By Elizabeth Miller, Knight Foundation Nearly 4,000 people will have a chance to enjoy their first-ever opera performance in Charlotte this week – for free. In effort to bring opera to new audiences, last fall Knight Foundation announced it would reserve all the seats to Opera Carolina’s Jan. 28 performance of Madama Butterfly and distribute […]
Article · January 23, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Sebastián Spreng, Visual Artist and Classical Music Writer Michael Fabiano, a 27-year-old lyric tenor on the brink of mega-stardom, is making his debut with the Florida Grand Opera. To hear Fabiano in the upcoming production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, singing the arias of the libertine Duke of Mantua – the famous “La donna e mobile” above all –is […]
Article · January 23, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
On Friday, Dec 23 the Cuban Classical Ballet surprised travelers at Miami International Airport with spontaneous performances of “Divertissement” from The Nutcracker. Enjoy the video above. Why Does Knight Foundation Fund Random Acts of Culture™? Knight Foundation, like its founders Jack and Jim Knight, focuses on promoting informed and engaged communities. To that end, we strongly […]
Article · January 23, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
In honor of its 40th anniversary in 2012, Jordan Vineyard & Winery has created the 4 on 4 Art Competition, a four-city initiative that challenges local artists to create a commemorative work of art that blends the elegance of Jordan Wines with the flavor or each city. The competition kicks off Jan 15 with the […]
Article · January 23, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Alejandra Serna, Florida Grand Opera From box office to center stage, Cuban soprano Elizabeth Caballero’s path to center stage and her natural talent have made her a local favorite in Miami’s classical music scene. She began her career in opera working at the Florida Grand Opera box office, followed by participation in the FGO […]
Article · January 23, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Melissa Harris, Aperture Foundation Choreographer Merce Cunningham was adventurous, interested in working with new technology, and always thinking and acting ahead of his time. Toward the end of 1989, as part of his choreographic process, he began to use a computer program developed for him, then called LifeForms. His 1991 piece Trackers (the title inspired […]
Article · January 20, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Beth Rutkowski, GroundWorks DanceTheatre Northeast Ohio’s premier dance company has announced the dates and locations for the world premiere of new work by choreographer Ronen Koresh. The piece was commissioned with generous support from Toby Devan Lewis through her contribution to the GroundWorks New Works Fund and will premiere in Cleveland and Akron in […]
Article · January 19, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Matthew Jaber Stiffler, Arab American National Museum In early December 2011, I spent two days meeting with Muslim American groups in Grand Rapids, Michigan. First, I met with the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) to learn about their programs and events. Every February they hold an Islam Awareness Week on […]
Article · January 18, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Sebastián Spreng, Visual Artist and Classical Music Writer They have never met, but conductors Pablo Heras Casado and Patrick Dupré Quigley share some curious coincidences. They use three names, the first beginning with “Pa.” They are the same age. They are both local heroes in their communities and pioneers who blaze new trails. They are fast-rising […]
Article · January 18, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Bahia Ramos-Synnott, Knight Foundation’s Director, Community Foundations Last Monday I traveled to Bradenton, FL with Knight Foundation Program Director Meredith Hector and VP of Arts Dennis Scholl to hear Dennis give a talk on the arts as fuel for community engagement. Bradenton has recently gained notoriety as one of the top ten small places […]
Article · January 18, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad
By Beth Stewart, Michigan Philharmonic The Michigan Philharmonic received a grant from Knight Foundation to help fund a two-day festival as part of a multi-cultural program celebrating the Music of “Bollywood”. The grant brings together orchestra musicians from the western classical music tradition and Indian singers and musicians. The final result will be an outstanding, […]
Article · January 17, 2012 by Valerie Nahmad