What do Leonard Bernstein, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonius Monk, Lena Horne, Desi Arnaz, Dean Martin and Jerome Robbins have in common? Well, for starters they were all born 100 years ago and they all changed the face of American music forever. Something magical happened those years ago as some of the greatest artists of all time were born. It was an eclectic group of talents that brought the world a brilliant display of musical diversity.

In honor of this historic centennial the Marcus Center joins forces with the Florentine Opera and the Milwaukee Ballet to present the first ever Arts Bridge Project. This first concert will be a glorious evening celebrating the breadth and scope of the musical offerings these celebrated artists gave to America — and the world. Backed by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, the evening will highlight not only music from the worlds of Broadway, pop, jazz and opera but also iconic moments from the world of dance.

The concert will include selections from “West Side Story,” “Porgy and Bess,” and many Great American Songbook classics that went on the define American music. The cast will include top international vocalists alongside Milwaukee’s finest singers, dancers and musicians. There are may surprises in store for what promises to be a once-in-a-century exclusive event created for the city of Milwaukee.