The Ringling’s “New Stages” Series

The five-part “New Stages” series features a mix of contemporary musical and dance performances.

Share an evening with Meklit Hadero, a cabaret singer know for her blend of jazz, soul and folk music, who previously performed at the Ringling International Arts Festival in 2011. The Ethiopian-born singer produces a “cradling, sensuous and gentle sound” according to her adopted hometown’s San Francisco Chronicle. Named a TED Global Fellow in 2009, Hadero has been featured on NPR, PBS and National Geographic.

Hadero performs at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 23-25 in the Historic Asolo Theater.

Explore the relationship between the individual and the flock during Lostwax Multimedia Dance’s “Particular.”  “Particular” blends ballet, hip-hop, jazz and modern dance with computer graphic projections produced by R. Luke DuBois.

Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6-8 in the Historic Asolo Theater.

As a child, Robert Mirabal took part in the Pueblo ritual of “running to the sun” as it rose. The spiritual ritual a part of the culture of the traditional Pueblo community in Taos, N.M. that he grew up, and it inspired him to write “Music of the Sun,” a collaboration with the string quartet Ethel.

The program includes original compositions by Mirabal and arrangements of ancient Native American music performed by the quartet and accompanied by Native American flute and percussion.

Performances will occur at 7:30 p.m. February 20 – 22 and at an extra show at 2:00 p.m. on February 22 in the Historical Asolo Theater.

To create “No Hero,” director Alex Ketley filmed a series of discussions with people in rural communities in the western United States about their relationship to dance. The performance includes a video presentation of Ketley’s journey combined with a live dance performance.

The Foundry will perform “No Hero” at 7:30 p.m. March 6-8 in the Historic Asolo Theater.

“nowHERE” and “New Stages”  will conclude with “Inuksuit” an immersive musical work for up to 99 percussionists playing on instruments including drums, maracas, gongs, sirens, air horns and conch shells. The performance heightens the audience’s awareness of the sights and sounds in everyday life.

With a title inspired by a word that means stone landmark in the language of native Arctic people, composer John Luther Adams created a work meant to be played outdoors.

The “Inkusuit” performance is the centerpiece of “Celebrate the Light” in the Courtyard of the Museum of Art at 6:30 p.m. on March 22.

Tickets for these performances cost $30 with a discounted price of $25 for members and $10 for college students with a valid ID. Save 10 percent by purchasing the entire 5-part series for $135 with a discounted price of $112.50 for member and $45 for students.

To purchase tickets call 941.360.7399 or visit ringling.org.