OTTAWA, August 30 – The National Arts Centre’s 2011-12 Season is about to begin and now is the time to make sure you are a part of it when tickets go on sale, Tuesday, September 6 at 10 a.m.! The greatest names in arts and entertainment – from across Canada and around the world -- will be featured in orchestral, theatrical, and dance performances for all the NAC stages. Whatever your taste, there is something for everyone at the National Arts Centre – this is your chance to get your tickets before our exciting productions sell out.

On Tuesday, September 6 at 10 a.m., single tickets for NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre and NAC Presents for 2011-12 go on sale as the NAC Box Office officially opens.

At the same time, to celebrate the 2011-12 season in style, the NAC will present a free event in the lobby featuring musicians, dancers and a fashion show with costumes from previous NAC productions.

From 10:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. patrons will enjoy:

• A string trio performing on the lobby stage
• A fashion show with various costumes from previous NAC productions
• A tango dance demonstration
• An exhibit featuring costume sketches from previous NAC productions
• Free coffee, tea and cookies for our patrons

It’s going to be a fun day for all – so don’t miss out!

Important Information for our Patrons:

August 29– September 3, 2011: Subscriber Priority Week – It’s not too late to subscribe!
The NAC Box Office will be happy to welcome last-minute new subscribers to the 2011-12 National Arts Centre Orchestra, English Theatre, French Theatre, and Dance season. During this special week, 2011-12 subscribers may also add on or exchange tickets (at no charge) at the NAC Box Office before they go on sale to the general public.

The NAC Variety Pack
You can mix and match four or more NAC Orchestra, Dance, Theatre and Fourth Stage performances with the NAC Variety Pack. With this special subscription, ticket buyers will save an average of 15% over regular Box Office single ticket prices, and qualify for NAC subscriber benefits such as no exchange fee and discounts on other NAC performances. Packages start at just $85! Some restrictions apply.

Some of the highlights for the 2011-12 Season:

September 22, 2011: NAC French Theatre Begins
After three seasons filled with memorable theatrical moments and events, and to mark his final season at the helm of the French Theatre, playwright, director and actor Wajdi Mouawad has lined up a total of 19 productions, including three Canadian premieres, one North American premiere as well as an exclusive North American engagement presented in both French and Arabic for the 2011-12 season. Opening the season with Chante Avec Moi, written and directed by Olivier Choinière, Wajdi Mouawad and Benoît Vermeulen (Artistic Associate, Youth Program) have turned to playwrights, directors and designers who invite us to take a unique look at the different emotions that shape our lives. These artists and creators like to question our preconceived notions of what Theatre should be, by playing with both content and form and by embracing a singular artistic vision.

September 24, 2011: NAC Orchestra Season Begins
The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s 2011-2012 season is simply extraordinary, showcasing hundreds of musical moments – some beautifully familiar and some strikingly new – that will inspire and uplift music lovers. The season opens with a bang on September 24 with the NAC Gala with Pinchas Zukerman, the NAC Orchestra, and special guest Sarah McLachlan! The season comprises classical concerts, pops concerts, kids’ concerts, lunchtime concerts, and Sunday afternoon concerts. There are fifty-one (51) separate events and ninety-one (91) performances. The season is divided into nine separate series -- Mark Motors Audi Signature Series; Ovation Series; Bostonian Bravo Series; Great Performers Series; Special Concerts; CTV Pops Series; TD Bank Group Family Adventures with the NAC Orchestra; Kinderconcerts; and Music for a Sunday Afternoon (MFASA) concerts, which are held at the National Gallery of Canada.

October 5, 2011: NAC Dance Season Begins
The 2011-2012 NAC Dance season kicks off on October 5 – 6 with Babel ^(words) by choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet. The 2011-12 season celebrates some of the world’s most refreshing and articulate artists, showcasing works that have been influenced by their own personal life experiences. From contemporary ballet to Kathak, from Irish step dance to hip-hop fusion, the NAC Dance season will allow you to experience some of the finest, groundbreaking works being created and performed by artists from every corner of the world - Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, India, the UK, Ireland, France, The Netherlands, Germany, China, Russia, the USA and Canada - all in one place. Other season highlights include the exclusive Canadian engagement of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch with Danzón, and the famed Bolshoi Ballet with Don Quixote.

October 18, 2011: NAC English Theatre Season Begins
For the 2011-12 season English Theatre features nine outstanding productions that represent the very best theatre has to offer, with each play marking a signature work from theatre artists at the height of their creative powers and will let audiences experience everything from Shakespeare to new Canadian works to wildly imaginative programming with family in mind. The NAC English Theatre Company will be featured in five productions across the Theatre and Studio series, kicking off with David French’s heart-warming romantic comedy Salt-Water Moon, followed by Lionel Bart’s show-stopping musical Oliver! for the holidays. September 6 will also be the first opportunity for the general public to purchase tickets for Sandra Shamas’ latest Wit’s End III: Love Life. The special presentation runs from April 10 – 14, 2012.

October 22, 2011: NAC Presents - a NEW programming discipline at the NAC!
From established performers with near-legendary international status to the most exciting emerging musicians and entertainers, NAC Presents is home to the names everyone knows today and the ones everyone will know tomorrow.

A sneak peak of some of the artists that will perform as part of the NAC Presents 2011-12 season: Opening on October 22 in the Fourth Stage, Canada’s triple-threat combo of piano virtuosity, vocal ability and charisma Michael Kaeshammer; October 29, Sophie Milman; a rising star who fuses jazz traditions and pop stylings will be on the Fourth Stage; On November 12, an evening not to be missed, with an intimate solo performance from Rufus Wainwright; A treat for the holidays! The exquisitely talented duo Dala, sweet and soulful folk-pop, will present a Christmas show on December 1. The full season will be launched on September 22.

Tickets are available in person at the NAC Box Office from 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Monday through Saturday) or through TicketMaster (with surcharges) at 1-888-991-2787; TicketMaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca.

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