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 contains the schedule for the year and comments from each of the arts department chairs.

Any changes made from the original printing of the Arts Ablaze will be highlighted below. For further details or reservations, connect with the department sponsoring the event or performance:

 

Belhaven Arts Ablaze Schedule

Senior Fine Art Exhibition

  • When: September 10 - October 1
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Gallery

This show will feature the work of Willie Smith and Markayla Hardy. Join us for an opening reception on September 10th from 2-4 pm in the Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance Center Gallery.


Faculty Recital: Dr. Rebecca Geihsler and Mrs. Sarah Waters

  • When: Thursday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Enjoy an evening of vocal duets from the Renaissance to the Romantic era, joined by Dr. Tanja Miric, guitar, and Mr. Daniel Jones, piano/organ.

Complimentary Admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.


The Spitfire Grill

  • When: September 29-October 1 & October 6-8 Thurs. – Sat., 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees
  • Where:Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts

“Say what you want, say what you will. Something’s cooking at The Spitfire Grill!”

  • Music & Book by James Valcq
  • Music & Lyrics by Fred Alley
  • Directed by Jeff Allen Young
  • Music Direction by Chrissy Hrivnak

Based on the acclaimed film of the same name, The Spitfire Grill offers a heartwarming story of perseverance, family, and redemption. When newcomer Percy arrives in Gilead with hopes of overcoming a difficult past, she finds a depressed, run-down town that doesn’t look at all as she’d dreamed. With a bit of elbow grease, a nationwide raffle contest, and an openness to joy, Percy and the town’s residents discover that there is, indeed, a balm in Gilead.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students/seniors; complimentary for BU students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members. For information or to reserve tickets, email boxoffice@belhaven.edu. *Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Complimentary admission. FIKA starts at 7 p.m.


Senior Fine Art Exhibition

  • When: October 8-29
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance Center Gallery

This show will feature the work of Addison Whitner. Join us for an opening reception on October 8th from 2-4 pm in the Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance Center Gallery.


Student Composers Concert XXVII

  • When: Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Instrumental Rehearsal Hall

The Composers Forum invites you to participate with Belhaven student composers and performers in making new music.  Join us as we bring freshly fabricated compositions and improvisations to life.

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. 
Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


The Burial At Thebes

by Seamus Heaney
Directed by Elissa Sartwell

  • When: November 3-5 & 10-12, Thurs. – Sat., 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees
  • Where: Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts

In The Burial at Thebes, Nobel-Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney offers a stunning and profound adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone. The ancient story remains as relevant as ever, as the characters and audience are asked to consider what an individual should do when moral law and civil law are at odds.

Don’t expect to see Greek columns or masks; this production brings the story of Antigone into the present day.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students/seniors; complimentary for BU students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members. For information or to reserve tickets, email boxoffice@belhaven.edu. *Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain.


Fall Dance Concert

The Man in the Bowler Hat
  • When: November 4-5, 11-12, Friday & Saturday, 7:00 PM
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre

A showcase of choreography by dance faculty and guest artists, presented by the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble and members of DOXA. Styles include classical and contemporary ballet and modern dance.

General Admission $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30pm.


Symphony Orchestra Concert

  • When: November 11 Friday, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

You don’t want to miss an evening of profound symphonic masterworks performed by the Belhaven University Symphony Orchestra. On tonight’s concert you will hear the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and his triumphant Symphony No.2 in D major, Op.43 and from Giuseppe Verdi's  La Traviata, the all-time audience's delighted, "Prelude to Act 1.”

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


Belhaven Chorale and Vocal Chamber Ensemble

  • When: November 15, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Join us for an evening of beautiful vocal music for large and small ensemble presented by the Belhaven Chorale and Vocal Chamber Ensemble.

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


David West & Jerrod Partridge Show & Masterclass

  • When: November 11 – December 10
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance

This show will feature the work of visiting artists, David West and Jerrod Partridge.

Join us for an opening reception on November 12th from 6-8 pm in the Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance Center Gallery. In addition to the showcase, West & Partridge will be teaching a masterclass on their artistic processes.

The class is open to the public and will be held in the Bitsy Irby Fine Art and Dance Center on November 11th.


Doxa Emerging Choreographers Concert

  • When: November 18-19, Friday & Saturday, 7:00 PM
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre

This event is produced by members of DOXA and highlights student choreography and performance.

General Admission $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30pm.


Best of Belhaven Showcase

  • When: November 21, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

The Music Department presents the most outstanding student 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 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


The 90th Annual Singing Christmas Tree

  • When: December 2-3 Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Belhaven Bowl Stadium

Voices! Carols! Lights! The Belhaven University Singing Christmas Tree is the oldest continuous outdoor singing Christmas tree tradition in North America. Mr. Tim Walker conducts the tree made up of Belhaven Choral Arts singers along with additional students, faculty, staff, alumni, and choristers from area churches, in collaboration with Belhaven’s other fine arts programs. Together we join forces to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Complimentary admission. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.

Studio Theatre Senior and MFA Thesis Dance Concert

  • When: March 1-4
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center

Senior dance majors and an MFA candidate present an evening of original choreography and performance, created at the intersection of scholarship and practice. This event is sponsored by DOXA.

  • CONCERT A: Wednesday & Friday, 7 p.m.
  • CONCERT B: Thursday & Saturday, 7 p.m.

General Admission, $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.


Studio Theatre Senior Dance Research Presentations

  • When: Thursday, March 9, 7 p.m.
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center

Senior dance majors present an evening of scholarship, lecture demonstrations, and creative process discussions on topics from the field of dance and beyond.

Complimentary Admission.


Student Composers Concert Preview

  • When: Tuesday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Shoe Bird Café

The Composers Forum brings an interactive preview of compositions and improvisations featured on next week’s concert. Enjoy FIKA at the Shoe Bird Café and join us in bringing newly minted music to life.

Complimentary admission. FIKA starts at 7 p.m.


Belhaven Strings & Orchestra Showcase

  • When: Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Please come to celebrate and enjoy an evening with Belhaven University’s outstanding string soloists, chamber ensembles, and the Symphonic Orchestra. You are guaranteed a night full of musical variety and delight!

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


All-State Strings Festival Concert

  • When: Saturday, March 25, 3 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

Mississippi All-State String Orchestra consists of talented pre-collegiate string students from all over Mississippi. This concert is the culmination of their two-day intensive orchestra training. Please come to support our young generation of talented Mississippi musicians.

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.


Student Composers Concert XXVIII

  • When: Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

The Composers Forum invites you to participate with Belhaven student composers and performers in making new music. Join us as we bring freshly fabricated compositions and improvisations to life.

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.


An Evening of One Acts

The Man in the Bowler Hat

By A.A. Milne
Directed by Lamana Stringfellow

The Imaginary Cuckold

By Moliere (translated by Richard Wilbur)
Directed by Aleksandra Erives

  • When: March 29 – April 1
  • Where: Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts

Belhaven senior theatre majors Lamana Stringfellow and Aleksandra Erives make their directing debuts with two one-act plays dripping with mistaken identity, plot twists, and broad physical comedy.

Written by the author of Winnie the Pooh, The Man in the Bowler Hat presents a terribly exciting event that happens in the humdrum life of John and Mary.

Moliere’s The Imaginary Cuckold offers a satire of honor and infidelity with accusations of betrayal flying in so many directions that it just might take some common sense to sort things out in the end.

  • Wednesday-Saturday evenings: 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday matinee: 2 p.m.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students/seniors; complimentary for BU students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members. For information or to reserve tickets, email boxoffice@belhaven.edu.


Belhaven University Dance Ensemble Spring Dance Concert

  • When: Thursday-Saturday, March 30 – April, 7 p.m.
  • Where: Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center Studio Theatre

A showcase of choreography by dance faculty and guest artists, presented by the Belhaven University Dance Ensemble and members of DOXA. Styles include classical and contemporary ballet and modern dance.

General Admission, $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.


Best of Belhaven II and Music Awards

  • When: Monday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

The Music Department presents the most outstanding student performances of the semester in one concert. We will also present music awards to several of our talented majors.

Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 p.m. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.

A Celebrated Haven for Arts Education

Only 34 universities in the U.S. are accredited in all major arts. Belhaven is one. That means master classes, great performances, and national competitions. When you study art, dance, music, or theatre here, you’re earning a degree from a nationally recognized school for the arts.

See Our Accreditation

Verse of the Year

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Matthew 7:24