PROVIDENCE, R.I. – RIC arts will take you on an epic tour of Irish dance and its hard-shoe rhythms; the salsa-inspired sounds of Latin music; the poignant arias of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” the musical heritage of St. Petersburg, and more. Art exhibits will plunge you into memory and association AND theatrical productions will lift you to the heights of catharsis. Great art, as Thomas Merton said, “enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Enjoy RIC’s 2018 winter/spring season of the arts.
VISUAL ART
First explore time and memory through the work of RIC Professor of Art Dianne Reilly at Bannister Gallery. Reilly’s exhibit, “Memento Vestige,” runs through Friday, Feb. 23, and examines time and memory as the internal and external landscape of the body and the systems that make us who we are. These systems, she said, are comprised of connections, fractal in nature, that are continuously shifting, changing and moving. When this complex system breaks down, many connections are lost, redirected and reorganized. Time is understood in a way that disregards the present and reinvents the past, she said, shifting in and out of awareness of the moment, fluctuating between the concrete and the tenuous, until permanently falling away.
From March 29 through April 27, Bannister’s exhibiting artist Caleb Cole will bring into sharp relief the objects we leave behind and their way of conjuring up memory and association. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Cole describes himself as a former altar server, scout and 4-H Grand Champion in Gift Wrapping whose mother instilled in him a love of garage sales and thrift stores where he developed a fascination with the “junk” people leave behind. Meet the artist at an opening reception on Thursday, March 29, at 5 p.m.
Finally, don’t miss the Bannister exhibit by graduating graphic design students from Konkuk University, Korea, from March 1-23. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 1, at 5 p.m.
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.
PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Performing Arts Series will present “globalFEST: The New Golden Age of Latin Music.” This concert features two of today’s most exciting Mexican-American bands: Orkesta Mendoza and Las Cafeteras. Orkesta Mendoza is an infectious indie band that mixes a multitude of Latin styles, electronics, hip-hop, ska and 60’s rock, creating a truly one-of-a-kind sound. Using traditional Son Jarocho instruments, including a donkey jawbone and a tarima, alternative Chicano band Las Cafeteras creates a wildly vibrant musical fusion, with a unique East L.A. sound and a socially conscious message. “globalFEST” will be set in motion at 7:30 p.m. in Roberts Hall Auditorium (admission $35).
On Monday, Feb. 12, the Muir String Quartet will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall, featuring guest flutist Carol Wincenc. On the program is Joan Tower’s String Quartet No. 1 (“Night Fields”), Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D Major, K.285 and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 8 in E Minor (“Rasumovsky No. 2”), Op. 59, No. 2 (admission $35).
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an all-star cast of Irish singers, dancers and musicians in a production titled “Dublin Irish Dance.” Follow the epic tale of Celtic culture, beginning in rural Ireland, and experience the evolution of Irish dance and music through traditional melodies and steps. “Dublin Irish Dance” will be held on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Roberts Hall Auditorium (admission $35).
On Wednesday, March 21, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission $35). Chris and Dan Brubeck are the sons of the late jazz great Dave Brubeck. The brothers have been making music together practically all their lives. Dan, a drummer, and Chris, a bassist, trombonist and composer, cut their first record together in 1966. Guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb round out the dynamic quartet. Although the quartet’s style is rooted in traditional jazz, their performance reveals an ability to explore and play odd time-signatures while naturally integrating the influences of funk, blues and world music.
THEATRE
RIC Mainstage Theatre, a RIC student ensemble, will stage “Marvin’s Room” from Feb. 22-25 and March 2-4 in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission $15). Written by Scott McPherson, this funny and poignant play explores the pain and fear that accompany terminal illness and how we find joy amidst it. The play was inspired by McPherson’s experiences caring for his partner, who died from AIDS-related complications. McPherson himself would die a year later, also from an AIDS-related illness. Ultimately, “Marvin’s Room” resonates with strikingly beautiful insights into the ways we approach the end of life.
Also on the playbill, from March 16-18, is “This is Our Youth,” by student-group RIC Growing Stage Theatre. Written by Kenneth Lonergan and set in Reagan-era New York City, this play focuses on three privileged Upper West Side kids who hang out in an apartment, smoke pot, scheme for cash, challenge each other and make tentative steps toward connection, all in a period of less than 24 hours. Lonergan captures the painful, funny and all-too-familiar coming-of-age moments, which will resonate with audience members of all ages. Performances will take place in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission $5).
The annual spring musical features a tale as old as time, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” directed by RIC Professor of Theatre Bill Wilson and RIC Professor and Director of Dance Angelica Vessella. The storyline follows Belle, a young woman from a provincial town, who encounters the Beast, a young prince cursed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will transform into his former self. Performances will be held April 12-15 in Roberts Hall Auditorium (admission $20).
DANCE
The annual “Spring Dance Concert,” performed by the RIC Dance Company, will be held Feb. 9-11 in Sapinsley Hall, when students showcase works by choreographers Teena Marie Custer, Bridgman|Packer Dance, Bob Boross, Alexandra Beller and RIC Assistant Professor of Dance Jessica Pearson. (Admission $15.)
RIC Professor and Director of Dance Angelica Vessella new dance/theatre work, “That’s LIFE!” highlights a generational perspective on life. The work will be performed by the RIC Dance Company on March 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission $15).
The final dance performance of the season is the annual “Student Choreography Concert,” on April 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission $15). This concert represents the culmination of yearlong explorations in choreography classes and teacher-mentored rehearsals by RIC dancers. Now the students have the opportunity to see their work performed in a professional setting.
MUSIC
RIC Masterworks Concert “Love Notes” will be held on Feb. 14 at 1 and 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall. “Boldly Beethoven” will be presented on April 26 at 1 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall; and an encore of “Boldly Beethoven will be held on April 29 at 2 p.m. in the Carter Center for Music, Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, 667 Waterman Avenue, East Providence (admission $25).
RIC Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles concerts will be held on Feb. 18 and April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission free).
RIC Wind Ensemble concerts will be held on Feb. 23 and April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission $10).
RIC Symphony Orchestra concerts will be held on Feb. 27 and April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission $10).
RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus concerts will be held on March 2 and April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission $10).
The RIC Jazz Combos Concert will be held on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Forman Theatre (admission free).
The RIC Concert Jazz Band on May 1 and April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission free).
The RIC Opera Workshop on May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall (admission free).
For ticket information on all shows, go to www.ric.edu/boxoffice or call the Box Office at (401) 456-8144. For a chronological calendar of events, see below.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
Through-Feb. 23
Art: Dianne Reilly: “Memento Vestige”
Opening reception, Thursday, Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m.
Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall
Admission free
Wednesday, Feb. 7
Music: “globalFEST: The New Golden Age of Latin Music”
Performing Arts Series
7:30 p.m.
Auditorium in Roberts Hall
General admission $35
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $30
RIC alumni, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) $20
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) and children $15
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) free
Feb. 9-11
Dance: RIC Dance Company
“Spring Dance Concert”
Feb. 9-10, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11, 2 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $15
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $12
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) $10
RIC faculty, staff and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
Monday, Feb. 12
Music: Muir String Quartet
With Guest Artist Carol Wincenc, Flute
Performing Arts Series
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $35
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $30
RIC alumni, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) $20
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) and children $15
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) free
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Music: Masterworks Concerts
“Love Notes”
Judith Lynn Stillman, artistic director and pianist
Yeghishe Manucharyan, tenor
Victoria Avetisyan, mezzo-soprano
1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Sunday, Feb. 18
Music: RIC Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles
John Sumerlin, director
Daniel Dumont, solo viola
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
Feb. 22-25
Theatre: RIC Mainstage Theatre
“Marvin’s Room,” by Scott McPherson
Connie Crawford, director
Feb. 22-24, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25, 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 and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
Friday, Feb. 23
Music: RIC Wind Ensemble
“Travelogue”
Rob Franzblau, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Music: RIC Symphony Orchestra
“The Musical Heritage of St. Petersburg”
Alexey Shabalin, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
MARCH
March 1-23
Art: Graphic Design
Opening reception, Thursday, March 1, 5 p.m.
Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall
Admission free
This exhibition presents a selection of work by graduating graphic design students from Konkuk University, South Korea.
Friday, March 2
Music: RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus
“Spring Choral Concert”
Teresa Coffman, conductor
Philip Martorella, pianist and assistant conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
March 2-4
Theatre: RIC Mainstage Theatre
“Marvin’s Room,” by Scott McPherson
Connie Crawford, director
March 2-3, 7:30 p.m.
March 4, 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 and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
Tuesday, March 13
Music: Dublin Irish Dance
Performing Arts Series
7:30 p.m.
Auditorium in Roberts Hall
General admission $35
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $30
RIC alumni, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) $20
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) and children $15
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) free
March 16-18
Theatre: RIC Growing Stage Theatre
“This is Our Youth,” by Kenneth Lonergan
Grace Chenot, director
March 16-17, 7:30 p.m.
March 18, 2 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $5
Wednesday, March 21
Music: Brubeck Brothers Quartet
Performing Arts Series
7:30 p.m.
Helen Forman Theatre
General admission $35
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $30
RIC alumni, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) $20
Non-RIC students (limit 1 per ID) and children $15
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) free
March 29-April 27
Art: Caleb Cole
Opening reception, Thursday, March 29, 5 p.m.
Bannister Gallery, Roberts Hall
Admission free
March 29-30
Dance: RIC Dance Company
“That’s LIFE!”
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 and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
APRIL
Sunday, April 8
Music: RIC Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles
John Sumerlin, director
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
April 12-15
Theatre: RIC Mainstage Theatre
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” by Linda Woolverton
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Bill Wilson, director
Angelica Vesella, choreographer
April 12-14, 7:30 p.m.
April 14-15, 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 and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
Wednesday, April 18
Music: RIC Jazz Combos Concert
Greg Abate, director
7:30 p.m.
Forman Theatre
Admission free
Friday, Apr. 20
Music: RIC Wind Ensemble
“Senior Concerto Concert”
Rob Franzblau, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
Tuesday, Apr. 24
Music: RIC Symphony Orchestra
“Living Composers of New England”
Alexey Shabalin, conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
Thursday, April 26
Music: Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
“Boldly Beethoven”
Judith Lynn Stillman, artistic director and piano
Katherine Winterstein, violin
Steven Laven, cello
Ian Greitzer, clarinet
1 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
April 26-27
Dance: RIC Dance Company
“Student Chroreography 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 and alumni (limit 2 per ID) $5
RIC students (limit 2 per ID) $5
Friday, April 27
Music: RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus
“Bon Voyage Choral Concert”
Teresa Coffman, conductor
Philip Martorella, pianist and assistant conductor
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
Sunday, April 29
Music: Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
“Boldly Beethoven”
Judith Lynn Stillman, artistic director and piano
Katherine Winterstein, violin
Steven Laven, cello
Ian Greitzer, clarinet
2 p.m.
Carter Center for Music, Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School
667 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI
General admission $25
Students (18 and under or with college ID) $15
Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School students and family $10
Monday, April 30
Music: RIC Concert Jazz Band
“Spring Concert”
Joseph Foley, director
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
General admission $10
Seniors (62+, limit 1 per ID) $5
RIC students, faculty and staff (limit 2 per ID) free
MAY
Sunday, May 6
Music: RIC Opera Workshop
René de la Garza and Susan Rodgers, co-directors
Philip Martorella, coach/pianist
7:30 p.m.
Sapinsley Hall, Nazarian Center
Admission free
