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Spring 2015 events at the JMU Forbes Center

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Forbes-CenterDANCE

Taste of the Forbes

An Arts and Foodie Event

Thursday, January 15 @ 6:30 p.m.

Forbes Center Venues/Reception in Grand Lobby

This movable feast includes three distinctive presentations in three Forbes Center venues, plus a reception that will allow you to mingle with other arts enthusiasts. $40.

 

MAN-SPEAK-DANCE

An Evening of Dance Theatre with Shane O’Hara and Ric Rose

Friday-Saturday, January 23-24 @ 8 p.m.

Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre

Longtime colleagues Shane O’Hara (James Madison University) and Ric Rose (University of Florida) reunite for a dance theatre performance that will have audiences laughing in their seats! $10.

 

Senior Dance Concert

Thursday-Saturday, February 12-14 @ 8 p.m.

Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre

JMU’s senior dance majors are on the verge of graduation and entering into their exciting careers as dance artists. Come watch them as they showcase their amazing work in this annual concert. $10.

 

New Voices in Dance

Featuring JMU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble

Thursday-Friday, March 26-27 @ 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 28 @ 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Mainstage Theatre

Experience the vitality and creativity of the next generation of choreographers in this concert featuring works by selected JMU dance majors. $13-$14.

 

Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater

Theater for the Heart and Mind

Saturday, April 11 @ 8 p.m.

Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre

Come experience “choreography with exquisite abandon” as the company reveals “the urgency of expectation and the vulnerability that comes with a bared soul” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) in a performance that caps off a weeklong residency at JMU. $10.

 

Spring Student Dance Concert

WednesdaySunday, April 15-18 @ 8 p.m.

Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre

This exciting concert features young dancers and choreographers from JMU’s Dance program. $10.

 

THEATRE

Sleeping Beauty starring David Gonzalez

Saturday, January 17 @ 2 p.m.

Mainstage Theatre

Master storyteller David Gonzalez returns to the Forbes Center with a modern twist on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty replete with rhyming, live music inspired by Bach’s Goldberg Variations, image projections and exquisite lighting. A Forbes Family Fun event. $18-$20.

 

Sleeping Beauty Tea Party

Tea, a meet-and-greet with David Gonzalez, plus matinee tickets to Sleeping Beauty

Saturday, January 17 @ 12:30 p.m.

Grand Lobby/Mainstage Theatre

This delightful event features finger sandwiches, bite-size desserts, games, and more! $26.

 

Sweet Charity

Book by Neil Simon

Music by Cy Coleman

Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

TuesdayFriday, February 24-27 @ 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 28 @ 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 1 @ 2 p.m.

Mainstage Theatre

This Tony Award-winning musical comedy is a warm, touching and humorous look at the trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine who repeatedly gives her heart—and her savings—to the wrong men. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance. $18-$20.

 

The Cashore Marionettes

Saturday, April 4 @ 2 p.m.

Mainstage Theatre

Prepare to enter “a wonderful world of breathtaking magic” as founder and award-winning puppeteer Joseph Cashore performs on behalf of the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes. A Forbes Family Fun event. $16-$18.

 

The Cherry Orchard

By Anton Chekhov

TuesdayWednesday, April 28-29 @ 8 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, May 1-2 @ 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 3 @ 2 p.m.

Mainstage Theatre

In this funny, elegant and heartbreaking play, Chekhov’s cast of characters face the dawning of a new Russia at the turn of the 20th century. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance.
$14-$15.

 

MUSIC

Eric Guinivan and Michael Overman, percussion

Tuesday, January 20 @ 8 p.m.

Recital Hall

JMU faculty members Eric Guinivan and Michael Overman team up for a spirited musical performance. $8-$10.

 

Trio Sorpresa

Thursday, January 22 @ 8 p.m.

Recital Hall

One of the hottest piano trios today, Trio Sorpresa is a powerhouse of master musicians Wanchi Huang (violin), Robert Koenig (piano)and Jacob Braun (cello) known for their “superb technique” and “innate musicality.” $11-$12.

 

Men’s Chorus Invitational

Friday, January 23 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

David Levitov, cello

Monday, January 26 @ 8 p.m.

Recital Hall

Recognized by The Baltimore Sun for his “warmth of tone and phrasing” and “expressive force,” David Levitov performs locally and nationally as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. $11-$12.

 

JMU Percussion Ensemble

Monday, January 26 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

Bob Hallahan, piano and David Pope, saxophone

Tuesday, January 27 @ 8 p.m.

Recital Hall

A newly formed duo in 2011, Hallahan and Pope perform music rooted in the jazz tradition, yet infused with fresh musical elements and concepts. $8-$10.

 

Lindsay Russell, soprano

Thursday, January 29 @ 8 p.m.

Recitall Hall

Praised as “radiant and authentic” by Opera News and an artist with a “gracious tone” by The New York Times, soprano Lindsay Russell is quickly gaining recognition in the world of opera. $11-$12.

 

Jacqueline Leclair, oboe

Saturday, January 31 @ 1:30 p.m.

Recital Hall

Dubbed “lively” and “wonderful” by The New Yorker, Jacqueline Leclair is an oboist whose performances have been described as “astonishing” with “electrifying agility” by The New York Times. $11-$12.

 

Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México

(The Symphony Orchestra of the State of Mexico)

Enrique Bátiz, Music Director and Chief Conductor

Wednesday, February 4 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

Direct from Mexico City, Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México will present Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with Mexican guitar soloist Alfonso Moreno, Joaquín Turina’s Danzas Fantásticas Op 22, and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor Op. 98. $47-$49.

 

Opera Spotlight – Songs and Scenes from the World’s Greatest Operas

Saturday, February 7 @ 8 p.m.

Sunday, February 8 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

Graduate students from the JMU Opera Theater are poised to launch their careers, and this event is your opportunity to see this incredibly talented core of future stars perform sweeping melodies from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Mascagni’s 1890 masterpieceCavalleria rusticana. $12-$13.

 

JMU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Band

Tuesday, February 10 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

The FLiGHT Project

Composed by Roger Reynolds with the JACK Quartet

Part of the Contemporary Music Festival (February 17-19)

Thursday, February 19 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Roger Reynolds joins forces with JMU’s Contemporary Music Festival to present the first of a series of workshop performances that will trace the development of his FLiGHT Project. Reynold’s original music composition for the celebrated JACK string quartet will provide the core for this immersive event. $13-$14.

 

JMU Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, February 22 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Brass Band

Sunday, February 27 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Madison Singers and Chorale

Sunday, March 1 @ 7:30 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Symphonic Band

Sunday, March 3 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

Anderson & Roe Piano Duo

Featuring Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe

Friday, March 6 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

Described by ThirdCoast Digest as the “intense synchronization of genius” and a “sensuous blend of two keyboards and souls completely in sync,” the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo is revolutionizing the piano duo experience for the 21st century. $27-$29.

 

Caladh Nua

Tuesday, March 17 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the vibrant and staggeringly talented band Caladh Nua whose origins are deeply rooted in the Southern countries of Ireland. $30-$31.

 

Tri-State Jazz Festival

Featuring drummer and JMU alumnus Nate Smith

Saturday, March 21 @ 4 p.m.

Concert Hall

This concert featuring headliner Nate Smith will celebrate George “Doc” West, the late founder of the JMU Jazz Studies program. Includes performances by an alumni jazz ensemble comprised of Doc’s former students and the JMU Jazz Ensemble. $16-$18.

 

JMU Wind Symphony

Sunday, March 22 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

Sing Out! An A Cappella Celebration

WednesdayThursday, March 25-26 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

This hot-selling annual event features two nights of performances by JMU’s amazing a cappella groups, as well as a cappella groups from Harrisonburg High School and Rockingham County Public Schools.
$14-$15.

 

JMU Symphonic Band

Thursday, April 2 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience

WednesdayThursday, April 8-9 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

Patience is a virtue—and a milkmaid! This hilarious spoof of Oscar Wilde and the aesthetic movement is brimming with cunning wit and lively repartee. $14-$15.

 

JMU Brass Band

Friday, April 17 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Symphony Honors Concert and Pulenc’s Gloria

Sunday, April 19 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

This musical celebration features the winners of the School of Music Concerto Competition, as well as the JMU Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. $14-$15.

 

JMU Jazz Band

Tuesday, April 21 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Jazz Ensemble

Wednesday, April 22 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

JMU Madison Singers and Chorale

Thursday, April 23 @ 8 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

Marimba Orchestra & Friends

Saturday, April 25 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

This exciting music event returns for a fifth season with performances by faculty guest artist Dr. Andrew Connell, as well as JMU’s Marimba Orchestra, Brass Band and Madison Singers. A Forbes Family Fun event. $14-$15.

 

JMU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band

Sunday, April 26 @ 2 p.m.

Concert Hall

$8-$10.

 

VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONS

Jefferson Pinder

Encore Artist

Mixed Media

January 12-February 20

Duke Hall Gallery

This Chicago-based video artist seeks to find black identity through the most dynamic of circumstances. Free admission.

 

The Yeats Family: Life in Ireland

January 12-February 27

Lisanby Museum

In a land of ruggedness and beauty, both solidarity and internal struggles are reflected in the art, poetry and business ventures of the Yeats family. Free admission.

 

Papercuts

Paper Sculpture

March 2-April 10

Duke Hall Gallery

This exhibition features the work of seven artists who bring international perspectives to the contemporary art of papercutting. Free admission.

 

James Madison

March 16-May 8

Lisanby Museum

Curated by Outreach & Engagement’s Madison Institutes in conjunction with James Madison Week, this exhibit examines the life and legacy of our university’s namesake and Father of the United States Constitution. Free admission.

 

JMU Gallery Crawl

Friday, March 20 @ 6:30 p.m.

Duke Hall/Lisanby Museum/The Institute for Visual Studies

This evening features tours of three exciting exhibitions, curated talks, appetizers, drinks, desserts and conversation. $36.

 

For more information on exhibitions and for detailed descriptions of Forbes Center events, visit www.jmuforbescenter.com.

Contributors

Contributors

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