Subscription packages for the 2012-2013 Lakewood Cultural Center Presents season are on sale now with discounts up to 20 percent off single-ticket prices. The season features 14 diverse programs available in two flexible package options.  The Encore Series offers a 20 percent discount on a choice of six or more programs. The Sampler Series offers a 10 percent discount on three, four or five of 12 select programs. Both packages offer series savings on additional tickets purchased throughout the year as well as other subscriber benefits. Subscription packages are available through Friday, June 29. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Lakewood.org/CulturalCenter, call (303) 987-7845 or stop by in person at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway near Wadsworth and Alameda.

The cultivated performing arts patron as well as the inquisitive “newbie” will both feel comfortable exploring the variety of theater, dance, musical theater, travel film and a wide range of music programs. The Lakewood Presents series attracts regional, national and international artists to Lakewood’s intimate 316-seat theater.  2012-2013 season highlights include Kota Yamazki Dance, a cappella sensation Basix, Celtic ambassadors Danú and the incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon.

(glowing)
Kota Yamazaki Dance
Bessie Award-winning Japanese dancer/choreographer Kota Yamazaki presents (glowing), a new visually striking work that explores the Japanese aesthetic found in shadow and darkness, inspired by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki’s famous essay “In Praise of Shadows.” This program is supported by the National Dance Project and the New England Foundation for the Arts.
www.kotayamazaki.com
7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 22

Gabriela Martinez, pianist
Since the age of 7, Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez has enthralled audiences around the globe with her dazzling virtuosity. Her supreme artistry led to a recent invitation to step in for renowned pianist Leon Fleisher, making her Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Ravinia Festival debuts.
www.gabrielamartinezpiano.com
7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 29

Gregoire Maret Quartet
A performer on the chromatic harmonica, Gregoire Maret has a unique sound and versatile style that has won him Jazz Journalists Association “Player of the Year Award.” Having performed with the Pat Methany Group, Herbie Hancock, Elton John and Sting, and having been compared to legends Stevie Wonder and Toots Thielemans, Maret now leads his own quartet in an evening of original jazz sets.
www.gregoiremaret.com
7:30 p.m., Friday, October 26

ArtsPower National Touring Theatre presents
“Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great”
ArtsPower returns to Lakewood with another lively original one-hour musical with this one based on Judy Blume’s dynamic coming-of-age story about the pains of being a kid and discovering the person within. Children and adults will fall in love with Sheila and her friends as she learns that trials are, unfortunately, essential to growing up.
www.artspower.org
2 p.m., Sunday, November 4

American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life® stage presentation of
“The Things They Carried”
By Tim O’Brien
Performed by Billy Lyons
Adapted and directed by Wynn Handman
Celebrate Veterans Day and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War with this New York Times bestseller. A single actor leads the audience through the stage adaptation of five of Tim O’Brien’s unforgettable short stories exploring the complexities of battle, the blur of reality and the universal struggle of the soldier.  Recommended for ages 14-plus.
www.literaturetolife.org
7:30 p.m., Friday, November 9

Basix Christmastime
Danish vocal pop a cappella sensation Basix continues to amaze international audiences with innovative originals and outstanding covers. In an unforgettable concert experience, the four-time Cara® award winners for Best European Album, Best Holiday Album, Best Holiday Song and Best Cover Song welcome the holiday season with joy and exuberance.
www.basix.dk
7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 29

Timothy P. & the Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers
Timothy P. Irvin once again hosts the Stuffers, a group of Colorado’s finest Western, bluegrass and folk musicians in entertaining arrangements of original music and holiday favorites. These shows have become an annual tradition in Lakewood, so don’t wait to guarantee your seats and join in the fun.
7:30 p.m., Friday. & Saturday, December 7 & 8
2 p.m., Saturday. & Sunday, December 8 & 9

Lure of Alaska
Narrated live by filmmaker Dale Johnson
Prize-winning documentary filmmaker Dale Johnson takes you on a journey to this vast state that lures visitors to challenge themselves to survive off the beaten path, to experience a wilderness that no longer exists elsewhere in the United States and to see the modern cities of Alaska. No plane ticket required.
www.windoes.com
7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 17

“Once Upon a Mattress”
Co-presented with Performance Now Theatre Company
If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” you’re in for a walloping surprise! Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this is a rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal comeuppance. Chances are you’ll never look at fairy tales in quite the same way again.
www.performancenow.org
7:30 p.m., Friday. & Saturday, February 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23, 2013
2 p.m., Saturday. & Sunday, February 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24, 2013

The Shuffle Effect
Sybarite5
From the moment their bows attack the strings, Sybarite5 engages the senses and redefines the rules. The traditional set program list is replaced with an iPod—yes, an iPod—containing the group’s repertoire. The players press shuffle and play whatever piece shows up on the screen, making each performance a unique event. It may be Mozart and Radiohead, Brahms and Brubeck or Piazzolla and Led Zeppelin; audiences should be prepared to hear anything.
www.sybarite5.org
7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013

Danú
Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. Its high-energy celebration of the Emerald Isle offers an authentic Irish musical journey. Combining vocals with traditional instruments such as flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion and bouzouki, Danú mixes ancient Irish music with contemporary works to create a memorable evening.
www.danu.net
3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, March 3, 2013

“Cyrano de Bergerac”
Aquila Theatre
By turns funny, poignant and heart wrenching, “Cyrano de Bergerac” remains one of the most popular romantic tales in all world literature. Through Aquila’s trademark attention to movement and the visual arts, Cyrano’s passionate journey takes us from the streets of Paris to the battlefield of Arras and the cloisters of the convent where this exquisite story reaches its emotional conclusion.
www.aquilatheatre.com
7:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2013

Ensō String Quartet
Following a 2010 Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music Performance,” the Ensō String Quartet has quickly become recognized as one of the country’s most accomplished young ensembles. Versatile in many styles, the quartet has received acclaim for its exciting programs performed with vigor, intensity and precision.
www.ensoquartet.com
7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2013

Lena: A Lovesome Thing
Nnenna Freelon
Don’t miss this intimate one-night-only performance with six-time Grammy-award nominee Nnenna Freelon presenting her very personal tribute to Lena Horne. Seeing in the iconic and elegant singer, actress, dancer and activist her own ultimate role model, Nnenna Freelon was inspired to dream a dream of her own.
www.nnennafreelon.com
7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 20, 2013   

The Nutcracker and Jack and the Beanstalk are part of the 2012-2013 Lakewood Cultural Center Presents season, but are not available on subscription. Tickets for these programs will be available after August 1, 2012.

The Nutcracker
Dawson│Wallace Dance Project
formerly David Taylor Dance Theatre
Bring the kids and the grandkids to start your family holiday tradition this year at the Lakewood Cultural Center.
www.dawsonwallace.org
Weekends December 15 – 23, 2012

Jack and the Beanstalk
Missoula Children’s Theatre
What happens when a young boy plants Wonder Beans in his own backyard? For Jack, it is the beginning of a great adventure. With a little help from P.T. Wonder and a vegetarian giant, Jack learns a valuable lesson about true happiness. Join 50 area school children in this fully staged musical theater adaptation of the familiar family classic.
www.mctinc.org
1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m., Saturday, January 26, 2013

The 2012-2013 Lakewood Cultural Center Presents Season is generously supported by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), with appreciation to the citizens of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Sheraton Denver Westand The Denver Post Community , improving and enriching the lives of those in our community.

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Aquila Theatre's trademark attention to movement and the visual arts will bring Cyrano de Bergerac to life at the Lakewood Cultural Center on March 8, 2013.

Bessie Award-winning Japanese dancer/choreographer Kota Yamazaki presents (glowing)to open the 2012-2013 Lakewood Cultural Center Season on September 22.

Following a 2010 Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music Performance,” the Ensō String Quartet will perform at the Lakewood Cultural Center April 18, 2013.