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Performing Arts

Oahu's cultural make - up sets the foundation for an appreciation for a diverse range of performing arts that visitors can enjoy. A natural first taste of the island's culture is to immerse oneself in the legends and tales of Hawaii through the graceful movements of hula. Discover kahiko (ancient) hula and auwana (contemporary) hula from one of Oahu's many hula halau (school) performances found at venues around town - including the hula mound on Kuhio Beach in Waikiki nightly. Don't stop there. Find out if Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre or Tau Dance Theatre has a performance around town and discover interpretations unique to the islands. Check out what's playing at the historic Hawaii Theatre, Honolulu's pre-eminent venue for national and local theater, concerts and film. During the first couple months of the year, look into the performances of the Hawaii Opera Theatre, which surprises and delights opera lovers with their performances of the Classics. Mingle with our residents at our community theaters from the performances at Diamond Head Theatre (third oldest community theater in the US) to the stage performances of Manoa Theatre to the family oriented theatrics of the Honolulu Theater of Youth. Get a real feel for the soul of Hawaii's people and history by attending productions by local playwrights at Kumu Kahua Theatre. All in all, Oahu will keep you busy just by the performances around the island.

PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

OCTOBER

BISHOP MUSEUM HULA FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS:
Hula Girls
October 14, 2008; 7 p.m.
$5 General Admission; Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187
(808) 847-3511/ Bishop Museum/ 1525 Bernice Street/ www.bishopmuseum.org
[120 minutes, Color, DVD, 2006, Japanese with English sub-titles] Based on a true story, this feature film's heart-warming story is about a rural town in Japan that faces closure of its main economic source, a coal mine, which employs most of the town's wage earners. The town's leaders decide to build a "Hawaiian Paradise" theme park to attract tourist dollars. An aging hula star from Tokyo is hired to put together a troupe of female hula dancers that will perform at the park.

BISHOP MUSEUM TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC: THE YEAR OF THE HUL
Lecture: From Mele to Hula with J. Kimo Alama Keaulana
October 16, 2008; 6 to 8 p.m.; Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187; $5 General Admission
(808) 847-3511/ Bishop Museum/ 1525 Bernice Street/ www.bishopmuseum.org
The words contained within our mele and oli are the true source of meaning in hula. The dance itself is simply an interpretation of the story. Joins J. Kimo Alama Keaulana for an in-depth look at the process by which the words become the dance. J. Kimo Alama Keaulana's contributions to the Hawaiian community include: Hawaiian language instructor, kumu hula ancient hula training program Moilili Community Center; consultant, major Hawaiian music recording companies; judge, Haku Mele of the Year division, 199 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards; judge, Kamehameha Schools' 77th Annual Song Contest; and consultant, Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. He has translated songs and chants from the Bishop Museum collection most widely used by kumu hula and entertainers.

ART LUNCH
Tuesday, October 28, 12-1 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/ www.hawaiistateartmuseum.org
Take a break during your lunch. Join us in downtown Honolulu and learn more about the arts. A guest lecturer will describe their artwork, show visual aids, and answer questions from the audience.

ROLLING THE R's by R. Zamora Linmark
October 30 - November 30, 2008
Thursdays - $13 General, $11 Seniors, $5 Students & Unemployed
Fri/Sat/Sun- $16 General, $13 Seniors, $10 Students
(808) 536-4441/Kumu Kahua Theatre/46 Merchant Street
Edgar Ramirez, a Kalihi teenager, knows that he is gay and isn't bothered by his schoolmates' taunts. Set in the disco '80s, when teenagers hung posters off Scott Baio, listened to Peaches & Herb, and struggled with their identities as defined by ethnicity, nationality and sexual orientation. A Kumu Kahua world premiere.

NOVEMBER

SECOND SATURDAY – DRAMA CREW
Saturday, November 8, 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (while supplies last), FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/ www.hawaiistateartmuseum.org
Members of the Drama Crew are featured in this month's free family event. Have fun and get creative with hands-on arts activities.

TAMAGUSUKU RYU SENJUKAI FRANCES NAKACHI RYUBU DOJO PRESENTS
UDUI KAHUU - DANCE, A GIFT FOR ETERNITY
November 16, 2008 - Sunday; 2:00 PM
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./ www.hawaiitheatre.com
UDUI KAHUU is a mixture of traditional, modern and newly choreographed Okinawan music and dance. The performance will take you to a journey to the Ancient Kingdom era where there were royalties and share with you the hearts and lifestyles of the Okinawan people through dance. Master dancers from Okinawa will also be showcasing their choreographed dance numbers.
For more information, please contact Randy Kuba at 780-3440 or visit their website at www.senjukaihawaii.com

BISHOP MUSEUM HULA FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS:
Kumu Hula: A Tradition of Teachers and Aloha from Paris
November 18, 2008; 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; $5 General Admission; Reservations: courtney.chow@bishopmuseum.org or (808) 848-4187 (808) 847-3511/ Bishop Museum/ 1525 Bernice Street/ www.bishopmuseum.org
Kumu Hula: [30 minutes, Color, DVD, Michael Cowell and Hawaii Public Television, 1998]Through interviews with prominent hula teachers such as Robert Cazimero, this film shows how a student of traditional hula dance becomes a kumu, or master-teacher. Aloha From Paris: [63 minutes, Color, DVD, 2005, French and English] Arnaud Dufour's documentary film was made during the visit of Paris-based Halau Hula O Manoa to Hawaii in 2005 for the opening of the exhibition Hawaii in Paris: The Art of Hula at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Guest Speaker: Sandra Kilohana Silve.

"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL"
November 20, 21, 22, 28, 29; December 5, 6, 7:30 p.m.; $12-20
(808) 438-4480/Army Community Theatre/Richardson Theatre/Fort Shafter/ www.armytheatre.com
ACT continues its blockbuster series of musicals with the hit "High School Musical" based on the Disney Channel Original Movie by Peter Barsocchini when jocks and brainiacs, thespians and skater dudes learn invaluable lessons. Army Community Theatre's production is directed by CoCo Wiel, with choreography by Brett Harwood.

READERS THEATRE PRESENTATION "PARADISE LOST"
November 23, 30; December 7; 2 p.m., free
(808) 438-4480/Army Community Theatre/Richardson Theatre/Fort Shafter/ www.armytheatre.com
ACT is known for its highly-praised Readers Theatre series where actors read scripts and audiences sit on stage with them, using their imagination to see the set, props and costumes. John Milton's epic poem in blank verse about the fall of man continues the series, which is free to the public.

HAWAII THEATRE CENTER PRESENTS: HIROSHIMA IN CONCERT
November 29 & 30, 2008; Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m.; $25-$45
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./ www.hawaiitheatre.com
Since Hiroshima's inception in 1980, the group has assumed the artistic mission of bridging cultural divides through the power of music. Hiroshima has borrowed from numerous cultures - Asian, Latin American, African American and more - and merged these influences into a unique and innovative whole that is solely their own. The result is a brand of music that speaks to nearly every aspect of contemporary culture.

DECEMBER

PETER PAN
DECEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 21, 2008
Thursday & Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.,
Sunday at 4 p.m.; Tickets are $12, $22, $32, $42
(808) 733-0274/Diamond Head Theatre/ www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Peter Pan tells of a boy who won't grow up, instead spending his days battling pirates and Indians and avoiding Captain Hook. One day Peter loses his shadow and flies into the home of Wendy whom he convinces to fly with him to Neverland. Peter's trusty companion, Tinkerbell, however, sees trouble ahead!

PETER AND THE WOLF, NARRATED BY LOST'S JORGE GARCIA
December 13 & 14, 2008
Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 4 p.m.
$19, $26, $40, $52, $70; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808)792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/ Ticketmaster.com /Blaisdell Concert Hall
Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf was created as an introduction to the orchestra and has undeniably captured the hearts of millions with its musical portrayal of a child's fairytale. Stravinsky's fairytale ballet score, Firebird, secured his undoubted position among the world's most innovative composers. The sensual Firebird Suite sparkles with bold orchestration and lyrical Russian folk songs. Then, enjoy Michael Giacchino's fun-filled and flavorful music for the film Ratatouille in a world premiere overture created especially for this program.

JUMP!
December 17-28, 2008, evening and daytime shows; $25-$68
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St./ www.hawaiitheatre.com
This internationally acclaimed Korean martial arts comedy landed off Broadway in 2007, and lands in Honolulu this December, bringing the kind of live action you'd see in Jackie Chan and Matrix ™ movies, but without second-takes, wires or special effects. JUMP is one part silent comedy, one part kung fu flick and one part gymnastic display – all delivered live in a thrill-filled, jaw-dropping display of martial arts prowess.

BALLET HAWAII'S "NUTCRACKER"
December 19, 20, 21
8 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; ticket prices TBA
Blaisdell Concert Hall/1-877-750-4400 Ticketmaster or 808-521-8600 for opening night gala information, www.ballethawaii.org
Ballet Hawaii, the State's largest producing and presenting dance organization, brings the holidays to life with its annual, lavish production of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker." Staged by Artistic Director Pamela Taylor-Tongg with stars from national and international companies and a large corps de ballet trained locally, the production features the live music of the Honolulu Symphony, beautiful new sets by Peter Dean Beck and amazing costumes by Honolulu's own Anne Namba.

JANUARY

LIVE FROM THE LAWN – WINTER BLUES
Friday, January 2, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
This month's free event entitled "Winter Blues" features Pierre and Ginai, James Ronstadt and the Dynamic Shuffle Kings, Bluzilla, Lovechile, Downtown Charley and the Humbones, and Jeff Said No!

FIRST FRIDAY HONOLULU
Friday, January 2, 2009, 5-9 p.m.; Free
For more info (808)521-2903
Downtown-Chinatown Gallery Walk. A self guided tour. Galleries, museums and studios open their doors for an evening celebrating artists, art and art making of all kinds.

FIRST FRIDAY AT FIRST HAWAIIAN CENTER
January 2, 2009; 7-9 p.m.; Artist Talk at 7:30 p.m.; Free
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum-FHC/ 999 Bishop Street/ www.tcmhi.org
Enjoy Hawaii's popular Chinatown art walkabout on the first Friday of every month. TCM at First Hawaiian Center is open from 7 until 9 p.m. on these nights with light refreshments and special programs designed to enhance your understanding of the contemporary art exhibition on view. An artist talk or tour is offered at 7:30 p.m. TCM members enjoy validated parking in the FHC parking garage.

EXPRESSION SESSION
January 3, 2009; 10:30 a.m.; $12 General; $7 Members; Reservations Required (808) 237-5230
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum/ 2411 Makiki Heights Drive/ www.tcmhi.org
Expression Sessions are designed for kids ages 5-12. This fun first Saturday art class involves children and their parents in creating art projects in a variety of media. Theme for this month is Fantastic Creatures. Use your imagination to draw and paint exquisite, mythical creatures with artist Maya Portner.

ON THE SPOT: OUTRAGEOUS IMPROV COMEDY
Sat., January 3, 2009, 8 p.m.
$14 general; $10 students
(808) 550-TIKS or www.honoluluboxoffice.com/ The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu
Smashbox Productions presents: outrageous Improv. Comedy. The comedy troupe takes suggestions from the audience and improvises scenes incorporating a vast array of silly, spontaneous things.

YOUTH SPEAKS HAWAII
Wed., January 7, 14, 21, 28, 2009, 4-5:30 p.m.; Free
(808)521-2903/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu Avenue
A free slam poetry writing and performance workshops for teens supported in part by The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL!
January 14 – February 1, 2009
Wednesday – Thursday 7:30p.m., Friday – Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.
$35 adults; $30 senior/military; $20 for patrons age 25 and under (808) 988-6131/ Manoa Valley Theatre/ 2833 East Manoa Rd.
In this two-man musical spoof, a pair of aspiring playwrights perform a backers' audition for their new project: a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg. With an unending supply of enthusiasm, Bud and Doug sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them a Broadway contract – fulfilling their ill-advised dreams.

NEW SHANGHAI CIRCUS
Friday – Sunday, January 16 – 18, 2009, various times
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St.
Mesmerizing audiences around the globe, this high flying, intense showcase of acrobatic prowess features only the best of the best performers from the People's Republic of China.

CHOY CHEN (LION DANCE)
January 23, 2009, Free
For more info call the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at (808)533-3181
As part of the City of Honolulu's Month in Chinatown and Chinese New Years Festivities, martial arts clubs roam through Chinatown, visit the art galleries and take to the streets in a rolling celebration of firecrackers and Lion Dancing.

THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS
Saturdays, January 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 4:30 p.m.
$16 for adults, $8 for youth (18 and under) and seniors (over 60)
(808) 839-9885/Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Square
Raised by dolphins since she was four years old, Mila, now twelve, must return to human society and learn to adjust. As researchers struggle to teach her language and music, she also learns about rules, expectations, locked doors and broken promises. Newberry award winning author Karen Hesse creates a stunning portrait of a vibrant girl and her unusual journey of assimilation.

SOUVENIR
January 30 – February 15
Thursday & Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets $12, $22, $32, $42
(808) 733-0274/Diamond Head Theatre
Although the characters and situations are fictional, Souvenir is inspired by the real-life collaboration between pianist Cosme McMoon and soprano Florence Foster Jenkins. Jenkins perceived herself to be a great soprano when in fact she couldn't carry a tune. Still, she had so much confidence and love of what she was doing, crowds found her irresistible.

FEBRUARY

LIVE FROM THE LAWN – KIDS, OPERA AND JAZZ
Friday, February 6, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
This month's free event is entitled ""Kids, Opera and Jazz" featuring the Iolani Stage Band and vocalists from the Hawaii Opera Theatre.

FIRST FRIDAY HONOLULU
Friday February 6, 2009, 5-9 p.m., Free
For more info (808)521-2903
Downtown-Chinatown Gallery Walk. A self guided tour. Galleries, museums and studios open their doors for an evening celebrating artists, art and art making of all kinds.

FIRST FRIDAY AT FIRST HAWAIIAN CENTER
February 6, 2009; 7-9 p.m.; Artist Talk at 7:30 p.m.; Free
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum-FHC/ 999 Bishop Street
Enjoy Hawaii's popular Chinatown art walkabout on the first Friday of every month. TCM at First Hawaiian Center is open from 7 until 9 p.m. on these nights with light refreshments and special programs designed to enhance your understanding of the contemporary art exhibition on view. An artist talk or tour is offered at 7:30 p.m. TCM members enjoy validated parking in the FHC parking garage.

ON THE SPOT: OUTRAGEOUS IMPROV COMEDY
Sat. February 7, 2009, 8 p.m.
$14 general; $10 students
(808) 550-TIKS or www.honoluluboxoffice.com/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu
Smashbox Productions presents: outrageous Improv. Comedy. The comedy troupe takes suggestions from the audience and improvises scenes incorporating a vast array of silly, spontaneous things.

EXPRESSION SESSION
February 7, 2009; 10:30 a.m.; $12 General; $7 Members; Reservations Required (808) 237-5230
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum/ 2411 Makiki Heights Drive
Expression Sessions are designed for kids ages 5-12. This fun first Saturday art class involves children and their parents in creating art projects in a variety of media. Theme for this month is Costume Fantastic! Create fun, funky, frightening and fantastic costume pieces and adornments with Butoh dancer, choreographer and costume designer Malia Oliver.

YOUTH SPEAKS HAWAII
Weds. February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009, 4-5:30 p.m., Free
(808)521-2903/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu Avenue
A free slam poetry writing and performance workshops for teens supported in part by The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

SECOND SATURDAY – ASIA PACIFIC ART RHYTHMS
Saturday, February 14, 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (while supplies last), FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
Join us for the event entitled "Asia Pacific Art Rhythms" featuring world music ensembles of the Ethnomusicology Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Have fun and get creative with hands-on arts activities and demonstrations.

MARCH

LIVE FROM THE LAWN – HOT LATIN NIGHT
Friday, March 6, 5-9 p.m., FREE
(808) 586-0900/Hawai'i State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street
This month's free event is entitled "Hot Latin Night" featuring flamenco jazz performances by Sambanda and Capoeira. This event is presented in collaboration with the Brazilian Cultural Center.

FIRST FRIDAY HONOLULU
Friday March 6, 2009, 5-9 p.m., Free
For more info (808)521-2903
Downtown-Chinatown Gallery Walk. A self guided tour. Galleries, museums and studios open their doors for an evening celebrating artists, art and art making of all kinds.

FIRST FRIDAY AT FIRST HAWAIIAN CENTER
March 6, 2009; 7-9 p.m.; Artist Talk at 7:30 p.m.; Free
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum-FHC/ 999 Bishop Street
Enjoy Hawaii's popular Chinatown art walkabout on the first Friday of every month. TCM at First Hawaiian Center is open from 7 until 9 p.m. on these nights with light refreshments and special programs designed to enhance your understanding of the contemporary art exhibition on view. An artist talk or tour is offered at 7:30 p.m. TCM members enjoy validated parking in the FHC parking garage.

ON THE SPOT: OUTRAGEOUS IMPROV COMEDY
Sat. March 7, 2009, 8 p.m.
$14 general; $10 students
(808) 550-TIKS or www.honoluluboxoffice.com/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu
Smashbox Productions presents: outrageous Improv. Comedy. The comedy troupe takes suggestions from the audience and improvises scenes incorporating a vast array of silly, spontaneous things.

MUSUBI MAN
March 7 – March 21, 2009
Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.
$16 for adults, $8 for youth (18 and under) and seniors (over 60)
(808) 839-9885/Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews Cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Square
Back by popular demand, Lee Cataluna's outrageous adaptation of one of Hawai'i's most popular children's books is sure to please our youngest audiences and their families. Even if you don't eat "local", everyone is sure to enjoy chasing the Musubi Man as he runs from adventure to adventure!

EXPRESSION SESSION
March 7, 2009; 10:30 a.m.; $12 General; $7 Members; Reservations Required (808) 237-5230
(808) 237-5210/ The Contemporary Museum/ 2411 Makiki Heights Drive/ www.tcmhi.org
Expression Sessions are designed for kids ages 5-12. This fun first Saturday art class involves children and their parents in creating art projects in a variety of media. A new theme and activity is offered each month. Spaces are limited.

YOUTH SPEAKS HAWAII
Weds., March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009, 4-5:30 p.m., Free
(808)521-2903/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu Avenue
A free slam poetry writing and performance workshops for teens supported in part by The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

OAHU: CONFESSIONS OF AN ISLAND
March 13 & 14, 2009
Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 pm
$25, $30, $35
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St.
Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu returns for another dazzling performance! Led by Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakane, this critically acclaimed production celebrates the rich history and legacy that is unique to O'ahu - sacred sites, clandestine beaches, a legendary surfing goddess, the last Hawaiian princess and the world's most famous island disco. "Hard to imagine 'O'ahu' could be any more fun," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle.

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
March 18 – April 5, 2009
Wednesday – Thursday 7:30p.m., Friday – Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m.
$33 adults; $25 senior/military; $15 for patrons age 25 and under
(808) 988-6131/ Manoa Valley Theatre/ 2833 East Manoa Rd.
Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie's appearance on a television news program and learns that his favorite old professor is battling Lou Gehrig's disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie and what starts as a simple visit turns in to a weekly pilgrimage—and a final class in the meaning of life. The novel by Mitch Albom was on The New York Times Bestseller List for more than four years and was made into an Emmy-winning television film presented by Oprah Winfrey.

DIANA KRALL WITH THE HONOLULU SYMPHONY POPS
March 19 & 20, 2009
Thursday & Friday 8 p.m.
$20, $34, $49, $59, $82; $10 student; 20% discount for seniors & military (ID required)
(808)792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall
The incomparable Diana Krall returns to the Pops stage with her cool, heavy-lidded vocals and strikingly sensitive piano playing that have secured her an undoubted place at the top of the jazz charts. Diana will light up the night with music from her latest release, "This Moment On," plus timeless, vintage standards by such composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Van Heusen and Cahn, and Bacharach and David.

GYPSY
March 20 – April 5, 2009
Thursday & Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.,
Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are $12, $22, $32, $42
(808) 733-0274/Diamond Head Theatre/www.diamondheadtheatre.com
Gypsy, one of the jewels of American musical theatre, is based loosely on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee (the famous striptease artist). The show is set amid the worlds of vaudeville and burlesque, and focuses on Rose, whose character has become synonymous with the show business mother driven to make her child a star.

Hawaii Theatre Center presents SLEEPING BEAUTY: THE MUSICAL
March 21 & 22, 2009
Sat. at 7 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m.
$12; $9 students/seniors/military
(808) 528-0506/Hawaii Theatre Center/1130 Bethel St.
Aurora is no helpless maiden in this spellbinding legend of the girl doomed to sleep forever. Our musical adventure carries you into the princess's dreams and through a world where dragons eat pizza, fairies are allergic to flowers, and disco reigns supreme. This wickedly funny show is from the artistic team that brought you Rumpelstiltskin.

BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL
March 28 & 29, 2009
$21, $28, $44, $55, $74
(808)792-2000; 1-877-750-4400/Ticketmaster.com/Blaisdell Concert Hall

THE EROICA SYMPHONY
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Escape into the endless pleasures of Beethoven's Third Symphony, "Eroica." The Third swept away conventional ideas of what a symphony should be – and led us all into revolutionary musical territory. Acclaimed Irish pianist John O'Conor performs the groundbreaking and passionate Third Piano Concerto: Beethoven's only piano concerto written in a minor key. This is Beethoven's genius in its purest form.

THE VIOLIN CONCERTO
Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 4 p.m.
Praised for his brilliant technique and "ever-sweet tone," violinist Robert McDuffie performs Beethoven's phenomenal Violin Concerto. A masterpiece of craft, invention and sensitivity, the Violin Concerto is an enthralling experience. The inspirational Seventh Symphony completes the first week of our magnificent Beethoven Festival. Abounding with irrepressible spirit and vigor, the Seventh is a thrill for musicians and music lovers alike.