On behalf of all of us at Tilles Center, and all the guest artists who have appeared here this year, let me thank you for being with us for some great performances in 2009. What were your favorites ? For you classical music lovers, was it GUSTAVO DUDAMEL conducting the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC in January, or YO-YO MA’S performance of the Bach Cello Suites in May? For Broadway show fans, has any Tilles engagement generated as much heat as our spring run of the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp hit musical MOVIN’ OUT? Great headliners packed a one-two-three punch in the fall: BERNADETTE PETERS on opening night, LINDA EDER and BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL at the October Gala, and singer-songwriter JACKSON BROWNE in a solo acoustic performance in November. Or was your pop favorite a standout at our “Club T” Cabaret? The long-awaited return of KEITH LOCKHART AND THE BOSTON POPS, performing their Christmas show in early December, will be a highlight of the year for many (and, we hope, will become an annual tradition at Tilles Center). How about you dance fans? Family audiences? Add your personal “best list” to this blog, as well as your suggestions for future programming. Our staff and designers are hard at work planning the 2010 – 2011 season, which begins next fall. In the meantime, you’ll soon be receiving your Spring ’10 ONSTAGE brochure (if not, call or write to add your address to our records). Join us often in 2010, and let’s make it another great year for the arts and entertainment on Long Island!

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Tilles Center wishes you and your family all the best, and we have lined up some blockbuster holiday events for you beginning this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature family-friendly matinees at 2 pm.

On Saturday, Lincoln Center’s perennial Christmas favorite will make its Long Island debut when Dino Anagnost leads THE LITTLE ORCHESTRA SOCIETY in their version of Victor Herbert’s beloved “Babes in Toyland.” Toys will come to life on our stage, and magical melodies will fill the Concert Hall.

On Sunday, KEITH LOCKHART will lead THE BOSTON POPS ESPLANADE ORCHESTRA in their traditional “Christmas with the Pops.” The Pops will be making their first Long Island appearance in more than a decade (and yes, it was here at Tilles, for our 1996 Gala). No one plays the holiday classics better than the Pops, and special guests THE SWINGLE SINGERS will share their own jazzy arrangements of Christmas favorites. The program ends with “A Merry Little Sing Along,” so you will have the chance to join America’s most spirited orchestra to ring in the season.

While we expect a full house for the Pops, we know that some families are cutting back on holiday shows in this recessionary time. If you haven’t seen it, the New York Times is running an editorial blog on the subject (click here to view the article). Feel free to share your comments with us, or of course, comment on the Times’ website. We like to know how you’re doing and what you’re thinking, and we hope to be a part of your holiday here at Tilles Center.