POAC kicks off performing arts season on Friday

The Pend Oreille Arts Council announces an exciting, eclectic performing arts season with tickets now on sale for all performances.

Kicking off the season on Friday is international guitar sensation Luca Stricagnoli. The season continues through next spring with performances ranging from Cuban/Brazilian jazz and indie folk music to multimedia theatrical performances, tap dancing and soul music.

Performances will be presented at various venues in Sandpoint including The Hive, The Historic Panida Theater and The Heartwood Center. Vital to POAC’s mission to make art accessible to the community; ticket prices are affordable, ranging from $5-$25, with a limited number of POAC season passes available at $100 for admittance to the six regular season shows. Season passes do not include the additional Nutcracker or Masterpiece Ball, with tickets priced and sold separately.

• Friday, Sept. 18: LUCA STRICAGNOLI  

POAC officials welcome their favorite "guitar wizard" back to Sandpoint. With music streams exceeding 200 million and bookings in every corner of the world, Stricagnoli is considered one of the finest and most interesting guitarists in the world. 

The concert will be at The Hive, 207 N. First Ave. Tickets are $25 general admission, with reserved tables, booths and VIP seating available. Attendees must be 21-plus years old. 

• Saturday, Oct. 24: Masterpiece Ball, featuring Harold’s IGA 

Join POAC fans for an evening of FUN-draising with live music, signature cocktails and appetizers, mini-art auction and a costume contest with fabulous prizes. Attendees are invited to become a living work of art or portray their favorite artist for an exciting opportunity to support POAC’s education programs.

The concert will be at The Hive, 207 N. First Ave. Tickets are $75 for adults; must be 21 years or older to attend.

• Friday, Nov. 13: DUENDE LIBRE 

Award-winning jazz trio whose original music celebrates the connections between global rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and the Mediterranean with the American jazz tradition. Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.

The concert will be at Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for youth. 

• Wednesday, Dec. 9: THE NUTCRACKER with BALLET VICTORIA 

POAC is thrilled to bring back the timeless holiday classic that unites us all during the festive season. The talented dancers of Ballet Victoria will warm the community's heart with holiday cheer and feature local youth as well.

The show will be at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $45 for adults or $20 for youth.

• Friday, Jan. 22: ALYSHA BARILLA  

Three-time JUNO-nominated and Canadian Screen Award-nominated songwriter, composer, producer, and Berklee professor. Guided by her Indo-Tanzanian roots, Brilla seamlessly weaves folk, world, soul, and pop into an electrifying blend of storytelling and global rhythm.

In 2013, she made history as one of the first self-produced female artists to receive a JUNO nomination, later winning Producer of the Year at the Independent Music Awards. She composed the acclaimed score for the feature film, "The Queen of My Dreams" and has performed internationally at major festivals including WOMAD and Iceland Airwaves.

The show will be at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for youth. 

• Saturday, Feb. 27: MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATER “THE WIZ OF THE WEST” 

The Missoula Children’s Theater presents an original adaption of the classic story, with a twist(er): “There’s no place like home … on the range.” The show will star local youth.

Tickets are $20 for adults or $5 for youth.

• Thursday, March 4: LIGHTWIRE THEATER “THE ADVENTURES OF TORTOISE AND HARE”

This fun show is a must for the whole family. With dazzling visuals, poignant storytelling and the creative use of music from classical to pop, this production brings this tale into a new brilliant light The story begins with Aesop’s classic fable but continue the story which finds them 10 years down the road, now with children of their own. 

The show will be at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for youth.

• Friday, April 23: TAP TO SOUL – Solomon Jaye

Solomon Jaye delivers a high-energy performance style blending multi-octave vocals with world-class tap dancing. His signature production, "Tap Into Soul", reimagines classic and contemporary hits from Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire to Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran through electrifying footwork and dynamic live musicianship. Jaye has shared stages with artists including Pentatonix, Jessie J, Robin Thicke, and Katharine McPhee.

The show will be at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave. Tickets are $25 for adults or $10 for youth.

Visiting performers also participate in POAC’s Ovations program, a free K-12 outreach that provides quality educational experiences in the performing arts for students who would otherwise not have these opportunities.  In addition to all public performances, workshops, school performances and outreach programs are planned throughout the year for the Lake Pend Oreille School District and for the Sandpoint community.

“POAC has a long tradition of presenting culturally diverse performances, geared for audiences of all ages, at affordable prices,” said POAC executive director Tone Stolz. “We are thrilled to present a new season of exceptional artistic quality, theatrical excitement and inspiration to the Sandpoint community through the performing arts.”

A limited number of POAC season passes are available, offering discounted admission to six shows. Season passes are $100 (plus tax) and are fully transferable. Nutcracker and Masterpiece Ball tickets are available separately.

Tickets to all events are on sale online at ArtinSandpoint.org, by phone 208-263-6139, or at the POAC Gallery, 313 N. Second Ave, in downtown Sandpoint.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the POAC’s performing arts season, and for individual shows. Call the POAC office for details.

    Duendre Libre
  

    Brilla
  

    Lightwire Theater's "The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare"
  

    Jaye