Yo-Yo Ma To Kick Off A&I

Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma has agreed to launch this summer’s International Festival of Arts & Ideas with a night-time concert on the Green by his Silk Road Ensemble.

The festival released its schedule Sunday. It has a global-connections, bringing-people-together theme.

Yo-Yo Ma’s ensemble fits right into that theme. Its 60 members, from 20 countries, are “dedicated to preserving authentic classical traditions while nourishing global connections,” as a publicity piece puts it.

Their free A&I performance on the Green, June 11 at 7 p.m., will be their first in Connecticut. Yo-Yo Ma hasn’t performed in the state since 2007.

The festival wrestled with whether to stage a free concert, in keeping with the annual event’s mission, or to hold a high-priced ticketed concert at the Shubert in order to raise needed money in tough economic times, Executive Direct Mary Lou Aleskie said. The festival needs to raise $150,000 to cover the cost of the group’s visit.

Yo-Yo Ma solved the question by agreeing to hold a thank-you reception for big donors. He’s also holding a free public discussion at 3 p.m. the day of the concert.

Click here to read the festival’s release highlighting its list of major events.

One of the major events is also a local delight: Hometown fans of East Rock writer Jack Hitt can see the premiere of a new solo theater work he’ll have staged at Long Wharf’s Stage II from June 21 – 24. Title: ​“Making Up The Truth.” We’re sure he can explain.

The popular Courtyard Concert series, June 14 – 16, will include the Bang On A Can All-Stars offering their percussive take on Brian Eno, Thurston Moore, and others.