Whether in the visual art gallery, the dance theatre, the concert hall, the recital hall, or the flexible theatre, a rich and diverse arts season awaits you. The Arts Ablaze, available to view in PDF format, contains the schedule for the year and comments from each of the arts department chairs. (PDF coming soon.)
Any changes made from the original printing of the Arts Ablaze will be highlighted in red font below.
For further details or reservations call the appropriate department sponsoring the events or performance:
| Creative Writing rsmith@belhaven.edu 601-968-8996 |
Dance dance@belhaven.edu 601-965-1400 |
Music vtate@belhaven.edu 601-974-6494 |
Theatre boxoffice@belhaven.edu 601-965-7026 Order Tickets Online |
Visual Arts visualarts@belhaven.edu 601-974-6478 |
August 21, 2010
24-Hour Theatre Festival
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Blackbox Theatre
From zero to a Ten Minute Play in 24 hours! Students will gather on Friday and be tasked with creating an original piece of theatre in one day – playwrights will start writing that night and give the script to the actors by the morning to rehearse. The performance is 7:30 pm on Saturday – come out and enjoy an evening of brand new theatre! Admission is free**, no reserved seating. Doors open at 7:00 pm. ** Donations will be accepted to benefit the Iota Upsilon chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honorary society.
September 16 – October 30, 2010
Jack Kotz and Ron Koehler Exhibition
Photographs and Sculpture
Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center, Gallery
Opening reception on Thursday, September 16, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Jack Kotz is a nationally recognized photographer from Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work is currently in the collections of The National Museum of American Art, The Mississippi State Historical Museum, The Mississippi Museum of Art and numerous private collections. Ron Koehler is chair of the art department at Delta State University. His sculpture is included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. and in many other public collections. Ron has served as the International President of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity since 1998. Complimentary Admission.
September 21-25, 2010
Lifting the Veil by Paul D. Patton
Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30 pm, Theatre 151**
Based on the true story of the runaway marriage of evangelists Katherine Kuhlman and Burroughs Walters, this intense play tells the story of their wedding night, the bride’s serious doubts about having left her ministry, and the groom’s attempts to get her to stay. Directed by senior theatre major Jonathan Dixon.
General admission $10, Seniors/Students/Children $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven faculty/staff/students and immediate families. Doors open at 7:00 pm. ** Theatre 151, located in CFTA classroom 151, is the Theatre Department’s series of performances for the exploration of challenging topics and the discovery of inspiring and innovative material.
September 24, 2010
Preston Chamber Music Series
An Evening of Diamonds
Dr. Stephen Redfield, guest violinist; Lois Leventhal, guest pianist
Friday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
University of Southern Mississippi Professor of Violin Dr. Stephen Redfield and pianist Lois Leventhal perform Leoš Janáček’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, Sergei Prokofiev’s Five Melodies for Violin and Piano, Op. 35b and Sonata for Violin and Piano by Maurice Ravel. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
September 30, 2010
Preston Chamber Music Series
An Evening of Diamonds
Sylvia Hong, guest pianist
Thursday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Award winning Korean pianist extraordinaire Sylvia Hong recently debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Come hear polished pianism in what promises to be an outstanding recital. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
October 2, 2010
Music Department Pops Concert
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
A panorama of popular favorites—movie themes, jazz, Broadway, and light classics--awaits your ears as the entire Belhaven University Department of Music entertains during the Homecoming weekend. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
October 16, 2010
Community Dance Concert
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Members of the Belhaven University Dance Department join together with other local dance artists to offer an inspiring, diverse and exciting evening of dance. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students/ Children $5, and Belhaven University faculty and staff $2. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
October 21-23, 27-30, 2010
Juliet and Her Romeo, a stylized presentation of Shakespeare’s tragedy
Thursday – Saturday & Wednesday – Friday, 7:30 pm, Blackbox Theatre
Saturday Matinees October 23 & 30, 2:00 pm
Shakespeare’s masterpiece of star-crossed lovers in an experimental production directed by Theatre department chair Joseph Frost. General admission $10, Seniors/Students/Children $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven faculty/staff/students and immediate families. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Opening night reception on October 21 following the performance.
October 26, 2010
String and Chamber Master Class
Peter Slowik, guest violist
Tuesday, 3:00-6:00 pm, Recital Room
Professor of Viola and Director of The String Division of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Peter Slowik, coaches violinists, violists, and chamber ensembles in creative and dynamic music making. Informative and inspiring. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 2:30 pm.
November 4-6, 2010
Belhaven Musical Revue & Dessert
Thursday – Saturday, 7:30 pm
McCravey – Triplett Student Center, Dining Commons
An evening of songs, scenes, and steps from some of the best of musical theatre. Complimentary admission, dessert $3. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
November 9 , 2010
Student Composers Concert VIII
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Recital Room
The Belhaven Composers Forum invites you to an interactive showcase of engaging new works by Belhaven student composers. The program will explore new ways to experience the adventure of music-making as the composers and performers open windows into their creative worlds. Complimentary admission.
Doors open at 7:00 pm.
November 12 & 13, 18-20, 2010
Fall Dance Ensemble Concert
Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm, Visual Arts and Dance Center; 11:00 am Matinee on Thursday, November 18
A showcase of choreography by dance faculty and guest artists, presented by the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble. Styles for the evening include classical and contemporary ballet and traditional and contemporary modern dance. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for children, Belhaven faculty/staff/students. Doors open at 7:00 pm, 10:30 am for Thursday matinee.
November 13, 2010
Orchestras and Strings Concert
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Souvenir de Florence by Tchaikovsky and Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky anchor this evening of beautiful and exciting orchestral music. String solos and chamber ensembles complete the evening’s offerings. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
November 19 & 20, 2010
Opera Arts: Two Hilarious American Operas
Friday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Saturday, 2:30 pm, Concert Hall (Matinee)
Enjoy two brief American operas, one where the girl gets the boy and the other where the boy gets the girl! Enjoy Gian Carlo Menotti’s famous “The Telephone” alongside his classic “The Old Maid and the Thief.”Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
November 22, 2010
Best of Belhaven I
Monday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
The Music Department presents the most outstanding performances of the semester on one concert. Musical variety and excellence are the gifts from our student performers to you. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
November 30 & December 1, 2010
5th Annual One Act Play Festival
A project of the Production Supervision and Directing classes
Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:30 pm, BlackboxTheatre
An evening of short plays and desserts!** Join us for this showcase of the class work for two of our fall classes, and enjoy desserts during the performance. The plays this year are selected winners of the Belhaven University One Act Play competition – please contact the Theatre Box Office for further information regarding the plays to be performed. Admission is free, no reserved seating. Doors open at 7:00 pm. ** Proceeds of dessert sales go to benefit the Iota Upsilon chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honorary society.
December 1 & 2, 2010
DOXA Dance Concert
Thursday 6:30 pm and Friday 7:30 pm, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center
This event highlights emerging young creative artists’ choreography and performance produced by members of DOXA, the dance department’s student led organization. Suggested Donations $5. Complimentary admission for children, Belhaven faculty/staff/students. Doors open at thirty minutes prior to event.
December 3 & 4, 2010
The 78th Annual Singing Christmas Tree
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm, Soccer Bowl
Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy this special celebration of Christmas music favorites. Adjunct music faculty member, Mrs. Carolyn Sachs, is the current musical director of this Belhaven tradition. Complimentary admission.
December 5, 2010
Choral and Vocal Arts: Mary Had a Baby
Sunday, 2:30 pm, Concert Hall (Matinee)
Dr. Christopher Shelt conducts The Belhaven Concert Choir, Chorale, soloists, and small ensembles in a delightful afternoon concert of sacred Christmas works. Enjoy a panorama of worshipful Christmas carols, classics, and spirituals arranged by John Cheetham, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Robert Shaw/Alice Parker, and John Rutter. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 2:00 pm.
January 20, 2011
Alumni Recital – Sarah Sachs, pianist
Thursday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
It is always exciting when one of our own comes home to present a recital. This program of Bach, Beethoven, Bernstein, Mendelssohn and Liszt is the culmination of Ms. Sachs’ work at USM where she is completing her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
February 8, 2011
Preston Chamber Music Series
An Evening of Diamonds
Belhaven Piano Trio and Sachs Piano Duo
Tuesday 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Brahms Piano Trio in C Major, Op. 87 coupled with Bizet’s masterpiece Jeaux d’Enfants, Op. 22 (Children’s Games) and music by P. D. Q. Bach for piano four hands create a delightful evening for your listening pleasure. A truly special event for all ages. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
February 10, 2011
Jackson Public School All-City Honors Band
Thursday, 7:00 pm, Concert Hall
The Music Department is pleased to host the Jackson Public School’s finest middle school and high school instrumentalists selected to perform in the 2011 JPS All-City Honors Band. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
February 11 & 12, 2011
Dance Ministry Ensemble Concert
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm, Visual Arts and Dance Center
An evening of dance presentation aimed to bring inspiration and encouragement to the heart and soul. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for children, Belhaven faculty/staff/students. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
February 17- 19, 23-26, 2011
The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov
Thursday – Saturday & Wednesday - Friday, 7:30 pm, Blackbox Theatre
Saturday Matinees, February 19 & 26, 2:00 pm
Caught between the longing for the past and a hope for the future, the siblings of the Prozorof family struggle to find their place after the passing of their father; their desire to return to Moscow opposed by the obligations of the present. This production of Anton Chekhov’s tragicomedy is directed by faculty member John Maxwell. General admission $10, Seniors/Students/Children $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven faculty/staff/students and immediate families. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Opening night reception following the performance on February 17.
February 19 – March 19, 2011
Student Invitational Art Exhibition
Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center, Gallery
Opening reception on Saturday, February 19, 2:00pm-4:00pm
This annual exhibition of student works highlights a wide range of styles and media including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. This exhibition is always one of our most festive and popular openings. Complimentary Admission.
February 19, 2011
Faculty Recital - Gena Everitt, soprano
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Brilliant artistry and mature musicianship combine for an outstanding evening of varied vocal literature. Dr. Stephen Sachs, pianist, Mr. Song Xie, violinist, and Mr. Lee Bailey, tenor assist in this unforgettable treat for the music lover! Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
February 26, 2011
Tunes, Tutus and Turning Wheels
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
An integrated evening of arts showcasing various local artists with and without disabilities; dancers, musicians, choreographers, visual artists. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students $5.
Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 2-5, 2011
Senior Dance Concerts
Wednesday –Saturday, 7:30 pm, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre
Graduating BFA students proudly present creative original senior projects exhibiting the culmination of their dance studies. Come experience the passion and maturity evident in these inspiring young performers and choreographers. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for children, Belhaven faculty/staff/students. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 3-5, 2011
Musical Theatre
Thursday – Saturday, 7:30 pm, Blackbox Theatre
“The Light in the Piazza” based on the novella by Belhaven graduate Elizabeth Spencer opened on Broadway April 18, 2005. In this tale of romance, do the eyes of God or the eyes of man provide the value judgment of a human being who is mentally challenged? Complimentary admission. Reserved tickets available. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 8, 2011
Collaborative Arts Concert
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Faculty and students from the departments of Creative Writing, Dance, Graphic Design, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts will collaborate on an evening of innovative and exploratory arts. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 22, 2011
Faculty Recital - Dr. Stephen Sachs, pianist
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
An evening of romantic Ballades by Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt express the full range of emotions from tenderness to triumph, darkness to breathtaking beauty. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 28, 2011
Poetry Reading: Richard Tillinghast
Monday, 7:00-8:00 pm, Hood Library, in Barber Auditorium
Richard Tillinghast is the author of eight books of poetry and three books of non-fiction. His first poetry collection was Sleep Watch, 1969. Dr. Tillinghast reviewed new poetry for the New York Times Book Review; he has also reviewed and written literary essays for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and The New Criterion. His poems have appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, Paris Review, The New Yorker, Poetry, The New Republic, Poetry London, Poetry Ireland Review, as well as online. Now living in Ireland, he reviews frequently for The Irish Times and the Dublin Review of Books. His poems have been featured on Garrison Keillor’s NPR show, “The Writer’s Almanac.” Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
March 31, April 1, 4, 5, 2011
The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesco
Thursday – Friday, Monday - Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Theatre 151**
Ionesco’s classic absurdist play directed by senior theatre major Becki Haynes.
Join us on April 1 for one of the performances of Absurdist Fool’s Day. A triple-header of shows; 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 pm! General admission $10, Seniors/Students/Children $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven faculty/staff/students and immediate families. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Opening night reception on March 30 following the performance. ** Theatre 151, located in CFTA classroom 151, is the Theatre Department’s series of performances for the exploration of challenging topics and the discovery of inspiring and innovative material.
April 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, 2011
Spring Dance Concert
Friday – Saturday, Thursday – Friday, 7:30 pm, Visual Arts and Dance Center,
Matinee 10:30 am Saturday, April 9
A display of unique choreography by dance faculty and guest artists, presented by the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble. This event will feature a restaging of Martha Graham’s Panorama. Other styles for the evening include classical and contemporary ballet, modern and cultural dance. Suggested donation $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for children, Belhaven faculty/staff/students. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
April 4-16, 2011
The Belhaven Theatre Festival
Monday – Saturday. Times and Venues to be announced.
Join us for a two-week series of theatrical events – from guest artists C. McNair Wilson and Rich Swingle, solo performances by faculty member John Maxwell and others, staged readings of original works (including the winner of the 2011 Christians in Theatre Arts new play contest), senior recitals by graduating Belhaven students, showcase performances of class projects, workshops and presentations. The full Festival schedule will be announced this spring; contact the Theatre Box Office for more information. Admission will vary per event.
April 8, 2011
Orchestras and Strings Concert
Friday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Idyll for String Orchestra by Leoš Janáček anchors this exciting evening featuring award-winning Belhaven string students in solo concerto and ensemble roles. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
April 9, 2011
All State Strings Concert
Saturday, 3:00 pm, Concert Hall
Mississippi’s best high school string students present the results of two intensive days of rehearsal and study. Dr. London Branch is guest conductor. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 2:00 pm.
April 9, 2011
Guitar Ensemble Concert
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
This concert showcases the best student guitar solos and ensembles. From earliest music to the latest experimental jazz, there is something for every taste on this eclectic program. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
April 12, 2011
Belhaven University and Jackson Community Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble Concert
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Excitement through sound is in store for you as the full range of instrumental timbres, color, and energy flow under the baton of Dr. Paxton Girtmon and Paul Heindl. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
April 14, 2011
Composers’ Orchestral Reading Session
Mississippi Museum of Art
Thursday, 5:00 pm, Trustmark Grand Hall
Student composers from Belhaven University and Mississippi College realize the dream of having their compositions read by professional players of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, directed by Maestro Crafton Beck. Brief discussions of the compositions and the composers’ intentions are part of this positive, engaging, and exploratory session. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 4:30. Reception following in the Grand Hall.
April 16, 2011
Choral and Vocal Arts: Iberian Romance
Saturday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
Dr. Christopher Shelt conducts the Belhaven Concert Choir, Chorale, soloists, and small ensembles in an exploration of choral and vocal works written in the Ibero-Romance family of languages, Spanish and Portuguese. Expect exquisite examples from diverse style periods and countries of origin, including some from the pop idioms. This colorful concert will feature Jean Berger’s work, A Brazilian Psalm. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
April 19, 2011
Best of Belhaven II
Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Concert Hall
The Music Department presents the most outstanding performances of the semester on one concert. Musical variety and excellence are the gifts from our student performers to you. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
