Young Steinway artist and Yamaha jazz scholar Utsav Lal performs a concert of Indian music in a return visit to Toledo this weekend.
The New York-based composer continues his ongoing education series “Breaking Boundaries.” Lal is known as the “Raga Pianist,” adapting classical Indian music forms for piano, an instrument traditionally considered unsuitable for Hindustani technique.
In Indian music, Raga is a system of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythms and embellishments which are used as the basis for improvisation. These structures often contain microtonal fluctuations and nuances that make adaption to traditionally Western-tuned instruments, such as the piano, difficult.
Lal has performed globally at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Southbank Center in London, and holds the distinction of being the first performer to introduce the piano at the 137th Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, India’s oldest classical music festival. He last performed in Toledo two years ago.
His free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. For more information, call 419-874-4346 or visit zoarlutheran.com.
In addition, Lal will conduct workshops and private group sessions from Thursday to Monday for music students of all levels interested in further exploring classical Indian music. These are available for a fee by contacting the artist directly at utsavlal.ragapianist@gmail.com.
■ The Mercy Health “Music Under the Stars” concert series concludes with “Swing, Swing, Swing: Music of the Big Band Stars” featuring the Toledo Jazz Orchestra in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, 2 Hippo Way. More information on the concert, as well as Park-N-Ride opportunities, can be found at 419-246-8000 or toledosymphony.com.
■ It’s Friday! presents Intuition performing Motown and oldies favorites at 6:30 p.m. Friday on the grounds of the Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org.
■ Glass City Steel, the steel drum ensemble of the Toledo School for the Arts, performs a free outdoor concert of island music at 6 p.m. Wednesday on the lawn of First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Broadway, Maumee. For more information, call 419-893-0223 or visit firstpresmaumee.org.
■ The free Toledo Lucas County Public Library Brown Bag Summer Concert Series continues with Elixer performing a Beatles tribute from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Wednesday on the north lawn of the Main Library of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan St.
■ The Concert Series in Walbridge Park offers Old State Line performing bluegrass and country in a free concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the park’s bandstand, 2761 Broadway. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a chair or a blanket.
■ East River Drive performs Las Vegas show music 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday on the free Concert Series at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater, 2205 Kenwood Blvd. For more information, visit ottawapark.org.
■ The free Music at the Market Concert Series, in conjunction with the Perrysburg Farmers’ Market, features Barile & May performing a diverse mix at 7 p.m. Thursday on the Commodore Schoolyard lawn, 140 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Next week’s performance will be by Old State Line.
■ The “Week After the Art Fair Songfest” concludes this weekend with two concerts: the 25th Year Gala featuring performers from previous festivals at 8 p.m. Thursday and “Make American Sing Again, Part Deux!” at 8 p.m. Friday. Vocalist Cindy Scott joins guitarist Brian Seeger and reed player Janelle Reichman for an evening of eclectic music at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
All three concerts are at the Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. For more information at 734-769-2999 or kerrytownconcerthouse.com.
■ Sights and Sounds on Thursday Nights continues Thursday across downtown Chelsea, Mich. Slated performers are: Kayla Kendall (country and pop), Otter River (classic country), E Minor (folk), Blue Light Band (rock and blues), Brian Brickley & the Martindales (rock and blues), and Trey Connor (pop and rock). Music runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Family activities and food are also available. The movie at dusk is Beauty and the Beast (PG). For more information, call 734-355-1323 or visit chelseafestivals.com.
■ The University of Toledo Department of Music offers the Toledo Summer Big Sing led by Brad Pierson, UT director of choral activities, and Lisa Wong of the College of Wooster. The event is a lighthearted day of fun and singing choral standards and new favorites geared to adult community singers of all types and experience levels. The workshop will be held Saturday in Doermann Theatre, University Hall, West Bancroft Street, University of Toledo. Cost to participate is $25, which includes lunch and music. Registration and fees must be paid in advance. For more information, call 419-530-2448 or visit bit.ly/2LL1ECg.
■ The University of Toledo host a Baroque Music Workshop with specialist Omaldo Perez and the voice faculty of UT joining forces to present a weekend exploring and performing Henry Purcell’s The Fairy-Queen. The workshop will be held Sept. 7-9 at the Center for Performing Arts, 1910 W. Rocket Drive, University of Toledo. Cost to participate is $200 for non-UT students; UT alumnae are admitted half-price. More information is available at 419-530-2448.
Send classical music and dance items at least two weeks in advance to classics@theblade.com.
First Published July 26, 2018, 11:30 a.m.
