Arts Ablaze Fall 2015September 18, 2015 (Jackson, Miss.) - The arts are thriving at Belhaven University, and this season for Arts Ablaze is one of the most anticipated. Throughout the year, some of the best productions, concerts, and exhibitions are happening right in the heart of Jackson.

Our students and faculty spend countless hours refining their craft to showcase their talents in plays, dances, music, poetry, gallery exhibits and more.

The Arts Ablaze Calendar has a complete listing of the many art events along with the time, place and information. All of the events are open to the public, family friendly and many of the performances are free.

Come and celebrate the arts with us. Take a look below at the upcoming Arts Ablaze Fall 2015 events:

September 19, 2015
Belhaven Alumni Invitational Exhibition
Saturday, September 19, 2015 2:00-4:00 pm
Bitsy Irby Dance & Visual ArtsCenter, Gallery Opening Reception
An exhibition featuring the work of various Belhaven Art Alumni. Works will include paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
Complimentary admission.

September 19, 2015
Community Dance Concert
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Members of Belhaven University dance faculty, students, DOXA and alumni join together with other local dance artists to offer an inspiring and lively evening of dance.
General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families. Doors open at 7 pm.

September 30- October 3, 2015
Doubt
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Joseph Frost
Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 pm
Saturday Matinee, 2 pm,
Blackbox Theatre
“What do you do when you're not sure?”This line opens the 2005 Pulitzer prize winning play by John Patrick Shanley.When Sister Aloysius, the strict principal of a Catholic elementary school suspects Father Flynn, the parish priest of molesting the school's only African American student, she is determined to have Father Flynn removed from the school at all costs.As investigations are made into the accusations, doubts swirl, emotions reach a fever-pitch, and questions remain unanswered.In this stirring drama, Shanley invites us to ask ourselves, “What do you do when you're not sure?” General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families.Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance

October 17, 2015
Alumni Collaborative Piano Recital
Nicole Harwell
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
After studying with Dr. Sachs and earning a Music degree with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano at BU, Nicole Harwell returns to perform together with violinist Alex McKamie, as the COMPASS DUO. Nicole has earned her Master of Music degree at the University of Northern Colorado, performed across the US and in Peru, taught as an adjunct faculty member and in her own private studio, and accompanied choirs, operas, musicals, and soloists. Tonight the Compass Duo will present works by Beethoven, Grieg, and Prokofiev.
Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.

October 29-31, 2015
Ghost Stories of Mississippi
Written by Joseph Frost
Directed by Elissa Sartwell
Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 pm
Gillespie Commons
Take a walk through Mississippi's ghostly history. Stories of intrigue and mystery will be shared as a talented cast of ghostly guides lead you through each chilling tale.
General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families.

November 6, 7, 13, 14, 2015
Fall Dance Concert
Friday, November 6, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 7, 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 14, 7:30 pm
Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre
A showcase of choreography by dance faculty and guest artists, presented by the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble and members of DOXA. Styles include classical and contemporary ballet and contemporary modern. General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families.Doors open 30 minutes prior to each concert.

November 6-7, 11-14, 2015
Shrek, The Musical
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Dr. David Sollish
Friday-Saturday, 7:30 pm
Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 pm
Saturday Matinee,
November 7 & 14, 2 pm,
Blackbox Theatre
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek…” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess.Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero.Luckily, there's one on-hand…and his name is Shrek!Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, SHREK THE MUSICAL brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears! General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families.Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

November 10, 2015
Student Composers Concert XV
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Recital Room
The Belhaven Composers Forum invites you to an interactive showcase of engaging new works by Belhaven student composers. The program will explore new ways to experience the adventure of music-making as the composers and performers open windows into their creative worlds. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.

November 13, 2015
Instrumental Arts Concert
Friday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Comeand experience the new and unique timbres of the Woodwind and Brass ensembles as they revisit the works of traditional composers and moveto the always exciting contemporary avenue and perform some of the newer music in the small ensemble repertoire. You will hear everything from Baroque to Twentieth century music, in short, IT'S GONNA BE FUN!
Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.

November 16, 2015
Symphony Orchestra Concert
Monday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
The Belhaven University Symphony Orchestra will present Brahms's magnificent Symphony No. 2. A beauty of colorful themes, warm and profoundharmonies, and masterful construction combine to make this a world-wide favorite. You don't want to miss this exciting and beautifulnight of symphonic music.
Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.

November 18-19, 2015
DOXA Dance Concert
Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30 PM
Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre
This event highlights emerging young creative artists' choreography and performance which is produced by members of DOXA.
General admission $10, seniors & students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families.Doors open at 7 pm.

November 22, 2015
Choral and Vocal Arts Concert of the Peopleand by the People: Sacred Choral and Vocal Music by American Composers
Sunday, 7:00 pm,
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4000 Ridgewood Road
What do names like Dan Forrest, Daniel Gawthrop, Robert Ray, Moses Hogan, John Leavitt, Dan Miller, and Leonard Bernstein have in common? They are all American composers of sacred choral and vocal music. Join us for an inspiring evening of worshipful choral and vocal offerings American-style! Along with student solo offerings, Dr. Christopher Shelt and Mr. Christopher Phillips conduct performances by the Belhaven Concert Choir and the Belhaven Chorale.
Complimentary admission. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

November 23, 2015
Best of Belhaven I
Monday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
The Music Department presents the most outstanding student performances of the semester in one concert. Musical variety and excellence are the gifts from our student performers to you.
Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.

December 4-5, 2015
The 83rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree
Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm, Soccer Bowl
Voices! Carols! Lights! The Belhaven University Singing Christmas Tree is the oldest outdoor singing Christmas tree tradition in America. Dr. Christopher Shelt conducts the singing forces made up of the 70 Belhaven Choral Arts singers along with 60 additional students, faculty, and staff. That is 130 voices joining forces to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Complimentary admission.