It’s always nice to see revivals of known ballets and modern dance, but it’s exciting when the works are brand new. That’s what’s in store for audiences who will attend The University of Akron Dance Company’s spring dance concert in E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. Four choreographers will present new pieces, including a four-movement modern […]
Article · March 20, 2015 by Roger Durbin
One would be hard put to find someone in the musical world of the greater Akron area who doesn’t know or hasn’t heard of organist and voice teacher James Mismas. Most of that is because Jim (as he likes to be called) is very much a part of the musical fabric of the area and is […]
Article · March 18, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Knight and Day in Akron, poster. Photo via www.akronartmuseum.org Several hundred people showed up at the Akron Civic Theatre (a Knight Arts grantee) on March 4th to celebrate Akron’s participation in the Cleveland International Film Festival for the fifth consecutive year, made possible through the Knight and Day in Akron program sponsored by the Knight […]
Article · March 13, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Most people probably don’t think of a play about a snooty bunch of people in a book club being all that much of a comedy, but it is at Actors’ Summit, a Knight Arts grantee, where Karen Zacarias’ “The Book Club Play” is being performed. For one thing, the hilarity comes out of the characters, […]
Article · March 11, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Gary Mullen & The Works’ “One Night of Queen” has enjoyed a thriving, 13-plus year run, due in large part to the striking vocal resemblance between lead singer Gary Mullen and the legendary Freddie Mercury. This weekend, Mullen and his band are bringing their highly-popular show to the Akron Civic Theatre, a Knight Arts grantee. […]
Article · March 6, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Artistic forces came together, in some cases for the first time, as GroundWorks DanceTheater (a Knight Arts grantee) rehearsed for its upcoming concert at Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall this weekend. Composer Steven Snowden was on hand to hear string chamber ensemble Aeolus Quartet perform the 40-minute work he wrote for GroundWorks’ “House of […]
Article · March 4, 2015 by Roger Durbin
It seems like only a couple of years ago that Ballet Excel Ohio, a Knight Arts grantee, mounted its version of “Snow White,” as commissioned by the company and created by choreographer Laszlo Berdo. So it came as quite a surprise to Mia Klinger, the ballet’s artistic director–and me, when sitting down for an interview and […]
Article · February 27, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Love is coming to us all. This week, it’s heading to downtown Akron as the Big Love Fest, which will spill throughout the Musica complex and bring 12 hours of continuous music, dance, visual arts, healing arts, storytelling and so much more on February 28. In a telephone interview with committee chair Zach Freidhof (who goes by […]
Article · February 25, 2015 by Roger Durbin
None Too Fragile’s current production of Martin McDonagh’s “Lonesome West” has got everything right – impeccable acting from the four person ensemble; a set that underlines the gritty reality of the characters’ harsh life in the western reaches of Ireland; a tumbling story of explosively fragile people; and focused direction from co-directors Alanna Romansky and […]
Article · February 20, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Three years have gone by while the organizers of the Empty Bowl Project took a well-deserved hiatus. They are back, and with a bang, for the traditional soup-and-bread fundraiser that will be held in the atrium of the Akron Art Museum is already sold out. As fundraising events go, that’s great news. The Empty Bowl […]
Article · February 18, 2015 by Roger Durbin
Akron Civic Theatre, a Knight Arts grantee, has a commitment and a goal of bringing area talent onto its stage. The Civic will be fulfilling that promise once again when it presents singer Jocelyn Grant in its series The Club @ the Civic on Sunday, March 1. Jocelyn Grant isn’t just a great singer; she […]
Article · February 13, 2015 by Roger Durbin