Clarksville, Ark. --- "Mind, Body and Spirit" is the theme for the University of the Ozarks' 2010-2011 Walton Arts & Ideas Series, which begins on Oct. 23 with a performance from soprano Deleen Davidson.
The upcoming series features six events throughout the academic year, including lectures, concerts and dance performances. This year’s theme takes a look at events that explore the mind, body and spirit connection, according to WAIS Director Ginny Sain.
The series begins at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, when Davidson, a New Orleans-born classically trained soprano, performs her Autumn in Art and Song concert. Her performance blends vocal and instrumental music, poetry and visual arts in unusual and appealing ways. Her music selections are drawn from the Baroque period to the present and showcase styles that range from classical and opera to Broadway and jazz. Davidson will present a free vocal music master class at 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 for anyone interested.
The series continues at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7, when the dance company Viver Brasil performs. Rooted in the traditional and contemporary forms and techniques of Brazilian dance, Viver Brasil embodies the beautiful and sacred stories of the deities in Afro-Brazilian culture. Viver Brasil will host a Samba master class at 4 p.m. on Nov. 6. The class is free and open to the public and no dance experience is necessary.
On Sunday, Dec. 12, theatrical mask and movement artist Michael Cooper will perform at 3 p.m. Cooper spins tales and weaves stories using an unusual and colorful cast of characters brought to life through his own mask creations. He will also host a free mask making workshop on Dec. 11.
At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, journalist and author Novella Carpenter will present a lecture. A child of back-to-back land hippies, Carpenter is the author of Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer. For more than a decade she has been farming in downtown Oakland, Calif., raising and living off her own rabbits, chickens, bees, fruits and vegetables. Her story of what it means to live off the land while living a contemporary city life is both engaging and lively.
The series continues at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 as the musical group The Zirconium Quartet performs. This male vocal quartet’s repertoire ranges from doo-wop, to swing, to patriotic, to barbershop, to country. The Zirconium Quartet has performed at Silver Dollar City and at festivals throughout the country.
The series concludes at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, with a lecture from humanitarian and global health expert Dr. David Walton. A senior resident in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Walton has spent numerous years in Haiti providing healthcare, working with HIV prevention and treating a number of illnesses and diseases.
Individual ticket prices for each of the events are $10. A season ticket for all six of the events is $50 for the general public and $40 for senior citizens and children. Individuals, couples and corporations can also join the university’s Friends of the Arts program, which includes access to numerous receptions throughout the year. For more information on the 2010-2011 Walton Series, the Friends of the Arts program or to order tickets, please contact Director Ginny Sain at 479-979-1346 or go to http://www.ozarks.edu/wais on the Ozarks website.
Topics: Community Events