Filoli Announces 'Ballroom Cultural Series' Line-Up

WOODSIDE, CA — A multi-arts extravaganza, the 2020 Ballroom Cultural Series, will take place on Sundays this winter season at Filoli Historic House and Garden, the famed Woodside country estate, and tickets are on sale.

Inspired by modern-day international fringe festivals and now in its third consecutive year, the Ballroom Cultural Series will feature nine unique performances, from Jan. 5 to March 1, intended to be what the families who lived at Filoli enjoyed during the 20th century, organizers said.

Performances will range from the traditional to the unconventional and include vocal and instrumental music, dancing, a silent film, a dramatic reading and even a lecture on the challenging sex lives of plants.

“Plant sex isn’t a controversial topic per se, but the way I give plants personalities can push the boundaries at bit,” said Terry Huang, Filoli plant collections fellow, who will be performing his “50 Shades of Green” show Feb. 16. “The relationship between flowering plants and their pollinators is really a love story that feeds the world. The ingenious ways plants forge these connections, while rooted in one place, can teach us all so much. With my show, I’m trying to raise awareness of how plants and pollinators make so much of life possible on earth.”

All Ballroom Cultural Series performances will be held in Filoli’s "gem" — the 2,240-square-foot ballroom, with its 22-foot-high ceilings, inlaid parquet floor, Baccarat-crystal chandeliers, grand piano and built-in stage.

“For indoor entertaining, the ballroom is the real gem of Filoli, and during the winter months there’s no better place to spend a Sunday afternoon,” said Julie Bly DeVere, head curator and collection manager at Filoli.

The performances will be Sundays from Jan. 5 through March 1 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $22 for Filoli members and $30 for non-members and include admission to the house and garden.

Filoli describes its Ballroom Cultural Series line-up as follows:

Jan. 5 – First Street Opera: The singers of First Street Opera will fill the ballroom with a selection of pieces that the families of Filoli, as longtime supporters of the opera, would have enjoyed. (www.firststreetopera.com)

Jan. 12 – Charlie Chaplin Silent Film with Live Pianist Frederick Hodges: Hailed by the press as one of the best concert pianists in the world, Frederick Hodges is sought after by today’s foremost orchestras, festivals, conductors, and collaborative musicians. Join us for a screening of The Kid, a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film written by, produced by, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin, accompanied by Frederick’s lively piano playing. (www.frederickhodges.com)

Jan. 19 – The Mountaintop: Bay Area actors will perform a staged reading of The Mountaintop, Katori Hall’s imaginative and critically acclaimed drama about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth. Some adult language is used; may not be appropriate for all audiences.
(www.katorihall.com)

Jan. 26 – The Chinese Instrumental Ensemble: In ancient China, the success of a dynasty was attributed to its ability to find the proper tone of absolute pitch, known as “huang chung.” The Chinese Instrumental Ensemble features a two-string upright fiddle (erhu), a butterfly harp (yangqin), and a bamboo flute (xiao). The trio will perform traditional songs.

Feb. 2 – Helm: Middle Eastern Music and Dance: Helm performs original compositions that have become classics in the world of tribal and belly dance, as well as traditional music from throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. Enjoy this chance to see Middle Eastern dancing in the Ballroom. (www.helmmusic.com)

Feb. 9 – New World String Project: Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter perform with two Celtic harps, the rare Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Cittern and more. The multi-instrumental duo will present an enchanting blend of music and tales from their adventures as modern-day troubadours. (www.newworldstringproject.com)

Feb. 16 – 50 Shades of Green: Lecture by Filoli Plant Collections Fellow Terry Huang: Terry Huang’s bawdy botanical review delves into the sex lives of plants, dramatically explaining the challenges of courtship and consummation for those rooted in place. Terry’s fellowship at Filoli is funded through donations to the organization’s world-class internship program. (www.filoli.org/internshipprogram)

Feb. 23 – Ensemble Draca with Katina Mitchell: Katina Mitchell is a musician, director, and educator based in California whose interdisciplinary work pairs a curious mind with historical specialization. Her Ensemble Draca will present a concert of vocal and instrumental repertoire from 17th-century Italy. (www.katinamitchell.com)

March 1 – Rebecca Rust and Friedrich Edelmann: Rebecca Rust, violoncello, and Friedrich Edelmann, bassoon, have played together in duos, trios, and larger chamber music groups for over 30 years. From their home base in Germany, this husband-and-wife team is joining us for a special stateside performance. (www.edelmann-rust.com)

For more information and ticket details on Filoli’s Ballroom Cultural Series, follow this link.

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