The Reichhold Center for the Arts announced its 2010-2011 season boasting an all-star line-up of Grammy winners, chart toppers and legends in R&B, pop, reggae and world music.
“This is undeniably one of our strongest seasons ever,” said Pamela Toussaint, co-director of the Reichhold Center. “Usually, each season, we feature at least one major artist of critical acclaim. This season, however, we have really taken it up a notch by presenting at least four artists on our season that have well established careers and are icons in their field of music.”
The Reichhold season will kick off Oct. 23 with an R&B dance party featuring Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan. From her years as a platinum selling recording artist with Rufus and Chaka Khan (“Tell Me Something Good”) to her successful solo career, Chaka Khan is undeniably in a class by herself. The night will feature an evening of her greatest hits, including “I’m Every Woman,” “Whatcha Gonna Do With Me?” “I Feel For You.”
The all-star roster includes pop music icon Michael Bolton performing Jan. 29, 2011, as part of his ‘One World, One Love’ tour. Bolton is one of the music industry’s most successful and accomplished artists, selling more than 53 million albums and singles worldwide. He will sing his many classics, including “Soul Provider,” “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” and “Love Is A Wonderful Thing.” Bolton’s 2010 album, One World One Love finds him collaborating with some of the hottest acts in the business, including Lady GaGa, R&B singer Ne-Yo and Jamaican sensation Tami Chynn.
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff rounds out the all-star roster when he makes his first appearance on the Reichhold stage on April 2, 2011. Cliff will perform his classic hits, including “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross.” The Jamaican native earned critical acclaim when he starred in the 1972 movie “The Harder They Come.” In March 2010 Cliff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Also performing on the Jimmy Cliff show will be reggae singer Gramps Morgan. Morgan earned legions of fans as part of the sibling group Morgan Heritage. He is now enjoying a hugely successful solo career. His CD, “Two Sides of My Heart Vol. 1,” still reigns at the top of the charts in the United States, Caribbean and Europe.
Legendary jazz trombonist Hugh Masekela will perform March 18 on St. Croix and March 19,2011, on St. Thomas, with his signature “Afro-beat” music. Masekela’s signature song “Grazing in the Grass” remains a classic on pop and jazz stations. His concert will also feature South Africa’s top female vocalist, Lira. Masekela and Lira captivated audiences with their joint performance during the pre-concert for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Lira will launch her U.S. tour at Reichhold Center. The 29-year-old style-icon sings in her native language, as well as French and English.
This all-star roster is complemented by a stellar jazz show featuring Virgin Islands native Dion Parson and the 21St Century Band. This co-presentation of Reichhold Center and Virgin Islands Lottery will take place on Nov. 27, 2011. Parson will be joined by fellow Virgin Islanders Ron Blake on saxophone and Rashawn Ross on trumpet. The evening will also feature the VI Youth Jazz Ensemble, a group of youngsters Parson has mentored during the past year.
Reichhold Center’s 2010-2011 season continues the highly popular Family Series with two high energy dance performances: Rhythmic Circus: A Tap Dance Extravaganza and Street Beat: Theatrical Drum and Dance Show. The Family Series is sponsored by the V.I. Department of Education.
Rhythmic Circus has taken the dance world by storm with their innovative repertoire, transforming tap shoes into instruments of rhythm. Their critically acclaimed show, “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” is a display of elaborate costumes and music performed by a seven-piece funk band. The show will be performed Oct. 8 on St. Croix and Oct 9 on St. Thomas.
Street Beat is a high-energy explosion of urban rhythm, hip hop moves and astonishing acrobatics — a full evening of original entertainment for all ages. Household items and street objects are used as drums and percussion as Street Beat’s company dancers demonstrate hard hitting choreography of the latest street dances. The show takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011.
This stellar season of entertainment wraps up May 21, 2011, with one of the country’s most acclaimed dance companies: the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. The ballet company captivates audiences with its invigorating presentation of contemporary ballet with a European twist. Audiences nationally and internationally have embraced this vibrant company on stellar stages from the Joyce Theater in New York to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The Reichhold Center sponsors for 2010-2011 are: International Capital and Management Company, V.I. Lottery, V.I. Waste Management Authority, FirstBank, First Insurance, V.I. Council on the Arts, Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, Innovative Communications Corporation and the V.I. Department of Education.
Tickets to all Reichhold Center shows can be purchased online at www.reichholdcenter.com or by calling the box office at 693-1559.
