The Block 2017-18 Concert Season

2017/18 SEASON 360 W Western Ave, 2nd floor Muskegon, MI 49440 231.726.3231 theblockwestmichigan.org

Ian Maksin @ The Block March 2016

Up-Close & Personal...

The Block is a flexible performance space on the second floor of the historic Russell Block building, in downtown Muskegon. When you attend a concert here you’ll have the opportunity to hear a wide variety of music played by a spectacular lineup of professional artists. Presented in an intimate atmosphere, you’ll experience an up-close and personal connection with the artists and the music they play. Although The Block has a full bar and cabaret seating, it is a listening room-type of venue - meaning you’ll be allowed to enjoy the music without having to strain to hear over nearby conversations and barroom noise.

The musicians that you’ll read about in this brochure tour worldwide.

Some of the artists who will perform with us this season also are scheduled to appear the evening before with the West Michigan Symphony (see the “Guest Artist” series at the back of the brochure to get a special price to see them all!) Concert tickets at The Block can be purchased as singles or in a variety of series packages designed to appeal to specific musical tastes, and to save you money.

You can order tickets by sending in the order form on the back page of this brochure, online at theblockwestmichigan.org, or by calling the ticket office at 231.726.3231. The ticket office is open M - F, 9 - 4:30 pm.

We hope to see you this season at The Block!

Alexander Zonjic & Friends smooth jazz

Aldo López-Gavilán & Ilmar Gavilán jazz duo

Thursday, August 24, 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 30, 7:30 pm

A gifted jazz flutist, Alexander Zonjic is known across the country for his cool jazz grooves and exciting shows. Zonjic and his friends will kick off Muskegon’s 2017 Shoreline Jazz Festival in this Thursday evening concert @The Block.

Cuban pianist Aldo López-Gavilán is joined by brother Ilmar Gavilán on violin for an electrifying jazz concert featuring original works as well as pieces by jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Churchill and Billy Strayhorn.

$25 | $10 student tickets

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

Neil Jacobs American gypsy

Andrew Spencer percussionist

Saturday, October 21, 7:30 pm

Saturday, November 11, 7:30 pm

The “Gypsy Power Trio” of Neil Jacobs, 12-string guitars, Steven Fox, acoustic bass and Arkadiy Gips, violin, perform breathtaking compositions with Gypsy, Celtic, Balkan and Classical influences.

Former WMS principal timpanist Andrew Spencer performs compelling percussion sounds for his performance at The Block.

An active recitalist and clinician, Spencer has performed as a soloist in the USA, Poland, Japan, Canada, and Costa Rica.

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

$20-$30 | $10 student tickets

Cathie Ryan Band Irish folk music

Arturo Ziraldo chamber music

Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm

Saturday, January 13, 7:30 pm

Cathie Ryan and her band follow a Friday evening holiday concert with the WMS, with an evening of Irish folk music. Join Cathie as she warms up West Michigan with heartfelt lyrics, beloved ballads and traditional tunes of the Emerald Isle.

WMS Principal Violist Arturo Ziraldo is joined by fellow WMS musicians to present a mixed chamber music concert that includes works by Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Dvorˇ åk and Schumann.

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

$20-$30 | $10 student tickets

Gaudete Brass brass chamber music

Frances Luke Accord modern folk

Saturday, March 3, 7:30 pm

Friday, March 23, 7:30 pm

Gaudete Brass encourages appreciation of the art of brass chamber music through live performance, recordings and new works.

The quintet presents an evening of works featuring all-brass instrumentation.

An independent Chicago-based duo, multiinstrumentalists and songwriters, Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers head this modern folk band, that draws copious inspiration from Americana, jazz, soul and rock.

$20-$30 | $10 student tickets

$20-$30 | $10 student tickets

The Oblivion Project nuevo tango

Ian Maksin & Gabriel Datcu world music

Friday, January 26, 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 10, 7:30 pm

The Oblivion Project is dedicated to the exploration and performance of the over 3000 Nuevo Tango works of Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla. The group is blazing trails as they visit The Block on their Midwest tour.

Cellist Ian Maksin returns to The Block bringing guitarist Gabriel Datcu for a concert of jazz and world music. Maksin has gained international recognition for his beautiful tone and his own unique innovative style.

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

Robin Connell jazz vocalist/pianist

Vadim Gluzman & Angela Yoffe classical chamber

Saturday, April 14, 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm

Originally from Detroit, Robin Connell is equally at home as a jazz pianist or jazz pianist/vocalist, performing regularly in clubs, concerts, and private parties as solo pianist and leader of her own trio/ jazz quartet.

Following his Friday evening performance with the WMS, Gluzman is joined by his spouse, Tel Aviv-based pianist Angela Yoffe, for an intimate evening of classical chamber music.

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

$25-$35 | $10 student tickets

Series and Flex Tickets save up to 20% on single ticket prices.

As with any WMS subscription package, series tickets represent a significant savings over single ticket prices, plus if you cannot attend a concert you can exchange your tickets for another concert in the same season or donate them for a tax deduction.

Series tickets also make great gifts.

STAGE

MAIN FLOOR

BALCONY

Table Seating

Regular Seating

Jazz/World Series

Chamber Series

Alexander Zonjic & Friends Aug 24 Aldo López-Gavilán & Ilmar Gavilán Sept 30 Neil Jacobs Oct 21 The Oblivion Project Jan 26 Ian Maksin & Gabriel Datcu Feb 10 Robin Connell Apr 14

Andrew Spencer Nov 11 Arturo Ziraldo Jan 13 Gaudete Brass Mar 3 Vadim Gluzman & Angela Yoffe May 19

Vocal Series

Guest Artist Series

Cathie Ryan Band Dec 16 The Oblivion Project Jan 26 Frances Luke Accord Mar 23 Robin Connell Apr 14

Aldo López-Gavilán & Ilmar Gavilán Sept 30 Andrew Spencer Nov 11 Cathie Ryan Band Dec 16 Vadim Gluzman & Angela Yoffe May 19

Full Season

FLEX TIX

(6 tickets: 1 for each show)

(4 tickets: 1 for each show)

(12 tickets: 1 for each show)

(4 tickets: 1 for each show)

(4 tickets: 1 for each show)

to use for any show in any combination*

*Table or WMS tier 1-2 seating unavailable for these ticket types. All sales are final.

Dates, artists and programs are subject to change.

THE BLOCK TICKET ORDER FORM Seat Location: please indicate the row/seats (i.e. MF C1 & C2; Table E1 & E2) 1st choice: _________________________________ 2nd choice: _________________________________ Please indicate number of series you wish and mark appropriate boxes for regular seating/table seating.

Jazz/World: # _________

$125

$170

Chamber:

# _________

$70

$105

$__________________

Vocal:

# _________

$80

$115

$__________________

Guest Artist: # _________

$80

$115

$__________________

Full Season: # _________

$220

$310

$__________________

Block 6:

$125

$__________________

# _________

Total $__________________

TOTAL BLOCK SERIES AMOUNT DUE $__________________ (See coupon on back page)

Block 6 to use for any show. Please indicate the shows you would like below.

1. ____________________________ 2. ____________________________ 3. ____________________________ 4. ____________________________ 5. ____________________________ 6. ____________________________ Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________________________________

Zip: _________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check of $ ___________________ made payable to The Block Please charge my credit card:

VISA

Master Card

Discover

AmEx

Account #: ______________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ___________________________ CVV: _______________ Signature: ______________________________________________________________________

Please drop off this form or mail to: West Michigan Symphony, 360 W Western Ave, Suite 200, Muskegon MI 49440 For questions call 231.726.3231

Take $5 off your total on the enclosed order form.

Single use 1 per household.

Mention when ordering by phone.

Exp. Date 9-30-17

$5 OFF COUPON

360 W Western Ave 2nd floor Muskegon, MI 49440

Save $5 dollars on any 17-18 series package at The Block