Sunday April 26 is the encore performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Shakespeare’s comedy. This play is performed in a unique way, by a unique group of students.  Put on last semester by the Japanese Theater class, the play is brought back this semester by the Asian Pacific American Student Services for the Gateway to Asia fest at CSU. 

This performance is unique because the play is performed completely in Japanese, and performed in the three traditional styles of Japanese theater: Noh, Kyogen and Kabuki.

“Noh was developed 700 years ago,” said Masako Beecken, teacher of the Japanese Theater class.  “Noh actors are all skilled singers, although not in a western sense.  Singling is more like chanting.  Noh expresses the darker side of humanity and topics often include demons, ghosts and tragedies.”

Because of the themes found in Noh, Beecken San decided to have the Fairies in the play act in the Noh style. 

Edie Adams is one actor in the play, and she plays Titania, Queen of the Fairy world. 

“Although traditionally Noh has little to no humor in Japanese plays, we are mostly speaking in ‘Noh voices,’ which are deeper and slower than Kyogen and Kabki,” she said. 

Kyogen, another style found in the play, is traditionally played between Noh plays and is a classical Japanese comic theater said Beeken San. 

Robert Mitchell is another actor in the play, and also the assistant stage manager.  He says Kyogen is usually performed in colloquial Japanese.  In the play, the mechanics, or the characters performing the play in the play, are played in Kyogen.

Kabuki is the final Japanese style used in the play.  Kabuki uses lots of exaggeration seen in everything from makeup to costumes, said Beecken San. 

In the play, the lovers represent the Kabuki style. Mitchell said that in Kabuki only men actors were allowed to act.  In this play, the students play off the idea of cross-dressing. 

Beecken San had a very strong opinion about the cultural importance of the play to CSU audiences, saying much of the younger generation has missed out on viewing Japanese plays. 

“The introduction of and exposure to these different traditional art forms to non-Japanese people is significant and a rare experience for the community.” 

“The fact that we can successfully put on a play and get asked to do it again is really significant,” Mitchell said. 

The performance begins at 7 p.m. in the LSC Theater, and is free and open to the public.  

Monday April 20 there is a Harp Ensemble concert at 7:30 p.m.  $5 for students $10 for public.

Tuesday April 21 there is a Virtuoso Series Faculty Chamber Music concert at 7:30 p.m.  $5 for students, and always guaranteed a good show.  

Thursday April 23 there is a Flute Chor Concert at 7:30 p.m.  

Thursday, Friday Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. is “Six Characters in Search of an Author” by Luigi Pirandello.  It is $7 for students, and I went on Saturday night with a friend.  Talk about an interesting show! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the audience actor relationship.  I wrote an article on it last week, so hopefully this will help you understand what to expect.  

Also Friday  and Saturday there is a Combined Choral and Orchestral Concert at 7:30 p.m.  It is $5 for students.  This is a great time to see what the CSU orchestra and choir classes have to offer.  

Also Friday and Saturday there is a Spring Dance Concert at 8:00 p.m.  It is $6 for students, and again, if interested in dance, this is a great place to see what is going on.  

Also going on this week, Sunday there will be a presentation of a Midsummer Night’s Dream in the LSC Theater performed in Japanese.  I went to this last semester, and there will be super titles so you can understand what is going on.  The different Japanese theater styles add a different layer to the play.  Highly recommend it for anyone interested in different theater styles.

Tonight, Monday April 13 there is a Virtuoso Series Concert featuring Guadalupe Lopez on the Piano at 7:30 p.m.  

Tuesday there is a Student Chamber Music showcase at 7:30 p.m.  Here is an incentive to check this event out: it is Free, that’s right, costs nothing to go! So, go check out some great CSU talent without hurting your wallet.

Wednesday there is another Virutoso Series Concert featuring Hasse Borup on violin, and Mary Kathleen Ermst on piano at 7:30 p.m.  

Thursday- Sunday April 16- 20 is the performance of “Six Characters in search of an Author” by Luigi Pirandello.  All performances start at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $7 for students and $16 for the public.  
Now, I’ve been covering this show for the Colleigan, and let me say this about the show:  it will definitely not be boring.  The script toys with the relationship between characters in a fictional work and the audience.  Every person that I interviewed had something to say about the interpretation of the work, the way the audience should perceive these characters, and the experience the audience will have while in the show. I highly recommend this show to anyone interested in viewing something intellectually stimulating, and questioning what they are experiencing at the same time.  I know I’ll be there Friday night for sure!

Also Thursday there is a World Percussion Concert at 7:30 p.m.

Now, in the Collegian there was advertised Jonathan Biss performing April 20 at the Lincoln Center.  The Lincoln Center website describes the performance as: “Hailed as one of the major new artists to emerge in the last decade, Jonathan Biss has already proved himself an accomplished and exceptional musician with a flourishing international reputation.” Tickets are $28 for the public and $14 for students.  The performance is 7:30 p.m.

I’m always interested to hear what everyone thinks of the events they do attend, but am hoping that those who go to see “Six Characters in Search of an Author” post.  I’d defiantly like to hear what you think of the performance, and I will be posting my thoughts as well!

As always, comments are welcome and appreciated!

Text of podcast:

(Soundbite of Diana singing Charles Gounond’s “Ah, Je Veux Vivre” from “Romeo et Juliette”)

ASHLEY LAUWEREINS: Diana Young-Murray is a junior at Colorado State University who loves music.  Among other things, she loves to sing.  Initially getting involved in high school, she now enjoys singing opera and other classical works. 

DIANA YOUNG-MURRAY: Opera takes so much vocal technique and training to just do it correctly without hurting your voice.  For me it is a good challenge because in opera you have to put in that focus and training to understand it and be able to sing it correctly.

LAUWEREINS: Diana originally got involved with piano at an early age, and this is what inspired her love of music.  Today she still plays piano, composing her own pieces based off of her mood. 

(soundbite of Diana playing her composed piece, which is untitled)

YOUNG-MURRAY: When I play stuff on the piano it’s more me just composing what’s coming out of my head at the moment.  I’m normally going along with my own emotions, which is my own music therapy for myself.

LAUWEREINS: Her love of music helped Diana find music therapy, a major she is pursuing today.  Diana explained that by using music she is able to help people with simple movements and movement rehabilitation. 

(soundbite of metronome)

YOUNG-MURRAY: We would just work on physical rehabilitation, work on Gate which is getting a steadier walk, and we’d give them just a really strong rhythmic beat.  Especially when you’re working with Gate training, it helps because you know when to place your feet down and it would be more coordinated, more together whereas if they didn’t have that beat it wouldn’t be as coordinate.  So we definitely saw an improvement when music was added to their life.  And some of them, they still actually listen to a metronome, just to have a solid beat whenever they’re walking.  It helps them stay constant.  Specifically for me I want to go into early childhood development and work with Autistic kids.

LAUWEREINS: Todd Resseguie is a music major and friend of Diana’s.  He explains why music is so important to music therapy. 

TODD RESSEGUIE: Well I think it’s important for all music therapists to enjoy what they’re doing, both the therapy side and the music side. From what I’ve noticed from the outside as just a music educator, if you only have passion for one part of your job then you’re not going to be successful.  So the fact that she loves music and she loves singing so much she’s never going to lose that part of the job.

(soundbite of Diana playing another song she has written, again Untitled. 

LAUWERIENS: Diana says while she is aiming to be a musical therapist, she still wants to be involved with a chorus in an opera company.  Above everything else Diana enjoys sharing music with different people and exposing them to music they may not have been aware of before.  This is Ashley Lauwereins, Colorado State University

There were actually quite a few people looking around when I was there, but it was still a small crowd, and very quiet.  The exhibition covers several different concentrations, and several different topics.  I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a wide variety of artwork.  

Student work from the Undergraduate Art Exhibition

Student work from the Undergraduate Art Exhibition

Student work from the Undergraduate Art Exhibition

Student work from the Undergraduate Art Exhibition

If anyone gets the chance to visit the exhibit, post what you think on here! Comments are always welcome and appreciated!

At the UCA this week the month continues with events showcasing many different areas of the university.

Monday April 6 is a Virtuoso Series featuring Robert Brewer, Tuba.  This is at 7:30 p.m. 

On Wednesday April 8 there is a Jazz Ensembles Concert at 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday another museum is opening, the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising.  There is a reception at 7 p.m.  Museum hours: Monday – Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
“Window to the World features a representative sampling of artifacts from around the world, including Central Asian costuming, richly embroidered and embellished garments from China and Japan, late 19th century American quilts, apparel and textiles from India, 19th century fashionable dress, and much, much more,” says the CSU website.

On Friday April 10 there is a Virtuoso series concert featuring guest Borromeo String Quartet taking place at 7:30 p.m. 

Saturday April 11 there is a MasterClass festival Borromero String Quartet at 10:30 a.m.  

Also on Saturday there is the Avenir Museum Workshop and Open house from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  
“A hands-on Care and Handling Workshop, providing information on the care, display and preservation of family artifacts, is offered in conjunction with the opening of our new facility. Workshop participants will be provided with specific information to help them better care for their personal heirlooms. Space is limited. The workshop is free but reservations are required. Call 970.491.1629 to reserve your space. An Open House of the new Avenir Museum Annex storage facility provides the public with a rare opportunity to see this behind the scenes controlled environment facility with state-of-the-art storage cabinets. No reservations are necessary; you do not have to participate in the workshop to attend the open house,” again according to the website. 

The Undergraduate Exhibition opened in the Curfman Gallery on Saturday, so it is not open through May. I am going to work to get some pictures up so you guys know what to expect, but it is in the perfect place to stop by in between classes and check out.  It is quiet and always interesting to visit.  

So those are the events as of now. As always, comments are welcome, as well as questions or suggestions.  Let me know if I’m missing any major events that you are interested in! I’m always open to suggestions and comments.

Verve cover for University Gallery opening

Today the new University Gallery opens in the UCA.  This comes after a semester of preparation from CSU faculty and student volunteers.  I was fortunate enough to cover the museum in a story for today’s Collegian.  

Along with the opening comes a slew of events to celebrate.  

Tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. there is a Ribbon Cutting and Opening Reception in the University Art Museum.  

Tomorrow the Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for normal hours.

Tomorrow evening there will a Keynote Guest Artist Lecture from Mel Chin at 5 p.m.

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m . there is the Annual Fromt Range Symposium in the History of art.  This will take place in room 158  in the UCA.

There is also a graduate student open studio tour in the Visal Arts Building from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There will also be a Hatton Gallery History of the art department exhibition in the Visual Arts Building from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday There will be an Art Department open house in the Hatton Gallery in the Visual Arts Building from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a huge weekend for CSU, since the gallery is a museum quality gallery that is free to the public of Fort Collins and CSU.  In the University Gallery will be three separate shows.  ” Reflection, Refraction, Reconfiguration: Images from the Collection of Polly and Mark Addison” features modern artwork.  ”African Art From Colorado State University Collections” and “The Art of the Japanese Print ” both feature works donated to CSU from past faculty and students.  

I will work to post pictures of the artwork up here online, but the show will run through the rest of the semester.  Stop in and check it out at some point.  The display of the artwork is amazing, and this is a huge accomplishment for CSU.

I found out that the band concert is rescheduled during class time this week, which is a little bit of a bummer if you can’t make those times.  The Symphonic one is later this week, but concert band was yesterday.

Wednesday April 1 there is a Jazz Combos concert at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday April 2 there is a Collegium Musicum Concert starting at 7:30 p.m.  

Also Thursday is the opening of the University Gallery.  I will post a special blog dedicated to those events, as well as the opening more in detail on Thursday.  The official opening is from 7-9 p.m.  Within the University Gallery will be the Reflection, Refraction, Reconfiguration, the African Art from CSU, and the Art of the Japanese Print collections.

Friday April 3 there will be a Museum Opening Keynote speaker Mel Chin at 5 p.m. at the UCA.

Also on Friday April 3 and Saturday April 4 there will be a Student Dance Concert at 8 p.m.  I’m working on a Collegian article, and it sounds like this is entirely student produced, directed and choreographed.  

I talked with the PR lady from the UCA today, there are only five days this month where there are no events going on at the UCA! It’s definately going to be a busy month there.

All month at the Lincoln Center there is Anon(ymous) open stage theater.  This is a Colorado premier, and is based on Homer’s “The Odyssey.”  According to the website: “Separated from his mother, a young refugee called Anon flees his war torn country and embarks on a journey to a new life. Swept ashore in the United States, he encounters a wide variety of people – some kind, some dangerous and cruel – as he searches for his family. From a sinister one-eyed butcher to beguiling barflies to a sweatshop, Anon must rely on his instinct, resilience and humor as he navigates through a chaotic, ever-changing landscape. As abundant, funny, anguished and hopeful as America itself, Anon(ymous) offers a rich and witty exploration of how we all search for home and identity.”  
Tickets are $20 for community member, $15 for students.   Times vary.  

Saturday is also the opening for the Undergraduate art Exhibition at the Curfman Gallery.  This time I will be sure to post pictures for those of you who are interested.

Phew, busy week. And I know with the weather getting nicer it’s a good time to get out of the house and see what’s going on in Fort Collins.

Feel free to post if you go to any of these events so other’s know what to expect!

Just a small post stating that the band concert this evening has been canceled due to the snow.

I will keep you updated about that, but for now, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and snuggle up at home. You probably shouldn’t be going anywhere today.

With the next half of the semester come some very interesting events around CSU.  Lets get started with the events taking place this week. 

Wednesday March 25 there is a Wind Ensemble Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for community members.  There will be a special performance by Silvana Santinelli playing Piano this evening also.

Thursday March 26 at 7:30 p.m. there is a Symphonic and Concert Band Concert.  It is the same price as the event Wednesday, $5 students and $10 community members.

Friday March 27 there is a University Chorus and Women’s Chorus Concert at 7:30 p.m.  

Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 27-29 there will be the performance of “Eurydice” at 8p.m. in the Studio Theater.  Tickets are $7 for CSU students and $16 for the public.  I will be doing more on this later this week, so if interested check it out there.

This is also a reminder that the Art and Science Exhibition is still going on in the Curfman Gallery until this Friday March 27! Go see it before it closes for the year.

The Curfman Gallery is also accepting pieces for their Undergraduate Art Exhibit.  Look for that to open April 3.

This seems to be it for this week! I will stop by the Art and Science Exhibit and get some pictures to post up here soon.  Remember to check it out this week before it closes Friday!

As always, comments are welcome and appreciated! 

Have a wonderful week back.  Remember not to work too hard; take a break at one of these events!