Lifestyle

New MAC season at College of DuPage celebrates Frida Kahlo show

Posted June 05, 2019 1:00 am

Katlyn Smith

Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano visits the College of DuPage's MAC as part of the Frida Kahlo Performance Series. Courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center

The College of DuPage will set the stage for a major art coup - an exhibition of Frida Kahlo paintings - with a celebration of Mexican folk art and iconography during the new season of the McAninch Arts Center at the Glen Ellyn school.

Mexico's Museo Dolores Olmededo in Xochimilco is loaning the collection spanning the career of the artist known for her self-portraits and personal tragedies. The college will introduce the show with a Frida Kahlo Performance Series during the McAninch Arts Center's 2019-20 season.

"Our new season features an amazing selection of national and international world-class music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment," MAC Director Diana Martinez said in a statement. "But I'm especially excited about the Frida Kahlo Performance Series Events intended to celebrate 'Frida Kahlo 2020' coming to the MAC and Cleve Carney Gallery next summer with the largest art exhibition of Kahlo's work in the Chicagoland area in more than 40 years."

Announced Wednesday, the programming starts in September and runs through May 2020. Highlights include:

• "Frida Fest": A yearlong celebration of the Kahlo exhibition begins with performances by Naperville's Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, Mariachi Monumental de México and an interactive show by Artrageous! The fest runs from 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8.

• The Mexico Beyond Mariachi tour stops at the MAC with "SUGAR SKULL! A Dia de los Muertos Musical Adventure," exploring the meaning of Day of the Dead traditions on Oct. 4.

• Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México Silvia Lozano visits Feb. 16, and New Philharmonic gives "A Salute to Frida" April 18-19.

• Two Grammy winners: After a 2018 sold-out show, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti returns to the MAC on Sept. 21, and saxophonist Branford Marsalis on Oct. 12.

• Singer-songwriter John Hiatt, whose "Have a Little Faith in Me" has appeared on many a movie soundtrack, plays the MAC Oct. 25.

• Alt-radio favorite the BoDeans is the top act Oct. 5.

Subscriptions and single-show tickets go on sale June 12 and July 20, respectively.

Starting at 10 a.m. July 20, tickets for individual shows are available to the general public in-person at the MAC box office with a "Tickets On Sale Party" featuring tours of the theater, giveaways, gifts for the first 100 buyers and free food. Online tickets go on sale at AtTheMAC.org at noon July 21, and by phone at (630) 942-4000 noon July 23.

The MAC, on the campus of the state's largest community college, attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Mexico Beyond Mariachi presents "SUGAR SKULL! A Dia de los Muertos Musical Adventure" Oct. 4. Courtesy of Christopher Duggan

Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis plays the MAC Oct. 12. Courtesy of Eric Ryan Anderson

Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti is returning to the MAC after a sold-out show in 2018. Courtesy of Fabrizio Ferri

Singer-songwriter John Hiatt gives a solo acoustic show Oct. 25. Courtesy of David McClister

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.