The Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University Northridge has announced its inaugural season performers, which include ballet and modern dance companies, speakers and classical, country and Broadway music artists. The 166,000-square-foot facility is set to open with a gala celebration on Jan. 29. “For this premiere season, we bring together a seamless series that offers unique pairings of some of America’s most exciting composers and legendary performers,” said Dean Robert Bucker, the center’s executive director. The spring 2011 season will kick off with folk music artists Shawn Colvin and Loudon Wainwright III on Feb. 5. Other future pairings include Marvin Hamlisch and Joel Grey on Feb. 26, Parsons Dance and the East Village Opera Company on March 4, and Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin on May 21. Other performances include the Russian National Ballet’s “Swan Lake” on Feb. 8, Aszure Barton & Artists on March 26, the China Philharmonic Orchestra on April 16 and Metales M5 on May 5. A lecture series will also be offered, featuring Arianna Huffington on Feb. 19, Joan Rivers on March 1, Shirley MacLaine on May 7, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on March 12, Rosanne Cash on March 19 and Brian Stokes Mitchell on April 30. Tickets for the 2011 Spring Season go on sale starting Nov. 1 for subscribers and starting Dec. 1 for single ticket buyers. The center includes a 1,700-seat Great Hall, a 178-seat flexible experimental theater, classrooms, laboratories, rehearsal space and offices.
Valley Performing Arts Center Announces Spring Schedule
