For the next two issues, we'll be bringing you B.A.R. arts writers' brief previews of what to look out for in the Fall 2018 season. This week, find previews of the season in film, TV, theatre, the symphony and art museums. Next week, we'll catch up with more films, opera, and art galleries. Here are a few more arts events that Out There is wound up about.
San Francisco Performances' Fall 2018 schedule kicks off with their 39th Season Gala, the 100th Anniversary of Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat," with Sean Jones, trumpet, and Regina Carter, violin, Sept. 28, in the War Memorial Veterans Building, featuring a cocktail reception, the concert, and a post-concert dinner in the Green Room. Tickets: call (415) 677-0326. Their season also includes jazz vocalist Luciana Souza in a new project, "Book of Longing," with texts by Leonard Cohen and Emily Dickinson, Nov. 30. www.sfperformances.org.
Cal Performances begins its fall season on Sun., Sept. 23, at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley with "Gala at the Greek," Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and special guest Jon Batiste celebrating the music of Duke Ellington. The fare is all Ellington, including early Cotton Club jump classics, big band ballads, and selections from the Duke's lushly orchestrated suites. Then, from Fri.-Sun., Sept. 28-30, at Zellerbach Hall, Mark Morris Dance Group performs the Bay Area Premiere of "Pepperland," marking the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' seminal album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," created by Mark Morris, choreography, and Ethan Iverson, composer.
More Cal. Perf. enticements: "The Routes of Slavery (1444-1888)," a musical celebration of the influence of enslaved Africans on American culture, directed by Jordi Savall, Nov. 3; Daniel Barenboim conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which he founded with Palestinian scholar Edward Said as a model for cooperation across Middle Eastern divides, Nov. 10; and Berlin's Schaubuhne theater company presents "An Enemy of the People" (sound familiar?) by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Thomas Ostermeier, Oct. 12-13. Info: www.calperformances.org.
All-male a cappella choir Chanticleer celebrates their 40th Anniversary with a Gala and Reunion on Oct. 17 at the Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera, San Francisco War Memorial Building. Info: www.chanticleer.org.
Bay Area Cabaret opens its 15th season at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont San Francisco with Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe award nominee Matthew Morrison making his San Francisco solo concert debut on Sun., Sept. 30, in "Song and Dance Man," a show celebrating his 20 years on stage and screen ("Glee," "Hairspray," "South Pacific," "Finding Neverland"). Tickets: www.bayareacabaret.org, or (415) 392-4400.
Award-winning gay actor Neil Patrick Harris will deliver the Marcia and John Goldman Lecture at the JCCSF, 3200 California St, SF, on Fri., Sept. 28, at 7 p.m., an evening of magic and conversation in celebration of the second book in Harris' New York Times-bestselling series, "The Magic Misfits: The Second Story." Info: www.jccsf.org.
Opera Parall�le will present its annual gala benefit, "Up Close and Parall�le: Creative Rebels," Wed., Oct. 10, at the War Memorial Green Room, 401 Van Ness Ave., SF. A montage opera conceived by OP's artistic team celebrates such operatic heroes as Harvey Milk, Georgia O'Keeffe, Steve Jobs, Julia Child, and Sister Helen Prejean, sung by mezzo-soprano Eve Gigliotti, baritone Robert Orth, and bass Kenneth Kellogg, accompanied by OP resident pianist Keisuke Nakagoshi. The evening will culminate in a special performance by guest of honor Philip Glass. Tickets and info: www.operaparallele.org or (415) 626-6279.
Thirty-seven Bay Area ensembles will perform at SF Music Day, Sun., Sept. 30, Noon-8 p.m., War Memorial Veteran's Bldg., 401 Van Ness Ave., SF. This year's theme, "Colors of the Keyboard," highlights the range of expression possible on keyboard instruments including bandoneon, piano, electric organ, harpsichord, and pianoforte. It's all free, but you have to RSVP. Info: intermusicsf.org.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park hosts a 24-hour "Moby Dick" reading marathon in the Maritime Museum, 900 Beach St., SF, on Sat., Oct. 13. Surrounded by aquatic-themed WPA murals, overlooking the Aquatic Park Pier and Cove, a diverse crew of over 100 will add their own voices to author Herman Melville's musings, orations, and unforgettable characters. This literary event, co-sponsored by The Melville Society, is free to readers and audience members, but performers wishing to read specific chapters should reserve their space in the line-up ASAP by checking the signup sheet at maritime.org/events/mobydick. Info: sfmobydickmarathon.org
There's lots to savor in SFJAZZ's fall season, including a week-long residency as artistic director by Laurie Anderson: a listening party, Nov. 28; "Songs for Women" with Tammy Hall, Nov. 29; "Lou Reed Drones" and viola duets with Stewart Hurwood and Eyvind Kang at Grace Cathedral, Nov. 30; "Songs for Men" with Scott Amendola, Dec. 1; and "Scenes from My Radio Play" with Fred Frith, Dec. 2. We're only telling you this because we have our tickets already. www.sfjazz.org.
Paper trail
Found in The New York Times obituary for Craig Zadan, producer with partner Neil Meron of many celebrated plays, films and TV events: "Their last major show together was a live version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical 'Jesus Chris Superstar,' which was broadcast this year on Easter Sunday." Chris and his brother Bruce were unavailable for comment.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Jon Batiste will perform "Celebrating Duke Ellington" on Sun., Sept. 23, in the Greek Theatre, Berkeley. Photo: Frank Stewart