Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College 2900 Campus Road Brooklyn, NY 11210 718-951-4500 Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts announces its 2012-2013 Season

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College announces its 58th season of music, dance, theater, and family programming reflecting the multicultural diversity of Brooklyn. The outstanding line-up features performances from Jamaica, Russia, China, and Canada, as well as the United States, and includes both Brooklyn premieres and returning favorites.

"Brooklyn Center has always been a valued part of the thriving arts culture on campus," said Maria Ann Conelli, Dean of the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. "The upcoming season promises to deliver exactly what Brooklyn's many communities have come to expect – diversity, affordability, and above all else, artistic excellence. We look forward to welcoming audiences back next year to enjoy another exceptional season of international music, theater, dance and family performances."

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2012-2013 Season includes:
• A double bill of klezmer music with Metropolitan Klezmer and Isle of Klezbos
• Enchantment Theatre Company's The Velveteen Rabbit
• The Ultimate Sounds of Doo-Wop and Street Corner Harmony
• The Shaolin Warriors
• Christmas in the Caribbean, featuring the University Singers
• Dance Theatre in Westchester's The Colonial Nutcracker
• The Snow Maiden (Матушка-Метелица)
• Omaha Theater Company's How I Became a Pirate
• The Little Prince
• American Family Theater's Sleeping Beauty
• The Freddy Cole Quartet
• The Beauty of Ballet (co-presented with the School of American Ballet)
• The Brementown Musicians (БРЕМЕНСКИЕ МУЗЫКАНTЫ)
• Bash the Trash's Tales of Anansi
• Sixth annual National Grid Earth Day
• Fiddler on the Roof
• Ballet-théâtre atlantique du Canada's Amadeus (A New York premiere)
• The United States Military Academy Concert Band
• An Evening with Lucie Arnaz
• Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music

Metropolitan Klezmer & Isle of Klezbos
Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 2pm
The Walt Whitman Theatre transforms into a Simcha Palace when these two internationally-acclaimed ensembles hit the stage with their unique interpretations of traditional Eastern European favorites, Yiddish swing and folk tunes, and original compositions.
Tickets: $30

The Velveteen Rabbit
Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2pm
"When a child loves you for a long, long time… then you become Real." So says the Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit in Margery Williams' much-loved literary classic about a stuffed toy rabbit who yearns to become real. This charming tale of love and devotion features an original musical score, extraordinary puppets, masks, and magic. A Target Storybook Series event recommended for ages four and up
Tickets: $7

The Ultimate Sounds of Doo-Wop and Street Corner Harmony
Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8pm
This concert of chart-topping artists from the ‘50s and ‘60s includes Fred Parris and The Satins ("In the Still of the Night"), The Legendary Teenagers ("Why Do Fools Fall in Love"), The Chiffons with original lead singer Judy Mann ("One Fine Day"), The Original Tymes ("So Much In Love"), and Barbara Harris and the Toys ("Lovers Concerto").
Tickets: $45 orchestra, $36 mezzanine

Direct from Beijing, The People's Republic of China
The Shaolin Warriors
Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3pm
With a jaw-dropping mix of martial arts, theatricality and athleticism, the Shaolin Warriors present a rare glimpse into the ancient and mystical art of Kung Fu. This astonishing spectacle features 22 monks performing feats of strength, agility, and impeccably choreographed combat that will take your breath away.
Tickets: $30

Christmas in the Caribbean with The University Singers
Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 8pm
The University Singers from the University of the West Indies have distinguished themselves as one of the leading choral groups in the Caribbean with their widely versatile repertoire of original music composed by Caribbean writers, classical choral works, American Negro Spirituals, and Jazz and Gospel arrangements. Always a favorite at Brooklyn Center, Jamaica's cultural ambassadors return with a joyous holiday program.
Tickets: $45 orchestra, $36 mezzanine

The Colonial Nutcracker
Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 2pm
An annual holiday favorite, Dance Theatre in Westchester performs its family-friendly, full-length version of Tchaikovsky's ballet set in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army, an enchanted nutcracker prince, and simultaneous narration to help young audience members enjoy this timeless classic. Recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $10

The Snow Maiden (Матушка-Метелица)
Presented in association with Anton Krylov
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 6pm
Enjoy this magical Christmas tale in which a worthy young girl is transformed by Grandfather Frost (the Russian Santa Claus) into the beautiful Snow Maiden. Traditional Russian songs, dances and elaborate costumes create a winter wonderland in this delightful children's extravaganza. Performed in Russian with English subtitles. Recommended for ages six and up.
Tickets: $35-$50

How I Became a Pirate
Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 2pm
In this new musical based on the best-selling children's book, Jeremy's talent for building sand castles and digging moats has earned him a place on the crew of Braid Beard's ship. It's a grand adventure, indeed, until Jeremy remembers all the things that he left behind. Surely, the pirates can be convinced to take him home! A Target Storybook Series event recommended for ages six and up.
Tickets: $7

The Little Prince
Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 2pm
Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. Full of whimsy and wonderment, this new stage version of the classic tale incorporates puppetry, multimedia projections, and original music as it follows one brave little boy's journey through the universe, exploring the mysteries of grownups and the stars and searching for what is most important in life. A Target Storybook Series event recommended for ages eight to eighty.
Tickets: $7

American Family Theater's
Sleeping Beauty
Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2pm
When a beautiful princess falls under the curse of a wicked sorceress, only the sweet kiss of a handsome prince can save her from eternal slumber. From "once upon a time" to "happily ever after," this tale of fairy godmothers, magic spells, and true love will enchant the entire family. A Target Storybook Series event recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $7

The Freddy Cole Quartet
Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 8pm
A Grammy nominee in his own right, Freddy Cole makes no apology for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole. And he stands shoulder to shoulder with today's jazz greats. This master vocalist and pianist captivates listeners with his warm presence, subtle phrasing, and world-class jazz.
Tickets: $36

In collaboration with the School of American Ballet
The Beauty of Ballet
Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 2pm
Join students and faculty of the world-famous School of American Ballet (the official academy of New York City Ballet) in this program illustrating the process by which talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers. Your children will watch a "class" where training exercises and steps are demonstrated, and also enjoy excerpts from famous ballets. A free event recommended for ages four and up. General free admission, no tickets issued.

Direct from Moscow
The Bremantown Musicians (БРЕМЕНСКИЕ МУЗЫКАНТЫ)
Presented in association with Anton Krylov
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 6pm
Adapted from the enormously popular Russian cartoon, this family-friendly rock musical follows the adventures of a handsome wandering minstrel and his animal companions. Performed in Russian (English language synopsis available). Recommended for ages eight and up.
Tickets: $45-$65

Tales of Anansi
Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2pm
In honor of Earth Day, the environmental performance group Bash the Trash presents a storytelling concert that features Anansi the trickster, one of the most important characters in West African and Caribbean folklore. African-inspired musical instruments made from recycled and reused materials accompany the stories, creating an afternoon that is both entertaining and educational.
Tickets: $7

Sixth Annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 13 2013 at 3pm
Children and adults alike will enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and street performers at this free community festival, where interactive family activities highlight the need for creating a more sustainable future and caring for the earth.

The Live @ 365 2012-2013 Season

From Epic Poems to Sultry Songs: Live@365 Brings Vintage Grooves, Age-Old Roots, and Fresh Collaborations to the Acousticly Rich Elebash Recital Hall


In the heart of Manhattan is a striking space of acoustic intimacy and brilliance. Where musicians adore the sound and where audiences can experience global music—from powerful voices to delicate jaw harp—with a sonic intensity difficult to find in large halls or clubs designed for amplification.
It’s the Elebash Recital Hall, the 180-seat home of Live@365 (liveat365.org), a world music series presented by the CUNY Graduate Center and curated by Isabel Soffer/Live Sounds. Now in its second season, the series embraces the intersection of deep tradition and contemporary innovation, welcoming veteran performers and crafting new collaborations from across the planet.
The Live@365 2012-2013 season:
September 20: Crossing Boundaries with the jazz-inflected Bulgarian traditional song of Vlada Tomova, the lush vocals of Haitian songstress Emeline Michel, and Martha Redbone’s stirring, Native American-influenced neo-soul.
October 24: Bachata Legends Unplugged with the cornerstone of the Dominican Republic’s racy, witty acoustic tradition, Edilio Pareles and special guests.
November 27: West African Griot Summit. An extraordinary chance to hear more than a dozen traditional storytellers, musicians, and oral historians from seven countries finding common ground and trading licks.
March 12: Ancient Persia: Songs and Stories (U.S. debut). Celebrate the Persian New Year with masters of the ancient, living art of Naqqali storytelling and striking Zoorkhaneh percussion, both rarely heard outside Iran. Artists will recite from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), Iran’s most beloved 11^th-century epic story.
April 9: Budapest Bar (U.S. debut). A new project by Hungarian Gypsy music darlings, the four-member band invokes the spirit of Budapest’s golden age of cabaret, the 1920s-1950s. The wildly popular band will team up with local cabaret singers, swinging between the sultry and the rollicking.
May 7: Hypnotic Chinese Jaw Harp. Wang Li transformed the local jaw harp traditions of his native region in China into a powerful meditation on silence and breath. Though flowing from his years as a contemplative in a French monastery, Wang Li’s music instantly engages with its profound focus and stunning variety.
All performances held at 7 PM at Elebash Recital Hall, CUNY Graduate Center, at 365 5th Ave (at 34th Street). For tickets, see smartix.com or call 212-868-4444.
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“You can hear every nuance of a voice, every stroke of an instrument,” enthuses Live@365 curator Isabel Soffer, describing the Elebash Recital Hall. “It’s a distinctive atmosphere for performers and audience; listeners are engaged with the artists on the stage. My mission is to create shows that work in this particular environment.”
That powerful unifying thread—the unparalleled sound, the intimate experience—allows the series to present diverse artists with multifaceted visions, from different geographical and musical backgrounds—while retaining a strong curatorial vision. Many of this season’s performances—the gathering of New York’s many West African bards on a single stage, the magical performance of sung Persian poetry, the fresh and contemplative jaw harp of Wang Li—are dream concerts for Soffer, who had been longing for an intimate but acoustically superior place to present performers.
Such small concerts with such high-level international artists would have been difficult without the instigation and ongoing support of CUNY Graduate Center Public Programs department, the organization that developed and launched the series. Hoping to bring a wider variety to its unique Midtown venue, the Graduate Center approached Soffer to create a series that would bring global sounds to the Elebash. The collaboration resulted in a series unlike any other in the city: sounds that thrived in the Hall’s rich acoustics, responsive artists, committed audiences.
It fit The Graduate Center’s mission and vision perfectly. “Our combination of great diversity and public education is unique, and that spirit—as well as the spirit of our academic programs via our Music Department—shows in the series,” explains Andrea Jeyaveeran, The Center’s Director of Public Programs.
“Live@365 suits the theater and the audience,” Soffer reflects. “And it also suits these remarkable artists in a way that no other theater in New York does. It results in very intimate experiences for everyone.”
The Graduate Center is the primary doctorate-granting institution of the City University of New York (CUNY). As a cultural and academic hub for music lovers, it offers a wide array of performances, lectures, master classes, and symposia. Home to a distinguished D.M.A program, as well as a world-class ethnomusicology department, it also houses the Barry S. Brook Center for Music Research and Documentation.
The Graduate Center offers more than 30 doctoral programs across the arts and sciences, and a number of master's programs. It accommodates 33 interdisciplinary research centers and institutes, and provides an extensive array of public lectures, exhibitions, and theatrical events. Further information on the Graduate Center may be found at www.gc.cuny.edu.