Acclaimed artists highlight TAMU art academy season

A diverse line-up of acclaimed artists, including dancers, chamber musicians, a bilingual operatic troupe and a multimedia performer promises to thrill audiences during the Texas A&M [Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts] (http://academyarts.tamu.edu/) ’ 2018-19 season at the [Rudder Theatre Complex] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/) . The AVPA is entering its second year under the direction of Weiling He, associate professor of [architecture] (http://dept.arch.tamu.edu/) .

In addition to the dynamic performances, the AVPA, one of the region’s leading supporters of the arts, provides [grants] (http://academyarts.tamu.edu/grants/) to students and faculty for artistic performances, production, exhibition, research as well as travel to art-related conferences.

Two new AVPA funding opportunities this year are the [Arts Enhancement Grant] (http://academyarts.tamu.edu/grants/students-grants/arts-enhancement-grant/) , which supports the initial stage of students’ arts-related scholarly and creative projects, and the [Technologies of Art Grant] (http://academyarts.tamu.edu/technologies-of-art/) , which supports projects that embrace new creative horizons at the intersection of art and technology.

This season’s AVPA performances:

Sept. 25 | [Sybarite5] (https://www.sybarite5.org/) , a progressive chamber group which the Washington Post hailed as a performing a fascinating, cheerful and extraordinarily well-played evening of popular, folk and classical music at 7 p.m. in [Rudder Forum] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/spaces/forum/) .

Oct. 11 | “This World Made Itself,” a multimedia event by performer and digital artist [Miwa Matreyek] (http://www.semihemisphere.com/) at 7 p.m. in [Rudder Forum] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/spaces/forum/) . The National Student, an online publication for UK higher education scholars, called “This World” a quirky, a compelling piece that highlights the wonder, serenity and splendorous dynamism of Earth.

Nov. 7 | “ [Pancho Villa From a Safe Distance] (http://www.panchovillaopera.com/) ,” a bilingual opera created by visionary composer [Graham Reynolds] (http://www.grahamreynolds.com/) that explores the life and times of the famous Mexican revolutionary in a tuneful kaleidoscope of corridos, Tejano, alt-classical, and country music performed by two singers and a small ensemble in front of projected still and moving images.

The performance is scheduled at 7 p.m. in [Rudder Theatre] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/spaces/theatre/) .

Feb. 16 | [Eisenhower Dance Detroit] (http://eisenhowerdance.org/) will bring to life pieces by choreographers known throughout the world at 7 p.m. in [Rudder Auditorium] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/) . “The dancers’ commanding stage presence, combined with their seamless, high-caliber technique, are captivating to watch,” said Rachel Hellwig, a critic at arts BHAM, an online publication in Birmingham, Alabama.

March 7 | [Koresh Dance Company] (https://www.koreshdance.org/) ’s recent performance of critically acclaimed choreography was “the most exciting dance experience I’ve ever seen in my life,” said a critic with a weekly publication in Philadelphia, where the group is based. “With its outstanding lighting and technically-honed music, this was an experience I wholeheartedly advocate for anyone even slightly interested in dance.”

The performance is scheduled at 7 p.m. in [Rudder Auditorium] (https://rtc.ucenter.tamu.edu/) .

Richard Nira
rnira@arch.tamu.edu