Eklektikos host John Aielli gives you his picks for this weekend and beyond
Redeemer Presbyterian Church – Handel Messiah | Parts II & III – The Passion & The Resurrection
April 1 & 2, 2022 at 7 PM CST
“The Redeemer Choir was formed in the late 1990’s by then Chief Musician Leonard Payton and taken up by George Dupere in the fall of 2001. The choir serves Redeemer Presbyterian Church through their singing and support in the Divine Services. The ensemble is made up entirely of volunteers from the congregation. They sing over 100 services each year. Since 2002, they have also participated in an annual Festival of Music in December. They are adding a second festival in the spring of 2022. Among other major works, they have sung Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, various Bach cantatas, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and Utrecht Te Deum, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.”
The Rosette -YAMANDU COSTA with Richard Scofano
Friday, April 8th at 8pm CDT
Saturday, April 9th at 4:30pm CDT
Saturday, April 9th at 8pm CDT
“The astonishing Brazilian 7-string guitarist Yamandu Costa returns to Austin with special guest Richard Scofano on the bandoneón. This duo will amaze us with passion, soul, and stunning virtuosity.”
The Long Center – HER STORIES
Friday, April 1, 2022, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 3, 2022, at 3 p.m.
“They’re acclaimed, in demand, and as choreographers, pushing the creative envelope. With classical roots and a contemporary focus, Amy Seiwert (Imagery), Jennifer Archibald (Cincinnati Ballet and Arch Dance), and Jennifer Hart (Performa/Dance) are breaking barriers with major U.S. ballet companies and helming their own independent dance troupes, featuring diverse movement styles, from ballet to hip-hop. These trend-setting women bring a unique voice and fresh take to their artform. See their work and share in their stories.”
KMFA Classical 89.5 – INVERSION PRESENTS ETERNAL GRAFFITI
April 9, 2022 at 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM CST
“Award-winning Filipino soprano Katrina Saporsantos and pianist Benjie Dia perform a concert of new works by local composers at Inversion’s first ever vocal recital. Presented in partnership with Classical KMFA 89.5 in the Draylen Mason Music Studio, this intimate event features powerful music paired with the poetry of local writers to create boundary-pushing contemporary vocal music.
Can’t attend in person? A link to the video of this concert will be sent to all ticket holders in May. Purchase your ticket as usual, then enjoy “Eternal Graffiti” from the comfort of your home!”
Bates Recital Hall – HELEN SUNG WITH THE UT JAZZ ORCHESTRA
April 9, 2022 at 7:30 PM CST
“Helen Sung is an acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, and a Steinway Artist. A native of Texas, she eschewed her classical piano upbringing after a jazz epiphany during undergraduate studies at UT. Now based in New York City, Sung has worked with such luminaries as the late Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Wynton Marsalis (who named her as one of his “Who’s Got Next: Jazz Musicians to Watch!”), Regina Carter, and Cecile McLorin Salvant. The UT College of Fine Arts awarded Sung its most prestigious honor: the E. William Doty Distinguished Alumna Award.
This collaborative concert with the UT Jazz Orchestra is presented as part of the 2022 Longhorn Jazz Festival. The orchestra will perform several of Sung’s arrangements, with her as the featured soloist.”
Mohawk – ESTEREOMANCE, ALL THINGS BLUE FEATURING SLEEP WELL.
Saturday, April 2 at 8 PM CST
“Estereomance:
A virgin project conceived by producer Manuel Calderon (El Cosmophonico), along with multi instrumentalist and singer Adria Del Valle and renowned singer Paulina Reza in 2019 is known as Estereomance. A cultural hybrid of the border town El Paso, Texas and neighboring Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, the budding group is the liberated voice of all the border emotions screaming to be heard. West Texas Soul Pop intermixes with the artists’ combined introspection, delivering an unheard global identity and sound. A purposeful discovery, the fusion of their musical paths bore a melodious arsenal of lyrical weaponry. Estereomance’s artistic fearlessness invokes sensitivities of emotional fibers reachable only by creative forces grounded in a perfect formula of soul and instrumental mastery. The music subtly dances its way into the marrow of consciousness, sending a message from the deep-rooted origins of the west Texas border towns.
All Things Blue
LA-based goofs, India Coombs and Jon Joseph, came together to create Dream Punk soundscapes in their most tender and naughty forms. All Things Blue celebrates life’s experiences and wraps them in the soft tones of 60s analog. Coombs’ composition is impactful; power presented in sound, and the natural depth in her lyrics and melody will have you dancing and thinking of love/life/minds lost (or found). Joseph is the perfect wing-man to Coombs; decorating each story with musical quirks, foxy boxy beats and sun-worn shine to extend their mystical ambience. Dirty riffs, choruses that hook on your brain for days, and stories of lives lived to the fullest remind us all of good times, angst, and of being a little turned on.”
Dell Hall – BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO
Monday, April 4, 2022 at 7:30 pm
“In 1952, dancer and choreographer AMALIA HERNÁNDEZ founded the Ballet Folklórico de México, having embarked at a very early age on a quest to preserve the dancing traditions of Mexico. Her goal was to share with the nation and the world the beauty of Mexican dance from the Pre-Colombian era, the Hispanic Viceroy period, and the popular period of the Revolutionary years.
In 1954, Amalia began to garner recognition as a highly respected cultural representative of Mexico. In her earliest ballets, the audience sees the present time fade before their eyes, as they enter into a journey through the past: the lords of heaven and earth come back to life, the jaguars, the gods born of human flesh; and thirty different cultures that blossomed in centuries past leave behind a trail of color. All of these elements together gave Amalia Hernández the inspiration to create the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico.
A weekly program on Mexican television sponsored by the government aired the Ballet’s initial performances. Merely a few years into their formation, the company achieved a degree of international success that has been maintained for over seventy years. Amalia Hernandez and Ballet Folklórico de México have since created over forty ballets for upwards of seventy dancers. The music, technical rigor, elaborate costuming and Amalia’s choreography have helped the Ballet and its followers disseminate the zest for rich Mexican tradition and folklore throughout the world.
Since 1959, the company has been permanently housed at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. The institution has two main artistic companies called The First Company and the Resident Company, both of whom alternate tours and performances in Mexico and abroad.
The company has currently given over 5,000 performances, and both Amalia Hernandez and the Ballet Folklórico de México have been distinguished with more than 300 awards recognizing their artistic merits.”
Bates Recital Hall – TEXAS RISING STARS
April 2 at 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
“The Austin Civic Orchestra partners again with The University of Texas at Austin for the 8th Texas Rising Stars concert at Bates Recital Hall. The winners of the Butler School of Music’s String Concerto Competition perform concerti accompanied by the orchestra. This collaborative concert between the Butler School of Music and Austin Civic Orchestra was conceived by UT professor Brian Lewis and is funded in part by the David and Mary Winton Green Chair in String Performance and Pedagogy.”
Dell Hall – SLAVIC SPLENDOR
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 8:00 pm
“April brings with it an impressive trio of repertoire by three great composers, and the return of crowd-favorite, pianist Olga Kern. Kern is set to play Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 1, a powerful performance you don’t want to miss! Plus, nothing is short of mighty when the complete ballet The Firebird is programmed. Stravinsky’s artistic achievement earned him international success and continues to be a staple in the concert hall. The concert opens with Melody, a beautiful piece by beloved Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk.”
The Topfer – The Rocky Horror Show
April 6–May 1, 2022
“Innocent sweethearts Brad and Janet find themselves seeking shelter at a mysterious castle on a dark and stormy night, where they encounter mad scientist Dr. Frank “N” Furter, his “perfect” creation Rocky, and an assortment of other crazy creatures. Get in on the fun with ZACH’s spin on the cult-classic where nothing is taboo! Fling props and don your party hat in a hot-patootie palooza that will have you doing the “Time Warp (again)!””
