By Raphael Sugarman
Last week, the TimesLedger’s From the Footlights column featured a preview of the new Broadway and Off-Broadway seasons.
In this issue, From the Footlights presents some of the most interesting choices in music, dance, opera and lectures for the new season.
Music
With three theaters of varying size, Jazz at Lincoln Center usually has something to offer music lovers. From Monday, Nov. 8, to Thursday, Nov. 18, JACL will be sponsoring a celebration of Blue Note Records and such historic artists as Thelonious Monk, Sonny Clark and others. Several contemporary musicians will perform.
Celebrating the holidays has always been a tradition at Jazz at Lincoln Center since December 1989, when the Wynton Marsalis Band and the Lincoln Center Classical Jazz Orchestra presented “A Classical Jazz Christmas.” Continuing this tradition, Marsalis and the orchestra will present a dozen arrangements of holiday songs in JALC’s Rose Hall. They will be joined by vocalists Renee Marie and Gregory Porter.
The show will be on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8, at 8 p.m., with a matinee Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. JACL is in the Time Warner Center, 3 Columbus Circle. For tickets or more information, call Centercharge, at 212-721-6500, or go tojazzatlincolncenter.org.
Birdland has been hosting the Django Reinhardt NY Festival for several years. The event, which pays tribute to the legendary gypsy guitarist and composer, this will this year feature French guitarist “Dorado Shmitt and 3 sons,” from Tuesday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 11.
Also watch for Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s regular smokin’ Sunday gig. Birdland is at 315 W. 44th St. Call 212-581-3080 or go to birdlandjazz.com.
New Yorkers who believe that Carnegie Hall only stages classical concerts are mistaken. The theater will present Voices from Latin America, a month-long celebration from Monday, Nov. 8, through Tuesday, Dec. 11. The event is being presented under the guidance of acclaimed musicians — composer Osvaldo Golijov, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, jazz pianist and composer Chucho Valdés, and singer, songwriter and guitarist Gilberto Gil. The festival will encompass music, dance, film, photography and visual arts of many regions, with a particular focus on the music of Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico.
In the classical vein, the Japanese-American violinist Midori will celebrate the 30th season of her career by performing all three of Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano in the key of A major with pianist Özgür Aydin, on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The concert will also include works by Webern and Crumb. Carnegie Hall is at 57th Street and 7th Avenue. Call 212-247-7800 or go to ticketassistance@carnegiehall.org.
Opera
The big news at the Metropolitan Opera this fall is the production of “The Tempest.” Though Shakespeare’s play was written in the 17th century the opera is much newer, having been written in 2004 by Thomas Andès with a libretto by Meredith Oakes. The production stars baritone Simon Keenlyside and is directed by Thomas Lepage. Critics have given high praise not only to the performances of the cast, but also to the magic of the production’s staging. Through Thursday, Nov. 17.
On Thursday, Nov. 8, the Met will premiere its new production of Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Mashera,” starring Marcelo Álvarez as the king. The Metropolitan Opera is at Lincoln Center, between West 62nd and 65th streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Aves. Call 212-362-6000, or go to metoperafamily.org.
Dance
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is celebrating its 41st year of bringing dance to the New York City Center stage.
This year’s itinerary will include the world premiere of “Another Night” by talented young choreographer Kyle Abraham. The new work is set to Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger’s rendition of one of Dizzy Gillespie’s innovative compositions, “A Night in Tunisia.”
Abraham melds a variety of facets of American dance, from hip hop to ballet, and showcases the artistry and versatility of the Ailey dancers.
Another premier, “Petite Mort,” marks the first time a European choreographer, Jirí Kylián will appear in the Ailey repertory. Set to two of Mozart’s most popular piano concertos, the theatrical work features six men and six women “intermingling with fencing foils and elaborate ball gowns in an unforgettable battle of the sexes.”
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the New York City Center from Wednesday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Dec 30. The theater is at 131 W. 55th St. For tickets or more information, call 212-581-1212 or go to www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org.
Misc.
The city is filled with worthy cultural institutions that offer a tremendous diversity of activities. Two venues, in particular, are worthwhile to keep an eye on during the course of the year.
The 92nd Street Y has long offered a dizzying variety of concerts, classes and myriad other events for New Yorkers from across the city. Two of the Y’s most interesting offerings are its talks and conversations and its literary readings series.
Two readings to mark on your calendar for November, include a tribute to Adrienne Rich on Friday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. Fellow poets, family and friends will remember Ms. Rich and read from her work. On Thursday, Nov. 15, at 8:15 p.m., poets Tracy K. Smith and Dean Young will read from their latest works. Ms. Smith’s book “Life on Mars” was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2012. Young’s latest book is “Bender: New & Selected Poems.”
As for conversations, “The Untold History of the U.S.” promises to be memorable. Filmmaker Oliver Stone and professor Peter Kuznick will discuss their new book, in conversation with correspondent Lewis Lapham and moderator Thane Rosenbaum, in the Kaufman Concert Hall on Nov. 10, at 8 p.m.
For something completely different, check out The New York Comedy Festival presents “David Steinberg and Robin Williams Talking About Nothing That Important” on Sunday, Nov. 11, in the Kaufman Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m.
The 92 Street Y is at 1395 Lexington Ave., with a second location, 92YTribeca, at 200 Hudson Street. For more information or tickets, call 212-415-5500 or go to 92Y.org.
On Manhattan’s West Side, Symphony Space has a wide variety of offerings in the areas of literature, music, theater, dance and film.
Symphony Space will host The 32nd Annual John Lennon Tribute on Friday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m., with a line-up including Judy Collins, Joan Osborne and Dar Williams.
Author Zadie Smith will make a visit on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. The author of White Teeth and On Beauty will read from her new book, “NW: A Novel” and share in conversation with author Hari Kunzru.
Symphony Space is at 2537 Broadway. For more information or tickets, call 212-864-5400 or go to tickets.symphonyspace.org.
