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Concerts and conversations fill December with artful activities

Emory prepares to ring in the holidays and wrap up fall semester with numerous arts programs in December, including A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4. (Photo taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Emory Arts has a jam-packed calendar of events for December, including thoughtful arts-related discussions and musical performances highlighting multiple genres. Celebrate the holidays and wrap up fall semester by taking advantage of all the offerings.

Artful conversations

The Emory Department of Film and Media presents “Media Lives: Conversations With Creative Professionals” on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 6:30 p.m. Emory College alumus Audrey Easton 17C will speak on her career as a production assistant and actor. Her online presentation is free.

In conjunction with the exhibition “Each/Other: Marie Watt and Cannupa Hanska Luger,” the Michael C. Carlos Museum welcomes Mary Kathryn Nagle on Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. An enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Nagle will speak on “Safety for Our Sisters: Ending Violence Against Native Women,” during which she will discuss the ways her legal and artistic work both draw attention to the pervasive issue of violence against Native women, who suffer disproportionately high levels of rape and domestic violence. The free lecture can also be watched via Zoom.

Emory Arts and the Emory University Center for Ethics present the Arts and Social Justice Fellows Program: End of Semester Project Showcase and Community Conversation on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m. The fellowship program engages seven Atlanta artists in recognition of their artistic accomplishment and commitment to advancing racial and social justice and places them in Emory classrooms. Join in the discussion as the cohort shares the results of their collaboration with the Emory community. The event is free but registration is required. Attendees can join in person at the Performing Arts Studio in the Burlington Road Building or can watch via livestream.

Musical performances

Music lovers have a wide array of concerts and performances from which to choose during December, beginning with the Fall Composition Showcase on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. with student composers presenting their new work. The free concert will be held in the Performing Arts Studio of the Burlington Road Building. Registration is required.

Oxford College musicians will present the Oxford Chorale Holiday Concert on Thursday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 3. The program will include holiday songs from the Oxford Chorale, featuring Oxapella and members of the Oxford College Chamber Ensemble. Both performances will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Oxford College Chapel. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased early from the OxBox Office or at the door the night of the concert.

Community members can enjoy the talented Emory Tango Ensemble on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., when Kristin Wendland directs students performing to tango music with invited guests. Registration for the free performance is required; the program will be in the Performing Arts Studio of the Burlington Road Building.

Fans of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta (ECMSA) can hear Rachelle McCabe’s performance as part of the Cooke Noontime Concert Series on Friday, Dec. 3, at 12 p.m. McCabe is an internationally acclaimed pianist and director of Corvallis-OSU Piano International and its prestigious Steinway Series. She will perform works from Bach, Chopin, Sibelius and Debussy during the free program at the Michael C. Carlos Museum (registration is required).

A beloved Emory tradition, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, returns for three performances held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The program, which has been a warm and welcoming Atlanta celebration for decades, features choral music from the Emory Concert Choir and University Chorus and Scripture readings by special guests from the Emory community. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased for Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.; or Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. All guests must follow posted safety protocols including proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result and wearing a properly-fitted mask while indoors. 

Southern Folk Advent with the Meridian Herald is a longstanding holiday tradition of Oxford College. The Southern Folk Advent program brings together folk, gospel and bluegrass music in a worship experience. This year’s program will be Saturday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m, at Oxford College Old Church and will feature Gary Hauk, Emory emeritus historian, as the speaker. The program is free but an offering will be taken. Attendees must wear masks and have proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about the program.

The Emory Gamelan Ensemble invites the community to a performance titled “Wilujeng, A Blessed Return” on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Studio of the Burlington Road Building. Wilujeng, an Indonesian word meaning “blessings” or “auspiciousness,” is also the title of a piece often played to welcome listeners to a gamelan performance. Returning to the stage after a two-year hiatus, the Emory Gamelan will share five traditional pieces for Javanese gamelan. The program is free but registration is required.

Christmas with the Atlanta Master Chorale features carols and wintry delight during three performances in Emerson Concert Hall of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts: Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 each. A livestream of the Saturday performance will be available for all ticket holders to watch for seven days after the event. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result is required.

On Friday, Dec. 12, the ECMSA presents “Eternal Love Triangle: Music of Clara and Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms” at 12 p.m. as part of the Bach's Lunch Series. Performances of Clara's “Romances” for violin, Robert's “Dichterliebe” for tenor and Johannes' mighty “Sonata in F Minor” for viola bring the most passionate love story in classical music to life. The free concert will be at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (1328 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta). 

Exhibits

In partnership with Emory Arts and Atlanta Celebrates Photography, the Emory Global Health Institute presents the Global Health Photography Exhibit at the Chace Gallery of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The exhibition features the winners of the Global Health Student Photography Contest and will remain open until Feb. 6, 2022.

All events are open to the public and most are free. Check individual event listings for more details, including COVID-19 protocols regarding proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results or mask wearing.


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