Events

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

4:30 PM

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

The Huddle and the Higher Ground

5:30 PM

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

A Professional's "Under-The-Hood" Look At Recording a CD

7:30 PM

A rare behind-the scenes peek into how modern music is created, by a 50+ year recording artist and guitar instructor.

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

Jazz Workshop

3:00 PM

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

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

6:30 PM

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

Presenting Princess Shaw

7:00 PM

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

3:00 PM

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

3:00 PM

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.

New Directions Spring Arts Festival: In the Moment

2:00 PM

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?

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public

New Directions Spring Arts Festival: 27 Breaths

2:15 PM

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…

Mahaney Arts Center, Olin C. Robison Concert Hall

Open to the Public