Great news, fans of incredible one-night-only shows featuring some of Milwaukee’s top talent reimagining the works of some of the world’s top talent: Alverno Presents’ previously defunct UNCOVERED series will make a triumphant return in 2017. Multi-threat Klassik will reinterpret the music of A Tribe Called Quest on Friday, January 20 at Turner Hall Ballroom; while 88Nine’s Tarik Moody (a past UNCOVERED alum) and De La Buena’s David Wake will take on Stevie Wonder’s seminal Songs In The Key Of Life on Friday, April 14 at Turner Hall Ballroom. The news comes roughly one year after the long-running Alverno Presents performing arts series announced its 56th season would be its last.
“The premise behind the UNCOVERED series is a consideration of the American Songbook; who merits inclusion, and why,” says David Ravel, former Alverno Presents director and producer of the upcoming UNCOVERED shows, in a press release. “Our goal has always been to look beyond the usual suspects. What separates these shows from tribute concerts is the idea that we can discover the intrinsic value of a song through the strength of its reinterpretation.”
In addition to Klassik, the TribeUNCOVERED show will feature a house band made up of Foreign Goods, Stomata, and Chris Rosenau; the talents of Lorde Fredd33, AR Wesley, Deb.On.Air, Mike Regal, and Strehlow; DJ sets from Jordan Madhatter Lee and Old Man Malcolm; and choreography from Christopher Gilbert. More details on the WonderUNCOVERED show are scheduled for early 2017.
Under Ravel, Alverno Presents’ UNCOVERED shows were undisputed highlights of Milwaukee’s performing arts calendar. The past few years alone found Testa Rosa’s Betty Blexrud-Strigens reimagining the works of Patti Smith, Moody taking on Marvin Gaye, Lee taking on Quincy Jones, and Hello Death paying tribute to Prince. The new shows are being produced by Ravel, in partnership with the Pabst Theater Group and Alverno College. Two UNCOVERED shows per year are expected through 2019.
General admission tickets are $22.50 for each show, and go on sale Friday, December 9 at noon. A “season pass” for both shows is also available for $36.50. Hell yes.