Sources: Todd Holmberg, 785-532-6425, trholm@k-state.edu;
Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, marthas@k-state.edu;
and Kristin Mortenson, 785-532-5740, kmortens@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-2535, bbohn@k-state.edu
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012
Drama, dance, music and more: February a celebration of the arts at K-State
MANHATTAN -- At Kansas State University, February is a time to "STOMP," dance and enjoy the arts. The university is offering a variety of theatrical, dance and music events throughout the month, with something for everyone to enjoy.
February cultural events, all free unless otherwise indicated, include:
* Art Faculty Biennial, an exhibition of the creative work of the university's department of art faculty, is on display through March 16 at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
* "Tallgrass TV: Sam Easterson's Tribute to the Konza Prairie" runs through May 10 at the Beach Museum of Art. The exhibition includes a variety of animal-borne imaging videos to show an animal's perspective on the world. The exhibition also features still photos and taxidermy displays.
* The Beach Museum of Art's Arts Above the Arch series is offering a Sailor's Valentine Workshop from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Participants are invited to incorporate a bit of the beach in their handmade valentines with shells from Florida. Supplies and desserts will be provided. The cost is $10 per person, and reservations required by calling 785-532-7718. This workshop is for ages 16 and up.
* K-State faculty clarinetist Tod Kerstetter and guest clarinetist Jeff Pelischek from Hutchinson Community College will present a recital of jazz and pop-inflected compositions at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in All-Faiths Chapel Auditorium. Included will be sets of jazz standards and Latin jazz duos for clarinet and bass clarinet duet. Kerstetter will also perform a transcription of a bass clarinet improvisation by jazz legend Eric Dolphy, and will perform a rarely heard work for clarinet and piano, "Riverboat Sonata" by Mel Powell. The program will end with a rock-based work by composer Scott McAllister "Freebirds" for two clarinets and piano. This composition features motives from Lynyrd Skynyrd's iconic rock anthem "Freebird,"emulating dueling virtuosic guitar solos in the two solo clarinet parts.
* K-State Theatre will present "The Madwoman of Chaillot" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-4 and 9-11, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee Feb. 12. All performances will be in Nichols Theater. Tickets cost $8-$14 and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or at the Little Theater box office, in the K-State Student Union, Wednesday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 785-532-6428 or online at http://www.k-state.edu/theatre/.
* Wildcat Oboe Day is Saturday, Feb. 4. Hosted by Nora Lewis, assistant professor of oboe, the event offers oboists of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to learn more about their instrument, meet other oboists, and play in the Wildcat Oboe Day Ensemble, which will give a fun and informal performance at 5 p.m. in All Faiths Chapel. Activities include instrument clinics and a reed-making workshop.
* The Family Valentines Workshop, sponsored by the Student Friends of the Beach Museum of Art, will be 2-4 pm. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the museum. Plenty of supplies will be available to make valentines, as well as goodies to fuel creativity. Reservations are not required, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per child, $2.50 for Beach Museum members.
* The university's dance program will feature guest ballet artist Nela Neimond from Virginia from Feb. 5-11. Neimond will be setting choreography for SpringDance 2012.
* The smash hit musical "Mamma Mia!" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, as part of the McCain Performance Series. The show is based on the music of ABBA. Tickets cost $19.50-$65 plus applicable taxes and fees. Drop by the McCain Auditorium box office to get tickets or call 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
* Homeschool Tuesday will be 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Beach Museum of Art.
* Anna Marie Wytko, assistant professor of saxophone, will present a recital in All Faiths Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7. Wytko will present the world premiere performance of award-winning American composer Karen P. Thomas' "When Night Came" for soprano saxophone and piano, in addition to significant French and Russian works for saxophone. Wytko will be joined by Cameron Hofmann of Baylor University on piano, and Patricia Thompson, assistant professor of voice at K-State.
* "The Early Expressions Art" exhibition will be Feb. 9-12 at the Beach Museum of Art, with a reception, open to the public, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Award-winning art by USD 383 students will be on display in the UMB Theatre. This program is sponsored by the Manhattan-Ogden Public School Foundation. The Early Expressions Gala fundraiser, sponsored by the school foundation, will start at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the museum. Proceeds from the event, which includes a silent auction, will provide funds for art programming in the Manhattan public schools, including field trips to the museum. Tickets cost $35 and reservations are due by Feb. 6. To register and for more information go to http://bit.ly/yV77Aq.
* The Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata will present "The Hills are Alive" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at McCain Auditorium. This McCain Performance series event rocks out to the music of the "The Sound of Music." Tickets cost $12-$42, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
* The McCain Showcase, featuring the dance, music and theatrical talents of K-State students, will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at McCain Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for faculty and staff, and $5 for K-State students. Prices do not include applicable taxes and fees. Tickets can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
* "Earl Iversen Friends of The Beach Museum Gift Print Artist" exhibition opens Feb. 14 and runs through May 20 in the Ruth Ann Wefald Gallery at the Beach Museum of Art. The exhibition features photographs by Iversen, associate professor emeritus of photography at the University of Kansas. Iversen's 2012 gift print is available for purchase at the museum.
* Shreepad Joglekar, assistant professor of photography at Kansas State University, will give the artist talk "Common Place at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Beach Museum of Art as part of the Arts Above the Arch series.
* The K-State Wind Ensemble will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in McCain Auditorium. The Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Frank Tracz, professor of music, and will feature the works of composers Steven Reineke, Christopher M. Wicks, Richard Wagner, Scott McAllister and Carter Pann, who will also be featured piano soloist at the concert. The Blue Valley West High School Symphonic Band will perform as a guest high school band.
* Students from the voice, keyboard, string, wind and percussion programs will perform a General Student Recital in All Faiths Chapel at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16. Later, at 7:30 p.m., several faculty and student artists will share the annual "Celebrating New Music" concert in All Faiths Chapel.
* Know the Artist school vacation workshop, for kids ages 6 and up, will be 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Beach Museum of Art. Participants will create a poster based on the Crystal Art Productions' "Know the Artist" series, which features the kids as the artists. Class space is limited and reservations are required by calling 785-532-7718. Cost is $5 per child, $2.50 for Beach Museum members.
* The K-State Concert Choir and Men’s Choir will present a celebration/send-off concert in All Faiths Chapel at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, for their upcoming performances as featured honor choirs at the Southwest American Choral Directors Association convention in Dallas and for the Kansas Music Educators Association. The choirs are directed by Joshua Oppenheim and Julie Yu-Oppenheim.
* Henson Alternative's "Stuffed and Unstrung" will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at McCain Auditorium. For mature audiences only, this McCain Performance Series event features 80 Henson puppets and six comedians -- uncensored and completely improvised based on audience suggestions. Tickets cost $13-$39, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
* ARTSmart Classes for Children will be Feb. 21-24 at the Beach Museum of Art based on "Tallgrass TV" video installation exhibition by artist Sam Easterson celebrating the Konza Prairie. This month's theme is "Birds of the Air." Kids ages 2-3 meet Feb. 21 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.; toddlers and 2-year-olds meet from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Feb. 22; all ages are welcome from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Feb. 22 and 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 24; ages 4-5 meet from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 23; and ages 6 and up -- school age -- meet from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Feb. 23. All classes are $3 per child, $1.50 for Beach Museum members. Reservations are required by calling 785-532-7718; children must bring an adult.
* Tracelyn Gesteland, guest artist soprano, will perform a solo recital in All Faiths Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. Gesteland, a lyric mezzo-soprano and assistant professor of music in voice/opera at the University of South Dakota, is an active performer on the opera, musical theater, concert and recital stage.
* K-State assistant professor of flute Karen Large will present a solo recital in All Faiths Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22.
* Earl Iversen, the 2012 Friends of the Beach Museum of Art gift print artist, will give an artist talk at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Beach Museum of Art. Iversen will share his photography techniques. The presentation is part of the museum's Arts Above the Arch series.
* Ebony Theater will present "Crumbs From the Table of Joy" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25, and a matinee at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26, all in East Stadium's Purple Masque Theater. Tickets are $4 for students and $7 for the general public, plus applicable taxes and fees. They can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by phone at 785-532-6428.
* Guest pianist Bertrand Giraud will present a solo recital in All Faiths Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Born in France, Giraud is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Paris and prizewinner of the Chopin International Competition, conducted in Texas. His concert appearances include the major cities of Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including Japan and Thailand, where he has appeared on the National Television Network and has been honored by her the queen of Thailand. Giraud has taught at he Mozart Academy of Salzburg, Austria, and is currently a professor at the Chopin Conservatory of Paris.
* The McCain Performance Series will present famed "Tonight Show" bandleader Doc Severinsen and His Big Band at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at McCain Auditorium. Tickets cost $16-$60, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
* Guest cellist Karen Becker will present a solo recital in All Faiths Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. Becker is an associate professor of music and the cello professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
* "STOMP," the international percussion sensation, will be presented at 7:30 pm. Tuesday, Feb. 28, and Wednesday, Feb. 29, at McCain Auditorium. Tickets to this McCain Performance Series event cost $17-$55, plus applicable taxes and fees. Purchase them at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428. Tickets also can be purchased online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.
For more information on all Beach Museum events, call 785-532-7718; for music department events, call 785-532-5740 or check out the department's calendar in front of 109 McCain; and to get tickets to McCain events call 785-532-6428.
