FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The MIM Music Theater Announces Winter/Spring 2020 Concert Series

PHOENIX (December 12, 2019) – The MIM Music Theater proudly announces its Winter/Spring 2020 Concert Series, with tickets on sale to the public on December 12 at 10:00 a.m. The new series, running from January through May, includes more than thirty-five concerts spanning multiple genres across the globe.

Highlights this season include Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq; Playing for Change, a unique fusion of talents who come together to inspire the world through music; blues vocalist and pianist Marcia Ball with virtuoso slide guitarist and bandleader Sonny Landreth; legendary trumpet player Herb Alpert and Grammy-winning vocalist Lani Hall; and Juan de Marcos, founder of the Buena Vista Social Club, leading the Afro-Cuban All Stars.

The Winter/Spring 2020 Concert Series welcomes some artists who will be performing at the MIM Music Theater for the first time. New artists include Americana and folk duo the Secret Sisters; iconic Mexican American singer Lila Downs; pioneer of the minimalist movement, composer, and musician Terry Riley, accompanied by his son Gyan Riley on guitar; and country music hitmaker and piano-pounding powerhouse Phil Vassar.

Concertgoers can also look forward to the return of several favorites to the MIM Music Theater, including Grammy-winning bass player Victor Wooten, traditional Irish music group Altan, classical tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, and Grammy- and Tony-winning jazz giant paying tribute to musical icon .

The MIM Music Theater presents over 290 concerts per year and has had over 150 Grammy- winning artists perform on its stage. Within the span of only nine years, the theater has been recognized as one of the top music venues of its size, anywhere in the world. Audiences and musicians have praised its unparalleled intimate atmosphere and acoustically superb sound quality.

Linford Detweiler of singer-songwriter duo Over the Rhine calls the MIM Music Theater a “lovely place to make music.” David Harrington of Kronos Quartet says, “MIM is a new American treasure. . . . It’s like walking into the soul of mankind.”

Tickets went on sale to members who give $250+ annually on Thursday, December 5, at the Winter/Spring 2020 Concert Series Preview Event. Circle of Friends members starting at $250 enjoy exclusive member benefits, including advance purchase opportunities for concerts and invitations to Concert Series Previews with MIM’s artistic director. Members who give $500+ annually also receive 10% off concert tickets. Additional artists will be added to the lineup throughout the season. To get the latest announcements from the MIM Music Theater, visit MIM.org and sign up for concert newsletters.

2020 Concert Series sponsored by Sanderson Lincoln.

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About MIM and the MIM Music Theater The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) enriches our world by collecting, preserving, and making accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world. MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience, incomparable interactive technology, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. MIM fosters appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music—the language of the soul.

In addition to hosting performances by renowned artists, the MIM Music Theater introduces guests to emerging talents from around the world. It has been called “the best 300-seat venue in the country” by Grammy-winner Shawn Colvin. Each performance is an extension of the museum’s exhibits―showcasing the instruments, the people who play them, and the musical language we all share.

Find MIM on Facebook: Facebook.com/MIMphx; Twitter and Instagram: @MIMphx

Media Contact Raj Dayal, Media Relations Manager, MIM [email protected] 480.478.6065

Winter/Spring 2020 Concert Series Lineup

Jan. 2020 Legends: Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono with Moanalani Beamer Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars Tue., Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. Tue., Jan. 14 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Wed., Jan. 15 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Vieux Farka Touré Wed., Jan. 29 | 7:00 p.m. Victor Wooten with Steve Bailey and Gregg Bissonette: “Bass Extremes” John Mayall Wed., Jan. 22 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Thu., Jan. 30 | 7:30 p.m.

Victor Wooten with Steve Bailey, Gregg Feb. 2020 Bissonette, and Daniel Levitin Thu., Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. Tanya Tagaq: Retribution Sun., Feb. 2 | 7:00 p.m. Herb Alpert and Lani Hall Fri., Jan. 24 | 7:30 p.m. George Winston Sat., Jan. 25 | 7:30 p.m. Mon., Feb 3 | 7:00 p.m. Tue., Feb. 4 | 7:00 p.m.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Red Baraat Fri., Feb. 7 | 7:30 p.m. Fri., Mar. 13 | 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 8 | 7:30 p.m. Cherish the Ladies Terry Riley with Gyan Riley: Live at 85! Sat., Mar. 14 | 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 12 | 7:00 p.m. Altan Acoustic Hot Tuna with Special Guest Dick Boak Sun., Mar. 15 | 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. Fri., Feb. 14 | 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 15 | 7:30 p.m. Amanda Shires Opening Act: L.A. Edwards Phil Vassar: “Stripped Down” Acoustic Tour Tue., Mar. 17 | 7:00 p.m. Sun., Feb. 16 | 7:00 p.m. Paul Thorn Band Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth Opening Act: Jesse Dayton Mon., Feb. 17 | 7:00 p.m. Wed., Mar. 18 | 7:00 p.m. Tue., Feb. 18 | 7:00 p.m. The Manhattan Transfer Dee Dee Bridgewater: “Dear Ella” Sun., Mar. 22 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. A Tribute Fitzgerald Mon., Mar. 23 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22 | 6:00 & 8:00 p.m. Charles Lloyd and Gerald Clayton Lila Downs: Al Chile Tue., Mar. 24 | 7:00 p.m. Thu., Feb. 27 | 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28 | 7:30 p.m. Zakir Hussain Tue., Mar. 31 | 7:00 p.m. Mar. 2020 Apr. 2020 Stacey Kent Mon., Mar. 2 | 7:00 p.m. Loudon Wainwright III Sun., Apr. 5 | 7:00 p.m. Avi Kaplan Mon., Mar. 9 | 7:00 p.m. Kenny Endo Contemporary Ensemble with Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Kaoru Watanabe Dreamers’ Circus Sun., Apr. 12 | 7:00 p.m. Tue., Mar. 10 | 7:00 p.m. Playing for Change Tinsley Ellis Fri., Apr. 17 | 7:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 11 | 7:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 18 | 7:30 p.m.

Skerryvore Sierra Hull Thurs., Mar. 12 | 7:30 p.m. Mon., Apr. 20 | 7:00 p.m.

The Secret Sisters Opening Act: Leslie Stevens Thu., Apr. 23 | 7:30 p.m.

May 2020

Special EFX All-Stars Featuring Chieli Minucci, Eric Marienthal, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, and Gene Coye Fri., May 1 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.

Alan Doyle Opening Act: Chris Trapper Sun., May 3 | 7:30 p.m.