The School of the Arts is bringing the world to the University of Nevada, Reno stages as internationally known guest artists and culturally diverse offerings highlight the event schedule.
A few of the March notables include the production of Shu Matsui's "Family Portrait" by the Department of Theatre and Dance. The Japanese play premiers in English in the University's Redfield Studio Theatre and is directed by faculty member Jessica Nakamura.
The month ends with a sold-out performance from sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar, a singular figure in the Indian classical and progressive world music scenes. A limited number of tickets also will be available at the door on March 30, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Musical talents from vibraphonist Tom Collier and chamber music legends - Gilbert Kalish, Leon Fleisher and Katherine Jacobson - round out the guest-artist concerts in Nightingale hall.
The School's art exhibitions continue displaying the inspiring work by both undergraduate and graduate fine arts students. This month, MFA candidate Quynh Tran fills Student Galleries South with her installation of printed wallpapers, sculptural structures, light and sound effects.
The newest copy of the Arts 365 calendar is available by signing up at www.unr.edu/NVArts365. It is packed with art, dance, theatre and music events for the Spring 2017 semester.
Events through March
Artist Talk: Sheryl Oring
5:30 p.m. March 2
Wells Fargo Auditorium, Room 124, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
Sheryl Oring examines critical social issues through projects that incorporate old and new media to tell stories, examine public opinion and foster open exchange. Using tools typically employed by journalists (the camera, the typewriter, the pen, the interview and the archive) she builds on experience in her former profession to create installations, performances, artist books and internet-based works. Her book, "Activating Democracy: The 'I Wish to Say' Project," will be available for sale at the event.
Tickets: Free
Jazz Ensemble 1
7:30 p.m. March 2
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
Big Band music from the past, present and future.
Tickets: $5; free for University students with ID
Percussion Ensemble with Tom Collier
7:30 p.m. March 3
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
Guest vibraphonist Tom Collier will perform with the University of Nevada, Reno Percussion Ensemble as part of the 2017 Northern Nevada Day of Percussion.
Tickets: $5; free for University students with ID
"Family Portrait" presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance
7:30 p.m. March 3-4, March 8-11; 1:30 p.m. March 5
Redfield Studio Theatre, Church Fine Arts
In "Family Portrait" - premiering in English for the first time in the Redfield Studio Theatre - playwright Shu Matsui reflects on moments from our twisted contemporary existence. Highly naturalistic and set in detritus of everyday life, the play does not portray a traditional "family portrait." Instead, the play, a series of loosely interwoven vignettes, calls into question our notions of family. Original English translation and directed by faculty member Jessica Nakamura.
Tickets: $15; $12 for seniors; $10 for students ages 2-18 and University faculty/staff; $5 for University students with ID (limited quantity)
Updated: BFA Thesis Exhibition
March 6-16
Reception: 6-8 p.m. March 9
Student Galleries South, Jot Travis Building
Annual thesis exhibition of artwork by graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts students from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Tickets: Free
Argenta Concert Series: Gilbert Kalish in Recital
7:30 p.m. March 9
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
The Argenta Concert Series is proud to welcome to Reno a remarkable artist and one of the great pianists in the world today: Gilbert Kalish. His profound influence as an educator and pianist in myriad performances and recordings has established him as a major figure in American music-making. In 2006, he was awarded the Peabody Medal by the Peabody Conservatory for his outstanding contributions to music in America. As an educator and performer, he has appeared at the Banff Centre, the Steans Institute at Ravinia, the Marlboro Music Festival and Music@Menlo; from 1985 to 1997 he served as chairman of the Tanglewood faculty. His discography of some 100 recordings embraces both the classical and contemporary repertories, and he serves as head of the performance faculty at SUNY Stony Brook. Joined by University of Nevada, Reno pianist Hyeyeon Park, he will perform works by Janacek, Brahms and Schubert.
Tickets: $30; $5 University students with ID
Ninth Annual Harp Plus
7 p.m. March 11
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
An annual concert production featuring harp showpieces and chamber music involving harp and other instruments. Produced and performed by University of Nevada, Reno harp faculty Marina Roznitovsky Oster with guest artists. A one-of-a-kind event that culminates with a large harp ensemble performance. All ages are welcome.
Tickets: $10
Nevada Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band
7:30 p.m. March 13
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
This mid-semester performance by the Nevada Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band is sure to be a special experience - diverse works for the wind ensemble and band repertoire for all.
Tickets: $5: free for University students with ID
Contemporary Music Ensemble Spring Concert
7:30 p.m. March 15
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
The University of Nevada, Reno Contemporary Music Ensemble performs innovative music of the past 100 years with a particular focus on music by living composers. For its Spring 2017 concert, the University's CME has launched its first Call for Scores, attracting composers from across the country and the world to write Modern Musical Miniatures: very brief works that use just a small amount of musical material to get their point across. Join us for a fascinating concert of "tiny music" for contemporary chamber ensemble.
Tickets: Free
Quynh Tran: "Not Here, Nor There"
March 27-April 6
Reception: 6-8 p.m. March 30
Student Galleries South, Jot Travis Building
Public Lecture: 5 p.m. March 30, Jot Travis Building, Room 100
Annual thesis exhibition of artwork by graduating Master of Fine Arts student Quynh Tran. A series of multi-room installations that incorporate printed wallpapers, sculptural structures, light and sound effects to transform viewers' experiences as they transition in between the gallery.
Tickets: Free
Argenta Concert Series: Leon Fleisher and Katherine Jacobson
Pre-concert talk (free): 6:30 p.m. March 28
Concert: 7:30 p.m. March 28
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
The Argenta Concert Series concert will bring to Reno one of the most legendary musicians of all time, the incredible pianist Leon Fleisher. With a career spanning more than 80 years, Fleisher is revered the world over as one of the most enduring stars in the classical music firmament, as a soloist, chamber collaborator, teacher, and writer. In a program featuring works by Bach, Schubert, Brahms, Debussy and Ravel, Fleisher will be joined in piano duo by Katherine Jacobson. Also, before the 7:30 p.m. concert, Fleisher will give an introduction to the performance and discuss his memoirs in the concert's first ever pre-concert talk, which will take place at Nightingale Concert Hall at 6:30 p.m. and will be free and open to everyone.
Tickets: $40; $5 University students with ID
Katherine Fusco: "Images of Childhood in Black and White"
5:30 p.m. March 29
Wells Fargo Auditorium, Room 124, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
Art History Visual Culture Studies Forum Lecture series presents Katherine Fusco, assistant professor of English. Her talk tackles "Images of Childhood in Black and White." The AHVCS Forum at the University of Nevada, Reno promotes current research in Art History and Visual Culture Studies. Co-sponsored by the Gender, Race, and Identity Program.
Tickets: Free
SOLD-OUT: Performing Arts Series: Anoushka Shankar
7:30 p.m. March 30
Nightingale Concert Hall, Church Fine Arts
Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar is a singular figure in the Indian classical and progressive world music scenes. Her dynamic and spiritual musicality have garnered accolades, including five Grammy Award nominations. Deeply rooted in the Indian classical music tradition, Shankar studied from the age of 9 under her father and guru, the late Ravi Shankar. She made her professional debut as a classical sitarist at the age of 13. By 20, she had made three classical recordings and received her first Grammy nomination, becoming the first Indian female and youngest-ever nominee in the World Music category. As a composer, Shankar has encouraged cross-cultural dialogue while demonstrating the versatility of the sitar across musical genres. As a result, she has created a body of work with a roster of artists such as Sting, M.I.A, Herbie Hancock, Pepe Habichuela, Karsh Kale, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Joshua Bell.
Tickets: A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on March 30, on a first-come, first-served basis. $30; $24 senior, faculty and staff; $12 youth; $5 for University students with ID
ONGOING
BFA Thesis Exhibition
Until March 2 Student Galleries South, Jot Travis Building
Annual thesis exhibition of artwork by graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts students from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Tickets: Free
Expanded Readings: The Book to Come
Until March 17 Sheppard Contemporary, Church Fine Arts
This exhibition explores the book as a site for artistic exploration, in particular, the potential for the book to offer an expanded reading experience. When we read a book we are engaging with a physical object in a very direct way. The act of reading is an inherently interactive and performative gesture. The work in this exhibit exaggerates and expands this idea of the book as an active reading experience requiring the reader to interact with the book in new ways, thereby expanding the definition and the role of the book in contemporary art and culture. Expanded Readings: The Book to Come will coincide with the CODEX Book Art Fair & Symposium in the Bay Area - an international event.
Tickets: Free
The University's School of the Arts embraces its role as a vibrant center for arts and culture in northern Nevada. Its degree programs provide a strong foundation in a range of artistic disciplines, enabling students to contribute as artists, educators and scholars at the local level and beyond. The School also supports and encourages research, innovation and the artistic endeavors of its faculty. Finally, the school encourages broad campus and community participation in the arts through its numerous performances, lectures, shows, core courses and outreach activities that explore diverse cultures and encourage lifelong learning.
Most Arts365 performances and exhibits take place in the Church Fine Arts building on the University campus. For more information about the exhibits and performances, go to www.unr.edu/NVArts365, call 775-784-4278 (4ART), or email arts@unr.edu.
