Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech announces 2011-2012 season

17 Aug 2011

Collection of performers for the 2011-2012 season — The Center of the Arts at Virginia Tech's 2011-2012 season offers theatrical performances and a wide range of musical offerings.

The Center of the Arts at Virginia Tech is presenting theatrical performances and a wide range of musical offerings for its 2011-2012 season.

The performances are presented in partnership with various departments and organizations, including Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts and Cinema, Department of Music, and Dean’s Advisory Committee for International Initiatives; the Lyric Theatre; the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra; and the Taubman Museum of Art.

According to Ruth Waalkes, executive director for the Center for the Arts, “While construction for the Center for the Arts continues, with a completion date set for the fall of 2013, we’ve been working to cultivate partnerships with departments and groups, both on and off-campus, to bring the community a season of diverse performances.”

Center for the Arts 2011-2012 season schedule

The Guru of Chai

Indian Ink, one of New Zealand’s most successful theatre companies, is the result of the extraordinary partnership of Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan. On their first tour of the U.S., they have created a series of intimate-scale theatre productions based on life’s simple truths. Rajan’s Kutisar is a chai vendor in the central train station in Bangalore, India, who counsels the audience on the barriers to happiness and shares his observations on humanity’s desire for love. These performances are co-presented with the Taubman Museum of Art.
Sept. 23, 8 p.m. and Sept. 24, 3 p.m.
Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Va.

The English Concert: Harry Bicket

For nearly 40 years The English Concert, featuring Harry Bicket, conductor/harpsichord, has toured the world, spreading their passion for baroque and classical music. This concert will feature works of Purcell, Telemann, and Vivaldi and is co-presented with the Virginia Tech Department of Music.
Oct. 15, 8 p.m.
The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va.

Masterclass with Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway

Sir James Galway is a skilled interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and an entertainer whose appeal crosses all musical boundaries. Lady Jeanne Galway is a leading female flute soloist and an accomplished chamber musician, touring regularly with her trio, Zephyr. For information on participating in the masterclass, contact Elizabeth Crone, music instructor in the Department of Music at Virginia Tech. Advance reservations are required for participation. This masterclass and performance is co-presented with the Virginia Tech Department of Music.
Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-noon
Old Dominion Ballroom, Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Va.

Garrick Ohlsson, piano

Since his 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition win, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of interpretive and technical prowess, regarded as one of the world’s leading exponents of the music of Frédéric Chopin. His concert repertoire is wide and eclectic, ranging from Haydn and Mozart to works of the 21st century. This performance is co-presented with the Virginia Tech Department of Music.
Jan. 20, 2012, 8 p.m.
The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va.

The Sounds of Desire: Heather Raffo

Heather Raffo, author and actress of the award winning one-woman show “9 Parts of Desire,” teams up with Amir ElSaffar, accomplished jazz trumpeter and Iraqi santoor player, Syrian vocalist Gaida, percussionist Johnny Farraj, and oud player Hadi Eldebek for a dramatic evening of spoken word and melodic solos. Using characters from Raffo’s show in a format akin to slam poetry, the actress and musicians join together to present a concert of urban and classical sounds that spring from both Iraqi and American roots. This performance is co-presented with the Virginia Tech Dean’s Advisory Committee for International Initiatives and the School of Performing Arts and Cinema.
Jan. 21 2012, 8 p.m. and Jan. 22, 2012, 3 p.m.
Squires Studio Theatre, Blacksburg, Va.

Mark O’Connor, Reprise, Solo Violin Recital

Acclaimed violinist Mark O’Connor returns to the concert stage performing his solo recital after more than a decade. From old-fashioned fiddle tunes to ragtime, free improvisation, jazz and blues, O’Connor provides a memorable evening of performances. This performance is co-presented with The Lyric Theatre.
Feb. 17, 2012, 8 p.m.
The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Virtuosi Ensemble

Led by David Stewart Wiley, music director, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s chamber ensemble celebrates its tenth special appearance on the Virginia Tech campus. This performance is presented in partnership with the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
March 10, 2012, 8 p.m.
Squires Recital Salon, Blacksburg, Va.

Vocal Arts and Music Festival

Save the dates for the third annual Vocal Arts and Music Festival at Virginia Tech. Presented in partnership with International Vocal Arts Institute founders Joan Dornemann and Paul Nadler, opera’s rising stars are united with legendary coaches and outstanding instrumentalists for two weeks of masterclasses and performances.
June 16-30, 2012
Squires Recital Salon, Blacksburg, Va.

For more information about each performance, including details on how to get tickets, visit the Center for the Arts website.