Tickets are still available for many events during the 12th season of Florida State University’s Seven Days of Opening Nights, February 12-22, showcasing FSU’s commitment to the arts through performances in music, theatre, dance, visual art, film and literature.
This year’s performers range from the world-blues of Taj Mahal to the hip-hop dance of Rennie Harris Puremovement, from the edgy theater of Mike Daisey to the crowd-pleasing sound of the Vienna Choir Boys. These world-class artists regularly host master-classes with FSU students and perform educational-outreach programs in Leon County Schools. ; Student tickets to all performances are just $10. ;
“Seven Days of Opening Nights is much more than a string of great performances,” explains Sally McRorie, dean of the College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance. “It engages our students, faculty, community, and beyond with quality arts and artists. That culture of achievement is what a truly great university provides.”
On the Seven Days of Opening Nights 2010 schedule:
- 2/12 (Friday) — “In Company with Angels” @ FSU Museum of Fine Arts, 7-9 p.m., FREE
The opening-night reception features exquisite Tiffany stained-glass and a remarkable 18th-century painting, The Annunciation, on loan from the Ringling Museum. - 2/13 (Saturday) — The Taj Mahal Trio, blues @ FAMU’s Lee Hall, 8 p.m.
The two-time Grammy-winning blues/world-music legend is “a monument who hits every target — each note, each emotional nuance — with absolute, pinpoint accuracy” (Mojo Magazine). There’d be no Keb Mo’ without Taj Mahal. - 2/14 (Sunday) — Geoffrey Gilmore Presents a Movie You Haven’t Seen III @ FSU Student Life Cinema, 8 p.m. ; SOLD OUT!The man who ran the Sundance Film Festival for 20 years is now running the Tribeca Film Festival. His last two films have been the Oscar-nominated The Visitor and the smash-hit romantic-comedy 500 Days of Summer.
- 2/15 (Monday) — Vienna Boys Choir @ Bradfordville Baptist Church, 8 p.m. SOLD OUT!
An institution for more than 500 years, the VBC just might be the most famous and most beloved choir in the world. - 2/16 & 17 (Tuesday/Wednesday) — Rennie Harris Puremovement @ FSU’s Smith-Fichter Dance Theatre, 8 p.m.
A pioneer of hip-hop dance, “If Rennie Harris Puremovement were any hotter, it would incinerate before your eyes” (Village Voice). The skill, dexterity and virtuosity of this group must be seen to be believed. - 2/18 (Thursday) — Mike Daisey, theater @ TCC’s Turner Auditorium, 8 p.m.
One of the hottest theatrical performers of the moment, monologist Daisey is “the master storyteller—one of the finest solo performers of his generation” (New York Times). Note: this show will most likely contain some adult language. - 2/19 (Friday) — Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) @ TCC’s Turner Auditorium, 8 p.m. SOLD OUT!
In its nearly 30-year career, the LAGQ “has set an enviable standard for the range of repertoire, craftsmanship of the playing and entertainment potential of a four-acoustic-guitar ensemble” (Los Angeles Times). - 2/20 (Saturday) — Saturday Matinee of the Arts @ Tallahassee Museum, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE
Seven Days’ annual collaboration with the Tallahassee Museum features free admission and a rich line-up of visual and performing arts, including live music throughout the day, exhibits by local artisans, and a tribute to the marvelous folk artists O.L. Samuels, who will be on hand for the festivities. - 2/20 & 21 (Saturday/Sunday) — Richard Stoltzman, clarinet & Trio Solis, TWO SHOWS
@ Opperman Music Hall (Saturday), 2 p.m. ;
@Pebble Hill Plantation ; (Sunday), 2 p.m. SOLD OUT!
The Grammy-winning Stoltzman is “the quintessential clarinetist” (New York Times). He’ll play two afternoon shows with FSU’s fabulous Trio Solis, a chamber-music feast featuring Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. - 2/20 (Saturday) — Marcus Roberts Septet, Deep in the Shed @ TCC’s Turner Aud., TWO SHOWS: 7 & 9:30 p.m.
Roberts, a fixture of Seven Days, performs a new take on his landmark 1989 jazz suite Deep in the Shed with a remarkable horn-heavy septet. It got raves in Chicago and New York, the only two cities to hear it…until now. - 2/21 (Sunday) — Eileen Ivers, Beyond the Bog Road, Celtic @ The Moon, 8 p.m.
Grammy-winner Ivers is, simply, the pre-eminent exponent of Irish fiddle in the world and “the future of Celtic fiddle” (Washington Post). The remarkable Bog Road tells of Irish emigration to the U.S. through music, story and dance. - 2/22 (Monday) — Margaret Atwood, author @ Fallon Theatre, FSU, 8 p.m., $25 SOLD OUT!
This Booker-Prize-winning author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin is “one of the most inventive, enthralling and accomplished authors writing in English” (London’s Sunday Times).
Tickets are available online at www.tickets.fsu.edu, by calling the Ticket Office at 850-644-6500, or visiting the Ticket Office in the Fine Arts Building on the corner of Call and Copeland Streets.
For more information, see www.sevendaysfestival.org.