Wolf Trap Announces Initial Lineup of The Barns at Wolf Trap's 2017-18 Season

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts today announced the first performances of the 2017-2018 season at The Barns at Wolf Trap, its historic 382-seat indoor venue.

"The Barns is an intimate, casual space that provides the perfect atmosphere to experience pure, raw artistry," said Arvind Manocha, President and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation. "This season, Wolf Trap fans can relax and unwind while getting an up close and personal look at legends, diverse traditional and non-traditional musical styles, and many new and unique artists."

In keeping with Wolf Trap's mission, The Barns at Wolf Trap 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. Composed of two 18th-century barns made of hand-hewn wood beams and panels, The Barns opened in 1981 and is well known for providing a distinct and impressive musical experience with its acoustic excellence and striking architecture.

Among the initial slate of shows in the 2017-2018 season, 16 artists make their Wolf Trap debuts - including country artist Joan Shelley who opens the season on October 8th; American drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Max Weinberg, contemporary blues rockers Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Grammy nominated Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson, Mexican psychedelic jazz band Troker, Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco Peña, a cappella group The Bobs, R&B and soul singer Son Little, Pakistani cross-cultural jazz group Sachal Ensemble, country singer and Maryland native Maggie Rose, Norwegian neo-soul singer Bernhoft, Bhangra-funk fusion group Red Baraat, indie country artist Justin Townes Earle, and Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura.

Returning favorites include bluegrass group Mountain Heart, country rock singer-songwriter JD Souther, legendary husband-wife jazz duo Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, fiddle swing group The Quebe Sisters, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Crosby with the David Crosby & Friends Tour, folk singer Loudon Wainwright III, Broadway star Aaron Tveit, and Grammy Award-winning South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Chamber Music at The Barns opens with a performance from the series' 2017-2018 Artistic Advisor, violinist Lara St. John with pianist Matt Herskowitz. Curated by St. John, the season features programs of core classical repertoire mixed with folk influences. The series includes performances by the Attacca Quartet-one of America's premier young ensembles; clarinetist David Krakauer with his frequent collaborator, pianist Kathleen Tagg; The New York Festival of Song celebrates Bernstein at 100; John Corigliano 8.0-an all-star birthday spectacular to honor American composer John Corigliano's 80th birthday; and more.

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, Look Both Ways Before Talking; 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 5 and will continue through December, with public on-sales following on Fridays.

Advance tickets go on sale to Wolf Trap Foundation members beginning Wednesday, August 9. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, August 11.

Special thanks to Dan and Gayle D'Aniello, Wolf Trap 2017 Season Underwriters.