OK everyone, get out your planners (or for the more advanced or wealthier student, your PalmPilot). It’s time to pencil in a date to attend an activity at Lisner Auditorium or the Dimock Gallery or one of the performances of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
One of the best parts about living in Washington, D.C., is living in a cultural metropolis. Yet, many students don’t take advantage of the city for a plethora of reasons – too much money, not enough time, too far away.
Fortunately, culture can be found on GW’s campus. With everything a hop, skip and a jump away, there are no valid excuses not to attend one the events happening around campus this semester.
Lisner Auditorium, (202) 994-6800, www.gwu.edu/~lisner
As usual, Lisner Auditorium hosts a slew of entertaining shows, ranging from swing bands to opera crooners to performances by GW students.
The weekend of Friday, Feb. 4, to Sunday, Feb. 6, contains a particularly interesting lineup. Friday and Saturday, the New York City All-Star Big Band and The Jivin’ Lindy Hoppers light up the stage with Swing Time! Sunday, the beautiful sounds of David Broza will hang in the rafters.
Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19, the talent of GW students take center stage. Friday features the vocal magic of the Troubadours in A Capella Feast. Then Saturday, the curtain goes up for the unbelievable Third Annual Step Show, sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
During the fall, Orquesta Ibrah?m Ferrer and Rub?n Gonz?lez y su Grupo performed to a sold-out crowd at Lisner. The performers are well-known for their work on the album The Buena Vista Social Club. Friday, March 10, Juan DeMarcos’ Afro-Cuban All Stars, featuring members of The Buena Vista Social Club, bring their intense rhythms and beats to Lisner.
For movie buffs, Lisner hosts the opening night of D.C. FilmFest 2000, part of The Washington D.C. International Film Festival. The movie that will be shown that night, April 5, will be announced at a later date.
Also in April, two vocalists with angelic voices and definitive styles grace Lisner. Wednesday, April 12, Virginia Rodrigues entertains with sounds from her native Brazil. Ute Lemper will perform with a four-piece pop band. She won an award for her portrayal of Velma in the sultry musical, Chicago.
In addition to these few events, the list of shows has something to please almost everyone. Lisner offers student discounts for some events. Call the box office or visit them online for more information.
Dimock Gallery, (202) 994-1525, www.gwu.edu/~dimock
Dimock Gallery, located on the lower level of Lisner Auditorium, will host three shows this semester featuring the works of GW faculty members and students. The semester commences with the GW Fine Arts Faculty Show, highlighting works by full-time and part-time faculty members of the GW Department of Art. The exhibit runs Thursday, Feb. 10, through Friday, March 17.
The Annual Awards Show, which promises an array of spectacular works by GW students, opens Thursday, April 6, and continues through Friday, April 21. The exhibition showcases works by seniors and graduate students in the art department. The pieces featured in the show are eligible for various awards in categories such as painting, ceramics, photography and visual communications.
Dimock Gallery finishes the semester with the MFA Spring Thesis Candidate Show. In the gallery from Thursday, May 4, through Monday, May 22, pieces created by candidates for the Master of Fine Arts will be on display.
Admission to the Dimock Gallery is free, and you can view intriguing works in various media without battling the crowds of the Smithsonians or having to walk across town.
Department of Theatre and Dance, (202) 994-6178
For the second semester, the Department of Theatre and Dance has a diverse lineup of three enticing shows. The first performance takes place Thursday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 27. Dream of Common Language is a drama by playwright Heather McDonald. The show was inspired by an actual event that occurred in the art world. In 1874, women were prohibited from attending the artists’ dinner to plan the first Impressionist painting exhibit, although works by women artists were to appear in the show.
The Spring Dance Concert features performances by guests, faculty and student choreographers. Russian artist Sasha Kukin is highlighted in the show, which will be held Thursday, April 13, through Saturday, April 15.
The season wraps up with the whimsical Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods. From giants to magic beans to bakers and wolves, the entertaining musical intertwines the stories from favorite fairy tales such as Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood. Into the Woods will be performed Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, April 30.
For all of the shows by the Department of Theatre and Dance, admission for students and seniors is $8, and for the general public the cost is $10.
So there it is, the lineup you’ve been waiting for. Well, perhaps you haven’t been agonizing about when you were going to find out about these events. But, now that you have the info, admit it – you’re happy.
