Jan. 21, 2003
Lisner Serves Up Spring Mix
Auditorium’s Spring Lineup Boasts Eclectic Blend
of Music, Dance, and Humor
By Matthew
Lindsay
From the sensual sights and sounds of the Third Annual DC Flamenco Festival
to the witty, biting comedy of David Sedaris there is something for
everyone this semester at Lisner Auditorium. Performers from China,
Cuba, Slovakia, and Spain will converge on Washington, DC, in the coming
months, each bringing their distinctive flavor to Lisner’s stage.
Highlights include “Shaolin: Wheel of Life,” coming to GW
Jan. 24. This performance infuses modern theatre production methods
into the traditional martial arts skills of the soldier monks from China’s
Shaolin Temple to re-create the incredible story of how Shaolin Monks
established and protected their temple and their culture.
Also of note is the Third Annual DC Flamenco Festival, featuring five
nights of performances from Jan. 28 through Feb. 7. Spain’s Ballet
Flamenco Sara Baras will treat the audience to contemporary flamenco
during two nights of shows featuring more than 20 musicians and dancers.
Traditional flamenco dance also will be on display for two nights, in
a DC premiere featuring dancers Farruquito and Juana Amaya. The festival
will close out with another local premiere, as flamenco guitarist and
multiple Grammy-winner Tomatito will take the stage, accompanied by
his musical ensemble, as well as a singer and a dancer.
Sedaris makes a one-night-only appearance April 9. Sedaris, who made
a name for himself with hilarious commentaries featured on National
Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” has written several
plays and received critical acclaim as the best-selling author of “Barrel
Fever” and “Naked.”
The irresistible rhythms of the Juan De Marcos’ Afro-Cuban All
Stars take center stage at Lisner April 26. Marcos, currently one of
the big names in Cuban music, has worked with the likes of the Buena
Vista Social Club, Ruben Gonzalez, and Ibrahim Ferrer, but formed the
Afro-Cuban All Stars to continue the progression of Cuban music by merging
several distinctive styles and the old with the new. The result is a
big band that provides a stirring dance beat and has brought Cuban music
to a worldwide audience.
Other performers include Latin jazz musicians Chucho Valdes Big Band
with Grammy Award-winner Roy Hargrove, trumpet (Jan. 30); world-renowned
Slovakian tenor Peter Dvorsky (Feb. 5); Fred Hersch Ensemble with an
evening of music inspired by and featuring the poetry of Walt Whitman
(April 5); and the presentation of the Mexican Film Redes (1936) with
live orchestral accompaniment by the Post-Classical Music Ensemble featuring
Lila Downs (May 1).
Limited numbers of discounted tickets for GW students are available
for most shows at the Lisner Auditorium Box Office. Tickets for all
shows are available at the Lisner Auditorium Box Office, TicketMaster
outlets, and through PhoneCharge by calling 301/808-6900.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
