[ arts + culture ]
Jennifer Hudson performs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Jan. 22
DEEP LISTENING
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DR. PHILLIPS CENTER
RPO through a set of original arrangements — and it’s Bridges’ first time in front of an orchestra. Jan. 22: Jennifer Hudson & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The opening of Steinmetz Hall is marked by a ‘Grand Celebration’ series of unique performances BY MATTHEW MOY E R
T
Grammy- and Oscar-winning performer Hudson fronts the RPO for a one-off and wide-ranging program of songs you know and original orchestral arrangements put together by Hudson just for the evening. Jan. 23: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic takes center stage for this night, he long-awaited opening of the new Steinmetz Hall representing Orlando’s arts community will be featured in teaming with Winter Park’s Bach Festival Choir to tackle performance space at the Dr. Phillips Center is this collaboration between the Dr. Phillips Center, Creative Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and more. almost upon us, along with two weeks’ worth of City Project’s Cole NeSmith and the Orlando Phil’s music Jan. 25: Lyle Lovett & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra eclectic performances to fully show off the “acoustically director, Eric Jacobsen. Americana master and country outlier Lovett will tear perfect” space. through a set of his best work backed up by, you guessed it, Jan. 15: Michael Feinstein & Friends Shows at the Steinmetz commence this week with the Feinstein presents an evening of Broadway hits and selec- the RPO. “Grand Celebration,” eight bigtions from the Great American Jan. 26: ‘Black, Brown and Beige’ and ‘Sacred Music’ name events happening from Songbook. Notable is that three Emmy- and Grammy-winner Audra McDonald, the Jan. 14-26, with seemingly a of his “friends” for the eve- RPO, and members of the Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips GRAND CELEBRATION little something for everyone ning will be local singers Norm Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Bethune-Cookman Friday, Jan. 14-Wednesday, Jan. 26 — from ballet devotees to soulLewis, Davis Gaines and Sofia University Concert Chorale will join together to perform Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center music aficionados — even an Victoria Deler. the prescient Duke Ellington masterworks Black, Brown 445 S. Magnolia Ave. extended performance residency Jan. 19: The Royal Ballet and Beige and Sacred Music. This is the first time Ellington’s drphillipscenter.org at the Steinmetz by London’s & the Royal Philharmonic piece Black, Brown and Beige, improbably panned at the various prices Royal Philharmonic Orchestra time, has been heard like this. Orchestra for the duration of the Grand Tickets for all of the Grand Celebration events are availEight dancers from the Royal Celebration. Ballet Covent Garden join the able now. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 14, the RPO for an evening of Tchaikovsky. Yes, pieces from Swan Please note that the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing schedule for the Grand Celebration looks like this: Arts recently reinstated their face-mask requirement, so if you Lake and Nutcracker are on the program. Jan. 14: Rise & Shine Jan. 20: Leon Bridges & the Royal Philharmonic want to make sure indoors events can continue in this new space, do your part. Over 200 local artists (including members of the Orlando Orchestra Phil, SAK Comedy Lab, CFCArts and the Wynn Family) Grammy-winning young soul singer Bridges leads the arts@orlandoweekly.com orlandoweekly.com
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JAN. 12-18, 2022 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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