Press Releases

Mid Atlantic Tours Announces Four Tours to Venues in Mid-Atlantic Region for 2006-2007

Baltimore, MD – Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation announced today that it will provide support for four tours during the 2006-2007 season through the Mid Atlantic Tours program. Mid Atlantic Tours (MAT) allows the Foundation to select tours that are targeted for special purposes such as reaching presenters and communities that are underserved by MAAF programs, focusing on specific art forms, and supporting international cultural exchange. Funding for these tours is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program.

The 2006-2007 Mid Atlantic Tours are:

Aquila Theatre Company
The Aquila Theatre Company tour will feature their productions of Romeo and Juliet and The Canterbury Tales. The Company, whose performances of classical drama have been popular with audiences and schools, offer productions with minimal props and sets, using contemporary stagecraft. Their educational offerings include master classes, shortened plays for young children, and lecture/demonstrations.

Bonnie Rideout "Caledonia"
CALEDONIA! brings to the stage the very best of Scotland's music. On fiddle, bagpipes, harp, flute, rhythm, song, poetry, and dance, this vibrant music emanates from a living tradition that represents over four centuries of Scottish culture and history. Highlights include virtuoso fiddle works by James Oswald and J. Scott Skinner played by world-renowned fiddle champion, Bonnie Rideout. Graceful and dynamic dances take flight with her six-piece band backed by the driving rhythms of cello, guitar and percussion. Legendary harper William Jackson harkens the ancient music of the bards. Rod Cameron narrates with stirring poetry from, Robert Burns, R. L. Stevenson, and James Hogg. Celebrated piper, Jerry O'Sullivan plays three kinds of pipes, wooden flute, and whistles. Multi-generations of singers round out the evening with Gaelic mouth music and highland voices. This stirring presentation is delivered by traditional musicians from Scotland, America, and Canada reflecting the music of all Scots, from the humble crofter's hearth to the grand castle halls.

Don Byron Plays Junior Walker
In December 2005, Don Byron launched a new group dedicated to the music of soul legend, saxophonist and singer Junior Walker. Byron, who is often classified as one of today’s most significant jazz clarinetists, plays tenor saxophone on this tribute, and the music will result in a CD release on Blue Note Records this October. The touring group also includes Dean Bowman on vocals, guitarist David Gilmore, George Colligan on Hammond B-3 organ, bassist Brad Jones, and drummer Rodney Holmes. Junior Walker attained worldwide fame as the leader of one of Motown’s biggest acts in the late 60s and early 70s - Junior Walker and the All Stars - and released a number of infectious top 10 Soul hits, including “I’m a Roadrunner,” “Shotgun,” and “How Sweet it Is.”

Los Folkloristas
Celebrating their 40th anniversary season in 2006, Mexico’s “Los Folkloristas” continue their mission set in 1966 "to preserve and record the traditional music of Mexico and Latin America." Carrying more than 100 instruments in their collection, and performing music from up to 15 different countries and pre-Columbian Mexico, a performance with this seven-member ensemble is like taking a musical journey through Latin America. As ambassadors of traditional Latin folk music, "Los Folkloristas" successes include the release of more than 30 albums world-wide, acclaim from the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD) and contributions to musical scores for the award-winning film El Norte and recent release Mi Familia (My Family). Repertoire options include an overview of Latin American music, an all-Mexico program exploring the diversity of styles from their home country, or Canto Latino: A concert of traditional Latin American music for choir and folk instruments.

A complete list of tour dates and venues is provided below. It is recommended that patrons contact tour venues directly for ticket prices, schedules, and other information.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation celebrates and supports the wealth and diversity of the region’s arts resources and works to make those resources widely accessible both in the region and beyond. To learn more about MAAF, its programs and services, visit our Web site at www.midatlanticarts.org.

Mid Atlantic Tours 2006-2007 Tour Schedule

Aquila Theatre Company