LEWISBURG (WVDN) – Carnegie Hall has announced its 2022-2023 Mainstage Performance schedule as it prepares for its 39th season of “Bringing the Arts to Life.”
New season subscriptions are now available. Individual tickets go on sale to Carnegie Hall Members on Wednesday, Aug.t 31 and to the general-public on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The free Mainstage Lounge Preshow Reception in the Museum Gallery will be open prior to each show.
The season kicks off on Friday, Oct. 21, with artist and activist Kyshona. Kyshona blends folk, rock and R&B with descriptive songwriting and soulful vocals to sing of fear, hope, community, love and understanding. Audiences will find a common thread of empowerment, overcoming adversity, and finding hope in her work. “This is protest music for a new generation, a musical treatment for social ills, a unique prescription that only works if you listen.” – No Depression
Following the opener will be The Special Consensus on Friday, Nov. 4. The Special Consensus is a bluegrass band that has achieved a contemporary sound in their four decades of performing, making their music a modern classic. The band has released 20 recordings and received six awards from the IBMA and two Grammy nominations. Their sound is grounded in a deep appreciation and understanding of bluegrass music; the infectious band sound reminds people of the past while utilizing the innovations of today.
Back by popular demand, and what has now become a holiday tradition, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform on Friday, Dec. 2. WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pop, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. WVSO performs primarily at the Clay Center in Charleston, West Virginia, performs over 50 concerts annually around the state, and has a nationally award-winning education program.
The Black Opry Revue will take the stage on Fe. 23, 2023, for Carnegie Hall’s first show of 2023. Black Opry is home to Black artists and fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana music. The Revue showcases the diversity in sound and stories that Black artists offer to these genres.
Changing pace, the Hamilton Auditorium welcomes North Carolina Americana group Chatham County Line on Friday, March 10. Come 2021, Chatham County Line will have been a staple of the North Carolina music scene for over two decades. Embracing the heart-worn songwriting and rough-hewn voice of leader Dave Wilson the band has graced stages across the U.S. as well as Europe, Scandinavia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. With eight studio albums of original material to pull from, CCL has a sound all their own and a live show to match.
The John Jorgenson Quintet will grace the stage Friday, April 14. John Jorgenson is perhaps best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters. He is known for his blistering guitar and mandolin licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, which has earned him a reputation as a world-class musician. He is also proficient in the mandolin, mandocello, Dobro, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. At Quintet performances, audiences are awestruck by not only Jorgenson’s skillful guitar playing, but the solo clarinet and bouzouki as well.
The Piedmont Blūz Acoustic Duo are ambassadors of Country Blues music and the Piedmont style of fingerpicking. Carnegie Hall presents the group on Sunday, April 23. Their mission is to help bring awareness to this unique aspect of African American culture, and to the contributions of early blues artists, through performing and teaching. The husband-and-wife duo are much loved wherever they go.
The 2022-2023 Season will conclude with a performance by Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band on Friday, May 19. The band features Sir Reginald Masters Dural aka Buckwheat, Jr. the son of the late great Zydeco legend Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr. Following the footsteps of his father he has become the accordion front man for his father’s Grammy Award Winning band. As part of his father’s legendary band, Buckwheat, Jr has shared the stage with some of the greats like Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, Albert Collins, Dwight Yokem, David Hidalgo and Los Lobos, Buddy Guy and many more.
Carnegie Hall is also introducing two new performance series for the 2022-2023 season – The Smooth Ambler Second Stage Series at Carnegie Hall and the Carnegie Classics Series.
The Carnegie Classics Series will present three performances hosted by Steinway Artist Barbara Nissman and feature special guests. The first concert is A Valentine Concert – More Music to Love With Barbara Nissman on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. The second will be Gershwin Meets Brahms! With the Montclaire String Quartet on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The last performance will by Schubert Goes Fishing! With the “Trout” Quartet on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
The Smooth Ambler Second Stage Series at Carnegie Hall will present five special events in more intimate settings at the Hall. The first performance is Gyasi on Friday, September 16 in the Hamilton Auditorium. The second show will be Deni Bonet on Friday, November 11. Future tentative dates for more music and comedy are Friday, January 20, March 30, and June 2, 2023.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala.
