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UCLA Live Announces the 2007-2008 Season

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Where can you see a variety of theatre, dance, classical music, world music, jazz, roots and pop music, spoken word, and family oriented programs?? The answer is at UCLA Live. Director David Sefton, announced the eclectic UCLA Live 2007-2008 Season on Wednesday, June 6th at an Exclusive Preview held in the beautiful Royce Hall.The Russian Patriarchate Choir

The 2007-2008 line-up truly solidifies UCLA Live as one of the nation’s leading and unparalleled performing arts programs, blending an eclectic group of artists and musicians from all over the world.? Beginning in September 2007 and running through June 2008, UCLA Live will feature performers from Armenia, Bali, Belgium, Central Asia, Egypt, England, Israel, Iran, Quebec, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, the United States, and Vietnam.? Many of its events will serve as North American, United States, West Coast, and Los Angeles premieres. Each piece and event targets social and political issues with a touch of humor.

Sir Ian McKellen in the Royal Shakespeare CompanyUCLA Live’s Theatre will hold the sixth annual UCLA Live International Theatre Festival and will host the United States debut of the National Theatre of Scotland?s United States premiere of the Iraqi War play, "Black Watch"? It will portray the experiences of a Scottish battalion fighting in Iraq. Black Watch will run from September 19th-20th at the Freud Playhouse. UCLA Live is also honored to showcase the West Coast exclusive performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company?s productions of "King Lear" and "The Seagull" with Sir Ian McKellen. According to Sefton, the piece has opened to rave reviews across the pond, in England.

Diversity will be seen in each of the dance performances at UCLA Live starting in October, with the Los Angeles premiere of Bill T. Jones/Arne Zane Dance Company’ Blind Date, a paramount political piece confronting intolerance and social change. November will mark Pina Bausch’ return to Los Angeles with Tanztheater Wuppertal. Hr company will perform, Ten Chi a choreographed piece on contemporary Japan.Pina Bausch

Sefton believes that UCLA Live’s 2007-2008 Classical Music Series is the finest recital series in Los Angeles, without competition.? It will include a performance from the Russian Patriarchate Choir, in their first United States tour. Conductor Anatoly Grindenko establishes the choir’s sacred sound filled with its Russian roots. The Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, will make a return appearance at Royce Hall as well. Solo artist performances will include a vocal performance from soprano Deborah Voigt, the renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma accompanied by Kathryn Stott, and many more.

World Music will include performances from four seminal African artists namely, the famous trumpet player, Hugh Masekela and his nine-member Chissa All-Stars; Senegalese singer Youssou n’Dour; the Beninese singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo; and the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. There will also be an exclusive Day of the Dead Celebration and music from Asian, Spanish, and Israeli artists.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All StarsLikewise, UCLA Live’s 2007-2008 jazz music events are unmatched with performances from Ornette Coleman, a 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winner and the national tour of the Monterey Jazz Festival. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, an array of jazz artists will be performing with the tour such as, Grammy-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard, Grammy-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and pianist Benny Green, and many more.

The Roots Series combines a blend of folk, rock, and blues music and starts in September 2007 with The Richard Thompson Band.? The series will also include Los Lobos, a famous rock and roll band, and a performance by Arlo Guthrie. UCLA Live is honored to host The Ash Grove 50th Anniversary: Legend and Legacy as well. The Spoken Word Series will feature rare appearances from poet and Pulitzer-winner Mary Oliver and legendary Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim.

Running February through April 2008, the Family Series will feature ?Aurelia?s Oratorio?, performed by, Aurelia Thierree and created by her mother, Victoria Thierree Chaplin, supporters of the ?new circus? movement.? Dan Zanes will return for his fourth UCLA Live appearance combining blues and roots classics with pop and multi-cultural folk songs.

Aside from performances, the UCLA Live program is home to Design for Sharing (DFS), anOrnette Coleman outreach that provides more than 25,000 school-aged children with the opportunity to see a performance at Royce Hall.? These students receive many firsts including the first time in a concert hall, the first time seeing a live performance, and the first time visiting a University.?

The 2007-2008 UCLA Live Season is filled with extraordinary and once in a lifetime performances. Each series combines a blend of unique artists often exclusive to this program. You will not be disappointed. For more information on the 2007-2008 UCLA Live Season visit www.UCLAlive.org 

About the author

Candice Courtney Mc Fadyen

Candice Courtney Mc Fadyen is currently studying Theatre and Communication Studies at Loyola Marymount University. She is extremely active and outgoing. She enjoys theatre, writing, and music.