JANUARY 14, 2010 ISSUE
2009’s Performing Arts Series
The annual Performing Arts Series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, once again brought big names in music, theatre and dance to campus in 2009.
Fun and thought-provoking at the same time, the performances ranged from the African Children’s Choir to jazz sensations and from well-renowned dramas to cutting-edge dance explorations. Following are a few of the 2009 Performing Arts Series highlights.
January 27
African Children’s Choir: Journey of Hope
African Children’s Choir
For the past 24 years, the African Children’s Choir has amazed audiences around the world with its blend of traditional African song and dance, and the Boone audience likewise enjoyed the group’s January 27 performance.
Comprised of some of Africa’s most vulnerable children, all ages 8 to 10, the choir was founded by human rights activist Ray Barnett following the brutal reign of Uganda’s Idi Amin that left thousands of children orphaned and starving. New members are selected every year so previous members can return to Africa and have their schooling completely funded by the African Children’s Choir. The children work toward the goal of attending university programs and becoming valuable, productive citizens of their homelands. Choir members also serve as ambassadors for all children in Africa who have become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic.
February 11
The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial: A Radio Play from L.A. Theatre Works
The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial
Based on the original transcripts of the 1925 Scopes Trial that championed the right to teach evolution in public schools, the radio play The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial drew a crowd to Farthing Auditorium on February 11 because, nearly 80 years later, the issues at the core of the show remain unresolved.
Performed by L.A. Theatre Works Radio Theater and shown as part of ASU’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, the all-star cast included Ed Asner and Jerry Hardin. The thought-provoking play featured unlikely heroes Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan, H.L. Mencken and John Scopes, who set the stage for an ongoing national debate over the separation of church and state in a democratic society.
February 17
Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Tour
Blue Notes Records 70th Anniversary Tour
Blue Note Records commemorated the label’s 70th anniversary on January 13 with the release of Mosaic: A Celebration of Blue Note Records, an eight-song collection of classic tunes from the Blue Note repertoire, re-envisioned by The Blue Note 7. On February 17, the group’s 51-city North American tour celebrating the music milestone and new release rolled into Farthing Auditorium, delighting audiences with the historically important and beautifully played songs.
The Blue Note 7 is comprised of pianist, musical director and current Blue Note recording artist Bill Churlap, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, alto saxophonist and flutist Steve Wilson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash.
October 1
Chick Corea in Concert
Chick Corea
Improvisational jazz legend Chick Corea gave a rare solo piano performance at Farthing Auditorium on October 1, sharing his love for musical exploration with a Boone audience. He played the way he loves to, inviting the audience into his “practice room,” where he deftly ran through centuries-old harpsichord scores, original children’s songs and improvisational jazz tunes, among other pieces.
Corea, a prolific composer who has headed up several bands, formerly played in Miles Davis’ band and has collaborated with countless other noteworthy musicians throughout his career. Corea carried Boone listeners into a world of intricate and passionate music, causing several audience members to quietly comment that they did not know the piano could produce the sounds that the winner of 14 Grammy Awards drew from it.
November 19
MOMIX
MOMIX
The internationally known company of dancer-illusionists, MOMIX, wowed an audience in Farthing Auditorium on November 19 with its show MOMIX: The Best of MOMIX.
The performance featured the most popular works from the company’s more than two decades in existence and, with props, lights, shadows, human bodies and a healthy dose of humor, created a stream of diverse surrealistic images.
Led by Moses Pendleton, one of America’s most innovative and widely performed choreographers and directors for more than 30 years, MOMIX took audience members into a world where the only boundaries are set by the limits of an individual’s imagination.
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