Jeanette Colby, the University’s calendar editor, offers a selection of events and activities to do this weekend. Find daily information on upcoming events on the University Events Calendar at www.rochester.edu/calendar. James Warlick, manager of music performance programs for the College Music Department, contributed to this week’s feature.
#1: Final Call For ‘Mother Courage’
Don’t miss your final chances to see Mother Courage and Her Children, with performances through Saturday, April 23. The production features a new pop-rock commissioned score by Eastman School of Music graduate Matt Marks. “Considered perhaps the greatest antiwar play of all time, Mother Courage traces the toll of war on ordinary people and does so with humor, theatricality, and mesmerizing storytelling. This must rank as one of the most ambitious and impressive productions ever undertaken by the UR International Theatre Program,” says Nigel Maister, the Russell and Ruth Peck Artistic Director of the International Theatre Program. “Bringing a new work into the world— and the enhanced new score by Matt Marks is a singular and impressive achievement—is, I believe, one of the core duties we have as an academic institution. The pop-rock aesthetic helps drive home the immediacy of the play’s concerns and reaches out to and entertains a whole new, young audience in ways that have been refreshing to watch. It’s gratifying to see an audience on their feet, cheering with material that might otherwise be daunting!” adds Maister, who is also the production’s director. Mother Courage and Her Children plays at Todd Theater at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Find tickets and showtimes.
#2: Kid-Friendly Experiments at Family Science Day
Get your kids excited about science and bring them to Family Science Day, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 23. The third annual event organized by STEM Initiative features more than 30 student clubs demonstrating experiments in science, technology, engineering, and math. The family-friendly event will be held at Rettner Hall on the River Campus and will feature 3-D printing, solar telescopes, and hands-on experiments. The event, which is free and open to the public, is supported by Wegmans and the Community Principles Project, an initiative of the College. Read more.
#3: Last Weekend to See ‘Inspiring Beauty’
This will be your last opportunity to walk among the fashion creations and statement designs of Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Valentino at the exhibition Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. The show runs through Sunday, April 24, at the Memorial Art Gallery. Tours of the exhibit, featuring 40 ensembles from the 1960s to the 21st century – will be offered at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21 and at 1 p.m. Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 24. Admission and information.
#4: Rhythms of West Africa at Strong Auditorium
The West African Drumming Ensemble will perform the percussive traditions of Guinea, featuring a combination of the iconic djembe hand drum with a trio of drums played with sticks, known as dunun, sangban, and kenkeni. The free performance, on Sunday, April 24, is sponsored by the Department of Music. Drawing on his residency as a soloist with the internationally acclaimed groups, Les Percussions de Guinée and Les Ballets Africains, ensemble director Kerfala (Fana) Bangoura engages his players with a wide repertory of music from various regions of Guinea, including the rhythms of the Susu, Malinke, and Baga language groups. Authentic choreography and traditional West African dress complete the experience of rhythm, movement, and visual excitement. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Strong Auditorium.
#5: Pop-Culture Inspired A Cappella Show
The Midnight Ramblers will present its spring show at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23. The ensemble, who has recorded more than a dozen full length albums as well as featured on numerous a cappella compilations since its inception, will pay tribute to television pop culture with “The BacheloRambler,” including drama, comedy, and a bachelor trying to find love. The show, which will be held at Strong Auditorium, will feature performances by the Louvre Performance Ensemble and the Rochester jazz funk band Brass Monkeys. Tickets at the door are $8 for students and $10 for general admission.
