Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts’ 2013-14 season — as in previous years — pulls in music, movement and culture from across the globe while sprinkling in some homegrown talent. The series starts in early October with Cuba’s Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and wraps in April 2014 with the Boise, Idaho-based dance stylings of the inventive Trey McIntyre Project. In between is a variety vortex that includes the Soweto Gospel Choir, musical funsters Capitol Steps and a jump-up-and-dance tribute to soul superman James Brown.
Some of these events have events of their own — master classes or public discussions. Details HERE. The lineup:
OCTOBER
5: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. Several players from the original group (and film) that fanned the flames of popularity for Latin music are still with us (others passed in 2005 or before). Three of the legendary longtimers, including 79-year old trumpeter Manuel “Guajiro” Mirabal, along with new members, make up the 13-member band. 8 p.m.
20: Idan Raichel Project. Keyboardist-composer Raichel, one of Israel’s newest favorite musical sons, has a multi-ethnic approach that’s proving popular. He’s recently worked and toured with India Arie. 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER
1-2: Bale Folclórico da Bahia. Brazil’s 38-member company of dancers, musicians and singers performs a repertory based on Bahian folk dances of African origin, including slave dances, capoeira (a form of martial arts), the samba, and dances that celebrate Carnival. Both performances at 8 p.m.
9: James Brown: Get on the Good Foot. Get up offa that thing and remember the musical moves of the Godfather of Soul. Labeled “a celebration of dance” and featuring Philadelphia’s Philadanco! dance company. 8 p.m.
DECEMBER
7-8: GSU School of Music’s 16th annual Holiday Gala Concert. Seasonal favorites performed by the music faculty and student choruses, orchestra, symphony and jazz band. More than 200 singers and musicians will participate. 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.
JANUARY 2014
TBA: Off the EDGE, Biennial Dance Immersion. Tentatively scheduled for the Jan. 31 weekend. Most details are pending.
FEBRUARY
8: Soweto Gospel Choir. Grammy winners from South Africa, 52 voices strong. The choir, formed in 2002, has won American Gospel Music Award honors. Its newest CD, Divine Decade, came out in March. 8 p.m.
22: Capitol Steps. As these funny folks will be the first tell you, they put the “mock” in Democracy. Returning yet again to Atlanta, the topical tune pranksters and political fun-pundits will offer Fiscal Shades of Grey. 8 p.m.
28: Johnny Mercer Celebration. A tribute to the award-winning, Savannah-born songwriter (“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” lyricist of “Moon River”) and co-founder of Capitol Records. Featuring jazz trumpeter-vocalist Joe Gransden and the sweet power of Basie Orchestra songstress Carmen Bradford. 8 p.m.
MARCH
8: Max Raable & Palast Ochester. A blast from a more elegant past. Berliners who play big band and swing music, although they’ve been known to put a smooth and witty stamp on Brittany Spears and Tom Jones tunes, too. 8 p.m.
29: Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn. A 14-time Grammy winner who’s often been called “the world’s greatest banjo player” comes to the Rialto stage with his wife, another massively talented musician. This could, quite possibly, be an evening of dueling banjos. Original and traditional folk music. 8 p.m.
APRIL
5: Wayne Shorter. This former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and co-founder of Weather Report with Miles Davis has been lauded in all the ways a jazz great can be. The composer-saxophonist turns 80 this year. 8 p.m.
11-13: The Crucible. The GSU School of Music Opera Theater & Opera Orchestra stage an operatic adaptation of the Arthur Miller play. The piece won a Pulitzer in 1962 for composer Robert Ward, who died in April. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.
17: GSU Jazz Band. Led by Gordon Vernick and featuring a guest artist. 8 p.m.
26: Trey McIntyre Project. The music is rock, jazz and classical. The movement is modern dance, energetically infused with ballet and wit. Led by award-winning choreographer McIntyre. 8 p.m.
Subscriptions, on sale now, vary according to event and seat location, but many start at $22. A subscription involves buying tickets for at least four shows and includes discounts. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 1.
Buy tickets online HERE. Alternately, you can call 404.413.9TIX; visit the box office at 80 Forsyth St. N.W.); fax 404.413.9850; or mail P.O. Box 2627, Atlanta, GA30301-2627). Rialto patrons can park free for up to four hours at the Equitable Building deck on Fairlie Street.
