An example of John Paul Schafer’s work
An Off-Broadway comedy written by comedian Steve Martin, a Grammy-award winning ensemble and an exhibit of photography from the 1980s to the present, headline Kirkwood’s Performing Arts Spring 2013 season. Eleven concerts, two theatrical performances and three art exhibits fill the schedule, from January through May.
Theatre
“Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” February 7-10, is written by Steve Martin. This long-running, Off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, The New York Times said this about the popular actor and screenwriter, “Mr. Martin works in a range of styles … the playwright finds genius something to laugh about as well as to celebrate.”
The Spring play, “Eurydice,” finishes the theatre performances with shows from April 11-14.
Musical Concerts
The New York Voices, a Grammy-winning vocal quartet, performs during the Vocal Jazz Festival Concert with Kirkwood’s Jazz Transit and RSVP groups, on Friday, February 22, at 8 p.m.
The New York based vocal jazz group first formed in 1987, signing a record deal in 1989 and releasing its first album that year. The band received rave reviews and quickly earned national and international recognition in the jazz world. A recording with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1996 led to a Grammy Award for the groups (“Live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild”).
The Boston Herald said, “New York Voices lives up to its reputation as the most exciting vocal ensemble in current jazz, to collect such quality voices in one group is rare enough, yet the real trick of New York Voices is how well they mesh.”
The Kirkwood Jazz Combos Concert, Jazz Fest, Vocal Jazz Concert, Chorale Concert, Concert Band, and five recitals round out the musical season.
Art Exhibits
Local artist John Paul Schafer kicks off the Spring Performing Arts series on January 14. Following his exhibit will be a collection of photographs from the 1980s through the present. This show includes the work of four local photographers, including Kirkwood photography professor Helen Grunwald. Closing out the art exhibits is the Kirkwood Student Art exhibit, which runs from April 1 through May 3.
The Iowa Hall art gallery is free and open to the public. Concerts and plays are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors or non-Kirkwood students, and free for all Kirkwood students with a school ID. Tickets go on sale two weeks prior to each performance and advance purchase is recommended. Please call 319-398-5899 ext. 4331 for further information.
Theater and musical concerts are all held in Ballantyne Auditorium. The art gallery is in Iowa Hall. For program information and a to view the full Fine and Performing Arts 2012 Fall season events, go to www.kirkwood.edu/performingarts or call 398-4956.
With the most credit programs of any community college in Iowa, Kirkwood Community College boasts more than 25,000 annual college-credit students, while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All students are eligible for financial aid and the college offers $2.4 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life. Kirkwood is a convenient, innovative and visionary educational leader that strives to remain affordable and accessible.