Office of Public Affairs
(315) 312-2265
Aug. 14, 2003
CONTACT: Mary Avrakotos, 312-4581, artswego@oswego.edu
ARTSWEGO 2003-04 SEASON OFFERS VARIETY
OF PERFORMING ARTS AT SUNY OSWEGO
OSWEGO -- African-American dance, eclectic modern
jazz, postmodern performance art, Chinese acrobats and cinematic
musical theatre are among the attractions slated for the 2003-04
Artswego Performing Arts Series at SUNY Oswego.
"One of the most important aims of the series is to
bring top-quality, highly creative forms of entertainment that our
students, as well as members of the Central New York community, would
not normally see," said Mary Avrakotos, coordinator of Artswego.
Philadanco, an African-American dance troupe from
Philadelphia, will kick off the season with performances at 8 p.m.
Sept. 19 and 20 in Tyler Hall's Waterman Theatre. Known for
cutting-edge choreography, flexibility and fluidity, Philadanco
presents a diverse selection of original arrangements. "Sheer pleasure
in dancing radiates from this modern-dance troupe," according to a New
York Times review.
This project is partially supported by a grant from
Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed by the Vira
I. Heinz Endowment; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts, a state agency; the Pew Charitable Trusts; and
administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
On Nov. 8, the Charlie Hunter Trio will headline the
college's annual Jazz Guitar Festival. Hunter, who plays the
eight-string bass, will lead his combo at 8 p.m. in Waterman Theatre as
well as appearing at the daylong festival. Billboard magazine has
praised Hunter, who has released nine albums in the last decade, for
crafting "some of the most colorful, unorthodox, and rhythmically
charged jazz in contemporary music."
The Jazz Guitar Festival and Charlie Hunter Trio are
made possible with public funds provided by the Oswego County
Legislature as administered through Arts and Culture for Oswego County.
Big Apple Music, D'Addario Guitars and Speedway Press also support the
festival, which will offer workshops, master classes and performances.
A dreamlike production by world-traveling troupe Les
Deux Mondes, "Living Memory (Memoire Vive)," will take Waterman Theatre
for two showings: one in French at 10:20 a.m. Feb. 6 and one in English
at 8 p.m. Feb. 7. The Montreal newspaper Voir described this "visually
stunning one-woman show" that explores memory as "one that leaves a
vivid impression on the imagination."
The New Shanghai Circus will perform at 8 p.m. March
25 in Waterman Theatre. Presenting moves "that reach literally
breathtaking heights of skill," according to the New York Times,
rigorously trained acrobats, contortionists, bicyclists, magicians and
jugglers perform complex feats -- some dating back more than 2,500
years.
A multimedia performance, "Voices of Light: The
Passion of Joan of Arc," featuring the Anonymous 4, will wrap up the
season with 8 p.m. shows May 6
and 7 in Waterman Theatre. This musical
theatre presentation features Carl Dreyer's classic silent film, "The
Passion of Joan of Arc," accompanied by a musical score from composer
Richard Einhorn.
The renowned vocal group Anonymous 4 provides the
"voice" of Joan of Arc, joined by the College-Community Orchestra and
SUNY Oswego's College Choir, Festival Chorus and Chamber Singers.
Entergy Nuclear Northeast provides support for the local appearance of
"Voices of Light."
The sweeping production has been described as "a
triumph" (Los Angeles Times), "brilliantly effective" (Washington Post)
and "an overwhelming experience" (Chicago Tribune).
Einhorn and Anonymous 4 also will present an
admission-free informance where they will discuss the show, describe
working in the field of performing arts, and take audience questions at
3 p.m. May 7 in Room 41 of Tyler Hall.
Subscribing early can yield "considerable savings,"
Avrakotos said. "This year, for the first time, you can create your own
series and save 10 to 20 percent
on the cost of tickets." This can be
done by ordering from a brochure available through the Tyler Hall box
office at 312-2141 or at the River's End Bookstore in downtown Oswego.
Artswego also makes special family packages available.
"If you plan to attend programs in the coming year,
purchasing tickets early is a good idea," Avrakotos said. "Not only are
you assured of securing the best
seats in the house, but frequently
shows sell out and you won't miss the opportunity to see these great
performances."
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