Month: January 2012

“Jazz Club Cabaret” at McArdle

Warm your cold winter bones and nourish your soul with some hot jazz, funk and blues at the Jazz Club Cabaret at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28, in the McArdle Theatre.

Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, says two dynamic groups–Jaztec and Momentum–will perform.

Irish has a broad background in jazz studies as both an educator and performer.

Jaztec continues in its great tradition of jazz standards and contemporary jazz, with their own creative twist. Mark Maguire, guitar; Caleb Roty, sax; Jack Matheson, bass; Michael Coburn, piano/vibes; and Kyle Frazier, drums, have created some wonderful arrangements of well-known tunes.

Momentum features Nick Black, saxes; Laura Black, keyboards; Jacob Posega, bass; and Troy Bouman, drums. They will perform some of the deepest grooves and funkiest tunes in the area.

Read more at Tech Today. Original article submitted by Bethany Jones.

Learn more about small jazz combos at Michigan Tech.

Keweenaw, Color, Design Inspire Beckwith

Mary Ann Beckwith Gallery 2012
Mary Ann Beckwith - Images Now And Then

On a frigid morning, Mary Ann Beckwith is looking over her art exhibit in the Rozsa Gallery and discussing inspiration, hope, teaching and more.

The career-spanning “Now and Then” show, ending Friday, Jan. 27, has given her a chance to reflect on the body of work.

“Color,” is her first answer to the question of what inspires her. “I’m addicted to color,” says the 39-year veteran professor of art. “Living in the land of white, grey, and black much of the year, I’m absorbed by bright color fields.”

Design is important, too, she says. “My approach is not happenstance. I plan my work and try to give people something they have never seen before–something in nature, something in a photo–but I’m planning ahead before I start.”

Article by Dennis Walikainen. Read more at Tech Today.

Kilpela Art Exhibit at DeVos

Untitled Ceramic by Susanne Kilpela
Untitled, Ceramic, by Susanne Kilpela

The DeVos Art Museum in the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University has a UP Focus Exhibit for March 2 to April 8, 2012. Featured artists are Susanne Kilpela, Carol Phillips and Russ Prather.

The UP: FOCUS series is an annual exhibition highlighting artists who live in or are heavily influenced by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Susanne Kilpela is a ceramic and installation artist based in Hancock. Carol Phillips and Russ Prather are painters based in Marquette.

Closing Reception: Friday, April 6, 6-8pm

UPDATE: View the UP Focus album on Facebook.

Jazz Club Cabaret

Come join Jazz Club Cabaret featuring Jaztec, Momentum, and special guest performer Friday January 27th and Saturday January 28th in the McArdle Theatre at 7:30 pm. If you are looking for an intimate setting, interesting music, and great company; Jazz Club Cabaret has it all. The evening will turn a cold night hot with a mixture of beautiful tunes, and highlighting great classics in Jazz music. The close knit settings and beautiful lighting make for an experience unlike you have seen before in Houghton. Each band brings a different style of Jazz and compliment each other rhythms and harmonies. The Jazz Club Cabaret invites everyone to come out and experience the atmosphere the Jazz bands have created. Admission is $10 for the public and free for Michigan Tech students.

Reposted from the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Great Lakes Showcase 2012

Great Lakes Showcase
Great Lakes Showcase

Great Lakes Showcase at Rozsa

Professor of Art Mary Ann Beckwith, of visual and performing arts, says, “This year’s show offers a stunning array of artwork from throughout the region–varied enough to find something to please every viewer.”

Over $2000 worth of awards will be given this year to recognize outstanding work in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional categories. The three top prizes are sponsored by the president, provost and dean.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

The Great Lakes Showcase is a fine arts and crafts exhibition. Free to the public, it will be open from March 12 to March 30, 2012 in the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts.

The 2012 Prospectus is ready. The deadline for receiving the application, images and entry fee is January 20, 2012. Entries are juried. Artists may submit up to 4 entries. Read more about awards, eligibility, conditions, presentation, shipping, sales, entry fee, and pick up.

Visit the Great Lakes Showcase web page at the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Visit us on Facebook.

Music Lessons Offered

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts continues its music lessons program for students, faculty, staff and adult community members, for spring semester 2012. Lessons begin the week of Monday, Jan. 23, and are offered for guitar, piano, voice, and harp, and the woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Taught by qualified local professional musicians, twelve 45-minute lessons are offered throughout the semester on campus. This is a great way to enhance your musical talents.

For more information, email lessons@mtu.edu .