2011 Performing Arts

April 1 at 7 pm & 10 pm  RITZ JAZZ JAMM Tickets: $21/advance, $25/day of show.
Ritz Theatre & Museum, 632-5555, www.ritzjacksonville.com
April 1 at 8 pm PUNCH BROTHERS FEATURING CHRIS THILE Collecting five singular abilities and viewpoints into one musical force, Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile, have established their place among the most dynamic and talented presences across the full range of contemporary music-making. As performing and recording artists, composers and interpreters, technicians and stylists, they continue to push the boundaries of possibility while maintaining an unerring devotion to the basic audience experience. Tickets: $25- $30. Florida Theatre, 355-2787, www.floridatheatre.com
April 1- 2 SYMPHANTASY Steven Reineke (conductor), Stars of the Symphony: Peter Wright, Marci Gurnow and Artie Clifton (clarinets), James Jenkins (tuba). Enjoy popular classics and sparkling melodies such as Clarinet Polka, Largo al Factotum (“Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!”) on tuba (!), 1812 Overture and more. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, 354-5547, www.jaxsymphony.org
April 3 at 8 pm KATHY GRIFFIN Chicago native, Kathy Griffin, is a multi-faceted performer with a rapid-fire wit. After her various TV guest spots, Kathy began gaining notice as a stand-up comedienne and landed her own HBO Half Hour Comedy Special. In 2005, her Emmy award-winning reality show, Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List, debuted on Bravo to rave reviews. Tickets: $50.50- $80.50. Florida Theatre, 355-2787, www.floridatheatre.com
April 3 at 3 pm FIRST COAST WIND ENSEMBLE The First Coast Wind Ensemble continues the great American tradition of community bands and wind ensembles. This special benefit performance for the THCA Endowment features guest soloist Rich Ridenour performing George Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue.’ Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, Orange Park, 276-6750, www.thcenter.org
April 6- May 22 SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Goin’ courtin’ has never been as much fun as in this rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie. Bursting with the rambunctious energy of the original film is all boisterous fun and romance that harkens back to the glory days of the movie musical. The Alhambra, 641-1212, www.alhambrajax.com
April 6 at 7:30 pm THE 5 BROWNS A youthful, all-American quintet of brothers and sisters, each a virtuoso concert pianist, the 5 Browns have swept the classical world. The “Fab Five” bring together five distinctive and discriminating keyboard talents, honed at New York’s Juilliard School, where for five consecutive years they studied simultaneously before they hit on the idea of casting their lot together as a unique quintet of classical pianists, performing on five pianos and in various ensemble combinations. Times-Union Center- Jacoby Hall, 632-3373, www.artistseriesjax.org
April 6 at 7:30 pm Jazz: Acoustic Awakenings As an intimate nightclub experience, this event will celebrate the ultimate art of musical communication by small chamber jazz groups by featuring student & faculty jazz ensembles. JU’s Sam Marks Chapel, 256-7345, www.ju.edu/programs/music/events.aspx
April 7 at 7 pm  SPOKEN WORD Free to the public. Ritz Theatre & Museum, 632-5555,
www.ritzjacksonville.com
April 7- 8 SIMPLY SINATRA Simply Sinatra with Steve Lippia brings a performer who has become one of the most prominent, in-demand vocalists and has quickly established his place among the finest interpreters of “standards” and traditional pop music in the nation. April 7 at 7:30 pm and April 8 at 8 pm. FSCJ’s Wilson Center, 632-3373, www.artistseriesjax.org
April 7- 10 DISNEY ON ICE: LET’S CELEBRATE Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 630-3900, www.jaxevents.com
April 8 at 7:30 pm Nordic Fusion Michael Butterman (conductor), Claudia Minch (English horn). Set sail on a Nordic adventure with a smorgasbord of delicacies and music from Scandinavia. Enjoy Grieg’s soundtrack to the fantastic folklore and raucous satire of Peer Gynt, Sibelius’ mythical swan song on the Tuonela featuring the JSO’s Claudia Minch, and the heroic anthem that inspired patriotic fervor and ultimate triumph for the people of Finlandia. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, 354-5547, www.jaxsymphony.org
April 8 at 7:30 pm  AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE RITZ Tickets: $5.50. Ritz Theatre & Museum, 632-5555, www.ritzjacksonville.com
April 9 at 3 pm A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE The musical story of the singer who defined the term “crossover hit” by simultaneously dominating country, blues, pop and gospel charts. Considered America’s favorite tribute, it features 21 of Patsy’s hits including ‘Walkin’ After Midnight,’ ‘I Fall to Pieces,’ ‘Crazy’ and ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee.’ Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, Orange Park, 276-6750, www.thcenter.org
April 10 JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN’S CHORUS Celebramos Concert. Guest artist Cuartelo del Sur. Times Union Center Jacoby Hall, http://jaxchildrenschorus.com
April 14 at 7:30 pm GREGORY POPOVICH: COMEDY PET THEATER The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets. Each of the show’s 15 cats and 10 dogs were once strays, rescued from animal shelters. Now, they love to show off onstage- by performing a variety of stunts and skits! It’s a show that both adults and kids of all ages enjoy. Tickets: $30/adults, $20/children. Florida Theatre, 355-2787, www.floridatheatre.com
April 14 YANNI IN CONCERT Yanni and his world class musicians will take the stage to perform his greatest instrumental hits made famous in his shows from the Acropolis in Greece, the Taj Mahal in India, the Forbidden City in China and the Royal Albert Hall in England. The live show will also introduce music from Yanni’s new album Truth Of Touch. This is Yanni returning to his roots with a live performance that will deliver old and new fans the very best of Yanni and his music. Times-Union Center- Moran Theater, 632-3373, www.artistseriesjax.org
April 14- 15 The Planets Fabio Mechetti (conductor), Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. If this isn’t heaven in a concert hall, then here’s as close as it gets! Holst’s spectacular sonic space journey embodies the mystical voices of the planets. Vaughan Williams (in friendly competition with Holst) declares the ultimate triumph of the soul’s destiny, set to the poetry of Whitman. The “more gifted” of the Strausses (according to brother Johann) waltzes in with celestial sounds. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, 354-5547, www.jaxsymphony.org
April 15 at 8 pm PILOBOLUS Surrender to the magic of Pilobolus, the world’s most innovative modern dance ensemble. Based on a combination of physical strength and beauty, its artistry and signature moves involve entangled bodies that resemble a sort of living sculpture- one that moves constantly, defying gravity and entertaining audiences with both humor and the magnificence of human form. Times-Union Center- Moran Theater, 632-3373, www.artistseriesjax.org
April 15 at 11 am & 7:30 pm THE OLD CITY STRING QUARTET Bryan Lee and Joel Link (violins), Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (viola), Camden Shaw (cello). Friday Musicale, 355-7584, www.fridaymusicale.com
April 15- 30 GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres- Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, a stripper on the run, comes between Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband- storms begin to brew. Players by the Sea, 106 6th St N, 249-0289, www.playersbythesea.org
April 29 – May 14 CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE STAKES It’s a very special day at the racetrack, when track regular “Champagne” Charlie has had a race named in his honor. Charlie decides to place his life’s savings, “the whole she-bang” on the race, to the dismay of those closest to him. The play is a heart-warming comedy about love, integrity and growing old gracefully. Theatre Jacksonville, 396-4425, www.theatrejax.com
April 29 at 7:30 pm CHANTICLEER The much revered ensemble, described as “the world’s reigning male chorus,” (The New Yorker) returns for a third time to Beaches Fine Arts for what is certain to be an unforgettable evening. St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 1150 N 5th St, Jacksonville Beach, 270-1771, www.beachesfinearts.org/