Wolf Trap Announces Initial Lineup of The Barns at Wolf Trap's 2016-2017 Season

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts today announced the first 66 performances of the 2016-2017 season at The Barns at Wolf Trap, its historic 382-seat indoor venue. See below for a complete calendar of events and ticketing information.

"Music-making is a deeply personal process - one that's made all the more extraordinary in the right setting. The Barns is an intimate, pure space that puts the focus squarely on these incredible artists," said Arvind Manocha, President and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation. "Wolf Trap fans can relax, unwind, and experience a uniquely 'insider' look at some of the finest musicians and artists of our day."

With its intimate charm, The Barns at Wolf Trap is a unique and impressive musical experience. Composed of two 18th-century barns made of hand-hewn wood beams and panels, The Barns opened in 1981 and is well known for its acoustic excellence and striking architecture. In keeping with Wolf Trap's mission, The Barns' schedule highlights artistic exploration and accessibility to a broad range of music lovers. Artists span musical genres, from rock, jazz, blues, country, classical and world music.

Among the initial slate of shows in the 2016-2017 season, jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater opens the season on October 5; Washington-area jazz, lounge, swing, pop band Chaise Lounge perform standards and original tunes; Willie Nile returns with his folk-rock favorites; music icon Art Garfunkel returns for three rare and intimate performances; Solas celebrates 20 years of Celtic music; most-charted adult contemporary artist Jim Brickman performs his original pop-style; The Bad Plus mixes post-60s jazz and indie rock; the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC comes together for a night of chamber music, Broadway, and everything in-between; and forward-thinking Branford Marsalis Quartet performs jazz music with a stellar guest vocalist Kurt Elling in his Wolf Trap debut.

Twelve artists make Wolf Trap debuts, including Grammy, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning stage and screen icon Patti LuPone; world-renowned Indian tabla player Bickram Ghosh with his ensemble Bickram Ghosh's Drums of India; superstar drummer and Prince protégée Sheila E.; and folk rocker and former front man of Great Big Sea Alan Doyle. Wolf Trap debuts also include Washington, D.C.-based American roots band Bumper Jacksons; screen and stage star Aaron Tveit; virtuosic Ethiopian vocalist Mahmoud Ahmed; Malian Grammy-winning poet-guitarists Tinariwen, and member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble and acclaimed bagpiper Cristina Pato.

Chamber Music at The Barns celebrates its 20th season with a lineup curated by the acclaimed Emerson String Quartet, the series' 2016-2017 Artistic Advisors. Throughout the season, members of the quartet will perform alongside artists they have hand-selected for the series, and the full Quartet comes together for a performance in celebration of both the 20th anniversary Chamber Music at The Barns season and the 40th anniversary season of the Emerson String Quartet. The season opens with three of the most lauded names in chamber music - pianist Wu Han, violinist and Emerson Quartet member Philip Setzer, and cellist David Finckel. The nine concert series highlights both established classical artists and young new talents, including piano duo Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung; Wolf Trap Opera alumna Ailyn Pérez; and trumpeter Tine Thing Helselth's all-female brass ensemble, tenThing.

The Barns also hosts performances that go beyond music and into comedy and dance - including Chicago's legendary improv troupe The Second City with their newest production, We're All in This Room Together; a spotlight on India with the return of an Evening of Indian Dance; and Grammy-nominated Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies, who blend beautiful vocals and step dancing.

For a complete listing of all 66 performances, please visit WolfTrap.org/Barns.

Additional performances will be announced every two weeks on WolfTrap.org, on Wolf Trap's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels, and through email newsletters (sign up at WolfTrap.org/email). Announcements will take place on alternating Tuesdays beginning September 6, with public on-sales following on Fridays.

Wolf Trap members are invited to purchase their tickets for announced performances beginning Wednesday, August 10, in advance of public on-sale. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, August 12.

Special thanks to Dan and Gayle D'Aniello, Wolf Trap 2016 Season Underwriters.

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