Arts at Emory welcomes spring this month with the return of Jazz on the Green, the launch of a year of Shakespeare events, and thought-provoking shows from Emory Dance Company.
The month starts off with a rare performance of Béla Bartók's "Piano Quintet" with Spanish pianist Leopaldo Erice and the Vega String Quartet on Friday, April 1, at 12 p.m. in the Michael C. Carlos Museum. This show is free and open to the public.
Theater Emory performs William Shakespeare's beloved comedy "As You Like It" from Saturday, April 2, through Sunday, April 10, in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater. Honoring the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, there will be two different renditions of the play running simultaneously. Janice Akers directs the all-female production of "As You Like It" and Tim McDonough directs the all-male production. Tickets are on sale now.
On Monday, April 4, at 8 p.m., best-selling author and poet Sherman Alexie gives a public lecture in the Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall entitled "The Business of Fancydancing: Poems, Stories, Punch Lines and Highly Biased Anecdotes." During the event, Alexie will reflect on his journey from the Spokane Indian reservation to becoming one of the top American authors of the 21st century. The event was moved to the Reception Hall so more attendees can be accommodated and those interested can RSVP.
Alexie returns to Emory on Tuesday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. for a reading and book signing. The reading, hosted by U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey, takes place in the Carlos Museum Reception Hall. This event is at capacity and cannot accommodate additional attendees.
April is also Jazz Appreciation Month at Emory. Kicking off the festivities, on Monday, April 7 ,at 6 p.m. is the return of the Emory Jazz Combo's outdoor concert series, Jazz on the Green. There will be two Jazz on the Green performances, with the second concert taking place on Thursday, April 21, at 6 p.m. On Tuesday, April 19, at 8 p.m., the Emory Big Band performs a free jazz concert in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts to continue the jazz celebration.
The Emory Film and Media Studies department continues its Cinematheque series "French New Wave: Classics and Rediscoveries" every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 208. This month's film screenings include "Le Rayon Vert" (1986), "Le Pont du Nord" (1981) and "Film Socialisme" (2010).
The Emory Chamber Ensembles perform on Sunday, April 10, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The two concerts are free and open to the public.
On Thursday, April 14, at 8 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, local favorites the Emory Dance Company perform a new choreography showcase under the direction of George Staib titled "Undertow." Other performance dates include April 15 and 16. Tickets for the Emory Dance Company showcases are on sale now.
For its second spring semester concert, the Emory University Symphony Orchestra has partnered with the Emory University Chorus for a performance of Maurice Duruflé's "Requiem." The free concert takes place on Saturday, April 16, at 8 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.
Paul Bhasin conducts the Emory Wind Ensemble in "From the Americas," a performance featuring works from the United States, Latin America and South America, on Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.
Saturday, April 23, is Theater Emory's Shakespeare Anniversary Celebration. The 12-hour event starts at 12 p.m. and takes place across campus, featuring Shakespeare tributes, performances and refreshments.
Emory vocal students present opera and musical theater scenes for "Stageworks 2016" on April 23 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Studio.
Capping off the month is a free Emory Concert Choir performance on Sunday, April 24, at 7 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.
For more details and a full schedule of events, visit Arts at Emory.