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The Ordway’s new season is upon us! Our city’s most vital performing arts center is about to be back in full swing, and we couldn’t be happier. With a winning lineup of  music, theater and opera slated, there’s bound to be something that appeals to you. Check out our short overview of what’s to come over the next couple months!

SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran of classical orchestra music, one thing’s for sure: the SPCO knows how to do it up right. Kicking off the 2010-11 season is Mozart’s famed opera, Don Giovanni, conducted by SPCO artistic partner Roberto Abbado. Don Giovanni is the tale of an unscrupulous womanizer who, after refusing to change his ways, receives a one-way ticket to hell. The performance runs 9/10-9/12. Next up is Gil Shaham Plays Mendelssohn, a violin concert featuring renowned player, Gil Shaham. The New York Times is quoted as calling Shaham “infectious” and has praised him for his “powerful, luscious tone.”  The concert will include selections from Haydn, Beethoven and of course, Mendelssohn. See Gil Shaham 9/16-9/19.  And coming up in October we have Bicket Does Baroque and Beyond, a lively performance featuring violin and cello, conducted by Harry Bicket and featuring Purcell, Pärt, MacMillan/Karkoff, and Rameau. Bicket Does Baroque runs 10/8-10/10. A lot of these words don’t make sense to ya? Understandable. But honestly, the best way to learn to appreciate classical music for those unfamiliar, is to dive right in and experience it – background information or not. For more info on the SPCO, click HERE.

THE MINNESOTA OPERA

Yes! Opera season kicks off in just a couple weeks. And if you consider opera an inaccessible art form or “just for old people” – think again. The Minnesota Opera, while staying true to their roots, goes out of the way to create inviting (and dare we say sexy?) productions that appeal to performing arts lovers across the board. With an epic lineup of operas on the docket this season including Orpheus and Eurydice, Cinderella, Mary Stuart, La traviata, and Wuthering Heights, you’re bound to discover something that personally speaks to you. Opening night, featuring Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice, happens on Saturday, September 25th. The stylized new production weaves the legendary myth of magical musician Orpheus, who loses his love, Eurydice after she dies from a poisonous snake bite. He journeys into the underworld to save her and, well, dramatic shenanigans ensue. This Greek tragedy is heartbreaking, romantic and beautiful – and a great production to bring a date to, if you ask us. And clocking in at just two hours, it’s a short, digestible opera for newcomers or those with theater A.D.D.. Orpheus and Eurydice runs September 25, 28, 30, October 2 and 3. What’s more? For those under 40, the Minnesota Opera has a young patrons group cleverly coined Tempo. Tempo is an fantastic way for the younger set to score amazing deals on opera tix, experience hip VIP parties and special events with the cast, and to socialize with other like-minded people in a similar age group (Note: Dudes, the single lady ratio is about 3 to 1!). After each opening night performance, you can join Tempo at cool, nearby locations for stellar after parties that include DJs, drinks, dancing and mingling. For more info on the MN Opera’s season click HERE.

ORDWAY THEATER SEASON

The Ordway plays host to a slew of fantastic musical theater productions throughout the year. Kicking off the season from September 30th-October 31st we have Theater Latté Da’s rendition of Evita. The famed telling of Argentinian first lady Eva Perón’s life, Evita follows the triumphant rise of one of the most powerful and inspiring Latin American women of our time. With lyrics by Tim Rice and the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Theater Latté Da will take you on a fascinating journey into  history. Also on the musical theater schedule this season is the vibrant tale of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, another Rice/Webber-penned phantasm. And American Idol fans take note: finalist Anthony Fedorov is on task to play the role of Joseph. Runs December 7th-January 2nd. Next up is STOMP, the beloved musical production that incorporates unusual objects into music, and yes, lots of of stomping. STOMP runs March 29th-April 3rd. Also slated for spring/summer 2011 are productions of Next to Normal, Guys and Dolls, and (omg!) 9 to 5: The Musical. For more info on the Ordway’s theater season click HERE.

TARGET WORLD MUSIC & DANCE SERIES

Probably the most stunning lineup of culturally significant music and dance to grace the landscape of the Twin Cities, this ongoing Target-sponsored series pulls you into a colorful world of movement and sound. The typically one-off performances feature globally-renowned artists and offer a chance for you to immerse yourself in culture the world over (literally). Opening the dance season on Friday, November 19th is Contra-Tiempo, a social activist dance company that incorporates Salsa, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop and contemporary dance-theater into sizzling physical performance.  And hot on the heels of Contra-Tiempo’s Friday performance, comes Saturday’s music series kick off with Tiempo Libre, a three-time Grammy Award nominated timba music ensemble. Infusing Latin jazz and traditional Cuban beats, this lively concert will take you through an exotic, exuberant whirlwind of sound.  The season continues through June of 2011 with performances from such notables as Angélique Kidjo, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, BeijingDance/LDTX, TU Dance, and Mu Diako: Soul of the Drum. For more info on the Target World Music & Dance series click HERE.

The Ordway will offer even more fantastic events throughout the season as well. To keep up on what’s going on, to read more about specific productions and to purchase tickets, visit www.ordway.org.