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‘4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince,’ curated by Questlove, announces U.S. (but not Minnesota) tour dates

A promotional image for '4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince.'
A promotional image for '4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince.'

by Jay Gabler

May 15, 2018

Okay, let's take this one step at a time.

There's going to be a show at which Prince classics will be performed by a variety of vocalists backed by a symphony orchestra.

Yes, it's approved by the Prince estate.

Prince superfan Questlove is involved: he "has helped curate the music and arrangements," though he's not announced as a performer at the shows.

It's all going on tour this fall...but there are no Minnesota dates. Yet.

Rolling Stone reports that "4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince" is a project featuring the Wolf Trap Orchestra, which is based at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts outside of Washington, D.C. They collaborate with a range of musicians and dance ensembles, and promise that this tour "will present the music of Prince like never before, with a full symphony orchestra."

They also call it "the first and only estate-approved Prince celebration," which is really only true if you add an asterisk and add, "...that's touring with an orchestra." The estate is providing "photo and video content" that will be used in the production. Promoter Live Nation and marketing company TCG Entertainment are also behind the production.

"This show is not 'impersonating' Prince," says the orchestra, "but is instead 'celebrating' Prince and his boundless creative output." Tickets are now on sale for 35 dates running Sept. 6 through Oct. 21.  "Additional dates will be announced for 2019 at a later date," says the tour.

September 6 – New Brunswick, NJ @ State Theatre

September 8 – Washington, DC @ Wolftrap

September 9 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theatre

September 11 – Norfolk, VA @ Chrysler Hall

September 12 – Charlotte, NC @ Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

September 13 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheatre

September 14 – Asheville, NC @ Cellular Center

September 15 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Amphitheatre

September 19 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Center for the Arts

September 20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre

September 21 – Binghamton, NY @ Anderson Center

September 22 – Lynn, MA @ Lynn Memorial Hall

September 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre

September 25 – Columbus, OH @ Ohio Theatre

September 26 – Nashville, TN @ Jackson Hall (TPAC)

September 27 – Nashville, TN @ Jackson Hall (TPAC)

September 28 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre

September 29 – Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre

September 30 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre

October 2 – Huntsville, AL @ Von Braun Center

October 3 – Gainesville, FL @ O'Connell Center

October 4 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Broward Center

October 5 – Tampa, FL @ Sun Dome

October 6 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre

October 7 – Orlando, FL @ Dr. Phillips Center

October 10 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe

October 11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre

October 12 – Louisville, KY @ The Palace

October 13 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre

October 14 – St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre

October 16 – Midland, TX @ Wagner Noel

October 17 – Dallas, TX @ Music Factory

October 18 – Houston, TX @ Smart Financial Centre

October 19 – San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theater

October 21 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.