Letter from the Director

Dear Friends:

The living legacy of the mother of modern dance, the first lady of world music and the pioneer of Nouveau Flamenco are just a few of the legendary artists gracing the Buckman stage in the 2007-2008 season. While there is always an air of excitement as we begin a new season, this one is our most impressive to date. Nine remarkable performances, nine educational outreach efforts, five rising Memphis visual artists and a new world music series dedicated to children ages two to eight are just a few of the highlights for the coming year.

Thanks to the First Tennessee Bravo Grant, we will launch an impressive yearlong dance residency with the esteemed Martha Graham Dance Company in partnership with the New Ballet Ensemble. Our dance season will conclude with a performance by the revered Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in celebration of black history month.

We continue our journey across the musical globe in grand style this season. Our exotic tour begins with Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan. We then travel down to Havana with native son and Juno winner AlexCuba Band. The Grande Dame of world music, Benign born, Grammy-nominated Angelique Kidjo makes her debut on the Buckman stage. Audiences will be mesmerized by the pioneer of Nouveau Flamenco, guitarist Ottmar Leibert. Finally, the enchanting sirens of MadrigaÏa will have audiences dancing in the aisles as they bring our season to a rousing close.

As part of our Family series, we welcome to the stage, the captivating Shangri La Acrobats, a select group of artists from the renowned Peking Acrobats, and the Huber Marionettes, known for their impressive artistry as seen in the film Being John Malkovich.

Finally, we are pleased to invite children ages two to eight to join us on a musical Magic Carpet Ride. For four exciting Saturdays, children and their parents will be transported via their imaginations to intriguing destinations while exploring the musical traditions, dance and indigenous stories of some of the world’s most thrilling locales.

Please join us as we celebrate another season of outstanding performing arts at the Buckman Center, where all of the world is on our stage.

~ Cindi Younker
Director, The Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center