UNCW Presents proudly announces its 2009/10 Arts in Action Performance Series that builds on the excitement and success of previous years. UNCW Presents continues to bring the highest caliber professional performing artists on tour from around the world and across the spectrum of artistic disciplines to southeastern NC. Seven performing arts events and related outreach activities are scheduled September 2009 through April 2010 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium.
The series opens Monday, Sept. 28 with celebrated Japanese Taiko drummers, Nagata Shachu. This high-energy percussion ensemble rejuvenates and reinvents the ancient art form of Taiko drumming by producing innovative and exciting new music.
Composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain (known as DBR) displays his dazzling talent and innovation for one amazing evening on Wednesday, Oct. 21. DBR will showcase selected solo and duet works from his recent recording, etudes4violin&electronix, featuring keyboardist Wynne Bennett and Elan Vital, aka DJ Scientific, on turntables and laptop. Co-sponsored by the Association for Campus Entertainment (ACE)
Saturday, Nov. 14 - Fall events wrap up with Urban Bush Women, a one-of-a-kind troupe known for integrating dance, music and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of African Americans and the African Diaspora. For the UNCW performance, the company will celebrate its 25th Anniversary Season with a program that includes the often humorous, always thought-provoking Batty Moves—founder and artistic director Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's unabashedly joyful celebration of female form and power in all shapes and sizes.
The New Year opens on Thursday, Feb. 18 with a performance by mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and his new band the Punch Brothers – whose name is taken from the Mark Twain short story, Punch, Brothers, Punch!. This exciting, Gammy-nominated group combines the talents of the hottest young pickers in modern bluegrass—Gabe Witcher, Naom Pikelny, and Paul Kowert—to create a fresh, cutting-edge sound that seamlessly blends bluegrass traditions with breathtaking innovation.
On Friday, March 19, Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story, the signature literary program of New York's Symphony Space broadcast live each week through National Public Radio, is performed live on the UNCW stage. Hosted by David Rakoff, Selected Shorts presents fine actors reading classic and bold new short fiction. Co-presented with the Department of Creative Writing and the Katherine Buckner Lecture Series
Chris Potter's Underground presents an exciting jazz concert on Friday, March 26. Equally adept on soprano, alto or tenor saxophone, the Grammy-nominated Potter has carved out a singular niche in an all too competitive field. Unquestionably at his finest in the role of bandleader, his Underground quartet features guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Nate Smith. Co-presented with the UNCW 28th Annual Guest Artist Jazz Festival sponsored by the Department of Music
On Sunday, April 11 the series concludes with what is sure to be a memorable performance by the Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet. For more than 30 years, the Kronos Quartet, comprised of David Harrington, John Sherba (violins), Hank Dutt (viola) and Jeffrey Zeigler (cello), has pursued a singular artistic vision, combining a spirit of fearless exploration with a commitment to expanding the range and context of the string quartet. In the process, Kronos has become one of the most celebrated and influential groups of our time. Co-sponsored by the UNCW Office of Cultural Arts and Chamber Music Wilmington
UNCW Presents is working toward crafting innovative outreach opportunities including master classes, lectures, demonstrations and more within the Wilmington community and with our partner community groups. Performances slated for possible community outreach efforts include Nagata Shachu, Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), Urban Bush Women, and Chris Potter's Underground. These events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.uncw.edu/presents.
Box Office and Ticket Information
Mainstage subscriptions to the series will be available July 27 and include six events at Kenan Auditorium. The subscription offers savings of 20% as well as priority seating for all performances. Season tickets are priced at $42 for non-UNCW students; $29 for UNCW students; $80 for UNCW employees and alumni and senior citizens; and $99 for all others. A smaller ticket package ("Choose-Your-Own-Series") option is also available and offers 10% savings for ticket purchases to at least three different events at Kenan Auditorium.
Individual tickets go on sale August 19 with special savings for students and senior citizens. Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount.
For tickets, call Kenan Box Office at 962.3500 or 800.732.3643 outside of the Wilmington area. Box office hours are 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. To request a season brochure, telephone UNCW Presents at 910.962.3285 or visit www.uncw.edu/presents.
About UNCW Arts in Action Performance Series
Sponsored by UNCW Presents, the Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the general public through the presentation of diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. For more information, www.uncw.edu/presents.
UNCW Presents is a member of the NC Presenters Consortium and the US National Association of Performing Arts Presenters. The 150 member venues of the NC Presenters Consortium may be visited at www.presenters.org.
Media Contact: Shannon Hooker, 910.962.7600
