Thursday, January 11, 2007

Wilmington, N.C. - The second of three historic cultural events highlighting the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Year of the Arts takes place Thursday, Jan. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 28, when the University celebrates the official inauguration of the Cultural Arts Building, the university's new academic, exhibit and performance venue for Art, Music and Theatre.

The four-day inaugural celebration will feature special performances and exhibits in each of the new state-of-the-art venues, including the Art Gallery, Recital Hall, SRO (Black Box Theatre) and Mainstage Theatre. In addition to a private reception on Thursday, Jan. 25, and public tours of the new facilities throughout the weekend, highlights of the Grand Opening celebrations include:

In the Art Gallery

The Art of Claude Howell: A retrospective of more than 20 works spanning six decades by the renowned Wilmington artist. The exhibit includes rarely seen pieces from two private collections as well as works from UNCW and the Cameron Art Museum. Howell, a North Carolina native and former chair of UNCW's Department of Art and Art History, is recognized nationally for his broad-stroke, flat color paintings of coastal life in the Southeast. The exhibit features a wide range of Howell's cubist color abstractions, World War II-era watercolors, drawings, oils on paper, oils on canvas and serigraphs, as well as a portrait bust of the artist. Gallery hours during the Grand Opening weekend are 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Admission is free.

In the Mainstage Theatre

15-Minute Hamlet: The UNCW Theatre Program presents Tom Stoppard's whirlwind, madcap version of Shakespeare's classic drama. Directed by UNCW Professor Tom Glynn, the performance's dynamic fight scenes are choreographed by guest artist Jason Armit, considered one of the top fight choreographers in the country. Performances begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets are not required for this free event.

In the SRO

Original One-Act Plays: Students from the UNCW Theatre Program and Department of Creative Writing present original one-act plays in the Black Box/SRO. Featured works include Fall of President Niazov by Aaron Voyles, a senior Creative Writing student (director, Maggie Mckaig); and Wrong Guy by DeShana Anderson, a junior Theatre major (director, Katie Baker). Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets are not required for this free event.

In the Recital Hall

Andreas Klein, piano: German-born pianist Andreas Klein is internationally acclaimed as a luminous and captivating performer. The New York Times summed it up, "A fascinating artist with all the indispensable qualities: temperament, taste, touch, tone..."

The Department of Music presents Klein at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, in the new Recital Hall featuring a program of works by Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven. Tickets will be available at the Cultural Arts Building Box Office one hour prior to curtain and are $5 for general admission and free to UNCW students with a valid ID.

Winard Harper Sextet: Inspired by the musicianship of jazz legends Clifford Brown, Max Roach and Art Blakey, drummer Winard Harper leads this dynamic ensemble, with special guest Shaun Mahoney, a 2005 UNCW music alumnus. Considered one of the great bandleaders to sit behind a drum kit, Harper explores a variety of international styles ranging from African to Caribbean to Afro-Cuban, while maintaining a solid foundation of hard bop jazz.

The Department of Music presents the Winard Harper Sextet at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, in the Recital Hall. Tickets will be available at the Cultural Arts Building Box Office one hour prior to curtain and are $5 for general admission and free to UNCW students with a valid ID.

"Awakening" featuring the Ciompi Quartet and Vocal Arts Ensemble: Year of the Arts partner Chamber Music Wilmington presents "Awakening," a multi-media presentation featuring the intriguing and often mystical compositions of Arvo Paert, Peteris Vasks and Urma Sisask. "Awakening" is performed by Duke University's Ciompi Quartet and Vocal Arts Ensemble, with flutist Elizabeth Ransom, guitarist Joseph Pecoraro, pianist Barbara McKenzie and graphic imagery by filmmaker Adam Alphin. Advance tickets are available at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office, 910.962.3500. Single tickets are $25.

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This special weekend of events is part of a year-long celebration of the arts on the UNCW campus. The Year of the Arts was initiated in September 2006 with the re-opening of a newly renovated Kenan Auditorium and performance of Mood Indigo: A Tribute to Duke Ellington. The celebration continues in January 2007 with the Grand Opening of the new Cultural Arts Building and will conclude in July with Carolina Ballet's new Summer Dance Residency and a premiere performance by the internationally acclaimed dance ensemble

More information is available at www.uncw.edu/arts

Media Contact
Courtney Reilly, UNCW Office of Cultural Arts (p) 910.962.2082/ (e) reillyce@uncw.edu