Berry College to marry West African and European music styles in Nov. 9 concert
The Berry College Jazz Ensemble presents “A Night of Afro-Cuban Jazz” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Ford Auditorium.
The Ensemble, directed by Director of Jazz and Percussion Studies John David, will perform pieces by Afro-Cuban Jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente including two of the most enduring standards of the genre “Manteca” and “Oye Como Va.” This concert will also feature music by contemporary masters Eddie Palmieri and Arturo Sandoval. Renowned drummer and percussionist Frankie Quinones will be performing as a guest artist.
According to David, Afro-Cuban Jazz is one of the most important style collaborations in the history of American popular music. The genre acknowledges the West African roots of the musical forms and is the ultimate melting pot of African and European harmonies, melodies, rhythms and musical instruments. “A unique element of this music is the bond between music and language, with the spoken word extending beyond song to the instruments themselves,” David said. The constant evolution of this music gave birth to Salsa music in NYC and has spread into the genres of R&B, Rock and Hip-Hop.
This concert is free and open to the public.
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Annual fall concert at Berry College Nov. 12
Berry College Wind Ensemble will celebrate music from the 16th century at 3 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Ford Auditorium.
Directed by Assistant Professor in Music Lauren Denney Wright, the ensemble will perform “Cathedrals” by Kathryn Salfelder, which pays homage to brass pieces once heard in churches during the late 1500’s, especially St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. Additionally, Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and Leornard Bernstein’s “Profanation” will entertain audiences of all ages.
The concert is free and open to the public.
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Georgia Poets Initiative Poetry Reading Nov. 16
Poets and spouses Chelsea Rathburn and James Davis May will give a poetry reading at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Berry College Moon Gallery.
The event is being held for the Georgia Poets Initiative and in conjunction with the current exhibition ‘Inspired Georgia.’
Rathburn has been widely published in journals and anthologies including, ‘Inspired Georgia,’ and is the author of two poetry collections. She has received numerous awards for her work including a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
May is a recipient of the Collins Award from ‘Birmingham Poetry Review’ and his poetry has been published in a range of literary journals. His first book of poetry, ‘Unquiet Things,’ was recently published by LSU press.
Rathburn and May are both assistant professors in English and creative writing at Young Harris College.
The event is free and open to the public.
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Dance Troupe Holiday Production Nov. 16-17
The Berry College Dance Troupe will celebrate all things holiday this winter with “Holiday Dance Extravaganza” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17 in the Ford Auditorium.
Under the artistic direction of Jeanne Shul, the festive production will feature faculty and student choreography in various styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, swing and hip hop.
Tickets will be available at the door and are $2 for children and students and $5 for adults.
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Make Merry This Holiday Season Nov. 29-Dec. 2
The Berry College Theatre Company presents “Make Merry (Or How to Survive your Family on Holidays)” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 with an additional show at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2.
“Make Merry” is written by junior Jack Padgett under the direction of Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Hannah Hammond.
The humorous and deep hearted play tells the story of Kirsten Bentley, a college girl from a family that is anything but normal. When a sudden snowstorm traps her and her family together in their home for the holidays, they are forced to confront the things that have kept them apart in ways that none of them could predict.
Just in time for the holidays, “Make Merry” paints a picture of what it’s like to live in a crazy family where everyone has the answers, yet nobody’s listening.
Tickets will be available at the door and are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.berry.edu/bctc-tickets with a processing fee of $1.50.
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Student art featured in semi-annual “select” exhibition Nov. 28
Pieces made in studio art classes from Berry College Art Program’s fall semester will be on display from Nov. 28 through Dec. 5.
An opening reception will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 28 where professors and faculty will facilitate a discussion about the student work. Art that is featured will range from introductory to advanced and include pieces from ceramics, drawing, painting and design.
The Moon Gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Guest concert features trumpeter who has performed with Tony Bennett
The Berry College Visual and Performing Arts Department will host a concert for the Guest Artist Series featuring Raquel Rodriguez at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Ford Auditorium.
Rodriguez is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Tennessee Tech University. She is principal trumpet of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Brass Arts Quintet, as well as other groups. Rodriguez has also performed and recorded with many well-known artists including Tony Bennett and Idina Menzel.
Rodriguez studied at the University of North Texas and earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in music education from West Texas A&M University. She released a solo album titled “Cincinnati Virtuosity” and has performed in internationally.
The concert is free and open to the public.
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Written by Public Relations Students Savanna McKellar, Abbie Smith, Victoria Mashburn, Alexi Bell, Jamie Collier and Sydney Adams
