September 2005

Lisner Fall Lineup

BY JANE LINGO

For the first time, Lisner Auditorium is offering series tickets in three sets of performances: “Heart and Soul,” “True Rhythms,” and “Fresh Voices.” The offer features seating in Lisner’s orchestra section and offers steep 20 percent discounts for the shows.

“Through the three series, we are offering patrons a new affordable way to explore a wide variety of performances,” says Auditorium Director Rosanna Ruscetti.
The “Heart and Soul” series will present Madeleine Peyroux in acoustic blues, country ballads, torch songs, and pop. Appearing with her will be special guest Martha Wainwright in songs ranging from modern rock to old-world parlor songs. Appearing next in the series will be Mariza, Portugal’s Fadoista, performing a type of folk music characterized by melancholy tunes and lyrics. Mariza will present Blues or the tango with lyrics from existing poems of heartbreak and longing. Capa Verde vocalist Cesaria Evora, who makes a return visit to GW, follows with her unique singing style blending West African percussion, Portuguese and Brazilian rhythms, and British sea chanties.

The “True Rhythms” series includes performances by Simón Díaz, Daniela Mercury, and Eva Ayllón. Díaz, composer, singer, and musician is best known for his recovery of the songs of the Venezuelan plains, turning them into an authentic musical genre. Brazilian superstar Daniela Mercury is said to combine singing with extensive choreography in all her performances. Peruvian vocalist Eva Allyón is a leading exponent of Peruvian musica criolla, a broad genre with both African and Spanish origins.

The “Fresh Voices” series features Ira Glass, Sarah Vowell, and the Dance Construction Company. Glass, host of the National Public Radio program “This American Life,” blends his storytelling in performance with a mixture of pre-recorded stories, music and observations. Sarah Vowell, best known for her monologues on “This American Life,” will read from her new book Assassination Vacation, about trip through the tourist destinations of three assassinated American presidents, Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. The Dance Construction Company, headed by GW Professor of Dance Maida Withers, presents the world premiere of “Thresholds Crossed,” an exploration of events, ideology, and humanistic issues that link America and Russia. Now being completed with residencies of five American and five Russian dancers in the capital cities of Moscow (July 2005) and Washington, DC (April 2006), the April 21 performance will mark the 30th anniversary of the DC-based Dance Construction Company as well as Withers’ 40th year at the University. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Steven Hilmy will create and perform original music for the show.

“In addition to the three series, we have on the Lisner schedule a number of events sponsored by various cultural and musical organizations, throughout the year,” says Carl Graci, Lisner marketing associate.

Details of these performances will be provided in future issues of ByGeorge! For tickets or information about series call Lisner Auditorium at 994-6800 or visit www.lisner.org.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu