Week One :: Popular Entertainment

We have learned that Aretha Franklin is unable to travel over the next few weeks per doctor’s orders and cannot make the trip to Chautauqua for her scheduled performance on June 24. We have the fortunate opportunity to bring acclaimed TV late night show host, comedian and Emmy Award winner Jay Leno the Chautauqua stage for Opening Night 2017.

Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist … Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”

Ailey II begins its residency with a program built around Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece, Revelations. Using African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, this cultural treasure fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

Music first made famous decades ago comes alive through The Hot Sardine’s brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies, and vocals from chanteuse Elizabeth Bougerol, who transports listeners to a different era with the mere lilt of her voice.

Universally renowned Ailey II will capture audiences with this stunning new works program that will feature Bridget L. Moore’s Sketches of Flames. Moore fuses flamenco influences with her African-American and contemporary aesthetic to create a rapturous ensemble work.

Having debuted at Chautauqua in 2015, The Doo Wop Project is back by popular demand! This a cappella group from NYC begins at the beginning, tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies..