Many of the artists featured in next season's line-up will be making their Kingston debuts and will offer top entertainment in the restored Grand Theatre. The season opens on September 26, 2009 and includes 30 world-class presentations until May 10, 2010. The highlights include:
Dance Series — One of the Grand's most dynamic and successful series, the excitement continues with appearances by Garth Fagan Dance, Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, and Aszure Barton & Artists.
Jensen Building Ltd. Classical Remix Series — This new series fuses classical music with the industry's hottest performers. The series opens with Montreal Guitar Trio, featuring three of the world's top guitarist performing a wide gamut of virtuosic performing. Angèle Dubeau and her gorgeous all-female string ensemble La Pietà will perform de Falla, Philip Glass, Piazzolla, and more. The Art of Time Ensemble, led by pianist Andrew Burashko, will feature Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies.
Empire Life Broadway Series — Kingstonians can experience professional productions straight from the Big Apple in the comfort of the beautiful Grand Theatre. Camelot, The Wedding Singer, and Cabaret will be sure to satisfy all musical-lovers.
Assurant Solutions Global Beat Series — The opening of the season will feature the most talented siblings in Canadian music, Leahy. The fiddling sensation Barrage will perform, followed by the award-winning Blind Boys of Alabama in a special holiday performance. The series concludes with the acclaimed Chilean group Inti-Illimani will share their story through a fusion of Latin American, jazz, Afro-Latin and Italian music.
Bell World Kingston Classic Albums Live Series — The walls were shaking with the sounds of rock 'n roll last season, and the Grand is presenting four electrifying concerts this season. Live re-creations of Who's Next, Led Zeppelin, A Very Lennon Christmas, and Supertramp's Crime of the Century, will have fans rocking out.
Jazz Series — This new series opens with Canadian jazz legend and three-time Juno award winner Oliver Jones and his trio with vocalist Ranee Lee featuring selections from their latest album. This performance is part of the 2009 Kingston Jazz Festival. Four-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves will present a special holiday performance with both jazz standards and Christmas favourites. The series concludes with the renowned Brad Mehldau Trio from New York City, making their Kingston debut.
World Rhythms Series — The music and history of different cultures will come alive for audiences of all ages in this series. Afro-Cuban All Stars, the taiko drumming sensation Yamato: The Drummers of Japan, Black Umfolosi from Zimbabwe, and New Shanghai Circus will all m their Kingston debuts.
Canadian Tire Cataraqui Kidstage Series — Four family-friendly performances for audiences of all ages. The Backyardigans will make a stop on their tour, and characters from Eric Carle's classic book The Very Hungry Caterpillar will celebrate its 40th anniversary with large colourful puppets under black lights. Théâtre l'OEil will present a zany "comic-strip" musical Holy Cow/Ah, La Vache! in both English and French, and Théàtre Sans Fil will present English and French performances of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Hobbit.
