• photo of the speaker standing outside

    Sorrow, Tears and Blood: The Enduring Legacy of the Afrobeat Prophet

    Fela Anikulapo Kuti remains the most critical politically focused artist in African music history. This presentation will examine Kuti’s 1977 album, Sorrow, Tears and Blood, which serves as a focal point for his musical and political development. With Nigeria on the verge of a historic presidential election, this presentation takes stock of the conditions under which everyday Nigerians live through the soundscape and messages of the album. 

    This event is immediately followed by “The Huddle and The Higher Ground” (see separate listing).

    Mahaney Arts Center 221

    Open to the Public
  • photo of the speaker standing outside

    The Huddle and the Higher Ground

    How do we retain our talented faculty and staff, and how do we ensure that we are all working towards building an inclusive community? Dr. Shonekan will discuss two programs she designed and implemented for faculty and staff. “The Huddle” is a mentoring program for junior faculty, and “Higher Ground” is a series of conversations within staff about inclusion and diversity. 

    This event is immediately preceded by “Sorrow, Tears and Blood: The Enduring Legacy of the Afrobeat Prophet” (see separate listing).

    Mahaney Arts Center 221

    Open to the Public
  • Jazz Workshop

    A weekly session devoted to learning about and playing jazz in a small-group setting. Previous jazz experience is not required. Open to Middlebury College students only.

    Mahaney Arts Center 221

  • Photo of conductor and a still image of a film

    Pre-Show Talk: VSO’s Night at the Movies

    Join VSO Artistic Advisor and Project Conductor Matt LaRocca ’02, composer and Assistant Professor of Music Matthew Evan Taylor, and filmmaker and Animation Studio Producer Daniel Houghton ’06 for a talk about their artistic process.

    Mahaney Arts Center 125

    Open to the Public
  • Image of a woman with dark hair smiling

    Presenting Princess Shaw

    An uplifting documentary about an unexpected and unique collaboration between an American and an Israeli musicians.

    People all over the world post video clips online. They cram their video notes into virtual bottles and toss them into the boundless ocean that is the Internet. All they want is for someone to find the hidden treasure and to be seen.

    Twilight Auditorium 101

    Open to the Public
  • Jazz Workshop

    A weekly session devoted to learning about and playing jazz in a small-group setting. Previous jazz experience is not required. Open to Middlebury College students only.

    Mahaney Arts Center 221

  • Jazz Workshop

    A weekly session devoted to learning about and playing jazz in a small-group setting. Previous jazz experience is not required. Open to Middlebury College students only.

  • photo of the artist holding a saxophone

    New Directions Spring Arts Festival: In the Moment

    At this very moment,
    You’ve breathed molecules
    First produced by Cyanobacteria epochs ago
    How does this make you feel?
    Does it sound like this?

    Shows at 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

    Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

    Open to the Public
  • black and white photograph of the artists

    New Directions Spring Arts Festival: 27 Breaths

    27 Breaths is a live music and movement piece created and performed by composer and musician, Mathew Evan Taylor, and choreographer and dancer, Laurel Jenkins. In close proximity Taylor and Jenkins Inhale/Exhale, Push/Pull, never simply breathe…

    Shows at 2:15pm and 6:15pm.

    Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

    Open to the Public