Tacoma Arts Live (formerly Broadway Center for the Performing Arts) boasts a new name but same passion. Looks like they are proving it with their upcoming lineup. There is truly something for everyone.
Catch The Wizard Of Oz tomorrow at Tacoma Arts Live’s Pantages Theater. Can you believe this film debuted eighty years ago? This family favorite is sure to warm your soul. Get tickets and info here.
There truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time, the wonderful WIZARD OF OZ, twists its way into Tacoma! The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production, featuring breathtaking special effects, dazzling choreography and classic songs. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, THE WIZARD OF OZ will blow you away from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you to a dazzling Oz, complete with munchkins and flying monkeys. Don’t miss the chance to travel Over the Rainbow and experience this national treasure on stage.
It is no exaggeration to call Dan Rather the voice of a generation – and in this special evening, he shares a wealth of anecdotes and insightful commentary that is unrivalled in the world of journalism. There is arguably no better placed authority to contextualize the current events of today. Rather is best known as the anchor of CBS Evening News from 1981-2005. He has contributed to the award-winning news program 60 Minutes, and is the author of several notable books, including recent New York Times bestseller What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism. He currently hosts a weekly show on The Young Turks YouTube channel.
On Friday, February 1st at
Part Jimi Hendrix, part James Brown and all New Orleans, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is the bandleader and frontman of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, a hard-edged funk band that employs brass-band beats, rock dynamics
and
improvisation in a jazz tradition. NPR hailed him as “New Orleans’ brightest new star in a generation,” and New York Magazine wrote that “Trombone Shorty takes in a century-plus worth of sounds—ragtime and jazz and gospel and soul and R&B and hip-hop—and attacks everything he plays with festive fervor.”
A 2011 GRAMMY Award nominee for his album Backatown (Verve), Andrews’ virtuosity and high-energy live shows have drawn unanimous raves worldwide with Rolling Stone calling him a “must-see act.” He was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” Class of 2016 for Music along with Selena Gomez, The Weeknd
and Jon Batiste. His illustrated autobiography for young readers, Trombone Shorty, was named a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. Andrews made his feature film debut in 2015—using his trombone to voice the iconic sound of the adult characters in the animated box office smash The Peanuts Movie.
His 2017 Blue Note Records debut Parking Lot Symphony was a 12-track tour de force produced by Chris Seefried (Fitz and the Tantrums, Andra Day) featuring 10 original songs along with covers of Allen Toussaint (“Here Come The Girls”) and The Meters (“It Ain’t No Use”). True to its title, the album contains multitudes of sound—from brass band blare and deep-groove funk to bluesy beauty and hip-hop/pop swagger—and plenty of emotion all anchored, of course, by stellar playing and the idea that, even in the toughest of times, as he says, “Music brings unity.” OffBeat Magazine wrote that “Parking Lot Symphony continues Trombone Shorty’s personal tradition of stunningly good musicianship, crowd-pleasing good material and just plain good fun,” adding that, “Andrews keeps the music close to his heart and his hometown.”
Andrews is passing down his musical knowledge and keeping the New Orleans brass band tradition alive through his own Trombone Shorty Foundation and Music Academy, and since 2014 has worked as a “Turnaround Artist’” with the Turnaround Arts Initiative, a program that helps low-performing schools improve through intensive
arts programs.
Soul Songstress Lilla hits #10 on the UK Pop charts with her original Don’t Stop The Music. And now, she’s back at with the release of the Don’t Stop The Music Eric Kupper Remix, featuring legendary funk guitarist Marlon McCain of Pleasure. The remix mashes the sounds of futuristic, R&B and old-school funk with an insanely danceable beat! The song is available to stream and purchase on all major digital retail outlets. Listen to and share Eric Kupper Remix of Don’t Stop The Music by Lilla via Spotify here and Apple Music here. To pair this release, Lilla created a retro/cutting-edge lyric video, watch here. Over the last year, she has toured throughout the US, performing on festival main stages. From Kingston, Jamaica to Beijing, China, Lilla has recorded and performed with an impressive array of artists, including Nahko and Medicine for the People, Annie Lennox, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding, Ciara, Damian & Stephen Marley, Talib Kweli, Willie Nelson, Mos Def, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Carole King, Kenny G, and more. With her dynamic band and soulful originals, few modern performers bring the class, presence, energy
and talent that Lilla does to the stage. At the age of 6, Lilla taught herself to play the piano by ear, soon after she fell in love with gospel music. In high school, she toured the East Coast with the internationally recognized choir, Royal Blues. At 16 Lilla joined a socially conscious hip-hop band along with Esperanza Spalding. Their original songs pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and jazz. After providing guest vocals for a numerous of hip-hop, R&B and jazz notables, Lilla felt the call to produce an album of her own. This down to earth, kind-hearted young artist infuses her music with passion and soul. She generatesan uplifting energy and she is active in her community. Through her music, education, environmental and charity efforts, she is committed to making a positive impact in the world. Writing, producing and performing her two full-length albums are some of Lilla’s most remarkable accomplishments. Despite the challenges of creating truly original music, the end products are those of uncompromising dedication to music with integrity. Her last album was recorded all over the map, from Bob Marley’s studio (Tuff Gong) in Jamaica to Kfar Saba, Israel. The Awakening is her testament to the power of music and its ability to connect musicians, culture, and people from around the globe. Lilla is excited to share more music this coming fall.
Wanna explore your Steampunk tendencies? You won’t want to miss the Tacoma Arts Live GALA: Benefiting Education through the Arts on Saturday, February 9th at
Journey with us to the Age of Invention, where innovation meets steampunk in all its adventure and wonder in support of education through the arts. An evening in three acts:
Act I: Cocktails, Morsels, and Merriment
Act II: The Great Race & Raffle
Act III: Live Auction and Fund-A-Need + Exquisite dinner, fine wine, and entertainment.The historic Tacoma Armory is our new venue for this fun night. Watch two teams race against the clock while the rest of us cheer them on. As always, we desire that the night’s joyful spirit inspires us all to give. For costumes, think: Great Inventors, Steampunk, or The Age of Invention. Inventive entertainment provided by EnJoy Productions
This fundraising event benefits the Tacoma Arts Live education programs which serve more than 55,000 students, teachers and families annually. Thanks to generous support, no child is ever turned away.
Tacoma Art Live has lots more to offer in upcoming months. Check out their calendar here. Don’t forget to share it with your friends.
