The Oct. 2 Nagata Shachu show in UTC's Fine Arts Center will kick off the 30th anniversary of the Patten Performances series, according to a news release.
In that time span, the series has attracted more than 104,000 patrons, generated $928,645 in ticket revenue and introduced local audiences to some of the finest dancers, actors, musicians and performers in the world, according to Patten Performances presenter Bob Boyer.
"I believe it could be argued that the series was really the first in town to successfully introduce Chattanoogans to arts outside of the mainstream," he said.
The series is funded with a $60,000 grant from the University of Chattanooga Foundation, Tennessee Tomorrow funds and ticket sales, according to Mr. Boyer. It is named in honor of Dorothy Patten, a Chattanooga native who starred on Broadway, television and film.
Juilliard String Quartet
Tokyo String Quartet
Eroica Trio
The Ahn Trio
Dave Brubeck
Freddie Hubbard
Al Hirt
Wynton Marsalis
Mark O'Connor
Clark Terry
Vienna Boys Choir
P.D.Q. Bach
Chris Thile
Marcel Marceau
Capitol Steps
Second City
Mark Russell
Pilobolus
Twyla Tharp Dancers
Joffrey II Ballet
Hubbard Street Dance
Alvin Ailey Dance
* Oct. 2: Nagata Shachu -- Combining thunderous, primal drumbeats with subtle, intricate rhythms, the ensemble produces a wide spectrum of sound on a variety of Japanese taiko (drums), gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes. Their performances are rooted in tradition, yet designed to introduce new audiences to the art form.
* Oct. 27: Classical Theatre of Harlem presents "Waiting for Godot" -- In 2006, Classical Theatre of Harlem reinvigorated Samuel Beckett's classic story with a reinterpretation inspired by the nation's lack of response to Hurricane Katrina.
* Nov. 16: Urban Bush Women -- Founded in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, this dance ensemble produces bold and life-affirming work based on women's experiences, black history and cultural influences of the African Diaspora.
* Jan. 6: Complexions Contemporary Ballet -- Founders and artistic directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson were hailed by The New York Times as "two of the greatest virtuosos ever to emerge from Ailey land." Since its inception in 1994, the company has received numerous accolades for powerful and thought-provoking performances.
* Feb. 28: Holly Hofmann/Mike Wofford Quartet -- Flutist Holly Hofmann and pianist Mike Wofford have have performed together for years doing new approaches to old standards, as well as original material. Hofmann is considered by many to be the premier jazz flutist in the country.
* March 28-29: The Acting Company presents "Romeo and Juliet" -- The acclaimed touring repertory theater was founded by the legendary John Houseman and current producing artistic director Margot Harley in 1972 with Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone and other members of the first graduating class of Juilliard's drama division.
* April 6: Red Priest -- Red Priest is the only early music group to have been compared in the press to the Rolling Stones, Jackson Pollock, the Marx Brothers and Cirque du Soleil. This extraordinary acoustic foursome has been described by music critics as "visionary and heretical," "outrageous yet compulsive," "wholly irreverent and highly enlightened" and possessing a "red-hot wicked sense of humor."
Barry Courter is associate features editor, entertainment editor and books editor for the Times Free Press. He started his journalism career at the Chattanooga News-Free Press in 1987. He covers primarily entertainment and events for fyiWeekend and edits the Sunday books page. Born in Lafayette, Ind., Barry has lived in Chattanooga since 1968. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in broadcast journalism. He previously ...
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