PHOENIX (March 22, 2018) – The MIM Music Theater proudly announces its Summer 2018 Concert Series, which includes more than fifty concerts from May through September, spanning multiple genres across the globe.

Highlights this season include vocalist-harmonica maestro John Popper, best known as founder and front man of the popular ’90s band Blues Traveler, joined by his bandmate Ben Wilson on piano and backing vocals. Funk and soul legends Tower of Power will return to the MIM Music Theater as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux, whose voice has been compared to Billie Holiday, will present a concert filled with jazz and blues influence. Ten-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin, who has successfully crossed over between genres of jazz, pop, and classical, will highlight his remarkable octave-jumping vocals.

The Summer 2018 Concert Series welcomes some artists who will be performing at the MIM Music Theater for the first time. New artists include the Australian folk group All Our Exes Live in Texas; pop singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb, who sang the number one hit song “Stay (I Missed You)”; South Carolina-based quintet Ranky Tanky, performing music of Gullah culture; and Latin jazz pianist Chano Domínguez, who produces post-bop, fusion, and flamenco-influenced music referencing his Andalusian roots.

Guests can look forward to the return of several favorites to the MIM Music Theater, including all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache, a group evolving mariachi music by pushing gender norms; Grammy Award-winning global group Tinariwen, composed of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert; singer-songwriter Paula Cole, who received acclaim for ’90s hits such as “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait”; and Django Festival All-Stars, performing electrifying hot gypsy jazz in tribute to the pioneering guitarist Django Reinhardt.

The MIM Music Theater presents over 270 concerts per year and has had over 150 Grammy-winning artists perform on its stage. Within the span of only seven years, the theater has been recognized as one of the top music venues of its size, anywhere in the world. It has received praise from audiences and musicians for its unparalleled intimate atmosphere and acoustically superb sound quality.

“We have been invited to some of the world’s greatest venues like the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, and also the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. But I tell you one thing, this Theater and this Museum are second to none,” says Allen Bailey, founder of Harlem Gospel Choir.

Tickets will go on sale to members who give $250+ annually on Thursday, March 29 at the Summer 2018 Concert Series Preview Event. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. Members who give $500+ annually receive 10% off concert tickets. Additional artists will be added to the lineup throughout the season. To get the latest information on these announcements, visit MIM.org and sign up to receive concert newsletters.

2018 Concert Series sponsored by Sanderson Lincoln

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About MIM and the MIM Music Theater
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) enriches our world by collecting, preserving, and making accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world. MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience, incomparable interactive technology, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. MIM fosters appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music—the language of the soul.

In addition to hosting performances by renowned artists, the MIM Music Theater introduces guests to emerging talents from around the world. It has been called, “the best 300-seat venue in the country,” by Grammy winner Shawn Colvin. Each performance is an extension of the museum exhibits―showcasing the instruments, the people who play them, and the musical language we share.

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Media Contact
Johann Warnholtz
Media Relations Specialist
Johann.Warnholtz@MIM.org
480.245.6953

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