New Directions at GPAC
4/20/06

New Directions at GPAC

The announcement of the Germantown Performing Arts Centre's 2006-07 Season has created a buzz among subscribers and the local arts community. Under the leadership of new Executive Director Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, GPAC's new season combines the best of old and new: a bold new direction in programming coupled with the return of the much-loved Dance Series and the continuing excellence of the IRIS Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Michael Stern.

Since her arrival at GPAC in August of 2005, Castroverde Moskalenko has worked toward her vision of GPAC as an arts and cultural center that reaches out to and engages the entire community. With that in mind, she has programmed world-class performances and has implemented partnerships that will benefit both the GPAC audience and the community at large.

The 2006-07 season will feature internationally renowned artists in the fields of jazz, world and classical music. Legendary sitar icon Ravi Shankar will perform a not-to-be-missed concert with his daughter, 32 year-old sitar prodigy, Anoushka Shankar. Now in his mid-80's, Shankar seldom tours and this performance with his beautiful and talented daughter, whose musical skills rival his own, will be a true once-in-a-lifetime event.

A new jazz vibe will be evident at GPAC this season, as jazz greats Al Di Meola and Ramsey Lewis add their talents to the mix. Audiences will also have an opportunity to "chill out" on Friday evenings as the new "Jazz in the Box" series makes its appearance in the Black Box Theatre. A casual, come-as-you-are theme will be the hallmark for this series, as patrons will enter through the back door to enjoy cabaret-style seating, drinks and light menu fare, and a relaxing evening of live jazz music.

Not to be upstaged, the IRIS Chamber Orchestra will continue its reputation of artistic excellence, presenting varied and interesting programs that feature audience favorites and cutting edge appeal. Soloists will include violinist Gil Shaham and his wife, violinist Adele Anthony, classical guitarist Jason Vieaux and pianist Jon Kimura Parker. Music Director Michael Stern is known for finding and presenting the very best young, emerging artists, and this will be evident as pianist Wendy Chen and Time for Three, a trio of classically trained, conservatory friends who defy musical categorization, perform with the orchestra. Another unique approach will be seen as IRIS presents Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale with narrator and dancers in March.

The much-loved dance series makes a comeback at GPAC. The colorful and vibrant Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez will appear for two performances in October in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and The Russian Classical Ballet featuring Stars of the Bolshoi will bring a magical, full-length production of Swan Lake to the GPAC stage in December. For a real adventure in dance, don't miss Diavolo. In an exciting meld of dance and gymnastics, the dancers of Diavolo will take your breath away as they leap and tumble in this cirque-style production.

A partnership with the Belz/Parker Artists Ascending Concert Series, begun in the 2005-06 season with the hugely successful Itzhak Perlman concert, will continue with the co-presentation of 13 year-old piano prodigy Kit Armstrong on December 3. GPAC will also collaborate with Opera Memphis to present Amahl and the Night Visitors for four performances on December 8, 9 and 10 with Memphis' own beloved soprano, Kallen Esperian. The 2006-07 season also marks the fourth year that GPAC has worked with WKNO to present Capitol Steps, a sketch comedy group which bills itself as the only group that attempts to be funnier than Congress. The side-splitting program is constantly updated to reflect current events and is a sell-out year after year. In addition to these partnerships, Castroverde Moskalenko will ensure that GPAC's season leaves a lasting impact in the community by arranging for the performers to interact with area students. Master classes will be offered by members of Ballet Folklorico, Diavolo and Imago Theatre's Frogz, and a special mask-making class will be offered in conjunction with the Family Series' Masked Marvels and Wondertales. IRIS will perform for school children through a new outreach initiative and will continue its partnership with WKNO's Live Lunch Series.

Indicative of Castroverde Moskalenko's vision for increasing GPAC's accessibility to the community is the addition of the Family Series, designed to engage young people in the arts and provide an opportunity for fun and memorable family outings. Included in the series are Ballet Folklorico, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Michael Cooper's one-man tour de force as an entire cast of characters in Masked Marvels and Wondertales and Imago Theatre's Frogz, an amazingly costumed theatrical production featuring a larger-than-life-sized menagerie including frogs, penguins and alligators.

New options in ticket buying are also evident in the new season as tickets may be purchased by the individual series (IRIS, Dance, World, Jazz, Family) at a substantial discount. A new "Build Your Own Subscription" option is also being offered, allowing subscribers to custom build a Series from any 4 events in the Dance, World, Jazz, Family or Special Event categories. Ticket buyers may also choose to subscribe to the entire season and receive an even larger discount. For more information contact the GPAC box office at 901-751-7500 or visit the GPAC website at www.gpacweb.com.

2006-07 GPAC Season at a Glance