Guitar musicians, dance coming to Kirkland Performance Center
Published 3:44 pm Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A plethora of guitar musicians from around the globe will descend on the Kirkland Performance Center this spring.
Nellie McKay will also bring her new film noir musical biography, “I Want to Live!,” about the life of Barbara Graham, for its Northwest premiere.
Live music abounds and is also a significant part of KPC’s spring dance offering: Khambatta Dance’s world premiere, “India Calling.” It features a newly commissioned musical piece and the dance component will prove especially moving for those with cross cultural roots.
For tickets or more information about the spring performances, call 425-893-9900 or visit www.kpcenter.org/.
Here is the spring line up:
Guitar Republic
Italy’s three most successful solo guitarists unite to explore new musical territory at 7:30 p.m. March 2. Pino Forastiere, Stefano Barone and Sergio Altamura slam, bang, and pluck their instruments like no other guitarists can, creating concert experiences that have been praised the world over. What they do together explodes the guitar ensemble concept. Tickets cost $30-$35. For information, visit www.myspace.com/guitarrepublic.
Nellie McKay: I Want to Live!
Nellie McKay is hard to categorize. She’s done Brecht on Broadway, opened for Lou Reed at Carnegie Hall, sung Woody Allen movie songs at the Hollywood Bowl, performed on A Prairie Home Companion, duetted with Eartha Kitt and Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, played Hilary Swank’s sister on the big screen, paid tribute to Doris Day, and released three wildly acclaimed albums of original music.
Her music is as tuneful and clever as the best of the Great American Songbook—part cabaret, part sparkly pop. But beneath the charming melodic surface is a wit that cuts, and a sharply tuned social conscience.
She comes to KPC at 8 p.m. March 3 to perform a brilliant, zany film-noir musical biography of Barbara Graham titled “I Want to Live!” Tickets cost $27-$30. For information, visit www.nelliemckay.com/.
The Four Freshmen
Now in their 62nd year of performance The Four Freshmen continue to bring their unique brand of vocal harmony to audiences worldwide. The legendary sound that began in 1948 with Bob, Don, Ross and Hal continues on in the 21st century.
Whether performing with a full symphonic orchestra, in front of a big band, or playing self-contained, their unmistakable sound continues to thrill audiences all over the world. They will perform at the KPC at 7:30 p.m. March 12. Tickets cost $24-$27. For information, visit www.4freshmen.com/.
Khambatta Dance Company: India Calling
Choreographer Cyrus Khambatta lived most of his life without his father. Upon meeting him again after many years, Khambatta was stunned to discover that their gestures, posture, and mannerisms were almost identical.
This world premiere explores the ways that our ancestral cultures are built into our very bodies and what it means to be your father’s son. Features new music by composer Michelle Kinney and veena player Nirmala Rajasekar. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at the KPC. Tickets cost $15-$20. For information, visit www.phffft.org/.
Kyle Eastwood
Bassist and composer Kyle Eastwood performs music that resonates with swing, groove and funk overtones at 8 p.m. April 7.
His childhood had jazz as its soundtrack and his father, actor and director Clint Eastwood, introduced him to the joys of the bass line while teaching him boogie-woogie piano. He performs a stylish set featuring new material from his forthcoming album. Tickets: $36-$40. For information, visit www.kyleeastwood.com/.
Bombino
Bombino is a powerful, hypnotic vocalist whose guitar playing has earned him comparisons to the likes of Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia.
His engaging brand of Saharan rock gives profound insight into the history and politics of the region, demonstrating the importance of music in connecting cultures around the globe. He performs at 7:30 p.m. April 24 at the KPC. Tickets: $16. Visit www.bambinoafrica.com.
New West Guitar Group
Featuring three young guitar virtuosos, New West Guitar Group has been making their mark as a stand out acoustic/electric guitar ensemble. Their original music combines the different timbres of acoustic and electric guitars to create a signature sound. The performance begins at 8 p.m. April 28 at the KPC. Tickets: $22-$25. Visit www.newwestguitar.com/live/.
Carpe Diem with Willy Porter
Carpe Diem String Quartet has become a premier American indie string quartet, emerging as a group known for unique collaborations and blurring the lines between genres. Fingerstyle guitarist and vocalist Willy Porter teams up with the quartet in this one-of-a-kind show at 7:30 p.m. May 25. Tickets: $22-$25. For information, visit www.cdsq.org/.
