ARizona Musicfest, a non-profit arts organization based in north Scottsdale, has lifted the curtain on the lineup of their artists for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
The program includes a cast of swing musicians, rock ‘n’ roll acts, tribute bands, a special musician talk and celebrity performances who will perform with the festival orchestra – including artists like Frankie Avalon, Kristin Chenoweth, Judy Collins and Renee Fleming. Some of these shows are already sold out.
“We’ve already sold out a number of performances,” said Allan Naplan, executive director and executive producer, Arizona Musicfest. “In our first week we already passed the 20,000 mark. In fact, we broke the 10,000 ticket mark on our first day.
“It’s been a great start and a big part of that is being driven by the artists we have. So we’ve become an important destination for the valley, not just for Scottsdale.”
Naplan, who has been with Arizona Musicfest for over a decade, said this season has taken the nonprofit to new heights.
“When I arrived, there were just over 7,000 spectators in total this season. Last season it was more than 37,000,” he said.
“There has truly been transformative change in the last decade and I still believe, as I often say, that we are only scratching the surface of our potential.”
With tickets already sold out, Naplan highlighted several acts he thinks music fans will be flocking to this season.
“We’re excited to bring Brian Stokes Mitchell back from Broadway, the Texas Tenors are also popular with Arizona Music Fest audiences, and then so will Rita Moreno – one of 18 people to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award “I’ll be onstage to provide a multimedia look back at her career,” Naplan said.
Other exciting shows include tribute acts such as “Elvis: The Concert of Kings,” which features three artists playing the king from his three eras, the music of Elton John and Billy Joel with performer Michael Cavanaugh, and “Hotel California: A Salute to the eagles.”
The majority of the concerts will be held at Highlands Church and La Casa de Cristo Church, but there will also be individual concerts at the Musical Instrument Museum and Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.
Venues include: Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale; La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix; and Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N Pima Road, Scottsdale.
Information: azmusicfest.org/events
Music Festival Calendar
Elvis: The Kings Concert, 6 November, Highlands Church.
Frankie Avalon, November 11, Highlands Church.
The music of Billy Joel and Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh, 17 November, Highlands Church
Cantus, Nov. 19 Musical Instrument Museum
John Pizzarelli & Cherine Russell: Swinging in the Holidays Dec 1 Highlands Church
The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas December 4th Highlands Church.
Paul Anka: Seven Decades Tour January 5th and 6th, Highlands Church.
The Barricade Boys: Leading Men of London’s West End. January 12, Highlands Church.
Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll Part 4, 19 & 20 January, Highlands Church.
Jazz at Lincoln Center: Sing & Swing, January 29, Highlands Church.
Doo Wop Project, February 2nd and 3rd, Highlands Church.
Classical Mystery Tour – 60th Anniversary: The Beles are Coming to America! 5 February, Highlands Church.
A New World A Coming, starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lara Downes. 12 February, Highlands Church.
Kristin Chenoweth, February 17, Highlands Church.
Moon River and Me: Henry Mancini’s Centenary Celebration starring Monica Mancini, February 19, Highlands Church.
MozART Group, February 27, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Rhapsody in Blue: Festival Orchestra with Marcus Roberts Trio, March 3, The Church of the House of Christ.
Superman, Schumann & Strauss with the Festival Orchestra, March 5, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Festival Orchestra POPS with Telly Leung and Loren Allred, March 8, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Renée Fleming with the Festival Orchestra, March 10, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Gunhild Carling, March 12, Church of La Casa de Cristo.
Rita Moreno: In Conversion, March 16 Highlands Church.
Judy Collins, March 22, Highlands Church.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, March 25th Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.
Pioneering Country Women: From Patsy to Loretta to Dolly, April 1, Highlands Church.
World Doctors Orchestra to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical Clinic, April 5, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, April 15, La Casa de Cristo Church.
Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles, April 26, Highlands Church.
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