A new season is about to begin here at the Mesa Arts Center, bringing you new shows and performances ranging from comedies to musical performances to singing sensations to incredible dance numbers and everything else in between. With over 40 shows planned this season, there is a performance for everyone to enjoy, including myself!
America’s Best Dance Crew’s first season winner, the Jabbawockeez, will take the MAC stage in November with their astonishing choreography and creative outfits. The eight-member, male hip-hop dance crew has performed in multiple popular-brand commercials, on Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, and with Taylor Swift during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. Their incomparable style is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and your eyes glued to the stage. 
Can’t wait until November to come and see a show? Consider attending Alton Brown’s first tour, “Alton Brown Live: Inevitable Edible Tour”, in October combining science, comedy, travel, and of course, food. His cooking show, Good Eats, ran for 14 seasons and explored the science behind cooking. Along with his knack for giving single purpose utensils multiple purposes, Alton crossed the United States on motorcycle learning the history of road food for his miniseries Feasting on Asphalt. With his experiences in food and broadcast television, Alton Brown’s one-of-a-kind, unique tour performance is guaranteed to knock your socks off!
As the holiday season approaches, so will Mannheim Steamroller! Come see their concert as they perform some of their most famous Christmas tunes and more! With renditions and interpretations of old carols that everyone has heard, their Christmas albums have reached Platinum multiple times since 1984. Over 28 million of their albums have been sold in the United States alone. If the familiar musical tunes aren’t convincing enough, the multimedia effects are sure to take your breath away.
If you are looking for a performance that’s out of this world, or at least from out of this country, Cirque Éloize is a dazzling acrobatic show that combines music, video projections, gymnastics, and pure talent. They originated in Canada and have been performing since 1993. Cirque Éloize is one of the leaders in contemporary circus arts and has performed in 36 countries and over 435 cities.
Dance, acrobatics, and comedy shows not your style? Renée Fleming will be performing in the Ikeda theatre with her full lyric soprano voice. Wowza! She has had operatic roles in French, Russian, and even the German language and multiple title roles in other opera and lyric performances including Verdi’s Otello. In 1990, she was awarded the Richard Tucker award and in 2008 she received the Polar Music Prize in Sweden.
These performances along with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo, The Portland Cello Project, and many others will be at the Mesa Arts Center during the 2013-2014 season. Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready for a jam-packed, fun-filled season!
-Chloe
