This week's OneSix8 highlights live performances from two Grammy winners, an acclaimed comedian and the talented kids of Oklahoma City.
Renowned jazz pianist Peter Nero performs his concert: “For Art’s Sake: A Salute to Art Tatum” at the Armstrong Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6.
A two-time Grammy winner, Nero has established himself among the world’s most celebrated jazz pianists. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of a career that’s “filled with wry wit and musical brilliance,” according to the New York Post.
Nero will perform a tribute to the Art Tatum, one of the greatest jazz piano virtuosos of the 20th century. Nero explores Tatum’s childhood, training, and personal stories of after-hour sessions and late night piano contests in New York. Musical highlights include hits from Cole Porter, George Gershwin and more.
Comedian W. Kamau Bell brings his biting humor to Oklahoma City Thursday, November 6 with a stand-up comedy show at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Bell created and hosted the acclaimed TV show “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell”, nominated for "Best Talk Series" at the 2012 NAACP Image Awards. Hailed by The New York Times as "the most promising new talent in political comedy in years," he has appeared on “Fresh Air with Terry Gross”, Comedy Central, “Conan”, MSNBC, and “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
The routine, part of Bell’s “Oh, Everything!” comedy tour, is a comedic attack on topics including homophobia, the "N-word", his mixed-race kids, and why his God looks like Denzel Washington with dreadlocks.
The performance starts 8 p.m.
Over 65 children bring the classic musical “CATS” to life at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre.
Under the guidance of Director of Education Stephen Hilton, along with choreographer Brian Barry and music director Kevin W. Smith, Lyric’s adaptation puts a youthful spin on the story of the Jeliclle cats and promises to delight audiences with some of the most unique cats they’ve ever met.
The musical opens Thursday, November 6 at 8 p.m. and runs through Sunday, November 9.
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Broadway Tonight Series continues its season “Oklahoma Voices” with a performance by Grammy Award-winner Jimmy Webb at the Mitchell Hall Theatre Friday, November 7.
The Elk City native is the only artist to receive Grammy Awards in all three categories of music, lyrics and orchestration.
Greg White, Ph.D., director and producer of the Broadway Tonight series, says that Webb is “one of the most prolific song writers of the 20th Century,” having written songs recorded by music legends Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and more.
“Webb has such a profound depth, a brilliance when communicating through lyrics, and it’s prevalent in his ability to perform,” said White.
Webb will perform a collection of his classics and tell personal stories about his life and career. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
For more ways to fill the 168 hours of your week, visit KGOU's calendar page.
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