DUBUQUE, Iowa – Online subscription packages are on sale now for University of Dubuque’s 2017-18 Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series, which boasts 21 guest artist performances selected from today’s international touring circuit as well as the fifth annual Christmas at Heritage Center.
“Our fifth anniversary season will be our most culturally diverse to date, yet also offering significant star power featuring celebs like Tony Danza (C’72), Jeff Daniels, and Grammy-winning gospel music powerhouse, Take 6,” said Thomas Robbins, executive director of Heritage Center. “We are pleased to partner with the Dubuque Arts Council on two concerts and are excited to introduce the new B.I.T.E. (Babka Intimate Theatre Experiences) Size intimate theater series in Babka Theatre.”
While the B.I.T.E Size Series will be held in Babka, all other performances will occur in Heritage’s John and Alice Butler Hall. Heritage also offers pre-show offerings in conjunction with many series events.
Tickets can be purchased through a subscription or on an individual basis. New for 2017-18, UD alumni are eligible for discounted subscription package pricing.
The eight-event CenterStage Series subscription package offers the best value and includes a variety of subscriber benefits such as priority seating, discounted tickets, reduced fees, free admission to Christmas at Heritage Center, and advance purchasing privileges on additional special events. New this season, subscription packages are also available for Family Series and B.I.T.E. Size Series.
Subscription ticket orders are being processed online or via mail, effective immediately. Subscription orders will be processed via phone or in-person beginning Monday, July 24.
Individual ticket orders are being accepted now only through a submitted order form, via online or mail, and processed beginning Monday, August 14. Individual tickets can be ordered online beginning Monday, August 14, and via phone or in-person starting Monday, August 21.
Farber Box Office summer hours are Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The box office will resume normal weekday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning Monday, August 21. To retrieve an order form or purchase tickets online, visit www.dbq.edu/heritagecenter. For more information on ticket pricing or to request a brochure, call the box office at 563.585.SHOW.
The 2017-18 Live at Heritage Center Performing Arts Series features the following Butler Hall events:
Sept. 12 - 8:00 p.m.
Vitaly Beckman: An Evening of Wonders
Master illusionist Vitaly Beckman has mystified fans from all over the world, including Las Vegas superstars Penn & Teller, whom he successfully fooled in their hit TV show, Fool Us. From bringing pictures and drawings to life to erasing people from their own driver’s licenses, Vitaly’s signature illusions leaves audiences awestruck.
Sept. 16 - 7:30 p.m.
Dan Aykroyd, Judith Belushi, and Paul Shaffer present The Official Blues Brothers Revue
This concert combines comedy and hits from the original movie and pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel, and soul music. The duo dons the official hat and sunglasses and walk in the legendary footsteps of Jake and Elwood Blues. Discovered in Las Vegas, performers Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty capture the infectious humor and unbridled spirit of the Blues Brothers like no one since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Backed by a powerhouse band, they deliver a show packed with Blues Brothers catalog hits including “Soul Man,” “Rubber Biscuit,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” and more.
Sept. 21 - 7:30 p.m.
Black Violin
Black Violin blends hip-hop, rock, R&B, classical, and bluegrass music. Wil Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester launched Black Violin a decade ago. They are accompanied by ace turntable whiz DJ SPS and a drummer. Black Violin has performed an average of 200 shows a year in 49 states and 36 countries as far away as Dubai, Prague, and South Africa. Black Violin has collaborated with the likes of P. Diddy, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, and The Eagles.
Oct. 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Cirque Zuma Zuma
Americaʹs Got Talent finalist Cirque Zuma Zuma is known as the “ultimate African circus,” filled with non-stop action. CZZ features disciplined performers trained in Kenya and Tanzania. Described as an African‐style Cirque du Soleil, CZZ showcases an array of never-before-seen acts mixed with death-defying acrobatic feats. A talented cast leaves audiences breathless with pole and aerial acts, Egyptian limbo dances, Gabonese tumbling, and South African contortionism and gumboot dances.
Oct. 20 - 7:30 p.m.
Tony Danza: Standards & Stories, UD Homecoming
Beloved UD alumnus Tony Danza (C’72) makes his debut on the Heritage stage. Best known for his starring roles on two of TV’s most iconic and long-running series, Taxi and Who’s The Boss, Danza has also established himself as a song and dance man, receiving rave reviews for his role in the hit Broadway musical, Honeymoon In Vegas. Combining timeless music with wit, storytelling, and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele, Danza is accompanied by his talented four-piece band. Danza interweaves stories of his life with performances of Great American Songbook standards and selections from Honeymoon in Vegas.
Nov. 1 - 7:30 p.m.
Jeff Daniels and the Ben Daniels Band
In 1976, Jeff Daniels bought a Guild D-40 from Herb David’s Guitar Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, threw it in the back of his old Buick, and moved to New York City. Now, over 40 years later, he released his eighth record, Simple Truths. The Emmy-winning actor shares ... “Well, mostly I act, write, play guitar, have authored about 400 songs, played over 300 gigs the past 12 years from Maine to Alaska to Californ-i-a, drank from the fountain of youth by touring with my son’s band, founded The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan, ... and, with great pride and a range that would drive a normal actor straight to Betty Ford, have been seen most recently as Will McAvoy on HBO’s The Newsroom, and after 20 long years, with the one and only Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber To. The rest you can google.”
Nov. 11 - 7:30 p.m.
Sofi and the Baladis, presented in cooperation with the Dubuque Arts Council
Sofi and the Baladis, a five-member ensemble led by singer Sofi Tsedaka, features soulful and richly textured performances of an array of musical traditions that lie at the heart of Israel's diverse and historic cultures. The group's multi-lingual concerts, presenting new takes on songs from the ancient Samaritan community and compelling work from contemporary Arabic composers, transcend genres, moving from deeply spiritual to rhythmically upbeat. The concert also provides a powerful narrative into the search for balance, faith, and belonging as families navigate pathways between Jewish and Arab identities.
Nov. 12 - 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat (Two Beans Productions of New York City)
A musical adventure! From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with. And he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will Mom find when she comes home...?
Dec. 1 - 7:30 p.m.
Fifth Annual Christmas at Heritage Center
This UD musical tradition celebrates the birth of Christ through a dynamic concert presentation featuring the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Wind Ensemble. This year’s performance will be interwoven with live narration taken from the exquisite text of “On the Nativity” describing the encounter between Mary and the Magi. Complimentary holiday refreshments served following the concert.
Jan. 12 - 7:30 p.m.
Sons of Serendip, Songs in the Key of Wonder: 50 Years of Stevie Wonder
America’s Got Talent finalist Sons of Serendip creates beautiful music through the use of harp, piano, cello, and voice. Boston University grads and powerhouse musicians, Sons of Serendip hopes to bring joy to audiences — even if just for a moment. The group honors legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder as they perform Wonder’s top hits such as “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Higher Ground,” and “Superstition.”
Jan. 20 - 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Treasure Island (Missoula Children’s Theatre)
An original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's epic novel featuring a cast of local youth. Young Jim Hawkins, a mischievous lad, lives with his mother and six sisters in a seaside village on the coast of Maine. The year is 1782 and the American War for Independence is in its last days. Longing for adventure, Jim comes under the hypnotic spell of the legendary pirate, Long John Silver. While waiting tables in the family inn, Jim finds a treasure map and, with the villainous Silver as his seeming mentor, sails uncharted seas with only the ragged map and a flock of gulls as guides. Feb. 13 - 7:30 p.m.
Amazing Grace: A New Broadway Musical
Fresh off its Broadway run, Amazing Grace: A New Broadway Musical is a new musical based on the true story behind the world’s most beloved song. John Newton, a young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father – a slave trader – or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart. Accompanied by his slave, Thomas, John embarks on a perilous voyage. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home. Brimming with emotion and adventure, the musical is an unforgettable saga capturing the spirit of history’s sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom.
Feb. 17 - 7:30 p.m.
Ondekoza, taiko drummers, presented in cooperation with the Dubuque Arts Council
Ondekoza was created on the Japanese island of Sado, where a group of young people gathered to follow the principle of “Sogakuron” – that “running and drumming are one, and a reflection of the drama and energy of life.” Living in the city of Fuji in Shizuoka, Japan, Ondekoza launched a new project in 2008 under the title of “Music & Rhythms” aiming to “connect children of world through musical experience.”
Feb. 25 - 2:00 p.m.
Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia)
In I Love My Little Storybook, an eager little bunny lies on the grass and opens his book, and within moments, the story he’s reading comes alive in fascinating detail. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia also adapts Guess How Much I Love You, the award-winning classic from author Sam McBratney and illustrator Anita Jeram, celebrating the joy of reading.
March 6 - 7:30 p.m.
PUPPET UP! - UNCENSORED (Henson Alternative)
Brian Henson’s PUPPET UP! is an outrageous and spontaneous show featuring over 60 original Henson puppets – a motley group of characters brought to life by a cast of six world-class puppeteers of The Jim Henson Company in a night of off-the-cuff comedy. Each show is unique, showcasing the wit, technique, and that trademark Henson dryness and sly anarchy. The Chicago Tribune raves, “You don’t [typically] just get to laugh at the inventions of the puppeteers. You also feel like you get a window into how all those great Henson movies and TV shows were actually made.” This show contains PG-13 content suitable for mature audiences only.
March 23 - 7:30 p.m.
FLY Dance Company: The Gentlemen of Hip-Hop
An artistic phenomenon, FLY crosses street dance with classical choreography. FLY is a 10-member, all-male contemporary dance company from Houston known for high energy breakdancing, hip-hop, contemporary, and acrobatic dance. Their technique is creative, gymnastic, and highly masculine. FLY dances to music as diverse as Stravinski, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, Debussy, Three Dog Night, Vivaldi, The Funky Lowlives, Rahzel, and James Brown.
April 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Take 6, Grammy-winning a capella gospel music sextet
Grammy-winning gospel music sextet heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet,” Take 6 is the quintessential a cappella group. Six virtuosic voices unite in crystal clear harmony against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. With praise from luminaries like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Whitney Houston, the multi-platinum vocal phenom has toured worldwide, collaborated across genres, and been recognized for their prominence in the music industry.
April 6 - 7:00 p.m.
Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey (Lightwire Theater in New Orleans)
A cosmic adventure! Marvin the Mouse wants to be popular. Constantly bullied by the “cool” rats, he is labeled a loser and a geek. To escape, Marvin retreats into his science books and world of fantasy. Join Marvin on the space journey of a lifetime: a trip to the moon on his homemade rocket, where he meets a strange cast of misfit creatures, experiences infinite peril, and views awesome beauty. Puppetry-based neon creatures come to life in Lightwire’s signature brand of electroluminescent artistry, poignant musical storytelling, and evocative, life-like imagery.
New for 2017-2018, B.I.T.E. Size Series Babka Theatre presentations include the following:
Oct. 9 - 7:30 p.m. & Oct. 10 - 3:30 p.m.
The Kite Runner (Literature to Life)
This award winner features 50 minutes of verbatim performance from the first half of the best-selling contemporary novel, The Kite Runner. The adaptation mirrors the original short story written by the author and utilizes original Afghani music as a backdrop for the performance. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Amir, the actor takes us on a heartbreaking journey of friendship and betrayal in a society of severe class division. Audiences meet upwards of eight characters, each fully realized by a virtuosic actor.
Nov. 10 - 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
The Accidental Hero, starring Patrick Dewane
The Accidental Hero is a multi-media one-man show about a WWII American officer who miraculously liberates the Czech villages of his grandparents. It's a true story, written and performed by his grandson, Patrick Dewane. Dewane brings this archival material to glowing life as an enthralling, humorous, and heartwarming tale of miraculous escapes and astonishing coincidences. This touching show runs from belly laughs to tears. Dewane takes on a dozen different roles as he powerfully recounts his grandfather's journey from Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, and the end of WWII.
March 19 - 7:30 p.m. & March 20 - 3:30 p.m.
Charles Lindbergh: The Lone Eagle, starring Steve Carroll
Charles Lindbergh continues to intrigue us decades after his death, and Steve Carroll’s riveting play has mesmerized audiences all around the country in his portrayal of this historical American figure. Soar with Lucky Lindy in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis as he battles bad weather, exhaustion, and ghosts to emerge as the first pilot ever to fly nonstop from New York to Paris. Experience the crushing worldwide fame that overwhelms this shy Minnesota country boy when he lands at Le Bourget Airport. Witness the heartbreak of his son’s kidnapping and murder and the garish spectacle of the ensuing “Trial of the Century.”
April 13 - 7:30 p.m.
6 Guitars, starring Chase Padgett
Six Guitars is a pitch perfect blend of music, comedy, and characters. Chase Padgett delivers a virtuosic performance as he becomes six different guitar players each with their own distinct voice and musical style (blues, jazz, rock, classical, folk, and country). During this 85-minute show, each of the characters, ranging from a 19-year-old rock prodigy to an 87-year-old blues man, share their journey with songs and stories that leaves audiences laughing, crying, and falling in love with music all over again.
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For further information, please contact Stacey Ortman, director of public information, at 563.589.3267 or sortman@dbq.edu.
