Eklektikos host John Aielli gives you his picks for this weekend and beyond
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)!””
Bass Concert Hall – Disney’s The Lion King
Apr 7 – 24, 2022
“Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to Bass Concert Hall!
More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.
Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.
There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.”
Bates Recital Hall – HELEN SUNG WITH THE UT JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Apr 9, 2022, 7:30 PM
“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.”
The Rosette – Austin Classical Guitar: YAMANDU COSTA with Richard Scofano In Person at The Rosette
Saturday Apr 9, 2022 at 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM CDT
Welcome to our new home: The Rosette – a 100 seat listening room and broadcast studio nestled in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood in Central Austin.
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.
Symphony Square – Outsides Voices
April 10, 2 p.m.
“Indie classical music group LOLA Austin is staging ‘Outsides Voices,’ a free concert series at the amphitheatre Symphony Square, now a part of Waterloo Greenway.
The series features operatic and classically trained voices and musical collaborators in a causal setting. People are invited bring pillows and blankets for comfortable seatiing in the amphitheater space. Picnics are also encouraged. Complimentary beverages will be available including craft beer from 4th Tap Brewery.”
KMFA 89.5 Draylen Mason Studio – Inversion presents Eternal Graffiti
Saturday April 9, 2022 at 7:30 pm
“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!”
Scottish Rite Theater – Igor Stravinsky – Opera “Mavra” and Selected Vocal Works
Saturday April 9, 2022 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
“Russian Speakers’ Society of Austin presents: A Celebration of the 140th Anniversary of the Birth of the Great Russian Composer Igor Stravinsky. A semi-staged performance of the one-act comic opera “Mavra”. Arias from operas and art songs.”
Austin Central Library – Eva and the Angel of Death: a Holocaust Remembrance Opera
Saturday, April 23 at Sundown (8:04PM)
Sunday, April 24 at 2PM
“Scheduled in conjunction with the end of Passover, which commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt, and Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Density512 shares the powerful story of Auschwitz survivor Eva Mozes Kor. Eva, along with her twin sister Miriam, survived Dr. Josef Mengele’s medical experiments in Auschwitz. Fifty years after her liberation, Kor returned to Auschwitz to declare her forgiveness. Eva’s story explores the long-lasting psychological impact of trauma, processes of grief, and the potential for healing through forgiveness. As Kor states in her Declaration of Amnesty at the 50-year anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation: “I hope, in some small way to send the world a message of Forgiveness, a message of Peace, a message of Hope, a message of Healing;” we hope in some small way to share her message with the world.”
Long Center’s Dell Hall – Slavic Splendor
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 8:00PM
“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 splendid 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 Ukranian composer Myroslav Skoryk.”
