APRIL 1, SATURDAY
Head On (Gegen die Wand)
3:00 and 8:00 P.M., Dana Auditorium
Fatih Akin's powerful film centers on two Turks living in Germany: drunken loser Cahit, who drives his car into a wall, and Sibel, who slashes her wrist because she can't stand living with her traditional Muslim family. The two meet in the hospital and decide to join in a marriage of convenience. Winner of the top prize, the Golden Bear, at the Berlin Film Festival. In German with English subtitles. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Germany/Turkey, 2004, 121 minutes) Free
APRIL 1, SATURDAY
Annual Music Department Cabaret: Find Your Grail
8:00 p.m., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
It's toe-tappin' time on the Concert Hall stage, as music department vocalists present their 13th annual Cabaret. Vocal students perform an array of musical theatre selections from Broadway and beyond: Camelot, by Lerner and Loewe; Spamalot, by John DuPrez and Eric Idle; and Thoroughly Modern Millie, by Jeanine Tesori. Seniors Shannon Gmyrek '06 and Frankie Powell '06, both veterans of Middlebury's stages, host this year's event, with Joe Davidian accompanying on piano. Free
APRIL 2, SUNDAY
Carillon Prelude
6:30 P.M., Mead Chapel
College Carillonneur George Matthews Jr. will play preceding the Tallis Scholars concert at 7:00 P.M. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Mead Chapel carillon from within the chapel or on the surrounding lawns. Free
APRIL 2, SUNDAY
Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips, Director
7:00 P.M., Mead Chapel
Considered one of the most important choral ensembles of our time, the Tallis Scholars have sung hundreds of concerts throughout the world, and have made definitive recordings of scores of Renaissance polyphonic masterpieces. It has been 15 years since they last sang at Middlebury. This time, they sing a program of German music, leading up to Mozart, music by Schütz, Praetorius, Aichinger, Hassler, and Senfl. The concert concludes with a performance of J. S. Bach's motet Komm, Jesu, komm. Sponsored by the Middlebury College Performing Arts Series. Tickets: $12/$10/$5 order tickets online
Click here for more information about this event
APRIL 4, TUESDAY (THROUGH APRIL 18)
Exhibition of Color Photography
Johnson Memorial Building, Pit Space
Students in John Huddleston's color photography course, ART 0328, investigate the breadth of concepts and images in color. Sponsored by the Program in Studio Art. Free
APRIL 4, TUESDAY
Behind-the-Scenes Lunch and Discussion:
In the Blood
12:30 P.M., Center for the Arts, Seeler Studio Theatre
Director Jaye Austin Williams introduces the play In the Blood and leads a discussion about the upcoming production, April 6-8 (for mature audiences). Lunch is provided. Free
APRIL 5, WEDNESDAY
New-Media Artist Peter Horvath
4:30 P.M.,Library, Watson Lecture Hall
This screening and discussion of Horvath's works in video, sound, and photo-based and new media are accompanied by an exhibition of his work in the library atrium. At the birth of the Internet, Horvath immersed himself in digital technologies, adopting the techniques of photo-montage used in his two-dimensional creations and Internet art. He cofounded 6168.org, a site for network art. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. Free
APRIL 5, WEDNESDAY
Middlebury College Orchestra
Troy Peters, conductor
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
A festive evening of American music. Free
JUST ADDED!
APRIL 6, THURSDAY
Shifting the Frame: Translating the Digital Body
3:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Dance Theatre
Free
Guest Lecture by Tiffany Rhynard. Discussing the translation of live performance to video, Rhynard shows both live and digital excerpts from her work, and talks about the process of creating dance for the stage and then translating the same content, dynamic, and vocabulary to the digital frame, i.e. video dance. Free
APRIL 6, THURSDAY
Architecture &... Series presents:
Anthills to Labyrinths -- Engineering Sustainable Architecture
7:30 P.M., Dana Auditorium
The "Architecture & …" lecture series will present a lecture entitled "Anthills to Labyrinths -- Engineering Sustainable Architecture" by Patrick Bellew. Mr. Bellew is principal and founder of atelier ten (www.atelierten.com) of London and New York, a building services engineering firm with worldwide projects dedicated to integrating innovative sustainable technologies with noteworthy architecture. He also teaches environmental design at the Yale University School of Architecture. This event is jointly sponsored by the Breadloaf Corporation of Middlebury, the Department of the History of Art and Architecture, Environmental Affairs, and Atwater Commons. Free
APRIL 6–8, THURSDAY–SATURDAY
In the Blood
by Suzan-Lori Parks
8:00 P.M. each evening and 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, Center for the Arts, Seeler Studio Theatre
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks explores the central theme of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in a new rendering for the stage. Here, the scorned and branded outcast Hester is an African American mother of five. The multiracial ensemble cast morphs back and forth between Hester's five disparate children and the sundry representations of those who alternately disdain, take prime advantage of, and empathize impotently with Hester's plight. Directed by guest artist Jaye Austin Williams. Sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance. For mature audiences. Tickets: $5/4/3; on sale March 16.
Pre-performance dinner: Rehearsals Cafe, Saturday, 6:30 P.M. Reservations required.
APRIL 7, FRIDAY
Takács Quartet: "The Border"
12:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
In conjunction with their April 8 performance, members of the Takács Quartet participate in two exciting residency events (see second listing at 4:30 P.M.) Hear the Quartet perform the world premiere of "The Border," composed by Ezra Axelrod '08, winner of the Department of Music's recent string quartet composing competition. Free
APRIL 7, FRIDAY
Takács Quartet: Master Class
4:30 P.M., Center for the Arts, Room 221
In conjunction with their April 8 performance, members of the Takács Quartet participate in two exciting residency events (see previous listing at 12:00 P.M.) Here, the Quartet gives a master class for music department student ensembles. The class is open to observers. Free
APRIL 7, FRIDAY
Cobu
7:30 P.M., McCullough Social Space
This dance troup presents a thrilling bi-cultural theatrical experience combining traditional Japanese taiko drumming and American funk tap dancing directed by STOMP veteran Yako Miyamoto. Sponsored by the Japanese Club, MASO, and the Japanese Department. Tickets $3; on sale March 27.
APRIL 7, FRIDAY (THROUGH APRIL 20)
Exhibition of Drawings, Photographs, Models, and Sculptures by Artist in Residence Ken Ragsdale
Johnson Memorial Building, Johnson Gallery
This multimedia exhibition features the wide-ranging technical and conceptual explorations of Artist in Residence Ken Ragsdale. His investigations are centered on an attempt to realize his ideas and theories relating to the function and processes of memory. Sponsored by the Program in Studio Art. Free
APRIL 7, FRIDAY
French Song Recital by Deja Nous
7:30 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
The repertoire of Deja Nous includes different periods and jazz styles of popular and jazz songs always presented in the pure tradition of French Cabaret called "Music Hall." The musicians deliver compelling and entertaining interpretations of the songs of Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Claude Nougaro, Charles Aznavour, Yves Montand, Charles Trenet, and others. Sponsored by the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, the Department of French, and the Foreign Language Enrichment Fund. Free
APRIL 8, SATURDAY
Dead Birds
3:00 and 8:00 P.M., Dana Auditorium
Robert Gardner's acclaimed documentary is a record of the life of a group of Dani, a stone-age mountain people living in western New Guinea. The film focuses on Weyak, and on Pua, following them through the events of Dani life, particularly the ritualized warfare that informs the culture. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (USA, 1964, 84 minutes) Free
APRIL 8, SATURDAY
Takács Quartet
Edward Dusinberre, violin
Károly Schranz, violin
Geraldine Walther, viola
András Fejér, cello
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Regularly heard at Middlebury, each Takács Quartet concert reveals new truths: new beauties of string-quartet playing, new discoveries in the scores, and new revelations of artistic and musical possibilities. Recently appointed as associate artists of the South Bank Center in London, the quartet recently completed acclaimed recordings of all of Beethoven's string quartets. Their Middlebury program consists of quartets by Mozart, Bartók, and Schubert, including his Death and the Maiden. Sponsored by the Middlebury College Performing Arts Series. Reserved Seating. Tickets: $12/$10/$5 order tickets online
Pre-performance dinner: Rehearsals Cafe, 6:30 P.M. Reservations required: 802-443-MIDD
APRIL 9, SUNDAY
Friends of the Art Museum Annual Dinner and Arts Awards Presentation
5:30 P.M., Kirk Alumni Center
A members-only event. Reservations required. For further information or to make a reservation, please call Andrea Solomon at (802) 443–2034.
APRIL 10, MONDAY
Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble
7:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
The Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble, also known as "Midd Winds," is a community band made up of area students and community members including Middlebury College alumni and staff. The 40-plus members come from 23 communities in the area. Midd Winds will begin its spring concert with Rochester Park, a lively march by Middlebury College Music Department faculty member Larry Hamberlin. Also featured will be a setting of a Bach fugue and prelude by conductor Jerry Shedd and a hilarious piece by Bach's imaginary son, P.D.Q., called the March of the Cute Little Wood Sprites. Also on the program are Passacaglia by Alfred Reed, Chorale by Adirondack composer Robert Washburn, Holst's Second Suite for Band, and the last two sections of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, including the familiar Great Gate at Kiev.
Free
APRIL 14, FRIDAY
Bennington College Dancers and Choreographers: Emerging Generation
4:30 P.M., Center for the Arts, Dance Theatre
Student choreographers from Bennington College working on advanced projects this spring present their work in an informal showing designed to stimulate communication between up and coming dance artists. Choreographers from around the country and from as far away as Bulgaria perform and discuss their work. Free
APRIL 14, FRIDAY
Il Ballo delle Ingrate
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
A theatrical madrigal by Claudio Monteverdi and Ottavio Rinuccini, featuring Jenna Boyle '06, Amanda Kleinman '09, and Scott Guenther '06; directed by Daniel Donnelly '06 as his senior project. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. A pre-concert lecture will begin at 7:15 P.M. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Free
APRIL 15, SATURDAY
Maria Full of Grace
3:00 and 8:00 P.M., Dana Auditorium
A bright, spirited, 17-year-old Maria Alvarez (Catalina Sandino Moreno) lives with three generations of her family in a cramped house in rural Colombia and works stripping thorns from flowers in a rose plantation. The offer of a lucrative job involving travel lures her into the risky and ruthless world of international drug trafficking, and her mission becomes one of determination and survival. Academy Award Nomination, Best Actress 2004. In Spanish with English subtitles. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (USA/Colombia, 2004, 101 minutes) Free
APRIL 15, SATURDAY
Miles Donahue Band
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
In his debut performance at Middlebury College, Miles Donahue is joined by an international group of jazz artists for a concert featuring a mix of original compositions and some familiar jazz favorites. The other musicians are John Lockwood from South Africa on bass, Alain Mallett from France on piano, and Marcello Pelliperi from Italy. Donahue has earned a reputation in the jazz circle as a composer full of surprises. He has been described as "one of the best-kept jazz secrets...Equally adept on trumpet and various saxophones and a composer of grace and originality," in the words of Grammy award-winning Boston Globe jazz critic Bob Blumenthal. He has performed at many venues with his own group that featured Harvey Swartz, Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Banacos, Nick Goumas, and Jack Diefendorf. One of these concerts in 1972, performed with Charile Banacos and Jerry Bergonzi, became known as the famous Arlington Street Church Concert. Sponsored by the Department of Music, the Student Government Association, and The Sound Investment.. Free
APRIL 17, MONDAY
Reading Langston: A Jazz Poetry Experience
4:30 P.M., Chateau Grand Salon
Featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Michael Arnowitt. Think of it as a duet for poem and piano, with you as the poet. Participants will choose among several poems by 20th Century literary giant Langston Hughes; then, given a short time to prepare, readers will step up and declaim their poem to the improvised accompaniment of pianist Michael Arnowitt. "The idea," says Arnowitt, "is to see how the words and music affect each other." Come and perform, or just watch and listen. Associate Professor of American Literature and Civilization Will Nash will offer a few introductory thoughts on the poetry of Langston Hughes. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Department of Music, the Office for Institutional Diversity, Departments of Theatre and Dance, and Wonnacott Commons. Free
APRIL 19, WEDNESDAY
Museum Bus Trip to Montreal
The Friends of the Art Museum take a spring trip to Montreal to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and view the exhibition "Katherine the Great: Art for Empire – Masterpieces from the Hermitage." A members only event; reservations required. For further information or to make a reservation, please call Andrea Solomon at (802) 443–2034.
APRIL 21, FRIDAY
Electronic Music Compositions
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Enjoy electronic music compositions created by students this semester. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Free
APRIL 21–22, FRIDAY–SATURDAY
The Dynamic Duo: Dances by Kate Elias '06 and Hannah Giles '06
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Dance Theatre
A familiar pair on stage and off, seniors Elias and Giles team up again for a shared concert of original choreography and music reflecting four years of friendship. The evening of solos, duets, and group pieces investigates their individual artistic tastes, quirky and majestic movement styles, and a conspicuous size differential. The program also features contributions by family and friends. Choreography by Guest Artist Peter Schmitz is funded in part by Ross, Cook, and Wonnacott Commons. Tickets: $5/4/3; on sale April 7.
APRIL 21–22, FRIDAY–SATURDAY
The Legend of Cofresi
8:00 and 10:00 P.M. on Friday; 2:00 and 10:00 P.M. on Saturday; McCullough Social Space
An original musical set on the tropical island of Puerto Rico during the golden age of pirates. A young girl experiences the power of stories in this coming of age tale full of comedy, drama and swashbuckling adventure. Tickets: $5/4/3; on sale April 7.
APRIL 22, SATURDAY
Yes
3:00 and 8:00 P.M., Dana Auditorium
Written and directed by Sally Potter, Yes is the story of a love affair between an American woman (Joan Allen) and a Middle Eastern man (Simon Abkarian), in which they confront some of the greatest conflicts of our generation. Their passion forces them to evaluate their beliefs and each other, as well as the heartbreak they leave behind them, as they embark on a journey that takes them from London and Belfast to Beirut and Havana. Cosponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series and the Program in Women and Gender Studies. (UK, 2004, 100 minutes) Free
APRIL 22, SATURDAY
Setting Poetry to Music
7:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Music Department Chair Peter Hamlin '73 offers a pre-concert talk about his new piece Nature Revisited, a setting of poems by acclaimed author and fellow Middlebury College faculty member Jay Parini, to be premiered by the Chamber Singers later in the evening. Hamlin offers some general thoughts about the relationship between poetry and music, and specific comments about how Parini's poems inspired his music. The Middlebury College Chamber Choir appears to perform live excerpts of the music. Free
APRIL 22, SATURDAY
A Choral Potpourri
Middlebury College Chamber Singers, Jeff Rehbach, conductor
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
This year's Chamber Singers annual springtime concert program features the world premiere of a new work by Middlebury College alumnus and music department faculty member Peter Hamlin '73. The newly composed song cycle Nature Revisited includes the poetry of Middlebury College author Jay Parini that depicts the way we may view seasons and the nature against the backdrop of today's society. Also on the program are two sacred motets based on traditional chant and hymn tunes: Veni sponsa Christiby Renaissance composer G.P. da Palestrina, and O Heiland, reiss die Himmel aufby German Romantic composer Johannes Brahms. The program includes the lush sounds of contemporary choral music from around the globe by Jan Sandström (Sweden), Javier Busto (Spain), Eleanor Daley (Ontario, Canada), Stephen Chatman (British Columbia, Canada), as well as Vermont composer-conductor Troy Peters' new composition Vain World adieu written for Social Band's Vermont Composers Project. The Chamber Singers also will sing a selection of songs originally arranged for the King's Singers, including U2's MLKand the folk song Londonderry Air (Danny Boy), and a dynamic arrangement of the spiritual The Battle of Jericho by the noted choral conductor Moses Hogan. Also note the pre-concert talk at 7:00 P.M. Free
NOW CANCELED!
APRIL 26, WEDNESDAY
Ethan Miller and Kate Boverman, singer/songwriters for social justice
8:00 P.M., The Grille
Free
APRIL 26, WEDNESDAY
Our Deepest Fear
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Nick Cloutier '07, bass-baritone, presents a smorgasbord of song with the help of several talented supporting musical artists in an attempt to let his light shine in the hopes that it will encourage others to do the same. Sponsored by the De[artment of Music. Free
APRIL 27, THURSDAY
Bob Gluck
8:00 P.M.,Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Discover electronic music with this acclaimed musician, composer, teacher, and rabbi who combines musical and spiritual theory with surprising results. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Free
APRIL 28, FRIDAY
Spring Recital by Piano Students of Diana Fanning
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Works by Chopin, Debussy, Brahms, MacDowell, and Mozart. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Free
APRIL 28–29, FRIDAY–SATURDAY
Colin Penley '06, Edwin "Pop" Semidey '06, and Friends: Dance Works
8:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Dance Theatre
Seniors Penley and Semidey anchor this evening of dance with pieces that investigate gender, storytelling, and relationship. By integrating his interests in dance and visual art, Penley considers how a body moves through space and can also be captured in a single moment. Semidey combines dance and creative writing to tell moving stories. Faculty members Penny Campbell and Su Lian Tan join other "friends" to contribute new works to this multimedia event. Tickets: $5/4/3; on sale April 14.
APRIL 29, SATURDAY
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (Kôkaku Kidôtai 2: Inosensu)
3:00 and 8:00 P.M., Dana Auditorium
Batô is a living cyborg in this animé feature by Mamoru Oshi (Avalon, Ghost in the Shell). The film depicts the debauchery of a lonesome ghost of a man, in an era when the boundary between humans and machines has become infinitely vague, but who nevertheless seeks to retain some humanity. In Japanese with English subtitles. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. (Japan, 2004, 99 minutes) Free
APRIL 30, SUNDAY
Jenna Boyle '06, vocalist
3:00 P.M., Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Senior Jenna Boyle caps her music studies with a full recital of a wide variety of music. Her repertoire will include arias from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and Bizet's Carmen, German and Spanish art songs, and a selection of Broadway and jazz music. Cynthia Huard accompanies her on piano. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Free