|
This week's arts briefs: |
Other arts-related sites: College of Arts and Architecture
|
|
Photo: Greg Grieco
|
Gearing up for Thon are Ashleigh Goldberg, finance manager, left, Kelly Sokolic, public relations officer, and K.C. Parker, marketing captain. The three were spotted recently, preparing pledge packets in the Thon office in the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. More than 620 students will dance in this year's Dance Marathon, which runs from 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, until 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, in Recreation Building. Last year, Thon raised more than $2.5 million for the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps children with cancer being treated at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The event is recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy in the nation, and provides 86 percent of the money donated annually to the Four Diamonds Fund. |
Philadanco, one of the premiere African American dance companies in the country, will present "On the Shoulders of Our Ancestors" at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus.
Described as a company with unparalleled energy and superior technical ability, Philadanco is celebrating 30 seasons as a dance troupe. The group has performed in Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Joyce Theatre, Kennedy Center and more. The group will take part in a three-day residency, which will include master classes, a movement workshop and a lecture and reception with Joan Myers Brown, founder and artistic director of Philadanco. Brown will speak on the topic of women in the arts and business. For more information on the residency activities, phone (814) 863-8205.
Prices are $25 for general admission; $20 for students; $15 for University Park students and $15 for ages 12 and younger. For tickets or more information, contact the Arts Ticket Center, open 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (814) 863-0255. Outside the local calling area, phone (800) 278-7849.
The Penn State Percussion Ensemble and the Penn State Mallet Ensemble, under the direction of Dan C. Armstrong, professor of music, will present a free combined concert on Friday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall on the University Park campus.
The Mallet Ensemble will perform music written or transcribed for keyboard percussion instruments such as marimba, xylophone and vibraphone. The Percussion Ensemble's contribution to the program will include "Streams" by Warren Benson, "Portico" by Boston Symphony Orchestra percussionist Tom Gauger and a rousing work for percussion quartet.
The Inner Dimensions Jazz Ensemble, directed by graduate student Daniel Weiner, will perform a free program of big band music on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 2:30 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall on the University Park campus. The 19-member band will perform selections by artists such as Count Basie, Stan Kenton and Thad Jones. The program also will feature a saxophone solo by Dan Yoder, professor of music.
The Penn State Chamber Singers will present their 14th annual Celebration of Love performance in the lobby of Old Main on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. on the University Park campus. The performance features the alternation of vocal chamber music, sung by the Chamber Singers, with poetic readings. The Chamber Singers are conducted by D. Douglas Miller, professor of music, and consist of 16 select singers, ranging from freshmen to graduate students. Their repertoire for the celebration will include several Renaissance settings, 19th- and 20th-century settings, and a group of works which have become part of the Celebration of Love tradition.
Tickets for the event are available by calling (814) 863-2142.
Nine organ students from the studio of June Miller, associate professor of music, will perform in a recital on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall on the University Park campus. The concert is free.
Timothy Deighton, assistant professor of music, will present a recital of works for the viola on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall on the University Park campus. Each piece on the program has a different instrumental combination from unaccompanied viola to viola and two other instruments. Music from the baroque, romantic and 20th-century eras will be featured. Assisting Deighton will be percussionist Dan C. Armstrong, professor of music; soprano Susan Boardman, associate professor of music; cellist Kim Cook, associate professor of music; pianist Ann Deighton; and oboist Timothy Hurtz, associate professor of music.
The Penn State Cello Choir, under the direction of Kim Cook, associate professor of music, will perform for the Bach's Lunch concert on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 12:10 p.m. in the Helen Eakin Eisenhower Chapel on the University Park campus. The Cello Choir has 22 members, 17 of whom are music majors.
The free, 20-minute concert is sponsored by the College of Arts and Architecture's School of Music and the University Lutheran Parish. After the concert, audience members may take their bag lunches to the Roy and Agnes Wilkinson Lounge in Eisenhower Chapel. Coffee and tea will be provided.
