PRESS RELEASES
| Latin Grammy Award-winners iLe & Gaby Moreno Make Debut at The Soraya in One-Night-Only Double Bill of Cross-Cultural Latin Music
iLe (Ileana Cabra Joglar) is a Puerto Rican singer, composer and vocalist who spent a decade touring Latin America with her brothers in the popular band Calle 13. Now, as successful solo artist she comes to Los Angeles performing music from her recent album that combines alt-rock with traditional boleros. Gaby Moreno, who sings the theme song for the series opening intro of Disney’s first Latina princess Elena of Avalor, moved to the US from Guatemala after high school and now calls Los Angeles her home. Her guitar and bluesy vocals move easily between pop, soul, and classic Latin sounds. Both boast a Latin Grammy win and will serve up their unique blend of cultures onstage as part of the Music Knows No Borders series at VPAC (The Soraya) on Saturday, November 18 at 8pm.
| Jazz Sensation Anat Cohen and Her Tentet Celebrate the Release of Her Latest Album, “Happy Song” at VPAC (The Soraya)
The Israeli-born, Brooklyn-based virtuoso clarinetist, Anat Cohen, presents a tapestry of sound that captures the jubilation of many genres, spanning modern and traditional jazz, Brazilian choro, klezmer and much more.
| DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion® Celebrates 25th Anniversary at VPAC (The Soraya)
Following the DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion® stunning multi-week appearances as finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, LA’s own daredevil dance company wraps its 25th Anniversary milestone season at Valley Performing Arts Company (The Soraya) with a participatory all-day, indoor-outdoor “open house” series of free workshops, community activities, and three fully staged performances (1:00pm, 3:00pm and 7:00pm) featuring 11 DIAVOLO works, followed by a free dance party on Saturday, November 11 from 1:00pm to 11:00pm.
| International Sensation The Sachal Ensemble Kicks off Onstage Jazz Performances at VPAC (The Soraya) For Los Angeles Debut with Song of Lahore
This season, VPAC (The Soraya) introduces a new experience for L.A’s live music lovers as the 1,700 seat theatre is transformed into an intimate onstage New York-style jazz club for a series of global and chamber music performances.
| Feverish and Fierce! Flamenco Legends by Javier Limón: The Paco de Lucía Project Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the legendary flamenco guitarist’s first solo recording
For fifty years, the feverish and fierce art of flamenco guitar has spread like wildfire from Spain to points around the globe, ignited by the late Paco de Lucía. Honoring that legacy, Javier Limón, producer of Paco’s later GRAMMY-winning albums, reassembles the original band that toured with Paco de Lucía in this tribute performance, The Paco de Lucía Project arriving at Valley Performing Arts Center (The Soraya) on Saturday, November 4 at 8:00pm.
| One of Russia’s Top Virtuoso Orchestras, Moscow State Symphony Orchestra Makes Debut at The Soraya
The internationally celebrated Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Pavel Kogen, Music Director and Chief Conductor, will make their debut on the stage of the Great Hall of Valley Performing Arts Center (The Soraya) on Thursday, November 2 at 8pm. The all-Russian program which honors the traditions and romantic history of Russia includes Rachmaninov’s The Rock, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and Scriabin’s Symphony No. 2. This concert is the first of the season’s SOARING performances that will feature several of the world’s greatest orchestras during the 2017-2018 season at VPAC (The Soraya). It also marks the debut of the fourth of the largest Russian orchestras to appear on the VPAC stage—the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in 2011, the Russian National Orchestra in 2016 and The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017.
| California State University, Northridge and Dignity Health Announce Significant Campus+, Multi-Year Partnership
Announced today by CSUN Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin and Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital CEO Saliba H. Salo, the relationship will allow for unprecedented synergies between the two parties, particularly in the areas of health, education, research and athletics. Effective immediately, Dignity Health will assume the university’s first-ever designation as “Community Health Partner of the CSUN Matadors” and be notably visible across campus.
| Maceo Parker Pays Tribute to the Incomparable Ray Charles in To Ray with Love
The 2017/18 Swinging Jazz series at VPAC (aka. The Soraya) kicks off when American funk maestro Maceo Parker takes to the stage for an unforgettable tribute to the great Ray Charles. In the fall of 1963, Parker was standing out the back of The Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina waiting to catch a glimpse of anyone from the band after a very special concert. After only seeing strangers, the band eventually spilled out followed, finally, by the great man himself, Ray Charles. The awestruck young saxophonist muttered to himself ‘One of these days you’re all gonna know me!’ Now, over half a century later, Parker brings it full circle as he performs a tribute to Ray Charles.
| Cheech Marin Hosts an Evening of Latin Comedy
CSUN Alum Cheech Marin (Up in Smoke, Jane the Virgin) hosts an evening of comedy for the 3rd annual CSUN alumni performance on September 28 at Valley Performing Arts Center (The Soraya). The evening will also feature Paul Rodriguez, Marcella Arguello, Frankie Quinones and Francisco Ramos.