Black Theatre Workshop recently announced its 42nd season beginning this fall. The programming includes: the Governor General Award winning Harlem Duet by Afro-Canadian playwright Djanet Sears directed by Mike Payette. The Annual Vision Gala will honor Gregory Charles with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award. The Black History Month Annual School tour will present the world premiere of When Elephant was King by Chimwemwe Miller. The company also announced their new YouthWorks Artist in Residence program for artists aged 16-30, starting to build a career in theatre.

Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears is a powerful piece recounting the continuous struggle of African Americans fighting for equal justice in America. Harlem Duet is a prelude to Shakespeare’s Othello through the eyes of Billie, Orthello’s wife, who is left behind as Orthello moves closer to a white identity. Harlem Duet will be presented at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts from October 24 to November 11.

Gregory Charles, singer, musician, actor and choir director, is a multi-talented performer who has achieved international artistic success. He is also the founder of the Gregory Foundation, a local charity supporting involvement and excellence amongst young Canadians. The Black Theater Workshop will present its Annual Vision Gala at the Holiday Inn Midtown Montreal on January 26,2013 honouring Gregory Charles with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award.

Inspired by the story about A time when elephant was king, Tembo sets out on a journey to help transform the land into a place where stories will be remembered. When Elephant was King by Chimwemwe Miller will be presented in February 2013 by touring schools for BTW’s Annual Black History Month school tour. A public performance will be held on Saturday February 23, 2013at 1pm and at 3pm at Black Community Resource Center (BCRC) – 6767 Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal.

Other Black Theatre Workshop seasonal activities consist of: The annual Poetry Jam with this year’s theme My skin is Not Me which will be held on September 23 at 7:30pm at Jello Bar- 151 rue Ontario Est and the Discovery Series on April 15th, 2013 at 7:30pm, at the MAI café -3680 Jeanne-Mance and in June 2013 they will present their annual Curry Q Fundraiser.

Black Theatre Workshop’s YouthWorks will hold performance classes in the fall, winter, spring and summer with an end of the year performance. YouthWorks also presents its Artist in Residence program for artists aged 16-30 who wish to pursue a career in acting, set design, lighting design, stage management or theatre administration.

For more information on BTW’s 42nd season events, please go to www.blacktheatreworkshop.ca or call 514- 932-1104 ext. 226

New Generation Chamber Orchestra

Four concert special promotion until September 30

Four evenings of chamber music will be presented at the Université de Montréal’s Salle Claude-Champagne, beginning on December 1 at 8pm, Stéphane & Friends: Franz Schubert Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione, D. 821 (arr. for cello and string orchestra by Yuli Turovsky); Joseph Haydn Divertimento for cello and string orchestra in D major (arr. Piatigorsky) Antonio Vivaldi Various Concertos (with the soloists of the ONG).

Stéphane Tétreault, conductor/cello
January 26,2013, Northern Lights: Edvard Grieg String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27 (arr. for string orchestra); Benjamin Britten Simple Symphony; Ralph Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.

Alain Aubut, conductor
Collaboration on the Voval Ensemble KÔ directed by Tiphaine Legrand.
March 23, 2013, Beethoven & Rock: Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet No. 10 (arr. for string orchestra by Yuli Turovsky)Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Led Zeppelin…(arr. for string orchestra). Alain Aubut, conductor

May 18, 2013, From Canva to Score: Airat Ichmouratov Picture Gallery (based on works of Natasha Turovsky); Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons (with the soloists of the ONG). Airat Ichmouratov, conductor. Guest Soloists: Wonny Song, piano; Luo Di, cello; Mark Simons, clarinet; Stéphane Tétreault, cello

There is a special promotion until September 30 to buy a 4 concert subscription for $75. (Regular price: Adult $105 – Senior $90 – Student $85.) For tickets please call 514-587-2477.