Wolf Trap Announces Initial Lineup of 45 Acts of The Barns at Wolf Trap’s 2015-2016 Season
From rock, jazz and blues, to indie, country and classical, The Barns at Wolf Trap’s 35th anniversary season features acclaimed artists in uniquely intimate setting
- Heart’s lead singer opens season October 12 and 13 with her solo show, The Ann Wilson Thing
- British singer-songwriter and poet Benjamin Clementine brings soulful sound to The Barns
- Country rockers Old Dominion return to their home state for their The Barns debut
- Critically acclaimed English songwriter Joan Armatrading brings her folk, rock and blues compositions to The Barns for the last U.S. show on her final World Tour
- Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds bring their soul-funk sound to Wolf Trap in a debut performance
- Award-winning folk-star Suzanne Vega and singer-songwriter-composer Duncan Sheik come together for a night of popular hits plus new music created for Vega’s Off-Broadway debut
- Grammy-winning legends and 2015 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees The Oak Ridge Boys perform hits spanning more than 40 albums
- Chicago’s legendary improv troupe The Second City returns for three laughter-filled performances
- Pianist Jonathan Biss curates nine-concert Chamber Music at the Barns series
More performances announced every two weeks beginning August 25; Members purchasing early, public on-sale Friday, August 7
Vienna, Virginia (August 4, 2015) – Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts today announced the first 45 shows of the 2015-2016 season at The Barns at Wolf Trap, its historic 382-seat indoor venue. A complete press calendar of events, with dates, pricing and support acts, as well as print-ready images, are available in Wolf Trap’s online press room.
“The Barns’ 35th anniversary season offers an incredible diversity of acts and artists,” said Arvind Manocha, president and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation. “Wolf Trap fans get to unwind and enjoy the completely unique experience of hearing incredible talents up-close-and-personal in a historic space.”
With its relaxed atmosphere and historic charm, The Barns at Wolf Trap is a unique and impressive musical experience. Comprised of two 18th-century barns made of hand-hewn wood beams and panels, The Barns opened in 1981 and is well known for its acoustic excellence and striking architecture. In keeping with Wolf Trap’s mission, The Barns’ schedule highlights artistic exploration and accessibility to a broad range of music lovers. Artists span musical genres, from rock, jazz, blues, country, classical and world music.
Among the initial slate of 45 shows in the 2015-2016 season, The Ann Wilson Thing opens the season with two shows in October; Crystal Bowersox returns with her bluesy, soulful voice; “You Light Up My Life” cabaret/pop artist Debby Boone returns; Joan Armatrading in her final North American performances of her final World Tour; award-winning ensemble Mountain Heart performs acoustic bluegrass; and The Jones Family Singers brings old-school gospel-soul funk. Returning favorites include “King of Newgrass” Sam Bush; blues musician Sonny Landreth; Celtic-folk ensemble Solas on their 20th Anniversary Tour; International Guitar Night featuring Brian Gore, Lulo Reinhardt, Mike Dawes and Andre Krengel; and folk band Over the Rhine.
Ten artists make Wolf Trap debuts, including Grammy Award-winning folk star Suzanne Vega and Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter-composer Duncan Sheik, who come together for two nights of hit songs and new music from Vega’s Off-Broadway musical. Wolf Trap debuts also include British singer and poet Benjamin Clementine; Virginia natives and country rockers Old Dominion; contemporary jazz and blues vocalist Catherine Russell; soul rockers Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds; and jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux.
Chamber Music at the Barns opens with renowned American pianist Jonathan Biss, who also serves as the inaugural Artistic Advisor for the nine-concert series. Curated by Biss, the series highlights both established classical artists and young new talents, including The Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, renowned Rossinian tenor and Wolf Trap Opera alumnus Lawrence Brownlee, and a world-premiere by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. The Chamber Music at the Barns press release is online here.
The Barns also hosts performances that go beyond music and into comedy, film and dance – including Chicago’s legendary improv troupe The Second City with their newest production, Fully Loaded; a spotlight on India with Folk Dances of India, presented in collaboration with the Indian Dance Educators Association; and a special 50th Anniversary Screening of The Sound of Music presented by Washington West Film Festival.
New this year, additional performances will be announced every two weeks on WolfTrap.org, on Wolf Trap’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels, and through email newsletters (sign up at WolfTrap.org/email). Announcements will take place on alternating Tuesdays beginning August 25, with public on-sales following on Fridays.
Wolf Trap members (donors of $75 and above) are invited to purchase their tickets for announced performances beginning today, Tuesday, August 4, in advance of public on-sale. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, August 7.
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Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by the Wolf Trap Foundation year round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program.
Tickets for The Barns at Wolf Trap
On sale to the public beginning Friday, August 7. Online: WolfTrap.org. By phone: 1.877.WOLFTRAP. In person at Wolf Trap Box Offices.
Programs and pricing are subject to change. The most up-to-date information on artists, performances and ticket availability may be found on Wolf Trap’s website, WolfTrap.org.
