ST. PAUL, Minn. (March 4, 2019) — The mix of artists scheduled to perform at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts during the month of March offers something for everyone. From Grammy Award-nominated Irish-American super group, Cherish the Ladies to the four-time Grammy winners Boyz II Men, who remain of the most popular and successful R&B groups of all time.

Others in the line-up include the CONTRA-TIEMPO Urban Latin Dance Company, Classic Albums Live presents The Beatles - Abbey Road, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Dream Theater.

“March at the Ordway will bring us a rich mix of artistic and entertainment experiences and we can't wait to share it all. Between public and school performances, more than 11,000 people will come through the Ordway for these engagements, 6000 of those will be students from around the region,” said Shelley Quiala, the Ordway’s Vice President of Programming, Education and Engagement.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to meet the artists after select performances and participate in community discussions and educational workshops.

CONTRA-TIEMPO takes the stage in the Music Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 with its performance of joyUS justUS. This co-commissioned piece takes Latin social dance to new heights by infusing elements of salsa, Afro-Cuban and urban dance styles.

joyUS justUS, an Ordway co-commission, reclaims the dominant deficit-based narrative of people of color in this country and flips it on its head by embodying stories of joy. This is the third engagement at the Ordway for CONTRA-TIEMPO and in January, company members came to the Twin Cities to rehearse with the community cast of dancers and lead workshops on CONTRA-TIEMPO dance forms, engaging 85 youth and adults in the community.

CONTRA-TIEMPO Urban Latin Dance Group is a bold, multilingual Los Angeles-based dance company creating physically intense and politically astute performance work that moves audiences to imagine what is possible.

A pre-show event featuring a conversation with founder and Artistic Director Ana Maria Alvarez will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Cherish the Ladies returns to the Ordway Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
This marks the second time the all-female ensemble will be at the Ordway. The group will do two performances exclusively for school-aged students from around the state. With their unique blend of virtuosic instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture. Taking their name from a traditional Irish jig, on fiddle, flute, whistle, guitar, piano, accordion, and bodhrán.

Classic Albums Live presents The Beatles - Abbey Road is set to happen at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 on the Ordway Music Theater stage. One of the most popular additions to the Ordway’s concert series is Classic Albums Live which expertly takes classic albums and recreates them live on stage – note for note and cut for cut.

Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live has become the ultimate destination for music lovers wanting to hear the greatest albums performed live. Relying only on the music, using what Martin refers to as “the world’s best musicians,” Classic Albums Live has defined itself as a mainstay in performing arts centers across North America.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers is all about bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent and a blazing rock band. Audiences can experience this for themselves at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 in the Ordway Concert Hall.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers — a nine-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne.

Dream Theater performs at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 in the Ordway Music Theater. With a world-wide following this group offers a smart, fully immersive, experiential journey through otherworldly soundscapes from each and every live performance, full-length album, and song. For three decades Dream Theater has redefined the parameters of hard rock and progressive heavy metal, overcoming obstacles, surpassing critical expectations, and resisting the incessant winds of industry uncertainty.

Boys II Men, one of the most popular R&B groups of all time takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 in the Ordway Music Theater.

Throughout their 25-year career, Boyz II Men have won fans the world over with their soulful, multi-octave sound and incredible vocals. The four-time Grammy Award winners hold the distinction of being the best-selling R&B group of all time, with an astounding 64 million albums sold.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.ordway.org or call the ticket office at 651.224.4222

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
For over 30 years, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has been telling stories through theatre and other live performances that celebrate the human experience. Recognized as one of the country’s leading not-for-profit performing arts centers, the Ordway presents and produces a wide variety of performances throughout the year that encompass the finest in Broadway musicals, concerts, dance and vocal artists. The Ordway serves over 62,000 children each year through its education programs and presents the annual Flint Hills Family Festival. The performing arts center houses a 1,900-seat Music Theater, a 1,100-seat Concert Hall, two large rehearsal halls and magnificent lobbies. The Ordway is a proud member of the Arts Partnership, a collaboration comprising the Ordway, Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club.

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