Wolf Trap: From the Inside Out

Managing Diversity: Wolf Trap Shapes a New Generation of Arts Leaders

noreply@blogger.com (Camille Cintrón) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's post comes from Amina Cooper, 2012-2013 Wolf Trap Foundation Fellow.

I’ve always been fascinated and perplexed by the concept of leadership. Do some people naturally have some perfect combination of skills that predestine them for leadership positions? Can leadership skills be cultivated? What do leaders have in common? I contemplate these questions because my professional goals require me to become a leader. I want to be able to drive change, influence policy makers, and open doors for diverse groups. My goal? Increase diversity among arts audiences and arts organizations.

Many organizations that profess to value diversity only do so on paper. Actively managing diversity through programming and hiring practices takes/requires a deeper commitment. I was initially drawn to the Fellowship at Wolf Trap because of its reputation for taking the professional development of young arts managers seriously. With a new Fellowship Program intently focused on the professional development of arts administrators of color, I believe Wolf Trap is also one of those special places that actively manages diversity. As a “double minority” (a woman of color), I am honored to have been selected as the first Wolf Trap Foundation Fellow, and I intend to use my experience here to help lead efforts to increase diversity in the arts industry.

Since last September I have been working on special projects with managers across the organization, fine tuning my skills as an arts administrator while receiving invaluable mentorship. As I have rotated through several departments, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the organization and the processes that must be managed in order to sustain an arts organization of this scope, breadth, and reach.

Most importantly, my experiences working among Wolf Trap’s stewards have guided my reflection of leadership. The leaders I’ve worked with at Wolf Trap actually don’t have a lot of common. They represent many different backgrounds, experiences, and areas of expertise. What unites them is their shared passion for Wolf Trap and the work of presenting the arts. I’ve discovered that what leaders have in common could never be defined demographically. They share those special intangible qualities that reside deep within the spirit and mind. We affirm and embody these qualities when we manage diversity.

Are you interested in the Wolf Trap Fellowship? For more information and to apply, click here!

Club 66 Recaps Its Pre-Show Reception With The Second City

noreply@blogger.com (Camille Cintrón) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:57:00 +0000

Today's post comes from Ginger Lackey, Club 66 Steering Committee, Vice Chair.

On Friday, March 22, Club 66 helped pack the house for The Second City’s sold-out show at The Barns. Along with the Chicago-like chilly March weather, The Second City cast brought a lot of laughs and classic sketches from the best moments of The Second City’s 53-year reign as the country’s top improvisational comedy theater.

Club members enjoyed a private cocktail hour and Q&A with cast members Chelsea Devantez and Eddie Mujica. Between the open bar and delicious food provided by Walker's Grille, Chelsea and Eddie told us about themselves, shared how performing at Wolf Trap is a highlight on their tour, and detailed their quest to be the next household name to come from The Second City’s ranks—a list that includes Steve Carrell, Steven Colbert, Tina Fey, John Belushi, and countless others. After watching their no-holds-barred performance, we won't be surprised to see them on SNL soon.

Leaving The Barns, we were all reminded of what residents of the windy city have known since 1959—the best way to beat the winter blues is laughter.

Tonight at The Barns: Riders In The Sky

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Tonight at The Barns is the GRAMMY-Award winning ensemble Riders In The Sky.

Since their first gig at a Nashville bar in 1977, Riders In The Sky have been showcasing hilarious comedy and truly impressive songwriting: the song “The Legend of Palindrome,” for example, is made up entirely of lines that read the same forwards and backwards. Their newest release, America’s Favorite Cowboy Songs, features their most requested ditties and is exclusively available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores.

The group consists of lead singer Ranger Doug, fiddle player Woody Paul, bassist and guitarist Too Slim, and “Cowpolka King” accordion player Joey Miskulin.

The group’s collaborations with Pixar have kept their music just as relevant as ever in the 21st century: they penned the score for the Academy Award-winning short film For the Birds and contributed songs to the universally acclaimed hits Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.

In addition to their two GRAMMY Awards, the group has been the Western Music Association’s Entertainers of the Year six times.

“It is refreshing to hear guys sing about the great outdoors, in a moderate volume, in nice harmony, and who play their instruments well and have a sense of camaraderie.”—Ranger Doug

Don't miss this family-friendly cowboy road show tonight Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 8 pm.

Tonight at The Barns: A Tribute to Chrissie Hynde & The Pretenders

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Tonight at The Barns is BandHouse Gigs' A Tribute to Chrissie Hynde & The Pretenders. Please enjoy the Producer's Notes below and be sure not to miss the show!

It was an easy choice to tribute the music of Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders. Her songs and her work with the Pretenders helped define the sound of post ’60s guitar pop and are trendsetting classics. Her career after the heyday of the Pretenders initial burst of hits is no less ground breaking and tuneful. Speaking up on social issues while continuing to throw darts from the heart, she dissects personal relationships and reflects on the essence of humankind. There is no one like her.

She encapsulates so many conflicting adjectives: tough, gentle, promiscuous, loving, resentful, forgiving, angry, resolute, and peaceful. But in her world these qualities exist everywhere all the time. There is no simple relationship; there is no reason why all of these emotions cannot exist at the same time. And there is no shame in lust. She makes complexity seem simple—and appropriate.

Her preference for floating jangling guitars on top of a solid drum beat permeate all of her songs, yet they all sound different. We never tired of her style because the themes and the vocal attitude make every song unique. You can drift away on a romantic dream or rock out with an in-your-face proclamation. And she can sing Jimi.

In a world of innocuous pop stars singing about superficial subjects, there are few lasting songwriters who stick around to make sure their voice is heard. Chrissie is not going anywhere until her work is done. She has few peers as a songwriter, singer, and performer.

There was no shortage of great talent willing to help pay tribute and interpret Chrissie’s songs. She speaks to every woman about their rights, their conflicting roles in society, and their power to change the world—and in the process she speaks to us all. We are grateful for her contributions to music and we encourage everyone to become familiar with all of her records. Hopefully by the end of tonight you will.

Artists on tonight's show:
Andrew Hardin
Anita King
Annie and Steve Sidley
Bill Craig
Cal Everett
Caz Gardiner
Chuck Sullivan
Dan Hovey
Deeme Katson
Doug Tull
Ellen Cherry
Evan Pollack
Gina Cocco
Greg Hardin
Janine Wilson
John Jennings
John Penovitch
Jon Carroll
Jeannine Burns
Jim Clatterbuck
Jen & Scott Smith of Naked Blue
John Thomakos
Karen Williamson and Anson Smith
Laura Tsaggaris
Louie Newmyer
Margot MacDonald
Paul Pisciotta
Patty Reese
Ronnie Newmyer
Shep Williams
Spencer Hoopes
Todd Wright

BandHouse Gigs A Tribute to Chrissie Hynde & The Pretenders is at The Barns tonight, Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Time Travel in 3...2...1...

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's post is from Lee Anne Myslewski, Director, Artistic Administration, Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming.

As a kid I was infatuated with time travel. The DeLorean in Back to the Future (step aside, Michael J. Fox! I’m in it for the CAR!), The Tardis in Dr. Who, the phone booth in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure...heck, I’d even take The Enterprise’s warp speed in an episode of Star Trek. I loved the daydream of inserting the modern Me into an antiquated scene - the surroundings, the clothes, the food, the music. How incredible would it be to reframe my modern perspective by actually going back in time?

Sadly, I’ve not ever ridden in a DeLorean (not even a non-time-traveling one), and most of the phone booths I’ve been in not only didn’t travel anywhere, most of them didn’t have phones inside, anymore.

But, lest you feel too badly for poor nerdy me, sitting in vacant phone booths, waiting to, well, go somewhere; let me reassure you that I have indeed traveled in time. In fact, the first time I did was as a music student in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I attended a concert where the keyboard instrument was much smaller than our conventional piano, and was covered in gold leaf. The guitar looked more like a lute, but the neck was at least twice as long and I swear there were seven or eight strings on it - five in the conventional position, but there were at least two that were really long. The cellist held her bow in a strange position, not at all like I’d seen in orchestras. And the music, while obviously highly virtuosic, was also unlike anything I’d heard before - intricate, delicate, both passionate and highly intelligent. It was like a puzzle, trying to guess where the harmonies might go, how the soloist might embellish the melody on the da capo.

It was amazingly cool. And while I didn't walk out of the hall in a hoop skirt and a powdered wig, I certainly felt as if I had gone back in time.

That group that mesmerized me those many years ago? They’ll be playing for you tonight. The Chatham Baroque presents Northern Lights, a program of composers with free, highly improvisational styles. Performing this evening are Andrew Fouts, baroque violin, Patricia Halverson, viola da gamba and violone, Scott Pauly, theorbo, and Webb Wiggins on chamber organ. I’ll be joining you for this fantastic program from my perch in the balcony - indulging in both some nostalgia from the first time I heard this ensemble, and in a little aural time travel. I hope you’ll join me.

Chatham Baroque performs at The Barns tonight Friday, March 15, 2013 at 8 pm.

Tonight at The Barns: Tom Paxton

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Tonight at The Barns is folk guitarist Tom Paxton.

A New Yorker by way of Chicago and Oklahoma, Tom Paxton became an icon of the 1960s Greenwich Village music scene whose appearance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival established him as a stalwart of the folk revival.

Paxton has written and sung about the love of family, friends, and country. In his 2008 release, Comedians & Angels, he helps people laugh at the foibles of society, culture, government, and themselves.

In 2011, actor and singer/songwriter Tim Grimm released an album of Tom Paxton covers called Thank You Tom Paxton!

The GRAMMY awards have recognized Paxton with four nominations and a Lifetime Achievement Award in the last decade, speaking to the relevance of his latest material, which is as socially conscious and challenging as ever.

“[Paxton’s] hits like 'The Last Thing On My Mind,' 'Bottle of Wine,' 'Ramblin' Boy,' 'The Marvelous Toy,' and 'Going to the Zoo'...transcended the genre and took root in America's imagination.”—Chicago Sun-Times

Don't miss Tom Paxton at The Barns tonight Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 8 pm.

Tonight at The Barns: Paul Thorn

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Playing tonight at The Barns is bluesy rocker Paul Thorn.

Before Paul Thorn discovered his true calling as a powerfully earnest musician with gritty, soulful pipes, the Tupelo, Mississippi native was a professional boxer. In the 1980s he had a televised match with famed middleweight Roberto Duran.

As the son of a Pentecostal preacher, gospel has strongly influenced Thorn’s sound, and the dichotomy of the sacred and the profane is regularly explored through his songwriting. This is especially evident on the 2010 album Pimps and Preachers, which reached No. 12 on Billboard’s Independent Albums Chart and broke into the Billboard 200.

A man of many talents, Thorn designs all his own vibrant album art work and started his own label, Perpetual Obscurity Records.

In 2012 Thorn released the album What the Hell is Goin’ On?, which contains covers of songs by his favorite artists including Allen Toussaint, Lindsey Buckingham, and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

“Like Paul Thorn’s original works, gospel, rock, blues, soul, and Americana all blend seamlessly on What the Hell is Goin’ On? and Paul Thorn sounds like he’s having the time of his life paying tribute to his heroes both past and present.”—Examiner.com

Don't miss Paul Thorn at The Barns tonight, Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 8 pm.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: Classic Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Binder) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Today's post is by Joe LaCroix, Wolf Trap's Communications and Marketing Coordinator

*************

While I may be one of the youngest people on staff here at Wolf Trap, the value of the classics is not lost on me. Just like my sports allegiances, my taste in music was (at least initially) inherited. So as my children will grow up listening to more ’90s alt-rock than they’ll be able to stand, I grew up listening to many of the classic rock staples that I’m very excited to highlight in this entry:

Steve Miller Band on July 23rd:

Steve Miller Band holds a special place in my heart, being literally the first band that I can remember listening to as a child. While time might be slipping into the future, I for one am glad that classic acts such as this held steady. Steve Miller’s tried and true, no-frills, blues laden songwriting helped shape my love for rock ‘n’ roll back before I even knew what a midnight toker really was.

If you’re into Steve Miller, you might also be on-board for:

Doobie Brothers on July 6th:

The nostalgia will be palpable on August 9th when the man behind one of the most iconic and enjoyable of American Tunes, Don McLean takes the stage. He’ll be sharing the spotlight under a starry-nights sky with the classically eclectic styling’s of the lovely Judy Collins.

Frankie Valli is one of those classic artists whose songs are so ubiquitously known that they really do take on a life of their own. I was fortunate enough to see Frankie and the Four seasons last time they played at Wolf Trap and was honestly astounded at how many of their songs I not only recognized, but knew nearly every word to.

While my time in elementary school band was fairly short lived, I give full credit to Chicago for helping me realize just how cool a band can sound with a full brass accompaniment. Unfortunately, our band did not play such awesome songs.

This really is just the tip of the iceberg that is Wolf Trap’s classic-rock lineup for 2013. With acts such as Gordon Lightfoot, Huey Lewis & The News and even an awe-inspiring double-bill featuring Peter Frampton and B.B. King, anyone with an affinity for the golden-years of Rock and Roll will find something that pleases.

Tonight at The Barns: Enter The Haggis

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tonight at The Barns are indie, roots-rock stalwarts Enter The Haggis.

Melding crafty storytelling and bagpipe blasting with roots-rock and jig-punk, this group likes to “experiment musically, pushing the boundaries of what people think of as Celtic music,” says vocalist and guitarist Trevor Lewington.

Their 2009 genre-crossing album, Gutter Anthems, which embraced African drumbeats and even a fiddle with a distortion pedal, reached No. 13 on Billboard’s World Albums chart and also hit No. 2 on the iTunes World Music chart.

Their 2011 album, Whitelake and their upcoming album, The Modest Revolution, was funded entirely through an online fan fundraiser. The songs on the new album will be entirely based on news stories published in the March 30, 2012 edition of The Globe and Mail newspaper and released exactly one year after the newspaper’s publication date.

Mastering a wide range of instruments including fiddle, accordion, whistles, and ukulele, Enter The Haggis’s line-up includes Trevor Lewington, Brian Buchanan, Craig Downie, Mark Abraham, and Bruce McCarthy.

“Enter The Haggis does for Celtic music what Nickel Creek does for bluegrass.” —Playback magazine

Enter the Haggis performs at The Barns tonight, Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: NSO@Wolf Trap

noreply@blogger.com (Camille Cintrón) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

As an oboist, there are few things I love more than listening to a good orchestra. Here at Wolf Trap, we’re lucky enough be the summer home of not just any good orchestra, but one of the world’s finest ensembles: the National Symphony Orchestra. Festival Conductor Emil de Cou and the NSO return this summer with a new set of musical offerings that appeal to all types of audiences.

My favorite part of the NSO@Wolf Trap season is that you don’t have to be a classical music guru to enjoy these performances. It features opera, classical and pop soloists, crossover collaborations, films, cartoons, and video games, making classical music accessible to everyone.

Last week, we learned about six new additions to the NSO@Wolf Trap schedule. I’ll briefly explain what these are but I encourage you to listen to the Spotify playlist pasted at the end of this post. Even though these tracks are not performed by the NSO, they will give you an idea of what to expect—and you might even recognize some of the pieces!

Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration Featuring Warren Haynes – the NSO will team up with vocalist/guitarist Warren Haynes to celebrate the life and musical contributions of Jerry Garcia, best known as a founding member of the rock band Grateful Dead.

Frozen Planet in Concert – this performance will feature an original score by Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor George Fenton, as well as images of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, from BBC’s Earth series.

Carmina Burana – the NSO will perform Carl Orff’s famous cantata, alongside The Choral Arts Society of Washington and soloists from the Wolf Trap Opera Company.

La traviata – Verdi’s famous opera about love (and scandal!) makes its way to the Filene Center stage for the first time since the ’70s. The NSO and the Wolf Trap Opera Company join forces in this new Operascape production, featuring a video projection-based scenic design.

America the Beautiful – the NSO pays tribute to American artists with a performance of Chris and Dave Brubeck’s “Ansel Adams: America,” paired with photos of or by photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams himself. Listen to an excerpt from this work here.

Wicked Divas – singers Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block will perform songs from Broadway shows and Hollywood films, such as Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Titanic, Wicked, and more.

These NSO@Wolf trap performances go on sale in a little over a week, so make your picks now and head over to the Box Office (or purchase online) starting Saturday, March 16 at 10 am.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: Don't Miss (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:00:00 +0000

To pick up where I left off, here are more shows to not miss this summer with some fun facts and reasons to get excited.

She & Him
Special Guest:
Camera Obscura
July 11, 2013

- This headlining duo is a special concoction made with equal parts Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. Deschanel, if you don’t already know her, was the actress who sung in the movie Elf with Will Ferrell, and you may also know her from her more recent work starring in the FOX hit show New Girl.

- M.Ward who hails from Portland, Oregon is most well known for his solo work as a singer/songwriter and also for his presence in She & Him and Monsters of Folk. He performed at Wolf Trap in 2011 opening the show for Bright Eyes and Dawes and we’re very excited to have him return.

- Now if She & Him isn’t reason enough for you to be excited, then please consider the Special Guest Camera Obscura. This indie pop band, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, has been making a big splash in the American music scene. Both She & Him and Camera Obscura are scheduled to release new albums this year, She & Him in May and Camera Obscura in June, so be on the lookout for those but make sure to get your tickets first!

An Evening with
Gipsy Kings
August 8, 2013

- There is a reason that the Gipsy Kings keep returning to Wolf Trap. Their contemporary flamenco music will you have you on your feet and dancing on the lawn. The Gipsy Kings always put on a great show and this year will be even better.

- The Gipsy Kings consist of two groups of brothers, the Reyes and the Baliardos, who grew up wandering southern France working and making music. (Hence the gypsy reference.)

- So here’s the skinny on this year’s Gipsy Kings performance, we usually have them for two back to back nights. However, this year there is only one date so all the people who normally come to two performances will all be trying to get tickets for the same night. All I’m saying is you should really think about getting your tickets as soon as possible.

Frampton’s Guitar Circus
Featuring
Peter Frampton
B.B. King
August 11, 2013

- Peter Frampton is nothing short of a legend. In 2011 Frampton played at Wolf Trap on his Frampton Comes Alive! tour and it was an incredible three hours of non-stop rocking. Seriously, his set was three hours with one intermission.

- B.B. King’s reign as The King of Blues has been monumental and it still stands strong. If you've never seen B.B. King live on stage with his love Lucille, you don’t know what you’re missing.

- These two guitar greats playing one evening together is something that doesn't come along very often and likely won’t happen again soon or perhaps ever. If you are a guitar enthusiast this is definitely a show to put on your calendar.

Josh Groban
August 16, 2013

- Josh Groban is more than just a singer. Groban is a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer who has performed with Idina Menzel, Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and Luciano Pavarotti just to name a few.

- Groban's crystal clear tone and wide vocal range is what makes him such a remarkable artist. His "You Raise Me Up" earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2005 and he has sold over 25 million records worldwide.

- This is Josh Groban’s first time performing at Wolf Trap and who knows when he’ll be back again? This show will sell out so don't let it pass you by.

Tonight at The Barns: Helen Reddy

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tonight and tomorrow at The Barns is "I am Woman" legend Helen Reddy.

Born into a prominent showbiz family in Australia, Helen Reddy was a child performer who moved to the United States in 1966. Her first studio album, I Don’t Know How to Love Him, was released in 1970.

Reddy was the first Australian to win a GRAMMY, which she won in 1972 for “I am Woman.”

Reddy has also shared her talent on stage and screen, starring in musicals on Broadway and in London’s West End and acting in films such as Disney’s whimsical classic, Pete’s Dragon (1977).

After retiring from show business in 2002 to focus on her clinical hypnotherapy practice, Reddy decided to return to performing after singing at her sister’s 80th birthday party.

“One of the reasons that I'm coming back to singing is...I’m doing the songs that I always loved. So many are album cuts that never got any airplay, and they're gorgeous songs.”—Helen Reddy on CBSnews.com

Don't miss this pop diva in her back to back performances at The Barns tonight, Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 8 pm and tomorrow, Friday, March 8, 2013 at 8 pm.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: Don't Miss (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The weather might not be leading on but the truth is that summer is right around the corner. Here are some of the just announced shows that you won't want to miss with a few fun facts and reasons to get excited about them.

The Tenors
June 21, 2013

- The Tenors, formerly known as the Canadian Tenors, are a quartet that has been gaining rapid recognition around the world. The members are Fraser Walters, Clifton Murray, Victor Micallef, and Remigio Pereira. Some interesting facts about these four: Walters like to surf, Murray practices yoga, Micallef always travels with a hat box (which is actually a snare drum case), and Pereira produces hip hop music.

- The Tenors have traveled all over North America and Europe and have performed with artists like Céline Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young, Paul Anka, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, and Natalie Cole.

- This is an example of a group that knows no boundaries. If you like shows like last year's Straight No Chaser or IL DIVO then you need to check out The Tenors. They are crossover stars that sing straight from the heart.

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Featuring Edie Brickell
June 24, 2013

- This show is a debut that you definitely don’t want to miss. If you've only ever thought of Steve Martin as a staple of American comedy, well you're in for a treat. Steve Martin is also a highly acclaimed banjo player who will be taking the stage with GRAMMY-winning bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers as well as singer/songwriter Edie Brickell.

- Martin and Brickell are releasing a collaborative album titled Love Has Come for You in April 2013 (next month!).

- The album features 13 co-written songs with instrumental assistance from The Steep Canyon Rangers as well as Esperanza Spalding, Waddy Wachtel, and former Nickel Creek members Sara and Sean Watkins. This is going to be a show for the books so make sure to buy your tickets!

Golden Dragon Acrobats from China
July 7, 2013

- This show is one of the most unique of the summer and is perfect for the whole family so bring the kids (plus it's a matinee so you don't have to worry about keeping them out too late).

- Golden Dragon Acrobats have been touring in America for 28 years making appearances in each of the 50 states. They are considered to be one of the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring companies around today.

- If you haven't seen the Golden Dragon Acrobats before, you should really give it a shot. The show is a beautiful blending of award-winning acrobatics, visually stimulating costumes, traditional and contemporary dance, and energizing music that creates a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: Strong Female

noreply@blogger.com (Camille Cintrón) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:42:00 +0000

Today's post comes from Ava Jackson, Assistant, Executive Office.

The first time I saw Joan Baez perform live was in San Francisco. I had skipped school to attend a political rally and she was a surprise guest, guitar in hand, singing out to me and the hundreds of thousands of protestors all around. I felt like a part of history. This memory could have easily been from 1967, but it was 2003. And now you have the chance to make your own major memory in 2013 when she plays with folk rock duo and fellow activists, the Indigo Girls, here at Wolf Trap.

If after that you still haven’t had your fill of awesome women playing guitars (I, personally, could never get my fill), the next two nights you will not want to miss 1980s superstars The Go-Go’s and raspy rock legend Melissa Etheridge. Other strong female artists to follow are GRAMMY-award winner Anita Baker, whose 2012 cover of Tyrese’s 1998 hit “Lately” is smooth perfection, and Nickelodeon powerhouse Victoria Justice – for the younger strong female in your life.

To get you in the mood for some seriously good music under the stars, here is a Spotify playlist of my favorites from these outrageously talented women.

Tonight at The Barns: Buskin & Batteau

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Tonight returning to The Barns with concert virtuoso chops, clever folk farces and intimate acoustic balladry is Buskin & Batteau.

David Buskin and Robin Batteau began making music together in the 1970s and became a local Boston-area hit as part of the Cambridge folk scene.

Some of their first gigs took place at an intimate Harvard Square venue once known as Club 47, a folk club that booked Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, and Tom Rush in the ’60s.

The duo cut their advertising teeth in the ’80s, penning jingles for companies like Burger King, Budweiser, and Amtrak, while also writing songs for other artists such as Judy Collins, Bette Midler, and Peter, Paul and Mary.

Buskin and Batteau’s current project, Love Remembered, Love Forgot, is the follow-up to the 2010 album Nouveau Retro.

“We complement each other so well, each of us has as much fun accompanying the other as we do singing our own songs.”—Robin Batteau

Don't miss this amazing duo at The Barns tonight, Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Parker String Quartet Returns to The Barns

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Today's post is from Lee Anne Myslewski, Director, Artistic Administration, Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming.

They’re baaaaack! (But it’s not a scary thing - it’s a good thing!)

The Parker Quartet - a foursome of extremely talented string players - were featured as The Discovery Series Debut Artists in 2006. Selecting the Debut Artist for the series is one of the most difficult and most exciting programming prospects. You see, there are jillions of talented young musicians who make their professional debuts each year. We comb through legions of worthy, talented, hard-working artists and ensembles to try to find someone that we want to support. Trying to suss out which groups and artists are both prodigiously talented and will also have career momentum is more than a little like gazing into a crystal ball. In this particular case, however, the vision in that crystal ball became a reality. The Parker was awarded a GRAMMY in 2011 for their recording of Ligeti’s String Quartets!

I have a Google Alert set up to notify me when someone writes about the Parker. Imagine my delight when the headline that popped up for a recent concert review read “Yes, the Parker Quartet really is that good.” It’s something that we've known for years, but the secret is, most happily, out!

Now, for those of you who were hoping to hear some of the repertoire from their GRAMMY-winning album, I’m sorry to disappoint. Here’s the rub: we've already heard Ligeti on The Discovery Series this season. (And while I’m a fan, we do have a radio series, Center Stage from Wolf Trap, to populate... so no repertoire repeats are allowed!) In light of that, the Parker will be taking a different tack with their evening, featuring works of Mozart, Dvořák, and Britten. I’m especially looking forward to the Britten, as it’ll be the first time the work has been performed at The Barns!

You can learn a little bit more about the quartet in this interview. I love how cellist Kee-Hyun Kim likens time in the practice room to running - the inherent discipline in each is something that resonates quite strongly for me. You can bet that I’ll be asking him a question about it during the audience Q&A at intermission tonight! You’ll also be able to pick up a CD of their award-winning performance - chances are they’ll sign it for you, too!

The Parker String Quartet performs at The Barns tonight, Friday, March 1, 2013 at 8 pm.

Just Announced for Summer 2013: Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Binder) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Full disclaimer up front; this entry won't feature any of the classic rock on our schedule, so if that's your bag, we'll be bringing you our "Classic Rock" entry early next week.

This post is intended to focus solely on the more modern rock included in our first spring announcement, namely Juanes, Widespread Panic, Los Lonely Boys/Los Lobos and Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. And keep in mind we have two more show announcements scheduled for March and April, so a good bit of rock 'n' roll is still coming your way.

I could wax poetic on each of these bands - and we'll certainly do so surrounding each of their individual shows during our "Tonight at the Filene Center" series - but I find the easiest way to let you know what's in store is simply through video and audio, AKA Spotify and YouTube. It's a subjective process of course, but I've produced a quick playlist of what I feel to be each band's strongest songs and a subsequent slew of videos that give you a sense for their live performance prowess.

Stay tuned to the blog for "Just Announced" in "Strong Female," "Don't Miss," "Classic Rock," and "National Symphony Orchestra."

Tonight at The Barns: Celtic Crossroads

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Celtic Crossroads return to The Barns from the shores of Galway to kick off two evenings of energetic music and dance.

Ushering Irish music into a new area, the youthful virtuosos of Celtic Crossroads incorporate myriad musical genres in their animated performances that are filled with familiar melodies, bold rhythms, and lively dancing.

Celtic Crossroads’ dancers and musicians (who collectively play more than 20 instruments) are: Diarmaid Hurley, Isaac Alderson, Kate Moloney, Michael McClintock, James Riley, Lisa Canny, Marcus Donnelly, Shaunessy Sinnett, and Charlene Morrison.

The ensemble’s name is inspired by the area between towns and villages where people in Ireland used to meet to socialize and play music. “The crossroads, that was where people would get together and dance, sing songs, and tell stories into the late hours of the night.”—Kevin Crosby, Celtic Crossroads co-founder

In September 2012 Celtic Crossroads released a new CD/DVD called Celtic Crossroads: Live From Canada that features classic Irish songs such as “Danny Boy” as well as covers of songs by Emerald Isle icons like U2.

“A truly fantastic show not to be missed.”—The Guardian London

Celtic Crossroads perform at The Barns tonight and tomorrow Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 8 pm and Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 8 pm.

News & Notes - February 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Camille Cintrón) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Today's post comes from Natalie Creamer, Wolf Trap's Spring 2013 Public Relations Intern.

The month of February featured an eclectic selection of performances by musicians of local, national, and international fame at The Barns at Wolf Trap. For those looking to delve deeper into these extraordinary acts, check out the latest news clippings from publications around the Washington D.C. area.

America’s National Parks: Through the Artist’s Lens, Vol. 2 joined four exceptional Wolf Trap Opera Company alumni and Wolf Trap Opera and Classical Programming Director Kim Pensinger Witman (piano) for a one-of-a-kind multimedia presentation. The performance featured classical and contemporary songs, and stunning nature photography by Wolf Trap’s President Emeritus Terre Jones. Learn more about Terre’s photography and vision for the performance from this preview in the Fairfax County Times.

Known for his impressive knowledge and interpretations of music from The Great American Songbook, John Eaton made his second Barns appearance this season in A Salute to the One-Hit Wonders of American Popular Music. The Washington Times Communities Section uncovered his story, philosophies, and passion for music in an in-depth article. Similarly, Gary Tischler from The Georgetowner sat down with the acclaimed jazz pianist for a thought-provoking interview.

Contemporary Irish folk-fusion group Celtic Crossroads also returns to The Barns this month for two performances— tonight February 27 & tomorrow February 28. The group’s adept musicianship and progressive style led the Fairfax County Times to affirm in a recent article: “In just five years, Celtic Crossroads is doing for Irish music what Riverdance has done for Irish dance.” You can read more about Celtic Crossroads in the winter issue of Celtic Life International.

This month’s coverage also highlighted the announcement of the Wolf Trap Opera Company’s full summer season, which includes new productions of La traviata, Falstaff and The Journey to Reims. The Baltimore Sun published an overview of what’s to come, while Anne Midgette discussed this season’s Italian theme on her Classical Beat blog for The Washington Post. In addition, the Washington Times remarked on WTOC’s focus on Romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi.

Tonight at The Barns: Chicago City Limits

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tonight and tomorrow at The Barns is New York's legendary sketch comedy troupe Chicago City Limits. Please enjoy the following notes from Artistic Director Paul Zuckerman. Don't forget to get your tickets for one or both nights, February 21, 2013 and February 22, 2013 at 8 pm.

Imagine walking out onto a blank stage. There is no script, no set, and there are no preconceived ideas. Suddenly the stage lights flash and the show begins.

Some call this the actor’s nightmare; we call it improvisational theatre.

Improv actors take their inspiration from suggestions called out by the audience and create a kaleidoscope of comedic scenes, one-liners, improvised music, and who-knows-what-else right on the spot. It is comedy without a net, spontaneous and interactive, where both actor and audience share in the conspiracy.

An improvised show is created by the collective lunatic unconscious of both actors and audience. We've done our part—we haven’t prepared a thing— and now it’s time to do yours: sit back, relax, and call out whatever’s on your mind. A word...a phrase...an idea…we won’t know what until it happens.

Audience, start your engines.

Paul Zuckerman Artistic Director Chicago City Limits

Tonight at The Barns: John Eaton

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tonight at The Barns John Eaton presents the second of his three part series this season entitled A Salute to the One-Hit Wonders of American Popular Music.

Pianist, vocalist, and musicologist John Eaton began his illustrious career as a student at Yale, under the tutelage of the famed classical teacher Alexander Lipsky.

Eaton is one of the flagship artists of the Wolf Trap Recordings™ label, for which he has produced seven albums, all of which have been recorded live at Wolf Trap’s Center for Ed.

Showcasing an ever-changing series of concerts, Eaton has performed in every season at The Barns since 1989.

Revealing his expert knowledge of the great American songbook in this entertaining and educational performance, Eaton revisits timeless standards from composers of the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, including “As Time Goes By,” “Willow Weep for Me,” “East of the Sun,” and many more.

“Pianist John Eaton practices a special kind of alchemy. He takes the familiar and makes it fresh, renders the old new and exciting. It’s no easy trick, but Eaton is a master at it...”—Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

Don't miss John Eaton's performance tonight, Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 7:30 pm.

Perfect Pairings

noreply@blogger.com (Liz Uyeda) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Today's post is from Lee Anne Myslewski, Director, Artistic Administration, Wolf Trap Opera & Classical Programming.

Peanut butter and chocolate; two great tastes that taste great together. At least, that’s the slogan we all know, right?

The world is full of things that are fantastic all by themselves. Cheese. Sunny days. Beautiful music. If you add something specific and special to that fantastic thing, the experience can be even richer than with just the single dimension. For example – cheese and wine: sunny days and weekends: beautiful music and compelling imagery.

This Friday, we've got a great pairing for you. We've taken the photography of President Emeritus Terre Jones and paired it with great songs. The tunes romp through all genres: from art songs to doo-wop, with stops in folk, aria and jazz.

We've also paired singers – in this case, four of the Wolf Trap Opera Company’s recent alumni – with a GRAMMY-winning pianist, our own Kim Pensinger Witman.

Marcy Stonikas, soprano

Eve Gigliotti, mezzo-soprano

Eric Barry, tenor

Craig Colclough, bass-baritone.

This show is sold out but check our website and box office for any last minute ticket releases. You don’t have to be paired up to enjoy this one-of-a-kind evening.

This is for All you Lovers Out There (Valentine's Day Playlist)

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Binder) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Ok so I may have ripped that title line off from Marvin Berry in Back to the Future before he launches into "Earth Angel." But I digress.

So it's the day before Valentine's Day and we thought it appropriate to put together a few of our favorite matters of the heart songs, most of which are relatively new recordings, with a few that reach back 10-15 years. This playlist is culled together from our blog team comprised of several staffers that tend to have pretty varied tastes in music, featuring special guest selections by Ava Jackson in our executive office. While putting this together, she and I nerded out about the Decemberists' Hazards of Love and what an impact this had on our lives when it was released. If you haven't yet listened to that record from front to back, it's an amazing concept album and worth some immediate attention.

We hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day and that this playlist has some role in making it sublime. I'll also be working on an ANTI-Valentine's Day playlist, which should be extremely fun to build in it's own cruel way.

Tonight at The Barns : Red Molly & The Steel Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Red Molly brings their ballads, jazzy swing numbers, and bluegrass-infused pop songs to The Barns tonight. They will be joined by Special Guest The Steel Wheels.

Laurie MacAllister (banjo, bass), Abbie Gardner (dobro), and Carolann Solebello (guitar, bass) began Red Molly in 2004 in New York City. In 2010, Solebello stepped down, and Austin-based vocalist Molly Venter (guitar) joined the group.

Red Molly has released four studio albums. Their most recent album, Light in the Sky (2011), was praised as “a collection of songs with varied emotions, eloquently written and beautifully performed.”—Roots music blog NoDepression.com

All three Red Molly artists have released solo albums, and their most recent releases include MacAllister’s The Things I Choose to Do, Gardner’s Hope, and Venter’s Love Me Like You Mean It.

“Red Molly may be from New York, but their bluegrass and old-time gospel sounds and buoyant three-part harmonies are so down-home.”—The Boston Globe

The Steel Wheels, featuring singer Trent Wagler, bassist Brian Dickel, fiddler Eric Brubaker, and mandolinist and guitarist Jay Lapp, were awarded Best Country Song at the 2010 Independent Music Awards for the song “Nothing You Can’t Lose.”

Red Molly performs tonight with The Steel Wheels at The Barns, February 14, 2013 at 8 pm.

Tonight at The Barns: Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Parker) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Jersey Shore rockers Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools make their debut tonight at The Barns.

Southside Johnny Lyon, leader of The Asbury Jukes, rose to prominence in the 1970s with blue-eyed soul hits like “The Fever” and “Talk to Me.” He is widely considered the originator of an entire genre of rock music: the New Jersey Sound.

Rolling Stone named the group’s seminal record Hearts of Stone (1978) one of the best albums released between 1967 and 1987.

Southside Johnny (harp, guitar, vocals), Jeff Kazee (piano, accordion), Neal Pawley (trombone, guitar), Tommy Byrnes (guitar, bass), Soozie Tyrell (fiddle, guitar), and John Conte (bass, guitar) make up The Poor Fools.

The Poor Fools deliver an acoustic journey through the history of American musical classics, performing covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, The Band, and more.

“Southside Johnny himself—who is revered by many of his Asbury Park brethren as one of the finest white blues shouters this side of Mitch Ryder—has never sounded better.”—Blogcritics Music

Don't miss Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools at The Barns tonight Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 7:30 pm.