Completing the 2019 Winter Fest experience is the Festival Series performance at the Gesa Power House Theatre. Schumann’s masterpiece of melody and invention, the Piano Quartet in E flat, Op. 47, anchors the program. Also on tap is music for two violins by Hungarian master and WWCMF 2019 Poster Composer, Béla Bartók.
Meet at Whitman College, in the Reid Campus Center foyer at 4 p.m. for a peace march. Following the march, there will be a short program at the Gesa Power House Theatre. Refreshments will be provided.
Mad Max meets Ancient Greece in Shakespeare’s play of love, war and celebrity. Troilus and Cressida swear they will always be true to one another. But in the seventh year of the siege of Troy their innocence is tested, and exposed to the savage corrupting influence of war, with tragic consequences. Virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie collaborates with RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran to create a satirical futuristic vision of a world resounding with the rhythm of battle.
Comedian, author, lecturer, host, and actress Paula Poundstone returns to Walla Walla to perform at Gesa Power House Theatre on Saturday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m. Paula is known for her smart, observational humor and spontaneous wit. She is also a popular panelist on NPR's #1 show, the weekly comedy news quiz, "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!"
The world’s most unmistakable voice returns to the big screen when Josh Groban's Bridges Tour from Madison Square Garden comes to select cinemas nationwide for a spectacular one-night concert event with special guest appearances by Idina Menzel and Jennifer Nettles.
In Tchaikovsky’s intense opera of obsession and the supernatural, Gherman is caught between the woman he loves and a destructive fixation. The Queen of Spades is based on a short story by Pushkin, and comes to the Royal Opera House in a new production that has already garnered five-star reviews in Amsterdam. The production is set in 1890, the year of the opera’s premiere. In his study, Tchaikovsky imagines the opera into life as his own story, its characters giving voice to his unfulfilled desires. This is an engrossing portrayal of a tortured creative artist and a gripping piece of gothic storytelling.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
Bonjour ya’ll! We’re fixin' to make you want to dance, march, sing, and shout with the “Music of New Orleans”! This hotbed of American music has produced a plethora of musical styles and favored melodies. I’m sure you’ll be joining in with us on many of these songs.
Attend our Sunday Matinee at the regular $17 price. Or if that ain’t enough you can up your party game “boo-coo” on Monday Night at 5:30 that includes a pre-funk featuring New Orleans style appetizers and party favors for $25! F’true! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Bonjour ya’ll! We’re fixin' to make you want to dance, march, sing, and shout with the “Music of New Orleans”! This hotbed of American music has produced a plethora of musical styles and favored melodies. I’m sure you’ll be joining in with us on many of these songs.
Attend our Sunday Matinee at the regular $17 price. Or if that ain’t enough you can up your party game “boo-coo” on Monday Night at 5:30 that includes a pre-funk featuring New Orleans style appetizers and party favors for $25! F’true! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
The Walla Walla, Touchet and Tucannon basins are home to iconic salmon and steelhead runs in the mid-Columbia River. These basins are currently undergoing large-scale river restoration efforts that impact our community and lifestyle. Please join us for a showing of the River Restoration Northwest 2018 short film series “Stories of Our Watersheds”. The evening provides entertaining, educational, and inspiring stories of river restoration efforts across the United States. River restoration efforts by local organizations will also be displayed in the lobby. Please come meet and discuss possibilities with our local experts. The event is sponsored by River Restoration Northwest, Kooskooskie Commons, and Snake River Salmon Recovery Board.
Emily Richman is a comedian, a theatre actor and director, a public speaker, and an ordained minister. She's still trying to decide what she wants to be when she grows up. She's 38, so she has plenty of time. Emily grew up in the nuclear hills of Eastern Washington State and somewhere around her mid 20's realized a dream she never knew she had when she went up her first time at a comedy open mic. She has been hooked ever since. Her comedy tackles her experience as a woman living in a fat body, being single, online dating, and some of life's more difficult experiences, like medical emergencies, or losing a loved one. Emily finds humor and hope in things that many would be scared to share with a friend, let alone into a microphone. She wants to share her experiences and let you know that you're not alone. Yes, we're all really this weird. Isn't it glorious?
Richard Eyre's beautiful production provides the perfect setting for Giuseppe Verdi's opera about a courtesan who sacrifices all for love. From the thrill of unexpected romance to a heartbreaking reconciliation that comes too late. Alfredo falls in love in with the courtesan Violetta in glamorous Paris society, but underneath the surface run darker undercurrents, leading to a tragic ending. The opera’s wealth of melodies includes the famous Brindisi and the exuberant "Sempre libera" – both showing the lyricism of Italian opera at its most immediately appealing.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
The five members of Imar have been awarded many top prizes in Celtic music, including nine All-Ireland and eight All-Britain titles. Their sound is mainly traditional Irish music with some contemporary and original compositions. The band were BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners in 2018 and were nominated for "Band of the Year" at the 2018 Scots Trad Music Awards.
Cervantes’s story of the bumbling knight Don Quixote has inspired countless artistic interpretations. Marius Petipa choreographed this sparkling ballet about the encounters of the man from La Mancha and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. Carlos Acosta's vibrant staging brings together the whole Royal Ballet Company in such roles as exuberant villagers, passionate gypsies and even fantasy flowers. The story follows Don Quixote’s picaresque journey to do deeds in honor of his imaginary noble lady, Dulcinea. Sunny, charming, funny and touching – Don Quixote is a ballet as full of uplifting emotion as it is of astonishing ballet technique.
Seattle Rock Orchestra dives deep into Led Zeppelin’s discography, performing songs from the surprisingly folky Led Zeppelin III, as well songs from the mature heavy rock of Led Zeppelin IV. Featured songs include “Going To California,” “Immigrant Song,” and of course, the one and only: “Stairway to Heaven.”
Cervantes’s story of the bumbling knight Don Quixote has inspired countless artistic interpretations. Marius Petipa choreographed this sparkling ballet about the encounters of the man from La Mancha and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. Carlos Acosta's vibrant staging brings together the whole Royal Ballet Company in such roles as exuberant villagers, passionate gypsies and even fantasy flowers. The story follows Don Quixote’s picaresque journey to do deeds in honor of his imaginary noble lady, Dulcinea. Sunny, charming, funny and touching – Don Quixote is a ballet as full of uplifting emotion as it is of astonishing ballet technique.
Sometimes the best solutions to the biggest problems can be found in the most unlikely of places. Meet the beaver believers: five scientists and a sassy, spicy hairdresser, tackling climate change, one stick at a time. "The Beaver Believers" is a documentary film directed by Sarah Koenigsberg of Tensegrity Productions in Walla Walla. Join us for the Walla Walla Premiere screening on Wednesday, March 27.
Six Appeal is a world-class vocal ensemble that combines musical prowess and sharp comedic timing with the energy and vitality of a rock band. The award-winning vocal band will take you on a journey that covers multiple decades and genres of music – performing classic oldies, current chart toppers, and catchy original tunes – completely a cappella.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
Fearless front-woman Derina Harvey leads this Celtic rock group, who are recent winners of the People’s Choice Award at the 2018 Edmonton Music Awards. The group offers a fresh take on traditional folk songs as well as an increasing amount of original material. The band has a rocky, rhythmic undertow; layered with guitars, fiddle, and topped by Derina’s powerful vocals. Derina’s vibrant personality takes center stage with humor and storytelling, and the band has built their reputation through high-energy live shows.
The Beaver Believers is the urgent yet whimsical story of an unlikely cadre of activists who share a common vision: restoring the North American Beaver, that most industrious, ingenious, bucktoothed engineer, to the watersheds of the arid West. The Beaver Believers encourage us to embrace a new paradigm for managing our western lands, one that seeks to partner with the natural world rather than overpower it. As a keystone species, beaver enrich their ecosystems, creating the complexity and resiliency our watersheds need to absorb the impacts of climate change. Beavers can show us the way and even do much of the work for us, if only we can find the humility to trust in the restorative power of nature and our own ability to play a positive role within it.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
Leonora falls in love with Don Alvaro, but when her father forbids their marriage, a fatal accident triggers a drama of obsession, vengeance and tragedy. Jonas Kaufmann and Anna Netrebko star in Verdi’s epic La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) an opera which demands the very best of singers for its powerful music and the fullest theatrical treatment for its story of bitter revenge pursued across miles and years. The production comes to The Royal Opera in a sensational staging from Amsterdam packed with colour and action. It is directed by Christof Loy and conducted by Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera.
Rosalind is banished, wrestling with her heart and her head. With her cousin by her side, she journeys to a world of exile where barriers are broken down and all can discover their deeper selves. Director Kimberley Sykes (Dido, Queen of Carthage) directs a riotous, exhilarating version of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. Filmed during a live event, the Live Cinema Series broadcasts offer audiences an equivalent to the best seat in the house, with incredibly detailed close-ups of the performers.
In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterwork, A Doll's House, Nora Helmer closed the door on her husband and family in order to find herself. In A Doll's House, Part 2 modern playwright Lucas Hnath imagines that she comes back through that door fifteen years later. Where has she been? What does she want? In a round of provocative and often hilarious skirmishes with the members of her abandoned household, Nora struggles with the difficult balance between truth to oneself and responsibility to others.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterwork, A Doll's House, Nora Helmer closed the door on her husband and family in order to find herself. In A Doll's House, Part 2 modern playwright Lucas Hnath imagines that she comes back through that door fifteen years later. Where has she been? What does she want? In a round of provocative and often hilarious skirmishes with the members of her abandoned household, Nora struggles with the difficult balance between truth to oneself and responsibility to others.
In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterwork, A Doll's House, Nora Helmer closed the door on her husband and family in order to find herself. In A Doll's House, Part 2 modern playwright Lucas Hnath imagines that she comes back through that door fifteen years later. Where has she been? What does she want? In a round of provocative and often hilarious skirmishes with the members of her abandoned household, Nora struggles with the difficult balance between truth to oneself and responsibility to others.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
The Caravan of GLAM is a flamboyant cabaret act featuring drag, burlesque, acrobatics, live singing, comedy, fire, and aerial performances. The group formed in 2013, appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2015, and now tours the United States and beyond. Expect the unexpected as each show is customized to the venue and no two shows are ever the same.
Please join us at Gesa Power House Theatre on Saturday, June 1 from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for an all-ages dance party, with music by DJ Mylonite, upstairs in the Electric Lounge to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month in Walla Walla.
There are many versions of the story of Faust, who trades his soul with the Devil for youth and power, but Gounod’s opera remains one of the most constantly enthralling. Michael Fabiano stars as Faust, with Diana Damrau as his beloved Marguerite and Erwin Schrott as the diabolical Méphistophélès. Virtuoso leading roles, a large chorus, sensational sets, ballet and an ecstatic finale make this the epitome of theatrical spectacle – the lavish scale of French grand opera is wonderfully in evidence in this production by David McVicar, set in 1870s Paris. Above all, the music includes several of popular opera’s most recognizable numbers, performed by a cast of great international singers and the Royal Opera Chorus.
The Walla Walla Fire District 8 will host a community presentation on "Wildfire Awareness" at Gesa Power House Theatre on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by Sportsman's Warehouse, 9th St Auto, L&G Ranch Supply, and Columbia REA. The presentation will include information on the November 2018 California wildfires, with firsthand pictures and accounts from local agencies, part of Washington State Task Force 2 that responded last year. The presentation will also cover Walla Walla County emergeny management programs, including: Alerts, Evacuations, Notifications, Ready Bags, Safety Zones, and Shelter in Place. Finally, the presentation will discuss what assistance property owners can provide with during a fire incident.
The opening Festival Series performance of the 2019 June season takes a close look at two distinct but related styles of composition. We have on the one hand the Sonata in D minor, Op. 75, by Camille Saint-Saëns, and the Piano Quintet in A, Op. 81, by Antonin Dvořák. One lays the groundwork for the style known as Impressionism, while the other barters overtly in the compositional movement known as Nationalism, though no less image-rich than its French counterpart. These pieces were composed about two years and 550 miles apart, the former in 1885 (Paris), the latter in 1887 (Prague).
The contemporary face of The Royal Ballet is shown in works from three of today's leading choreographers. Wheeldon's Within the Golden Hour is based around seven couples separating and intermingling, to music by Vivaldi and Bossi and lit with rich colours suggested by sunset. Pite's Flight Pattern, revived for the first time, uses Górecki's familiar music and a large dance ensemble for a poignant and passionate reflection on migration. Between them, Medusa, a new work created by the acclaimed choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, has its premiere to bring the contemporary truly up-to-date.
Immerse yourself in social and educational wine festivities with Walla Walla Valley wineries, guest winemakers from the world's leading wine regions and esteemed speakers for the 7th annual Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine. Participate in rare vintage tastings, reserve a seat at intimate winemaker dinners and compare and share the differences of the Walla Walla Valley with other leading wine regions around the world during wine panel presentations.
Night Music. Brings to mind Bob Seger and his evident work regarding “night moves.” However, we at WWCMF are taking a different tack. Night means all sorts of things. For example, there are animals that only come out at night. Turns out, these animals make different sounds than those that inhabit daylight. Béla Bartók was a composer who was famously fascinated by night sounds. His Third String Quartet stands as a great example of music conceived with a nocturnal soundscape in mind.
WWCMF presents a program of stunning variety for our third Festival Series performance of the June 2019 season. The cast includes piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet and trombone. These amazing artists perform with such outstanding ensembles as the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (NY), Cleveland Orchestra (OH), Boston Modern Orchestra Project (MA) and the Seattle Symphony during the year. In June, we have them all to ourselves in Walla Walla.
In a reimagined 1590, England is a matriarchy. Baptista Minola is seeking to sell off her son Katherine to the highest bidder. Cue an explosive battle of the sexes in this electrically charged love story. Justin Audibert (Snow in Midsummer, The Jew of Malta) turns Shakespeare’s fierce, energetic comedy of gender and materialism on its head to offer a fresh perspective on its portrayal of hierarchy and power.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
Tonight, we blow out the candles on the 2019 Festival Series, literally. The program will end with a kaleidoscopic version of Happy Birthday To You. Did you know the iconic tune was composed by two American women, Patty and Mildred J. Hill? Yup. It happened in 1893, round about the time Sibelius composed the string trio that opened the very first Festival Series performance of 2019 back in January. Talk about coming full-circle. In this case, however, the famous tune has been given the “Winston Choi” treatment… That means lots of musical Easter Eggs for you to identify. It’s a mashup worthy of the 300+ birthdays we will celebrate in honor of those who attend.
Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier, bassist and drummer for the band Heart during the 1970s and early 1980s, are now touring as Heart By Heart. Fossen and Derosier are the powerful driving engine behind Heart's classic hits like “Barracuda”, “Straight On”, “Crazy On You”, “Magic Man”, “Even It Up”, “Dog & Butterfly”, “Heartless”, “Kick It Out”, and more. First formed by Steve Fossen in 1969, Heart went on to release six top-10 albums and landed 20 hit singles on the Billboard top 40 chart.
Shakespeare’s enduring love story is known the world over. Since its 1965 premiere with The Royal Ballet, Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet has become a modern ballet classic. The choreography captures the emotions of the young couple as they fall in love, despite the barriers that finally bring about the story’s tragic end. Each revival gives opportunities for new dancers to interpret the doomed lovers. The whole Company brings the colour and action of Renaissance Verona, where a busy market all too quickly bursts into sword fighting, and a family feud leads to tragedy for both the Montagues and Capulets.
The 3rd Annual Walla Walla Movie Crush celebrates the most intoxicating blend of American short cinema over the course of three days (July 12 - 14). Once again, the festival will showcase narratives, documentaries, animation, music videos and experimental films grouped in themed packages and will showcase more than 100 new shorts from Oscar®-winners, household names, rising stars and wunderkinds.
A private event is scheduled at the theater on this date.
Comedian, author, lecturer, host, and actress Paula Poundstone returns to Walla Walla to perform at Gesa Power House Theatre for two nights on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and spontaneous wit. She is also a popular panelist on NPR’s #1 show, the weekly comedy news quiz, “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”
Additional support provided by
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla, City of College Place
Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated
