Why do we go to the Symphony, the Ballet, the theater or any other arts performance or institution? The National Endowment for the Arts asked. “I expected to hear that it is because someone loves a particular form of art, be it opera, theater, symphonic or choral music, painting or sculpture. That is not what the NEA study found,” writes Todd Jones, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, in this week’s newsletter. “The number one reason people choose to attend an arts program is ‘socialization.’ People go to a museum or a concert, to an opera or a play, to share in life with other people. The desire for experiences of community is the chief motivator…”
This makes sense to me. I want to be moved – but really, I want to be moved and share it with you. Today’s post features exciting performances by Nashville Ballet, Intersection, and the Nashville Symphony coming up this weekend. Grab your special friend, someone you’d like to be friends with, a family member or someone you work with and share the love! Bacon readers elsewhere, please tell us what’s going on in your hometown…
Nashville Ballet presents Attitude….
ATTITUDE with UNDER THE LIGHTS and SERGEANT EARLY’S DREAM
Smash hit Under the Lights returns after its 2014 premiere to pay tribute the iconic life and legacy of Johnny Cash with Nashville’s own Sugar + The Hi-Lows. Offering a glimpse into the origins of modern day country, Sergeant Early’s Dream is a collection of vignettes depicting the immigration experience from Europe to America in the 19th century set to early folk music. With this bold combination of contemporary dance and live music, Nashville Ballet shows off its edgier side with a little Attitude.
Attitude will be at TPAC’s Polk Theater for four (4) performances:
- Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. — LIMITED AVAILABILITY
- Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Under the Lights choreography by Christopher Stuart
Live music performed by Sugar + The Hi-Lows
Music by Johnny Cash, Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs
Sergeant Early’s Dream choreography by Christopher Bruce
Music by Various Irish, English and American Folk Composers
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Intersection presents Dragon Harmony…
DRAGON HARMONY
Join Intersection for this family program exploring the music of China featuring a combination of Chinese instruments and Western instruments. Composers Chen Yi, Zhou Long and Wu Fei will all be present along with visiting Beijing musicians, Mei Han Director of the Center for Chinese Music and Culture, and Intersection musicians under the baton of Artistic Director, Kelly Corcoran. The musical program will explore traditional Chinese music all the way to a world premiere performance of a newly commissioned work by Wu Fei. Pre-concert activities will give audience members an opportunity to play authentic Chinese instruments.
Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Green Door Gourmet
Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Andrew Woodfin Miller, Sr. Education Center
Zhou Long: The Farewell
Chen Yi: Wu Yu
Wu Fei: If I Was A Batman Queen
Additional repertoire to be announced
Guest Composers – Chen Yi, Zhou Long, and Wu Fei
Kelly Corcoran, Conductor
Center for Chinese Music and Culture at MTSU
Intersection Musicians
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Your Nashville Symphony presents Pines of Rome…
PINES of ROME
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Friday, February 10, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 11, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
Nashville Symphony
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Javier Perianes, piano
Berlioz – Roman Carnival Overture
Saint-Saëns – Piano Concerto No. 2
Barber – Symphony No. 1
Respighi – Pines of Rome
With its vivid orchestral effects, Respighi’s Pines of Rome is one of the most beloved works in the classical repertoire.
- Guest conductor Peter Oundjian is music director of Toronto Symphony.
- Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 is a showpiece for Spanish virtuoso Javier Perianes, who makes his Nashville Symphony debut.
- Written while the composer was staying in Rome, Barber’s Symphony No. 1 is an intensely lyrical and expressive work.
- Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture completes our colorful musical travelogue to Rome.
You can also catch a modified (shortened) version of this program on Friday morning, February 10th, at 10:30 a.m., as part of the Coffee and Classics series.
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Image of Coliseum: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_volgariver’>volgariver / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
Heart on piano: Copyright: <a href=’https://www.123rf.com/profile_ammza12′>ammza12 / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
Also opening this weekend is Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of “posterity” by
Tony Award Winner, Doug Wright. It will be in TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Theater on Saturday, February 11 at 7:30. Other performances through February 25.
Fantastic! Thank you so much for mentioning this, Sandy! xo