Issuu

CENTER STAGE SERIES 2021–22

Welcome

to the 2021–22 Center Stage Series! What a joy it is to write that sentence as I look at the photo of our empty theatre, above. The prolonged intermission we've just experienced has left me with a deep gratitude for the act of gathering with you, and for the life-affirming gift of the performing arts. We present this world-class season (plus a school show and a new afternoon family concert) with high hopes that audiences will be ready to return to the theatre with confidence. Please know that we'll keep you apprised of public health and safety protocols, as well as offer flexible seating arrangements, refunds in case of cancellation, and other accommodations as needed. Whether you opt for all five shows (for a 15% discount and first choice of your favorite seats) or choose individual tickets by show, I hope you're as excited as we are for the return of the Center Stage Series. Join us, and let the sights and sounds of the performing arts light up your year. Warmly,

Kristen Underwood Director of Campus Programming

tickets.luther.edu

Cover photo credit: Peter Frank Edwards

All performances are held in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College.

October 5 November 6 February 25 March 12 April 1

Ranky Tanky Cantus Right in the Eye Goitse Brubeck Brothers Quartet School Performance: Freedom Riders Family Show: The Okee Dokee Brothers Center Stage Dinner Series Ticket Office Ticket Sales Event Parking Special thanks to N

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 15

Photo credit: Peter-Frank-Edwards

2021

“Soulful honey to the ears.” —NPR

Ranky Tanky

Tuesday, October 5 • 7:30 p.m.

Winner of the 2020 Grammy Award for Regional Roots Album, this spectacular quintet celebrates music born from the Gullah culture of the South Carolina coast. Reg. • Sr. • Youth The Gullah people are a tight-knit community, mostly descendants of slaves who have kept West African culture alive for generations through art and music. Ranky Tanky has brought this tradition to a national audience, soaring to the top of the charts with playful game songs, ecstatic shouts, heartbreaking spirituals, and original songs inspired by Gullah tradition.

Tickets $28/26/15

Sponsored by

tickets.luther.edu

2021

Cantus

Saturday, November 6 7:30 p.m.

The highly acclaimed men’s vocal ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming, and engaging repertoire, which ranges from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Washington Post hailed Cantus for its “exalting finesse” and the “spontaneous grace” of its music-making. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the group nothing short of “exquisite.” Based in Minneapolis, with strong ties to Luther College, Cantus delivers the vocal experience for which the Center for Faith and Life was built.

Tickets $27/25/15

Reg. • Sr. • Youth

Sponsored by

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

2022

Right in the Eye a ciné-concert

Friday, February 25 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $23/21/15

Reg. • Sr. • Youth

Join us for a magical evening with Right in the Eye, a 75-minute multimedia performance celebrating the films of cinematic pioneer Georges Méliès. Right in the Eye pairs 12 of these rare, highly imaginative works with original compositions performed by three musicians on over 50 instruments. Audiences young and old will be completely immersed in this playful, poetic experience and the magic that transpires when inventive music brings wonder-filled cinema to life.

Sponsored by

tickets.luther.edu

2022

Saturday, March 12 7:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Colin Gillen

Goitse (gwi-cha)

Luther College is thrilled to host the return of Goitse— and so is their widespread and loyal fanbase! Hailed as the leader of the new generation of traditional Irish ensembles, Goitse’s hallmark may well be the sweet, charismatic voice of Áine McGeeney. From traditional tunes to their own delightful originals, Goitse delivers “music that’s brimming with energy and creative zeal” (Irish Music magazine).

Tickets $23/21/15

Reg. • Sr. • Youth

Sponsored by

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

2022

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

Photo credit: Anthony Pidgeon

Friday, April 1 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $25/23/15

Reg. • Sr. • Youth

Chris and Dan Brubeck, sons of jazz giant Dave Brubeck, have been making music together for decades. Sixty years after their father’s U.S. State Department goodwill tour to Europe during the Cold War, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet commemorates their musical legacy through performances that integrate funk, blues, and world music played with uncompromising dedication to melody, rhythm, culture, technique, and the spontaneous spirit of jazz.

tickets.luther.edu

As we take our first steps back into community gatherings, let’s take a moment

to Reflect

on just how much we all have been through to arrive at this point, to enjoy each other’s company and witness something spectacular,

Together artist and audience.

The arts inform us about ourselves and illuminate what it means to be human. Welcome back.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

Photo credit: Mad Theatre Works

School Performance

Freedom Riders Thursday, Feb. 10 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. School performances: $2

presented by Mad River Theatre Works Grades 3–8

FREEDOM RIDERS explores the courageous personalities behind one of the most critical chapters of the civil rights movement. Set in 1961, 15 years after the Supreme Court had outlawed it, cities throughout the South still enforced a rigid system of segregation. The Freedom Riders, both Black and white Americans, traveled together on buses that crossed state lines, purposefully disregarding the racist practices that were still in place. The unforgettable heroes and events of Freedom Riders are essential to a full understanding of the civil rights movement and America’s history. Sponsored by Joel and Jacquie Greiner

To reserve tickets for your school, please contact Bradley Phillips, phillibr@luther.edu, or (563) 387-1293. Contact the Iowa Arts Council for the latest info on grants for field trips (formerly Big Yellow School Bus grants): (515) 281-4451. Community members are welcome as space allows. 8

tickets.luther.edu

Family

2022

Photo credit: Alex Johnson Photography

Show

The Okee Dokee Brothers All ages

Tickets $10/5

Reg. • Youth

Saturday, April 23, at 2 p.m.

This beloved bluegrass duo performs family music that inspires everyone to step outside and get creative. Childhood friends from Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing take us on a musical tour of the natural world from the Appalachian Trail (“Through the Woods”) to the Mississippi River (Grammy Award–winning “Can You Canoe?”). Presented in celebration of Earth Day and Climate Justice Week. Sponsored by Lynne Sootheran and Kent Simmonds

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

Center Stage

Dinner Series

Enjoy a multicourse gourmet dinner before the show. The talented Norse Culinary Team uses local ingredients whenever possible, offering a distinctive vegan alternative with each menu. Full menu listings, including vegan options, can be found at tickets.luther.edu. Sit with friends or make new ones. If you'd like to dine with a date or a group of friends, have a quiet meal alone, or join others at a community table, let us know on your order form or by calling the Ticket Office at least one full day before the event. The dining room opens at 5:30 p.m. Peace Dining Room is on the second floor of the Dahl Centennial Union, within easy walking distance of the Center for Faith and Life. Dinner tickets are $21 per person, with beer and wine available for purchase. (Luther students may use Dining Dollars.) For the best dining experience, let us know when you purchase your dinner ticket if you have special dietary needs or prefer a vegan entree. More information is available anytime at tickets.luther.edu or by calling (563) 387-1357.

Tuesday, October 5, 2021—Ranky Tanky

Starter: She-Crab Soup with Grilled Sweet Corn and Chive Cream, and Sharp Cheddar Biscuit Entrée: Pecan Smoked Chicken Thigh with Pepper Vinegar Barbeque over Sweet Potato Rice and Sugar Snap Peas Dessert: Brown Sugar Bar with Vanilla Ice Cream and Bourbon Sorghum

Saturday, November 6, 2021—Cantus

Starter: Cremini–French Onion Soup with Caramelized Gruyère Entrée: Dry-Aged Petite Beef Tender with Cognac-Peppercorn Demi-Glace, Sautéed Asparagus, and Boursin Whipped Potatoes Dessert: Grand Marnier Macerated Strawberry Shortcake

Friday, February 25, 2022—Right in the Eye

Starter: Smoked Provolone and Parmesan Polenta Fries with Prosciutto Salt and Tomato Jam Entrée: Beer-Braised, Smoked Pork Shoulder with Zucchini Threads, Lemongrass-Scented Sticky Rice, and Peanut Slaw Dessert: Honey Vanilla Slice with Honeycomb Toffee

Saturday, March 12, 2022—Goitse

Starter: Guinness-Braised Rabbit Stew with Soda Bread Entrée: Bangers and Mash with Caramelized Onion and Jameson Demi-Glace, Braised Carrots, and Sautéed Green Beans Dessert: Spiced Apple Cake with Irish Cream Custard

Friday, April 1, 2022—The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

Starter: Sweet Potato Fritter, Corn and Black Bean Salsa, Caramelized Onions, and Chipotle Chèvre Entrée: Barbeque Pork Short Ribs, Smoked Gouda Cavatelli, Green beans, and Apple Fennel Slaw Dessert: Chocolate Torte with Espresso Reduction, Hazelnuts, and Raspberry

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

Ticket Office Contact Us

Mail: Ticket Office, CFL, Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101 Phone: (563) 387-1357 • (800) 458-8437 (800-4-Luther) Email: tickets@luther.edu Online: tickets.luther.edu If you’ve purchased tickets to a Luther event in the past, you have an account. Please contact us if you need assistance. Ticket Office hours: Summer hours: 1 p.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday Regular hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday Closed for chapel (Mon., Wed., Fri.: 10:30–10:50 a.m.) 9 a.m. to showtime on performance days 1 p.m. to showtime for Saturday performances

Fees, Discounts, and Gift Cards

Individual tickets purchased online or via phone have a $3/ticket fee. No fee for purchases in person at the Ticket Office, or by mail. Group rates are available at a 15% discount for 10 or more. Luther Gift Cards are available through the Book Shop, and can be applied to Center Stage Series tickets.

Venue Information

Center Stage Series performances are held in the Center for Faith and Life at 7:30 p.m. Assisted listening devices are available at no charge from the Ticket Office. Accessible seating is available on the main floor. Please let us know in advance if anyone in your party has special needs. Accessible seating is not available in the balcony. Center Stage Series youth tickets are for ages 4–18. Children under age 4 are welcome to this year’s Family Show, The Okee Dokee Brothers. Please avoid the use of perfumes and colognes in consideration of the allergies of other patrons. All sales are final.* Though we do not offer refunds, ticket insurance is available. Inquire at the Ticket Office. Covid safety guidelines will be announced, as needed, in the weeks prior to each performance.

tickets.luther.edu

Center Stage Series

Ticket Order Form Purchase tickets for all five shows to waive any ticketing fees and receive 15% off (must place order by Sept. 15)! Enjoy the convenience of having your tickets in advance. *In case of cancellation due to the pandemic, you will have the option to choose a refund for that performance or to make donation to the Center Stage Series. All donations will be used to subsidize our School Performances. Individual tickets may be purchased online by clicking here. You may also print and mail this form, stop by in person at the Ticket Office, or order by phone. Past subscribers, please stop by the Ticket Office, order by phone, or print out and mail this form.

Event/Day

Regular

Senior (65+)

Youth (4–18)

Event subtotal

Dinner

Ranky Tanky Tuesday, October 5

____@ $28

____@ $26

____@ $15

$________

___@ $21

Cantus Saturday, November 6

____@ $27

____@ $25

____@ $15

$________

___@ $21

Right in the Eye Friday, February 25

____@ $23

____@ $21

____@ $15

$________

___@ $21

Goitse Saturday, March 12

____@ $23

____@ $21

____@ $15

$________

___@ $21

Brubeck Brothers Friday, April 1

____@ $25

____@ $23

____@ $15

$________

___@ $21 B

Performance / dinner subtotals Discount for all 5 events—15% off (multiply event total by .85) = Dinner subtotal = Donation (optional) Total due

A B C A+B+C

Return with payment to: Ticket Office Center for Faith and Life, Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

Center Stage Series

Ticket Order Form continued

Center Stage Series

Stage

New patrons (please indicate preference)  Red seats

Red Seats

 Main level

Main Level

 Balcony

Balcony

Past subscribers  Retain last year’s seats.

 Ready for different seats. Preference:_________________________________________  If possible, please seat me/us near these friends:_____________________________  In need of accessible seating. Dinner Series  Please seat me/us with these friends:_________________________________________  Please seat me/us at a community table as available.  I/we prefer a private table.  Vegan entrée(s) requested (number): Ranky_____/ Cantus_____/ Right in the Eye_____/ Goitse_____/ Brubeck_____  Please alert the chef of these allergies or dietary needs for these shows: Ranky_____/ Cantus_____/ Right in the Eye_____/ Goitse_____/ Brubeck_____ Allergy or dietary needs:______________________________________________________ Please provide all information Name___________________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________________________________ State___________________________________ Zip_____________________________________ Daytime phone (__________)______________________________________________________ Evening phone (__________)______________________________________________________ Email address___________________________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check in the amount of $_________________________________________ Charge to my (circle one):

American Express

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Number_________________________________________________________________________ Expiration date (required)_______ / _______

Security code (required)______________

Signature_______________________________________________________________________

tickets.luther.edu

Decorah Decorah

9 9

9 52

Decorah, Iowa Decorah, Iowa

52 52

Decorah Decorah 9

9 52

52 P

P P

STAGE

P P

STAGE

P P P

P P

STAGE P

STAGE

P P

STAGE

P P

STAGE

P P

Event Parking

Any campus lot is available after 5 p.m. with the exception of the studentonly lot south of Loyalty Hall. Event parking is encouraged in the Library Lot behind Preus Library and in the Jenson Parking Lot. These parking areas are marked in blue. Dotted red lines show the walkways that lead to the performance venue. Handicapped parking is marked with a circled P, and some visitor spaces are available near the Center for Faith and Life entrances. Visit luther.edu/campus/map or contact the Ticket Office for specific driving directions. Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

STAG

CENTER STAGE SERIES 2021–22

tickets.luther.edu

Photo credit: Tish Brubeck

Reserve your seats today!

Brubeck Brothers Quartet

Luther College • 700 College Drive • Decorah, Iowa 52101 Ticket Office (563) 387-1357 • tickets.luther.edu Luther College is where nearly 1,800 undergraduates join together with the community to learn actively, live purposefully, and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact.