by Sally Vallongo
If you think the year has flown by, just wait – with all the activities planned in music, theater,
opera, dance, and the arts, the days will pass like one of the Perseid meteors you missed – yet again – last month.
Still, tickets are available for all these wonderful events – unless they are free. So get that calendar out and start booking yourself into some great events.
9/12-9/20
Quartet
Quartet: Cecily, Reggie, and Wilfred reside in a home for retired opera singers in Kent, England. Each year, on the tenth of October, there is a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. She still acts like a diva and refuses to sing. But the show must go on in this funny and poignant play by the author of Another Time, and The Dresser. September 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8pm & September 14at 2pm. Adult, $16/ Senior or student, $14. Village Players, 2740 Upton Ave. 472-6827. thevillageplayers.org
9/10
Ben Sidran
The Art Tatum Jazz Society is proud to present world renowned historian, author, producer-arranger and artist, Ben Sidran in a rare appearance in the area. Ben brings with him an extraordinary band and an incredible wealth of musical knowledge. His performances are filled with jazz, blues, funk and fun. 7:30pm. Members, $35/ nonmembers, $45/ students, $10. The Toledo Club, 235 14th St. 419-243-2200.
9/11
Jazz in the Garden finale
Like the last rose of summer, chanteuse Morgen Stiegler will bring this season's Jazz in the Garden series at Toledo Botanical Garden to a stylish conclusion, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring your own seating; coolers are fine, although refreshments are also for sale nearby. Parking is near the big greenhouse off Bancroft Street, with shuttle service provided to the outdoor venue. Admission is $6-8 depending on age and membership status; kids 12 and under are free.
9/11
Clutch, Lionize, American Sharks at Headliners
9/12
A Mission of Mercy: The Music of Foreigner featuring Lou Gramm.
Toledo Symphony, in a Mercy Foundation fundraiser, will present a retro trip through the 80s via Brit rockers including Mick Jones and Ian McDonald with American Lou Gramm. Now Gramm is the stalwart reminder of hits like "I Want to Know What Love Is." Brent Havens will conduct the TSO as they provide back-up for this trip down memory lane. Show is 8:30 p.m. in the Stranahan Theater. For ticket info contact the symphony, 419-246=8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.
9/12-14
Grugelfest 2014
A fitting tribute to Cleveland trombonist Ralph Grugel will fill Toledo's riverfront weekend with trad jazz during Grugelfest 2014, a gathering of Dixieland rarely seen even in its hometown, New Orleans. Think of the Park Inn, 101 North Summit St., as NOLA North from Friday through Sunday. On tap will be the Cakewalkin' Jass Band, Toledo's fave Dixieland group, with special guests Duke Heitger, trumpet, pianist Bob Seeley, and Ragtime Queen Sister Jean. Also on the schedule are the Boilermaker Jazz Band out of Pittsburgh; the River Rogues from Grand Rapids, and the North Side Jazz Band from Columbus. A Dixieland Worship Service is set for 10 a.m. Sunday morning at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1853 South Ave. Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland will kick off the weekend Thursday night Ye Old Durty Bird. Tickets are on sale at the Huntington Center box office, 419-321-5007.
9/12
A Night to Remember 2014 with Lou Gramm of Foreigner
5:30pm. Stranahan Theater
9/12-9/21
Pirates of Penzance
Toledo Rep
9/13
The Main Event Art & Music Festival
The East Toledo Creative Corridor announces its first East Toledo art and music festival, titled “The Main Event.” The festival will feature two outdoor stages, three indoor music venues, fine art pop-up galleries, food trucks, and beer gardens. The music line-up is diverse and includes artists such as Guided By Voices, Chicago Afrobeat Project, The Hard Lessons, and nearly 50 more! The fine art pop-up galleries will feature a wide array of local and regional artists in multiple underutilized spaces along Main Street. 2-11pm. East Toledo, on Main Street from Front Street to Fourth Street. Free. easttoledocc.com or facebook.com/TheMainEventFestival
9/13
Barrio Latino Art Festival
Noon
Aurora Gonzales Building
9/13
Johnny Knorr Orchestra
7:30pm. Centennial Terrace
9/13
38 Special w/ Night Ranger
9pm. The Hollywood Casino
9/14
Anti-Flag
7pm
Frankie’s Inner City
9/14
Toledo Symphony Blade Chamber Series launches with world premiere
A new work by Michigan composer Evan Chambers will highlight of the first of four chamber concerts on the TSO's busy season – at 7 p.m. in the Toledo Club downtown. The Chambers work, Four Sacred Places, taps into the composer's deep love and concern for the natural world. Opening the evening will be Benjamin Britten's Quartet No. 1; closing it will be Beethoven's Quartet in Eb Major. Op. 127. Tickets are $30-35 at 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.
9/19
Foxy Shazam
8pm.
Mainstreet
9/19 & 9/20?
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1
8pm
Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle
9/20
Popcorn Posters Summer Show
6:30pm
Secor Gallery
9/21
The Tru TV (Impractical) Jokers Tour
7:30pm
Stranahan Theater
9/21
Cathedral Concerts Series opens
Tenor Shawn Mlynek will present a recital at 3 p.m. in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd. A Toledo native, Mlynek has earned esteem for the beauty and clarity of his voice, as well as his strong stage presence. He studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and performs frequently in the Queen City as well as around the U.S. and in Europe. Pianist Elliot Smith will accompany. Admission is free with donations accepted.
9/25
Brett Leonard lecture
Leonard, a Toledo native, now major filmmaker, will talk about his career from 6-7 p.m. in the Peristyle. He's in town filming "The Perfect Season," about Toledo's erstwhile all-female pro football team. Free.
9/25
Thursday Art Walk
6-9pm
Uptown Toledo
9/26-27
Rocky Horror . . The Final Thrill
River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 South Main St., Monroe, says good-bye to its beloved production of the campy musical, after a seven-year run. 8 p.m. both nights. Tickets $20 at the door. (Mature audiences, please).
9/26
50 Shades The Musical Parody
The Valentine Theatre
9/27
41st Annual Roche de Boeuf Festival
9am-5pm
Downtown Waterville
9/27
Art in the Barn
4-7pm
Serenity Farm
9/29
McGill Brothers Residency at Bowling Green State University
Learning about Anthony and DeMarre McGill in their current lofty classical positions – Anthony is principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic; DeMarre is principal flute of the Seattle Symphony – you might not guess that their roots reach back to Chicago's tough South Side. The brothers will be in residency at BGSU in the Hansen Musical Arts Series, and will talk about their lives and give a free public performance at 8 p.m. in Donnell Theatre of the Wolfe Center for the Arts. Free.
10/1-10/29
Hot Glass Exhibition
10am-6pm
Edison Building, 300 Madison Ave.
10/3 & 10/4
Stave-O Live
8pm
Laffs Inc. Comedy Club
10/3
Village Players After Dark, As Bees in Honey Drown
8pm
The Village Players
10/4
Point Place Art Walk
Discover Toledo’s nautical village.
10am-4pm
Point Place Pathway, 4230 N. Summit St. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Point-Place-Art-Walk/272293639603737?sk=timeline
10/4
Big Band Blast
8pm
Stranahan Theater
10/8
The 6th Annual Art of Prevention
6-9pm. Per person, $50/ for two, $85/ student, $25.
Parkwood Gallery, 1838 Parkwood. artofprevention.com
10/10
Tosca
All's unfair in love and war – but especially love. And no one tells it better than Giacomo Puccini, whose classic opera, Tosca, opens Toledo Opera's season at the Valentine Theatre.
James Meena conducts the Toledo Symphony and stars including Jill Gardner, Adam Diegel, and Drake Dantzler in shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 2 p.m. Oct. 12. For tickets and information call the TOA 419-255-7464 or www.toledoopera.org.
10/10 & 10/11
Detroit
By Lisa D'Amour
A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, this 2010 play won the Obie Award for Best New American Play. At times blistering, quirky and humorous, two suburban couples walk a tightrope between boredom and self-destruction in their quest for upward mobility in a time of economic anxiety.
To be performed at the Valentine Theater's Studio A
8pm. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St.
10/11
Mozart and More Series by the Toledo Symphony
7:30pm
Lourdes University Franciscan Center
10/11
Art Tatum 105th Birthday Celebration
Toledo's gift to the jazz world was the greatest improv pianist ever recorded – Art Tatum. The Art Tatum African American Resource Center at Kent Branch Library will throw a big party to mark the milestone. On the program will be Rob Thompson, the Kalvin Hughes Quartet, and the Jazz Mix Band. Music starts at 7 p.m. at Kent, 3101 Collingwood Blvd., and continues on to 10 p.m.. or so. For tickets and information call Kent at 419-259-5340.
10/13-14
The Thirteen performs at BGSU and in Perrysburg
Anyone who still believes 13 is unlucky hasn't heard this new acappella vocal group, 13 pro singers who specialize in early choral music. They're opening the BGSU Festival Series on, yes, Oct. 13, an 8 p.m. concert in Kobacker Hall. For ticket info call BGSU, 419-372-8171 or visit www.bgsu.edu.
But wait one day, you can hear the same group perform for free at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 871 East Boundary St., Perrysburg, on the St. Tim's Discovers concert series. For more info call 419-874-5704.
10/15-18
New Music Festival
Bowling Green State University continues its exploration of the latest in music composition and performance with concerts, seminars, and lectures. Special guest is Paul Dresher. Activities whirl through Moore Musical Arts Center and Wolfe Center for the Arts. Mostly free. More information at 419-372-8171.
10/16
Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival
3-4:30pm & 6-7:30pm
SeaGate Centre
10/17 & 10/18
"Stormy Seas & Scandinavian Sunsets"
The Toledo Symphony's Classics Series continues with concerts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. TSO tuba player David Saltzman is in the spotlight and guest conductor Karina Canellakis is on the podium. Music by Britten, Plau, and Sibelius. For info call 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.
10/17
Vicki Lawrence
8pm
The Valentine Theatre
10/23-26
Camelot
A new revival of this wonderful musical will give Toledoans a chance to, perhaps, see this romantic Lerner and Loewe classic for the first time. Presented in six shows at the Stranahan Theater. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 8 p.m. Oct. 24, 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 25, 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 26. For tickets and info call 419-381-8851.
10/24
Evil Dead the Musical
7pm
The Valentine Theatre
10/25
Branson on the Road
2pm
The Valentine Theatre
10/26
Golden Dragon Acrobats
This Chinese touring company offers everything – stunning moves, great costumes, traditional dance. 3 p.m. River Raisin Center for the Arts. Tickets $15-25 with family package of 4 at $60.
10/26 and 10/29
Halloween Spooktacular
Ghosts, goblins, and things that go brrruummmp in the night are in store at two family-oriented holiday concerts. The Toledo Symphony's is 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Valentine Theatre. Ticket info at 419-246-8000. UT's version is at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in Doermann Theater on campus. Suggested donation $5.
10/31
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley's seminal horror story comes to life in the 1931 film, presented with live performance of Michael Shapiro's film score. 8 p.m. Donnell Theatre. For ticket info call 419-372-8171.
10/31
Oliver!
Oliver Twist is sold to a Dunstable undertaker after asking for more dinner at the orphanage.
8pm. Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee.
11/1
The Midtown Men
This is the Valentine Theater’s Annual Benefit Gala
6pm
The Valentine Theater
11/1
Classical Mystery Tour
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the British Invasion It’s the best of the Beatles with symphony orchestra— 50 years since the British Invasion — can you believe it? The four musicians in Classical Mystery Tour look and sound just like The Beatles, performing over 30 beloved tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written.
8pm
The Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
11/2
John Tartgaglia’s ImaginOcean
A one-of-a-kind, live, black-light puppet show, Tony Award-winner John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean is a magical undersea adventure for kids of all ages. Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel are three best friends who just happen to be fish, and they're about to set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. ImaginOcean is a blast from the first big splash to the last wave goodbye.
4pm
The Valentine Theater
11/2
Toledo Symphony Orchestra Chamber Series
7pm
The Toledo Club
11/5-8
International Visual Literacy Association Conference
The Toledo Museum of Art will be host for this august gathering of scholars, artists, and educators exploring ways to improve visual literacy levels through the museum and around the region. The project is a focus of director Brian Kennedy's efforts at the TMA.
11/5
Jekyll & Hyde
The Valentine kicks off a star-spangled season with this premiere, right at the start of its national tour. Created by Frank Wildhorn and Lieslie Bricusse, the musical is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson horror tale. Show is 7:30 p.m. in the Valentine. Ticket information at 419-242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.
11/7
Laura
8pm
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre
11/8
The Heiress
8pm
The Village Players
11/8
Straight No Chaser
This fab acappella men's vocal group can sing anything with style and beautiful sound. Catch them in a single show at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Stranahan Theater. 419-381-8851.
11/9
Coming Home
The University of Toledo music department celebrates the historic Steinway piano through performances by faculty, guests, and alumni in this one-off event. 3 p.m. UT Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.
9/13
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Christmas Attic
4pm & 8pm
The Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson.
11/15
Christmas Rocks
2:30pm
Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
11/14 & 11/15
The Chopin Project
Stefan Sanderling, conductor
Abdel Rahman El Bacha, piano
Chopin P iano Concerto No. 1 (Friday)
Chopin P iano Concerto No. 2 (Saturday)
CHOPIN fantasy on polish airs
Chopin g rande polonaise brillante
Smetana M a Vlast (complete over two nights)
Lebanese pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha has a stunningly impressive career spanning multiple continents, decades and repertories. He devotes his efforts in Toledo to the performance of the complete Chopin piano concertos — pieces he recorded with Stefan Sanderling over a decade ago.
8pm
The Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St.
11/16
Anything Goes
This Tony Award-winning musical based on Cole Porter's music goes up at 7 p.m. in the Valentine, part of its national tour. "I Get A Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "Anything Goes" are on the song list. Ticket info is at 419-242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.
11/21
Home Alone
Part of the Silver Screen Classics
$5
7:30pm
The Valentine Theatre
11/21
Toledo Area Artists' Exhibition
The 95th year of the Toledo Museum of Art's popular show features works by artists from the Toledo area and region, selected by jurors with plenty of prizes awarded. On view through Jan. 3.
11/21
Joe Bonamassa
8pm
The Stranahan Theater
11/22
Project Trio
BGSU's Festival Series presents this threesome of virtuoso musicians from Brooklyn. Their style mingles the classics with an eclectic array of musical styles. 8 p.m. Kobacker Hall. Ticket info at 419-372-8171.
11/23
Musica Antigua de Toledo
Toledo's senior early music group opens its season with "An Early Music Mosaic," works from Middle Ages and the Renaissance. 3:30 p.m. Epiphany Lutheran Church, 915 North Reynolds Rd. Tickets are available at the door.
11/28-30
The Nutcracker
Ballet Theatre of Toledo's traditional recreation of the original, with choreography by Nigel Burgoine, brings the holidays to life in the Valentine Theatre. With guest artists and live orchestra. Shows are 7 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29, and 2 p.m. Nov. 30. For tickets call 419-861- 0895 or www.balletheatreoftoledo.org.
The Valentine Theatre
11/29
Christmas as the Peristyle
the songs and stories of the season fill the Peristyle for an event that your family will remember for years to come.This Saturday matinee will feature sing-a-longs, the talented Toledo Opera Chorus, and a visit from Santa.
Activitis begins at 2pm, concert at 3pm.
Toledo Museum of Art
12/1
The Oak Ridge Boys
This venerable country group has its own unique spin on Christmas music. They're in town for one show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Stranahan Theater. 419-381-8851
12/2
Vocalstra
Jon Hendricks' Christmas gift to Toledo is this lively jazz concert featuring students and faculty in the University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. Tickets $3-5.
12/5-12/6
Amahl and Night Visitors
Part of the big ArtX celebration at BGSU, this Giancarlo Menotti opera tells the tale of a poor shepherd boy's encounter with the Magi and the miraculous healing of his crippled leg. Geared for family audiences. 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Donnell Theatre. Ticket info at 419-372-8171.
12/5-12/7
A Christmas Carol
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre presents its annual holiday show based on the Charles Dickens classic. Shows are X Dec. 5-7 in the Valentine. For tickets call 419-243-9277.
12/6
Christmas with Amy Grant
The superstar singer will perform with the Toledo Symphony on its KeyBank Pops Series. 7 p.m. Stranahan Theater. Ticket info at 419-246-8000 or www.toledosymphony.com.
12/6
The Nutcracker
River Raisin Ballet Co.'s charming production takes audiences on Clara's magical trip to the Land of Sweets in this local production. 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 3 p.m. Dec. 7. River Raisin Centre for the Arts. Tickets $12-20.
12/7
Messiah
The Toledo Symphony, Toledo Choral Society, and BGSU Chorale join to perform Handel's magnificent oratorio at 2 p.m. in the Peristyle.
12/13
A Celebration of Christmas
Clarence Smith Community Chorus sings songs of the season from many musical traditions. Clarence Smith, Jr., founder, conducts this popular group. 6 p.m. Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church.
12/13-14
The Nutcracker
Can there be too many Nutcrackers? Never! Especially since the final local show is Toledo Ballet's 74th production of the Tchaikovsky Christmas classic opens in three shows, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Stranahan Theater. Ticket info at 419-381-8851.
12/14
Sounds of Christmas
Central Catholic High School will present its annual show featuring The Central Catholic Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, Gospel Choir, Concert Band, String Orchestra, and the Irish Dance Team will perform holiday favorites to celebrate the season.
$7 & $10.
The Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St.
12/16-21
The Book of Mormon
The smash Broadway musical comes to town for eight performances at the Stranahan. Ticket information at 419-381-8851.
12/19
It’s a Wonderful Life
7:30pm
The Valentine Theatre
12/20-21
Home for the Holidays
A Christmas Spectacular with tappers a la Rockettes, children's chorus, live music and over-the-top holiday cheer. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 3 p.m. Dec. 21, at River Raisin Centre for the Arts. Tickets $15-60.
12/21
A Stan Kenton Christmas
Toledo Jazz Orchestra swings the sounds of the season in the style of the late, great bandleader in 3 p.m. concert. Don't miss the great voice and stylings of Nate Gurley, who will join the TJO. Ron Kischuk conducts. Ticket info at 419-242-2787.
12/28
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
7pm.
The Valentine Theatre
ONGOING EVENTS:
Ongoing TMA exhibits:
People Get Ready: 50 Years of Civil Rights
The Art of Video Games
The Great War: Art on the Front Line
Zeros and Ones: Computer Generated Art
Fun & Games: The Pursuit of Leisure
It’s Friday!
Trapped Toledo Blown Away!
Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals at Wood County Historical Museum
