Music

'Me And Jezebel' And 'BUSK!'

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Part One: Queen City Theatre Co.'s Me and Jezebel. We've all had a houseguest who overstayed their welcome. Most do so for a matter of minutes or hours. Hollywood superstar overstayed her welcome by 32 days! Author Elizabeth Fuller met Bette Davis in 1985 and offered to let Ms. Davis stay in her home while there was a hotel strike raging in New York City. Over a month later, Davis finally left but her legacy continued as Ms. Fuller wrote a popular book about the experience. That book is now a play and Queen City Theatre is presenting it. We'll learn more when Charlotte Talks.

Music And The Holocaust

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

What school children learn about history in school can, sometimes, leave something to be desired. And when it comes to the Holocaust it seems there are always new tidbits of information to be learned. The Charlotte Symphony, in partnership with the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture, is taking a unique education program into local schools that explores music and its connectionto the Holocaust. Certain music and musicians were banned before and during the Holocaust. But some ghettos had full musicals that were put on for the Nazis and many victims used forms of music to keep their spirits up. We’ll explore music and its role in the Holocaust, when Charlotte Talks.

Living Legends Of Opera

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

From time to time on this show, we discuss performances of plays, musicals, symphonies or operas composed or created by talented artists who are no longer with us, or who aren't available to join us on the show. On this edition of the show, however, we're joined by a living legend, an American composer and librettist who has been creating famous operas since the 1950's! Carlisle Floyd will join us, along with 4-time Grammy Award-winning American tenor Anthony Dean Griffey. They're in town to do residencies at Wingate University, and while they're here, they'll join us to talk about their craft and their worldwide prominence in opera and music performance, when Charlotte Talks.

Classical Idol And The Pearl Fishers

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Part One: Charlotte Symphony's Classical Idol. The concept behind American Idol is not new. We have always been fascinated by that special talent who comes along and inspires us with their vision and craft. But most American Idol winners are everyday folks with a gift. Classical musicians are highly trained, dedicated and persistent artists who often go unnoticed in the communities they serve with their music. Not in Charlotte. Last year Classical Idol was hatched. It's a friendly competition to raise funds for the Symphony but it's also a way to raise awareness of these incredibly talented musicians in our midst. With offerings from Celtic fiddle to an elementary school choir, Classical Idol has music for everyone.

Tiempo Libre And Charlotte Symphony

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Cuban timba band Tiempo Libre is coming to town, to perform with the Charlotte Symphony this weekend. The three-time Grammy-nominated group whose name literally means "free time," mixes their classical music training with Afro- Cuban rhythms and timba music. They bring audiences their unique style in jazz clubs and dance venues, but are equally comfortable in symphonic concert halls. We'll talk about the group members' Cuban beginnings, and their role in keeping timba music alive outside Cuba and introducing it to new audiences, when Charlotte Talks.

OverMountain Men And The Elaborate Entrance Of Chad Deity

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

During the first half of our show we welcome back Bob Crawford and David Childers. Bob is the bass player for the Avett Brothers but he and David have formed their own band called OverMountain Men. We'll take a listen to what they are up to and then we make way for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. It's the latest show at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre and it examines the wild world of Pro Wrestling. It's music and body slams when Charlotte Talks.

Lindi Ortega And SPANK!

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Part One: Lindi Ortega. Lindi Ortega has been described as Canada's answer to Dolly Parton and "the love child of Johnny Cash and Nancy Sinatra." The country singer-songwriter out of Toronto puts a unique spin on the genre - blending in folk and rock and sometimes a little humor. Lindi has a voice that draws you in and catchy songs you might find yourself humming. Fun facts, she appeared on ABC's Nashville and has toured with Kevin Costner (yes, THAT Kevin Costner.) While she's in Charlotte for a performance at The Evening Muse, we'll talk with her about her music, her influences and her story and she'll also perform live, when Charlotte Talks.

Guest

Lindi Ortega - Singer-songwriter, her latest album is Cigarettes & Truckstops

Lindi Ortega is performing (tonight) Tuesday, Feb. 5th at The Evening Muse at 9pm. Details.

Part Two: SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've at least heard of the erotic literary series "Fifty Shades of Grey," which has become the guilty pleasure of millions of women around the world. The risqué book's popularity has been made into parody, first on Saturday Night Live, and more recently with its own MUSICAL parody. SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody comes to Charlotte this week and promises to be a howling, rowdy comedic night out for (mostly) women from 21 to 91. We'll talk with cast members and the writer about just how this musical came to be, and the surprising enthusiasm they've seen from audiences around the country.

Guests
Danielle Trzcinski - 'Tasha Woode' in SPANK!
Gabe Bowling - 'Hugh Hanson' in SPANK!
Jim Millan - Writer and Director of SPANK!

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is Feb. 6-9th at McGlohon Theater. Details.

Oz With Orchestra And The Secret Garden

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Part One: Oz With Orchestra. John Goberman is an Emmy-Award-winning producer and creator of Live From Lincoln Center. He's also on the forefront of a new merging of film and concert presentation called symphonic cinema. We'll talk about he's working with the Charlotte Symphony to bring a live orchestra together with a big-screen presentation of The Wizard of Oz, and how this art form is being received around the country.
Guests
John Goberman - Emmy-Award-winning producer and creator of Live From Lincoln Center. He is also the creator of A Symphonic Night at the Movies, including Oz with Orchestra with the Charlotte Symphony.
Maestro Albert George Schram - Guest Conductor with the Charlotte Symphony. He also currently serves as Resident Staff Conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Nashville Symphony.

Oz with Orchestra, a pairing of The Wizard of Oz with live musical accompaniment by the Charlotte Symphony is Saturday Feb. 2 at the Belk Theatre, 2:30pm and 8pm. Details.

Part Two: The Secret Garden. The Children's Theatre has long been known for its ambitious offerings to children of all ages but the current production may be one of the most ambitious yet. The Secret Garden may feature a child but the complex and richly layered Broadway Musical is a massive production to present. Interim Artistic Director Michelle Long has taken on the task in the midst of other changes at the theatre. We'll visit with her and longtime Executive Director Bruce LaRowe to see how the theatre is handling change and the plan to move forward, when Charlotte Talks.
Guests
Michelle Long - Director, The Secret Garden, interim Artistic Director, Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Bruce LaRowe - Executive Director, Children's Theatre of Charlotte

The Secret Garden is at Children's Theatre's McColl Family Theatre now through Feb. 10th. Details.
More about the Broadway production of The Secret Garden

Fall Arts Preview

Charlotte Talks — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Autumn marks the traditional beginning of the arts season and we'll cover it all for you. Three of the area's top arts writers will join us to talk about this year's offerings of plays, visual art openings and symphony offerings. It promises to be a busy season from well-known Broadway offerings at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center to lesser-known gems at smaller theatres, dance studios and galleries. Get your social calendar out and join us.