Chris Botti Friday, August 8, 2014 at 8 p m. Ticket Prices: $77 / $67 / $62 / $52

The mixture of great voices, lyrics and music never sounded more pure than when it came from superstars Michael McDonald or TOTO. Now you can hear them both on one special evening playing their greatest music. McDonald is the man with the distinctive, soulful voice, who parlayed gigs with Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers into a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling solo career. He continues to release music and tour the world, as well as moonlight alongside co-horts Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs, proving himself an enduring force in popular music.

Longevity is a mark by which true artists are measured. “You know, I’ve never tried to jump on a trend, and I’ve never had to jump off of one,” says Chris Isaak. “I try to do what feels right for each song. So I never have to go, ‘Well, no more disco for me.’” For more than two decades Isaak has been creating music that resonates, showcasing his stellar songwriting and smooth, dusky baritone (and tender falsetto). All told he has released nine extraordinary albums and 12 singles, not to mention being nominated for two Grammys. Not one to crave the limelight, Isaak is always quick to credit the extremely talented people who have worked with him over the years and speaks of the music in a nonchalant fashion, calling it “Good stuff.” Indeed it is.

Fresh off filming their highly anticipated second PBS special, Under the Streetlamp, America’s hottest new vocal group, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, the quartet — recent leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” — deliver an evening of unforgettable entertainment. You’ll hear doo-wop, Motown, old time rock ‘n’ roll and all of your favorite songs from The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frankie Valli, Etta James, B.B. King and many others.

‘A conversation with Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Joe Lieberman’

Two giants from the political stage join together (as they were often known to do in bi-partisan fashion) to present their views and answer questions on topical issues impacting our nation. Senator Snowe’s dedicated work garnered her nationwide recognition as a leading policymaker in Washington. During her career, she was named the 54th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes, and Time named her one of the top 10 U.S. Senators.

Together, with Benatar’s mezzo-soprano vocal range and Giraldo’s trail-blazing work as a guitarist, producer and songwriter, Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo have forged one of the most successful partnerships in rock and roll history. Since their initial collaboration 35 years ago on the debut album “In The Heat of the Night,” they have sold more than 26 million albums and charted 19 Top 40 singles, earning four consecutive Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards.

A six-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, humanitarian, singer, songwriter and producer, Ziggy Marley has released 12 albums to great critical acclaim. His early immersion in music came at age 10 when he sat in on recording sessions with his father, Bob Marley. Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers have garnered three Grammys for their music and generated chart-topping hits such as “Look Who’s Dancing,” “Tomorrow People” and “Tumbling Down.” Ziggy's solo efforts have netted him additional Grammys, and his 2012 live album, “Ziggy Marley In Concert,” earned him his sixth Grammy for “Best Reggae Album.” To coincide with the release of his latest album, “Fly Rasta,” Ziggy is putting out his debut children’s book “I Love You Too,” a multicultural picture book which explores a child’s relationship with parents, nature and the unstoppable force of love.

Shaping Sound, created by Emmy Award-nominated choreographers Travis Wall, Nick Lazzarini, Teddy Forance and Kyle Robinson, is an electrifying mash-up of dance styles and musical genres featuring a dynamic company of contemporary dancers featured on “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” Audiences of all ages can expect explosive choreography showcasing the dynamic rhythm, speed and physical strength of these visionaries. Shaping Sound: Dance Reimagined.

“Electrifying and stunning … Aficionados of contemporary dance should do everything in their power to attend a SHAPING SOUND concert if ever near a city in which they are performing.”

—BroadwayWorld.com

For more than 50 years the dazzling company known as the National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China has mesmerized audiences of all ages worldwide with stunning displays of the Chinese martial arts, illusion and acrobatics, all set to traditional music. From cycling stunts to high-flying acrobatics to extraordinary feats of balance, this is one of the most influential large acrobatic troupes on the planet. Fun for the entire family, the Acrobats are a crowd-pleasing form of entertainment!

Preservation Hall was founded in 1961 to promote traditional New Orleans jazz in all its authenticity. Legendary players like George Lewis, Sweet Emma Barrett and Kid Thomas Valentine, all rooted in the formative years jazz, were its original stars and performed nightly in a tiny space located in the historic French Quarter. While that generation is long gone, the hall is still in business, the music is still performed and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band continues to tour the world. Fronting the band at this time is Allen Toussaint, one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. An American musician, songwriter and record producer, Toussaint has crossed many paths with many of music’s greats in his illustrious 40-year-plus career (Paul McCartney, Irma Thomas, Paul Simon, Etta James, Elvis Costello, etc.).

As the oldest and most celebrated modern dance company in America, the Martha Graham Dance Company created and still embodies a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The pioneering choreographer and her dancers radically expanded dance’s vocabulary of movement, rooting it in social, psychological and sexual ideas, forever altering the scope of the art form. Always a fertile ground for experimentation, the Martha Graham Dance Company has been an unparalleled resource in nurturing many of the leading choreographers and dancers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Merce Cunningham, Erick Hawkins, Pearl Lang, Pascal Rioult and Paul Taylor.

Daughter of one of America’s most beloved entertainers, multiple Grammy winner Natalie Cole has built a phenomenally successful career spanning 35 years. She just released her first Spanish-language album, “Natalie Cole en Español,” which is a salute to the pioneering, bilingual legacy of her legendary father, and spotlights the most romantic songs of the great Spanish-language composers. With this effort, she hopes to reintroduce a new generation of fans to many of Latin Music’s most romantic standards — with both new interpretations of Spanish-language classics previously recorded by Nat King Cole, and Natalie’s own personal selections of songs that have touched her heart and make this album truly her own. Join us for an exceptional evening and a timeless performance by one of the finest R&B/pop vocalists of our time.

Every week, millions of Americans tune in to “A Prairie Home Companion” and are magically transported to “Lake Wobegon,” where they are regaled by the wise, laid-back reflections of radio personality, author and humorist Garrison Keillor. With his touching and often hilarious yarns about growing up in the American Midwest, the aging process and late-life fatherhood, he is one of the most popular storytellers of all time. Keillor is out with a new book, “The Keillor Reader,” a single volume which brings together the full range of his work: monologues from “A Prairie Home Companion,” stories from The New Yorker and The Atlantic and excerpts from novels and newspaper columns. With an extensive introduction and headnotes, photographs and memorabilia, “The Keillor Reader” also presents pieces never before published, including the essays “Cheerfulness” and “What We Have Learned So Far.”

Glamorous, sexy and deliciously wicked, “Jekyll & Hyde” is the enthralling musical based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story about a brilliant but obsessive scientist whose alter ego wreaks havoc across Victorian London. An evocative tale of two men — one a doctor, passionate and romantic — the other, a terrifying madman; and two women — one, beautiful and trusting — the other, beautiful and trusting only herself. Both in love with the same man and both unaware of his dark secret.

“Beyond Glory” presents the stirring stories of eight veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, rendering first-hand accounts of valor that resulted in the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Adapted from Larry Smith’s stirring book, the moving stories are brought to light by award-winning playwright, stage and screen star Stephen Lang in a one-man show that will reach into your very soul and keep you thoroughly spellbound. The oral histories of these eight men are brought to life through Lang’s commanding performance, with a backdrop of video screens which occasionally evoke the turmoil of combat. Lang subtly moves through each man’s story with a slight alteration of posture and vocal coloring to suggest a new personality. 

“…Beyond Glory allows the voices of servicemen to be heard without the filter of the conventions of drama or the prerogatives of deadline-driven journalism. Its sobriety, simplicity and lack of histrionics are the show’s signal strengths.”

Called "the really indispensable Cheney" by columnist George Will, Lynne Cheney enlivens audiences and lights up TV screens while arguing for the need to teach America's story fully and fairly. As chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and second lady, she brought this message to audiences across the country. With a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Cheney also speaks forcefully on the importance of nurturing a diversity of viewpoints on college campuses, as well as in the mainstream media. Through speeches and appearances on radio and television -- including a stint as co-host on "Crossfire Sunday" -- she has established her identity as an incisive commentator on culture and politics.

Experience the Magic! Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition and this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the group’s annual tour. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller music. Join in the 30th Anniversary celebration of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. Don’t miss this ultimate holiday tradition from the #1 Christmas music artist in history!

A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of selfless giving. Ebenezer Scrooge, a most unrepentant, miserly fellow, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own Christmases: Past, Present and Future. This new adaptation of Dickens’ ever popular classic fills the stage with veteran Broadway actors, lush costumes, stunning sets, music, dance and a timeless message. With beloved traditional carols of the season included, A Christmas Carol is an enchanting way to begin the holiday festivities with your family!

Mark O'Connor’s “An Appalachian Christmas” album (2011) made the top 15 on Billboard’s Classical Album, Crossover and Bluegrass Album charts. It was hailed by critics from The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times as the top album of the holiday season. O’Connor is a Grammy-winning composer and violinist who tackles Christmas classics creating a wondrous mixture of Christmas carols, fiddling, bluegrass and other traditional American music. Concert goers are treated to fresh takes on traditional songs in what feels like an “off-the-cuff performance for family and friends.” His renditions are playful and joyous, but can be strikingly earnest too. 

While jolly ol’ St. Nick is busy making his list and checking it twice, Santa Koz is coming to town. Multi-Grammy nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz has become synonymous with the season, thanks to his high-energy holiday tour, which celebrates its 17^th anniversary this year. “Dave Koz = Christmas,” said the El Paso Times, and Examiner.com assured readers, “There really is a … Santa Koz,” calling the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour “a must-see show.”