It s an exciting time to be at the Rialto! Our 2024-2025 Series features a new line up of world-renowned artists featuring a capella, jazz, opera, comedy, dance, R&B and funk, where you are sure to find a show that sparks your imagination and resonates with you.
For a dose of light-hearted entertainment, I recommend the political hilarity of the CAPITAL FOOLS or the vibrating with energy representing the strength, agility and joys of young West Africans through CIRQUE KALABANTÉ – “Afrique en Cirque”. And, don’t forget TOWER OF POWER’s R&B and funk hits.
Dive into soulful melodies, with the harmony-filled jazz vocal ensemble, säje, the NEW ORLEANS SONGBOOK - A Jazz at Lincoln Center, or two-time Grammy® winner and Tony Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater
Reminisce with singing legends of the 50’s, THE DRIFTERS, THE PLATTERS, and CORNELL GUNTER’s THE COASTERS and spend and evening with the bee’s knees in five-part harmony brought to you by SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®.
There’s more to explore – the Georgia State University School of Music presents the 37th Annual Holiday Gala, “DIE FLEDERMAUS” by Johann Strauss II and will feature the Georgia State University Jazz Band with Anat Cohen, clarinetist/ saxophonist.
Nestled in downtown Atlanta, the illustrious Rialto plays host to numerous arts performances, film screenings, and educational initiatives With its famed Rialto Series and commitment to community service, this venue aims to foster creativity, innovation, and imagination through the magic of the arts We hope you’ll join us for this season ’ s thrilling lineup!
Amy Reid Director of Educational Outreach
Georgia State University
Rialto Center for the Arts
CAPITOL FOOLS
Sat, Sept 21, 2024 | 8pm
CIRQUE KALABANTÉ “AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE”
Sun, Oct 6, 2024 | 3pm
TOWER OF POWER
Sat, Oct 19, 2024 | 8pm
SÄJE
Sat, Oct 26, 2024 | 8pm
27TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA
presentedbyGeorgiaStateUniversitySchoolofMusic
Sun, Dec 8, 2024 | 3pm
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK®
Sat, Jan 25, 2025 | 8pm
THE DRIFTERS,THE PLATTERS & CORNELL GUNTER’S COASTERS
Sat. Feb 8, 2025 | 8pm
NEW ORLEANS SONGBOOK A JAZZ AT LINCOLN CE PRODUCTION
Sat, March 8, 2025 | 8pm
DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER
Sat, March 29, 2025 | 8pm
“DIE FLEDERMAUS” BY JOHANN STRAUSS II
presentedbyGeorgiaStateUniversitySchoolofMusic
April 12, 2025 | 7pm
April 13, 2025 | 3pm
ANAT COHEN AND THE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSI
Fri, April 18, 2025 | 8pm
ENJOY THE LIGHTER SIDE OF AN ELECTION YEAR!
Continuing in the spirit of Washington’s popular Capitol Steps comedy troupe, the musical comedy team Capitol Fools elevates political satire whilst holding a mirror to America’s electoral process, at the Rialto near the eve of the 2024 presidential election.
Audiences will enjoy song parodies and foolish reflections, breakneck costume changes, over-the-top impressions of leading elected (or wannabe elected) officials and Washington icons, and edgy satire of the day’s news with equal opportunity for laughing at any political party and ourselves while celebrating common bonds or hidden harmonious moments amid the chaos.
Each performance by Capitol Fools includes a blend of veteran political satirists including Capitol Steps alumni with over 20 years of touring experience and rising stars of the dramatic and comedic stage. Capitol Fools is directed and produced by Jack Rowles who also performs in roles from Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon to the supreme pontiff, Pope Francis!
Created by Yamoussa Bangoura and inspired by daily life in his native Guin
“Afrique en Cirque” (Africa in Circus) presented by performers of Cirque Kalabanté portrays the beauty, youth and artistry of West African culture.
The Rialto stage will vibrate with energy representing the strength, agility and joys of young West Africans through a show that is colorful beyond its costumes, scenery and stag- ing. Acrobats will execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids accompanied by contemporary Afro-Jazz, percussion and kora.
After joining Guinea’s original Circus Baobab as a young man, Bangoura’s dream of founding a school of circus arts evolved through his own performances in and contributions to several Canadian theatrical productions including Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize and Cavalia. In 2018, he recruited his twin sisters, brothers and cousins to launch their own school and studio in Montreal offering classes in percussion, cirque and African dance.
Audiences will enjoy Cirque Kalabanté’s acrobatic skills and achievements, which also support the Company’s humanitarian mission to help the Guinean community from which the family originated.
With R&B and funk hits including “So Very Hard to Go” and “You’re Still a Young Man,” Tower of Power is an American band and horn section with roots planted in Oakland, Calif., circa 1968.
Celebrating their 56th Anniversary, Tower of Power now features nine musicians including founding members Stephen “Doc” Kupka on baritone sax and tenor sax/vocalist Emilio Castillo delivering a powerful, horn-drenched sound amplifying the group ’ s masterful songwriting that spans 21 studio albums achieving eight songs in Billboard’s Hot 100.
Audiences will harmonize and tap their feet to “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)” and “What Is Hip?” with a 1973 televised performance included on the compilation CD “The Best of Soul Train Live.”
Fresh from their recording debut for which they shared a 2024 Grammy Award for best arrangement, instrumental and vocals for “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” with songwriter Jacob Collier, the all-female jazz ensemble säje includes an extraordinary quartet of creators who are composers, arrangers and vocalists with impressive individual careers.
The brainchild of Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick and Amanda Taylor, säje (rhymes with “ page”) emerged from close friendship.
PRESENTED BY THE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Join us for the 27th Annual Holiday Gala, a merry event proudly presented by the Georgia State School of Music, where exceptionally talented student musicians will deliver a festive splendor, from holiday classics to contemporary works. This year ’ s gala promises an extra layer of brilliance with special guest performances. We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable afternoon that combines cherished traditions and the joy of the holiday season.
Celebrating over 50 years of touring and three Grammy nominations, this versatile all-female African American a cappella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® features multi-part harmonies supported by an American Sign Language interpreter.
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® members express their history as Black women through song, dance and sign language. Their vibrant and ever relevant collective was founded on the triumvirate missions of empowerment, education and entertainment, with socially conscious music taking a stance on civil and human rights, spirituality and making our planet a better place for all.
The group ’ s historic accomplishments include a commission from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company to compose a 50th anniversary program as well as appearances in two PBS television specials celebrating their work on “American Masters.” Current members include Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel and Aisha Kahlil with feature musician Romeir Mendez on electric and upright acoustic bass.
PRIORITY SEATING & GUARANTEED SEATS
Subscribers receive priority seating, guaranteeing them the best seats in the house! With your seats for some of the hottest shows in town locked-in, there will be no standing in line at the Box Office on the evening of the show. Subscriber tickets are conveniently mailed in advance!
ADVANCE PURCHASE PRIVILEGES
In addition to discounts on single tickets, you may purchase additional single tickets to performances before they become available to the general public.
BUILD YOUR OWN SERIES AND SAVE
Receive 15% off the price of your total ticket order for four or five shows and 20% off orders for six or more shows. Plus, subscribers receive a discount on additional single tickets to bring friends to Rialto Series shows
VIP TREATMENT
Subscribers have access to a VIP concierge who can assist them with their ticket needs, exchanges, and special requests.
SPECIAL EVENTS
As a Rialto subscriber you will enjoy a variety of events and functions throughout the season, such as gatherings with artists or special receptions.
COMPLEMENTARY TICKET EXCHANGE
Let us take the worry out of unexpected changes in your schedule! Up to 24 hours in advance, you can exchange your tickets if you are unable to attend any of your season subscription performances.
FREE PRE-SHOW EVENTS
Join us an hour before select Series shows to learn more about the performances. Outstanding artists and experts will give you inside information on what you ’ re about to see.
AND FOR ALL RIALTO SERIES SUBSCRIBERS...CHOCOLATE!
We love our subscribers and prove it with chocolate at every performance! Stop by the subscriber table for your sweet treat.
Subscribe in two ways:
- purchase 4 or 5 shows and receive a 15% discount OR
- purchase 6 or more shows and receive a 20% discount
Ticket prices vary by event and seat location and are subject to increases closer to show dates. Single tickets will go on sale August 22, 2024, at the Rialto Box Office, by phone at 404.413.9TIX(9849), and online at Rialto.GSU.edu.
FREE PARKING FOR RIALTO SERIES PERFORMANCES
Complimentary validated parking for all Rialto Series performances at The 100 Peachtree Parking Garage GPS Address: 123 Fairlie St, NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
TO ORDER RIALTO SERIES TICKETS
BY PHONE: 404.413.9TIX(9849)
Monday-Friday,10:00AM–4:00PM
rialto.gsu.edu
With legendary status dating back to each band’s foundations in the 1950s, The Drifters (1959), The Platters (1952) and The Coasters (1955) music lovers will relish the juke box of favorite rock’n’roll, R&B and doo-wop hits during this special performance.
Everyone will sing or hum along to classics including “This Magic Moment,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Only You,” “The Great Pretender,” “Charlie Brown” and “Poison Ivy.”
Ranked among Rolling Stone magazine’s greatest artists of all time, The Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
The Platters are known for 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and their Rock Hall induction in 1990.
And officially touring with the name Cornell Gunter’s Coasters as a nod to one of the band’s members from 1958 to 1961, The Coasters were among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s second-year inductees in 1987 with “Yakety Yak” and other legendary tunes.
Performers from A Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS Production including pianist Luther S.
Allison with vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs bring the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to this amazing celebration of composers and inspired songs of the Crescent City.
With hits from Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Ellis Marsalis and James Black, audiences will tap their feet to the heartbeat of New Orleans, the longtime apex of jazz innovation. Allison, Lynell and Suggs will captivate the audience with the timeless spirit of the vibrant and historic center of jazz.
With a multifaceted career spanning four decades, two-time Grammy winner and Tony Award-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists.
During live performances she puts her unique spin on standards while taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. Ever the fearless voyager, explorer, pioneer and keeper of tradition, she has worked with the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Louis Big Band, and performed with such jazz notables as Ma Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and Diz Gillespie. In 2017, she received the NEA Ja Masters Fellows Award.
Bridgewater hosted National Public Radio syndicated show “JazzSet with Dee D Bridgewater” for 23 years. She is a Unite Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Food Agriculture Organization which lea international efforts to defeat hunger whi improving food security and nutritio worldwide.
Don’t miss the Georgia State Opera Theater’s dazzling production of Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss II’s beloved operetta, accompanied by the Georgia State Symphony Orchestra. Experience an evening filled with lively waltzes, sparkling arias, and a hilarious storyline of mistaken identities and playful pranks. Follow the misadventures of Gabriel von Eisenstein as he is tricked into attending a lavish masquerade ball hosted by the eccentric Prince Orlofsky, all while his wife Rosalinde and their maid Adele join the festivities in disguise.
