Executive Director Brett Batterson makes New City's "Players" list (again)

Image from NewCityStage.com

Annually, New City publishes its list of The Players: The 50 people who really perform in Chicago. We're proud to see our own Executive Director, Brett Batterson on the list at number 14. While we'll leave it to you to read the whole article, here's a snippet of what New City said about Brett:

"Not only does his artistic soul lead him to edgier programming decisions, like bringing in Batsheva, Complexions and Nederlands Dans Theater—which absolutely blew away everyone who saw it—but he also produces. Under his watch, Auditorium has developed “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” into an annual franchise, he brought opera to the Auditorium for the first time in sixty-five years with “Margaret Garner” in 2008 and this year he’s producing the upcoming Miles Davis Festival, which includes a major dance element through a commissioned world premiere from River North Chicago Dance."

Congrats to Brett from the whole team!

Music for Miles and Miles

The city is alive with the sound of music! If you work downtown, you’ll get a special serenade this morning. From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., trumpeters will be on several street corners playing Miles Davis tunes. Why, you might ask? To celebrate the announcement of the Auditorium Theatre’s Miles Davis Festival, of course. Take a picture of one of the trumpeters and post it to our Facebook page or tweet it to us @AuditoriumChgo and you’ll get a special discount off Festival programming.

Want to know where to find them? (You didn't think we'd make you go on a scavenger hunt in this weather, did you?!)

Courtesy of Frances Carnauba

-190 N. State Street
-435 N. Michigan Avenue
-600 N. Michigan Avenue
-Chicago Red Line CTA Station (800 N. State)
-Chicago Cultural Center, north entrance (78 E. Washington)
-Chicago Cultural Center, south entrance (78 E. Washington)
-DePaul Center Plaza (1 E. Jackson)
-Jackson Red Line CTA Stop (350 S. State)
-Jackson Blue Line CTA Stop (230 S. Dearborn)
-Ogilvie Transportation Center (504 W. Madison)

For more information about the Festival, read Brett’s blog post or visit MilesDavisFest.org. And don’t forget, send us those pictures for your discount offer!

Announcing the Miles Davis Festival

Post by Brett Batterson, Executive Director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

Miles Davis on the Auditorium Stage. August 14, 1981. Photo by Paul Natkin.

I am delighted and honored to announce that the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University is producing a four-month—yes, you read that correctly—a FOUR MONTH celebration honoring a legendary Illinois jazz artist some of you might be somewhat familiar with…a man by the name of Miles Davis.

This Miles Davis Festival will run from January through April 16, 2011—and in all my years as Executive Director of the Auditorium Theatre, I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited at the potential, or the possibilities, of a project as I am right at this moment.

I’d just like to elaborate for a moment on the genesis of this project and give you a few more details about all the incredible events that will be taking place. Miles Davis is one of Illinois' favorite sons. Born in Alton and raised in East St. Louis, Mr. Davis' impact on the social, musical, and cultural landscape of America simply cannot be denied.

Beginning today, and culminating on April 16, 2011, the Auditorium Theatre will co-produce a series of citywide events and concerts recognizing Miles Davis' substantial impact on American music and society. 

Student Rush Tickets to Too Hot to Handel

Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah returns on January 15 at 7:30 pm and January 16 at 3 pm. This is not your grandmother's Messiah! More than 200 musicians - including an orchestra; jazz combo; soloists Rodrick Dixon, Alfreda Burke and Karen Marie Richardson; and the city wide Too Hot Choir take our stage. You'll hear jazz, gospel, blues, classical - even some rock 'n' roll.

Student Rush tickets are available for $15. You can purchase them in person at the Auditorium Box Office (50 E. Congress Pkwy) ONE hour before show time. Please remember to bring your valid college ID. There's a limit of two tickets per college ID.

Student Rush tickets are sold at the discretion of the presenter. Policies may vary from show to show. Tickets and their locations are subject to availability and cannot be reserved in advance.

Do you want to be among the first to know about Auditorium deals for students? Contact me at 312.922.2110 x 300 or nwetzell@auditoriumtheatre.org and sign up for e-mail Student Rush Alerts.

Sneak Peek: The Too Hot Choir on WGN's Midday News

Catch the rest of the show, plus more than 200 musicians including soloists Alfreda Burke, Rodrick Dixon, and Karen Marie Richardson and the city-wide Too Hot Choir for an exuberant musical celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King!

Tickets are selling quickly for both performances on January 15 and 16. To purchase, visit the Too Hot page on our website.

Hint: Like our Facebook page for $10 off select seats!

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