Want to be a better singer?
In your shower or stuck in traffic, you are an undisputed vocal superstar. But if you’d like some personalized expert advice on singing before your next karaoke night, choir practice or Broadway opening, the Center’s Group Vocal Coaching Class is for you.
Instructor Todd Neal is back with another round of this fun and casual course – four Wednesday nights from March 16 to April 6 – aimed at anyone who wants to improve their vocal delivery, with no previous training required. The sessions cover such topics as vocal technique, projection and stage presence as well as song selection and interpretation. Sign up for Group Vocal Coaching here at the crazy-low cost of just $70 for the whole deal.
Many graduates of the class like to show off their new skills at the Center’s annual World Voice Day celebration, when folks of all ages are invited to perform their favorite tunes on the Palladium stage. This year’s event takes place on April 14, and World Voice Day details are here.
JazzTalk: A world of experience
Vocalist Stacey Kent has carved out a platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated niche in the jazz world with a soft-spoken approach steeped in sounds from Brazil, France and elsewhere. Born in the U.S., she launched her career in the U.K., where she met her husband and musical collaborator, saxophonist-composer Jim Tomlinson.
In advance of her March 20 performance at the Palladium, Kent will join host Todd Williams for the March 3 episode of the JazzTalk online discussion series. Absolutely free of charge, jazz fans, music students and folks of all kinds can Zoom along with them and even submit their own questions about Kent’s life and work. Pretty cool, eh? Register here for JazzTalk: Stacey Kent.
Songs for outdoorsy families
The Okee Dokee Brothers write folk songs, but they are rock stars in the world of children’s music, landing a Grammy win or nomination with each of their past five albums, as well as five Parents’ Choice Awards. The Minnesota-based duo’s latest releases include 2018’s Winterland, a tribute to the season of coziness, family time and outdoor fun, and the 2020 two-disc set Songs for Singin’, with 27 original tunes in the vein of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger inspiring families to engage in the current social conversation.
The “brothers” – actually childhood friends Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander, praised as “two of family music’s best songwriters” – will make their Center debut March 5 with two shows at the Tarkington. Tickets for kids and students are just $15! Grab some seats now to see the Okee Dokee Brothers.
Kids’ concert is all rainbows, unicorns
The Rainbows are something of a local supergroup in terms of quirky music for young audiences, with members including well-known children’s performer Mr. Daniel, his son Roland, Ms. Michelle of ShooBeeLoo Music, Ms. Sheila of Itty Bitty Book Mobile, the Girl Called BOOKS and longtime local musician Mr. Phil. They perform original songs and children’s favorites with a twist, including the possible appearance of a dancing unicorn.
And they are the stars of our next Faegre Drinker Peanut Butter & Jam session on Saturday, March 12. Tickets are only $10 per kid, which includes the option of up to two free adult admissions.
If you’re wondering: This weekend’s Faegre Drinker PB&J for February, Silly Safaris’ “Animal Athletes,” is sold out.
Don’t miss this ‘moving’ presentation
“Movement” is a term with many meanings, musical and otherwise, but ethnomusicologist Bertie Kibreah has found some interesting connections among them.
Currently a visiting professor at Indiana University, Kibreah will headline the next event in the Luminaries weekday speaker series. His March 22 presentation, “Music and Movement,” will examine music making and listening practices from around the world, music’s special power to evoke a sense of place, and its role as a soundtrack to the complex lives and identities of migrants, refugees and other people in motion. The 2 p.m. presentation is followed by light refreshments, so get your Luminaries tickets here.
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Find more information on these programs and other events at TheCenterPresents.org.