The Santa Monica College Music Department will present eight spring concerts in May in The Broad Stage or The Edye at the SMC Performing Arts Center (Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street, Santa Monica). The concerts include an SMC Symphony performance, a joint SMC Opera Theatre-SMC Chamber Choir production of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," and a lighthearted "Pops" concert performed by the SMC Wind Ensemble.
The May concerts are:
Thursday, May 7 at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye: A Day in the Blues. The band Terry Carter and The Tomcats - featuring virtuoso Steve Trovato on guitar, Terry Carter on guitar/vocals, Robbie Fontana on bass, and John Atkinson on drums - puts its twist on blues standards by legends such as Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Johnny Cash, and more. (FREE. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.)
Friday, May 8 at 7 & 9 p.m. in The Edye: Spring Jazz Concerts: Christian Moraga Quartet. Chilean-born conguero Christian Moraga and his ensemble perform invigorating modern Salsa and Latin-Jazz works. Part of the Spring Jazz Series. (Tickets are $10.)
Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of James Martin, Director. The program features Borodin's Symphony #2 - a romantic favorite - and also, for the third year running, performances by a selection of highly talented high school soloists from the Westside Music Foundation. (Tickets are $10.)
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, May 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 23 at 2 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Opera Theatre Workshop & SMC Chamber Choir: "Dido and Aeneas" by Purcell. SMC Opera Theatre, directed by Janelle DeStefano and the SMC Chamber Choir, directed by William Belan join forces to present a full production of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," along with scenes from Durón's baroque zarzuela "Salir el amor del mundo," performed with baroque period instruments. (See www.smc.edu/eventsinfo for ticket information.)
Thursday, May 28 at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye: Terry Carter & The Riffrafters. Join Terry Carter and the guitar students of SMC as they perform Classic Rock, Pop, Blues, and Reggae in an epic concert. (FREE. Complimentary tickets are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.)
Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Ian Brekke. SMC's award-winning jazz vocal ensemble, backed by LA-area jazz musicians, blends its voices in a program of jazz repertoire specifically arranged for four-part harmony. (Tickets are $10.)
Saturday, May 30 at 4 p.m. in The Edye: SMC Vocal Department Showcase, directed by Dennis Parnell. SMC's advanced voice students perform classical, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial songs. (Tickets are $10.)
Sunday, May 31 at 3 p.m. in The Broad Stage: SMC Wind Ensemble, conducted by Kevin McKeown. The ensemble presents its annual exciting, lighthearted "Pops" concert showcasing the most memorable music from film, TV, and the Broadway stage. All ages are welcome. (Tickets are $10.)
For tickets and information, please go to www.smc.edu/eventsinfo or call (310) 434-3005 or (310) 434-4323.
