UApresents Announces 2012-13 Season
The UA's annual arts series will offer more than 30 shows by veteran performers and up-and-coming new stars.

By Jeff Harrison, University Communications
April 27, 2012


Starting this fall, UApresents will again offer a wide-ranging and eclectic series of performing artists for its 2012-13 season, including some of the best in the business and stellar newcomers.

The UA's annual arts series features 32 events from classical, jazz, world music, dance and family programs, as well as a new "Classical II" series that features up-and-coming musicians.

Also new this year are memberships, starting at $100, that include members only events and receptions, said Chuck Tennes, UApresents' new executive director.

Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Bonnie Raitt, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will kick off the season on Sept. 26.

Complete information about UApresents' 2012-13 season can be found online. 

Headliners include legendary Broadway soprano Barbara Cook and jazz greats Chris Botti, Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis. And Carol Burnett, one of America's most beloved entertainers, will host an evening of laughter and reflection.

Pianist Lang Lang and operatic soprano Kathleen Battle headline the classical series, that also features a recording session of National Public Radio's "From the Top," a showcase for young classical performers.

The critically acclaimed and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "FELA!" is also on this year's schedule.

The dance series offers the undulating creations of "Botanica" by MOMIX, as well as the pioneering works of José Limón, one of the great 20th century modern dance choreographers.

For families, the Zoppé Family Circus will return for the second year, and the famed Hubbard Street 2 dance company will present "Harold and the Purple Crayon: A Dance Adventure" following the fifth annual UApresents Children's Festival.

Current subscribers are already eligible to purchase tickets. New subscription sales begin on May 14 and individual tickets will go on sale beginning June 11. Subscription packages and savings begin by purchasing just four performances.

Most performances will be held in the UA's historic Centennial Hall. Other venues include Crowder Hall in the UA School of Music, the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre and Tucson's Downtown Fox Theater.

UApresents' new executive director, Chuck Tennes, signed on as the interim director in 2011, was recently named its permanent head.  He is responsible for strategic leadership, financial and operational management and spearheading UApresents' transition to the College of Fine Arts.

Tennes has an extensive background in non-profit and performing arts management at the Washington Performing Arts Society and the Washington Opera, both at the Kennedy Center; Houston Ballet; Pacific Northwest Ballet; Meany Center at the University of Washington; and Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.

He also held a two-year stint as director of finance and operations for the Anglo-American School of Moscow, which included oversight on the construction of a new $12 million theater, and has appeared on CNBC, CNN-fn and Bloomberg TV.

"The University's national reputation is increasingly enhanced by the quality of its fine arts programs," said Tennes. "Bringing world-class artists to Tucson is of invaluable benefit, not only to the UA campus, but to the broader community as well."

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Darsen Campbell

UApresents

520-626-4420

dcampbell@email.ariona.edu