2023 Arts & Entertainment: Volume 2

Mardi Gras Mambo: Featuring The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas

Friday, March 3 // 8pm

Formed in 1977, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are the pioneers of the modern New Orleans brass band movement, whose name is recognized worldwide as synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances They have been featured guests both in the studio and on stage with artists including Elvis Costello, Dr . John, Widespread Panic, Modest Mouse, Dave Matthews Band, The Black Crowes, and many others

Kevin

Gregory Davis – Trumpet/Vocals

Kirk Joseph – Sousaphone

TJ Norris – Trombone

Julian Addison – Drums/Vocals

Takeshi Shimmura – Guitar

Growing up in a Creolespeaking home in St Martinville, the music of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas is the expression of a remarkable South Louisiana family . Formed back in 1985, Nathan, joined by his brothers Dennis and Sid ‘El Sid O,’ have since brought their unique take on this regional South Louisiana music to all corners of the globe . Keepers of the Zydeco Flame, they are committed to keeping their Creole Heritage alive… – C’est Si Bon!

Nathan Williams – Accordion/Vocals

Dennis Paul Williams – Guitar

Allen Williams – Bass

Djuan Francis – Rubboard/Accordion

Clifford Alexander – Rubboard

Roger Lewis – Baritone Sax/Vocals

Harris – Tenor Sax/Vocals

The sound of brass instruments was so intense and compelling that it could be heard with the whole body; from the get-go the band was determined to make the crowd move... the audience surrendered to the call for dance and fun.”

– BARCELONA METROPOLITAN

No Woman’s Land

Wednesday, March 8 // 8pm

Based on true stories, the haunting images, empowering narrative, and breathtaking movement by an electrifying ensemble lay bare the plight and resistance of women in refugee camps Nominated for five Dora Awards including Best Original Production, and with a sold-out run in Toronto, No Woman’s Land is a dance theatre work based on real stories that beautifully reveals the depths of human resilience in the face of adversity Played out on stage by Irma Villafuerte, Denise Solleza, Victoria Mata, Nickeshia Garrick, Yui Ugai, and Ahmad Meree, the show is a banner raised in honour of resistance . The production was supported by the research of Dr . Doris Rajan (IRISInstitute for Research and Development on Inclusion and Society) and Dr . Shahrzad Mojab (University of Toronto)

*Mature content and partial nudity

Jaberi Dance Theatre (JDT) is a Torontobased company that creates contemporary and inter-disciplinary performance art . Known for compelling narratives and strong imagery, the company’s work has been described as “bold,” “evocative” and “a poetic and urgent blending of dance and politics .”

Layers of aesthetic purpose and urgency reveal a truly beautiful, disturbing, and hauntingly empowering visual landscape.”

– BATEMAN REVIEWS

The Jason Bishop Show

Saturday, March 11 // 2pm & 7pm

How

Welcome to The Jason Bishop Show, where the famed illusionist might have a person passing through his body one moment or make goldfish appear from nowhere the next . Bishop is an international awardwinning illusionist who was the youngest person to win the Magician’s Alliance of Eastern States Stage Award

Growing up throughout Pennsylvania, Jason began studying magic at 15 years old . In college Jason studied theatre and then went on the road performing at resorts and amusement parks, anywhere he could find an audience, including the street, eventually altering his magic to become larger and more impressive . Bishop’s combination of modern costuming and music, fast-paced illusions, sleight of hand and audience participation has landed him in several notable venues, including Norwegian Cruise lines, Caroline’s on Broadway, and the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City . His performance abilities have led him from New Mexico to Maine and Florida to New York, as well as every state in-between

As Jason’s lead assistant, Kim Hess is an indispensable part of the show From performing illusions with Jason to assisting audience members, to knowing the show cues inside and out, Kim is a vital part of the show’s success

Gizmo made his live theater debut at just nine weeks old From simply running onstage to Jason, to having his own feature spot, he has been the most popular member of the show since he joined!

did he do that? There’s real elegance and even wit in the precision of his gestures, the agility of each finger.”

– THE NEW YORK TIMES

John Pizzarelli

Thursday, April 6 // 8pm

Mr. Pizzarelli is a great comic storyteller and mimic whose verbal precision almost matches his dexterity as a high-speed finger-picker who scats in unison with his guitar solos.”

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz .” Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the songbook, John has dedicated many of his albums to the great songwriters and performers who helped establish it, such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Richard Rodgers, and Duke Ellington In addition to being a bandleader and solo performer, John has been a special guest on recordings for major pop names such as Natalie Cole, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Wopat, Rickie Lee Jones and Dave Van Ronk, as well as leading jazz artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff, Johnny Frigo, Buddy DeFranco, Harry Allen and, of course, his legendary father Bucky Pizzarelli He won a Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category as co-producer of James Taylor’s American Standard in 2021

Due out April 21, 2023, via Palmetto Records, John’s new record Stage & Screen finds inspiration in classic songs from Broadway musicals and Hollywood films. The cleverly chosen repertoire spans nearly nine decades and features bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, two tremendous talents with whom John quickly discovered a scintillating chemistry .

Jesse Cook: The Libre Tour

Thursday, April 20 // 8pm

Two million albums sold, five PBS specials filmed, more than 25 million views on YouTube, and over 400 million streams of his songs: Jesse Cook’s fruitful career spanning twenty-five years has brought this Canadian guitarist multiple accolades including a coveted Acoustic Guitar Magazine Player’s Choice Silver Award, 11 Juno Award nominations, a Gemini Award and, most impressively, ten platinum and gold studio albums . Along with being a global-guitar virtuoso, he has honed his skills as a composer, producer, arranger, performer and, more recently, filmmaker and cultural ambassador

As a child he was introduced to flamenco while spending summers at his father’s house in the Camargue region of southern France . John Cook’s neighbour happened to be Nico Reyes, guitarist for The Gypsy Kings Meanwhile his mother, Heather Cook, with whom he lived, enrolled him in Toronto’s prestigious Eli Kassner Guitar Academy Libre, his eleventh studio album, was chosen as the 2021 Album of the Year by JazzTrax . Jesse and his extraordinary band are looking forward to returning to the road, bringing The Libre Tour and their unique brand of rhythm and rhumba to audiences across North America and beyond .

In 2023, Jesse Cook was recognized as one of eleven of the greatest and most famous Flamenco Guitar Players by Hello Music Theory .

Cook is a superb guitarist... what proceeded was two hours of absolute stellar musicianship by all... should you decide to head to one of the remaining tour dates, you will not be disappointed!”

– MANOR208

The annual Canadian tradition is back on the road! From their humble beginnings in 1983 at the Saint-Denis Theatre in Montreal to laughing their way to become the largest global player in the humour industry, Just For Laughs has made funny their business . Each year they make millions of Canadians laugh and this year is no different: Just For Laughs Road Show is getting back on stage with four hilarious featured comics for an evening of laugh-a-minute entertainment

This side-splitting performance will bring a night of pure comedic relief to Flato Markham Theatre Don’t miss some of the best acts from the world’s largest and most prestigious comedy festival when it rolls into town!

Friday, April 21 // 8pm

Always a hit with audiences, the Just for Laughs Road Show is a perennial favourite that triggers giggles, chuckles, and outright bellyclenching laughs-aminute.”

– WAVE.FM

The latest edition of this Canadian classic brings even more laughs than before!”

– THE MEDLEY

Dan Hill & Myles Goodwyn

Saturday, April 22 // 8pm

Dan Hill is an international music industry legend and one of Canada’s most distinguished, authentic, and multi-talented artists: Grammy-winner, five time-Juno Award winner, Harold Moon Award, and inducted into the venerated Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Award . Dan is known for his heartfelt sensibility on two massive international hits, Sometimes When We Touch, recognized as one of the Top 100 Songs of the Century and one of Top 100 Most Played Songs of All Time, and Can’t We Try, which spent 29 weeks on Billboard charts . Dan has produced hit songs for Celine Dion and George Benson, with his compositions being recorded by artists such as Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, The Backstreet Boys, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and many more His voice is “smooth softness, with a light warmth,” perfectly describing both his original and recent works that fans still gather to enjoy today .

Leading April Wine through this journey was Myles Goodwyn, a talented musician who was as skilled at keyboards as he was on guitar. Goodwyn is the personification of a front man, with Robert Plant-like good looks and the vocal capacity of a mountain lion.”

– GOLD MINE

– CLASSIC ROCK HISTORY

Ray on My Mind

Friday, May 12 // 8pm

This concert/theatre work brings the music and the story of the great Ray Charles to vivid life! Portraying Ray, master pianist/ vocalist Kenny Brawner leads his 11-piece orchestra and three sultry vocalists (a la the Raelettees), performing this American legend’s most popular hits; What’d I Say, I Got a Woman, Mess Around, Georgia on My Mind, and a blazing hot duet on Baby, It’s Cold Outside and many more! The music is interwoven with monologues depicting how gospel, blues, jazz, and country influenced Ray’s style, while also reflecting on American social history, his epic battle with drugs, and his triumphant return home to Georgia .

The show was great! The energy, songs, and storytelling made it a thoroughly entertaining experience for everyone.”

Ray on My Mind assembles an orchestra of profoundly accomplished musicians whose performances are ingrained in American popular culture . Members of the orchestra have been heard prolifically on Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, and television They have performed all over the world and recorded with a diverse range of influential musical giants, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, Luther Vandross, Arethra Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Darius Rucker, Jennifer Hudson, Sam & Dave, Boy George, Wilson Pickett, Big Daddy Kane, Lester Bowie, Shaggy, Ron Carter, and Rihanna

– ARIZONA MUSICFEST

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Complimentary glass of Mimosa with Main/Sandwich

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Traditional breakfast items, made-to-order omelette station, seafood, pastries and more!

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