Monday, March 27, 2017 at 8:00p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College

Free Admission

One of improvised music’s most in-demand guitarists, Mary Halvorson has been active in New York since 2002. Critics have called her “a singular talent” (JazzTimes), “one of the most exciting and original guitarists in jazz – or otherwise” (Wall Street Journal), and “one of today’s most formidable bandleaders” (Village Voice). The Philadelphia City Paper adds, “Halvorson has been steadily reshaping the sound of jazz guitar in recent years with her elastic, sometimes-fluid, sometimes-shredding, wholly unique style.”

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

Music by Robert Reale  Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale Based on the books by Arnold Lobel Originally presented on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner, Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman  World Premiere at The Children’s Theatre Company Minneapolis, Minnesota

A hit on Broadway and nominated for 3 TONY Awards, this whimsical musical follows two great friends — the cheerful, popular Frog and the curmudgeonly Toad — through four, fun-filled seasons,  From meeting new friends, planting a garden, sledding in winter and learning life lessons along the way,  A Year With Frog And Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures and weathers all seasons.

Ages: Pre K – Grade 5
Running time: 60 minutes

Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 7:00p.m., Buckley Recital Hall, Amherst College

Free Admission

A highlight of New York’s 2016 Winter Jazzfest was the debut of the OGJB Quartet. Barry Altschul, a one-time drummer of Cir-cle (with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Anthony Braxton), is still a force of nature behind the drum kit at 73. Lake, also 73 and a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet, is as expressive and probing on his instrument as ever. Fonda, at 61, and Haynes, at 55, are the youngsters of this adventurous group.

ELLIS, ISLAND OF DREAMS

Friday, March 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

Book and Lyrics by Debra Clinton, Music and Additional Lyrics by Jason Marks

Ellis Island was the entry point to the land of dreams for countless immigrants from 1892 to 1954. Follow the story of a family’s trials, heartbreak, and triumphs in this brand new musical production that reestablishes the understanding that we are all truly a nation of immigrants.

Ages: Grades 3 – 5
Running time: 55 minutes

Thursday, February 28, 2017 7:30pm

General Admission: $45, $40, $20; Five College, GCC and 17 & Under: $15, $12, $10

Sydney Dance Company comes to the FAC under the exuberant artistic direction of Rafael Bonachela, a self-proclaimed “movement junkie.” Vividly imagined, his sensuous aesthetic has signaled a new chapter for the legendary company whose dancers infuse the stage with “creative precision and exhilarating energy.” (Sydney Morning Herald) For its Amherst appearance, the company presents a powerful mixed repertory program that delivers a high-energy tour de force, celebrating the dancers’ fierce physicality. “Passionate yet highly precise, demanding and often breath-stealing.” – The Guardian

 

Thursday, Feburary 23, 2017 7:30pm

General Admission: $35, $30, $20; Five College, GCC and 17 & Under: $10

The Seeker of Truth unites Middle Eastern and South Asian musical traditions, blending powerful and rich music with global traditions of spirituality, healing, culture and mysticism. Featuring four musicians and Dervish Aziz, the Yuval Ron Ensemble performs music that is exhilarating, hypnotic, ecstatic and even meditative. As an educator and peace activist, Yuval Ron is dedicated to bringing cultural harmony through music.

Thursday, February 16, 2017 7:30pm

General Admission: $35, $25; Five College, GCC and 17 & Under: $10

Timeless classics are elevated by modern masters when acclaimed pianist Aaron Diehl and Grammy-winning vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant revisit and revitalize the works of jazz piano greats George Gershwin and Jelly Roll Morton. Combining lesser-known works with new arrangements, the duo’s energetic interpretations celebrate a musical lineage that spans a century. With shades of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, Salvant burst onto the scene when she won the 2010 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition at only 21.

Thursday, February 09, 2017 7:30pm

General Admission: $35, $30, $20; Five College, GCC and 17 & Under: $10

Celebrating 30 years of dance, chants and traditions, Halau Hula Ka No?eau captivates audiences with their exquisitely artistic and culturally authentic Hawaiian dance performances. Choreographer and cultural historian Michael Pili Pang, presents a new work based on the traditional legends of Hawaiian gods who were revered as heroes and the creators of the Hawaiian Islands. Pang creates innovative choreography that combines traditional hula, music and chants into high artistic expression.

THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE

Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

This enchanting musical is based on C.S. Lewis’ adventure story about four children in war-torn England, who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. In a strange and wondrous place ruled by a cold-hearted White Witch, the children fulfill an ancient prophecy by defeating the witch, and restore peace and sunshine to the spell-bound Narnia by returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.

Ages: Grades 1 – 7
Running time: 60 minutes

Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 8:00p.m., Bezanson Recital Hall

General Admission: $15; Five College, GCC and 17 & Under: $7

Over his 30-year career, guitarist Marc Ribot has explored everything from the pioneering jazz of Albert Ayler to the Cuban son style of Arsenio Rodríguez, while contributing to the careers of Neko Case, Diana Krall, Solomon Burke, John Lurie, Marianne Faithful, Allen Toussaint, Caetono Veloso, Allen Ginsburg, Nora Jones and The Black Keys. “He can sit down with just his gui-tar and simultaneously confound you with technique, beauty, and surprise,” writes PopMatters. The magazine picked Ribot’s most recent solo release, Silent Moves, for their Best Music of 2010 shortlist.