Valley Performing Arts Center Announces 2016-17 Season! Eight

ValleyPerformingArtsCenterAnnounces2016-17Season!EightoriginaleventsonlyseenatVPACHighlightsincludeaspecialVPACJohnAdamsCelebration,Fouronstagesymphonicorchestras,threeBroadwaymusicals,fourLatinmusicevents,andtwoclassicsilentfilmswithliveorchestras(LosAngeles,CA)May6,2016-Followingthesuccessoftherecord-breakingandcelebratoryFifthAnniversarySeason,theaward-winning1,700-seatValleyPerformingArtsCenterwillpresentauniquemixofmusicaltheatre,orchestralandclassicalmusic,dance,jazzandLatinmusicforits2016-17Season.ThorSteingraber,VPAC’sExecutiveDirector,todayannouncedcompletedetailsoftheseasonthatwillpresent44performancesandwillopenonSeptember30,2016andrunthroughMay13,2017.TheseasonincludesfourfamilySundaymatineesandaseriesofworldmusicanddanceperformances,withafocusonAfricaandAsia.“ThisisastorybookseasonforVPAC,”saysVPAC’sExecutiveDirector,ThorSteingraber,“andlikeastorybook,it’saseasonthatcelebratesculturalnarrativesfromaroundtheworldaswellastheglobalcommunitiesfoundinLosAngeles.”SteingraberfurtheremphasizeseightoriginalperformancesthatVPACwillpresent,manythatrelyuponthetalentsofLAandSouthernCaliforniaartists.“Nothingisasimportanttomeasourgrowingpartnershipswithlocalartists.AstheseartistsfindahomeontheVPACstage,newaudiencesfollowthem.Thissymbioticrelationshipbetweenartistsandaudiencesisessentialinbuildingasustainableandvitalorganization,andthisisoneofthereasonswesawsignificantgrowthinourFifthAnniversarySeason.Personally,myfocusisaskeenlyfocusedonthelobbyasitisonthestage;buildingabroadaudience,attractingayoungcrowd,andgenerallycreatingavenuethatactsasthemoderntownsquare.TheCSUNcampusistheidealbackdropforthiskindofvision.”WatchtheVPAC2016-17SeasonTrailer,withhighlightsincluding:

• IncoordinationwithLAPhilharmonic,VPACoffersamonth-longcelebration–TheAgeofAdams–ofAmericancomposerJohnAdamsathis70thbirthdayfeaturingtwoLA-basedmusiccollectives,wildUp,conductedbyChristopherRountree(February16)andJacarandaMusicwithaprogramcuratedbyPatrickScott(January14),aswellasguestartiststheSt.LawrenceStringQuartet(February3)performingthequartetAdamscomposedspecificallyforthem.

• Esa-PekkaSalonenbringshisPhilharmoniaOrchestra,LondontoVPAC’sexpansivestage(October5);theSt.PetersburgPhilharmonicperformsShostakovich’sSymphonyNo.5(March16),andthenation’smostlaudedchambermusicrepertorycompany,ChamberMusicSocietyofLincolnCenter,bringsitsperennialperformancesofBach’sBrandenburgConcertos(December13).Praisedbyartistsandaudienceforitshall’skeenacoustics,VPACcontinuesitsgrowthasaprimaryLApresenterforvisitingandinternationalsymphonicorchestras.

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• EmmyandTonyAward-winningTyneDalystarsinaone-nightonlyconcertperformanceofJerryHerman’sDEARWORLD,whichopenstheseason(September30)andwillbefollowedbyTonyWinnerKelliO’Hara(October14)inconcert.FullproductionsofWESTSIDESTORY(March10-12)andMANOFLAMANCHA(May5-7)roundouttheseason,bothco-presentedwithMcCoyRigbyEntertainment.

• VPACstrengthensitscommitmenttoLatinaudienceswithfourperformances,turningitsfocusto

someofthemostgroundbreakingyoungartistsinthisfield,includingseveralwomenwhoareredefiningLatinmusic:AidaCuevas,the‘QueenofRanchera’withReynadelosAngeles,theLA-basedall-womenmariachiband(October16)andMexican-AmericansingerLilaDownssingsonabillwithLatinGrammywinningMonsieurPeriné(April22);LasCafeteraswillheadline,HechoenLAfeaturingspecialguestsandcompañeros(December9)andapre-PresidentialelectioncelebrationcreatedbyCultureClash,VOTEORDIELAUGHING,APost-ModernPoliticalVaudeville,directedbyDanGuerrero(November1)thatwillfeatureseveralofLA’smajorLatinomusicstars.

• VPAC’scommitmenttoHollywood’slegacycontinuesincollaborationwithNewWestSymphony.Together,theypresenttwosilentfilmsaccompaniedbyfullorchestra-CharlieChaplin’s1936classicMODERNTIMES,screenedwithaliveperformanceofChaplin’sownoriginalscorewithcontributionsfromtwofilmmusiclegends,AlfredNewmanandDavidRaksin,conductedbyTimothyBrock.BusterKeaton’ssilentfilmclassicTHEGENERALisperformedwithanewscoreconductedbyRichardKaufman.

• OnlyatVPAC,aspecialtributetothelegacyofoneofAmerica’smostinfluentialartists--Martha

GrahamDanceCompanywillperformMARTHAGRAHAMANDAMERICANMUSIC,anentireeveningofGrahamoriginalsperformedwithlivemusiciansplayingsomeofthemostnotablemusicalpiecescommissionedbyMarthaGrahamherself.ChristopherRountreewillconductwildUp.AspenSantaFeBalletentersitssecondyearresidencypresentinganewworkbyLAchoreographerChericeBarton,co-commissionedbyVPAC.

• Buildingonitssuccesshostingjazzorchestras,VPACannouncesaNewBigBand&JazzSeriesthat

openswiththegreatJazzatLincolnCenterOrchestrawithlegendarymusicianWyntonMarsalis(October8).ThemostrecentGrammywinnerforBestLargeJazzEnsemble,MariaSchneiderbringsherorchestratoVPAC(February22).Cappingtheserieswillbea90thBirthdayCelebrationforValleyfavoriteDocSeverinsen(April13).

• HolidayofferingsincludingViennaBoysChoir(December2),Handel’sMessiahwithTrinityWall

StreetChoirandBaroqueOrchestra(December7),Danú,FéileNaNollag(AChristmasGathering)(December11),andTheHotSardines’HolidayStomp(December17).

TicketsforinitialseriesofferingsgoonsaleMay10;additionalseriesgoonsaleJune20.SingleticketsalesbeginTuesday,July5.Forticketandsubscriptioninformation,visitValleyPerformingArtsCenter.orgorcall(818)677-3000.ValleyPerformingArtsCenterislocatedonthecampusofCaliforniaStateUniversity,Northridge(CSUN),18111NordhoffStreetNorthridge,CA91330-8448,atthecornerofNordhoffandLindley.

ValleyPerformingArtsCenter2016-17SeasonBIGBAND/JAZZSERIESStepoutinstyle.VPAClaunchesitsfirstBigBandandJazzOrchestraseries.ThesonicfireworksofthebigbandsoundwillraisetheroofatVPAC.JazzatLincolnCenterOrchestrawithWyntonMarsalisSpecialappearancebyCSUNJazzABand

October8,2016|7pmWyntonMarsalisandtheJazzatLincolnCenterOrchestrareturntoVPACfortheofficialseasonlaunch.Theacclaimedartist,performer,composer,educator,bandleader,andnine-timeGrammyAwardwinnerstretchesacrossallgenrestocreateabodyofworkthatplaceshimamongtheworld’smostinfluentialandimportantartists.MariaSchneiderOrchestraFebruary22,2017|8pmMariaSchneider’smusichasbeenhailedbycriticsas“evocative,majestic,magical,heart-stoppinglygorgeous,andbeyondcategorization.”Sheandherorchestrabecamewidelyknownin1994whentheyreleasedtheirfirstrecording,“Evanescence.”SchneiderandherorchestrahaveadistinguishedrecordingcareerwithtwelveGrammynominationsandfiveGrammyAwards,andmultiplehonorsfromjazzjournalistsaroundtheworld.VPACCelebratesDoc’s90thDocSeverinsenandHisBigBandApril13,2017|8pmTheformerbandleaderfortheNBCOrchestra/TheTonightShowisgoingstrong.SeverinsenjoinedVPACtocelebrateitsopeningin2011.Nowit’sourturntocelebratehim.JoinusforDoc’s90thBirthday!He’lldeliverablastcertaintoblowouteverycandleonhiscake.“NotfarfrombeautifulDowntownBurbankistheequallybeautifulVPAC.It’sthejeweloftheValleyandmyfavoritevenue."–DocSeverinsenTheSummit:TheManhattanTransferandTake6February9,2017|8pmTheManhattanTransferhasremainedanimportantpartofmusicalhistoryforoverfortyyearswiththeirmelodicandjazz-infusedvocals.Thelegendaryquartethaswon10GrammyAwardsof20nominationsandhasbeeninductedintotheVocalGroupHallofFame.BROADWAYATVPACTyneDalyinJerryHerman'sDearWorldDirectedbyDavidLeeMusicDirectorMichaelOrlandSeptember30,2016|8pm*VPACOriginalEventCurtainsupontheformidabletalentofTonyandEmmy-winningactressTyneDaly.RealizingherlongtimedreamatVPAC,DalystepsintotheroleofCountessAureliainthetoo-seldomseenmusicalDearWorld,withmusicandlyricsbyJerryHerman,creatorofHelloDolly!andMame.DalyfollowsinthefootstepsofAngelaLansbury,whooriginatedtheroleonBroadway.VeteranproducerSuziDietzhasbroughtHermanandDalytogetherforaone-nightconcertrenditionofthishiddengem.MusicDirectorMichaelOrlandmakeshisVPACdebutfollowing14yearsonTVsensationAmericanIdol.“Ican’twaittobringCountessAureliatolifeinVPAC’sglorioustheater!”–TyneDalyAnEveningWithKelliO'HaraOctober14,2016|8pmTheNewYorkTimescallsheroneof“ourgreatestre-interpretersofmusicalstandards.”SinceshelastappearedatVPAC,shescoredaTonyAwardforherperformanceinTheKingandI.Broadway’sfavoritefresh-facedingénueperformssomeofhermostbelovedBroadwaytunes.WestSideStory

BookbyArthurLaurentsLyricsbyStephenSondheimMusicbyLeonardBernsteinMcCoyRigbyEntertainmentMarch10,2017|8pmMarch11,2017|3pm&8pmMarch12,2017|3pmFollowingthecurrentcollaboration,Dreamgirls,VPACandMcCoyRigbyEntertainmentteamuptopresentoneofthegreatestmusicalsofalltime,WestSideStory.Caughtbetweenprejudiceandwarringstreetgangs,TonyandMariafindloveontoughstreetsofNewYorkCity.Fromthefirstnotetolast,composerLeonardBernsteinandlyricistStephenSondheimcraftedanenduringscorethatincludes“Tonight,”“Maria,”“Somewhere,”“Something’sComing,”and“America.”ManofLaManchaBookbyDaleWassermanLyricsbyJoeDarionMusicbyMitchLeighMcCoyRigbyEntertainmentMay5,2017|8pmMay6,2017|3pm&8pmMay7,2017|3pmManofLaMancha,oneofthemostpopularAmericanmusicals,tellsthepoignantstoryofDonQuixoteandhispursuitof“TheImpossibleDream.”HisdreamisEveryman’sdream.HistiltingatwindmillsisEveryman’sadventure.CLASSICALMUSICPhilharmoniaOrchestra,LondonPrincipalConductor&ArtisticDirector,Esa-PekkaSalonenOctober5,2016|8pmEsa-PekkaSalonen,thewunderkindmaestroandcomposerwhochangedthefaceofclassicalmusicinLosAngeles,returnshome.Salonen’sorchestraforthepasteightyears,thePhilharmoniaOrchestrafromLondon,hasgainedareputationforbeingoneofthemostexcitinganddaringensemblesintheworld.TheytakethestageatVPACfortheironlyconcertinLosAngeles.ReturningtohisFinnishroots,SalonenleadstheorchestrainSibeliusSymphonyNo.5.BeethovenSymphonyNo.3SibeliusSymphonyNo.5ChamberMusicSocietyofLincolnCenterBach'sBrandenburgConcertosDecember13,2016|8pmThereisnobettershowcaseforthepristineacousticsofVPACthanBach’sBrandenburgConcertos.MakingitsVPACdebut,ChamberMusicSocietyofLincolnCenterundertheartisticdirectionofDavidFinckelandWuHanisthenation’spremierrepertorycompanyforchambermusic.TheNewYorkersaiditis“thestandard-bearerforchambermusicinGotham.”TheWallStreetJournalsaid,“cellistDavidFinckelandpianistWuHanhaveforgeditintoanunstoppableentity—anexplodingstarinthemusicalfirmament.Itsdirectorsseemincapableofanythingbutsuccess.”St.PetersburgPhilharmonicOrchestraYuriTemirkanov,ArtisticDirector&ChiefConductorGarrickOhlsson,pianoMarch16,2017|8pm

TheultimateRussianprogramwillstiryoursoul.OneofEurope’sfinestorchestras,theSt.PetersburgPhilharmonicOrchestra,ledforover20yearsbylegendaryYuriTemirkanov,performstheepicShostakovichSymphonyNo.5.BrahmsPianoConcertoNo.1ShostakovichSymphonyNo.5ColburnOrchestraLudovicMorlot,GuestConductorSymphonieFantastiquebyBerliozApril2,2017|3pmContinuingthetraditionoffreeconcerts,VPACbringsbackoneofthenation’sleadingyoungorchestrastoperformSymphonieFantastique,Berlioz’1830masterpieceaboutthehauntingobsessionofunrequitedlove,whichLeonardBernsteinoncedescribedas“psychedelic.”Seriessubscribersareguaranteedtheirregularseatsforthisfreeconcert.THEAGEOFADAMSAJOHNADAMSBIRTHDAYCELEBRATIONCelebratingthe70thBirthdayofCalifornia’smusicalgiantVPACjoinstheLosAngelesPhilharmonicandensemblesfromLondon,Paris,NewYorkandSanFranciscotocelebratethevastworkofthegreatestlivingorchestralcomposerwhohascalledCaliforniahishomefornearlyfivedecades.AllthreeAdamsprogramswillbeintimate,onstageperformances.That’sright,theaudiencejoinstheartistsonstage,sittingup-closeforarareandpowerfulexperience,uniquetoVPAC.JacarandaMusic&VPACPresentAMERICANBERSERKACelebrationofJohnAdamsCuratedByPatrickScottJanuary14,2017|8pm*VPACOriginalEventKickingoffamonth-longcelebrationofcomposerJohnAdams,JacarandachambermusicseriescomestoVPACfromitshomeinSantaMonica.JacarandatracesAdam’spianisticrootsfromCreolemusic,Ragtime,andJazz–theyallcometogetherintheAdamspianosoloAmericanBerserk.St.LawrenceStringQuartetFebruary3,2017|8pmTheSt.LawrenceQuartetperformsthequartetthatAdamscomposedspecificallyforthem,pairedwiththeBeethovenquartetthatinspiredit.Adam’sQuintetNo.1Beethoven’sStringQuintetinAminor,Op.132“Ifgoodrelationshipsarebuiltontrust,thebondbetweentheSt.LawrenceStringQuartetandcomposerJohnAdamsisamarriagemadeinchamber-musicheaven.”–TheWashingtonPostwildUpChristopherRountree,ConductorFeaturingHallelujahJunction&ShakerLoopsbyJohnAdamsFebruary16,2017|8pm*VPACOriginalEventThewildUp,ledbyChristopherRountree,conceivedaconcertthatpairsAdamstranscendentalmusicwiththemusicofAdams’hero,CharlesIves.“OneofthebestmusicalexperiencesinLA.”–TheNewYorkTimes

“WeaddedsomepunkrocktohonorJohn’swildside”–ChristopherRountreeSILENCEAMPLIFIEDTheoriginalkingsofcomedy–CharlieChaplinandBusterKeaton–debutonthelargescreenatVPAC,accompaniedbytheNewWestSymphony.ThisisessentialAmericana,andrequiredHollywoodviewing.CharlieChaplin'sMODERNTIMESTimothyBrock,ConductorNewWestSymphonyNovember18,2016|8pmCharlieChaplin’sModernTimes(1936)isarichandmovingsatireontheMachineAge.ChaplinfallsinlovewiththeyoungwaifplayedbystarletPauletteGoddard.Chaplinalsowrotethemusicalscore—withcontributionsfromtwofilmmusiclegends,AlfredNewmanandDavidRaskin—forthecomedy,atatimewhenhiscreativeenergieswereattheirpeak,demonstratingaprofoundabilitytorevealhischaracters’motivesthroughmusic.BusterKeaton’sTHEGENERALRichardKaufman,ConductorNewWestSymphonyMarch25,2017|8pmRegardedasthegreatestofallcomediesofthesilentera,BusterKeaton’sTheGeneral(1927)isanaction-packedadventurestorysetagainstthebackdropoftheCivilWaraboutabravebutfoolishtrainengineer,thewomanheloves,andhisbelovedlocomotive.CSUNalumRichardKaufmanreturnstoVPACtoconduct.DANCEATVPACAspenSantaFeBalletNewWorkbyChericeBartonMarch3,2017|8pm*VPACOriginalEventAspenSantaFeBalletisknownforitstechnicallydazzlingdancersaswellasitscommitmenttoemergentchoreographers.TheypartnerwithVPAC,inyeartwooftheirresidency,toco-commissionanewpiecebyLosAngeleschoreographerChericeBarton.Hermuch-laudedchoreographyforKatyPerry’sperformanceatlastyear’sGrammyAwardsgainedBartonworldwideattention.TheversatilechoreographeralsohasthechopstocreateanewpiecebyAmerica’smostreveredcontemporaryballetcompany.MarthaGrahamandAmericanMusicMarthaGrahamDanceCompanyChristopherRountree,ConductorwildUpMay13,2017|8pm*VPACOriginalEventVPACExecutiveDirectorThorSteingraberandMarthaGrahamArtisticDirectorJanetEilberjoinforcestopresentarareopportunitytoexperiencetheMarthaGrahamCompanyperforminganentireprogramwithliveorchestra.Graham’srevolutionarychoreographywasbornoutoftheinteractionbetweenlivemusicandmovement.TheprogramincludescompositionsbyScottJoplin,SamuelBarber,andCarlosChavez.Continuingthetradition,JanetEilberaddsabrandnewcommissiontotheGrahamrepertory,Woodland,composedbyIrvingFineandchoreographedbyPontusLidberg.ChristopherRountreewillleadwildUpintheorchestrapit.“Grahamcommissionedover70musicalscoresfromvirtuallyeveryimportantcomposerofherday”–JanetEilber

HECHOENLASAMÉRICASCenterstagearethefemalevocalistsandmusicianswhoarere-shapingLatinmusic.AidaCuevaswithMariachiReynadelosAngelesOctober16,2016|7:30pmAidaCuevas’37albumshavesoldoversevenmillioncopiesandearnedherthetitle“QueenofRanchera.”VPAChaspairedthesoloartistwiththetrail-blazingall-femaleMariachigroup,ReynadelosAngeles,inapowerfulcombinationthatunravelsthemale-dominatedperspectiveinMexicanmusicandre-weavesacolorfulnewtapestry.HechoenLA:LasCafeteraswithspecialguestsandcompañerosDecember9,2016|8pmLasCafeterascreateavibrantmusicalfusionwithauniqueEastLAsoundandacommunity-focusedpoliticalmessage.TheirAfro-Mexicanrhythms,zapateadoandinspiringlyricstellstoriesofacommunitywhoislookingforloveandfightsforjusticeintheconcretejungleofLosAngeles.AremixoftraditionalSonJarochosounds,LasCafeterasaddAfro-Caribbeanmarimbolandcajón,poetryinEnglishandSpanglish,andinstrumentslikejarana,requinto,adonkeyjawboneandawoodenplatformcalledtheTarima.LilaDownswithMonsieurPerinéApril22,2017|8PMToppingthechartsfor20years,multiGrammyAwardwinnerLilaDownsdeliversapowerfulmixofpopandMexicanindigenoussounds.Shehasoneoftheworld’smostsingularvoicesandinnovativeapproachestohervocalartistryandmusic,whichhasmanyinfluencesandisasvariedastheancientculturesthatserveasherinspiration.Lila’scompositionsareoftenstrikingcommentariesonsocialconditions,reflectingmigrationandthesearchforrootsasacorehumanneed.Shemakesanimportantanddeepconnectionwithherfans,whoareofallages,races,andbackgrounds.“Iamveryfortunate,”Downssays.“Peoplewhofollowourmusicbelongtoallwalksoflife.Everydayweconnectwiththem.”DownssharestheeveningwithMonsieurPeriné,“JazzGypsiesofBogota.”Theystiramixofswing,pop,alt,salsaandnativeColumbianrhythms.SPECIALELECTIONYEAROFFERINGVOTEORDIELAUGHINGAPost-ModernPoliticalVaudevilleCultureClashwithSpecialGuests:LaSantaCecilia,CristelaAlonzo,Buyepongo,PacificoDanceCompany…andmore!DirectedbyDanGuerreroNovember1,2016|8pm*VPACOriginalEventThe2016electiontrailhasbeenharrowingandhilarious.Nobettertimetosendintheclownsofpoliticalsatire–CultureClash!TheboysarebackintheValleyjustoneweekbeforetheelection.JointhemtocelebrateDiadelosMuertoswithsomeofthemostdaringartistsofourtime,CarpaMexicanaforthepoliticallyinclined.RichardMontoya,RicSalinasandHerbertSiguenzaleadtheLA-basedCultureClash,nowsurpassingtheir5000thperformance,shiningalightonthebrownrainbowandgivingvoicetothevoiceless.HOLIDAYOFFERINGSForthefirsttime,VPACoffersafullmenuofholidaydelicacies.Hailingfromtheworld’swintryclimes-Ireland,Vienna,andNewYork.Everyseriessubscriptionentitlesyoutoafreeticketforaholidayconcert.ViennaBoysChoir

ChristmasInViennaDecember2,2016|8PMStretchingacrosssixcenturies,fewholidaytraditionsaresteepedinsomuchhistory.ChoirofTrinityWallStreetTrinityBaroqueOrchestraJulianWachner,DirectorHandel’sMessiahDecember7,2016|8PMHandel’sMessiahdeliveredbyNewYork’spremierechoralensembleandBaroqueorchestra.“Blazingwithvigor,”sayTheLondonTimes.DanúFéileNaNollag(AChristmasGathering)December11,2016|3PMHailingfromCountiesWaterford,Cork,Dublin,andDonegal,thisistherealMcCoy!Somefancyfiddlin’andsteppin’willwarmuptheholidays.TheHotSardinesHolidayStompDecember17,2016|8PMInthetalentedhandsoftheNewYork-basedensemble,musicfirstmadefamousdecadesagocomesalivethroughtheirbrassyhornarrangements,rollickingpianomelodies,andvocalsfromachanteusewhotransportslistenerstoadifferenterawiththemereliltofhervoice.OnFrenchFries&Champagne,TheHotSardines’newalbumforUniversalMusicClassics,thejazzcollectivebroadensitsalreadyimpressivepalette,combiningcoversandoriginalsastheyeffortlesslychannelNewYorkspeakeasies,ParisiancabaretsandNewOrleansjazzhalls.TheseambassadorsofswingwilldeliverawhitehotChristmasthatwillmakeyourofficepartyseemdownrightdull.“Simplyphenomenal!”TheLondonTimesand“OneofthebestjazzbandsinNYtoday.”ForbesWORLDTheRaviShankarFoundation&Opus3ArtistsPresentBickramGhosh’sDrumsofIndiaOctober6,2016|TBDFromancientIndiacomesitsheartbeat,DrumsofIndia,featuringtheinternationallyrenownedtablaplayer,BickramGhosh.Thissix-personensembleexplorestheworldofIndianpercussioninanelectrifyingeveningofdrummingandvocalizing,withaddedsitar.RagamalaDanceCompanyWritteninWaterCo-ArtisticDirectorsRaneeRamaswamy&AparnaRamaswamyPremaRamamurthy&AmirElSaffar,ComposersOctober29,2016|8pmAmother-daughterduoleadtherenownedIndianensemblethatcombinesthesacredandtraditionalwiththemodernandinventive.“Rapturousandprofound.”–NewYorkTimesTheNileProjectFebruary24,2017|8PMRepresenting11nationssharingtheNileRiver,thesemusicalambassadorsexploretheimportanceoftheworld’swaterways,atopicasrelevantforCaliforniaasitisforAfrica.

TajExpressTHEBOLLYWOODMUSICALREVIEWApril19,2017|8pmTajExpressexplodeswiththesoundsofIndiaandBollywood,capturingthevibrant,expressivespiritoftheworldofBollywoodmoviesthathavebeenentertainingbillionsofpeopleinIndiaforgenerations.Throughafusionoffilm,dance,andmusic,thisdazzlinginternationalsensationwilltakeaudiencesonalivecinematicjourneythroughmodernIndiancultureandsocietyduringtheir2017UStour.FAMILYPilobolusShadowlandOctober2,2016|3pmSeenbyhalfamillionpeopleworldwide,Shadowlandfollowsthestoryofayounggirlcomingofage,afunnyandsensationaljourneytoldwithPilobolus’signaturefusionofshadow,theatreanddance.“Punchy,thrillingandslick,”TheGuardian(London)AkramKhanCompanyChottoDeshSunday,November20|3pmVPACpresentsChottoDesh,Bengalifor“smallhomeland,”amythicaltaleofoneyoungman’sdreamsandmemories,broughttolifebyinteractiveanimationsandthestagingofAkramKhan–recognizedasoneofBritain’smostimportantartists,andcontributortotheLondon2012OlympicOpeningCeremony.Hansel&GretelMusicalbyJustinRobertsandErnieNolanFairyTalebyTheGrimmBrothersMicahChambers-Goldberg,AnimatorDirectedbyMichaelMatthewsSunday,January22|3pm*VPACOriginalEventVentureintotheforestwithHanselandGretelastheytrytooutwittheWitchinthepremiereoftheVPAC-producedchildren’smusicalfeaturingoriginalmusicbysongwritersuperstarJustinRoberts,withimaginativeanimatedbackdrops.Opus3ArtistsPresentSHAOLINWARRIORSTHELEGENDCONTINUESSunday,February19|3pmShaolinWarriorsisauniqueshowperformedbymastersofKungFu.Inthisfullychoreographedtheatricalproduction,ShaolinWarriorsbringstheremarkableskill,stunningmovementanddeath-defyingmartialartsprowesstostagesthroughouttheworld.TheKungFumastershavetrainedfromaveryyoungageinmentalandphysicaldisciplines,perfectingtheartofhand-to-handandweaponscombat,whichallowthemtoperformfeatsoncethoughtonlypossibleinthemovies.SPECIALEVENTSJohnOnoLennonTheFabFauxCelebrateALifeinSongswithTheHogsheadHorns,TheCrèmeTangerineStrings,ErinHill,JimBoggiaandBurbankVoicesNovember5,2016|8PMVPACwelcomesbackanaudiencefavoriteforacelebrationofthelifeandmusicofJohnLennon.TheFabFauxissurelythemostmeticulous,virtuosic,andreverenttributeband.Inarareengagement,theybringtoLosAngelestheentireLennonsongbook,fromtheearlyharmony-drivenworks,tothepsychedelic

explorations,tohiscontemplative,maturesoloworks.Backedbyfullchorus,strings,winds,andhorns,TheFabFauxtakesusonatripdownPennyLane.SerjTankianPerformingwithCSUNSymphonyElecttheDead&OrcaSymphonyComposedbySerjTankian*VPACOriginalEventNovember10,2016|8PMWithavocalrangeoverfouroctaves,SerjTankianisconsideredoneofthegreatestvocalistsinmetalhistory.Tankianisbestknownforfrontingthepopularrockband,SystemOfADown.Butthesongwriter,poet,painter,producer,andpoliticalactivisthasaddedorchestralcompositiontohislonglistofaccomplishments.Tankianwillperformvocalswithonasuiteofpieceshehascomposed,performedbytheCSUNOrchestra,underthedirectionofJohnRoscigno.AboutValleyPerformingArtsCenterNowenteringitssixthseason,VPAC'smissionistopresentawidevarietyofperformancesthatnotonlyincludesnewandoriginalworkfromtheLosAngelesregion,butalsoworkfromaroundtheworldthatappealstoallofLA'srichanddiversecommunities.TheValleyPerformingArtsCenter’s2016-17Seasonsignalsaneweraforthepremiereeventvenue.UndertheleadershipofExecutiveDirectorThorSteingraber,VPACexpandsitsprogrammingandoutstandingmulti-disciplinaryperformances.LocatedonthecampusofCaliforniaStateUniversityNorthridge,VPAC’sseasonoffersavibrantanddiverseperformanceprogramofnearly50classicalandpopularmusic,dance,theater,familyandinternationaleventsthatwillservetoestablishVPACastheintellectualandculturalheartoftheSanFernandoValleyandfurtherestablishitselfasoneofthetopartscompaniesinSouthernCalifornia.Theaward-winning1,700-seattheatrewasdesignedbyHGAArchitectsandEngineersandwasrecentlycitedbytheLosAngelesTimesas“agrowinghubforlivemusic,dance,dramaandotherculturalevents.”PressContacts:TimChoy,NikiBlumberg,Davidson&ChoyPublicity

323-954-7510|t.choy@dcpublicity.com;n.blumberg@dcpublicity.comGaryW.Murphy,PublicRelationsConsultant310-914-0178|gmurphypr@gmail.com

Photos:Clickhereforphotosfromthe2016-17Season:http://www.valleyperformingartscenter.org/press/press-photos/