Welcome to the
Rebecca J. Graves Center for the Performing Arts

Join us for the PAL Autumn Gala

Thursday, September 26: 5:30 – 9 :30 PM

$100 per person or Sponsor a Table for $1,200

Brent Gordon – October 5 – 7:30 PM

Brent graduated from Shepherd University with a music education degree and has embraced the stage the way he did the practice room when he was a student.

He is an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist performing music in any genre. His fiery soulful vocals and powerful sax rich with improvisation are captivating and provide distinct energy to each and every performance.

Sarah McQuaid – October 12 – 7:30 PM

“One of the most instantly recognizable voices in current music … Shades of Joni Mitchell in a jam with Karen Carpenter and Lana Del Rey.”
—Neil March, Trust The Doc

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorization.

All this is abundantly demonstrated by her new live album and video series The St Buryan Sessions — but needs to be savored in person to be fully appreciated.

Postcards – November 9 – 7:30 PM

Trains, planes, and automobiles!

Soloists from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC will tell hilarious and heart-warming stories and sing songs about their travel adventures.

Some of their songs include Leaving on a Jet Plane, London Calling, and I’ll Be Seeing You.

Bobby Sanabria – December 7 – 7:30 PM

Bobby Sanabria is a 7-time Grammy-nominee as a leader. He is a noted drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, documentary film maker, and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent born and raised in NY’s South Bronx. He was the drummer for the acknowledged creator of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá touring and recording three CD’s with him, two of which were Grammy nominated, as well as an incredible variety of artists.

This South Bronx native of Puerto Rican parents was a 2006 inductee into the Bronx Walk of Fame. He holds a BM from the Berklee College of Music and is on the faculty of the New School University and the Manhattan School of Music where he has taught Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestras passing on the tradition while moving it forward.

Mr. Sanabria has conducted hundreds of clinics in the states and worldwide under the auspices of TAMA Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks and Latin Percussion Inc. His background having performed and recorded as both a drummer and/or percussionist with every major figure in the history of Latin jazz, as well as his encyclopedic knowledge of both jazz and Latin music history, makes him unique in his field.

Strong Water – August 10 – 7:30 PM

POSTPONED – To Be RESCHEDULED

Strong Water is a folk band from VA known for its original high energy singer/songwriter folk music.

Thank you to all of our PAL Sponsors

Jenny and Brian Plum
Bob and Debra Miller
Mama’s Treasures
Bank Street Books

The Barbara & George Lawton Jazz Series