Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on September 14, 2012

New worlds and new works will mark the new arts season on the Midpeninsula in 2012-13. Stanford University will get a sleek contemporary concert hall, while the Palo Alto Art Center readies for thoroughly spruced-up surroundings.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Art League stands by to rev up on major renovations, and Dragon Productions is prepping to move into a brand-new theater a few cities north.

And premieres keep the arts lively and innovative this season. To name a few: a musical version of "The Importance of Being Earnest," a new guitar concerto, fresh one-act plays, and a new exhibit of sculptural installations built from such diverse materials as discarded wood, piano keys, instrument strings and an iBook computer.

Music

True classical-music aficionados on the Peninsula and beyond have Jan. 11 marked, circled or alarmed on their calendars and phones. That's opening night for the new $112 million, 844-seat Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University.

Stanford Lively Arts (recently rechristened "Stanford Live") will start its new season that night: a little late, but with many luminaries set to attend. Michael Tilson Thomas will conduct the San Francisco Symphony, with the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stanford Taiko and Stanford Symphony Orchestra also scheduled. Actor/writer Anna Deavere Smith will be master of ceremonies.

The next day, a free open house will take place during the day, followed by an evening ticketed concert by Los Lobos.

Stanford Live, long known as a presenter of music, dance and theater performances, is focusing on classical music in the new venue's inaugural year. Officials promise that more world music and dance will return in later seasons.

Other musicians on the Bing schedule this season include: the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in January, February and March; pianist Emanuel Ax on Jan. 22; the Mingus Big Band on Jan. 25; cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott on Jan. 27; South African singer Vusi Mahlasela on Jan. 30; the modern chamber band Alarm Will Sound on March 16; and multimedia artist Laurie Anderson with the Kronos Quartet on April 20 and 21.

Stanford composer Jonathan Berger will introduce two new chamber operas on April 12 and 13 with soprano Heather Buck, New York Polyphony and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

The rest is here:
Fall arts preview: strings, sings & Bing

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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