JUST ANNOUNCED
Video Games Live is returning to Massey Hall this October. Disclaimer: Video Games Live is not a live Lana Del Ray performance. Instead it’s a symphonic orchestral experience where the music of your favourite video games are brought to life. This year’s presentation is all new and includes tunes from a diverse array of games like Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Warcraft, Earthworm, and of course, Zelda. Tickets to ourFriendsFirst members go on sale on Wednesday (tomorrow!) and to the public on Friday.
PERFORMANCES
The Amazing Kreskin (Tonight – Tuesday): As mentioned in last week’s Buzz post, we are fortunate to have not one, but two, presentations by The Amazing Kreskin with the second happening tonight (Tuesday) at Glenn Gould Studio. If you haven’t yet had a chance to see The Amazing Kreskin, now is your chance! As he is the World’s Foremost Mentalist – the performance promises to showcase some seriously impressive stuff.
Kellylee Evans (Friday): Kellylee Evans is the recipient of the 2011 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her album fittingly entitled Nina (fitting, as it’s a homage to the wonderful Nina Simone) and prior to that a nominee in the same category in 2007. Earlier this year Ms. Evans also announced the exciting news that she signed to Universal Music (which the CBC show All in a Day points out is the same label as Canadian cohorts Diana Krall, Shania Twain, and Justin Bieber.) So suffice it to say that she’s got some fans who know music – come check out what everyone else is talking about on Friday at Glenn Gould Studio.
John Pinette (Postponed): This event, originally scheduled for April 27, has been postponed.
If you’ve missed it, this has been a week of very exciting show announcements. The Coles’ Notes:
A second Sam Roberts Band show will now take place on June 4 (again, with special guest Zeus) – tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday and FriendsFirst members have access to tickets starting Thursday. Sam Roberts bands’ new album Collider makes itself available for purchase on May 10 – which gives you lots of time to study it thoroughly prior to the two concerts but if you can’t wait until then, the first single “I Feel You” is now available on iTunes.
And, Bill Maher hits Massey Hall’s stage on Saturday, September 24. Bill Maher has made a name for himself with his commentary and take on world events and issues. A comedian first starting in 1979, Maher gained fame from his television shows Politically Incorrect (1993-2002) and more recently on HBO’s Real Time earning 22 Emmy nominations. Tickets for Maher go on sale to the public on Friday, April 15 and for FriendsFirstmembers on Wednesday. Want to know more about the FriendsFirst program? Check this out.
But there’s more! We’ve just announced that Kellylee Evans will be joining the bill as special guest to Dianne Reeves’ show this Saturday (details below). Evans just won a Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her release Nina, a tribute to jazz giant Nina Simone. You can check out video of Evans over on her website.
Not enough you say? Challenge accepted! We just announced the 11|12 Virtuoso Performances series line-up for the 2011-2012 Season. We’ll start the year by welcoming back Maestro Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Orchestra featuring Georgian pianist Alexander Toradze. Then in the spring we welcome Yundi (formerly known as Yundi Li), winner of the 200 Chopin International Piano Competition. Yundi will showcase his prowess at the work of Chopin and will also be performing works by Chinese composers (full program TBA). The series concludes with the duo-recital of bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff and tenor Michael Schade accompanied by Justus Zeyen on piano (who accompanied Measha Brueggergosman at Roy Thomson Hall on her November recital). The program features lieder selections of Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. You can read all about the series here and order subscriptions through our box office now.
Soundboard is the official community of musicians, music fans, and friends of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Canada. It’s your behind-the-scenes source for related music news, recommendations, and rewards.
