Category: Free

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Umlando – Through My Father’s Eyes

Free public screening of “Umlando – Through My Father’s Eyes” featuring legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela and his American-born son Salema, an ESPN reporter for FIFA World Cup. Together they explore the people, culture and inspiring landscape of South Africa and the nation’s history. This 10 part series was featured during 2010 FIFA World Cup.
45 minutes

Co-sponsored by UMass Fine Arts Center, The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series and the Department of Sports Management.
Then come experience Hugh Masekela in concert on Wednesday, October 13 at 7:30pm in Bowker Auditorium. $30, $20; Five College/GCC/STCC students and youth $10. 1-800-999-UMAS or www.fineartscenter.com

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Upcoming events

AmericAura officially opens today, Monday, December 3rd at the Hampden Gallery here at the lovely UMass Amherst Campus. It’s “an exhibition of contemporary works on paper by fifty U.S. artists addressing the notion of national identity. The group includes emerging and professional artists, and enables the diversity of ethnic, racial, gender, philosophical, and political views to shine!” Go! Have fun!

And after having fun at the Hampden Gallery, why not visit the Augusta Savage Gallery? Their new exhibit just opened as well called “the the the is” and it’s “An installation inspired by John Coltrane, the shape of broccoli, Jean Micheal Basquiat, and Mohandas K. Ghandi.” It’s only here until December 7th to catch it before it goes!

Anyone interested in jazz, saxophones, music and/or is free Wednesday night on December 5th at 8:15pm should attend the Fred Anderson/Chad Taylor Duo concert happening at Bezanson Recital Hall. General tickets are ten bucks and students are FIVE! It’s practically a steal because where else can you hear live jazz saxophone music for five to ten bucks with Fred Anderson and Chad Taylor. “Fred Anderson is a commanding tenor saxophonist, and a leader of Chicago’s jazz community for over 30 years. Percussionist Chad Taylor formed the Chicago Underground Ensemble with Rob Mazurek in 1996, has worked with Peter Brotzmann, Leroy Jenkins and Joe McPhee, and is part of Chicago’s post-rock scene, where he has collaborated with Brokeback, Mouse on Mars, StereoLab, Tortoise and Jim O’Rourke.”

Take advantage of what the Fine Arts Center has to offer and enjoy yourself in this holiday season.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

The film called Little Red Flowers is playing at School of Management Room 137 on Wednesday, December 5, 7:00 pm. It’s in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. “A defiant kindergartener in 1950s Beijing refuses to conform in this effective and naturalistically acted cultural allegory.”

The art galleries hold their monthly Amherst Art Walk/UMass Art Hop on
Thursday, December 6 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

And, don’t forget to grab tickets for Cherish the Ladies for Wednesday, December 12 at the Concert Hall at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $35, $25, $15; Five College Students $15, $10, $7; Youth 17 and under $12. If you want to hear a sample: click . here

Have a wonderful week and stay safe on those icy streets.

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AACP film Buffalo Boy

I went to Buffalo Boy last night, the New Asia Cinema film for this week (Wednesdays at 7pm at SoM!)…. and it was amazing. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was captivated from the first moment to the very end.

I got a glimpse of what life in South Vietnam might be like. They vacillate between droughts and heavy rains, and I would NOT like being cold and wet most of the time. At one point, when the house they were in was torn apart by a storm and they went drifting away in half a house, I thought, “I got nothin’ to complain about!”

The cinematography was amazing. I was especially struck by the rain being captured on the water… first they showed it coming down really hard, then lighter and lighter, until it was finally still. Very cool.

Another interesting aspect was how they bury their dead there. When there is no land exposed for miles on end (or for months on end), how do they bury a body? Things that make you go, “Hmmmm…..”

I am definitely going to go back to another one of these films. It was very well done and more than worth the price of admission (just kidding… it’s FREE!!)

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Blue Hearts covered by Japanese Girl Band on Celluloid!

Wow! Who would’ve thought I’d find my next favorite old school band in a Japanese indie film! Linda, Linda, Linda Linda, Linda, Linda
played last night in UMass School of Management Rm 137. Little slow getting started but when they inadvertently discovered an old cassette by the Japanese punk band The Blue Hearts my ears became much happier! Can’t believe these films are free every Wed. night starting at 7 pm. and they’re not limited to students – I can even bring my off campus friends! Off to the Noho used CD bins in search of the Blue Hearts!
Asian Art & Culture Program
Sue

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Jazz, salsa and a girl rock band

What more could you ever want in the middle of the week? If you don’t know what you’re doing tomorrow night, have no fear; the Fine Arts Center is here! This Wednesday is quite merry! For those of you who don’t know, the Roswell Rudd/Mark Dresser Duo comes to UMass tomorrow night serending audiences with their music brilliance.

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Dresser “may be the most important bassist to emerge since 1980 in jazz or classical music.” This event is held at the Bezanson Recital Hall at 8:15pm. Student tickets cost $5 and general tickets are $10.

However, if that doesn’t suit your mood, why not go to a salsa dance party at the free Community Salsa Party?!? The party’s at Open Square in Holyoke, Wednesday, October 17th from 7-11pm.

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Music will be provided by Combo Sabroso, a Boston-based band that follows in the traditions of Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente with a mix of jazz and dance rhythms.

AND… yes, there’s more. If you just want to just chill and relax, we have an event for you. Every Wednesday, Asian Arts and Culture presents foreign films from around the world. This week, the film called ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ will be screened in the School of Management in room 137 at 7:00 pm.

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Director Nobuhiro Yamashita tells a story of a shy exchange student living in Japan who becomes a vocalist in a girl rock band. The film will be in Japanese with English subtitles. Come and watch ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ It’s open and free for the public!

So, there, that’s what’s coming up for just this Wednesday! You can’t be bored and I’ve given you three reasons why.

As always, if you need more information the Fine Arts Center site have heaps and heaps of information all there for your convenience.

I also welcome any comments if you have any! Have a wonderful week! Go Red Sox! I might just have to miss the game with all this is going on!

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DANCE PARTY!

Hello Peeps!

We have some wonderful news for all of you! To kick off the new school year right, we have one suggestion: DANCE PARTY!! The Fine Arts Center crew is proud to announce that we have the Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre to grace our presence. The festivities start at 7pm for FREE salsa lessons with Boricuas Unidos at the Campus Center Auditorium. Then Tiempo Libre performs at 8pm. SAVE THE DATE (it won’t be hard considering it’s…) : SEPTEMBER 6, Thursday. Did I mention that all this is FREE? I know, I’m shocked as well. So, if you want to get your groove on with some cool live Cuban music then you’re in luck. Be there or be square. I know I’m going. No wants to be a square. 🙂

Check back here for photos from the event and feel free to comment about the fab time you had.