Big. Bold. – SPA 2011-2012 Season Preview
By urbanhoustonian at March 8, 2011 | 11:00 AM | Print
When I was Group Sales Manager of Society for the Performing Arts, one of my favorite times of the year was the Season Announcement. While I knew some of the performances that were being announced, there was still a air of mystery surrounding the full season slate. It was like being the presenter and recipient of a great big surprise at the same time.
These days, I have to wait as impatiently as a child on Christmas morning for SPA Claus to deliver the latest package. It wasn’t easy. With the Houston Ballet and Houston Symphony season announcements coming out in February, I knew it was only a matter of time before SPA announced their own.
An SPA season is generally comprised of returning favorites, intriguing debuts, mainstream, avant garde and a hidden gem or two. My season highlights will feature one from each category, plus a special honorable mention. Furthermore, these performances would make for an enjoyable subscription.
Returning Favorite
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
8 p.m., Friday & Saturday, March 2-3, 2012
2 p.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012
Jones Hall
It’s no secret I love Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Of all the artists I got the chance to see working for Society for the Performing Arts, Alvin Ailey is one I would recommend EVERY TIME they come to Houston. There is something different about Jones Hall during an Alvin Ailey run, an energy that is altogether different. I get chills just typing about it. And then there is, of course, Revelations.
Revelations is one of the greatest pieces of American performance art. We are fortunate SPA presents it in Houston every 2-3 years. If Ailey is on the season, it’s in my calendar. As it should be in yours.
Intriguing Debut
Meow Meow
8 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
There are a number of Houston debuts in this SPA Season, but none carry the intrigue of Meow Meow. Seriously, how can you not run out an buy a ticket to a performer named MEOW MEOW?! Part cabaret, part comedienne, Meow Meow is one of the most interesting acts I’ve ever seen on the SPA schedule. This is exactly the kind of performance where SPA truly shines; something unfamiliar that everyone will attends will not be able to stop talking about.
Mainstream
Huey Lewis & the News
8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011
Jones Hall
I have included this performance more to make a point than as a recommendation. While some may question its inclusion on a performing arts calendar, this type of performance (i.e. one that is sure to sell lots of tickets) makes it possible to bring more “artistic” performances throughout the rest of the season. They are also a gateway for many patrons to expand their horizons by opening them up to other performances throughout the season.
Avant Garde
Dulcinea’s Lament
8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
Honestly, this performance is interchangeable with Meow Meow. I chose Dulcinea’s Lament for my Avant Garde pick mainly because anytime a dance performance lands in SPA’s New Now Series, it’s going to be a challenging, mind-expanding work. The New Now series isn’t for what’s great, it’s about what’s next. It’s where “the rules” are challenged and, oftentimes, broken.
Hidden Gem
Goran Bregovic & His Wedding and Funeral Orchestra
In every SPA Season, a quick glance will always feature an unfamiliar name or two. Hidden among these performances, generally in the Music or International Series, is an artist your soul never knew it needed. For me, one of these artists was Mariza. Everytime I peruse a new SPA season, I look very hard for these hidden gems.
Looking over this season, I see this exciting potential in one Goran Bregovic. Plus, it’s very clear to me this guy likes to party! Not only am I certain you will have a great time at this performance, you’re probably going to be exhausted to boot! 20-piece Orchestra playing European Gypsy music? SIGN ME UP NOW!
Honorable Mention
Tchaikovsky Competition Winners
Violinist
8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
Pianist
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
My last picks don’t entirely fit with the others, but I couldn’t bring myself to exclude them from a list of performances I’m interested in attending this season. The Tchaikovsky Competition is held every four years, and is one of the most prestigious events in international music. What makes these such interesting performances is we don’t yet know who the performers are going to be! The Competition isn’t going to be held until this summer, which adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to these two performances.
The Competition has been given a complete overhaul by Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theater and Chief Conductor of the London Symphony. For one, this year’s competition will be broadcast on the web. I will put together some links later this summer closer to the Competition so you can watch online. In any case, whether you love violin, piano or both, these two performances will be great choices for any classical music fan.
