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Sheldon to offer five series, special concerts in 2008-09 season
(by Kara Krekeler - April 22, 2008)
The Sheldon Concert Hall has announced its schedule for the 2008-09 season. The season includes five series — Jazz at the Sheldon, Fantastic Folk, Sheldon Classics, Saturday Matinees and Coffee Concerts — as well as several special concerts that are not included in those series.
Jazz at the Sheldon kicks off Oct. 4 with jazz legend Dave Brubeck, who performs with his quartet of acclaimed musicians. Singer Paula West will stop by Nov. 22 for the second Jazz at the Sheldon show, followed by the Grammy Award-winning bassist Dave Holland and his quintet on Jan. 24. Rising star Rachael Price will bring her improvisational singing to the Sheldon March 14. The series concludes with a tribute to gypsy-jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt performed by the John Jorgenson Quintet April 18.
The Fantastic Folk series starts Oct. 10 with a celebration of singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, as his family performs his best-known songs. Singer and songwriter Karla Bonoff will fill the second slot of the series Nov. 7, while Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks will perform the third show in the series, a salute to the “folk years” — the late 1950s and early ’60s — Jan. 16. Gaelic Storm will provide a St. Patrick’s Day treat when the group stops by March 6, and folk legend Doc Watson will wrap up the series in a performance with Grammy winner David Holt on May 8.
This year the Sheldon takes on the work of Beethoven in the Sheldon Classics concert series, which features performances by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and singers from Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
The series kicks off Jan. 21, when SLSO concertmaster David Halen and guest pianist Peter Henderson will perform a concert featuring Beethoven’s “Pathetique” sonata. SLSO principal violist Jonathan Vinocour and pianist Renana Gutman will perform the composer’s “Appassionata” and other compositions Feb. 18. Halen will return for the final show in the series on April 22, when he and pianist Ching-Wen Hsiao perform Beethoven’s “Spring” and “Moonlight” sonatas.
For those who want to enjoy their music earlier in the day, the Sheldon will bring back the Coffee Concerts series, with concerts held at 10 a.m. preceded by coffee and pastries.
The series will kick off Oct. 27 and 28 with Jean Kittrell and Red Lehr with the Old St. Louis Levee Band. Local favorite cabaret singer Tim Schall will perform Nov. 11 and 12, while the playful swing band Swing Set will take the stage Dec. 9 and 10. Mardra and Reggie Thomas will offer up a Mardi Gras celebration Feb. 23 and 24, and Cornet Chop Suey will close the series with its jazz, swing and blues music April 29 and 30.
Also for early risers is the Saturday Matinee series, with three concerts held at 11 a.m, Ben Nordstrom and the young performers of Team Stages kick off the series Jan. 17 with a tribute to Broadway, followed by Kim Massie’s Valentine’s Day concert Feb. 14. Singer Leon Burke rounds out the series with a program of classic bass vocal songs April 4.
The Sheldon Chorale will perform three concerts Oct. 20, Dec. 15 and March 9. The 27-member chorale is directed by Allen Carl Larson.
Several special concerts are also scheduled for the 2008-09 season, including performances by the University City Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 3; the Flying Karamazov Brothers Oct. 25; gospel singers Mighty Clouds of Joy on Feb. 28; and the Fifth Annual St. Louis Folk Festival on March 21.
For ticket or subscription information call 533-9900. All concerts start at 8 p.m. and take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., unless otherwise noted.
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