Culture
OU Performing Arts Series Bringing Broadway, Comedy, Music to Campus
< < Back toThe 2014-15 Ohio University Performing Arts and Concert Series kicks off this week and continues through the spring, bringing Broadway performances, comedy, acrobatics, music and more to the Athens campus.
“We generally have 25 to 30 events per year,” explained Andrew Holzaepfel, senior associate director for student activities at the Campus Involvement Center. “Right now we have 14 performances scheduled for fall semester, with some events yet to be announced.”
Fall performances include:
• Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 kicks off this year’s series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville. The son of one of Africa’s greatest musicians and the originator of Afrobeat, Seun Kuti creates his own raging rhythm, drawing inspiration from his other musical heroes, Chuck D, Dr. Dre and Eminem. This performance is being co-sponsored by OU’s African Studies Program.
• The Campus Involvement Center presents “Comedians of Girl Code/Guy Code” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The performance will feature Carly Aquilino, who performs at some of New York City’s most-popular clubs, and Jamie Lee, who was named one of the country’s “top 10 up-and-coming comedians to watch.” Also featured will be special guest Jermaine Fowler, who was a finalist in NBC’s Stand Up for Diversity, toured with Comedy Central, and was selected for ABC’s 10th Annual Diversity Showcase. This performance may not be appropriate for younger audience members.
• Chicago’s Second City comes to campus for Ohio University’s Parents Weekend. The birthplace of many of the country’s comic legends, Second City will take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. This performance may not be appropriate for younger audience members
• Ohio University’s School of Music, with sponsorship support from Arts for Ohio and the Performing Arts and Concert Series, presents American pianist Sean Chen in concert at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at the Glidden Recital Hall.
• The Golden Dragon Acrobats formally kick off the Performing Arts Series, which is sponsored by the Chaddock Group. Regarded as today’s premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company, the Golden Dragon Acrobats take the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. These award-winning performers combine acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, and ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques.
• The Performing Arts Series and Innovation Arts & Entertainment, in conjunction with WOUB and Little Professor Book Center, host “An Evening with David Sedaris” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. A humorist on NPR, Sedaris will bring his cutting wit, social satire and even a question-and-answer session to the Athens Campus. His latest book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, was named a New York Times best-seller, and Sedaris will be available after his performance to sign books.
• OU goes a little country on Saturday, Nov. 1, when American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and The Voice winner Danielle Bradbery take the stage at 8 p.m. at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium for McCreery’s “See You Tonight Tour.”
• Comedy returns to campus for Dads Weekend with “An Evening with Billy Gardell,” scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Gardell stars in Mike & Molly on CBS. This performance may not be appropriate for younger audience members.
• The Broadway hit Anything Goes, winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, comes to Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
• Three-time Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre brings the music tradition of its native Cuba to Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. This performance is being held in conjunction with Ohio University’s celebration of International Education Week.
The Performing Arts and Concert series is also partnering with Ohio University’s School of Music to present a new series dubbed “On the Edge.” The series will feature a collection of classical concerts and include musical performances that straddle the lines of rock, pop, classical, jazz, hip-hop and experimental music. The “On the Edge” fall line-up includes:
• The two-time Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22, at the Baker University Center Theatre.
• Third Coast Percussion, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17, at the Glidden Recital Hall.
Tickets for these performances are already on sale and may be purchased by calling 740-593-1780 or visiting https://www.ohio.edu/performingarts/tickets.cfm.
Holzaepfel noted that, because the University supports the Performing Arts and Concert Series, tickets for all of the performances are priced at a fraction of what patrons would pay in a metropolitan area.
“None of the shows have sold out yet, but some are selling quickly,” Holzaepfel said. “I anticipate the David Sedaris event and the Broadway performances to do very well, and the Scott McCreery concert will sell out. I also expect the Parents Weekend event to be well-attended, and Billy Gardell’s performance for Dads Weekend to be a really crowd-pleaser.”
One event that Holzaepfel said he is looking forward to is a special second performance by the Golden Dragon Acrobats. The University will be hosting students from the region’s school districts for that performance.
For more information on any of these performances, visit https://www.ohio.edu/performingarts/tickets.cfm.