Eklektikos host John Aielli gives you his picks for this weekend and beyond
Bates Recital Hall – Clarice & Sérgio Assad
Saturday, January 29th, 2022 at 8pm CDT
“The monumentally gifted Brazilian composer, pianist, and vocalist Clarice Assad will be joined by her father, guitar legend Sérgio Assad, for a spectacular and inspiring evening.
Featuring the premiere of a brand new work by Clarice written with and especially for students in our AISD Education Programs, this concert is just one part of her year-long Artist Residency with ACG.”
The Rosette – Isaac Bustos
Saturday, February 5th at 8pm CST &
Sunday, February 6th at 4:30pm CST
“The Rosette features Isaac Bustos, a soulful and colorful virtuoso has has been one of our greatest creative Our first concert ever at The Rosette features Isaac Bustos, a soulful and colorful virtuoso has has been one of our greatest creative collaborators over the years. We are so excited to be swept away by Isaac’s exquisite musicianship as we experience music in our new home for the first time!”
McCullough Theater – The Wooster Group: THE B-SIDE: “Negro Folklore From Texas State Prisons”
A Record Album Interpretation
Jan 26 – 29 at 7:30pm CST
“Influential and trendsetting, legendary and revolutionary, The Wooster Group is a New York City-based experimental theater company directed by Elizabeth LeCompte since its founding in 1975. Their productions tour nationally and internationally, though have never been presented in Texas until now. In January 2022, the Wooster Group will make their long-overdue Texas debut with a two-week residency on campus. They will present both a full production and present work-in-progress showings of a second work in the McCullough Theater, which will be transformed into a black box-style theatre with all audience seating on the stage.
THE B-SIDE is an original production based on the 1965 LP record Negro Folklore from Texas State Prisons, which features work songs, blues, spirituals, preaching, and ‘toasts’ from inmates in Texas’ then-segregated agricultural prison farms. Performer Eric Berryman plays the album, and along with performers Jasper McGruder and Philip Moore, channel the inmates’ voices, via in-ear receivers, recreating them live. Berryman also provides context from the book Wake Up Dead Man: Hard Labor and Southern Blues by Bruce Jackson, the folklorist who recorded the album at the prison in 1964. THE B-SIDE is directed by long-time Group member Kate Valk and designed by Elizabeth LeCompte.
The production was a New York Times Critics Pick, was nominated for a 2019 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and was included in ‘Best Theater of The Year’ lists in The New York Times and The Washington Post.”
Austin Opera – The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs
February 3rd, 5th: 7:30pm
& 6th: 2:30pm
“Austin Opera is proud to present the Texas Premiere of Mason Bates and Mark Campbell’s The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, February 3, 5, & 6, 2022. This new take on the life of Apple pioneer Steve Jobs caused a sensation at its 2017 world premiere at Santa Fe Opera, and the live recording went on to win the 2019 Grammy for Best Opera Recording. According to Seattle Weekly, “Mason Bates’ score is unfailingly inventive and often gorgeous…”
Making his Austin Opera debut in the title role is baritone John Moore, praised by Stereophile as a “vocally and theatrically exceptional Steve Jobs.” Joining him in company debuts are Sarah Larsen (Laurene Powell Jobs), Bille Bruley (Steve Wozniak) and member of the Grammy-Award winning cast Wei Wu (Kobun Chino Otogawa.) Plus, Madison Leonard, who triumphed as Gilda in 2019’s Rigoletto, returns to Austin as Chrisann Brennan.”
Following each performance, long-time Austin arts journalist Robert Faires hosts a post-show talkback with special guests. Simply stay in your seats in Dell Hall or come down to the Orchestra level to take part in the Q&A! Optional, no additional ticket required.
