Pablo Center Unleashes Second Season Lineup (STOMP, Postmodern Jukebox, TU Dance and Bon Iver, Bill Engvall, Wynton Marsalis, & More)

Lauren Fisher

International percussion sensation STOMP comes to the RCU Theatre in March 2020.
International percussion sensation STOMP comes to the RCU Theater in March 2020.

In August of 2018, the Pablo Center at the Confluence announced their first annual season lineup, chock-full of world-class spectacles and local legends.   It’s been a wild ride from Cloud Cult to Farewell Angelina, with stops in between including Chippewa Valley’s Torch Sisters’ La Caverne, Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s Fun Home, and so much more.

After a year of firsts, the state-of-the-art venue is stepping up its game with the announcement of its second season, featuring live music, ballet, theater, circus, spoken word, fine art, magic, and more.  Twenty shows made the inaugural line up, but the 2019-2020 season boasts more than 30 headline shows, a set-list series, and gallery shows that will amaze and inspire.

A Few Highlights ...

Postmodern Jukebox • TU Dance and Bon Iver • STOMP • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis • Béla Fleck • Bill Engvall • Lyle Lovett • Trey Anastasio • John Hiatt • Chris Kroeze

The Main Shows

Come Through: TU Dance and Bon Iver comes to the RCU Theatre in November.
Come Through: TU Dance and Bon Iver • November 2019

Cirque Mechanics 42FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels • September 26, 2019 • RCU Theatre • A marvelous performance exploring the history and lore of circus through dance, acrobatics, and more.  42FT has American industrial ingenuity at its heart.

Ballet Hispanico • October 5, 2019 • RCU Theatre • Latin dance, contemporary movement, and ballet unite in an all-Latina program that celebrates the work of several Latina choreographers.

Ethel with Robert Mirabal • October 16, 2019 • RCU Theatre • This string quartet, which was nominated for a Native American Music Award, presents a program inspired by Water as the embodiment of Spirit, and its essential role in Life on Earth, along with Native American musician Robert Mirabel.

Postmodern Jukebox • October 25, 2019 • RCU Theatre • Contemporary classics take on a whole new identity when married with big-band, vintage country, doo-wop, and many other musical styles of the past.  In glamourous costume, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox will have audiences of all ages jammin’ along.

Todd Green: World Strings • October 30, 2019 • Listen to and learn about dozens of string, flute, and percussion instruments as Todd Green plays unusual rhythms and scales from around the world.  Audiences will learn about the culture and history of the music, enjoying the similarities and differences between Western and Eastern tunes and tools.

Spektral Quartet • November 5, 2019 • Jamf Theatre • This Grammy-nominated string quartet ties classic works and traditional songs and movements with more contemporary pieces with seamless flair.

Postmodern Jukebox • October 2019
Postmodern Jukebox • October 2019

Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) • November 9, 2019 • RCU Theatre • All 37 of William Shakespeare’s immortal tragedies and comedies blaze across the floor in record time.  From shrew-taming to midsummer night dreaming, this troupe weaves their way from play to play.

Cuentos: Tales from the Latino World • November 9, 2019 • Jamf Theatre • Storyteller, playwright, and musician David Gonzalez brings tales from Spanish-speaking cultures of the world to life with memorable characters and positive messages for children. 

Me La Amargates Tú • November 14, 2019 • Jamf Theatre • This group shares the carefully preserved language and music of Sephardic Jewish communities, incorporating the use of medieval and renaissance instruments for a world-touring show.

Come Through: TU Dance and Bon Iver • November 22-24, 2019 • RCU Theatre • St. Paul dance troupe TU Dance, known for their exploration of social change through the choreography of Uri Sands, teams up with the Chippewa Valley’s ascendant musician Justin Vernon of Bon Iver for an evening-length commission. 

Sandeep Das and Mike Block • November 25, 2019 • Jamf Theatre • Cello and tabla (a pair of Indian drums) merge when Sandep Das and Mike Block, who originally met in Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble, bring their out-of-the-ordinary performance to the Jamf Theatre.

Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker • November 27, 2019 • RCU Theatre • A family favorite throughout generations, the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker is an enchanting escapade of holiday magic, sure to put audiences in good spirits.

A Charlie Brown Christmas • December 1, 2019 • RCU Theatre • Another holiday classic full of heartwarming scenes and beloved holiday characters, A Charlie Brown Christmas features the music of Vince Guaraldi and the discovery of the true meaning of Christmas.

Bill Engvall • January 2020
Bill Engvall • January 2020

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holiday Tour • December 11, 2019 • RCU Theatre • Timeless holiday carols and tunes take on a new timbre as performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.  A holiday program full of big-band attitude, directed by Marcus Printup.

Leanne Brown • December 13, 2019 • Jamf Theatre • A one-of-a-kind author event by Leanne Brown, author of NY Times bestselling cookbook “Good and Cheap.”  This work is known for $4/day food stamps recipes with illustrations that are to-die-for.

Bill Engvall • January 18, 2020 • RCU Theatre • Observational satire at its finest and most relatable from recording artist, TV personality, and comedian Bill Engvall.

Alfredo Rodriguez Trio • January 23, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • This Cuban jazz musician exemplifies improvisation and adaptation with his eclectic, storytelling compositions.  Rodríguez is a globally recognized and Grammy-nominated musician.

Orlando Consort: Food, Wine, and Song • February 6, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Dinner and a show – at the same time.  The Orlando Consort pairs good music with good wine and a menu inspired by medieval feasts for an experience out of history.

Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn • February 7, 2020 • RCU Theatre • “The family that picks together, sticks together.” Banjo musicians Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn pick their way to the Pablo for their Echo in the Valley national tour, pushing the instrument to its limits.

Call of the Wild • February 28, 2020• Jamf Theatre • Jack London’s classic tale of Buck, a sled dog in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush, comes to life through live storytelling and projected imagery. 

Cirque Mechanics 42FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels • September 2019
Cirque Mechanics 42FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels • September 2019

 Johnny Gandelsman - Violin • February 15, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Founding member of Brooklyn Rider and member of the Silkroad Ensemble, Grammy-award winning violinist and producer Johnny Gandelsman presents Bach’s complete cello suites on the violin.

Home Within: Kinan Azmeh and Kevork Mourad • February 19, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Syrian clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh and visual artist Kevork Mourad team up to reflect on the Syrian revolution and its aftermath through music and imagery.

Iny Asian Dance Theatre • February 29, 2020 • RCU Theatre • Iny Asian Dance Theatre is the first Hmong Dance studio ever developed in the United States.  They’ve performed in Thailand, Laos, China, Korea, and all over the united states, bringing traditional and contemporary performance together to amaze audiences.

Alicia Olatuja Quintet • March 18, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • From classical to jazz and R&B, Olatuja has been described by The New York Times as “a singer with a strong and luscious tone.”  She celebrates noted woman composers through her arrangements and performance.

Clara Osowski – Mezzo Soprano • March 31, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • An in-demand soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and Europe, mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski celebrates springs with an evening of Schubert and other favorites.

Ben Seidman • April 2020
Ben Seidman • April 2020

Beep • April 5, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Beep, an unusual robot, crashes into a peaceful village where everything has its place, uprooting the routine of Mort’s village.  Gentle storytelling and puppetry tells the story of what happens when someone new comes to town.  There will be two showings, including a sensory-friendly performance.

Sybarite5 • April 8, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • This “string quartet with a bass” brings rockstar attitude to everything from Bowie to Radiohead, giving a new look to chamber music.

Ben Seidman • April 10, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Seidman, a UW-Eau Claire graduate, has made waves with his role on the Netflix Original: Brainchild, and wowed audiences of Penn & Teller: Fool Us.  After two Travel Channel specials, three seasons of Las Vegas performance, and designing illusions for Criss Angel, it’s time for a night at the Jamf Theatre.

Turtle Island with Cyrus Chestnut • April 23, 2020 • RCU Theatre • Infused with hints of gospel music’s global tones, the combination of Turtle Island Quartet with jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut is remarkable, exciting, and uplifting.

Kaia String Quartet • May 13, 2020 • Jamf Theatre • Chicago-based KAIA captures Latin American culture through strings.  Featuring works by Astor Piazolla, Jose Bragato, and Claudio Santoro, the flavor of Latin American music will fill the Jamf Theatre.

STOMP • March 20-21, 2020 • RCU Theatre • The international percussion sensation with decades of rave reviews on the books uses brooms, poles, garbage cans, lighters, and more to bring on the rhythm.

'Set List' Shows

Chris Kroeze • December 2019
Chris Kroeze • December 2019

Pablo’s lineup of contemporary music concerts ranges from local treasures to nationally known visitors – and homecomers.  New acts will be added throughout the season.

Mike Perry and the Long Beds • September 27, 2019 • Jamf Theatre
Lyle Lovett • October 15, 2019 • RCU Theatre
Trey Anastasio • October 21, 2019 • RCU Theatre
John Hiatt • October 4, 2019 • RCU Theatre
Postmodern Jukebox • October 25, 2019 • RCU Theatre
Pit Wagon / Laska / Ben Shaw • November 1, 2019 • Jamf Theatre
Them Coulee Boys • November 15, 2019 • Jamf Theatre
Chris Kroeze: Home For the Holiday • December 20-21, 2019 • RCU Theatre
Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn • February 7, 2020 • RCU Theatre
Jerrika Mighelle and Friends • February 21, 2020 • Jamf Theatre

Constituent Groups & Shows

Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra
Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra

Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra
The CVJO Presents The Music Of Harry Connick, Jr. • October 18, 2019
Ignore The Forecast! With Andrew Neesley & Mel Flannery • December 7, 2019
CVJO’s 10th Anniversary Bash With Wayne Bergeron • February 22, 2020
The CVJO With Special Guest Roxy Coss • May 1, 2020

Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra
Mendelssohn’s ‘Reformation’ Symphony • October 12, 2019
A Classical Christmas • December 14, 2019
The Young People’s Concert • February 1, 2020
Brahms in Spring • March 14, 2020
Happy Birthday, Beethoven! 250th Birthday Celebration • May 8, 2020

Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild
The Who’s Tommy • October 3-6, 2019
Legally Blonde the Musical • May 7-10, 2020
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical • June 25-28, 2020

Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra
An Afternoon with Bloch, Fauré and McCartney • September 29, 2019
Saturday Evening • November 16, 2019
Family and Friends • January 25, 2020
Lux: The Dawn from on High with the Master Singers • March 21, 2020
American Dreams • May 16, 2020

Volume One's True North • December 2019
Volume One's True North • December 2019

Eau Claire Children’s Theatre
Elf: The Musical • November 15-17, 2019
Disney’s Frozen Jr. • February 14-16, 2020
Mary Poppins • March 6-8, 2020
The Rainbow Fish • April 3-4, 2020
The Hunchback of Notre Dame • June 11-14, 2020
Newsies • July 23-26, 2020

Eau Claire Male Chorus
Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCofA) Big Sing, “LET THERE BE MUSIC” • April 17-18, 2020

Master Singers
America, My Home 2019: Carmina Pax • October 13, 2019

UW-Eau Claire
Faculty Recitals • September 6, 2019 / October 4, 2019 / November 1, 2019 / February 7, 2020 / March 6, 2020 / May 1, 2020
Wind Symphony/Symphony Band Concert • October 17, 2019
Company • October 18-20, 23-27, 2019
BluGold Marching Band Concert • November 7, 2019
Choral Showcase • November 10, 2019
Holiday Concert • December 8, 2019
James and the Giant Peach • March 6-8, 12-15, 2020
University Symphony Orchestra Concert • April 16, 2020
Eau Claire Jazz Fest • April 24-25, 2020
Confluence Dance Project • May 1- 2, 2020

Volume One
True North • December 19-21
2019 Great Big Hullabaloo • May 30, 2020

Tickets

Tickets for the 2019-2020 season will be available for purchase to the public at www.pablocenter.org, or at the box office starting on Monday, July 29 at 10am.  Pablo Center members will be offered pre-sales on the following dates:

Director Circle – July 8, 2019
Designer Circle – July 10, 2019
Artist Circle – July 12, 2019
Partner – July 15, 2019
Advocate – July 18, 2019
Supporter – July 22, 2019