Pacific Dance Ensemble (PDE) is excited to present Newport’s own daring darling, Amelia Zirin-Brown aka “Lady Rizo” aka “Rizo,” returning to wow us once again with her latest genius, Saturday February 8 and Sunday February 9 at 7:30pm. As Rizo has been a sold-out performance in past years, PDE is thrilled to be able to offer 2 nights with the glamorous, hilarious, and incredibly talented RIZO at the Newport Performing Arts Center!
Seductively peeling back layers of alter-ego, Grammy winner Rizo explores the delight and trappings of our shadow selves through her own songs along with the tunes of Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé), the Thin White Duke (David Bowie), and Camille (Prince).
RIZO aka Amelia Zirin-Brown, a PDE alumni, is now a NYC based performance artist, comedienne, singer, composer, and actor. Received with critical raves three years in a row at the Assembly Festival in Edinburgh, she won the inaugural Time Out London and Soho Theatre Award, and the 2013 London Cabaret Award. She is also a Grammy winner for a 2010 collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma on the Holiday album Songs of Joy and Peace.
“An anarchist streak still runs through me,” says Rizo, the singer-sophisticate who was once a teenage punk rocker. “I love the idea of claiming something that’s uncool and making it authentic.” To that end, the NYC-based artist has earned a name for herself by transforming nightclub-pop into experiences that are more soulful, more theatrical. A provocateur with an electric wit, Rizo is a vessel for the spirits of Edith Piaf and Freddie Mercury.
The New York Times once referred to Rizo (née Amelia Zirin-Brown) as “a formidable belter who can sustain phrases and notes even when sprawled on her back on a piano and scissoring her legs.” They’re not alone in that enthusiasm. Rizo — who released Indigo, her second album, in 2017 — has collaborated with Moby, Reggie Watts, and Yo-Yo Ma, the latter on his Songs of Joy & Peace album, which won a Grammy Award.
Rizo just finished a 6 month role as Madame ZinZanni in Teatro ZinZanni’s Love, Chaos & Dinner in Chicago.
“It’s really all about the songs and that incredible voice…deserves a full house every night.” – Herald Sun
“Rizo practically has the word “talent” tattooed on her forehead.” – Wall Street Journal
“Sensational.. Rizo makes connections between performer and audience that are impossible in any other context” – The New York Times
So, get your tickets now and treat yourself to an unforgettable pre-Valentine’s special gift of music, love and laughter. For tickets call 541-265-ARTS.