This week in the Arts at Salem State University

ART

Thomas Matsuda: an exhibition of sculpture and drawings
January 17 – February 16, Winfisky Gallery, Ellison Campus Center
352 Lafayette St., Salem State University. 
Artist Thomas Matsuda’s sculpture and drawings will be on display in Salem State University’s Winfisky Gallery, January 17 through February 16. Matsuda’s work reflects a unique synthesis of eastern and western ideas with a distinctly contemporary approach. Admission to the Winfisky Gallery is free. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10-2 or by appointment. Information: 978.542.7890 or salemstate.edu/arts.

MUSIC

Annual Music Faculty Classical Recital
February 6, 7:30 pm, Recital Hall
71 Loring Ave. Salem State University
The multi-talented Salem State music faculty performs a recital that includes performances in a wide range of genres and instrumentation. The program includes works by Faure, Persichetti, Chopin and Beethoven as well as faculty members Robert Bradshaw and Philip Swanson. Admission is $10 general and $5 non-Salem State students and seniors. All proceeds for the evening will benefit the John Finnegan music scholarship. Information: 978-542-7890 or salemstate.edu/arts.

SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble
Monday, February 13, 7:30 pm, Recital Hall
71 Loring Ave., Salem State University.
The SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble was founded in 1999 by Egyptian musician Karim Nagi. The group presents traditional Arabic vocal and instrumental music, performing on traditional acoustic instruments. The ensemble also performs 20th century classics from Egypt and Syria, plus regional Arabic folklore from North Africa and the Eastern Arab countries. Admission is $15 general/ $10 non-Salem State students and seniors. Tickets are available online at www.salemstatetickets.com and will also be sold at the door. Information: 978-542-7890 or salemstate.edu/arts.

This week in the Arts at Salem State University

There is a vibrant arts schedule at Salem State University, and most programming is open and available to everyone.  Here's what's on tap for this week.

ART
Annual Art + Design Faculty Exhibition, November 14 through December 8. Winfisky Gallery. Ellison Campus Center. 352 Lafayette St., Salem State University.  The Winfisky Gallery concludes the fall semester with this much-anticipated annual event showcasing the work of Salem State University’s esteemed studio art faculty.Visitors to the Winfisky can expect to see examples of the latest work from artists such as Haig Demarjian, Benjamin Gross, Richard Lewis, Mark Malloy, Mary Melilli, Kim Mimnaugh, Ken Reker and John Volpaccio. Admission to the Winfisky Gallery is free. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10-2 or by appointment. Information: 978.542.7890 or salemstate.edu/arts.

MUSIC

An Evening of Choral Music, November 30, 7:30 pm. Recital Hall, 71 Loring Ave., Salem State University.
The University Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Gary Wood presents a concert with selections of Baroque music by Buxtehude and Telemann, interspersed with Canadian composer Stephen Chatman's composition "Voice of Earth." Also perfoming on the program will be the Women's Chorale, directed by Lynn Shane. Their program includes works by Debussy, d'Indy and American composer Jim Papoulis. This event is free and open to the public.

Percussion and World Music Ensembles, December 5, 7:30 pm. Recital Hall, 71 Loring Ave. Salem State University. The percussion and world music ensembles perform under the direction of Abe Finch and Dr. Peter Kvetko. This event is free and open to the public.

Chamber Orchestra Recital, December 7, 7:30 pm. Recital Hall, 71 Loring Ave. Salem State University. Dr. Mary-Jo Grenfell leads the chamber orchestra in works by Weinberger, Zuk and Copeland. This event is free and open to the public.


THEATRE

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, December 1 - 3, 7:30 pm and December 4 at 2:00 pm. Mainstage Theatre, 352 Lafayette St., Salem State University. In The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Brodie is a charismatic teacher with blowtorch passion, whose romanticism and pride break the parochialism of a conservative girls’ school in 1930’s Edinburgh, Scotland. Using methods unsuitable for a conservative school, she encourages students’ sexual experimentation; thus love and sexual triangles yield intriguing conflict. Witness a boxing match between powerhouse women, and experience the battle of characters struggling to discover their identities through others.

The December 1st performance will be immediately followed by a talk-back tea with faculty members Richard Elia, Christopher Mauriello, Amy Smith and Celena April.

Tickets are $15 general and $10 non-Salem State students and seniors. Purchase tickets at: www.salemstatetickets.com. Additional info at: 978.542.7890.

Grace Kelly comes to Salem

With all of the haunted houses and ghostly stories in Salem, I wouldn't be half surprised to learn that Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, was seen in town.  This, however, is a musical, cultural blog post, and this Grace Kelly is a saxophonist phenom. 

The 19-year old saxophonist, singer, songwriter, and composer performs a mix of standards and original works with her quintet. Kelly is the 2011 Boston Music Awards “Jazz Artist of the Year” and is the youngest person to be named to the Downbeat Critics Poll’s “Rising Stars.”  Tickets are: $20 general/$15 non-Salem State students and seniors.

Monday, October 3, 7:30 pm.
The Grace Kelly Quintet
Recital Hall, Central Campus
71 Loring Ave., Salem State University
Information: 978.542.7890
salemstate.edu/arts
Tickets online at salemstatetickets.com

Check out the Grace Kelly Quintet at the Montreal Jazz Festival: 

Andre Dubus, III at Salem State

I have to admit, I have not read Andre Dubus' novels.  I have, however, heard a couple of excellent interviews with Dubus on NPR, and he is a compelling storyteller. 

It's very exciting that Andres Dubus, III will be in Salem at the end of September.  A crowd is expected for this reading, so get there early!  

Thursday, September 29, 7:30 pm. Andre Dubus III reads from Townie: A Memoir 

Marsh Hall Conference Center

Room  210, Central Campus, 71 Loring Ave, Salem State University. Free. 

Andre Dubus III is the author of a collection of short fiction, The Cage Keeper and Other Stories, the novels  Bluesman, House of Sand and Fog and The Garden of Last Days. His memoir, Townie, was published this spring. He has served as a panelist for The National Book Foundation, and has taught writing at Harvard University, Tufts University, Emerson College, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell where he is a full-time faculty member. Information: 978.542.7890 or salemstate.edu/arts

This week's Arts schedule at Salem State

We are so fortunate to share Salem with a fantastic University.  The students, faculty and their families add vibrancy to downtown, and the programing at Salem State enriches our cultural landscape.

Here's the schedule for this week.  Salem State's arts and cultural events are posted on the calendar at Salem.org on an ongoing basis, so you don't need to wait for me to post them on the blog!  Browse the calendar for these and other great events.  

By the way, all of these events are free, and thus fit into any budget! 

 

Art

Student Honors Art Exhibition – Jessi Hardesty, Printmaking– April 25 through May 5. Salem State University, Winfisky Gallery. Ellison Campus Center. 352 Lafayette St. Hardesty is an art + design major and a psychology minor who explores dramatic, expressive subject matter through her printmaking. Her exhibition showcases a series of large-scale prints and drawings that focus on heads, faces and figures. An artist reception will be held April 27 at 6 pm. The Winfisky Gallery is open Mon. through Fri. from 10 am to 2 pm, or by appointment. Free. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

Creative Writing

Poets Lisa Olstein and David Daniel – April 28, 7:30 pm. Salem State University. Martin Luther King, Jr. Room, Ellison Campus Center. 352 Lafayette St. Celebrate the end of National Poetry Month with readings by these award-winning poets. Free. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

Dance

Movements of Inspiration – April 30, 7:30 pm. Salem State University. Multipurpose Gym, O’Keefe Center. 225 Canal St. This end of semester concert will include choreography by professors Caitlin Corbett and Meghan McLyman and Presidential Arts Scholars Dee Ascolese, Maxie Holman and Alicia Knight. Tickets available at the door. $10 general/$7 students and seniors. Free with valid Salem State student ID. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

Music

Chamber Orchestra – April 27, 7:30 pm. Salem State University. Recital Hall, Central Campus. 71 Loring Ave. The Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Mary-Jo Grenfell features faculty piano soloist Dr. Sanae Kanda. Dr. Kanda will perform Piano Concerto No. 15 in B-flat Major, K. 450 by W.A. Mozart. Free. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

*World Music and Percussion Enembles – May 2, 7:30 pm. Salem State University. Recital Hall, Central Campus. 71 Loring Ave. Free. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

*University Concert Band – May 3, 7:30 pm. Salem State University. Recital Hall. 71 Loring Ave. Dr. Mark Adrich conducts a concert of “Folk Songs for Wind Band” featuring the compositions of Vaughan Williams, Holst and Grainger. Free. 978.542.7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

Harlem Quartet to play at Salem State University

Here is one of the many reasons we are so lucky to have Salem State University - the Center for the Creative and Performing Arts brings fantastic talent to Salem throughout the year.

Tonight, the Harlem Quartet will perform.  This young, urban, diverse and nationally acclaimed group advances diversity in classical music while engaging young and new audiences by featuring a varied repertoire and highlighting works by minority composers.

Here's the how, when, and where:

Monday, February 14, 7:30 pm. 

Salem State University Recital Hall

Central Campus, 71 Loring Avenue

$20 general / $10students and seniors / Free with Salem State student ID

Purchase online at www.salemtstatetickets.com.  (If available, tickets will be sold at the door one hour prior to performance) 

Additional information: 978-542-7890.

Physical Storytelling to come to Salem State University

This is a calendar listing I have to share - this looks to be a truly unique theatrical experience.  Mark your calendars for the end of the month!  

 

Through physical storytelling, Ghosts of Troy crystallizes moments of story as the cast imagines the warrior Odysseus explaining to his son what it means to go to war.  The primary focus is on physical manifestations of the actors, who have rigorously trained since last summer to perfect their craft.  This visual experience for the audience allows for a deeper connection to the stage, celebrating the imagination of both actors and audience to complete the story.  The style fuses dance, theatre, mime, improvisation, music, drumming, and visual artistic elements.   The direction team includes Professors Kate Amory and Celena Sky April, with Jesse Mangan, ’11, who earned a Summer Artistic Development Grant from the Center for the Arts last year to study with PUSH Physical Theatre in New York. 

February 24, 25, 26, March 3, 4, 5, 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 6, 2 pm

Callan Studio Theatre, Salem State University

$15 general/$10 students and seniors/Free with Salem State student ID

salemstatetickets.com

978-542-7555

Red Noses on the Mainstage

Another theatrical opportunity in Salem rears its... well, nose... 

Red Noses by Peter Barnes opens on Thursday, November 18 at 7:30 pm at the Salem State University. Mainstage Theatre.  

All about the laughter, Red Noses follows a troupe of comedic players through plague-ridden 14^th century Europe and its religious strife, proving that laughter can be just as contagious as the black death!  Written by Peter Barnes, the play is directed by Bill Cunningham. 

WHEN: November 18 - 20 and Dec 2-4, 7:30 pm, Dec 5, 2 pm. 

WHERE: Salem State University Mainstage Theatre, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA 

HOW MUCH: $15 general/$10 students and seniors.  Free with Salem State student ID.   

TIX: Tickets at 978-542-7555 or online at salemstatetickets.com.