Year of the Arts: November at a Glance
The Year of the Arts continues to thrive at Buffalo State. October was replete with art exhibits, films, and music performances. French-American singer/songwriter Madeleine Peyroux’s visit to campus attracted a nice crowd and media coverage, as did the spoken word event, “When Brothers Speak.”
November also promises an assortment of newsworthy and lively events—from a performance by a Grammy-nominated classical pianist to a three-day music and art festival at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
Following are highlights for the month. At the end of November, we will provide a preview of December YOTA events.
Ongoing through November 19
Dragons in the Sky: For millennia, one of the most popular mythological creatures has been the dragon. Often personified as a fiery villain, the dragon was the most feared or revered titanic central figure. Many are immortalized in the stars. Glimpse a visit from Eltanin the Dragon as he shares the star lore and legends of his own kind in the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at7:00 p.m. Fridays and 1:00 p.m. Saturdays through November 19. While a show for younger audiences, Dragons in the Sky is a magical journey for all ages. The show is followed by a tour of the constellations of autumn. See pricing below.
Star Lore of the Iroquois: November is National Native American Heritage Month, and the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium is celebrating the local Native Americans of the Iroquois Confederacy through a multimedia presentation. It highlights the story of creation, the Great Bear Hunt, the Pathway to Eternity, the Star That Stands Still, and more at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays through November 19. Admission is free for Buffalo State students, and $4 for faculty and staff. For the general public, tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children, other college students with ID,and seniors, age 65 and older.
November 1-11
Fine Arts Faculty Exhibition: Faculty representing all Fine Arts Department disciplines will display their work in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and photography in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery. A reception and meet-and-greet with the faculty will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. November 10 in the lobby outside the gallery. Admission is free. (716) 878-6014.
November 2
La Belle Endormie (The Sleeping Beauty): The film that examines feminine mythology in a take on the classic fairytale is the last in the five-part Tournées French film series. In French with English subtitles, the film runs from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center Auditorium. Admission is free. The film series was made possible by a grant awarded to the Modern and Classical Languages Department and the French American Cultural Exchange (FACE). (716) 878-6011.
November 2
Buffalo State Percussion Ensemble and West African Drumming Ensemble: Music Department chair and associate professor Brad Fuster directs the student Percussion Ensemble, followed by the West African Drumming Ensemble, directed by Tiffany Nicely, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Students from Williamsville North High School will join the percussion ensemble, which uses standard percussion instruments such as timpani, mallet keyboard instruments, tom toms, cymbals and gongs, along with constructed instruments such as car parts, architectural elements, and household furnishings. The West African Drumming Ensemble performs traditional music of the Mande ethnic groups living in Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast. Admission is free. (716) 878-3005.
November 3
An Evening of Piano, Featuring Petronel Malan: The Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed pianist Petronel Malan performs the music of Joseph Haydn, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Franz Liszt, among other great classical composers, at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Born in South Africa, Malan began playing the piano at age 4 and debuted with the Johannesburg Symphony at 10. Lauded by reviewers as an unmistakably creative force in the classical music industry, Malan’s critical acclaim culminated in the nomination of three Grammy awards, including “Best Instrumental Solo Album 2004” for her debut disc. Admission is free for Buffalo State students, faculty, and staff. General public tickets are $10. (716) 878-3005.
November 6
King John: A Staged Reading: Anthony Chase, assistant dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, directs the staged reading of this lesser-known Shakespeare play, which stars Todd Benzin, classroom support supervisor for Instructional Resources, as King John at 7:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo. The staged reading, in which all the actors donated their time and talent, serves as the sixth annual fundraiser for the Shakespeare in Delaware Park (SDP) fundraiser. The event includes wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 p.m. and dessert and coffee during intermission. Tickets are $50 for SDP members and $55 for non-members. To make reservations, call (716) 856-4533.
November 7-12
We Are All Tied to Something: A Sculptural Installation by Andrew Hutner: Art student Hutner’s large sculpture will fill the Margaret E. Bacon Gallery, Upton Hall during the week of November 7. Meet the artist during a reception Tuesday, November 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the gallery. To learn more, at the artist's Facebook event.
November 9
The Stepmother: The Theater Department presents this twist on the “wicked stepmother,” at 8:00 p.m. in the Flexible Theater in the Donald Savage Building. Written by Githa Sowerby in 1924, the play tells the story of a young stepmother who cares deeply for her new daughters, but behind closed doors the picture is very different. Associate theater professor Donn Youngstrom directs. Following performances of The Stepmother will be held at 8:00 p.m. November 10-12 and November 16-19, with 2:00 p.m. matinees November 12 and November 19. Tickets cost $6 for Buffalo State College students; $10 for Buffalo State faculty, staff and alumni, other students, and senior citizens; all other adults cost $15. (716) 878-3005 and www.buffalostate.edu/theater.
November 10
Vocal Jazz Ensemble: Under the direction of assistant professor of music Victoria Furby, the student ensemble will perform a collection of vocal jazz standards at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of Rockwell Hall. Students from Clarence High School and the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will join the Buffalo State ensemble. Admission is free. (716) 878-3005.
November 16
Faculty and Friends Concert Series: The Buffalo State Wind Ensemble: The ensemble, featuring percussion soloists Mark Hodges, principal with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and lecturer of music; Jim Tiller, principal with the Rochester Philharmonic; and Brad Fuster, chair and associate professor of music, will perform Russell Peck’s stunning triple-percussion concerto, “The Glory and the Grandeur” at 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle in Buffalo. Rick Fleming, associate professor of music and director of bands at Buffalo State, is directing. Buffalo State President Aaron Podolefsky will deliver “Year of the Arts” opening remarks. Admission is free for Buffalo State students and $10 for the general public. (716) 878-3005.
November 17
The annual Design Student Exhibition: This stellar exhibit, featuring a mix of students’ ceramics, fibers, metals/jewelry, wood/furniture and communication design, opens in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery in Upton Hall and runs through December 2. A reception and student award presentation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. December 1. (716) 878-6032.
Screening: If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front. The film, playing at 7:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center, explores two of America’s most pressing issues—environmentalism and terrorism—by lifting the veil on a radical environmental group the FBI calls America’s “number one domestic terrorism threat.” Part of Consider the Alternatives: A Documentary Film Series, the film is presented by the Burchfield Penney and the Buffalo State Communication Department. The film series explore alternative responses to social problems. Admission is free for Burchfield Penney members, Buffalo State College students, faculty, and staff, and $5 for the general public. (716) 878-6011.
November 17-20
RendezVous: Variations: Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center for RendezVous, a three-day art and music festival centered around common themes appealing to the varied and diverse interests of the Western New York community. The celebration of concerts, films, workshops, and lectures takes place over an extended weekend that coincides with the third anniversary of the opening of the new Burchfield Penney location. On November 17, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. students and museum guests can participate in art activities, a raffle and games during Carnaval d’Arte, which is hosted by the Burchfield Penney’s college student organization, the BPAC Street Team. (716) 878-6011.
November 18
Faculty and Friends Concert Series: Jazz Ensemble: Rick Fleming, associate professor of music and director of bands at Buffalo State, will direct the Buffalo State Jazz Ensemble in traditional jazz standards as well as contemporary jazz ensemble arrangements at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Numbers include favorites such as “My Funny Valentine,” “Mack the Knife,” and “Orange Colored Sky.” Fleming is the founding conductor of the Erie County Chamber Winds and was recently appointed the conductor of the Buffalo Silver Brass Band. Admission is Free. (716) 878-3005.
November 22
Faculty and Friends Concert Series: Buffalo State Philharmonia: Hear lesser-known composers and orchestral pieces that are worthy of being performed more frequently with “Rare But Well Done!” at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. Repertoire includes Tchaikovsky’s “Cossack Dance” from Mazeppa; Humperdinck’s “Witch’s Ride” from Hansel and Gretel; German’s “3 Dances” from Nell Gywn; Chadwick’s “Noel” from Symphonic Sketches; Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, R. 531” (featuring Drew Cone and Eva Herer, cellos); and Stravinsky’s “Symphony No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 1.” (716) 878-3005. Buffalo State lecturer of music Paul Ferington directs. Admission is free.
November 25
Star of Wonder: See the night sky as it appeared two millennia ago in a show at the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium that explores a variety of actual celestial events that may have been recorded as the Star of Bethlehem. The questions of who saw the event, when they saw it, and what it likely was are addressed in this live presentation. Each year this program helps audiences from across Western New York celebrate the holiday season. Star of Wonder will be presented on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through December 31. Admission is free for Buffalo State students and $4 for faculty and staff. For the general public, tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for children, other college students with ID, and seniors, age 65 and older. (716) 878-4911.