FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Gita Brown, 401-456-8465, gbrown@ric.edu
Chad Minnich, 401-456-8395, cminnich@ric.edu
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – This spring, audiences will converge around classical, contemporary pop, Broadway and jazz music; visual arts exhibitions; theatrical performances; and modern dance produced by Rhode Island College students and professional guest artists.
BANNISTER GALLERY EVENTS
From Feb. 28 through March 22 Sophie Kahn will exhibit her latest body of work titled “Sophie Kahn: Machines of Suffering.” Using a 3-D laser-scanner to create prints, video and 3-D-printed sculptures, Kahn depicts the female body as a monumental architectural project under continuous construction (or possibly demolition). An artist lecture will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 4-5 p.m. followed by an opening reception from 5-7 p.m.
A Providence-based artist, Kellie Rae Adams’ installation, titled “Nickeled and Dimed,” is made up of several hundred hand-crafted vessels that create a compelling visual representation of the average debt burden ($33,000) for a student currently completing a four-year degree in the United States. The vessels reference not only household bowls in which you drop loose change but begging bowls and invites the viewer to reflect on the realities of time, value and labor. Curated by RIC Associate Professor of Art Natasha Seaman, “Nickled and Dimed” runs from April 4-26. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 4, from 5-8 p.m.
The “Annual Graduating Art Students’ Exhibition” is a culminating event for art majors. From May 2-17 the work of graduating seniors will be on display, representing all concentrations, from ceramics and metalsmithing to digital media and sculpture.
Bannister Gallery exhibitions and opening receptions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bannister Gallery at (401) 456-9765 or visit http://www.ric.edu/bannister.
DANCE EVENTS
The Rhode Island College Dance Company has long impressed audiences with the professional quality of their performances. Their annual “Spring Dance Concert” will be held Feb. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. They will showcase the choreography of Alexander Biegelson, Maria Bauman-Morales, Rennie Harris, Daniel McCuster, RIC Associate Professor of Dance Jessica Pearson and Marta Renzi. (Admission $15.)
In “Denizen Arts,” the Rhode Island College Dance Company performs the choreography of yon Tande, a multi-disciplinary performance artist and independent curator based in Rhode Island. Tande creates and curates work for the stage, gallery and alternative spaces and is director of the performance collective Whitney Hunter[MEDIUM]. Performances will be held March 28-29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre. (Admission $15.)
From May 4-5 the annual “Student Choreographers Showcase” promises unique performances. This concert represents the culmination of a year of explorations in choreography classes and teacher-mentored rehearsals by Rhode Island College dancers, and it gives students an opportunity to have their work performed in a professional setting. The showcase opens at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre. (Admission $15.)
THEATER EVENTS
“The Marriage of Bette and Boo,” by Obie Award-winning playwright Christopher Durangs, will be brought to the Helen Forman Theatre by RIC Mainstage Theatre Feb. 22-23 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 23-24 at 2 p.m. This black comedy/tragedy begins with the marriage of lovebirds Bette and Boo, and follows the couple over the next 20 years as their nuclear families experience alcoholism, mental illness, stillborn babies, divorce, senility and death. Durang’s ability to consistently generate laughter from such dark subjects is a testament to his ability to reveal profound truths that we all can identify with. (Admission $15.)
The spring musical is a cult classic – “The Rocky Horror Show,” a sci-fi, horror-comedy directed by RIC Professor of Musical Theatre Bill Wilson, with choreography by RIC Director of Dance Angelica Vessella. The plot unrolls with sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, who enter the eerie mansion of transvestite mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter in search of a telephone. Prepare to be horrified, dissolve into laughter and revel in glam rock in this hilarious production. Performances will be held on April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. and April 13-14 at 2 pm. in Roberts Hall Auditorium. (Admission $20.)
Next, RIC Growing Stage Theatre brings “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” to the Helen Forman Theatre May 3-4 at 7:30 p.m. This production consists of 30, two-minute plays performed in a single hour. Witness comic, tragic, political, personal and abstract plays staged in random order with audience interaction. (Admission $5.)
MUSIC EVENTS
On Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. stars of the hit Indie documentary “Young@Heart” bring a musical extravaganza to Rhode Island College’s Sapinsley Hall. This group of seniors, who range in age from 73 to 92, have completed over 30 international tours, proving it’s possible to grow old without growing boring. (Admission $15.)
A smorgasbord of classical and jazz performances by Rhode Island College student ensembles and orchestras round out the season of music.
- The RIC Chamber Orchestra will perform on Feb. 24 and April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission free.)
- The RIC Wind Ensemble will appear on March 1 and April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission $10.)
- The RIC Symphony Orchestra will perform on March 5 and April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission $10.)
- The RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus will present on March 8 and April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission $10.)
- Wednesday Chamber Music Series will take place on April 5 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Suggested donation $10.)
- Masterworks Concerts will take place on April 22 at 1 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (suggested donation $10), and on April 27 at 8 p.m. at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School’s Carter Center (admission $25.)
- The Proteus String Quartet will present on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission free).
- The RIC Jazz Combos Concert will perform on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Helen Forman Theatre. (Admission free.)
- The RIC Concert Jazz Band will appear on May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. (Admission free.)
- The RIC Opera Workshop will be staged on May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Helen Forman Theatre. (Admission free.)
For ticket information, go to www.ric.edu/pfa/ or call the Box Office at (401) 456-8144. For a chronological calendar of events, see below.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
Feb. 20-24
Theatre: “The Marriage of Bette and Boo”
RIC Mainstage Theatre
By Christopher Durang
Connie Crawford, director
Feb. 20-23, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23-24, 2 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $15
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $12
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
Sunday, Feb. 24
Music: RIC Chamber Orchestra
John Sumerlin, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
Feb. 28-March 22
Art: “Sophie Kahn: Machines of Suffering”
Artist lecture, Thursday, Feb. 28, 4-5 p.m.
Opening reception, Thursday, Feb. 28, 5-7 p.m.
Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall
Admission free
MARCH
Friday, March 1
Music: RIC Wind Ensemble
“Around the World”
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
Tuesday, March 5
Music: RIC Symphony Orchestra
“Distant Inspiration”
Alexey Shabalin, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
Friday, March 8
Music: RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus
“RIC Spring Choral Concert”
Teresa Coffman, conductor
Philip Martorella, pianist and assistant conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Non-RIC students and seniors (62+ limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni free
Tuesday, March 19
Music: “Young@Heart”
Performing Arts Series
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $25
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $20
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $15
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) free
March 28-29
Dance: “Denizen Arts”
RIC Dance Company
Choreography by yonTande
7:30 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $15
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $12
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
APRIL
April 4-26
Art: “Kelli Rae Adams: Nickeled and Dimed”
Opening reception Thursday, Apr. 4, 5-8 p.m.
Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall
Admission free
Friday, April 5
Music: Wednesday Chamber Music Series
Judith Lynn Stillman
1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Suggested donation $10
Sunday, April 7
Music: Proteus String Quartet
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
April 11-14
Theatre: “The Rocky Horror Show”
RIC Mainstage Theatre
Book, music and lyrics by Richard O’Brien
Bill Wilson, director
Angelica Vessella, choreographer
Anthony-Alexander Torelli, musical director
April 11-13, 7:30 p.m.
April 13-14, 2 p.m.
Auditorium in Roberts Hall
General admission $20
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $16
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
Sunday, April 14
Music: RIC Chamber Orchestra
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
Wednesday, April 17
Music: RIC Jazz Combos Concert
Greg Abate, director
7:30 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
Admission free
Friday, April 19
Music: RIC Wind Ensemble
“Homegrown and Hindemith”
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
Monday, April 22
Music: Masterworks Concerts
“April in Paris with Poulenc”
Judith Lynn Stillman and friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
with Trinity Rep’s Curt Columbus
1 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
$10 suggested donation
April 25-26
Dance: “Student Choreographers Showcase”
7:30 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $15
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $12
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
Friday, April 26
Music: RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus
“Bon Voyage Choral Concert”
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Non-RIC students and seniors (62+ limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty, staff and alumni free
Saturday, April 27
Music: Masterworks Concerts
“April in Paris with Poulenc”
Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
with Trinity Rep’s Curt Columbus
Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School's Carter Center, 8 p.m.
General admission $25
Students 18 or under or with college ID $15
Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School students and family members $10
Tuesday, April 30
Music: RIC Symphony Orchestra
“Nourishing Young Talent”
Alexey Shabalin, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
MAY
May 2-17
Art: “Annual Graduating Art Students’ Exhibition”
Bannister Gallery
Admission free
May 3-5
Theatre: “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”
Growing Stage Theatre
Michael Greene, director
May 3-4, 7:30 p.m.
May 5, 2 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $5
Monday, May 6
Music: RIC Concert Jazz Band
“Spring Jazz Concert”
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC faculty, staff, students and alumni (limit 2 per ID) free
Tuesday, May 7
Music: RIC Opera Workshop
René de la Garza and Susan Rodgers, co-directors
Philip Martorella, coach/pianist
7:30 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
Admission free
