28 Dec 19th-Dec 25th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Ladies First Phoenix Symphony celebrates women artists this season. BY GERI KOEPPEL S ymphony orchestras have been fighting the mispercep- tion that they only deliver music from dead white guys. And the Phoenix Symphony celebrates diverse, contemporary female voices this season even more than most years. It will belt out anthems like “I Will Survive” and “Bad Girls” during “Disco Inferno” on New Year’s Eve and host concerts featuring music by Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Selena, Linda Ronstadt and Beyoncé. “I think it’s really important for strong female voices with important messages through music to be highlighted now,” says Phoenix native and New York City resident Tamika Lawrence, a two-time Grammy Award-winning artist who will perform in “Disco Inferno” and “Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner.” She adds, “I think it’s important that women continue to be at the forefront of people’s minds just as much as men. Our power, our minds, what we do for the world, and how we see the world is impor- tant as well.” Wear your dancing shoes For anyone who hasn’t been to a pops concert at a symphony, these shows are not “quiet, demure and reserved,” Lawrence notes. “You can get up on your feet,” she says. “It’s a celebration of life and joy. In a year like this — no matter which side of the political fence you’re on — you need some joy.” Chris Powell, Phoenix Symphony’s vice president of operations and artistic plan- ning, says “Disco Inferno” will be a “glit- tery, shiny evening” and urges people to wear “bell bottoms and very large shoes.” Last May’s production of “The Resurrection Mixtape,” featuring the music of Gustav Mahler, Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., saw audiences singing along and dancing in front of their seats. Powell expects the same to happen with shows this year. After “Disco Inferno,” Jan. 10 to 12 will bring Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 along with two contemporary works featuring women: “Blush” by composer, cellist and singer Ayanna Witter-Johnson, and Wynton Marsalis’s Grammy-winning “Violin Concerto,” performed by Bella Hristova. Following that is “The Trailblazing Music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King & Carly Simon” Jan. 24 to 26, and “Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner” Feb. 7 to 9. “The Music of Selena” will be April 5 and 6, and “Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook” hits the stage May 9 to 11. The season closes May 30 and 31 with “Beethoven X Beyoncé” by fusion wizard Steve Hackman. In addition to these shows featuring female artists, the season includes a slew of popular programming. Look for screenings of “Jurassic World” and “The Empire Strikes Back” with the full scores, “The Music of Pink Floyd: A Rock Symphony” and “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony,” among a host of classic concerts. Check the online schedule for locations, as the symphony performs not just at Symphony Hall, but at Orpheum Theater, the Musical Instrument Museum and other venues around town. If you think you can’t afford to attend the symphony, think again: Phoenix Symphony President and CEO Peter Kjome says a wide range of ticket prices are offered under the “Symphony for All” initiative. “That came about in part because of my own experiences growing up,” he notes, adding, “We couldn’t go as often as we wanted to because of that economic barrier.” Student rush tickets are $20, senior rush tickets are 25 percent off, military and veterans can get half-off, and adults can bring kids free to select shows (view the website for details). Diverse programs reach diverse audiences Diverse programming and cost accessi- bility attract new audiences, which are essential for symphonies’ survival, states Lawrence. “You can’t exclude young people, women; you can’t exclude people and expect to still run,” she says. “I’m glad that so many symphonies now, including the Phoenix Symphony, have adopted pops programs that include more diversity in music.” Between the programming and pricing, the Phoenix Symphony appears to be attracting more newcomers. Kjome says that when the conductor asks how many people are at the symphony for the first time, they hear loud applause at many performances. Kjome says the female-centric programs this season are a natural outgrowth of the organization’s mission to “provide extraordinary musical experi- ences that inspire and advance our community, enriching people of all ages and backgrounds.” However, featuring so many shows this season highlighting the power of women in song wasn’t exactly planned. “I would say it happened quite organi- cally,” says Powell. “We started with a few of the productions we knew were out there that we’d be able to bring to Phoenix and saw a bit of a pattern.” These touring shows already have the rights to all the music, making it easier to bring them to audiences. Although there are more “moving parts” in this kind of production, including contemporary musi- cians and vocalists, Powell says they’re usually provided with the show. “There’s a whole movement in the industry of people creating these all-in-one productions,” Powell notes, adding that when orchestras perform popular music, it adds a “richness and dimension … that a lot of people don’t expect.” Also, Lawrence says these programs help eliminate the “stuffiness” that lingers in some symphonies. Hearing orchestras play popular music makes people aware that symphonic music is much more acces- sible than they might think, she notes. And hopefully, when people feel welcome, it’ll lead audiences to explore classical music as well. “I think that it does bridge the gap,” Lawrence says. “I work with the Jacksonville Symphony, and there are people who have returned multiple times for our pops concerts, but they also say, ‘Oh yeah, I also checked out Mozart.’” She adds, “I think pops is a great gateway and helps people feel comfortable in the space. It lets people step out on faith and try something else that’s in the regular season.” Phoenix native and New York City resident Tamika Lawrence will perform in two female- centered shows this season with the Phoenix Symphony: “Disco Inferno” on Dec. 31 and “Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner” Feb. 7-9. (Courtesy of Chautauqua Institution) The Phoenix Symphony plays primarily at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix. (Courtesy of Tavit) ▼ Music
