Events ... Redfern

Events ... Redfern Arts Center

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Redfern Arts Center Announces 24th Season

Imago performs “FROGZ,” a creature-theatre performance bringing to life objects and animals.

Their show, Tues., Mar. 11, at 7 p.m.

AN international theme and many family-oriented events highlight the 2002-03 Presenting Series at Keene State College’s Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. This year’s Series is the Arts Center’s 24th consecutive year of presenting professional music, theater, and dance performances to the Monadnock Region.

“WE are looking at the coming season as a journey of discovery for family and friends to be entertained by professionals in a variety of genres and cultures,” said Arts Center Dir. William Menezes. “For example, we will open the season with Flamenco Vivo! Carlota Santana, a New York-based company that’s one of the finest practitioners of this graceful and fiery dance form.” The flamenco performance takes place Thurs., Sept. 19, at 7 p.m.

CANADA’S world famous I Musici de Montreal takes the stage, on Sun., Sept. 29, at 3 p.m. “They are one of the most respected chamber orchestras in the world,” Menezes said, “and their program, featuring works by Mozart, Schoenberg, Dvorak, A. Sallinen, and Weber, should appeal to a wide range of tastes and ages.”

THE fall season continues with a visit by the legendary Cab Calloway Orchestra, Fri. Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. The Orchestra is now led by Calloway’s grandson, Calloway Brooks. The Calloway family has been entertaining audiences with their special blend of jazz and jump blues since the 1920s.

LATE October brings the Weston Playhouse Theatre Co. to Keene with a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.” “Last year we co-presented Weston’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ with the Colonial Theatre,” Menezes said. “It was such a successful venture that we thought we’d join forces again. This year the company is coming to Keene State’s Arts Center.” There will be two performances. Wed., Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. and a performance for students on Thurs., Oct. 31, at 9:30 a.m.

THE fall season concludes with two evenings of music by distinctively different musical groups. Boston Brass, noted for their eclectic programs of classical and jazz music, performs Wed., Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Chanterelle, one of New England’s most popular Franco-American folk ensembles, appears Wed., Nov. 20, also at 7 p.m.

THE spring season opens with the vocal ensemble Counterpoint. The group’s leader, Robert De Cormier, is internationally known as the musical director for Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul, and Mary and as conductor and arranger for such divas as Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and Frederica von Stade. Counterpoint performs Wed., Feb. 12, at 7 p.m.

SEAN Curran brings his innovative dance company to Keene for a Fri., Feb. 21, performance at 8 p.m. Curran, who starred in the Broadway musical hit “Stomp,” is considered one of the brightest young choreographers working in America today.

NEXT on the Arts Center stage is be Triple Helix, featuring three internationally known women musicians and recognized as one of the best piano trios in New England. They perform Wed., Mar. 5, at 7 p.m.

A special treat for the whole family will be a return engagement by Imago. This Portland, Oregon-based company presents “FROGZ,” a creature-theatre performance bringing to life objects and animals. Their show, Tues., Mar. 11, at 7 p.m., is recommended for ages 6 and up.

THE husband-and-wife dance team of Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer explores the art of the dance duet, accompanied by Grammy Award-winning composer/percussionist Glen Velez on Fri., Mar. 28, at 8 p.m.

The Presenting Series ends with two performances Sat., Apr. 5, at 2 & 7 p.m. by Maine’s award-winning puppet theater, Figures of Speech Theatre. In their “Beanstalk Variations,” recommended for ages eight and older, two actors are joined on stage by a cast of puppets to provide a fresh, modern perspective to this classic “Jack” tale. “Presenting the Figures of Speech Theatre is a departure from our usual theatrical fare,” said Menezes. “However, in recent years puppetry has become an art form that has stretched its boundaries and is currently producing some of the most exciting and creative theater in the world.”

IN addition to its Presenting Series, Brickyard Pond offers over 30 performances by Keene State’s Department of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance.

IN January 2003, the New England Region of the American College Theatre Festival comes to the Arts Center for the second year in a row. “We anticipate that this will be as exciting as it was last year,” said Menezes, “when nearly 600 college and university theater faculty and students came to our campus for workshops, performances, and acting competitions.” Season tickets are now on sale at Brickyard Pond’s box office. For additional series information and a complete list of events, call 603-358-2168 or visit the Brickyard Pond online at http://www.keene.edu/racbp/.