Do you want to travel internationally but the price is too high?
Courtney Dodson, Co-Chair of the Danville Concert Association has a solution.
“No need to get on a plane. DCA brings Detroit, Ireland, Budapest and India to Danville,” she said. “This concert season will be a lively and unique mix that should appeal to a large and diverse audience across generations.” For 69 seasons, DCA has brought extraordinary music, dance and song from hundreds of international bands to Danville, and they’re doing it again starting November 7.
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of George Washington High School, 701 Broad St. in Danville.
The first stop on the world tour is Motown. Forever Motown opens the four-concert season with upbeat rhythm and blues music influenced by the pop associated with Detroit. Guaranteed to have audiences singing and dancing in the aisles, these professional Los Angeles singers and musicians will perform nearly 30 hits non-stop during their 90-minute production.
Connie Fletcher, co-president of DCA, looks back on the 1960s and 1970s when Motown music dominated the Billboard charts. “I can reminisce about Forever Motown and later in the season (March 24) experience new and different dances, sounds and moves in Taj Express, The Bollywood Jukebox,” she said of the show. one of DCA’s next performances.
DCA’s journey around the world stops in Ireland on December 8, when Christmas with the Celts perform a combination of ancient Irish Christmas carols, lively Irish dancing and contemporary songs with Irish instrumentation. Cedric Hairston, DCA Vice President, Curriculum Committee Member and Title I/Educational Programs Supervisor for Pittsylvania County Schools, is thrilled to have local children participating in this performance.
“A group of fifth graders from GLH Johnson School will sing under the direction of Music Specialist Carl Scales. They will sing Happy Christmas by John Lennon,” Hairston said.
“It is very important to DCA that young people in our region attend, see and hear what the world has to offer. For some of our talented youngsters, these performances may be the catalyst they need to reach for the stars,” he said.
The first concert of 2023, on January 20, features classical music, a hallmark of DCA. Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, one of Hungary’s leading orchestras, will not disappoint. As the 100 musicians strike the first note, the sounds of ancient masterpieces and contemporary pieces will fill the auditorium with the music of solo pianist Zoltan Fejervari.
Charles Crumpler, co-treasurer of the DCA and native of Nashville, comments: “How not to be delighted to see the Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra? We are talking about performers from Central Europe playing the basis of classical pieces originating from their region. It would be like living in Hungary and having a country band from Nashville in front of you. The musical training and talent of this symphony orchestra is on a higher level than most have ever experienced. The presence of this group of world-renowned musicians in our city makes it a must-see show. I can’t wait to see and hear such skill on stage.
The series concludes with Music and Dance from India and the Taj Express, Bollywood Jukebox on March 24.
Bollywood is India’s Hollywood where the film industry is located and this musical revolves around a young composer’s foray into the Bollywood film industry. Audiences will hear a mix of traditional, classical, modern, disco and retro music while watching an exotic and unique company of dancers.
Mira Becher, chair of the program committee and member of the DCA Hall of Fame, is one of the longest-serving members of the board and has been booking her concerts for 16 years. She speaks with an authority that comes from experience and sums it up succinctly, saying, “This is one of the most exciting seasons DCA has ever had.”
It is also an international trip not to be missed.
This season’s program
November 7: Forever Motown
December 8: Christmas with the Celts
January 20: Budapest Symphony Orchestra Concerto
March 24: Taj Express The Bollywood Jukebox
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at GWHS Auditorium, 701 Broad St. Season passes and individual concert tickets are available at danvilleconcert.org; www.eventbrite.com; Karen’s Hallmark in the Danville Mall; Ginger Bread House and Main Street Art Collective.
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