SanTan Sun News: Arts - Feb. 6, 2016

Chandler Children’s Choir joins Chinese New Year celebration

Like many young girls, Kate Xie loves to sing along to pop songs and popular movie soundtracks. But when she takes the stage at February’s Chinese New Year show in Mesa, the 8-year-old girl will tackle a different kind of song: a Chinese tongue twister.

Kate is one of three soloists performing with the Chandler Children’s Choir at the Mesa show Feb. 13. The young singers— Michelle, Elizabeth Lee, 7, and Audrey Burnett, 12—and their choir will perform “Cai Diao,” a Chinese folk song full of playful riddles.

The girls, all Chandler residents, are equal parts nervous and excited about performing their parts.

“I like singing. It’s really fun,” Kate said. “I thought this would make my mom happy.”

This is the third year that the Chandler Children’s Choir (CCC) has performed at the Chinese New Year show, held at the Mesa

Arts Center. The community choir serves nearly 140 children and teens, and includes a diverse mix of singers.

“It’s important that me that we perform at the Chinese New Year show because we have so many Chinese families in our choir,” said Aimee Stewart, co-founder of CCC and the choir’s artistic director.

“We want to be part of their community in this way,” she said. “It’s also an excellent opportunity for our non-Chinese families to learn about new cultures, to learn a new language, and try something new by attending the celebration.”

Chandler Children’s Choir, in its eighth season, performs at venues and special events throughout the East Valley. The Chinese New Year show, with its mix of festive music and stunning dance performances, is a choir favorite.

The song “Cai Diao,” or “The Riddle Song,” is fast and fun, Stewart said.

“It offers a challenge because it’s a tongue twister in Chinese, but we are up for it,” she said.

The choir’s second song, “A Day in Spring,” is slower and lyrical, with a melody about springtime, friendship and music.

Jing Lee, who has three CCC singers, is thrilled that family members will be in the audience.

“This will be the first time Elizabeth’s grandparents get to see her perform in a Chinese New Year event,” she said. “Since our kids don’t speak Chinese, it will be a surprise for the grandparents to hear her perform in Chinese.”

Kate’s mother, Yunsong Wang, said celebrating the Chinese New Year is an important part of her family’s culture. The opportunity to perform with CCC in the show is exciting. “Kids will have more understanding of their cultural roots,” she said.

Audrey, one of the young CCC singers, has danced at previous Chinese New Year shows and is looking forward to performing a solo with the choir. She said she is drawn to all of the performances, the colorful costumes, and the significance of the celebration.

“Not only do we sing, we dance too. And performing is always really fun, especially with my friends,” Audrey said. “It is also a great opportunity to learn about Chinese culture.”

The Chinese New Year Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets are $20 to $30. Call (480) 644-6500 or visit www. mesaartscenter.com for more information. Visit www.chandlerchildrenschoir.com to learn more about the group.

Smith set to headline the Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival

The seventh Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival is returning to downtown Chandler on Saturday, March 19, and headlining this year’s entertainment will be Granger Smith, best known for his hit single, “Backroad Song.” More than 60 pit masters from across the country and more than 200 kegs of craft beer from the SanTan Brewing Co. will be featured.

Supporting acts include the Ben Miller Band, Zack Deputy and Georgia Chrome. Doors open at 12 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. The festival will span

the entire Dr. A.J. Chandler Park East and West as well as connecting Arizona Avenue, which will be closed from Buffalo Street to Boston Street in downtown Chandler.

Presale general admission tickets are $12 online at www.chandlerbbq.com and are $15 at the gate. Food and beverages are sold separately. Children 12 years of age and younger are admitted for free. All Valley Bashas’ locations have discounted $10 admission tickets.

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Boot Campaign, which

provides assistance to wounded military and their families, including job placement, help securing mortgage-free homes, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, and adaptive clothing.

Official sponsors include; Bashas’, Alliance Beverage, Crescent Crown Distributing, Ak-Chin Indian Communities, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, SanTan Brewing Co., 102.5 KNIX, Discount Cab, BBQ Island, Phoenix New Times , Local First AZ, Yelp, Von Hanson’s Meats & Spirits, and Local Lily.

Dmitri Matheny releases ‘Jazz Noir’ at party in Phoenix

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny needed to raise cash to create a film noir-inspired album, so he embarked on an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign last year.

He managed to raise over $10,000 to pay for the recording, production, musicians and the replication of “Jazz Noir.” “For a long time, people told me to try it. I gave it a shot and it worked,” Matheny said.

Now, Matheny, a part-time Chandler resident, will perform selections from his latest collection at a CD release celebration at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. For more information, call (602) 7950464.

“The concept is film noir, the femme fatale, the hard boiled detective, Bogey and Bacall, those kinds of sensibilities,” Matheny said of the CD.

The collection features classic movie themes from “Touch of Evil,” “Laura,” “Chinatown,” “Vertigo,” “Taxi Driver,” “Blues In The Night,” “Twin Peaks,” “Toute Une Vie,” “High Wall,” “The Long Goodbye” and “Stormy Weather,” modern standards “Estate,” “Caravan,” “Here’s Looking At You” and “Golden Lady,” and two originals: “Film Noir” from a poem by Dana Gioia and “Crime Scenes.”

The Papillion/BluePort Jazz release, Matheny’s 11th album as leader, showcases the talents of “some of the most accomplished musicians in the western United States,” according to All About Jazz: Bill Anschell, Matt Clark, Nick Manson, Charles McNeal, Susan Pascal,

Phil Sparks, Todd Strait, Akira Tana, Jay Thomas and John Wiitala. Musicians appearing with him at The Nash are Andrew Gross, tenor saxophone; Nick Manson, piano; T-Bone Sistrunk, bass, and Rob Moore, drums.

“The Nash is one of my favorite places to play,” Matheny said. Of course, CDs will be available to purchase. “It’s a performance, it’s a concert,” Matheny said of the evening show.

Matheny fell in love with jazz at a young age. “When I was a little kid, my father had one recording of Miles Davis’ ‘Kind of Blue.’ The muted horn sound was searching, and plaintive,” Matheny said. “I wanted to be a jazz musician. It’s what I liked with early instruments and it’s what I love now.”

He began piano lessons at age 5 and switched to the trumpet at age 9. Matheny attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, then the Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating magna cum laude in 1989.

Matheny has had the privilege of appearing in concert with such jazz luminaries Larry Coryell, Nathan Davis, Amina Figarova, Tommy Flanagan, Wycliffe Gordon, Darrell Grant, Larry Grenadier, John Handy, Billy Higgins, Red Holloway, Denise Jannah, Charles McPherson, James Moody, Jean Louis Rassinfosse, Margo Reed, Tony Reedus, Sam Rivers, Max Roach, Dennis Rowland, the Rosenberg Trio, Bud Shank, Sonny Simmons, Mary Stallings, Akira Tana, Billy Taylor, Bobby Watson and Paula West. Matheny’s discography lists over

Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny celebrates his release of “Jazz Noir” at The Nash, 110, E. Roosevelt St., in Phoenix on Saturday, Feb. 20. Submitted photo

120 CDs on which he appears as a composer, arranger, producer, annotator or flugelhorn soloist. He has released 10 critically acclaimed albums as a leader: “Red Reflections,” “Penumbra,” “Starlight Cafe,” “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “Nocturne,” “The SnowCat,” “Spiritu Sancto,” “Best of Dmitri Matheny,” “Grant and Matheny” and “Sagebrush Rebellion.” Matheny plays the flugelhorn for its warm lyrical sound. He became a protégé

of the legendary Art Farmer, a musician who inspired Matheny. “Art Farmer defined the sound of the instrument,” Matheny said. “I aspire to do what he did.”

Dmitri Matheny performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. For more information, call (602) 795-0464.

Jewish Film Festival returns for 20th year of cultural exploration

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Separated from her family’s Jewish faith, Kate Marks felt alone when her father died. So, seeking closure, she wrote the short film “7-Day Gig.”

“It’s a personal film for me,” Marks said. “I have the Jewish ancestry, but I’m not Jewish myself, even though it’s part of my background and heritage. I felt the loss of that culture when I was grieving.”

The movie, which will be shown during the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, tells the story of a punk, an old man and a chicken who gather for a makeshift Shiva after Jay—a Romanian/Guamanian/ Catholic/Jew—puts an ad on Craigslist looking for mourners to join him.

In its 20th year, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival screens films in three locations—Scottsdale Shea 14, Chandler Fashion 20 and Arrowhead Fountains 18. According to Bob Segelbaum, the event’s executive director, the project is a labor of love.

Planning for the festival, which this year runs Feb. 14 through Feb. 28, begins 12 months prior and continues through to the day before the event.

“We start our screening process as soon as the festival is over,” Segelbaum said. “We have three screening committees—West Valley, Chandler and Scottsdale. They all review the same film the same week and they rate them.

“Based on the rating, we decide which films will play at the festival. They screen all through the spring and summer and into the fall. We hopefully have our

selections by October.”

To help celebrate the two decades of excellence, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is hosting a party at the Phoenix Art Museum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Tickets are $36.

“We’re having a special party at the Phoenix Art Museum,” Segelbaum said. “We’ll have hors d’oeuvres and drinks and a short presentation. If there’s time, people can wander through the galleries. Then at 7, we go into the theater and there’s a film presentation called ‘The Wandering Muse.’”

Whether it’s screening the films, presenting the anniversary party or just seeing satisfied film goers, he’s thrilled to be a part of the event.

“It’s a labor of love,” he said. “It’s a lot of work. I’m like an engineer on the train to make sure the train stays on its tracks.

“It’s a great thing and we’re very fortunate that we’ve been able to carry on the tradition for 20 years. We have a great group of people working and we all look forward to the successful festival.”

Marks hopes her film will move audiences.

“I want people to recognize how beautiful tradition and culture is, coming from the perspective of a person who doesn’t have it,” said the former theater actress. “I’m wanting this culture and tradition, even though I am no longer connected to it.”

For more information about the festival, call (602) 753-9366 or visit www. gpjff.org.

Gold Canyon Arts Council presents quartet with a spicy mix

Fandango, a quartet of classical guitar, flute, violin and cello, will perform 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, 6640 S. Kings Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon. From the musical scene of Chicago, Fandango is a combination of two internationally acclaimed duos that make up a spicy mix of Spanish, Balkan, Sephardic and classical sounds.

Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic and his wife, flutist Eugenia Moliner from Spain, are also the Cavitino Duo, and have performed at the Aix-en-Provence Summer Festival in France and Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts. American violinist Desirée Ruhstrat and her British husband, cellist David Cunliffe, are also members of the Lincoln Trio, winner of the 2008 Masterplayers International Competition in Venice, Italy. Ruhstrat has won top prize at the Mozart Festival Violin Competition and Cunliffe has been principal cello with the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestras.

Brass quintet scheduled Metales M5 Mexican Brass will perform “Brasscinación,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church. A brass quintet, Metales M5 plays all styles of chamber music with nonstop audience interaction.

Adult tickets for Fandango and Metales M5 can be purchased in advance for $25, and students for $5, at Canyon Rose Storage, 6405 S. Kings Ranch Rd.,

M5 plays all styles of chamber music with nonstop audience interaction. Submitted photo

Gold Canyon, and at the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce office on the Apache Trail. Adult tickets are $30 at the door. Tickets may also be ordered at www.gcac1.com/cynsnds.html.

The Gold Canyon Arts Council, a nonprofit organization, promotes the performing and visual arts through its Canyon Sounds Artist Series. The council is supported in part by grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, WESTAF, the National Endowment for the Arts, local corporations and businesses.

Tuesday, February 23rd

Restaurants help by donating a percentage of their proceeds to the Chandler Center for the Arts on that day. You help by eating at one or more of the participating restaurants.

Want to get involved? Be a Table Host!

Invite 3-6 friends (or more) to join you for lunch/dinner at a participating restaurant.

Sign up: www.chandlercenter.org/tablehost

Participating Locations

Eat Lunch Here

Crust - Chandler

Floridino’s · The Living Room

Nando’s Mexican Cafe

Rock Lobster

San Tan Brewing Co.

Serrano’s - Chandler

Stone + Vine Urban Italian - Chandler

Eat Dinner Here

Bourbon Jack’s Bar & Grill

CHoP Chandler

Earnest · Floridino’s

The Living Room

Nando’s Mexican Cafe

Rock Lobster

Serrano’s -Chandler

Exhibit featuring couture from Arizona’s past is scheduled

“Arizona Chic: Couture from Arizona’s Past Curated by Robert Black,” will be on exhibit March 18 to April 30 at Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. An opening reception will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 18.

Curated by Robert Black, of Fashion by Robert Black of Scottsdale, the exhibit depicts Arizona’s Fashionable past. Included are some of the most glamorous, the most understated and the most over the top examples of Arizona couture, from the eclectic to the perfect resort wear.

“Arizona Chic: Couture from Arizona’s Past Curated by Robert Black” will be exhibited March 18 to April 30 at Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. Submitted photo

“There was a time when Arizona’s chic fashion was written about and taken to destinations all around the world,” Black said. “Visitors were enamored by the western- and southwest-themed styles as

well as the comfortable cotton fabrics and bright colors that were made for our desert sun.

The exhibit explores the local look of Arizona chic, as well as the international designer dresses that were sold in many high-fashion boutiques.

Included in the exhibition are fashion and accessories by local and well-known Arizona designers, including Lloyd Kiva, Leona Caldwell, Novis Denne, Kay Bennett, Harwood Steiger, Sun Ray of Arizona, Alfredos Wife, and dress shops such as Cele Peterson, Michelles, Phyllis de trano, Hanny’s, Fantasia, Goldwaters, Thimble Weeds and Tumbleweeds.

Info: (480) 782-2695 or www. visiongallery.org.

Cossu to perform heavy metal music at King of Glory Lutheran Church

New Age pianist, composer and recording artist Scott Cossu and his trio with piano, harmonica and percussion are performing 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. A free-will offering will be taken.

Cossu, who describes his music as

heavy metal, will perform selections from his new album, “Safe in Your Arms,” a collection of some of his most cherished Wyndham Hill compositions, along with several new pieces.

Info: www.kogaz.org/concert-series or Cyndee Chaffee at (480) 838-0477 or cyndeec@kogaz.org.

The Real Thing Band to perform at Veterans Oasis Park

Lead vocalists Melisza and Jessica Gransbergen and The Real Thing Band are the featured performers at the next free Sonoran Sunset Series outdoor concert, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. under the stars Thursday, Feb. 18 at Chandler’s Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets, folding chairs and food.

The park’s 5-acre lake will provide the band’s backdrop, as it delivers an exhilarating live performance pulling from an expansive repertoire that includes music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, current dance hits, rock, country, soul, funk, Motown, jazz, blues, easy listening, pop and Top 40.

In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held indoors at the park’s Environmental Education Center.

Love is in the air and it returns to the big screen at Harkins Theatres

Harkins Theatres is presenting Tuesday Night Classics, with special presentations of classic films, 7 p.m. every Tuesday in February for only $5. Films include “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

The theaters are located at Harkins Arrowhead Fountains 18, Chandler Fashion 20, Gateway Pavilions 18, Queen Creek 14, Scottsdale 101 14, Superstition Springs 25, and Tempe Marketplace 16

Info: www.harkinstheatres.com/TNC.

Artwork of Mary Bruns to be on display at Chandler Center

Works by Mary Bruns, an artist who uses split imagery as a means of expression, will be on display Friday, March 11, to Saturday, April 23, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. An opening reception will be held 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday March 18.

“I use old photographs, photos that I have taken and advertising as references and models in my artworks,” Bruns said. “I give vintage photography a story and stage, and I enjoy the process of painting or drawing each one to look like a photograph or the exacting of an ad.”

She describes her painting as collective

realism, and said she uses her art as a chief means of creating visual energy to satisfy and explain a situation, a life, an encounter or a human dilemma. She said this is the same way a theater visit gives explanations and insights.

Bruns studied baroque painters and incorporated the style into her own means of painting. She has exhibited across the country for more than 30 years and is included in the permanent art collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art Atlanta, as well as in numerous private collections.

Bruns works from her studio in Cave Creek. Info: www.marybrunsart.com.

Celebrate New Year’s with Jazzdagen Tours in the Mexican Riviera

Jazzdagen Tours is offering a seven-day Mexican Riviera Holiday tour Saturday, Dec. 31, to Saturday, Jan. 7, on the Holland America MS Westerdam, which will sail from San Diego, California, to the Mexican ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

Cabo San Lucas has beaches, a desert climate and big-game fish along the coast of Baja California. Mazatlan is a cosmopolitan beach city with history and culture. Puerto Vallarta is an artistic village with cobbled streets, shopping and open markets. Info: (800) 433-0078 or jazzdagen@aol.com.

What does a music conductor actually do?

Maestro Jack Herriman of The Chandler Symphony Orchestra will explain what he actually does on the podium when he leads the orchestra from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at

the Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St. This will be a highly interactive musical experience and suitable for families. Info: (480) 782-2800, infodesk@chandlerlibrary. org or www.chandlerlibrary.org.

ON STAGE

Nelson Illusionists, Saturday, Feb. 6, HCPA. Nelson Illusions is a one-of-a-kind theatrical spectacle combining rare and original illusions with award-winning, jaw-dropping magic.

The Company Men, Saturday, Feb. 13, HACC. A unique interweaving of today’s Top 40 hits with reimagined classics of the last six decades, including Sam Smith, Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Billy Joel, The Temptations and more.

Smokey Robinson, Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14, WHP. The legendary R&B singer-songwriter is known for such hits as “Tears of a Clown,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tracks of My Tears.”

Anything Goes, Thursday, Feb. 18, Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 (repeating Feb. 24-27). Cole Porter’s classic musical includes such hits as “I Get a Kick out of You” and “It’s De-Lovely.”

Salt N Pepa, Saturday, Feb. 20, HACC. The first female rap group is best known for its hit songs “Push It,” “Tramp,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop” and “Whatta Man.”

Oak Ridge Boys, Saturday, Feb. 20, WHP. Four-part harmonies and upbeat songs give this group its distinctive sound.

Lee Ann Womack, Sunday, Feb. 21, CCA. Country Album of the Year nominee Lee Ann Womack sings hits from her most acclaimed albums.

ON STAGE VENUE INDEX

CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts

250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org

HCT—Hale Centre Theatre

50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www.haletheatrearizona.com

HACC—Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa Tickets: (480) 802-5000, www.harrahsakchin.com

Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters, Wednesday, Feb. 24, HCPA. Singer and playwright Lisa Rock has compiled a moving tribute to the music and life of Karen Carpenter and brings it to the stage with her six-piece backing band.

The Music of Whitney Houston with the Phoenix Symphony and guest vocalist Rashidra Scott, Saturday, Feb. 27, MAC. Broadway sensation Rashidra Scott joins the Phoenix Symphony to celebrate the amazing music and extraordinary talent of Whitney Houston.

Jason Coleman: The Piano Magic of Floyd Cramer, Friday, March 4, HCPA. The distinctive “Nashville” sound of Floyd Cramer is recreated by Coleman.

Gordon Lightfoot: 50 Years on the Carefree Highway, Friday, March 4, WHP. The storytelling singer-songwriter looks back on a career spanning half a century.

2CELLOS, Saturday, April 9, MAC. Its version of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” went viral in 2011, and the Croatian cellists continue to with dynamic music videos and covers.

Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science, Thursday, May 12, MAC. Fans can expect more comedy, talk show antics, multimedia presentations and music.

Dancing Devils of Yare exhibition opens Feb. 9 in Gilbert

An exhibition of an exploration of a Venezuelan religious festivity by photographer, cultural anthropologist and educator Gina Santi will be on display Tuesday, Feb. 9, to Saturday, April 9, at Gallery 4, 207 N. Gilbert Rd., No. 4, Gilbert. An opening reception is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.

The exhibit is focused on the Dancing Devils of Yare, a religious festivity representing the victory of good over evil through ritual dance performed by all male Dancing Devils. It has been celebrated since the 18th century in San Francisco de Yare, Miranda State, Venezuela. The Dancing Devils of Yare were recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

exhibition about the Dancing Devils of Yare by photographer Gina Santi will be on display Tuesday, Feb. 9, to Saturday, April 9, at Gallery 4, 207 N. Gilbert Rd., No. 4, Gilbert.

Submitted photo

Santi was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. She studied photography at the Universidad Santa María, Caracas, and continued her photography training at the Washington, D.C., School of Photography. She teaches Spanish and anthropology at the university level, and has worked, lived and traveled in many countries, especially those where Spanish is the official language.

Gallery hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

This event is a part of Photo Tapas, a state wide photography celebration. Info: www.phototapas. com or (480) 361-1118.

Free lecture offered

A free lecture by Diana Bloomfield, a tricolor gum bichromate artist, is being held 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 8. She will discuss her artwork and working methods, including the hand-coated, tri-color gum bichromate process she uses to print her images.

A fine art photographer for 30 years, Bloomfield has exhibited widely and received numerous awards for her images.

A native North Carolinian, Diana lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received her master’s degree in English literature and creative writing from North Carolina State University. Her work is represented by Tilt Gallery in Scottsdale. The lecture proceeds a weekend of workshops she is giving, where participants can sign up to learn the process of tri-color gum bichromate themselves.

HCPA—Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 279-7190, www.higleyarts.org

MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www.mesaartscenter.com

WHP—Wild Horse Pass

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler Tickets: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com

Take 6, Manhattan Transfer come together for local show

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Take 6 will “take on” Manhattan Transfer when the two groups perform at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Valentine’s Day.

“We’ve been doing this show for almost eight months to a year now,” said Claude McKnight of Take 6.

“It’s starting to gel. We come together and figure out what we can do that people can only see at this show. What we decided was to do some of their stuff, some of ours, do a battle of the bands and we’ll sing some stuff together. Hopefully, as people leave, they’ll say, ‘I can’t believe how much I was able to see with these two groups together. It was a lot of fun.’”

proud of.”

McKnight said it’s not that risky to add instrumentation.

“People who have known us for forever know that we are primarily a cappella,” he said.

“This isn’t new for us though. Anytime we do it, it is a little risky. But you decide what the song needs and you go from there. If people love the song, hopefully they won’t mind their favorite vocal group on the planet is doing it with instruments.”

This year is shaping up to be a busy one for Take 6, as the a cappella singing group is preparing to release its new album, “Believe,” on March 25.

We’re really, really proud of it,” he said. “We are primarily an a cappella group, but with this album, we decided to be a little more accessible with the arrangements and the kinds of songs. We wanted each song to land on its own merit.

“Some songs deserved to have instrumentation, some a cappella. The subject matter is something we’re really

The album was recorded mostly in Los Angeles with producer Ross Vannelli, the brother of singer Gino.

“He’s a really great producer in the sense that his musical acumen is off the charts,” he said. “He’s a great voice outside of us to tell us ‘a little less of that here,’ ‘more here.’ We could bounce ideas off of him.”

When he’s not listening to his own music, McKnight pops in Pentatonix, whom he calls the “new darlings on the a cappella scene,” as well as Bruno Mars, John Legend or Ed Sheeran.

“I listen to anything that’s out there that’s being done really well,” he said.

For now, though, he’s focusing on Take 6 and, maybe, looking for his Valentine with whom he hopes to share that special day.

“I’ve been blessed to have some really

great Valentine’s Days over the years,” he said. “I’ve had one or two trying to be that romantic guy that I can be every once in a while. But I’m looking forward to playing Arizona on Valentine’s Day.”

“The Summit—The Manhattan Transfer Meets Take 6” starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Tickets are $48 to $68. For more information, call (480) 782-2680 or visit www.chandlercenter.org.

in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Nine East Valley Locations

Queen Creek, and Tempe (480) 405-0548

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