Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- The academic year may be winding down, but that won't stop Kansas State University from offering a variety of cultural events in May.

The following events, all free unless otherwise indicated, are sponsored by the university's McCain Performance Series; the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. They include:

* "Good Boy, Bad Boy: The Prints of John Boyd" is the exhibition in honor of the 2013 Friends of the Beach Museum of Art gift print artist. This exhibition of Boyd's printmaking, which captures the humor and occasional darkness in his art, runs through May 26.

* The exhibition "Konza: Sculpture by John Douglas Powers" is on display through July at the Beach Museum of Art. Powers' kinetic sculpture, which evokes the Konza Prairie near Manhattan, is constructed from brass, aluminum and stainless steel.

* The Beach Museum exhibition "An American in Venice: James McNeill Whistler and His Legacy" features 11 of the prints the artist Whistler created during 14 months in Venice starting in 1879. This exhibition is organized by the Syracuse University Art Galleries in New York runs through June 23.

* The collaborative, interdisciplinary exhibition the "Museum of Wonder" is on view at the Beach Museum through Oct. 12. The exhibition celebrates Kansas State University's sesquicentennial and land-grant heritage and showcases artifacts from numerous university departments.

* The Beach Museum of Art will host an exploration of its "Museum of Wonder" exhibit as part of its ARTSmart program for families from May 1-3. Classes include toddlers to 2-year-olds from 10:30-11 a.m. and for all ages from 4:15-5:15 p.m., both on Wednesday, May 1. On Thursday, May 2, classes will be open to 2-3 year-olds from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and school-age children, kindergarten and up, from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Classes for children ages 4-5 will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, May 3. Classes are $3 per child or $1.50 per child for Friends of the Beach Museum of Art members. Reservations are required. Call 785-532-7718 or email klwalk@k-state.edu. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

* The music program and the Beach Museum will partner to present a "Meet the Music" event at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the museum. The oboe studio of Nora Lewis, assistant professor of music, will perform solo and chamber works in a variety of styles, including "Octandre for Eight Oboes"by Graham Powning.

* The university's Jazz Combos, directed by Wayne Goins, professor of music, will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Union Station in the K-State Student Union.

* The Tony Award-winning play "The Heiress" will be presented by K-State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. May 2-4 and at 2:30 p.m. May 5 in Nichols Theatre. Tickets are $14 for the general public, $12 for seniors and military and $8 for students, with applicable taxes and fees. They can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also may be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/theatre.

* The saxophone studio of Anna Marie Wytko, assistant professor of music, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, in All Faiths Chapel.

* The K-State Choir, directed by Tim Cassidy, master's student in music, will perform a concert at 5:45 p.m. Friday, May 3, in All Faiths Chapel.

* The Brass Ensemble, directed by Andrew Feyes, doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, will present a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in All Faiths Chapel.

* A concert by the university's Wind Ensemble, conducted by Frank Tracz, professor of music, will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, in McCain Auditorium.

* The Theory Class Composition Recital will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, in All Faiths Chapel. This hour-long concert features the best student compositions from the Music Theory 1-4 classes, taught by Tod Kerstetter, professor of music; Kristin Mortenson, instructor of music; Craig Weston, professor of music; Ben Worcester, instructor of music; and Anna Marie Wytko, assistant professor of music.

* The Tap Dance Ensemble will host its annual one-act showcase at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in Nichols Theatre.

* The Kansas State University Band, directed by Frank Tracz, professor of music, and the university's Wind Symphony, directed by Don Linn, instructor of music, will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in McCain Auditorium.

* Dance program seniors Jordan Roberts, Beloit, and Bethany Parker, Manhattan, will perform the Senior Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in Nichols Theatre.

* The McCain Performance Series will present the 1980s' party musical "Rock of Ages" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in McCain Auditorium. Tickets cost $22.50-$55, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office, by phone at 785-532-6428, or online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.

* The Beach Museum will offer a screening of the video "The Lyrics of Art" from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, May 16. The film will profile James McNeill Whistler, who influenced the art world and the broader culture of his time with artistic theories, as well as his friendships with leading artists and writers. A second video will follow, which will detail Whistler's style and technique, and will include his works from the Beach Museum's exhibition "An American in Venice." The museum's galleries will be open before the video screenings, and a discussion will follow the showings. Each video is approximately 25 minutes, with closed captioning available upon request.