SALON SONGBOOK, LONESOME TRAVELER and More Set for Schimmel Center's 2017-18 Season

Schimmel Center, at Pace University in downtown Manhattan, today announces programming for its 2017-2018 season, consisting of nearly 30 events.

Throughout the upcoming season the Schimmel Center continues its commitment to present critically acclaimed ensembles from around the world, a broad array of family programming, leading folk and rock music artists, award-winning comedians, and eclectic cabaret and dance performances.

Programming highlights include:

- A two night multimedia tribute to the iconic club and 30-year music industry destination The Bottom Line-If These Walls Could Talk: Celebrating the Life and Times of The Bottom Line-on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. featuring music, memories, songs, and stories about how the club influenced and impacted millions of music fans by artists who were regular performers at the club including David Bromberg, David Johansen, Christine Lavin (Saturday only), Darlene Love, Terre Roche (Friday only), Jimmy Vivino and others to be announced. The performances are hosted by Paul Shaffer with music direction by Gregg Bendian, and are curated by Jessica Weitz, Danny Kapilian and Paul Guzzone.

- The world premiere of the Salon Songbook: The Gershwins and Friends on Friday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. honoring the George and Ira Gershwin's song-writing partnership with standards and rarely heard gems, featuring Christine Andreas and others to be announced, curated and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer with music direction by John Oddo and stage direction by Mark Waldrop.

- Singer, actress and comedian Ana Gasteyer in her seasonal solo show, Holiday Tipple backed by her musical ensemble, featuring favorites such as "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and more on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.

- The United States debut of Oslo, Norway's Panta Rei Dance Theatre on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24 in composer Sverre Indris Joner's Lullaby, a contemporary metaphor of current international politics that highlights the talents of three dynamic male dancers taking a journey through friendship, rivalry and raw masculinity, juxtaposed by the melodies of lullabies.

- A performance by experimental flamenco artist Niño de Elche on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. in his latest piece, which is informed by a wide breadth of Spanish musical styles and poetry such as classical zarzuela pieces, versions of Federico García Lorca's songs, the fandangos of Helios Gómez, and the caracoles of Valcárcel Medina, together with flamenco guitar, piano, synthesizers and electronica.

- A concert version of the Off-Broadway musical Lonesome Traveler telling the story of the evolution of American folk music and featuring special guest star Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary on Saturday, May 5.

The season opens on Saturday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. with Pothos-a performance of five New York premieres by Durham, North Carolina's Gaspard & Dancers, founded by former Pilobolus Dance Theater member Gaspard Louis. The pieces examine the human spirit's abilities to survive, re-group, reform, and remain, with Louis' choreography marrying playful physicality with lyrical, athletic partnering.

Additionally, throughout the season Schimmel Center presents artists and ensembles from across the globe including pianist Barry Douglas and the Camerata Ireland chamber orchestra (March 8); Persian / Middle Eastern / Indian electroacoustic super-group Niyaz in its new multimedia initiative The Fourth Light Project (March 10); a double bill with Irish groups Danú and Goitse (March 11); fado singer Ricardo Ribeiro (March 24); Portuguese singer, songwriter and guitarist Lula Pena (March 31); and Persian spiked fiddle master Kayhan Kalhor (May 19).

Families can sing along to the beloved Disney movie Frozen (October 28); be surprised by the intuitive talents by America's master mentalist Jon Stetson (December 10), celebrate Mardi Gras with Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards (February 11); and watch the Mother Goose characters come to life with the New York Theatre Ballet (March 25). For all family programs, pre-concert activities take place an hour prior to event start time in the lobby.

Dance programming includes the world premiere of the American Dance Spectacular! (October 21); the State Ballet Theatre of Russia in The Nutcracker (December 15); and the United States debut of Norway's Panta Rei Dance Theatre in Lullaby (February 23 and 24).

Additional performances include drummer Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer with his New Group (October 6); acoustic folk-pop trio Uncle Bonsai with special guests Lords of Liechtenstein (October 18); a screening of the cult classic Hocus Pocus together with participatory audience components (October 28); a celebration of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tom Paxton's 80th birthday (October 29); a solo show by comedienne Kate Berlant (November 2); Emmy Award winner Rob Mathes with his band in a program of holiday classics and audience favorites (December 17); a collaboration with July Gold and illusionist Elliot Zimet (March 3); a reunion with Tom Chapin and his daughters Lily and Abigail (April 20); and the presentation of the new dramatic musical work The Struggle To Forgive: Confronting Gun Violence in America with the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra together with the world premiere screening of Nick Davis' documentary film "Guns" (May 4).

"Schimmel Center continues to provide a unique experience for audience members with our intimate theatre design, together with opportunities to engage more deeply with the performances on-stage," said Martin I. Kagan, Assistant Vice President, Cultural Affairs at Pace University. "This season, we celebrate the diverse history and culture of New York City that surrounds and contributes to our downtown community, with a special celebration of the singer-storytellers of the 1960s and beyond and the changes they brought, together with performances by some of the leading music and dance ensembles from Spain, Portugal, Norway, Iran, Russia, and Ireland, as well as inspiring family, cabaret and comedy programming."

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2017-18 Schimmel Center Programming:

Gaspard & Dancers
Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Gaspard & Dancers, from Durham, North Carolina-home of the American Dance Festival-celebrates the human spirit's abilities to survive, re-group, reform, and remain, with a program entitled Pothos, featuring five New York premieres featuring choreography combining playful physicality with lyrical athletic partnering by former Pilobolus Dance Theater member Gaspard Louis. This season's dance series is sponsored by the SHS Foundation.

Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Drummer Carl Palmer-known for defining progressive rock with the band Emerson, Lake & Palmer-performs with his new band, capturing all the power of ELP's hits and reinventing them for a new generation.

If These Walls Could Talk: Celebrating the Life and Times of The Bottom Line
Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

If These Walls Could Talk explores the legacy of the iconic club, The Bottom Line, through a multimedia celebration featuring music, memories, songs and stories from some of the club's regular performers including David Bromberg, David Johansen, Christine Lavin (Saturday only), Darlene Love, Terre Roche (Friday only), Jimmy Vivino and others to be announced, together with host Paul Shaffer. The program is curated by Jessica Weitz, Danny Kapilian and Paul Guzzone with music direction by Gregg Bendian.

Uncle Bonsai
With special guests Lords of Liechtenstein
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Acoustic folk-pop trio Uncle Bonsai debuts songs from their latest album and ninth release, The Family Feast: The Study of the Human Condition, First World Problems, and the Lasting Physiological and Psychological Effects of Eating Our Young, together with special guest Lords of Liechtenstein.

American Dance Spectacular!
Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The world premiere of the American Dance Spectacular! explores the 20th century's flashiest dances, ranging from the Charleston and Lindy hop, to the jitterbug, the twist and voguing. The production is created and directed by Daniel C. Levine (Broadway's Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!), with choreography by Al Blackstone (Fox's So You Think You Can Dance), together with music direction by Bryan Perri (Broadway's Wicked and Next to Normal) and book by Susan Batten (Lifetime's Showing Roots). This season's dance series is sponsored by the SHS Foundation.

Salon Songbook: The Gershwins and Friends
Friday, October 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The world premiere of the Salon Songbook: The Gershwins and Friends pays tribute to the most successful sibling song-writing partnership, that of George and Ira Gershwin, featuring their standards and rarely heard gems, in addition to some of Ira's collaborations with Harold Arlen and Jerome Kern. The world premiere concert, hosted and curated by Deborah Grace Winer with music direction by John Oddo and stage direction by Mark Waldrop, features Christine Andreas (La Cage aux Folles, The Scarlet Pimpernel) and others to be announced.

Frozen Sing-Along
Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

Disney's hit film, Frozen-about a snow queen, her devoted sister and an adorable talking snowman-is shown on the big screen together with a sing along, and character "meet and greets" with Anna and Elsa in the lobby beginning at 2:00 p.m. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.

Hocus Pocus
Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The camp cult classic Hocus Pocus, about three 17th century witches who find themselves back from the dead in late 20th century Salem, Massachusetts, is shown on the big screen. The evening also includes three Sanderson sister drag impersonators, a costume contest and a riotous dance party with pre-show happenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby with cash bar available for those 21 and older.

Tom Paxton
with The DonJuans
Don Henry and Jon Vezner
Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Iconic singer-songwriter and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon Tom Paxton celebrates his 80th birthday, teaming up with the Grammy winning duo The DonJuans-Don Henry and Jon Vezner. Collectively, their songs have been covered by Harry Belafonte, John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, John Denver and Bob Dylan, among others.

Kate Berlant
Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Actor, stand-up comedian and writer Kate Berlant, previously named as one of Variety's "Top Ten Comics to Watch" and Comedy Central's "Comics to Watch" presents her solo show.

Ana Gasteyer: Holiday Tipple
Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Singer, actress and comedian Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live, Netflix's Lady Dynamite, ABC's The Goldbergs), celebrates the holiday season together with her musical ensemble with favorites such as "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and more.

Jon Stetson: America's Master Mentalist
Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

America's master mentalist Jon Stetson demonstrates his extreme powers of intuition, honed as the main consultant on the hit CBS show The Mentalist, together with his unique blend of humor and mysticism. Pre-show activities take place in the lobby beginning at 2:00 p.m. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia in The Nutcracker: A Ballet in Two Acts
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia's traditional staging of the perennial classic The Nutcracker is complete with a lavish set, stunning costumes, dancing snowflakes, and marching toy soldiers, set to the traditional Tchaikovsky score. This season's dance series is sponsored by the SHS Foundation.

The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m.

Emmy winner and Grammy and Tony-nominated arranger/composer, music producer/director, and singer/songwriter Rob Mathes returns with his band of all-star musicians, including instrumentalists from Saturday Night Live and the Late Show with David Letterman featuring an afternoon of funk and R&B-laden original tunes, holiday classics, and audience favorites.

Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.

Children's jazz artists, Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards celebrate Mardi Gras and the musical culture of New Orleans with original tunes, alongside some of the greatest songs from Creole folk music, blues, ragtime, jazz, and swing. Pre-concert Mardi Gras activities-including mask decorating, a photo booth, and a "Rex parade"-take place in the lobby, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.

Panta Rei Dance Theatre
Lullaby
Friday, February 23, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Known for their fast-paced, colorful and theatrical choreography, Oslo, Norway's Panta Rei Dance Theatre makes its United States debut in composer Sverre Indris Joner's Lullaby, a contemporary metaphor of current international politics that highlights the talents of three dynamic male dancers who take a journey through friendship, rivalry and raw masculinity, juxtaposed by the melodies of lullabies. This season's dance series is sponsored by the SHS Foundation.

Magically Hysterical
Starring Judy Gold and Elliot Zimet
Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Award-winning comedian Judy Gold, known for her acclaimed HBO, Comedy Central, and Logo network stand-up comedy specials, joins master illusionist Elliot Zimet (America's Got Talent) for a brand new evening of magic and laughter.

Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland
Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Acclaimed pianist Barry Douglas and the Camerata Ireland chamber orchestra, comprised of many of the country's finest musicians, perform an intimate program of well-known classics, in addition to Irish musical surprises.

Niyaz: The Fourth Light Project
Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

The Fourth Light Project combines live music and sacred whirling dance with interactive technologies and advanced projection and body-mapping techniques. The newest program of the highly acclaimed Persian/Middle Eastern/Indian electroacoustic super-group Niyaz, features vocalist and composer Azam Ali, and multi-instrumentalist and composer Loga Ramin Torkian. The program is curated by Isabel Soffer/Live Sounds.

Danú and Goitse
Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Danú-known for its high-energy performances and mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire and hailing from counties Waterford, Dublin, Donegal and Cork-is featured on a double bill with Goitse, a leader of the new generation of traditional Irish ensembles that has been recently named Live Ireland's "Traditional Group of the Year".

Niño de Elche
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Niño de Elche combines flamenco singing and toque with performance art, poetry, improvisation, minimalism, rock and electronics. He performs his latest piece, which is informed by a wide breadth of Spanish musical styles and poetry such as classical zarzuela pieces, versions of Federico García Lorca's songs, the fandangos of Helios Gómez, and the caracoles of Valcárcel Medina, together with flamenco guitar, piano, synthesizers and electronica. The program is part of the Flamenco Festival and is curated by Isabel Soffer/Live Sounds.

Kathleen Madigan
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Winner of the American Comedy Award for "Best Female Comedian," Kathleen Madigan presents her solo show. She has performed on nearly every standup television show ever made including Leno, Letterman, Conan, and Ferguson throughout her 28 year career.

Ricardo Ribeiro
Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Award-winning fado singer Ricardo Ribeiro collaborates with his ensemble-Carlos Manuel Proença (fado guitar), Daniel Pinto (acoustic bass), and José Manuel Neto (Portuguese guitar)-for a performance of traditional and contemporary works. The concert is part of the NY Fado Festival and is curated by Isabel Soffer / Live Sounds.

New York Theatre Ballet in Mother Goose
Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.

The beloved Mother Goose characters, including the three blind mice, Little Bo Peep, Jack and Jill, and the Three-Legged Goose, come to life through the New York Theatre Ballet's presentation with choreography by Keith Michael. Pre-show activities begin at 2:00 p.m. in the lobby.

Lula
Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Portuguese singer, songwriter and guitarist Lula Pena blends fado roots with the colors of Portuguese folk music, French chanson, Cape Verdean morna, and Brazilian bossa nova with deeply emotional songs that cross borders from Andalucia to Greece and Sardinia to America. The performance is part of the NY Fado Festival and is curated by Isabel Soffer / Live Sounds.

Tom Chapin and the Chapin Sisters
Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

With a career spanning five decades, 25 albums and three Grammy Awards, Tom Chapin collaborates with daughters Lily and Abigail Chapin, known for their pristine harmonies and haunting melodies, together with Jon Cobert and Michael Mark, in a concert featuring original and traditional American roots music, together with a few songs by the late