Fall in love with great dance, music, theatre at the Nazareth College Arts Center in February
From award-winning dance companies to a world premiere about living with autism by the symphony orchestra, celebrate love for the arts with your choice of 10 amazing performances at the Nazareth College Arts Center this month, many of which are free.
ARTS CENTER SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
Dance takes center stage in Callahan Theater this month, presenting two New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Award winning dance companies. Buy both shows and save 10 percent with promo code DANCE10.
"The work of these two companies is stunningly beautiful and innovative, said Arts Center Executive Director Rita Mannelli. "It's a joy to present world-class dance in Callahan Theater."
Dance meets film meets virtual reality with Bridgman|Packer on Saturday, February 9 at 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater. Using cinematic projections as interactive set pieces, Bridgman|Packer's mesmerizing performances blur the boundaries between reality and the imagined. Their innovative work developing "Video Partnering"-the integration of live performance and video technology-has been acclaimed for its highly visual blending of the live and the virtual.
With the paintings of Edward Hopper as a point of departure, Bridgman|Packer performs Voyeur, a 2017 New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Award-winner that bears witness to fragmented moments of private lives. Tickets $25-$50.
**SPECIAL EVENT**
In advance of their show, Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer will present an Interactive Talk explaining their choreographic process and its integration with video technology on Thursday, February 7 at 7 p.m. in Callahan Theater. The talk will be followed by a short demonstration of live camera work with participation by audience members. This event is free and open to the public, pre-registration is required at go.naz.edu/BPdance.
Two weeks later, David Dorfman's energetic dance ensemble will warm up a winter's night with a work that is as colorful as it is thought-provoking on Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater.
Winner of eight New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards, David Dorfman Dance creates hyper-athletic works that are innovative, inclusive, and radically humanistic.
Combining energetic movement, live music, and dancers performing monologues, David Dorfman Dance will perform Aroundtown, a 2017 work that explores the meaning of love in times of violence and strife. Tickets $25-$50.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT WORLD PREMIERES, GUEST ARTISTS
What's it like to live with autism? The Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of Mitchell's Wild Ride, written by Nazareth professor and orchestra director Nancy Strelau and double bassist Mitchell Law, as part of the Rising Stars concert on Saturday, February 16 at 4 p.m. in Beston Hall. Law, a high school student who lives in the Buffalo area, has played double bass since the fourth grade. He also lives with autism, and is hearing impaired and partially blind.
"I met Mitchell a couple of years ago and heard that he writes music for double bass," said Nazareth professor and orchestra director Nancy Strelau. "He has had a piece in his head for quite a while now called Mitchell's Mind, and I wove the three parts of that piece detailing Mitchell's view of his own autism into new, uplifting themes. My piece, Mitchell's Wild Ride, refers to his journey with all of his teachers who have supported him musically."
The program also includes solo performances by 2018-2019 concerto/aria competition winners, and works by Beethoven and Brahms. This event is free and open to the public.
The Music Department will also several bring renowned guest artists to campus this month.
The Eastern Standard Trio will perform in Beston Hall on Sunday, February 3 at 3 p.m. The trio includes Nazareth faculty member Jacob Ertl and and Indiana University of Pennsylvania faculty members Heidi Lucas and Zach Collins. The program includes the world premiere of What a Circus! by Nazareth faculty member Octavio Vazquez. This event is free and open to the public.
On Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m., Russian pianist Asiya Korepanova will perform a solo recital featuring the complete etudes of Franz Liszt in Beston Hall. She is currently the only pianist to perform all of the Liszt etudes in one concert, a courageous feat of dazzling virtuosity and musicality. This event is free and open to the public.
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater, tickets $25-$50
Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar
Georgia gospel sensations deliver powerhouse vocals and intricate arrangements of contemporary gospel, pop, and musical theater hits.
Saturday, February 2 at 3 p.m. in Beston Hall, free
A Festival of Trombones
The Nazareth College Trombone Choir, in collaboration with the Rochester Trombone Society, performs a program featuring music by Bach, Handel, Saint-Saëns, Gabrieli, Corea, and Ewazen.
Sunday, February 3 at 3 p.m.in Beston Hall, free
Eastern Standard Trio
Heidi Lucas, horn • Zach Collins, tuba • Jacob Ertl, piano
Eastern Standard Trio, comprised of Nazareth faculty member Jacob Ertl and Indiana University of Pennsylvania faculty members Heidi Lucas and Zach Collins, kicks off their spring concert tour performing new works commissioned by and written for the ensemble.
Saturday, February 9 at 8 p.m. in Callahan Theater, tickets $25-$50
Bridgman| Packer Dance
Using cinematic projections as interactive set pieces, Bridgman|Packer's mesmerizing dance performances blur the boundaries between reality and the imagined. Free interactive talk with the artists' on Thursday, February 9. Details at go.naz.edu/BPdance. Bridgman|Packer Dance is funded through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
Sunday, February 10 at 3 p.m.in Beston Hall, free
Winter Blossoms
Nazareth College Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band
Jared Chase, conductor • Steven Zugelder, conductor
Featuring a variety of music for the winter season, including a premiere of Winter Blossom by Xi Wang, Hindemith's Symphony in B-flat, and Ticheli's Angels in the Architecture.
Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.in Beston Hall, free
The Piano at Its Summit: The Complete Etudes of Franz Liszt
Asiya Korepanova, guest piano
Russian pianist Asiya Korepanova, performs the complete etudes of Franz Liszt, including the 12 Transcendental Etudes, the 5 Concert Etudes, and the 6 Paganini Etudes.
February 15,16, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m.
February 17, 24 at 2 p.m.
Vinegar Tom
$12, $10 senior, Studio Theater A48
Set in 17th-century England, Obie Award-winning author Caryl Churchill examines the oppressive marginalization of women in a story of witch hunts, injustice, and patriarchy. Alice, her mother Joan, and other women in the neighborhood are not fitting the societal norms-sparking an investigation by doctors and witch hunters. Directed by Lindsay Reading Korth. Vinegar Tom is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Saturday, February 16 at 4 p.m. in Beston Hall, free
Rising Stars
Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra • Nancy Strelau, director
Featuring the 2018-2019 concerto/aria competition winners. The Symphony Orchestra will also perform Beethoven's Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, Brahms' Academic Festival Overture, and the world premiere of Mitchell's Wild Ride by Nancy Strelau and Mitchell Law.
Sunday, February 17 at 3 p.m.in Wilmot Recital Hall, free
All That Jazz
Brad Batz, woodwinds • Steve Greene, guitar • Paul McArdle, guitar • Kyle Vock, bass • Kristen Shiner McGuire, marimba and percussion
A jazz assortment of solo, duo, trio, and quartet pieces, highlighting Nazareth faculty.
Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater, tickets $25-$50
David Dorfman Dance
Winner of eight New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards, David Dorfman and his energetic ensemble explore self and society through movement, music, and monologues. Sponsored by Susan & Steven Eisinger and Paul & Helga Morgan.
TICKETS
Ticket prices for individual shows are noted above and are available online at artscenter.naz.edu, by phone at (585) 389-2170, or in person at the Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. 14618. Free events do not require advance tickets or reservations.
Regular box office hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a m.- 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. until curtain time on performance days.
For More Information
Michelle Shippers | Marketing & Publicity Manager | 585-389-2093 or mshippe0@naz.edu |
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Bridgman|Packer Dance will perform on February 9