Redfern Arts Center Announces 24th Season
KEENE, NH, 8/1/02 - An international theme and many family-oriented events highlight the 2002-03 Presenting Series at Keene State Colleges Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. This years Series is the Arts Centers 24th consecutive year of presenting professional music, theater, and dance performances to the Monadnock Region.
We are looking at the coming season as a journey of discovery for family and friends to be entertained by professionals in a variety of genres and cultures, said Arts Center Director William Menezes. For example, we will open the season with Flamenco Vivo! Carlota Santana, a New York-based company thats one of the finest practitioners of this graceful and fiery dance form. The flamenco performance takes place Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m.
Canadas world famous I Musici de Montreal takes the stage next, on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. They are one of the most respected chamber orchestras in the world, Menezes said, and their program, featuring works by Mozart, Schoenberg, Dvorak, A. Sallinen, and Weber, should appeal to a wide range of tastes and ages.
The fall season will continue with a visit by the legendary Cab Calloway Orchestra, Friday Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. The Orchestra is now led by Calloways grandson, Calloway Brooks. The Calloway family has been entertaining audiences with their special blend of jazz and jump blues since the 1920s.
Late October will find the Weston Playhouse Theatre Co. returning to Keene with a new adaptation of Charles Dickenss David Copperfield. Menezes said that, Last year we co-presented Westons Of Mice and Men. with the Colonial Theatre, Menezes said. It was such a successful venture that we thought wed join forces again. This year the company is coming to Keene States Arts Center. There will be two performances. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. and a performance for students on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 9:30 a.m.
The fall season will conclude with two evenings of music by distinctively different musical groups. Boston Brass, noted for their eclectic programs of classical and jazz music, will perform Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.. Chanterelle, one of New Englands most popular Franco-American folk ensembles, will appear on Wednesday, Nov. 20, also at 7 p.m.
The spring season will open with the vocal ensemble Counterpoint. The groups leader, Robert De Cormier, is internationally known as the musical director for Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul, and Mary and as conductor and arranger for such divas as Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and Frederica von Stade. Counterpoint will perform Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m.
Sean Curran will bring his innovative dance company to Keene for a Friday, Feb. 21, performance at 8 p.m. Curran, who starred in the Broadway musical hit Stomp, is considered one of the brightest young choreographers working in America today. Next on the Arts Center stage will be Triple Helix, featuring three internationally known women musicians and recognized as one of the best piano trios in New England. They will perform Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m.
A special treat for the whole family will be a return engagement by Imago. This Portland, Oregon-based company will perform FROGZ, a creature-theatre performance bringing to life objects and animals. Their show, Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m., is recommended for ages 6 and up.
The husband-and-wife dance team of Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer will explore the art of the dance duet, accompanied by Grammy Award-winning composer/percussionist Glen Velez on Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m.
The Presenting Series will conclude with two performances on Saturday, April 5, at 2 and 7 p.m. by Maines award-winning puppet theater, Figures of Speech Theatre. In their Beanstalk Variations, recommended for ages 8 and older, two actors are joined on stage by a cast of puppets to provide a fresh, modern perspective to this classic Jack tale. Presenting the Figures of Speech Theatre is a departure from our usual theatrical fare, said Menezes. However, in recent years puppetry has become an art form that has stretched its boundaries and is currently producing some of the most exciting and creative theater in the world.
In addition to its Presenting Series, Brickyard Pond will offer over 30 performances by Keene States Department of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance. Among these popular events are An Evening of Dance; performances by the KSC Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Orchestra, Concert Choir and Chamber Singers; and several faculty artist recitals.
In January 2003, the New England Region of the American College Theatre Festival comes to the Arts Center for the second year in a row. We anticipate that this will be as exciting as it was last year, said Menezes, when nearly 600 college and university theater faculty and students came to our campus for workshops, performances, and acting competitions.
Season tickets are now on sale at Brickyard Ponds box office. For additional series information and a complete list of events, call 603-358-2168 or visit the Brickyard Pond online at www.keene.edu/racbp/.
