UA Presents' New Season to Launch With Chaka Khan
The 2016-2017 concert schedule also will feature performances by jazz saxophonist Boney James and Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman.

University Relations - Communications
May 5, 2016

ChakaKhan1.jpg

Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan


UA Presents has announced its 2016-2017 season, which will bring superstars and emerging artists from a variety of disciplines and genres to the Southwest.

The season's first show is on Oct. 9 at Centennial Hall, with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company visiting Tucson for the first time in almost two decades on its 50th anniversary tour.

The official season-opening event will be on Oct. 14 with Chaka Khan, who has been able to cross from R&B to pop to gospel and other genres with hits that include "I'm Every Woman" and "I Feel for You." Considered one of the most dynamic mainstream performers in history, she will perform at 8 p.m. at Centennial Hall in advance of the University of Arizona's Family Weekend.

The season also will include appearances by the chamber orchestra Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, saxophonist Boney James and Grammy Award-winner Bernadette Peters.

"UA Presents is a tremendous cultural and educational asset to all of us in southern Arizona,” said Jory Hancock, dean of the UA College of Fine Arts and director of the School of Dance.

"This season brings together the kind of dynamic and eclectic mix that our audiences have come to expect," said Hancock, who also holds the Stevie Eller Endowed Chair. "From world-renowned artists such as Itzhak Perlman to intriguing new voices like Black Violin, there is much to experience."

Subscription packages for current subscribers will go on sale Monday, May 9. New subscribers may purchase packages beginning May 11.

The season will be first to be curated by UA Presents' new director of programming, Candace Feldman.

"I don't think anything says 'get the party started' more than Chaka Khan, so I feel that we're starting off with a high-energy, high-impact event that will carry the momentum and the spirit throughout our season," Feldman said.

The 2016-2017 season also brings a renewed focus to making family-friendly events more accessible.

Family series events — which will include the junk-rock of Recycled Percussion, the Pitch Perfect-inspired Vocalosity and the Peking Acrobats — will take place on Sundays at 3 p.m., with youth pricing of $30 for Gold Circle seating and $15 for every other price category.

Classical music is a mainstay of UA Presents, and the new season brings six events, including the flute and guitar pairing of the Cavatina Duo, Poland's Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the hip-hop-inspired Florida duo Black Violin, Perlman and cellist Matt Haimovitz's "A Moveable Feast."

"In both classical and jazz, we have something for both the traditionalist and something for the experimentalist," Feldman said.

Jazz favorites such as saxophonist Boney James and a cappella stars Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, as well as Detroit blues legend Bettye LaVette, come to the Fox Theatre and Centennial Hall. Tenor saxophonist Kamasi Washington, the forerunner of a new wave of jazz that is both youthful and contemporary, brings a festive spirit to any venue he plays. He has collaborated with Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus.

The season also marks the return of New York's Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Per tradition, the UA Dance Ensemble will present its newest iteration of "Premium Blend," including George Balanchine’s "Tarantella" and works by UA School of Dance faculty.

Song-and-dance legend Ben Vereen caps off the series with "Steppin' Out Live With Ben Vereen," which also will feature performances from the UA Dance Ensemble, taking place in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre over the course of three days.

The Global Sounds series includes Argentinean tango company Estampas Porteñas, bringing an exotic flair to the season with "Deseos," a story of longing and passion as told through tango.

Troker, a six-piece, Guadalajara-based jazz group, brings a wild, original score to the 1919 film "The Grey Automobile," an essential part of Mexican cinema.

A special holiday show by the Celtic group Danú combines traditional folk and new influences.

And Americana star Martha Redbone blends live music and storytelling with her presentation of "Bone Hill – The Concert," illuminating her family’s Appalachian, Native American and coal-mining roots in the hills of Kentucky.

Extra info

For ticket information, call 520-621-3341, or visit uapresents.org.

The new season's highlights include:

  • Oct. 9: Twyla Tharp 50th Anniversary Tour at Centennial Hall at 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 14: Chaka Khan at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m. 
  • Nov. 2-6: "Premium Blend" at the Stevie Eller Theatre
  • Nov. 2: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra at Centennial Hall at 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 10: Boney James at the Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 28: Estampas Porteñas – Deseos at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 7: Danú Holiday Show at Centennial Hall at 7:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 11, 2017: Itzhak Perlman at Centennial Hall at 7:30 p.m.
  • Jan. 21, 2017: Bernadette Peters at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m.
  • Feb. 12, 2017: Peking Acrobats at Centennial Hall at 3 p.m.
  • Feb. 14, 2017: Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 at Centennial Hall at 7:30 p.m.
  • March 23, 2017: Troker & The Grey Automobile at the Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 9, 2017: Recycled Percussion at Centennial Hall at 3 p.m.
  • April 13, 2017: Black Violin at the Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

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Mario M. Di Vetta

UA Presents

520-621-0477

mdivetta@email.arizona.edu