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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present Australia's premier classical-crossover group, The TEN Tenors, on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 10 and 11.
Celebrated for their colorful repertoire, breathtaking arrangements and powerful live performances, The TEN Tenors respectfully tip their hats not only to the great classical composers, but to contemporary music's most popular artists. Making their Scottsdale debut, The TEN Tenors will perform Home for the Holidays, a unique selection of traditional and new seasonal favorites, including soaring versions of "Joy to the World," "White Christmas," "Amazing Grace" and "Winter Wonderland," among many others.
In addition to The TEN Tenors, the Center's December lineup is filled with family-friendly holiday entertainment ranging from classical piano masterpieces to mariachi and big band standards.
On Tuesday, Dec. 1, acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel will open his 37th season of Keyboard Conversations in Scottsdale with Music of Joyous Celebration. Honoring the 40th anniversary of the Center, Siegel's program will include uplifting music of Bach, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Liszt and others, along with his insightful commentary from the stage.
The 2015 ARTrageous Benefit Gala on Saturday, Dec. 5, will feature the talents of Tony and Emmy Award winner Martin Short. Since his breakout season on Saturday Night Live almost 30 years ago, Short has won rave reviews for his many roles on television, film and the stage. An energetic combination of songs, videos, bits and sketches, this musical evening of comedy showcases everything that Short does best, bringing together many of the characters who made him famous.
Internationally recognized for its signature brand of electroluminescent artistry and poignant storytelling, New Orleans' Lightwire Theater will perform A Very Electric Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 6. This captivating and magical tale of adventure, friendship and love is a wonderful opportunity to bring families together to enjoy timeless Christmas classics, including songs from some of today's most popular artists.
Starring Patti Hannon, the hit comedy Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold will return by popular demand for a limited engagement, Dec. 11 to 20. A sequel to the popular Late Nite Catechism comedies, the show finds the tart-tongued, ruler-wielding nun Sister in an unusually jolly mood as she teaches her students the story of the Nativity and asks for their help to solve the greatest Christmas caper ever.
Led by Maestro Jose Hernandez, the platinum-selling Sol de Mexico will perform A Merri-Achi Christmas, a night of treasured holiday favorites and selections from the mariachi songbook, on Friday, Dec. 18. A proud fifth generation mariachi musician, Maestro Hernandez and Sol de Mexico have broken countless barriers in mariachi music, becoming the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
One of the greatest big bands in history, the legendary Count Basie Orchestra will perform swinging songs of the season during two concerts on Saturday, Dec. 19. Now under the leadership of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart and featuring vocalist Carmen Bradford, the band is a dynamic mix of new and longtime members, including several handpicked by Basie himself.
Tickets for all events are available through www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or 480-499-TKTS (8587).
The award-winning stores at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) will be open throughout Small Business Saturday and will offer more selections of one-of-a-kind artist-made jewelry along with imaginative toys, inspiring recycled/upcycled objects from around the world, furnishings for home and office, and music, books, and greeting cards. Shoppers will also enjoy 10-percent off holiday cards, a free raffle and free admission to SMoCA that day. Gift-wrapping and shipping are also available. More information is available at 480-874-4644.
Since opening in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of voices and perspectives, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of dance, music, theater, comedy and film from around the world. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted by the Center annually, serving approximately 250,000 participants. The Center's education and outreach programs reach 25,000 students and adults each year. Events take place in the state-of-the-art, 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater, recognized for its intimacy, acoustics and comfort, as well as the 137-seat Stage 2 and neighboring 1,800-capacity Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located on Scottsdale Civic Center Park, a 21-acre urban oasis next to the city's Old Town and gallery districts.
