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SFA announces its 2008-2009 University Series: 'Your Green Light to Entertainment'

Sylvia Bierschenk - July 15, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - With performances ranging from bluegrass, gypsy jazz and a Broadway musical to classical concerts, opera, dance and drama, the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' 2008-2009 University Series provides a broad spectrum of live entertainment.

"We're bringing in five highly acclaimed touring groups, complemented by four of our best university musical and theatrical performances to create a season we've dubbed 'Your green light to entertainment,'" said A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts.

"And the four art exhibitions of photography, Texas artists, intricately cut paper and 'sewn drawings' included in the series provide even more opportunities for East Texans to get out and take advantage of the fine arts available virtually in their own backyard," he continued.

The series will open on Thursday, Sept. 11, with a return engagement of the John Jorgenson Quintet, a group that specializes in gypsy jazz.

"Led by jazz guitarist John Jorgenson, the group of world-class musicians prompted repeated standing ovations here two years ago," said John W. Goodall, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts. "We're excited to be bringing the quintet back so that those who missed them the last time can join the sure-to-return patrons for a highly energetic and entertaining concert, suitable for the entire family."

The first art exhibition on the series, "Lynn Saville: Night Vision," will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, in The Ed and Gwen Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. Saville will be present for the opening to discuss her nighttime photographs, and patrons can pre-register for a post-opening photography expedition with the celebrated artist. The exhibition continues through Friday, Dec. 12.

The Orchestra of the Pines, a regional symphony orchestra directed by Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral activities at SFA, will present "Grandeur and Virtuosity" on Saturday, Oct. 18. The program will feature the William Tell Overture, Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 and pianist Kwan Yi, the winner of the 2008 Schmidbauer Competition, performing Franz Liszt's Second Piano Concerto.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the Hugo Wolf Quartett will perform music spanning the late 18th century to contemporary jazz works by Kenny Wheeler.

"This promises to be an excellent concert," said Goodall. "Founded at the Vienna Conservatory, the group is one of the most sought-after string quartets currently touring."

The SFA School of Theatre and School of Music will present "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" Tuesday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 22.

"This hilarious, heartfelt musical tells Mark Twain's unforgettable tale of adventure and friendship using country-western and gospel-inspired songs by legendary Roger Miller," said Scott Shattuck, director of the play and the SFA School of Theatre. "No wonder it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical!"

At 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, "Texas Modernists: Selections from the Collection of Carl R. McQueary" will open in The Ed and Gwen Cole Art Center. McQueary will speak about the exhibition which explores the development of the Modernist movement in Texas and features artists such as Michael Frary, Donald Weismann and Ralph White, explained Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries. The show runs through Sunday, March 8.

Cherryholmes, a regular act on the "Grand Old Opry," will present its bluegrass Christmas special on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Billed as "America's new first family of bluegrass," the group is known for its hard-driving instrumental virtuosity and explosive vocal harmonies, Goodall said. "This will be a tremendous show for the whole family and a great way to get in to the holiday spirit."

"Cutting Fine: Cutting Deep," an exhibition of silhouettes, dioramas, stencils, paper lacework and pop-up drawings, will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in Griffith Gallery and continue through Sunday, Feb. 8. The show includes work by five artists from the Swiss scherenschnitt (scissor cutting) tradition and six contemporary artists from North America.

On Friday, Jan. 23, "Everything Old is New Again: The Sewn Drawings of China Marks" will open at 6 p.m. in The Ed and Gwen Cole Art Center and run through Sunday, March 15. Marks creates her narrative, large-scale works by fusing patterned scraps of fabric to large cloth backgrounds and "drawing" on the "canvas" with an industrial sewing machine, explained Cutler.

St. Louis Brass The Saint Louis Brass will perform a wide spectrum of musical selections on Friday, Feb. 6. The quintet's exciting and engaging program, combined with virtuoso playing of works ranging from Baroque to contemporary, regularly brings audiences to their feet, Goodall said.

The SFA School of Theatre will present Bernard Pomerance's "The Elephant Man" Tuesday, Feb. 24, through Saturday, Feb. 28. The touching drama, which received the 1979 Tony Award for Best Play, is based on the true story of the deformed John (Joseph) Merrick and Dr. Frederick Treves' attempts to integrate him into London society, explained Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and the play's director.

Parsons Dance Company On Saturday, March 7, Parsons Dance will bring athleticism, exuberant personality and joyous movement to the stage, according to Goodall. "David Parson's brilliant choreography fuses the gestures and movements of modern dance with the discipline and precise execution expected from classical dancers," he continued.

The 2008-2009 University Series will close with the SFA School of Music's production of one the masterpieces of operatic literature, sung in English, Thursday, April 2, through Saturday, April 4. The title will be announced in the fall.

All concerts and staged productions on the University Series will begin at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium, located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr. All seats are reserved. Griffith Gallery is also located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, and The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House is located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches. Both galleries are open 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Season tickets for the University Series are now on sale through the Fine Arts Box Office. They range from $125 to $185, with discounts available for seniors, students, youth and SFA faculty and staff.

"These are fantastic prices for quality entertainment," exclaimed Diane Flynn, Box Office manager. "Season tickets provide a 25 percent savings over single tickets, and patrons can have their same seat throughout the season."

"Plus, we offer two season ticket options," she said. "The classic package includes one ticket to each of the nine performances, and the TixMix package allows the patrons to create their own nine-ticket season. Just call or come by the Box Office, and we'll be glad to help!"

Single-event ticket orders for the University Series or any of the other performances presented through the College of Fine Arts will be filled beginning Friday, Aug. 15.

For more information on the 2008-2009 season, visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts, stop by the Box Office in Room 211B of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

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