By DON FOWLER

First Works Artistic Director Kathleen Pletcher announced their exciting 2015-2016 season at a party at the Biltmore last week. And what a season it is!

“From the concert hall to the classroom, FirstWorks offers dazzling cultural performances and provocative discussions with legendary artists, world-class music and dance,” Pletcher told the large gathering.

The season is divided into two series, the first being performances by Giants in the Performing Arts.

Four “artistic icons” will perform at Vets Auditorium, beginning with Wynton Marsalis playing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

The Rhode Island premiere of London’s BalletBoyz, one of the most original powers in the dance world, will perform on Jan. 31, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The all-male company of 10 dancers smashes the stereotypes of ballet with what Pletcher describes as “a fearless, crunching physicality.”

The world premiere tour of Urban Bush Women comes to the Vets Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. with their rendition of “Walking With ‘Trane,” a towering jazz masterpiece complete with live music. The group, like many of the other performers, is involved in the community and schools.

Rosanne Cash brings her full band to Vets for a multimedia experience on April 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Groundbreaking firsts in the arts are featured in the new Frontier Series, beginning with Cloud Eye Control, an astonishing mix of projected animation, live theatre and music. They will perform at the Columbus Theatre, a new partner with FirstWorks, on Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.

A community renewal Event at the Southside Cultural Center (former site of Trinity Rep and current site of Wilbury Theatre) will feature Urban Bush Women performing “dark swan,” which is described as “a sensual work celebrating the African female body and a response to Russian masters of dance.”

The social evening will feature food, conversation and the performance.

Bedroom Community, the Icelandic record label celebrating 10 years, will join Rhode Island’s own Nico Muhly, plus Ben Frost and Sam Amidon in Bedroom Community, a mixture of modern compositions, electro-acoustics, “haunting noise-scopes” and “apocalyptic folk songs” at the Columbus Theatre on March 28 at 8 p.m.

Our own Aurea Ensemble will present their world premiere of “Chromatic Fantasy: The World of Ciurlionis,” inspired by the fascinating Lithuanian composer and artist. On April 24 at 2 p.m. at RISD’s Chace Center Metcalf Auditorium.

“With pre-show JumpStart performances in the lobby and Artist-Up-Close conversations in the theatre, every FirstWorks event becomes a celebrations,” Pletcher said.

Rhode Island puts itself on the world map for arts and culture with this tremendous yearlong celebration of the arts. Get your tickets now and receive more information online at www.first-works.org.