2011-2012 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series
Ruthie Foster Friday, May 11, 2012 7:30 pm South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center Box Office: 414-766-5049
2011-2012 Season Sponsors Official Caterer of the SMPAC
Emerald City
CATERiNG LLC
The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 2011-2012 Season was supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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biogr aphies Ruthie Foster (Guitar/Vocals) – Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride. She came from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy Band and ended up in New York City with a major-label development deal that went sour. Ruthie’s list of achievements includes Best Fok Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08 from the Austin Music Awards, a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album, and two Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist. When Grammy Award-winning producer John Chelew suggested she record an album in New Orleans – with support handpicked from the Crescent City’s overflowing pool of talent – it was an opportunity for Ruthie to infuse fresh spices into her already rich sonic gumbo. The result is Let It Burn, a recording that smolders, sizzles and ignites with an intensity born from her vibrant voice and indelible presence. Let It Burn guest features Blind Boys of Alabama, William Bell, The Funky Meters, Dave Easley, James Rivers and Ike Stubblefield. The new record, which was released January 31, 2012, has debuted on three Billboard charts: #2 on the Blues chart, #6 on Heatseekers, and #175 on the Top 200 Albums. On Let It Burn, Ruthie Foster takes the listener on her most personal journey yet, sounding like she is pouring her heart out late at night, and her deeply soulful vocals create a spiritual soundscape to support her testimony. This is the album her fans have been waiting for – and that the rest of the world will listen to in wonder.
Samantha Banks (Drums) – Born in Houston, TX, Samantha has been drumming for over 30 years. She started drumming at Bethel Baptist Church in Houston at age 11. She learned to read music shortly after starting to drum and attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Upon graduation she received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. After one year in Boston, she transferred to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She graduated from the American Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors Degree in Percussion and Jazz Studies and a Minor in Music Education. Currently Samantha is touring around the world in the Ruthie Foster Family Band. When she is not on the road, Samantha teaches music at the Pasadena Independent School District and at the Percussion Center in Houston. She has a jazz/fusion band named “Yasheed” and has two albums released: The Best Is Yet To Come (released 2005) and Wounded Healers (released 2001). Tanya Richardson (Bass) – Hailing from Houston, Tanya has been playing violin since the age of 9, and bass guitar since the age of 23. She has performed in clubs, festivals, major entertainment venues and churches since 1985 with various musicians – including Joe “Guitar” Hughes, Gloria Edwards, Nelson Mills, Samantha Banks and Kinny Abair. She attended Sam Houston State University on a Scholarship in Music and studied violin under David Chasaw, Assistant Concert Master of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Tanya has recorded two CDs (one live, one studio recording) with Joe “Guitar” Hughes and participated in the St. John’s U.M.C. Homeless Project with George Clinton. She is the bassist for the energetic instrumental group “Yasheed” and appears on two albums The Best Is Yet To Come and Wounded Healers. Her career highlights include performing at B.B. King’s Night Club with her uncle-in-law Melvin Sparks and her current world tour as violinist and bassist with Ruthie Foster. South Milwaukee PAC 3
SMPAC STAFF Chad Piechocki.................................................................................................................... Director Rebecca Ohm..................................................................................................Marketing Director Alex Clark............................................................................................................Technical Director Brianna Cullen.............................................................................................................SMHS Intern 2011-12 SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFOR MING ARTS COUNCIL Pat DerHovsepian.............................................................................................................President Trisha St. Lawrence Urbaniak..............................................................................Vice President Michelle M. Haslam..........................................................................................................Secretary Janet Garcia........................................................................................................................ Treasurer Dal Drummer Karla Nimphius Harris David Kieck
Heidi Lofy Ed Magnuson Carla Uphill
School Board for School District of South Milwaukee
Dr. Rita Olson.........................................................................................................Superintendent Patricia Bordak................................................................................................................... President Therese Travia........................................................................................................... Vice President David Maass................................................................................................................................ Clerk John Haslam........................................................................................................................Treasurer Carol Dufek Kathleen Molus Joseph Weirich
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Can’t wait until showtime? At Footlights.com you can preview the program before opening night!
THANK YOU The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center thanks M&I, a Part of BMO Financial Group, Jon Poor and the Wisconsin Arts Board for their support of this performance, as well as Emerald City Catering for being the Official Caterer of the SMPAC. We thank the community for its support and for building this magnificent facility. It is our goal to provide you with quality arts programming that leaves you waiting for more.
ABOUT THE SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Mission: to enrich the community by providing creative, innovative and diverse performing arts and life-long learning experiences, as well as a professionally managed facility for community and regional organizations. Vision: to be a performing arts center that delivers outstanding and diverse performance events and services to the students, district, community and greater South Shore area. Did you Know? The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council is the nonprofit board that supports the SMPAC through fundraising efforts and programming decisions. The Council aims to create a diverse base of financial support for the SMPAC. These funds help support the overall operating budget, artists’ fees and production costs of the annual Performing Arts Series. Ticket sales alone account for only 46% of overall operating expenses for the season. Even if we sold-out every show, we still would not be able to cover 100% of our costs - as is the case with most performing arts venues. There are three key aspects of the annual revenue that the Council supports: Annual Campaign, Sponsorships/Grants and the annual Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser. Additional support like this is critical to our ongoing success and future growth as it allows us to help bring in world-class events like Cirque Le Masque, amazing artists like Alpin Hong and once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunities for our students. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Chad Piechocki, Director of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center at cpiechocki@ sdsm.k12.wi.us or at 414-766-5048. Thank you for your support of the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center! Enjoy the show!
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2011-2012 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN DONORS (patrons donated between July 1, 2011 and April 19, 2012) Muse • $2,500 & Up Anonymous Visionary • $1,000 - $2,499 Tom & Geri Bitters Tom & Janet Cook – In Memory of Eunice Hahn Shirley Pritzlaff Stan & Trisha Urbaniak In the Spotlight • $500 - $999 Jack & Pat DerHovsepian Thomas & Anne Frederick Thomas & Janet Garcia Mr. Wesley Hellen In Memory of Gerald Jaworski Gil & Laurie Llanas Richard & Kay Lussier Northwestern Mutual Foundation* Bob & Bunny Scudder
Center Stage • $250 - $499 Caterpillar Foundation Chris & Michelle Haslam Rosemary A. Hurst Rachel M. Sorce Wisconsin Energy Foundation* Joan & Arjuna Yelanjian In the Wings • $100 - $249 Anonymous (2) Janet L. Behling Marc & Mary Gear Matt & Carole Glaske Chester & Lorraine Grobschmidt Rick & Barb Grobschmidt Virginia D. Grossman The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc.* John E. Haslam Marvin & Sharon Hipp Patrice Kitzek Wessel Elacqua Vincent & Lois Koehler Rosemary & Bruce Larkin Fritz & Connie Mahsem
Mary & Tom Meszaros Patricia M. Pomahac South Milwaukee McDonald’s Sunrise Clothiers Richard G. Thinnes Carla Uphill Wende Warren The Windhover Foundation* Ralph P. Windler Ernest & Katherine Wunsch Advocate • $50 - $99 Anonymous (3) Elizabeth Almon Ken & Gerda Bourgeois Evelyn “Irish” Dean Dorothy Hall Jerry & Judy Kromraj Janet Mierendorf Ken & Mary Neitzel Chris & Marilyn Rosland Peter & Barbara Terranova Jim Toth Mary Ann Wilkes
*Donation made via matching gift program. If there is an error with your gift acknowledgement, please accept our sincere apologies. We ask that you inform us of this error so we may correct it as soon as possible.
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SOUTH MILWAUKEE PERFOR MING ARTS CENTER POLICIES At the request of the artists, the taking of photographs or the use of recording devices during the performance is strictly prohibited. All sales for the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series are final. Refunds will be given only when an event is cancelled and not rescheduled. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center reserves the right to substitute comparable attractions or to change the dates of programs when compelled to do so by circumstances beyond our control. No refunds will be made in such cases. Performances are subject to change without notice. If you are unable to attend a performance, the donation of your ticket(s) to South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center would be appreciated to enable resale. This is particularly appreciated for sold out events, when waiting patrons could fill vacant seats. Your contribution will be acknowledged for tax deduction purposes. Latecomer Policy: Performances start promptly at the time stated on your ticket. If you arrive late and the performance has already begun, SMPAC ushers will seat you where it will be least disruptive to the audience and performers. You may take your reserved seats after intermission if there is one. Services for patrons with disabilities: South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please notify the Box Office when you are purchasing tickets if special arrangements are required. Handicap Accessible seating is available. The theatre allows for nine seats to be removed for persons remaining in their wheelchairs, as well as eight seats with arm rest removed for those transferring from a wheelchair or walker to a theatre seat. Seeing Eye Dogs are allowed in the theatre. Assisted Listening Devices are available for patrons who are Hard of Hearing. Largeprint programs are available upon request. Audio Description and American Sign Language Interpreted performances are also available upon request and where applicable. At least two weeks notice is required to provide these services. If you have questions please call 414-766-5049. Cell phones/electronic devices: Out of respect for the artists and fellow audience members, please turn off all electronic devices before the performances. These devices cause interference with our wireless microphones. If you need to use these devices, please exit the theatre before doing so. Bad weather policy: South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center does not cancel or reschedule performances due to inclement weather, nor can we offer refunds. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the grounds of the School District of South Milwaukee. Box Office hours are 10-4 pm, Monday-Friday, and one hour prior to performances. The Box Office phone number is 414-766-5049. Group Seating: If you would like to sit with friends, please submit your ticket orders together. South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center 901 15th Avenue South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414-766-5049 www.southmilwaukeepac.org South Milwaukee PAC 9
2012-2013 PERFOR MING ARTS SERIES Mark your calendars for these exciting events in the 2012-2013 South Milwaukee Performing Arts Series. Single tickets go on sale Monday, August 6. Storytelling with John Gurda: The History of the South Shore Sunday, September 9, 2012 6:30 pm Take a journey with local historian, John Gurda, as he describes the history of the region from Walker’s Point stretching south to South Milwaukee and into Oak Creek. The evening will include light refreshments after the presentation for a chance to reminisce about the days gone by! Katie Armiger Trio Thursday, October 4, 2012 7:30 pm Rarely do you hear of a young artist whose vocal ability and talent is compared to the likes of seasoned country artists like Sara Evans and Martina McBride, but newcomer Katie Armiger is just that. At the ripe age of 20, Katie does not hold back and has an inspiring combination of determination and passion that shines through in her music. Katie has spent time on the road with such hit makers as Jason Aldean, Craig Morgan and Luke Bryan and she has co-wrote with some of Nashville’s most innovative tunesmiths, such as Sarah Buxton and Blair Daly, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Joe West. With connections like that she is a must-see this season! Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Featuring George Balanchine’s Who Cares? Saturday, October 27, 2012 7:30 pm Sunday, October 28, 2012 2:00 pm Join the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program for a show featuring classical and contemporary repertoire including George Balanchine’s Who Cares? set to music by George Gershwin, arranged by Hershy Kay. Who Cares? premiered in 1970 and uses Gershwin’s songs not to evoke any particular era but as a way to portray an exuberance that is both broadly American and charged with the distinctive energy of Manhattan. The performance of Who Cares? is presented by arrangement with the George Balanchine Trust. Vienna Boys Choir Friday, November 23, 2012 7:30 pm A Vienna Boys Choir performance is never just a concert for classical aficionados; it’s an enchanting event that will delight music lovers from all walks of life. Don’t miss the chance to experience this “breathtaking” choir live and take in their “totally disciplined voices tempered by a singular sense of ease and consistency” (Washington Post). Guarantee your seats now before this performance sells out! Avner Eisenberg in Exceptions to Gravity Friday, January 25, 2013 7:30 pm Avner Eisenberg in Exceptions to Gravity is a reminder of the theatrical power that can reside in a single charismatic performer who touches the heart. A master of the art of physical comedy, Avner weaves a spell of poetic simplicity in a show of hilarious predicaments. Exceptions to Gravity is sure to please as it defies the barriers of language and culture.
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2012-2013 PERFOR MING ARTS SERIES (cont.) SYBARITE5: The Shuffle Effect Saturday, February 2, 2013 7:30 pm From the moment that their bows hit the strings, Sybarite5 engages the senses and redefines the rules. The Shuffle Effect sets a new standard in audience experience. The traditional set program list is replaced with an iPod containing the group’s repertoire. From Mozart to Radiohead, Brahms to Brubeck, and Piazzolla to Led Zeppelin audiences should be prepared to hear anything. Come see how Sybarite5 is changing the face of classical music and redefining how chamber music is performed and enjoyed. Davell Crawford: The Genius of Ray Charles Thursday, March 14, 2013 7:30 pm Davell Crawford, the piano Prince of New Orleans, celebrates the genius of Ray Charles and the 50th Anniversary of his influential recording, “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.” Released in 1962, the album became a rapid critical and commercial success and many critics argue that this is Charles’ best studio album. Amid the height of the African-American civil rights struggle, the album’s combination of soul and country music bent racial barriers within popular music in the United States. PEOPLES’ CHOICE Frank Ferrante in An Evening With Groucho Friday, April 26, 2013 7:30 pm Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast-paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs. The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Fitting for our Peoples’ Choice, this performance will entertain those of all ages! STUDENTS’ CHOICE Jason Bishop: Believing Is Seeing Friday, May 17, 2013 7:30 pm As America’s Hottest Illusionist, Jason Bishop might have a person passing through his body one moment or make goldfish appear from nowhere the next. Featuring exclusive large illusions, award winning sleight of hand and “close-up” magic that is captured live and projected onto LCD screens for all to see, Jason Bishop has the most dynamic illusion and magic show touring the U.S. He is also the only illusionist touring the rare Double Levitation, Plasma Illusion and Op-Art. Spark your curiosity and the child within, and join us for a night of breathtaking illusion!
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