CU Presents 2020-21 season announcement: featuring Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
This week CU Presents announced a portion of its 2020-21 season. The announcement features world-class professional acts in the Artist Series and the Grammy-winning Takács Quartet, as well as CU’s decades-long December tradition: the College of Music’s Holiday Festival.
Highlights from the Artist Series include Circa Contemporary Circus performing the world-first circus setting of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” plus return visits from Ailey II, The King’s Singers and George Hinchliffe’s UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN. The Artist Series will also host a special event next season: an evening with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on Feb. 19, 2021.
In Grusin Music Hall, the Takács Quartet will perform five concert programs, featuring the group’s new violist Richard O’Neill. Additionally, Jupiter String Quartet will perform a pair of concerts as their special guests.
Titles and events from CU Performing Arts, including the Eklund Opera Program and the Department of Theatre & Dance, will be released May 26.
Season ticket sales begin Wednesday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Single tickets are available beginning Monday, Aug. 17. Tickets are available at cupresents.org, by phone at 303-492-8008 and in person at the box office (972 Broadway) Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SCHEDULE:
Artist Series at Macky Auditorium
For more than 80 years, the Artist Series has brought the globe’s finest jazz, classical, world music and dance performers to Boulder. Thousands of patrons come every year to experience both world-renowned and emerging artists.
Circa Contemporary Circus: Sacre
Sunday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.
In the world-first circus setting of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” Circa tightly weaves together powerful world-class acrobatics and dynamic encounters suffused with dark humor and rich tenderness.
Ailey II
Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
For over four decades, the up-and-coming dancers of Ailey II have brought the work of emerging choreographers to life onstage, much to the delight of audiences all over the world.
Georgia On My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles
Friday. Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Throughout one unforgettable evening, award-winning artists Clint Holmes, Take 6, Nnenna Freelon and Tom Scott breathe new life into icon Ray Charles’ catalog of gospel, jazz and a whole lot of soul.
The King’s Singers
Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
The King’s Singers, a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning a cappella ensemble, rings in the holidays at CU Presents with the crisp close-harmony vocal sound that makes the charming group a “superlative vocal sextet” (The Times, London).
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Friday, Jan. 31, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
For more than three decades, Jean-Yves Thibaudet has performed worldwide, recording more than 50 albums and building a reputation as one of today’s finest pianists. Listen as he gives a rare performance of Debussy’s gorgeous 24 “Préludes.”
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
On Feb. 19, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis bring a special night of music making to Boulder audiences in Macky. Jazz at Lincoln Center believes that jazz is a metaphor for democracy: Because jazz is improvisational, it celebrates personal freedom and encourages individual expression. Because jazz is swinging, it dedicates that freedom to finding and maintaining common ground with others. Because jazz is rooted in the blues, it inspires us to face adversity with persistent optimism.
Ephrat Asherie Dance: Odeon
Sunday, March 1, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
In “Odeon,” Ephrat Asherie Dance—known for its embodiment of street and club dance styles—delivers a high-energy, hybrid work that layers breaking, hip-hop, house and vogue over the buoyant score of 20th-century Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth, played live.
Danú and Goitse
Monday, March 16, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Danú and Goitse, two of today’s leading traditional Irish ensembles, join forces to present a vibrant performance in a celebration of traditional and contemporary Irish music. It’s the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Ray Chen, violin
Wednesday, April 1, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Known for his poignant renditions of the classics, critics and audiences agree that Ray Chen’s remarkable musicianship and liquid tone on the violin are “to die for” (Huffington Post).
George Hinchliffe’s UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
Tuesday, April 21, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
Beloved Macky favorites who are as hilarious as they are fiercely talented, George Hinchliffe’s UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN is a group of all-singing, all-strumming ukulele players who have become world-famous for their unexpected interpretations of film scores and rock ‘n’ roll. Bring your own uke and play along during the audience participation number!
Takács Quartet at Grusin Music Hall
Chamber Series
Sundays at 4 p.m. | Sept. 20, Oct. 4*, Nov. 1, Jan. 10, March 7, April 11
Encore Series
Mondays at 7:30 p.m. | Sept. 21, Oct. 5*, Nov. 2, Jan. 11, March 8, April 12
Joined by violist Richard O’Neill in his first season with the ensemble, the Grammy-winning Takács Quartet has moved audiences and sold out halls at CU Boulder for more than three decades and counting. The group’s irresistible dynamic has proven time and again that the members of the Takács are “matchless, their supreme artistry manifest at every level” The Guardian (London).
*Featuring the Jupiter String Quartet: Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violin; Liz Freivogel, viola; and Daniel McDonough, cello.
2020 Holiday Festival
Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m.
Delight in the twinkling lights, seasonal greenery and beautiful music of CU Boulder’s Holiday Festival, an annual tradition that’s enchanting for all ages. The celebration brings together student choirs, bands and orchestras—along with world-class faculty performers—for a concert of holiday favorites and new surprises.