August 30, 2018 (Jackson, Miss.) - The arts are thriving at Belhaven University, and this semester will feature some of the best productions, concerts and exhibitions, 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.
Browse through the upcoming Arts Ablaze Fall 2018 events, and join us as we celebrate the arts:
SEPTEMBER 1
24-HOUR THEATRE EVENT
SATURDAY, 7:30 PM, BLACKBOX THEATRE
A from-zero-to-ten-minute play is created in 24 hours! Students gather on Friday and create an original piece of theatre in a single day; from idea to script to rehearsal to performance. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 8-29
SENIOR ART EXHIBITION
BITSY IRBY VISUAL ARTS AND DANCE CENTER, ART GALLERY
OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2:00-4:00 PM
You are invited to attend this visual art exhibition that showcases the works of graduating art majors as the culminating requirement of completing their degrees. Please come and celebrate all of their hard work and talents with us and their families.
SEPTEMBER 15
PRESTON CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES: AN EVENING OF DIAMONDS I
VIOLIN DUO JOCELYN ZHU/MARIELLA HAUBS
SATURDAY, 7:30 PM, CONCERT HALL
Belhaven alumna and Juilliard graduate Jocelyn Zhu joins with fellow Juilliard graduate Mariella Haubs to perform music by artists who faced adversity in their lives and communities. Music by Leclair, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and John Williams as well as African-American spirituals will be presented. Come hear fabulous music and the sharing of human stories as our artists strive to replace xenophobia with compassion. Jocelyn is a former student of Belhaven's music professor Song Xie. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 22
COMMUNITY DANCE CONCERT
SATURDAY, 7:00 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 6:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 26-29
THESE SHINING LIVES
BY MELANIE MARNICH, DIRECTED BY ELISSA SARTWELL
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, 7:30 PM
SATURDAY MATINEE, 2:00 PM
BLACKBOX THEATRE
These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, it's true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits or endanger the lives of those who come after them. General admission $10; seniors/students $5; complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families. Doors open thirty minutes prior to each performance.
OCTOBER 13-DECEMBER 11
SENIOR ART EXHIBITION
BITSY IRBY VISUAL ARTS AND DANCE CENTER, ART GALLERY
OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2:00-4:00 PM
You are invited to attend this visual art exhibition that showcases the works of graduating art majors as the culminating requirement of completing their degrees. Please come and celebrate all of their hard work and talents with us and their families.
OCTOBER 15
READING: MICHAEL KARDOS
VISITING WRITER SERIES
MONDAY, 5:30-6:30 PM, STUDENT CENTER THEATER
Fiction writer Michael Kardos will read from his works. Kardos is the author of the novels Bluff, Before He Finds Her, and The Three-Day Affair, an Esquire best book of 2012; as well as the story collection One Last Good Time, which won the Mississippi Institute of Arts & Letters Award for fiction; and the textbook The Art and Craft of Fiction: A Writer's Guide. His short stories have appeared in The Southern Review, Crazyhorse, Harvard Review, and many other magazines and anthologies and have won a Pushcart Prize. Michael grew up on the Jersey Shore, received a degree in music from Princeton University, and played the drums professionally for a number of years. He has an M.F.A. in fiction from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He lives in Starkville, Mississippi, where he is Associate Professor of English and co-director of the creative writing program at Mississippi State University. Complimentary admission. Open to the public.
OCTOBER 24-27
EZEKIEL, A DEVISED WORK DIRECTED BY JOSEPH FROST
MUSICAL COMPOSITION LED BY DR. ANDREW SAUERWEIN
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, 7:30 PM
SATURDAY MATINEE, 2:00 PM
BARBER AUDITORIUM
Ezekiel is a devised collaboration of original theatre and music composition that explores and manifests the prophetic visions of the Old Testament prophet through sound, movement, staging, design, and text. General admission $10; seniors/students $5; complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families. Doors open thirty minutes prior to each performance.
OCTOBER 26
PRESTON CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES: AN EVENING OF DIAMONDS II
BU PIANO TRIO
FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, CONCERT HALL
Belhaven's Piano Trio comprised of clarinetist Kenneth Graves, cellist Nancy Bateman, and pianist Dr. Stephen Sachs presents a delightful evening of intimate chamber music. Romanticism is on display, as the program begins with selections from Eight Songs by German composer Max Bruch. Sharp contrasts are provided by American composer Robert Muczynski in his Fantasy Trio. The evening comes to a peaceful close with the performance of a nocturne, Liszt's famous Consolation No. 3 transcribed for Piano Trio by Alexis Descharmes. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2-3, 7-10
WHITE CHRISTMAS
MUSIC & LYRICS BY IRVING BERLIN
BOOK BY DAVID IVES & PAUL BLAKE
DIRECTED BY DR. DAVID S. SOLLISH
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS
CHOREOGRAPHY BY LAURA MORTON
FRIDAY-SATURDAY and WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, 7:30 PM
SATURDAY MATINEES, 2:00 PM
BLACKBOX THEATRE
Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former Army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love a Piano, How Deep is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. General admission $10; seniors/students $5; complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families. Doors open thirty minutes prior to each performance.
NOVEMBER 9
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, CONCERT HALL
The Belhaven University Symphony Orchestra will present one of the most beautiful and delightful masterworks in the symphonic repertoire: C Major Symphony by French composer Georges Bizet. You will also hear a work by Belhaven's own Dr. Andrew Sauerwein and the famous Polonaise from Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky. Please come enjoy a night of high quality and profoundly moving performance! Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER 9-10, 16-17
FALL DANCE CONCERT
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 7:00 PM
BITSY IRBY VISUAL ARTS AND DANCE CENTER, FREDERICKS PERFORMANCE DANCE STUDIO
Belhaven University Dance Ensemble and members of DOXA present a showcase of choreography by dance faculty and guest artists. Styles include classical and contemporary ballet and modern dance. These concerts also feature original choreography by M.F.A. candidates, Emma Salinas (November 9-10) and Maria McCain (November 16-17) as part of their graduate thesis projects. General admission $10; seniors/students $5; complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff and their immediate families. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 13
INSTRUMENTAL AND CHORAL ARTS CONCERT
TUESDAY, 7:30 PM, CONCERT HALL
“Feeling that groovy beat!” This concert will present a smorgasbord of musical talent. From small to large “stomp your feet” jazz selections to traditional and contemporary choral selections that will touch your soul, there will be something in this program for every age group. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.
NOVEMBER 19
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 p.m.
NOVEMBER 28-29
DOXA DANCE CONCERT
WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, 7:00 PM
BITSY IRBY VISUAL ARTS AND DANCE CENTER, FREDERICKS PERFORMANCE DANCE STUDIO
This event is produced by members of DOXA and highlights student choreography and performance. General admission $10; seniors/students $5; complimentary admission for Belhaven students, faculty, staff, and their immediate families. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1
THE 86th ANNUAL SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 7:30 PM, BELHAVEN BOWL STADIUM
Voices! Carols! Lights! The Belhaven University Singing Christmas Tree is the oldest continuous outdoor singing Christmas tree tradition in North America. Mr. Christopher Phillips conducts the tree made up of Belhaven Choral Arts singers along with additional students, faculty, and staff. These voices join forces to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! Complimentary admission.