Bessie, Billie & Nina: Pioneering Women in Jazz
March 1, 7:30pm in Pruis Hall
From the Jim Crow era-South through the turbulent 1960s, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone were among the most influential and popular singers of their times. Both within their music and outside of the clubs and concert halls, they wielded their exceptional talents to combat racial prejudice, sexism, and poverty. Whether powerfully and playfully claiming her autonomy and sexuality (Bessie Smith), forcing America to acknowledge the racism pervasive in the American South and beyond (Billie Holiday), or giving voice to the Civil Rights movement with stirring protest anthems (Nina Simone), these trailblazing singers spoke to and for the disenfranchised as women, African-Americans, and artists. All three women defied social norms, embracing self-empowerment through their art.
The Isaacs
March 11, 7:30pm in Pruis Hall
The Isaacs are a Nashville based, multi-award winning family group, consisting of siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, and their mother, Lily Isaacs, who is the daughter of Polish, Jewish Holocaust survivors. The band’s unique style showcases tight family harmony and blends their multi-genre musical influences of bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, country, and southern gospel. Known for their high profile collaborations, The Isaacs biggest fans and contemporaries include Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Alabama, Big & Rich, Trisha Yearwood, Merle Haggard, Don Williams, Paul Simon, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Ralph Stanley, Mark Lowry and Dailey & Vincent.
An American in Paris: A New Musical
March 14, 7:30pm in Emens Auditorium
Inspired by the Academy Award winning film, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS transports the audience to post-war Paris, where romance is in the air and youthful optimism reigns. In this poignant production, Gershwin’s soaring melodies are matched by gravity-defying dance as the world rediscovers the power of love. Hoping to start a new life, World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly liberated Paris to try and make his mark as a painter. Jerry's life becomes complicated when he meets the mysterious Lise, a young Parisian ballet dancer with a haunting secret who, like Jerry, is yearning for a new beginning.
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
March 24, 7:30pm in Pruis Hall
J2B2 is an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring four legendary, award-winning musicians – John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals – delivering bluegrass like no one has ever heard it before. The band’s undeniable live shows have received stellar reviews and have the bluegrass world buzzing. The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combining bluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and seasoned showmanship. This is the “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest.
The Crossroads Project: Rising Tide
March 31, 7:30pm in Emens Auditorium
Rising Tide: The Crossroads Project is a riveting theater piece on global sustainability, the most pressing issue of our time. Grounded in science, elevated by art, igniting response. The program features climate physicist and communicator Dr. Robert Davies, with the exceptional Fry Street Quartet, works from painter Rebecca Allan, environmental photographer Garth Lenz and American composer Laura Kaminsky. A superb blend of emotion, information and high production value graphics.