Piano recital Thursday

Bloomsburg University's piano instructor, Cathal Breslin, will give a piano recital Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., in Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium.

On the program: Chopin's Four Ballades, Brahms' from Klavierstucke Op.118 (III. Ballade in g minor and VI. Intermezzo in e flat minor), Philip Hammond's "Forgotten Longing" (2011), Prokofiev's Sonata No.4 Op.29 (D'apres des vieux cahiers). The program will be broken into two halves of approximately 30 minutes each, with an intermission between.

 A native of Ireland, Breslin has toured both the far east and Europe. He has performed in New York City's Carnegie Hall and his Mozart Sonatas and Takemitsu Concerto recordings for the EBU network have been broadcast in over 30 countries and have aired on NPR, ABC and the BBC.

Guitar with a classic twist

Bloomsburg University's Guitar Ensemble will give a free concert Monday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium. The show is free and open to the public.

The 13-member ensemble's director Matthew Slotkin, has scheduled a program that will feature solos, small groups and the entire ensemble. Works being performed are Renaissance dances by Michael Praetorius, a trio by 20th-century German master Paul Hindemith, music from film scores by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, a quartet, "Oyun," by guitarist/composer Carlo Domeniconi and Brazilian dances by Celso Machado. For information, contact Slotkin.

More guitar photos on my sister blog bloomufocus.

BU seniors exhibiting in December

Works by five student artists will be featured in the Fall Senior Exit Show in Bloomsburg University's Haas Gallery of Art from Tuesday, Dec. 6, to Saturday, Dec. 17. The show will open with a reception Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., where the seniors will talk briefly about their work.

This event is free and open to the public. Seniors presenting their works are: Kelly Geist, Coal Township; Kristen Griesacker, Littlestown; Ralph Hinkle, Bloomsburg; Natalie Nickol, Yardley; and Keith Seaman, Newport. Haas Gallery of Art is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. For more information contact Rebecca Rugg, gallery associate.

Words to warm you

The River Poets will have readings on Thursday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 4.

On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market St., Carol Ann Heckman, an MFA from Bowling Green State University, will give readings with an emphasis on word play. Mike DeMarco is MC and an open reading follows.

On Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Priestly Chapel (380 Front St., Northumberland about a 40-minute drive from Bloomsburg) George Manning will read poems of Robert Hayden, Poetry Advisor to Library of Congress from 1976-78. Hayden was the first African-American to hold this post. Gunilla Geise will read poems in English and Swedish of Tomas Transtromer, 2011 Nobel winner in Literature. Charles Phelps will provide music on wind organ and piano.

'Nutcracker' coming to Bloomsburg

For those with little girls in the house (or just ballet fans) ...

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia will perform "The Nutcracker" on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Bloomsburg University's Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall. Part of BU's Celebrity Artist Series, tickets are $29.50 for adults and $16.50 for children.

It's possible that this show will be a sellout or near sellout, so if you're interested, spring for the tickets sooner rather than later.

This is the same company that performed "Sleeping Beauty" at BU last year. The troupe has performed in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Several of the dancers have been honored for their talents, including People's Artist of Russia Tatyana Frolova and Honored Artists of Russia Vladislav Ivanov, Mikhail Negrobov and Piotr Popov.

I'm a sucker for ballet. It was, along with fencing, one of my gym classes in college (there was a football player in the class) ... and they have some  similarities. Ballet was also the one show I saw in my college's big auditorium. Now I have a little girl of my own who is very excited about this show. The photo is from the Arabian cocoa sequence, which happens to be my fav. — E.G.F.

A holiday choral concert

Bloomsburg University's Concert Choir, Husky Singers and Women's Choral Ensemble will present the annual "Carols by Candlelight" concert on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St., Bloomsburg. Admission is free, but tickets are required.

Tickets, limited to two per person, are available at the Haas Center for the Arts Box Office weekdays from noon to 4 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays while classes are in session. Tickets are needed to guarantee seating because First Presbyterian can be packed for this show.

Organist Harry Martenas and pianist Valyn Boy will accompany the groups and, throughout the evening, the audience will be invited to join in singing familiar carols. A free-will offering will be taken to support the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. For information, call the Haas Center for the Arts Box Office, (570) 389-4409.

Two new exhibits at The Moose

There are two new exhibits up at the Moose Exchange, 203 W. Main St. Both groups are having receptions Friday, Nov. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Photo Stop Studio & Gallery members are exhibiting their "Keystone Collection" on the first floor. Featured artists are Michelle Yost, Joe Mazzatesta, and Seunghyo Hong.

The Stairwell Gallery is featuring the Susquehanna River Arts premier exhibition, showcasing work by a group of established local artists. Susquehanna River Arts artists include Dave Ashby; Sara Baker; Annie Barnhardt; Robert Brown; Linda Doucette; Marcia Lilley; Richard Lilley; Joan McCarty; Sara Mika; Larry Ney II; Deb Stabley; Sandy Tranor; William Whitmoyer; and Shene Woodley. The exhibition is up until Dec. 26, 2011. The Moose Exchange Stairwell Gallery is free and open to the public.

The concert season is upon us

Late November and early December means that the sun rises late, sets early, and it will be dark and gray a lot. But, if it's some slight consolation, there will also be a bunch of concerts on campus (and town). The roundup:

• Wind Ensemble: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall. Steve Clickard conducts.
• Chamber Singers: Saturday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market Street.
• Jazz Ensemble: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m., Carver Hall, Gross Auditorium. Clickard conducts here too.
• Faculty recital: Thursday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium. Cathal Breslin, piano.
• "Carols by Candlelight:" Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Market St. A team up with the Concert Choir, Husky Singers and Women's Choral Ensemble. This show is so popular that you must get a ticket (First Pres. is a beautiful setting for the concert, but seating is limited). Call the Mitrani box office at (570) 389-4409.
• Guitar Ensemble: Monday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Carver Hall, Gross Auditorium. Matthew Slotkin directs. 

Yep, they're upside down

The Bloomsburg University Dance Ensemble will give its annual Fall Showcase Sunday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. in Nelson Field House. Admission is free, but they will take donations. The photos are from the Spring show in Haas Center for the Arts. Click on any of the photos to make them larger.

In which the viola gets its due ...

Alas, the viola, always playing second fiddle (so to speak) to its smaller sister, the violin. This writer however, really likes the sound the viola ... a little more Alison Moyet and a little less Kate Bush.

Here's a great example of what a viola can do. This weekend, the viola gets its due in the Bloomsburg University-Community Orchestra concert Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m., in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall.

Violinist Flavia Pisco and violist Renata Ribeiro will be featured. On the program: Delius’ Florida Suite and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. And it's a cheap date. Admission is free.

 — E.G. Foster

Make a joyful noise

Bloomsburg University's Gospel Choir performs Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. in Kehr Union, Ballroom. Regardless of your religious convictions, this choir makes an awesome sound. If they don't move you, have your pulse checked. This show is one of my favorite things to see throughout the year (another is the BU Dance Ensemble show.)
  — E.G. Foster

Theatre: 'Burial at Thebes' draws on Noh experience

The Burial at Thebes, a collaborative show featuring the Bloomsburg University Players and  Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble artists opens Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alvina Krause Theatre, Center Street, Bloomsburg.

Written by Irish poet Seamus Heaney, “The Burial at Thebes” is a modern retelling of the legend of Antigone. This updated version focuses on a conflict between the daughter of the late King Oedipus and her father’s successor. The new king believes Antigone’s recently deceased brother was a traitor and refuses to honor his death, but Antigone defends her brother’s position as a brave warrior.

Showtimes are Wednesday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 13. Performances on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the show on Sunday will start at 3 p.m. All performances will be held at the Alvina Krause Theatre, located at 226 Center Street in downtown Bloomsburg. Advance tickets are available at the Haas Center Box Office, which can be reached at (570) 389-4409. 

BU students involved in the production are:

•  Cast - Adriana Maritato, Ashley Montijo, Chris Tobias, Phil Czekner, Eddie Buck, Chelsea Lucas, Lauren Shover, Jaryn Wilcox, Ben Deivert, Dan Clark , Natasha Willis, Robert Pellechio, Gabriella Russo, Holli Trivelpiece, Sydney Hare, Courtney Costello, Brittany Harris, Donovan Krebs and Chanel Kantz. 
•  Crew - Rebecca Kestel, Sean (Dave) Kim, Adam Wilson, Jack Ward , Anthony Roslevich, Emily Miller, Megan Young, Mary Reinsburrow, Penelope Andrews, Rebecca Kestel, Sonya Anderson, Maya Anderson, Mary Heffner, Amaris Nieves, Nicky Patton, Adam Wilson, Ashley Montijo, Erin Posenna, Tasha Jenkin, Emily Miller and Chelsea Lucas. 
•  Also makeup designer Lauren Abbruzzese, lighting designer Joshua Curran, costume designer Megan Combs, property designer Rachel DelVecchio, assistant director Kaitlyn Ide and stage manager Liz Nugent. Additionally, visiting assistant professor of theatre David Dannenfelser is director for the performance and Karen Anselm, professor of theatre, worked on costume design.

The Noh Training Project, the only intensive Noh training program outside of Japan, brings together members of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and students at BU. Elizabeth Dowd, producing director of the project, acted as a consultant for the production and is responsible for much of the choreography in the show.

Miscellanae

Measuring time, artfully: Bloomsburg University’s Percussion Ensemble will perform Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Haas Center for Arts, Mitrani Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

Art behind bars: Phyllis Kornfeld, author of “Cellblock Visions: Prison Art in America,” will give a talk Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Bloomsburg University’s McCormick Center, room 1303. She will discuss American prison art, which encompasses a wide variety of genres, often limited to basic materials allowed in prison cells.

Celebrate e.e. cummings: Well-known actor Anthony Zerbe will perform “It’s All Done with Mirrors” on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. in Bloomsburg University’s Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium. The show is part of BU’s Celebrity Artist Series. Tickets are $29.50 for adults and $16.50 for children. The performance is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Box office: (570) 389-4409.

Violin, viola matchup: The Bloomsburg University-Community Orchestra will perform Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m., in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall, featuring Flavia Pisco, violin, and Renata Ribeiro, viola. The program includes Delius’ Florida Suite and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. Admission is free.

Unusual galleries

The Haas Gallery of Art may be the most prominent of the exhibition spaces at Bloomsburg University, but there's plenty of art to be seen elsewhere on campus.
Professors typically have their students exhibit in the lobby of Old Science Hall. At right, Erica LoPresti's Raggedy Ann was one of the many works shown from art professor Jason Godeke's class. LoPresti's work caught my eye because the lines are strong and confident and with pencil, it's easy to go soft and tentative.

Some other cool places to catch some art on campus: 

• The main entrance lobby of Kehr Union has cases of pottery from acclaimed masters Shiho Kanzaki and Toshiko Takaezu. Area printmaker Alden Schwarz has a very large print of sunflowers in one of the stairwell. 
• Of course Andruss Library has priceless Tiffany windows on the second floor facing west. 
• And though not exactly art, there is a fantastic collection of stuffed birds of prey in the lobby of Hartline Science Center.

Do you have a favorite piece of art on campus? Send me a line.