The School of the Arts Schedule

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. Looking for a past edition of an ArtsAblaze? Check our archives.

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:

Belhaven Arts Ablaze - Fall 2021

August 23 – September 18 Opening Reception: August 28, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	Senior Exhibition The Senior Exhibition is the culminating experience for our BFA and BA candidates. These students have worked hard to develop their own voices as artists throughout their coursework in the Art and Design Department. This exhibit serves as a launching point for professional practice and allows the students to gain the practical knowledge of museum work through the curating and installing of their exhibit. We are proud to showcase the work of these student artists: Melissa Gentry Hannah Gillis Sarah Guinn
August 27 Saturday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Duo Mirić: An Evening of Clasical Guitar Preston Chamber Music Series Enjoy a lively and varied collection of arrangements and compositions for two guitars presented by Duo Mirić (twin sisters Dr. Tanja Mirić and Dr. Darka Kooienga). Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm.
September 25 – October 30 Opening Reception: September 25, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	V • Com21 - Visual Communications Exhibition This exhibit will feature the Graduate Exhibition of Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Art and Design Department Jon Micah Tyson. Through illustration, interface design, and visual storytelling, Tyson invites the viewer to experience and explore Red Tides, a pirate fantasy tabletop game set in the vast waters of New Caribbea.
Sept. 29-Oct. 2 & Oct. 5-7 7:30pm Wed-Sat / 2pm Sat Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts	Steel Magnolias By Robert Harling  Directed by Jenna Kahley Join Ouiser, Shelby, and M’Lynn at Truvy’s Salon in the classic, heartwarming, southern comedy that is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and leave the theatre more grateful for the people you love. Admission is free / Reservations Required / email boxoffice@belhaven.edu to make a reservation / Reservations open beginning September 8.
October 21 Thursday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Fabio Menchetti, Piano Preston Chamber Music Series Italian-born pianist Fabio Menchetti brings his international career (Italy, Poland, France, Germany, and the US) to Belhaven University with a program drawing on Romantic and twentieth-century music.  For more about Dr. Menchetti, visit www.fabiomenchetti.com. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.
October 30 Saturday, 11:00am Concert Hall	Sachs Piano Duo Preston Chamber Music Series The Sachs Piano Duo presents compositions originally written for duet piano by Debussy, Brahms, and Costa Rican composers. Waltzes, mazurkas, and other dancing titles comprise the many short pieces, grouped into suites and sets. The Music Forum of Jackson in cooperation with Belhaven University Music Department invites you to mask up and social distance to experience this complimentary live performance.
Nov. 5-6, 12-13; 7:00pm Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Fall Dance Concert 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.
November 6 – December 11 Opening Reception: November 6, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	Senior Exhibition The Senior Exhibition is the culminating experience for our BFA and BA candidates. These students have worked hard to develop their own voices as artists throughout their coursework in the Art and Design Department. This exhibit serves as a launching point for professional practice and allows the students to gain the practical knowledge of museum work through the curating and installing of their exhibit. We are proud to showcase the work of these student artists: Sun-Jae Park Anna Leonard Yumi Choy
November 11-13 & 18-20  6:30pm Thurs.-Sat. / 2pm Sat. The Commons (between Preston Hall and Fitzhugh Hall	Two Gentlemen of Verona By William Shakespeare  Directed by Elissa Sartwell One of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, Two Gentlemen of Verona has it all: friendships, romance, outlaws, and a farting dog. Performed outdoors on Belhaven’s beautiful campus, this play reminds us that forgiveness is redemptive. Performance is outdoors / admission is free / no reservations required / seating is limited / blankets and/or lawn chairs welcome.
November 13 Saturday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Belhaven Chorale and Worship Choir The combined choirs of Belhaven’s Chorale and Worship Choir invite you to join us for a wonderful evening choral music.  From classic anthems to fresh arrangements of wonderful hymns, this evening promises to leave you filled with uplifting lyrics and music. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.
November 16 Tuesday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Student Composers Concert XXV 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.  This concert will include incidental music from the theatre department’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.
November 19 Friday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Symphony Orchestra Concert You don’t want to miss this evening of profound symphonic masterworks performed by the excellent Belhaven University Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra will present to you the great German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony and the all-time favorite overture from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Complimentary admission. Doors open at 7 pm. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook.
Nov. 19-20; 7:00pm Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Doxa Emerging Choreographers Concert 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.
November 22 Monday, 7:30pm Concert Hall	Best of Belhaven I 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.
December 3-4 Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm Belhaven Bowl Stadium	The 89th Annual Singing Christmas Tree 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.

 

Belhaven Arts Ablaze - Spring 2022

January 15 – 29 Opening Reception: January 15, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	Guest Artist Bailey Hughes Bailey Hughes is a visual artist living in Flowood, MS. She works primarily with drawings and collage, utilizing found materials. It is Bailey Hughes' goal as an artist to be a seer, experiencer and communicator of truth.
February 5 – March 11 Opening Reception: February 5, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	Senior Exhibition The Senior Exhibition is the culminating experience for our BFA and BA candidates. These students have worked hard to develop their own voices as artists throughout their coursework in the Art and Design Department. This exhibit serves as a launching point for professional practice and allows the students to gain the practical knowledge of museum work through the curating and installing of their exhibit. We are proud to showcase the work of these student artists: Danicia Loya Standish Dyson Anna Thornton
February 9-12  7:30pm Wed. – Sat. / 2pm Sat. Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts	The Twelve-Pound Look By J. M. Barrie Directed by Lizzy Delp This comedic play play by author of Peter Pan will delight audiences who love wit and humor. On the eve of his knighthood, Harry Sims basks in his own sense of accomplishment. He is so certain of the congratulatory praises that he will receive from the masses that he preemptively hires a typist to write thank you notes. But when the typist arrives at Harry’s door, an uncomfortable reality check ensues. Admission is free / Reservations Required / email boxoffice@belhaven.edu to make a reservation  / Reservations open beginning January 19.
Feb. 10-12, 7:00pm Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Dance Ministry Ensemble Concert The Dance Ministry Ensemble and DOXA present choreography created by guest artists and dance faculty aimed to encourage and inspire the spirit of all who attend. *General Admission, $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Mar. 9 & 10, 7:00pm Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Senior Dance Research Presentations 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.
Mar. 23-26, 7:00pm Concert A - Wed. & Fri. Concert B - Thurs. & Sat. Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Senior Dance Concert Senior dance majors present an evening of original choreography and performance, created at the intersection of scholarship and practice. This event is sponsored by DOXA. *General Admission, $10, Seniors/Students $5. Complimentary admission for Belhaven Faculty/Staff/Students and immediate families. Doors open at 6:30pm.
March 26 – April 30 Opening Reception, March 26, 2-4pm Bitsy Irby Gallery	Annual Student Invitational The Annual Student invitational features work produced within the past year by students in the Art and Design Department. This exhibit is juried and curated by the faculty and reveals the diversity and range of disciplines taught in the department. None of the work included in this show was made for a class, but instead reflects the vision and expertise developed by each student as they pursue their various disciplines.
March 31–April 2 & April 7-9 7:30pm Thurs.-Sat. / 2pm Sat. Blackbox Theatre in the Center for the Arts	The Wizard of Oz  By L. Frank Baum With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart Directed by Elissa Sartwell With a fresh, imaginative approach, Belhaven Theatre closes its season with the classic musical that inspires each of us to have courage and heart as we find where we belong in this world. Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Apr. 7-8, 7:00pm Apr. 9, 2:30pm & 7:00pm Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center - Studio Theatre	Belhaven University Dance Ensemble - Spring Dance Concert 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.
Apr. 14; 7:00pm Center for the Arts - Concert Hall	Collaborative Arts Concert This student-produced event features collaborative works created from the Dance, Music, Theatre, Film, and Art & Design Departments. *Complimentary admission. Doors open at 6:30pm.