The next week is a big one for music lovers. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has two performances this weekend. The Davidson Bach Festival returns for a second year. The Winston-Salem Symphony is back in action, too. And we have another WDAV Small Batch concert coming up. So, without further ado, let’s dive into FanFare!
Buona Sera!
CoMMA* Performing Arts Center (401 S. College Street, Morganton) presents Three Italian Tenors on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 p.m. Direct from Rome, tenors Giovanni Maria Palmia, Ugo Tarquini, and Alessandro Fantoni will be accompanied by pianist Fabrizio Mocata as they perform a program of memorable classics. March 6.
Smetana & Ravel
Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* are back at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for two big performances on Friday, March 6th and Saturday, March 7th at 7:30 p.m. The program includes Bedrich Smetana’s stirring Vltava from Má vlast; Charlotte-based composer Malek Jandali’s Clarinet Concerto, with soloist Taylor Marino; and Clarice Assad’s vibrant Sin Fronteras. The evening closes with Maurice Ravel’s Boléro accompanied by a film showcasing the dynamic spirit of the Queen City. You can also join Christopher James Lees, CSO General Manager & Vice President of Artistic Planning Scott Freck, Principal Clarinetist Taylor Marino, and composer Malek Jandali for a pre-concert chat at 6:30 p.m. March 6-7.
Bach is Back
The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra* is bringing the Davidson Bach Festival back to Davidson College Presbyterian Church (100 N. Main Street, Davidson) for a second year, March 6th through 8th. The three-day event will celebrate a variety of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works, including music for solo instruments, vocal music, concertos, chamber music, and an organ recital. You can even join the NCBO for a “Bach’s Lunch” open rehearsal. And this year, you have the option of purchasing a convenient All Festival Pass. March 6-8.
She’s Alive!
The Charlotte Youth Ballet* will be performing the 1870 comic ballet Coppélia with music by Leo Delibes at CPCC’s Dale F. Halton Theater (1206 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte), March 6th through 8th. The storybook ballet follows Swanilda and Frantz into the workshop of the eccentric inventor Dr. Coppélius, where he has created a life-like mechanical doll. All performances are matinees. March 6-8.
CSYO Spring Concert
The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras are presenting their Spring Concert at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, March 7th at 3 p.m. Conductor Ian Passmore will lead the Youth Symphony for Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The Youth Camerata will perform selections from Beethoven’s and Bruckner’s Seventh Symphonies, as well as Leroy Anderson’s Irish Suite.Under the direction of Katie Ebert, the Youth Philharmonic will join with the Camerata to perform music from the blockbuster, Pirates of the Caribbean. The Philharmonic will also perform Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” from The Planets. March 7.
Remembering Rob Reiner
The Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is honoring the memory of the great filmmaker Rob Reiner with a double feature of two of his most beloved films on Saturday, March 7th. At 1 p.m., it’s Stand by Me, based on Stephen King’s story. After a brief intermission, that will be followed by the quintessential romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Fun Fact: In the famous deli scene, Rob Reiner’s mother delivered the punchline, “I’ll have what she’s having.” March 7.
Beethoven + Borodin
The Winston-Salem Symphony* and Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus return to Reynolds Auditorium (301 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston Salem), March 7th and 8th. The program will begin with Ludwig van Beethoven’s electric Eighth Symphony. Charles Griffes’s Poem will feature principal flutist Kathryn Levy, who’s celebrating her 50th season with the WSS. That will be followed by Quinn Mason’s recent Princesa de la Luna. Alexander Borodin’s beloved Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor cap off the concert. March 7-8.
From the Studio to the Stage
Nexus Jazz, led by WDAV’s own trumpet-playing evening host, Keenan Harmon, will be at the Stage Door Theater (155 N. College Street, Charlotte) on Sunday, March 8th at 2:30 p.m. The group will be performing new music from their upcoming recording project. March 8.
Lauding Loonis
Carmel Presbyterian Church (2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte) is presenting The Gospel According to Jazz, on Sunday, March 8th at 3 p.m., honoring the life, music, and enduring influence of legendary pianist, composer, and broadcaster Loonis McGlohon. Hosted by WDAV’s Frank Dominguez, this tribute concert will feature a selection of McGlohon’s sacred and secular works. Performers include vocalist Maddy Winer, the Rick Bean Trio, and the McGlohon Tribute Choir under the direction of John Stafford. The event is open to the public and admission is free. March 8.
Versatile Veronica
Middle C Jazz (300 S. Brevard Street, Charlotte) is hosting jazz and bebop vocalist Veronica Swift for two shows on Sunday, March 8th at 4 and 7 p.m.Veronica is a singer who can do it all, from blues to opera, heavy metal to vaudeville, and just about everything in between. She has toured with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Swift has also sung multiple songs with Postmodern Jukebox, and her most recent project is a hard rock band called DAME. March 8.
Suffragette City
Blumenthal Arts* is presenting the passionate and funny Tony-Award winning musical, Suffs, at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), March 10th through 15th. The powerful production explores the triumphs and failures of the struggle for equality and the women who fought for the right to vote. March 10-15.
Geek Chic
What is “geek chic?” It’s one way to describe the music of Phoenix Down RPG. You can also call it “alternative classical music.” We just call it exciting. The Charlotte-based wind ensemble is headlining WDAV’s next Small Batch concert at Free Range Brewing (2320 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte) on Thursday March 12th at 7 p.m. You’ll hear several of their distinctive sounds, like Oboetronica and Klezmertron. And bring your smart phone for a video game-themed round of “Name That Tune.” Each $20 ticket comes with a souvenir pint glass filled with the Free Range beverage of your choice. “Pay-What-You-Can” and no-cost ticket options are also available. March 12.
Sips & Nibbles
- 13th Annual Wine About Winter: Visit participating local shops, restaurants, and businesses in downtown Salisbury while tasting wines from around the world and Rowan County’s very own wineries. 21+ only, ID required. March 6.
- 6th Annual CLT Donut Festival: Enjoy sweet treats from more than 10 of Charlotte’s favorite donut purveyors, along with cocktails, craft beer, and seltzers at Norfolk Hall. March 8.
Be sure to visit our WDAV Events Calendar for even more things to see, do, and taste. New events are popping up all the time!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: CoMMA, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Charotte Youth Ballet, Carolina Theatre, Winston-Salem Symphony, and Blumenthal Arts are WDAV underwriters.