Pianist Justin Echols Featured at USAO Performing Arts Series Kick-Off Gala Page Title
Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Justin Echols will kick off the 19th season of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma’s acclaimed Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 during a wine and cheese gala for season ticket holders, corporate sponsors, invited friends of the series, and community members who are interested in supporting the arts.
The jazz vocalist and pianist will entertain the audience with a wide range of familiar jazz standards. The gala is free of charge and will be held in the USAO Ballroom. Celebratory dress is suggested.
This season offers a diverse range of professional dance, music and theatre performances. Season tickets are available at a cost of $15 for USAO students, $50 for the general public and $35 for others students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online at usao.edu/dwpas, at the gala, or at the USAO business office on campus. Each of this year’s four unique, world-class performances will be held on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
On Oct. 24, in the Davis Hall Little Theatre, PUSH Physical Theatre’s modern interpretation of “Dracula” will set the mood for Halloween. PUSH turns this classic supernatural story into an acrobatic spectacle like nothing audiences have ever seen. Their adults-only adaptation combines their signature motion theatre with spectacular effects.
Continuing Nov. 21, the a cappella sextet M-Pact will sing in the holidays with their winning combination of jazz and pop standards. Formed in Los Angeles more than three decades ago, M-Pact has combined a sophisticated sound with an accessible appeal that has mesmerized audiences in fine arts halls and jazz festivals across four continents.
On Feb. 20, 2020, the Dallas String Quartet will bring their fascinating fusion of classical and contemporary music. Using both traditional and electric strings, the group plays everything from Bach to Bon Jovi in inventive, virtuosic arrangements that show how music from such seemingly different genres use the same notes to move the listener.
Rounding out the season on March 12, 2020, DLUX Puppets will present their fun, multimedia adaptation of the classic children’s story “Alice in Wonderland.” Featuring digitally-projected scenery, life-size puppetry, and popular songs from the latter half of the 20th century, the performance will teach children about the power of their choices and their ability to create.
The USAO Foundation presents the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, Chickasha Public School Foundation, Mid-America Arts Alliance and community and corporate partners. Its mission is to encourage attendance at high-quality performing arts events as an aspect of a liberal arts education for our students, to provide an affordable entertainment resource for our college family and our community, and to become a leader in local arts education by presenting relevant and culturally diverse programming that reflects and broadens the aesthetic of our audiences.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.usao.edu/dwpas or call (405) 574-1213.