Reston Community Center (RCC) proudly announces the 2016–2017 Professional Touring Artist Series at the CenterStage. The season includes an exciting mix of new artists and those that Reston has come to know and love. Tickets are available now at the box office.
“I am excited to bring you the very best in performing arts with the Professional Touring Artist Series,” says RCC Director of Arts and Events Paul Douglas Michnewicz. “From the country melodies of Kathy Mattea to the other-worldly harmonies of Le Mystére des Voix Bulgares; from the hilarity of William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) to the poignant Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim America, you will be enthralled, enchanted and inspired with this CenterStage season.”
Each year RCC offers more than 2,000 positive, self-development experiences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Reston.
The Professional Touring Artist Series 2016–2017 season includes:
The Acoustic Living Room:
Songs and Stories with Kathy Mattea, featuring Bill Cooley
Saturday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston)
Grammy Award-winning country singer Kathy Mattea brings her unmistakable voice to Reston with an intimate evening of stories and acoustic songs. Guitarist Bill Cooley joins her on beloved classics such as 18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses and Where’ve You Been?
2016 National Heritage Award Fellows at the Reston Multicultural Festival
Saturday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza (Free and open to the public)
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. RCC is proud to welcome two fellows to the annual Reston Multicultural Festival: Irish accordionist Billy McComiskey and soul/blues/gospel musician Sherman H. Holmes.
Billy Collins: United States Poet Laureate 2001–2003
Wednesday, September 28 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
Dubbed the most-popular poet in America by The New York Times, Billy Collins presents his conversational poems that can welcome readers with humor but often slip into quirky, tender or profound observations about the everyday, reading and writing, and poetry itself. Presented in conjunction with the Fairfax Fall for the Book Festival.
Turtle Island Quartet presents A Love Supreme: The Legacy of John Coltrane
Saturday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston)
Turtle Island Quartet returns to explore John Coltrane’s jazz epiphany, A Love Supreme. The quartet explores how art can transcend time with their rendition of a piece that was recorded in the 1960s when the country was deeply troubled by the searing issues of race and war.
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Saturday, October 8 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
Since forming in 1975, BeauSoleil’s musicians have become well-known for taking the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blending them with elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more in a satisfying musical recipe.
Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity, presented by Ping Chong & Company
Wednesday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
This interview-based theatre production explores the diverse experiences of young Muslim New Yorkers. The five participants vary in many ways, but share the common experience of coming of age in a post-9/11 New York City during a time of increasing Islamophobia.
Sherri L. Edelen in The Men I Love
Thursday, November 10 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
This Helen Hayes and Barrymore Award-winning actress brings her powerhouse voice to a cabaret performance where she weaves standards, Broadway and pop tunes into a personal and hilarious evening about the men in her life.
Theater Alliance Presents: Black Nativity by Langston Hughes
Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston)
Back by popular demand, Theater Alliance performs this retelling of the Christmas story from an Afro-centric perspective, infused with rich gospel, blues, funk, jazz and dance. Don’t miss this acclaimed troupe’s spirited Langston Hughes holiday classic.
Mr. Vaudeville and Friends Presents: Happy Vaudeville Holidays!
Sunday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m. ($5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston)
RCC’s resident funnyman Mark Brutsché returns as Mr. Vaudeville for an adventure-filled afternoon of music, mayhem and laughter in this hilarious holiday performance.
The Pursuit of Harmony, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation and All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS)
Saturday, January 14 at 8:00 p.m. ($5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston)
Renowned Jewish-American songwriter Michael Hunter Ochs and award-winning Muslim Palestinian peace activist/songwriter Alaa Alshaham present an inspiring evening of music and conversation as these unlikely friends retrace their steps between Israel and Palestine.
Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist presents the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Keynote Address
Monday, January 16 at 12:00 p.m. ($5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston)
Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who has witnessed first-hand how the media influences American culture. He joins us for a keynote address in the CenterStage to share his perspective and understanding of race relations which will be followed by Reston’s annual community lunch.
TAARKA
Sunday, January 22 at 3:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
TAARKA is an acoustic ensemble of violin, mandolin, guitars, bass and vocals that combines high-energy performance, rock energy and master musicianship in a repertoire of Celtic, bluegrass, jazz and classical music.
New York Festival of Song: The Picnic Cantata/Dinner at Eight
Saturday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
NYFOS returns to Reston for with an evening of music that revisits a quiet masterpiece, The Picnic Cantata, and presents two world premieres from Pulitzer Prize-winning opera composer William Bolcom and singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane.
What’s Going On: The Marvin Gaye Project, in partnership with Dance Place
Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
Taking inspiration from 1971’s iconic Marvin Gaye album, choreographers Vincent E. Thomas, Ralph Glenmore and Sylvia Soumah provide fresh perspective on life, love and social justice. Gin Dance Company joins in this special collaboration.
Lúnasa
Friday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
An RCC tradition returns to the CenterStage with inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves that have steered Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory.
Raul Midón
Wednesday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
Midón returns to the CenterStage following the upcoming release of his latest album. Blind since infancy, he uses his songwriting and other musical talents to shatter stereotypes while establishing himself as one of music’s most distinctive and searching voices.
Rebollar Dance presents Sacred Profane, in partnership with Dance Place
Wednesday, April 5 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
Set to original music, pop songs and classical music, this evening of dance engages women of diverse ages, cultures and ethnicities to create an all-encompassing feminist work. At times delving into human rights issues and at times celebrating the irreverent joy of sisterhood, the women of Rebollar are always moving.
Trout Fishing in America
Sunday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m. ($5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston)
This infectious mix of folk/pop and family music is enriched by the diverse influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical music. TFIA is a CenterStage favorite of fans of all ages. Since forming in 1979, Keith and Ezra have produced 15 albums and received four Grammy Award nominations.
Dana and the Glorious Birds
Sunday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
Dana Louise astonishes audiences with her vibrant, melodic vocals, adept finger-picking and cool sound. She is joined by the Glorious Birds, which includes Keith and Ezra (her father) of Trout Fishing in America.
Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares
Saturday, April 15 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$35 Non-Reston)
With bell-like voices that seem to float lightly through space, this group of Bulgarian women have enchanted audiences for 50 years with their hypnotic chants and folk song harmonies and arrangements that have been heard around the globe.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company® presents William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged): A Reston Premiere
Friday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
Saturday, April 22 at 8:00 p.m. ($25 Reston/$50 Non-Reston)
The “bad boys of abridgment” are back to take on an ancient manuscript that proves to be the long lost first play written by none other than 17-year-old William Shakespeare from Stratford. We are totally not completely making this up.
Happenstance Theater Company presents BrouHaHa
Wednesday, May 17 at 8:00 p.m. ($15 Reston/$20 Non-Reston)
This troupe of clown-esque eccentrics is on the precipice at the end of the world. Their curiosity lights up the darkness with a funny and poetic escapade inspired by images of refugees fleeing on foot, Edwardian workers, cinematic treasures and existential comedy.
Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place at the CenterStage, located at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
Box Office Business Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday:
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Two hours prior to curtain time for each performance
Additional information about each of the performances is available online at www.restoncommunitycenter.com or 703-476-4500.
