Wednesday, December 7, 2016

FREEDOM! Middlebury College Artist-in-Residence Dr. Francois Clemmons: How the Negro Spiritual Grew Out of Slaves' Experiences, Rutland Library 7 PM Wed.


Eric Conway: Morgan State University Choir sings for Inauguration of Morgan Alumna Catherine Pugh as Mayor of Baltimore!

Mayor Catherine Pugh









Eric Conway writes:

Hello Morgan Community,

Yesterday was a great day in Baltimore!  Catherine Pugh, a Morgan alumna, was sworn into office as the fiftieth mayor of Charm City!  The event was replete with local and national politicians to support our new mayor.  Everyone spoke so very eloquently of our new mayor.  Catherine Pugh surely has the support of everyone that she has ever touched, to bring Baltimore into a new Renaissance!

Yesterday was an even greater day for Morgan and its choir!  Catherine Pugh, of course asked the choir of her alma mater to sing for the ceremony!  The Morgan choir sang the national anthem to open up the event.  Prior to the oath of office, the choir sang two selections, warmly received with several attendees immediately standing to their feet after each song.  Many persons told me how proud they were to behold a sea of Morgan blue up front, representing the institution so very well.

If you were not able to see this inspiring ceremony, see below a link capturing the entire event and a few snapshots of the choir’s day at the event.  

Fair Morgan!
Eric 

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Metropolitan Opera HD Live: See "L'Amour de Loin" Live in Cinemas this Saturday! [Starring Eric Owens]


Eric Owens

Met Opera

Don’t miss Kaija Saariaho’s L’Amour de Loin this Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 12:55pm ET at your local cinema. Susanna Phillips, Tamara Mumford, and Eric Owens star in Robert Lepage’s dazzling production conducted by Susanna Mälkki in her Met debut.

“Iridescently beautiful. [Kaija Saariaho] conjures currents, surf, spray, and geysers…with a ceaseless, phosphorescent sea of sound… Susanna Mälkki summons the score’s swells and undertows with Poseidon-like powers… She proves herself an indispensable marvel.” —New York Magazine

“Powerful… Rich and original… Eric Owens, in one of his finest Met roles, makes an achingly vulnerable Jaufré. Susanna Phillips looks and sounds radiant as Clémence. Tamara Mumford brings mellow sound and calm dignity to the role of the pilgrim.” —New York Times

“This vivid, enormously affecting production, conceived by Robert Lepage, is a landmark in itself.” —Wall Street Journal

“One of the operatic wonders of our time.” —WQXR

“Magical. A journey to operatic bliss.” —New York Observer


 

Joffrey Ballet announces ALAANA artists for 2017 Winning Works Choreographic Competition, March 11-12, 2017 (African, Latino(a), Asian, Arab & Native American)

Shannon Alvis is originally from Greenwood, Indiana and received her training at Butler University and the University of Utah. She began her career with the second company of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC), then went on to dance and perform professionally with HSDC for nine years. In 2009, Ms. Alvis went on to further her growth as a dancer at Nederlands Dans Theater under the direction of Jim Vincent and Paul Lightfoot. During her time in Chicago and Europe, she toured internationally performing works by many world-renowned choreographers such as: Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Jorma Elo, and Crystal Pite. Having since returned to Chicago and given birth to a little baby girl, Shannon is once again sharing her artistry with the community. She has appeared in several productions at the Lyric Opera including Rob Ashford's Carousel, Susan Stroman's The Merry Widow, and most recently Les Troyens with Helen Pickett. She is on faculty at the Joffrey Academy of Dance, and Interlochen School for the Arts. Ms. Alvis is now very happy to be exploring her creativity through works of her own. In the past year, she has choreographed for Visceral Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, and DanceWorks Chicago.
 

Sean Carmon joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2011 and has performed major solo and featured roles in ballets by many notable choreographers. His own choreographies have been performed all across the country and internationally and have been lauded as "everything and then some..." and "powerful" and "seriously flawless" by major national print and online publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, JET Magazine, BroadwayBlack, DanceSpirit and Dance Magazine. He has choreographed for the Youth America Grand Prix among other national competitions. Mr. Carmon has also created works on the AAADT for their 2012 and 2016 Ailey Dancer's Resource Fund benefit performances. Mr. Carmon created a new, critically acclaimed work, Youth Novels, on METtoo, a youth company, in Houston, TX and was commissioned by The Dance Gallery Festival to create fever dream featuring two fellow Ailey dancers. He also teaches master classes in contemporary jazz and Horton-based modern and choreographs for dance conventions, high schools, colleges and universities across America and internationally.



Karen Gabay grew up in San Diego and has had a career as a ballerina that spans over thirty-five years.  Her repertoire includes Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle in the title role and her most favorite role of Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. During Gabay’s long association with Ballet San Jose (formerly the Cleveland San Jose Ballet) she began dancing principal roles at the age of eighteen and later held the title of Artistic Associate.  As a choreographer, she created numerous ballets for the company including the 2012 production of BSJ’s annual production of The Nutcracker which led to her first children’s book, “The Nutcracker: A Story in Verse.” Gabay was awarded the Artist Fellowship Award for choreography by the Arts Council Silicon Valley and was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award for her performance in Tzigane. Gabay is the co-founding Artistic Director of her own ballet troupe, Pointe of Departure which performs in the bay area and in Northeast Ohio.  She is an active Screen Actors Guild Member and continues to pursue work in film and television. Gabay recently joined the faculty at the San Francisco Ballet and is part of their Master Class series.

Jimmy Orrante was a recipient of the 2005 Princess Grace Choreography Award, the 2011 Special Project Award for DanceTech and the sole recipient of the 2014 Choreography Mentorship Co Commission (CMCC) Award, all from the New York City based Princess Grace Foundation.
A native of Los Angeles, he attended The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and continued his training at The North Carolina School of The Arts. He has danced with Nevada Ballet Theatre, Memphis Ballet and 20 years with BalletMet where he had the opportunity to choreograph 15 premieres for the company. In addition to BalletMet, he has created ballets for Ballet Austin, Motion Dance Theatre, Rochester City Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, Atlanta Ballet’s Wabi Sabi and UC Irvine’s National Choreographers Initiative. Mr. Orrante’s repertoire includes two full length ballets, The Great Gatsby, which premiered with BalletMet in 2009 and was reprised in 2015, and the children’s ballet The Ugly Duckling for Rochester City Ballet. This performance series included a successful sensory friendly performance which was featured on PBS’s Facebook page. His choreography on students has earned him several awards including the National Recognition Award from Regional Dance America, and he has served as choreographer in residence at Dennison University. Jimmy currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and 3 children. 


Joffrey Ballet

THE JOFFREY BALLET ANNOUNCES 2017 WINNERS OF THE
WINNING WORKS CHOREOGRAPHIC COMPETITION,
PRESENTED IN FIRST TIME COLLABORATION WITH THE
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY CENTER

Four aspiring choreographers will present World Premieres in “Winning Works”
in a weekend of FREE performances at the
Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center, March 11-12, 2017

CHICAGO – December 5, 2016 – The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, announces the recipients of the seventh annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition: Shannon Alvis, Sean Carmon, Karen Gabay and Jimmy Orrante. This announcement follows a national call for ALAANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications, which began in July. The choreographers’ world premiere works will be showcased on the members of the Joffrey Academy Trainee Program and Joffrey Studio Company in “Winning Works” presented in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center located at 400 South State Street, in three performances, Saturday, March 11 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 PM. For the first time in its seven-year history, the “Winning Works” performance will be free to audiences.

The Winning Works Choreographic Competition was created to recognize talented and emerging ALAANA choreographers and to provide them with a platform to showcase their original and innovative work. The winning choreographers are awarded a $5,000 stipend and have the opportunity to seek guidance from Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Head of Studio Company and Trainee Program Raymond Rodriguez.

“It is through the work of emerging choreographers that we are able to experience the world we live in through the future of our art form,” said Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. “Winning Works not only allows the Joffrey Studio Company and Trainees the chance to perform in these world premiere works, but also creates an opportunity to showcase the inspiring choreography of these diverse and talented artists.”

"Dance is a robust and rich language and this year, the Joffrey is honored to partner with the Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center as we present the seventh annual “Winning Works”, said Greg Cameron, Executive Director of The Joffrey Ballet. “Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon and Mayor Rahm Emanuel believe in the power of storytelling, community, and the expression of dance to engage and inspire - a mission well aligned with the “Winning Works” program. We're thrilled to present these four choreographers and look forward to activating the Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center with their unique perspectives.”


"We are thrilled to launch this partnership and co-host these ambitious programs”, said Brian Bannon, Chicago Public Library Commissioner.  “Chicago Public Library is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning for patrons of all ages, and we know learning opportunities take many forms, such as those expressed through the performing arts. These “Winning Works” performances will provide Chicago Public Library and The Joffrey Ballet with an opportunity to engage people of all backgrounds and ages in a way that may inspire them to pursue new and exciting interests with both organizations."

OperaCréole Presents A Créole Christmas Friday, Dec. 9 & Saturday, Dec. 10, both at 8 PM, at Marigny Opera House, New Orleans, Louisiana

Givonna Joseph writes:

Featuring the music of Mozart, Gounod, Schubert, Puccini, and African American composers Emile Desamours, William Grant Still, and Mitchell Southall, the concert is crowned with a musical "living rosary" that gives the devotional prayer a moving interpretation.

The concert is $25 at the door, $15 for seniors and students, and music lovers of all ages are welcome.  We look forward to seeing you all there! Bon Krismis!

Givonna Joseph
Founder, Director, OperaCréole
Mezzo-Soprano

Music of Many Colours: Nigerian Composers UnMask Classical Music for a Better World, Sat. 17th Dec., 5:45 PM to 8:30 PM, Rivington Place, London, UK


Fela Sowande (1905-1987)
Nigerian Composer, Organist & Professor and
Father of Modern Nigerian Art Music is featured at

Bilkis Malek writes:

A must see event 'Music of Many Colours’ - Saturday 17th December, 5.45-8.30pm at Rivington Place, Shoreditch. Get into the spirit of the season with this celebration of Nigerian Classical Music and its message for a ‘common humanity’. The event features the Singing Cultures Choir, Visual Installation, Poetry and Drinks Reception. For further information and to book tickets visit http://transculturalvisions.com/tickets/ . You can also view the event video here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUXdKW5B-Y&feature=youtu.be

Thank You
Bilkis Malek
Director, Transculturalvisions
Mobile: 07941370979

Transculturalvisions is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Charity registration no. 1154089.

Monday, December 5, 2016

27th Annual Holiday Concert of Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of Metropolitan Atlanta Orchestra Sat., Dec. 17, 2016, 4:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church


Sinfo-Nia Spreads Holiday Cheer!


With almost three decades of providing orchestral music education, opportunity and exposure to thousands of youth throughout America and Africa, it is with much pleasure and anticipation to announce the 27th Annual Holiday Concert of Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of Metropolitan Atlanta Orchestra (Sinfo-Nia). On Saturday, December 17, 2016, 4:30 p.m. at the historical First Congregational Church, Sinfo-Nia will present a commanding holiday musical tribute to OutKast featuring Keisha Jackson’s One Voice Music Group. We are planning an evening that will prove to be one of Atlanta’s most memorable holiday affairs. Proceeds from the event will benefit musicians participating in our “Strings Across the Waters” 2017 summer performance tour to Jamaica. 
Admission: VIP $30, Adult $15, Student $10
Purchase your online ticket now at http://sinfo-nia.com/​concert-tickets/
For more information: www.sinfo-nia.com or info@sinfo-nia.com


Comment by email:
Hi Bill,  We appreciate your continued support of Sinfo-Nia! Cheers to the Holiday Season!🌲  Alycia W Robinson

John Malveaux: Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs is Artistic Director of Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet, Inc.; her daughter Sydney in Nutcracker Dec. 4; Jay Nafeesah

John Malveaux and Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs

Sydney

John Malveaux and Jay Nafeesah

John Malveaux of 
writes:

Great privilege and pleasure to witness accomplishments by children of my friends. Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs is daughter of high school friends Gwen and Kelton Reese. Jamie is artistic director of Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet, Inc. Attended Dec 4, 2016 performance of NUTCRACKER at Grand Terrace Performing Art Center. Jamie's daughter Sydney is a developing soloist with significant potential. See pic of Jamie and me, pic of Sydney, and pic of special guest Jay Nafeesah, (current company member of the historic Dance Theatre of Harlem and resident of London) and me.

Houston Ebony Opera Guild: 4 PM Sun., Dec. 11, 2016 "Home for Christmas" Westbury UMC; Feb. 26, 2017 "Annual African American Music Gala" Westbury UMC

Rev. R. DeAndre Johnson, Conductor
"Home for Christmas"

AaronAsk: Weekly mentoring for a creative life: "Collaborate" (YouTube: 3:11)


Aaron P. Dworkin writes:


Greetings and welcome to this week's episode of AaronAsk, your weekly mentoring session to live a fulfilling creative life!  This week's episode is titled, Collaborate!  Enjoy, we wish you a creative day and see you for next week's session!

Comment by email:
Thanks so much Bill!  Aaron  [Aaron P. Dworkin]