The Acadiana Center for the Arts' 2014-15 season begins with a legend - jazz keyboardist Chick Corea - and that's just the Jazz @ the Center part of a season.
Chick Corea
The Acadiana Center for the Arts' 2014-15 season begins with a legend - jazz keyboardist Chick Corea performing on solo piano - and that's just the Jazz @ the Center part of a season that also features theater, dance, family performances and special events. For further information check out the AcA's website.
Here's an overview provided by the AcA:
Jazz @ the Center
Chick Corea-Solo Piano Performance
Oct. 9, 2014
Two seatings @ 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Since the beginning of his career, Chick Corea has been in the forefront of the world of jazz. In addition to his incredible career as a solo pianist, Chick has gained new ground with his acoustic jazz bands and as an innovative electric keyboardist. Chick has attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and an artistic output that is simply staggering. His performances have captivated global audiences demonstrates the true sentiment of great jazz. The jazz lounge vibe at AcA is the perfect setting for this spectacular event.
Diane Schuur with the ULL Jazz Ensemble
Jan. 16, 2015
Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. A longtime disciple of Dinah Washington and other legendary jazz singers of the 40s and 50s, Schuur has built a stellar career by embracing not only the jazz of her parents' generation, but also the pop music of her own youth during the late 1950s and 60s. Schuur's dynamic vocal range combined with the unique talent of the ULL Jazz Enemble creates a performance experience unike any other. An active member of the blind community, Schuur is as philanthropic as she is talented. AcA is thrilled to have her with us this season.
Rene Marie
March 13, 2015
Singer, actress and writer Rene Marie is known as one of the most stimulating risk-taker among today's jazz divas. Her style incorporates a distinctly American mélange of jazz, soul, blues, folk and gospel and an innate theatrical ability to interpret a song deeply and live its truth. A bold artist herself, Renee's performances are vivacious and thought provoking making her truly unforgettable. For this tour, Rene will be channeling Eartha Kit for a sexy, smoldering performance as demonstrated in her hot number "I'd Rather be Burned as a Witch."
Cyrille Aimée
Cyrille Aimée
May 15, 2015
Coined by The Wall Street Journal as "one of the most promising jazz singers of her generation," Cyrille Aimée creates a performance experience unlike any other. Aimée's hybrid of influences has resulted in a sound that's fresh and enlivening. Her distinctive voice and blend of cultural influences has captivated audiences all over the world. Cyrille boasted her vocal mastery in French by playing at Festival Django Reinhardt. Her vocals are smoldering and truly unforgettable.
Family Performance Series
All shows are fun for the whole family
Trout Fishing in America
Oct. 1, 2014
Known as the "Lennon and McCartney of kid's music", Trout Fishing in America combines kid-friendly songwriting with their unique folk-rock sound. Guitarist Ezra Idlet and bassist Keith Grimwood show off their diverse influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz in combination with their unique mix of children's material to produce an unforgettable performance.
Happenstance Theater presents "Pinot et Augustine"
Nov. 12, 2014
Pinot and Augustine is a classic, family-friendly clown duo inspired by the golden age of Circus. Pinot is the authoritarian clown in fancy clothes and white cone hat, and Augustine is the appealing red-nosed bumbler who punctures his pomposity. Their show bubbles over with physical comedy, virtuosity and musical surprises from the sublime to the ridiculous. With French emersion and quirky twists, Pinot and Augustine is sure to stir up the childlike spirit.
Lightwire Theater presents "The Ugly Duckling"
Jan. 11, 2014 (matinee performance)
Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling" has been told to generations of children in the lesson of cherishing uniqueness. Through dazzling visuals, poignant choreography and creative use of music ranging from classical to jazz to pop, Lightwire Theater literally brings beloved tales to new and brilliant light.
Theater
Cabaret Macabre
Happenstance Theater presents "Cabaret Macabre"
Nov. 13 & 14, 2014
Happenstance Theater comes to Lafayette to present "Cabaret Macabre", a fun an exciting original production. Happenstance's mission is to be committed to devising and producing original, performer-created visual, poetic Theatre. The cheerfully sinister, tongue-in-cheek sketch-and-music show that is "Cabaret Macabre" will keep audiences entertained with its original humor and unparallel cast of talented actors.
Acting Up (in Acadiana) presents "Die Happy"
Feb. 26, 27, & 28, 2015
Acting Up (in Acadiana) in residence at the AcA presents DIE HAPPY, an original work in development through multi-generational explorations of play. How did you play as a child? How do you play now? Does your work include play? Help answer those questions at DIE HAPPY.
Acting Up (in Acadiana) Student Showcase
March 17 & 18, 2015
Tea Sippers' Theater Company presents "Spring Awakening"
June 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2015
Originating as a completely teen-run theater company in 2010, The Tea Sippers' Theater Company has independently produced, directed, designed, and presented nearly a dozen theater productions in the Lafayette area including a summer 2015 production of "Spring Awakening." "Spring Awakening" is a rock musical that tells the story of several teenagers exploring what it is to grow up and deciphering major life questions. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused score.
Dance
Rioult Dance
Nov. 19 & 20, 2014
RIOULT Dance NY has quickly become an established name in modern dance since its inception in 1994. Presenting sensual, articulate, and exquisitely musical works, the company has inspired thousands of students, dancers and audiences alike. Education and community outreach have been integral to RIOULT Dance NY. The Lafayette community will have an incredible opportunity to learn from dance professionals and then encounter their work on the stage.
Sidra Bell Dance Company
April 16, 2015
Sidra Bell Dance New York, is a company of prolific movement artists based in New York City that presents innovative, kinetic, and provocative dance theater works. It has continually presented progressive, highly designed, cinematic, glamorous, and elaborate full scale productions to sold-out New York City audiences. With educational partnerships and commissions from the most prestigious institutions for dance and theater in the country and around the world the company is on the forefront of engaging and cultivating the next generation of artists.
Residency @ the Center
Xibipíío (ib-bee-PEE-o)
A contemporary ballet by Gina Hanchey
Xibipíío (ib-bee-PEE-o) is a contemporary ballet by Gina Hanchey exploring the experience of transitions, both as individuals and as a collective, within boundaries we can and cannot see, asserting that we are what we know. Our truth is experiential. Locals can see a sneak peek of the piece at September Second Saturday ArtWalk.
PLAY
An interactive movement project by Theresa Wasiloski
PLAY is an interactive movement project that explores playing as a process and experiments with the differences and similarities of how we play as children and adults. It is dancer/choreographer Theresa Wasiloski's vision that community and audience members will become part of the piece, which includes site-specific dance events and a final performance in the James Devin Moncus Theater.
AcA Special Event
The 78 Project
Sept. 27, 2014
The 78 Project Movie is a film about connections, framed by a road trip across America to record musicians on a vintage Presto 1930s direct-to-disc acetate recorder. Creators Alex Steyermark and Lavinia Jones Wright shot The 78 Project Movie driving across America in a tiny Kia Soul loaded to the roof with cameras, their Presto, spare tubes, blank discs and a toolbox. Singers in The 78 Project Movie tell in their own words what it is to be American today, sharing their lives and histories through intimate musical performances of classic American songs. The event will feature the 90 minute film and will then move on to produce a one-track 78 record right on stage. The audience will have an opportunity to be a part of a real recording and be a part of a truly unique experience.
The Second City
March 3, 2015
The Best of The Second City features some of the best sketches, songs, and improvisations from The Second City's fifty-two year history. America's famed comedy troupe, The Second City, is coming to town with The Best of The Second City. From the company that launched the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more, comes the next generation of the comedy world's best and brightest in an evening of hilarious sketch comedy and Second City's trademark improvisation.