Astaire
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $5
No name evokes the elegance and charm of Hollywood’s Golden Age of Dance than Fred Astaire. His career spanned from Vaudeville, Broadway to the silver screen, but encompassed so much more than the famous partnership of “Fred and Ginger.” Peabody Award-winning author and pundit Michael Lasser lends his considerable scholarly acumen and entertaining humor to a lecture-style program revealing more about Fred Astaire than you could imagine.
Michael Lasser & Friends
An Evening with Irving Berlin
Saturday, January 23 at 8:00PM
Tickets: $22.50/$17.50 GPAC Family
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Michael Lasser returns to GPAC with his amazing friends, songstress Cindy Miller and pianist Alan Jones to celebrate the musical genius of the great Irving Berlin. Irving Berlin, a poor Russian immigrant who transformed Tin Pan Alley with his music, earned such widespread fame that he was adored as the most patriotic American of all. “God Bless America,” “Blue Skies,” and “White Christmas” are the tip of the iceberg of Berlin’s genius. The infinitely knowledgeable and entertaining Michael Lasser will be joined once again by his friends, songstress Cindy Miller and pianist Alan Jones, in a brilliant combination of live music and scintillating commentary of “all things Irving.”
A Band Called Honalee
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $22.50/$17.50 GPAC Family
A Band Called Honalee is a modern-day folk trio inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and other legends of 1960s folk-rock. Musically accomplished, interactive and energetic, they reinvigorate iconic songs with fresh harmonies bringing this timeless music alive onstage once again. In their hands, the melodies and messages of the 1960s folk/rock era spark with power and relevance for new generations and life-long fans.
Bria Skonberg, jazz trumpet
Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 2 pm
Tickets: $25.00/$20.00 GPAC Family
The Wall Street Journal said Jazz triple threat trumpeter, vocalist and composer Bria Skonberg is “poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.” Her sold out performance here in 2015 says she’s already arrived. Busy performing all over the world, Bria Skonberg’s bright talent and on stage appeal make her a hit wherever she is.
Jazz great Bucky Pizzarelli says, “Bria radiates an energy that is so refreshing to see, and her compositional chops are on par with her ability to swing!”
Co-hosted by the South County Jazz Club
“The Lady with All the Answers”
One-woman show by David Rambo
Featuring Rebecca McGraw
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $22.50/$17.50 GPAC Family
For decades, millions of Americans began their day reading three simple words, “Dear Ann Landers.” Eppie Lederer, better known as advice columnist Ann Landers, answered countless letters from lovelorn teens, confused couples and a multitude of others in need of advice. This one-woman, off-Broadway tour de force provides a compelling portrait of the bubbly, frank and slightly eccentric writer that became a fixture of our culture. Folksy, funny, straightforward and validating, this show is all about the no-nonsense woman whose daily dialogue with America helped shape the social landscape for the last half century. The touring production of The Lady With All The Answers is produced by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan.
Robin Spielberg, piano
Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $20.00/$15.00 GPAC Family
Robin Spielberg, one of America’s most beloved pianist/composers, draws raves from audiences and critics around the world. Her music is graceful, passionate, and awe-inspiring. Robin casts a spell on her audience that is palpable, visceral, and spiritual. Enjoy the show and you’ll find your own heart singing.
Cynthia Sayer’s Sparks Fly Quartet
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $22.50/$17.50 GPAC Family
Cynthia Sayer is the jazz banjo darling of the world with accolades galore. Everyone loves her shows. Here at The Glenridge we call her our own and invite her to return again and again always for sell-out crowds. This year she takes to the stage with a larger jazz ensemble backing her up. This will be one hot show with an array of eclectic, swing-based jazz and more!
Co-produced by the South County Jazz Club
The Music of Harry James
Wednesday, March, 9, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $15.00/$10.00 GPAC Family
The music of great trumpet soloist and band leader Harry James remains as fresh as ever today. In celebration of his 100th birthday in 2016, a professional quartet of Big Band aficionados will bring the birthday party to the GPAC. Armand Olevano plays trumpet along with featured vocalist Lois LaRue (a Helen Forrest sound-alike), joined by saxophonist (also their Dick Hames stand-in) Tom Ellison and keyboardist Tony DiBianca for an eve-ning of unforgettable hits, music and memories. You re-member these: You made me love you, I had the craziest dream, Ciribiribin, Moonglow, and Two O’Clock Jump.
Co-produced by the South County Jazz Club
Cyrus Chestnut, Piano Jazz
Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 8 pm
Tickets: $27.50/$22.50 GPAC Family
Soulful jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut, performing with his trio, adds The Glenridge to his busy schedule of jazz festivals, clubs and concert halls around the world. Chestnut has earned a reputation for his skillful versatility, his ability for blending sounds and for unabashedly bringing gospel into his performances. Popular for his sense of playful showmanship, the New York Daily News once heralded Chestnut as the rightful heir to Bud Powell, Art Tatum and Erroll Garner. The New York Times has described Chestnut as a “highly intelligent improviser with one of the surest senses of swing in jazz.”
Co-produced by the South County Jazz Club
Sarasota Concert Band
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 3 pm.
Tickets: $20.00/$15.00 GPAC Family
includes wine and cheese reception
From the town square gazebo to the circus big top, the American concert band is a tradition we can all enjoy. The Sarasota Concert Band, under the direction of William Barbanera, enjoys a rich heritage and a devoted following of fans who love a good toe-tapping concert of their favorite music. Join them for this concert and you’ll be smiling and whistling on your way home. Just try not to smile!
A Taste of La Musica Chamber Music Festival
Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 4 pm
Tickets: Free
Some of the world’s best classical musicians fly to Sarasota each spring for two weeks of performances in the La Musica Chamber Music Festival at the Sarasota Opera House. This year they’ll bring their artistry to The Glenridge in an inspiring showcase of music fit for kings and queens.
Ring Sarasota
Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 4 pm
Tickets: $15.00/$10.00 GPAC Family
Not your average bell choir, Ring Sarasota is an ensemble of seasoned ringers who charm audiences with the highest quality of hand bell artistry you’ve likely ever heard. Their command of the monumental task of creating a seamless melody and harmonies from countless single bell tones is a show of virtuosity for both the eyes and ears of the audience. See and hear it yourself so you can tell friends what they missed!
Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds
Sunday, April 30 at 2:00PM
Tickets: $20.00/$15.00 GPAC Family
Dana Louise, a visual artist and guitarist, is the visionary leader of a quartet of acclaimed musicians calling themselves the Glorious Birds. Adams Collins (vibraphone and 5-string banjo) is joined by Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood of the Grammy-nominated Trout Fishing in America duo (guitar, percussion and bass) Dana brings her vibrant, melodic vocals and finger picking to a body of complex songs. Drawing from jazz and bluegrass, carrying a contemporary beat, the sound is roots-rooted flung-into-the-future folk. Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds leave their audiences glowing with the magic music can bring: genuine human connection.
All performances take place at Glenridge Performing Arts Center (GPAC), located at 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, FL.
The GPAC Box Office phone number is 941-552-5325.
