Widespread Panic on sale Saturday

Tickets for the Widespread Panic shows April 11-13 go onsale this Saturday, February 2 at 11am. All seats are $39.50 and tickets will be available by phone at 312.902.1500, online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Auditorium box office.

Please note - there are no group sales for this event!

La Scala cancels U.S. tour; "Beauty in Motion" takes its place

Teatro alla Scala, set to close out our season with "Romeo and Juliet" in June, lost their tour funding and cancelled their U.S. tour. We are of course extremely disappointed by this cancellation, especially since La Scala's lavish sets and costumes would have looked amazing in our landmark theatre!

The good news is, we were able to book another show in that time slot. Diana Vishneva, the ballerina who was scheduled to dance Juliet in two of the LaScala performances, is starring in a new show. Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion is an evening of 3 new pieces created by some of today's top choreographers to showcase Vishneva's grace, artistry and talent. (If you attended opening night of last season's Kirov Ballet engagement, you were able to see what a dynamic artist she is!)

The three pieces are "Pierrot Lunaire," choreographed by Bolshoi Ballet director Alexei Ratmansky to music by Arnold Schoenberg and featuring members of the Kirov Ballet, Opera and Orchestra; "Picarte" by MOMIX's Moses Pendleton, a solo for Vishneva; and Dwight Rhoden's (of Complexions) "Three Point Turn," featuring Complexions' Desmond Richardson and members of the Kirov Ballet.

Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion premieres in Orange County in February; the show makes its way to New York and Moscow before making its Chicago premiere right here at the Auditorium.

If you have already purchased tickets to La Scala's Romeo and Juliet, you can either exchange them for Beauty in Motion or request a refund:

• If you are a subscriber or group leader, or if you purchased tickets in person at the box office, call 312.431.2357
• If you purchased tickets online or over the phone through Ticketmaster, call 312.902.1500
• If you purchased at an outlet, please return to that outlet.

Tickets for Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion go on sale Friday, February 1 at 10am. Call 312.902.1500, buy online or visit our box office in person for tickets.

"A Soulful Sizzler" - Too Hot article in the Southtown Star

The cover story of today's Southtown Star Arts and Entertainment section featured two of our wonderful volunteer Too Hot choir members! This choir is incredible: not only are they very talented, they are also very dedicated to spreading the word about the show and making sure their friends and family come out to see it. We can't thank them enough.

So to our choir members - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Celtic Woman and The High Kings on sale next week

2 onsales to announce for next week. The High Kings are four outstanding male vocalists who bring their intricate harmonies and driving rhythm to traditional Irish music, infusing it with a refreshing modern sensibility. Their new musical special premieres on WTTW Channel 11 on Sunday, January 13th at 5:30pm. The next day, Monday, January 14th, tickets go on sale at 10am for their April 26 concert.

On Friday, January 18th at 10am, tickets for the April 4-6 performances by Celtic Woman will be available.

As always, tickets are by phone at 312.902.1500, online or in person at our box office.

Orbert Davis Nominated for Chicago Music Award

Our friend Orbert Davis, whose Chicago Jazz Philharmonic has performed at the Auditorium twice to great critical acclaim, has been nominated for "Best Jazz Entertainer" for the 27th Annual Chicago Music Awards.

You can vote for him here (his category is #18); but hurry, today is the last day for voting! The awards will be handed out on January 26th at Park West.

Best of luck to Orbert!

Box office open Sunday noon until 2pm

The box office will be open this Sunday, January 13, from noon until 2pm. If you're downtown, this will be a great time to pick up tickets to upcoming Auditorium events!

Auditorium Events in Tribune Winter Preview

Today's Chicago Tribune Arts and Entertainment section featured some Auditorium events. Jazz critic Howard Reich mentions Too Hot to Handel in his music preview, and there's a great picture of prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvili, with her State Ballet of Georgia's prodution of Don Quixote, in the dance preview (sorry, no link).