Arts writer Meredith Moss writes about the people and events that are making arts news in our region. If you have items you would like to submit, please contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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Three well-known artists from our area are contributing their talents to Central State University’s upcoming production of “The Pirates of Penzanze.” The school’s department of music and performing arts is staging Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular operetta the weekend of March 13-15.
Joining in the fun are Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s artistic director Debbie Blunden-Diggs who will choreograph the show; D. Tristan Cupp of the Zoot Theatre Company who is handling sets, and John Fleming, founder of Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse, who will direct. Music direction is by music professor Dr. Kathleen Allen; costumes are by Ayn Wood.
“We chose ‘Pirates’ because it has a great cast of hilariously funny and unique characters and the music is spectacular — not to mention a unique tie-in with Central State’s Marauder mascot,” says Fleming. It’s the first time CSU has done a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.
The production will be held at the Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center located on the CSU Campus, 1400 Brush Row, Wilberforce. The shows are at 7:30 p.m. March 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. on March 15. Tickets are $12, $1 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at the door prior to each performance.
Skyscrapers exhibit at Schuster Center
An artistic tribute to African-American heroes who have a Dayton connection is currently on display at the Schuster Center. It’s the 11th annual “Dayton Skyscrapers” exhibit presented by the Victoria Theatre Association in collaboration with Shango Center for African American Art and Willis Bing Davis’ EbonNia Gallery.
The notables celebrated this year include Billy Strayhorn, Sharon Howard, Eugene Edward “Snooky” Young Jr., Dottie Peoples, Harold “Lefty” Martin, Ronita Hawes Saunders, Letitia Perry, Tyrone Getter, and Mattie Ingram Lyle. Artists represented include James Pate, Abner Cope, Clifford Darrett, Bing Davis, Frances Turner, Gregory DeGroat, Dwayne Daniel and Yvette Walker-Dalton.
A neat aspect of the show is the involvement by students from the Ponitz Career Technology Center who partnered with each artist to create electronic audio files accessible at each work of art. To access the digital stories, use your smartphone or tablet to read the QR code.
Check out the exhibit in the Wintergarden, it will be up through the end of March.
Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame Nominations Sought
The Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame award is designed to recognize individuals who have dedicated themselves to theatre arts in Dayton.
The Induction Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the annual DayTony Awards Presentation on Aug. 8 at Sinclair Community College.
Completed nomination forms and two letters of recommendation must be received by May 8 and will be reviewed by the Hall of Fame Committee. Nomination forms are available at www.daytonys.org or from the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame Nomination Committee Chair, Chuck Larkowski, at chuck@daytonys.org.
Poetry Out Loud state finals open to public
The Ohio Arts Council will host the tenth annual Poetry Out Loud State Finals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St., Columbus.
Poet and Oberlin College professor Kazim Ali will share his original poems between rounds in the state competition.The state finals are free and open to the public.
UD “Encore Vienna” Travel Program
Space is still available for the 19th edition of the “Encore Vienna Plus” cultural travel program for adults, sponsored by the University of Dayton Office of Special Programs and Continuing Education.
This year’s program, slated for May 29 - June 10, will once again be hosted by UD professors Edward Hatch and Linda Snyder. The 12-night program features a full week in Vienna during its famous spring opera and music festival as well as a number of other tours. The program concludes in Munich with a farewell dinner at the Hofbrauhaus. The cost is $4,250 plus airfare.
For more information, call UD at (937) 229-2437 or visit the website: www.udayton.edu/continuing_education
Comedy fundraiser slated for Xenia
The folks at the Xenia Area Community Theater are planning a Community Comedy Theater weekend fundraiser March 6-8.
The program will include one-act plays, skits and old-time radio and television favorites such as Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s On First” routine and the “Vitameatavegamin” commercial by Lucille Ball. This year’s show is being directed by Sara Duibley with assistance from Patrick Taylor.
Performances will take place at X*ACT’s Kettering Health Network Theater, 45 W. Second Street Xenia, at 7:30 p.m. on March 6 and 7 with a 3 p.m. matinee on March 8. An opening night gala on Friday, March 6, will feature a wine tasting sponsored by Caesar Creek Vineyards.
Tickets are $17 at the door; $14 for seniors and students. Opening Night gala admission is $20. For more information and reservations contact X*ACT at (937) 372-0516 or on-line at XeniaAct.org
Special showings at The Neon
Here’s news about two special screenings slated for The Neon movie theater in downtown Dayton. Cincinnati’s ReelAbilities Film Festival will show one of its films in Dayton at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. The festival celebrates the stories, lives and art of people who experience disability. The film being shown is entitled “On Beauty.”
At 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, a locally produced documentary entitled “The Fall League” will be screened. It’s the true story of a Dayton senior league where all players are over age 63 and explores the ways in which the sport impacts family relationships and aging. Many involved with the film will be on hand for the show.
The film has been accepted for the Indy Sports Film Fest Experience in Toronto and Louisville’s’ International Festival of Film. Tickets are $7 each.
For more details on either of these films and purchasing tickets for them, see www.neonmovies.com
Newport Aquarium offers faith week discounts
Newport Aquarium will offer discounted admission to members of all religious organizations during Faith Weekend, March 7-8.
Tickets, which must be ordered by March 4, are $12 per person. In addition to discounted general admission, there is also a price break on the Backstage Animal Experience, a 45-minute behind-the-scenes tour that includes an encounter with one of the aquarium's community outreach animals. Pre-registration is required for the Backstage Animal Experience, at $12 per person, a 20-percent discount off the standard price.
For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).
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