Jeanette Colby, the University’s calendar editor, offers a selection of events and activities to do this weekend. Find more events and daily updates on the University Events Calendar at www.rochester.edu/calendar.
#1: Student Art Shows Open
Celebrate the diverse and creative ways that student engage in art from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 31, at the opening reception of xyz: The Hartnett Gallery Undergraduate Juried Exhibition in Wilson Commons. Prizes and awards will be given during the reception. Admission to the event is free. Continue your exploration of the student art world at the opening of Parallels: Senior Art Exhibit, taking part in the monthly citywide gallery night “First Friday,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Avenue. The collaborative exhibition features the work of Pedro Pińera and Shannon Dempsey, senior studio art majors. Admission is $2.
#2: Jazz Café Series Features Scott Colley
Bassist and composer Scott Colley, a musician of choice for legendary jazz artists such as Herbie Hancock and Michael Brecker, will join a small ensemble of Eastman School of Music students for Eastman’s Jazz Café series on Friday, April 1. The session will also feature a performance from Harold Danko, professor of jazz studies and contemporary media and a former bandmate of Colley. Catch a show at 7 or 10 p.m., in the atrium at Max’s of Eastman Place, 25 Gibbs Street. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.
#3: Author and Former Fashion Model Gives a Talk
Deborah Gregory, author of the Cheetah Girls book series, will give a talk in conjunction with the Inspiring Beauty exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2. The former runway model will sign copies of her new fashion-themed novel, Catwalk, a trilogy for young adults. The talk is included with museum admission.
#4: YellowJackets Host Benefit Show
The YellowJackets a cappella group will host its spring show, “Crush Cancer,” on Saturday, April 2. The ensemble will present a program of popular covers by artists such as A Great Big World, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber, and a 100 percent of the ticket sales will go to the Hannah Metzler Fund, an organization that funds local cancer-related charities. The show, which begins at 8 p.m., at Strong Auditorium, will feature a guest performance by the Tufts University Beelzebubs, who were contestants on the first season of NBC’s The Sing-Off. Tickets are available online and at the door.
#5: Eastman Wind Ensemble Perform at Kilbourn
The Eastman Wind Ensemble will give their annual Kilbourn Hall concert at 8 p.m. Friday, April 1. The program features an “Octet for Wind Instruments,” composed by Igor Stravinsky as well as compositions written by David Liptak and Steve Danyew. The evening includes guest alumnus conductor Reed Chamberlin and a performance by soprano soloist Hailey McAvoy. The concert is free.
