Leonard Bernstein, renowned for his dynamic conducting and compositions like “West Side Story,” remains a towering figure in 20th-century music. Explore the fascinating intersection of Bernstein’s genius and the mind with Dr. Richard Kogan in a TED-like lecture and piano performance. Trained at Juilliard in piano and Harvard Medical School in psychiatry, Dr. Kogan, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Artistic Director of the Music and Medicine program at Weill Cornell Medical Center, offers a unique perspective.

Richard Kogan’s concert lecture audiences hear him recount Bernstein’s life “from his first cigarette to his last dying day”, interspersing oral history and anecdote with performances of “Somewhere”, “Maria”, “Tonight”, “One Hand, One Heart”, “America” and more. Dr. Kogan offers a psychiatric perspective on Bernstein’s complex personality in this program as well.  He identifies Bernstein as a man of voracious appetites, the satisfaction of which caused enormous guilt.  Still, Dr. Kogan points to Bernstein’s remarkable capacity to sustain contradictions.  He cites Bernstein’s balancing of the tensions between elite and mass appeal, between emotions and the intellect and between tradition and innovation.  Dr. Kogan contrasts these with Bernstein’s irreconcilable bisexual conflicts and his struggles to balance the life of a composer and the life of a performer.

photo: Paul de Hueck, courtesy the Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc.

Embrace the joy and warmth of the season at the annual holiday concert with Father Alphonse Stevenson and the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea! This cherished tradition brings a 42-piece orchestra and exceptional soloists to Pollak Theatre with beloved carols and festive melodies. Be part of this heartwarming celebration and let the spirit of the season come alive through the power of music.

New this year — Please note the 7 PM start time!

Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner who has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal Pirates.  Named the “premiere song-stylist and songwriter of her generation” by The New Yorker, and “The Duchess of Coolsville” by Time magazine, Jones released her Grammy-nominated album Pieces of Treasure in 2023, a reunion with Russ Titelman, who produced her first two records.  Jones’ celebrated memoir Last Chance Texaco was named Book of the Year by MOJO and a Best Book of the Year at Pitchfork and NPR.  The Independent writes, “There has always been something defiant about Rickie Lee Jones . . . a voice from a dream, elusive yet familiar, transcendent, a messenger from another place.” 

The Boxmasters make a triumphant return to Pollak Theatre, bringing their latest album, “Love & Hate In Desperate Places,” and their electrifying North American tour to the stage. With J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton leading the charge, the album introduces Kirk McKim and Raymond Hardy to the lineup, adding new dimensions to their sound. Kirk, a seasoned guitarist, and Raymond, a powerhouse on bass, bring fresh energy to the band’s recordings.

Fran Moran and The Nervous Wrecks will be opening for the Boxmasters

The Boxmasters, formed in 2007, draw inspiration from the rock and roll of the 1960s, with nods to bands like the Beatles, Byrds, and Beach Boys. Their diverse catalogue reflects influences ranging from The Mothers of Invention to Kris Kristofferson. Based at Peppertree Hill Studios, J.D. & Bud continue to create music that resonates, collaborating with artists like Ian Hunter and Gov’t Mule.

With a dedicated fanbase spanning the globe, The Boxmasters have earned acclaim both as headliners and as openers for acts like ZZ Top and Steve Miller. From “Knuckleheads” in Kansas City to “The Troubadour” in Los Angeles, their live performances captivate audiences, making each show an unforgettable experience.

Join us for a night of unforgettable folk music as The Wailin’ Jennys grace the stage at Pollak Theatre. From their humble beginnings in a tiny guitar shop to becoming one of today’s most beloved international folk acts, The Wailin’ Jennys have captured hearts around the world. Founding members Moody, Mehta, and Masse continue to impress with each critically acclaimed recording, elevating their music to new heights while thrilling audiences with their renowned live performances.

Their journey began with the release of their debut album “40 Days” in 2004, which garnered them a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. Since then, they’ve mesmerized audiences across Canada, the U.S., and beyond, earning accolades and nominations along the way. With hits like “Firecracker” and “Bright Morning Stars,” The Jennys have transcended genres, blending folk, alt-country, pop, and rock into their unique sound.

Their live album “Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House” captured the essence of their electrifying performances, showcasing their show-stopping harmonies and impressive instrumental prowess. In 2017, The Jennys celebrated their 15th anniversary with the release of “Fifteen,” a collection of their favorite songs recorded true to their live sound. This album, steeped in artistry and elegance, highlights their heartfelt vocals, otherworldly harmonies, and sophisticated arrangements.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience The Wailin’ Jennys live at Pollak Theatre!

Experience an unforgettable night of music as the legendary Don McLean takes center stage for the Starry Starry Night Tour. Born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1945, Don McLean’s musical journey began at a young age. Overcoming childhood asthma, McLean’s passion for music flourished as he explored folk music, recorded his first studio sessions, and eventually rose to international stardom with hits like “American Pie” and “Vincent.”

In the 1970s, McLean became a major concert attraction, captivating audiences worldwide. His iconic song “American Pie” became a cultural phenomenon, ranking among the top songs of the 20th century. The Starry Starry Night Tour promises an evening filled with McLean’s classic hits, showcasing his extensive repertoire that spans folk, rock & roll, and timeless American classics. Don’t miss the chance to witness a music icon live on stage, celebrating over five decades of a remarkable career.

Two incredible artists, each performing their own set! Since she broke through over 25 years ago with the multi-platinum Relish and its touchstone mega-smash “One of Us,” Joan Osborne the seven-time Grammy nominee has never played it safe. Osborne has followed her restless musical heart, exploring a diverse range of genres: pop rock, soul, R&B, blues, roots rock, gospel, funk, and country – all of which can be heard on her latest album Trouble and Strife, along with the Western side of C&W and a touch of glam and disco. “For a lot of the record, we were going for a ‘70s AM radio vibe,” says Osborne. As for the lyrics, the songs “are the most political I’ve ever written,” she conveys of her first album of originals since 2014’s confessional Love and Hate. Osborne also produced Trouble and Strife, primarily recorded in her basement studio in Brooklyn and released on the label she founded in 1991, Womanly Hips. 

Experience an extraordinary evening where art and music intertwine in a one-night-only concert featuring the brightest female singer-songwriters of the Jersey Shore, drawing inspiration from the captivating artworks of Nanci France-Vaz. Christine Elise, Pam McCoy, Mary McCrink, Laura Johnson, and Genevieve are among those featured in Vaz’s narrative figure paintings on exhibition this spring in the Pollak Gallery. These talented artists step out of the canvases to perform live in an evening celebrating female artistry and inspiration.

This concert is in conjunction with the opening reception for the gallery exhibition Metamorphosis: Works by Nanci France-Vaz on April 26 from 6-8 pm. The opening reception is FREE to the public, however tickets are required to attend the concert.

The Doo Wop Project boys will get you into the Holiday Spirit! Hear old school Holiday Classics like The Drifters’ White Christmas, The Temptations’ Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town along with “Doowopified” contemporary hits like This Christmas and Last Christmas. It’s sure to be a jolly good time.

The Doo Wop Project, the dynamic, rave-reviewed celebration of a beloved music genre stars the 5 engaging, charismatic and dashing Broadway stars from smash hits like JERSEY BOYS, A BRONX TALE, BEAUTIFUL, and MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL with their all-star band.

About Mary Gauthier
As she has so eloquently accomplished over the past 25 years, acclaimed singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier has used her art once again to traverse the uncharted waters of the past few years. “I’m the kind of songwriter who writes what I see in the world right now,” she affirms. Thankfully, amid dark storms of pandemic loss, she found and followed the beacon of new love: Her gift to us, the powerful Dark Enough to See the Stars, collects ten sparkling jewels of Gauthier songcraft reflecting both love and loss.

Her eleventh album, Dark Enough to See the Stars, follows the profound antidote to trauma, Rifles & Rosary Beads, her 2018 collaborative work with wounded Iraq war veterans. It garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album, as well as a nomination for Album of the Year by the Americana Music Association. Publication of her first book, the illuminating Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, in 2021, brought her more praise. Brandi Carlile has said, “Mary’s songwriting speaks to the tender aspects of our humanness. We need her voice in times like these more than we ever have.” The Associated Press called Gauthier “one of the best songwriters of her generation.”

Gauthier’s early work, which began at 35, reflected her newfound sobriety, delving into events from a troubled life, which persisted after she became a renowned chef in Boston. Dark Enough to See the Stars returns Gauthier to the scintillating confessional mode on such albums as her breakthrough release, 2005’s Mercy Now, as well as such ear worms as the hook-laden “Drag Queens in Limousines.” In addition to crafting instantly memorable songs, Gauthier has never shied away from difficult self-exploration, as with 2010’s The Foundling, on which she explored the repercussions of her adoption from a New Orleans orphanage and subsequent search for her birth mother.

Gauthier’s partner, Jaimee Harris, who sings harmony throughout the album, co-wrote the paean to one of Gauthier’s favorite cities. “I have a long history with Amsterdam,” Gauthier recounts. “My first record deal was on a Dutch label, and I tour there regularly, and much of Mercy Now was written at my favorite hotel there.” A canceled flight to Denmark landed Gauthier and Harris in Amsterdam for an unexpected three days during the pandemic. “To return to that hotel and be able to share that with the person I love and show her the city…,” Gauthier pauses. “It’s complicated – because all around the edges was the pandemic. But you’ve got to express your joy – a joy that’s not free from pain. There’s grief all around us, but there’s this ability to still love and still be aware that the sky is beautiful and the hand that I’m holding is filled with love…”