Tagged: Culture

Part One: Lindi Ortega. Lindi Ortega has been described as Canada's answer to Dolly Parton and "the love child of Johnny Cash and Nancy Sinatra." The country singer-songwriter out of Toronto puts a unique spin on the genre - blending in folk and rock and sometimes a little humor. Lindi has a voice that draws you in and catchy songs you might find yourself humming. Fun facts, she appeared on ABC's Nashville and has toured with Kevin Costner (yes, THAT Kevin Costner.) While she's in Charlotte for a performance at The Evening Muse, we'll talk with her about her music, her influences and her story and she'll also perform live, when Charlotte Talks.

Guest

Lindi Ortega - Singer-songwriter, her latest album is Cigarettes & Truckstops

• Lindi Ortega is performing (tonight) Tuesday, Feb. 5th at The Evening Muse at 9pm. Details.

Part Two: SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've at least heard of the erotic literary series "Fifty Shades of Grey," which has become the guilty pleasure of millions of women around the world. The risqué book's popularity has been made into parody, first on Saturday Night Live, and more recently with its own MUSICAL parody. SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody comes to Charlotte this week and promises to be a howling, rowdy comedic night out for (mostly) women from 21 to 91. We'll talk with cast members and the writer about just how this musical came to be, and the surprising enthusiasm they've seen from audiences around the country.

Guests
Danielle Trzcinski - 'Tasha Woode' in SPANK!
Gabe Bowling - 'Hugh Hanson' in SPANK!
Jim Millan - Writer and Director of SPANK!

• SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is Feb. 6-9th at McGlohon Theater. Details.

Part One: Oz With Orchestra. John Goberman is an Emmy-Award-winning producer and creator of Live From Lincoln Center. He's also on the forefront of a new merging of film and concert presentation called symphonic cinema. We'll talk about he's working with the Charlotte Symphony to bring a live orchestra together with a big-screen presentation of The Wizard of Oz, and how this art form is being received around the country.
Guests
John Goberman - Emmy-Award-winning producer and creator of Live From Lincoln Center. He is also the creator of A Symphonic Night at the Movies, including Oz with Orchestra with the Charlotte Symphony.
Maestro Albert George Schram - Guest Conductor with the Charlotte Symphony. He also currently serves as Resident Staff Conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Nashville Symphony.

• Oz with Orchestra, a pairing of The Wizard of Oz with live musical accompaniment by the Charlotte Symphony is Saturday Feb. 2 at the Belk Theatre, 2:30pm and 8pm. Details.

Part Two: The Secret Garden. The Children's Theatre has long been known for its ambitious offerings to children of all ages but the current production may be one of the most ambitious yet. The Secret Garden may feature a child but the complex and richly layered Broadway Musical is a massive production to present. Interim Artistic Director Michelle Long has taken on the task in the midst of other changes at the theatre. We'll visit with her and longtime Executive Director Bruce LaRowe to see how the theatre is handling change and the plan to move forward, when Charlotte Talks.
Guests
Michelle Long - Director, The Secret Garden, interim Artistic Director, Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Bruce LaRowe - Executive Director, Children's Theatre of Charlotte

• The Secret Garden is at Children's Theatre's McColl Family Theatre now through Feb. 10th. Details.
• More about the Broadway production of The Secret Garden 
  

  One of the most revered dance companies in the world is visiting Charlotte this month for the first time in 30 years. The Martha Graham Dance Company is working with UNC Charlotte's Department of Dance for an upcoming performance that will include music by Aaron Copland and a lost work of Martha Graham's, brought back to life on stage. We'll talk about Martha Graham and her contributions to the world of dance, and why the company that bears her name is working so closely with UNC Charlotte's dance department to recreate this lost work here in the Queen City, when Charlotte Talks.

Part One: Opera Carolina's The Magic Flute. Opera Carolina continues its efforts to enhance the opera experience by featuring stage and costume design by famed visual artist Jun Kuneko in its new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. But even with the vibrant visual aspects of the show, the music - and the opera singers - take center stage. We'll meet the stars of this new production of The Magic Flute to talk about how they make Mozart's beloved opera new for audiences in Charlotte, when Charlotte Talks.