With Thanksgiving in the air, prepare to mark your calendars with the exciting arts events coming up this month in Iowa. This month’s Iowa Arts Showcase features:
· Artist Gary Kelley speaking on his “Giving the Devil his Due” exhibit at the Figge and on an upcoming concert collaboration with the wcfsymphony
· Julia Bullard diving into Trio 826’s Fall Residency program at the Hearst Center for the Arts
· A recent visit with the President of OPERA America Marc Scorca
· Dr. Eric Saylor, Drake’s Associate Professor of Music History and Dr. Megan Sibbel, Curator and Historian of the Salisbury House collaborating on a concert commemorating WWI
Celebrated and award-winning Iowa artist Gary Kelley describes his exhibit “Giving the Devil his Due” at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport. Kelley’s drawings and monotypes on display depict the tortured souls of two legendary musicians: the 19th century violinist and guitarist Nicolò Paganini and his 20th century counterpart, blues guitar legend Robert Johnson. The exhibit runs now through December 31, 2016 in the Quad Cities. On Thursday, November 17, Kelley’s artistic genius will be displayed alongside Ellis Kell, Naha Greenholtz, and Ballet Quad Cities in a collaborative event. Plus a quick peek at Kelley’s upcoming New Nutcracker exhibit in conjunction with the wcfsymphony on December 10.
Violist Dr. Julia Bullard delves into Trio 826’s November residency program at the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls. The trio, comprised of Bullard on viola, Susannah Klein on violin, and Hannah Holman on cello, present a class on “Chamber Music from the Inside” as well as several musical performances at the Hearst Center, including a CD release concert and party. They will also play in various venues throughout the community, including the Western Home, Cup of Joe, and the Octopus, as well as conducting outreach activities at Cedar Falls and Waterloo East High Schools.
The President of OPERA America, Marc Scorca, visited Iowa earlier this year thanks to the generosity of the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Marc gave insight into a recent surge of opera in America and the bright future he sees ahead for the art form.
Associate professor of music history at Drake University and President of the North American British Music Studies Association, Dr. Eric Saylor and Dr. Megan Sibbel, Salisbury House’s Curator and Historian outline details about the upcoming WWI Concert and Exhibit at the Salisbury House in Des Moines. The program, which will take place on Thursday, November 10th, will feature British music inspired by or written during the First World War. Performances will showcase ISU’s Amara Piano Quartet, Tenor Edwin Griffith, and Violinist Julie Fox Henson. Salisbury House will work in a joint partnership with the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum (Camp Dodge) to display an exhibition of WWI-era artifacts during the event.