February 2009
Philadanco
Young Arts Explorers Program
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM
As a cultural ambassador representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia, its artistic direction and renowned national and international guest choreographers have developed a reputation of producing a dance repertory with passion, power, skill and diversity. More importantly, Philadanco believes in and continues to provide quality arts instruction to young people with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, and bodies.
Philadanco
In the Black Tradition
Friday, February 6, 2009 at 8 PM
Philadanco’s Artistic Director and founder, Joan Myers Brown and internationally renowned guest choreographers have developed a reputation of producing a dance repertory with passion, power, skill and diversity. Over 37 years, Philadanco’s repertoire of 50-60 concert performances and 45 residencies annually makes them one of the most sought after modern companies in the United States. The company will present In the Black Tradition, presenting the work of some of the nations leading African American choreographers including Christopher Higgins, Rennie Harris, Milton Myers, and Gene Hill Sagan.
John Blake, Jr.
Young Arts Explorers Program
A Celebration of Fiddle Music from Africa to America
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
10:30 AM in Pottstown
Thursday, February 12, 2009
10:30 AM in Norristown
Friday, February 13, 2009
10:30 AM in Blue Bell
American jazz, as we know it today, is an amalgam of musical forms from many parts of the world. As the population of our country has expanded to embrace many cultures, so has the American jazz experience, continually changing and incorporating new musical traditions. Through participation and demonstration students will be given an opportunity to hear first hand some of the major changes in jazz, and learn about the cultures that have been the impetus behind these changes.
John Blake, Jr. Quartet
Fiddle Music from Africa to America
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8 PM
John Blake has over the last twenty years, attained a unique position as the premier mainstream jazz violinist in the world. Blake presents what critic David Hollenberg calls "a state-of-the-art display of current level of jazz violin." Blake was voted one of the top two jazz violinists in the Down Beat Readers' Poll over three years. His featured composition, originally commissioned by Chamber Music America, reflects an anthology of the influence of West African fiddle playing and early African-American fiddle styles and their role in musical forms such as spirituals, work songs, blues and modern jazz.
Choral Society of Montgomery County
Winter Concert
Louis Scaglione, Artistic Director/Conductor
An Evening of Renaissance Choral Music
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 8 PM
Matt Wilson
Young Arts Explorers Program
The Carl Sandburg Project
Friday, February 27, 2009 at 10:30 AM
The Matt Wilson Arts and Crafts jazz ensemble will re-stage its commission work entitled The Carl Sandburg Project which developed a series of compositions around his poems. This interdisciplinary performance uses spoken word and even recordings of Carl Sandburg reciting his poems as part of the composition.
Matt Wilson Arts and Craft Ensemble
The Carl Sandburg Project
Pre-Concert Lecture by: Professor Peter Scheponik 7 PM
Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 8 PM
Originally commissioned by Chamber Music America, The Carl Sandburg Project explores the unique personal voice of this American literary icon. His language expressed moods and impressions that were poetry; not words fashioned to become “a poem”. Matt’s jazz ensemble will present a multi-disciplinary tribute to the poetry of Carl Sandburg which incorporates his poetry in songs, utilizes samples Mr. Sandburg’s own readings, and improvisations that take the listener on a performance journey.
