Arts Garage first full season of jazz entertainment, performing arts, and art exhibitions continues to attract large audiences
DELRAY BEACH, Florida/November 2, 2011:
Delray Beach’s Arts Garage has quickly become the city’s ‘go to’ spot for a diverse selection of music, art, performance, and entertainment, and the venue’s programming for November and December illustrates beyond a doubt that Arts Garage is now a force to be reckoned with in the South Florida cultural community.
Arts Garage’ casual ambiance, easy accessibility, and the intimacy of the multi-disciplinary performance and exhibition venue – coupled with its B.Y.O.W. (Bring Your Own Whatever!) policy further enhances its success by attracting a wide-ranging audience. “Our audience trusts us when it comes to our diverse line-up of programming,” says Alyona Ushe, Executive Director of Creative City Collaborative (The Collaborative) at Arts Garage. “We ask our patrons to step outside their comfort zone and attend a program that might not be familiar to them.” The request has stood Arts Garage in good stead – performances are selling out.
November and December programming will once again offer audiences an eclectic array of choices: Arts Garage’ acclaimed Jazz Project continues, as does The Jace Vek Experience, Classical Explosion, and Divas in Art. Puppetry Rampage and Urban Underground are making their debuts; and a new art exhibition will be on display.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ARTS GARAGE PROGRAMS:
Friday, November 4, 2011, 9 PM: Puppetry Rampage – The Slam!
Beware – “this ain’t no kiddie show!”
Presented in collaboration with Puppet Network & World and Eye Arts Center.
From the twisted minds who helped birth the 2007 Puppet Rampage Festival in Minnesota and 2010 Puppet Rampage Slam in North Carolina. South Florida will experience a blitzkrieg of hellbent bunnies and cuddly chainsaws… The nightmare may include – Classic Sideshow Personas, Evil Clown, Mime and Mask Theatre, Puppet Cabaret Acts, Found Objects Theatre, a ‘Bizzarro Ringling Spinmaster’, and Schtick Galore!
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 6 PM: Ian Maksin – Cello of the 21st Century
Described by critics as “Bocelli of the Cello,” cellist and composer Ian Maksin kicks off his Florida solo tour at Arts Garage. Known for his intense and passionate performances, this talented young musician covers a wide array of works. He has collaborated with artists such as Sting, Andrea Bocelli, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Gloria Estefan, and the Beach Boys, Riverdance and Cirque du Soleil. Ian has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras around the world, as well as at many international music festivals such as Ravenna, Spoleto, and the White Nights Festival in his native St. Petersburg, Russia. He has appeared at Lollapalooza and on MTV. Ian recently returned from his sold-out European tour, where he captivated audiences with his unique style and hauntingly beautiful sound.
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 9 PM – Urban Underground
Arts Garage’ newest signature series, Urban Underground concerts offer audiences an exciting blend of R & B, Reggae, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, and showcase some of the area’s finest local and regional musicians performing with Arts Garage’ own house band. The first in our Urban Underground series features Hip-hop artist Eric Biddines with special guest Chloe Dolandis – backed by Arts Garage house band.
There is NOTHING like this outside of the streets of Brooklyn! We bring the streets to you in polished Arts Garage style!
Friday, November 11, 2011, 7 PM: Classical Explosion ~ Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
Concert pianist, Jazz musician and improviser, recording artist, composer, educator, journalist, and author– Jeffrey Chappell has performed throughout the United States and in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He has appeared in recitals, in chamber music, as concerto soloist with major symphony orchestras, and at Jazz Festivals throughout the United States. Chappell and Gershwin’s classic Rhapsody in Blue – a perfect combination.
“Some rise above their colleagues in how well and originally they communicate. One of the latter is Jeffrey Chappell. His program…was one of the finest this writer has heard.” – New York Times
“Jeffrey Chappell, soloist in Rhapsody in Blue, stylistically was one of the most persuasive pianists I’ve heard.” – Houston Chronicle
Saturday, November 12, 2011, 8 PM: Jazz Project ~ Troy Anderson and the Wonderful World Band
Troy Anderson brings Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong to life in a stirring and loving tribute to the world’s greatest great jazz icon. Anderson, trumpet player extraordinaire, has performed and starred as Louis Armstrong with the Gold Coast Jazz Society’s Music Series, and around the United States. For three years he was the lead trumpet with the 2AD(FWD) U.S. Army Jazz Show Band, and it was during that time he was asked by the Army’s Command Sergeant to put together a show featuring nothing but Louis Armstrong’s greatest hits. From that assignment the Wonderful World Tribute Band was born.
“Anderson is simply amazing as Louis Armstrong.” Stu Grant, South Florida Jazz Radio personality.
Friday, November 18, 2011, 7:30 PM: Inner Reflections – a Solo Art Exhibition featuring Aida Tejada
Inner Reflections – the opening night reception for a Solo Art Exhibition featuring the work of Aida Tejada. Mounted in collaboration with Alliance Française.
“Sometimes, your everyday life is esthetically transformed… When common objects are presented in a new perspective, they awake feelings ranging from euphoria to depression and from serenity to restlessness. The images in this project are everyday objects that cross my gaze at home and elsewhere. Objects that are often abandoned, ignored or taken for granted. The city images are common buildings in ordinary streets. To achieve the desired effect, I create textures and artful compositions with daylight, my camera’s movements, and different reflecting surfaces.” Aida Tejada, Inner Reflections.
Saturday, November 19, 2011, 8 PM: The Jace Vek Experience – The Power of the Piano – Reborn
A unique and original vision of brand new music from Emmy-Award winning composer, concert pianist, and recording artist Jace Vek. Blurring boundaries of age and culture, The Jace Vek Experience allows the audience an intimate and candid look into the creation of Jace’s music, what inspires him, and his attitude towards the creation of his phenomenal musical productions for piano, symphony orchestra and modern electronica.
“When I am making music and sharing it, it is a reflection of something which is a pure instinct . Wherever I am, whether it is standing on an ocean shore, or in a line at a supermarket deli waiting for my number to be called – I hear music in my head. It’s not something I can “turn on”, or “turn off” it is simply there – And as such, sometimes it feels like I can hardly take credit for it; because it just happens.” – Jace Vek
Friday, November 25, 2011, 7:30 PM – Delray Beach String Quartet
The Delray String Quartet has clearly established itself as one of the cultural jewels of Delray Beach and of South Florida. Performing regularly across the region, The Delray String Quartet has been described by the press is as “well-balanced and elegant”, “adding luster to the South Florida music scene”, “with the players ripping into the music with savage abandon.”
Program:
Weber: Clarinet Quintet in B flat major (with Paul Green)
Lehar: Overture to “The Merry Widow”
Piazzolla: Melody in a minor
Zhou Long: Chinese Folk Songs
Jerome Kern: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Saturday, November 26, 2011, 8 PM: Jazz Project ~ Frederico Britos – Back by Popular Demand!
There is no greater proof of the universality of jazz and classical music than that which embodies the career and life work of Federico Britos. A four time Grammy Award winner, Federico began playing violin at age five in his native Uruguay. Britos has served as principal chair, soloist, and ultimately Concert Master with some of the great symphony orchestras of Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru, and Cuba. During his distinguished career, Federico has performed with greats Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Chick Corea, Charles Mingus, and Piazzola.
“Although Federico’s prowess on the violin is readily vast in technique and passion, his real musical power stems from the simplicity of delivering easy melodic waves of music that inspire and entertain within the context of Jazz.” Bobby Ramirez, Jazzonian
Sunday, November 27, 2011, 7 PM: Divas in Art
Outrageously marvelous and consistently captivating – those Divine Divas – Ricky Rollick Klimas, Melissa St. John, and Roxi DeVine will once again grace the stage at Delray’s hottest new cabaret. These fabulous female illusionists will keep you laughing, entranced and totally entertained!
“The audience hooted, hollered, laughed and smiled for the duration of the show, clapping along to the lip-synced musical performances…” – Dave Dipino, Sun-Sentinel
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 3, 2011, 9 PM: Urban Underground
Arts Garage’ newest signature series – December’s Urban Underground showcases Reggae musician and composer Adam Teacha Barnes performing with Arts Garage’ own house band. Adam is a Reggae Artist who has traveling the world for 17 years ‘blessin’ mad vibes for all cultures and youth’.
“I started when my friends came from Jamaica with some reggae records and I fell in love with the culture.” – Adam Teacha Barnes
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8 PM: Jazz Project ~ Paulette Dozier
A multi-faceted singer/actress renowned for her sultry alto voice and dynamic stage presence, Paulette Dozier infuses every one of her performances with a depth far beyond the usual – her voice has been called ‘deep, steady, and sexy’. Dozier’s repertoire combines the greatest jazz standards with today’s edgy and contemporary sounds. Also at home on the theatrical stage, Dozier originated the role of ‘Paulette’ in the hit musical Respect: A Musical Journey of Women; she is the recipient of two Carbonell nominations; she has opened for music greats Roy Ayers and Erykah Badu, as well as legendary comedian Shelley Berman; and she recently appeared on stage with Broadway’s Melba Moore. Paulette has performed all over the United States, Europe and South America.
“I sing from the heart…. and the soul.” – Paulette Dozier
Sunday, December 11, 2011, 7 PM: An Evening with Palm Beach Opera at Arts Garage
A taste of opera’s most beloved arias, duets, and ensembles, including excerpts from Palm Beach Opera’s current season, plus musical theater favorites and standard American Songs.
Thursday, December 15, 2011, 7:30 PM: Classical Explosion ~ Dvorak Piano Quartet
Saturday, December 24, 2011, 8 PM: Jazz Project ~ Eric Allison Quartet
Eric Allison plays all the standard woodwinds – saxophones, clarinet, and flute – with authority and authenticity in such styles as mainstream, bebop, funk jazz, New Orleans Second Line, Swing, and Dixieland. He is a leading performer in the top jazz clubs and concert venues in South Florida, and has worked with a virtual litany of jazz greats both past and present, including Zoot Sims, Ira Sullivan, Paquito d’Rivera. His recent appearances have included the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Blue Note in New York City, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
“Allison is one of those splendid musical talents who can do just about anything.” Zan Stewart, Contributor: Los Angeles Times, Swing Journal
“…a tremendous hunk of entertainment, a fascinating performance by Eric Allison, the reed man…takes the crowd on a goose-pimpling trip. A new kind of High.” – Miami News
“Miami’s Eric Allison is one of those gifted jazz saxophonists who settle down in their hometown, where they become local legend….” – Geoffrey Himes, Washington Post
All performances take place at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First Street (lower level of the Old School Square Parking Garage).
Events at Arts Garage typically sell out and patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance to guarantee seating.
Tickets for all Arts Garage performances and events are available at: http://delraybeacharts.org or http://artsgarage.eventbright.com,
or by calling 561-450-6375.
(photo: Amatista Photography)
Carol Kassie 