October brings colorful arts programming to campus

As autumn settles across campus, October brings another exciting lineup of arts and culture events at Emory. Catch thought-provoking films, engaging theatrical performances, visual exhibitions, concerts and more on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. 
 

Magic on the stage and screen

Theater Emory opens its season with “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” in the Theater Lab at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The whimsical and adventurous Theater for Young Audiences piece follows three sisters who set out on separate paths, each discovering her own sense of purpose, resilience and belonging along the way. Afternoon and evening performances will take place Oct. 1-4 and tickets are available through the Schwartz Center Box Office. 

The Emory Cinematheque continues its Wednesday night celebrations of filmmaking legend Spike Lee with screenings of “Crooklyn” (Oct. 7), “Clockers” (Oct. 14), “Girl 6”  (Oct. 21) and “4 Little Girls” (Oct. 28). All screenings are free and open to the public, taking place at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall, Room 208.  Each film is followed by discussions led by visiting film scholars.

Performance, power and style converge during the Rose Library Drag Show on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Rose Library’s teaching and learning studio (Woodruff Library, tenth floor).This annual event invites talented Atlanta entertainers to Emory’s campus in celebration of the history, culture, politics and activism of LGBTQ+ communities in Atlanta, Georgia and the South. Audiences can arrive before the start of the show to view the library’s LGBTQIA+ manuscript and rare book collections. This event is free and open to the public. 
 

Explore visual art, exhibitions and creative conversations

The Emory Visual Arts Program is showing “En Route: Views from Atlanta and Marseille,” an exhibition built on international cultural exchange, now through Sunday, Nov. 1. This exhibition features work by two artists from Marseille, France, and two artists from Atlanta, displaying the intricate connections between these two vibrant, southern capital cities. A reception with the artists takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Gallery. 

Questions around collecting, preservation and ethics are at the center of “Rethinking Stewardship Symposium: Ethics and Creative Problem Solving in Museum Deaccessioning.” This symposium, which is free and open to the public, is happening on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall. It brings professionals, artists, donors and the public together to discuss the evolving missions and moral standards regarding art preservation and collection. 

Acclaimed choreographer and performer Jeanine Durning visits campus for a Creativity Conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Dance Studio. Durning’s work blurs the boundaries of traditional top-down hierarchies between dancers and choreographers by employing her revolutionary improvisational creative process. Along with dance performers Miguel Alejandro Castille, Sarah Konner and Erin Kouwe, Durning will share insights into her artistic practices in this engaging dialogue.

Then, experience Durning’s work firsthand with “The Play,” with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Schwartz Center’s Dance Studio. Presented by a cast of three dancers, the work explores desire, grief and human connection in an ever-changing world, and will be followed by a post-show discussion. Tickets can be purchased online or through the Schwartz Center Box Office.

Hear a story of discovery and cultural stewardship at “One Broken Cup and Three Fanta Cans” on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in Ackerman Hall at the Carlos Museum. Curator Ruth Allen and provenance researcher Annie Shanley will share how years of research and international collaboration helped identify illegally excavated fragments of a sixth-century BCE Greek drinking cup, leading to their reunification and eventual return to Italy. This program is free and open to the public, with registration required.
 

A rich well of sonic healing

October offers no shortage of opportunities to experience live music, from internationally acclaimed chamber ensembles and student performers to outdoor concerts that take advantage of the long-awaited cooler evenings.

The month opens with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s “American Soundscapes” on Friday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. in Emerson Concert Hall. Presented as part of the Candler Concert Series, the program celebrates the richness and diversity of American music through works by some of the country’s most influential composers. Tickets are available for purchase through the Schwartz Center Box Office. 

The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta continues its season with “The Old & The New” on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. in Cannon Chapel. The Vega Quartet will give the premiere of Tristan Schulze’s new “Quartet” written for them, along with the great “Piano Quartet in C Minor” of Brahms with guest pianist Rachelle McCabe. The event is free and open to the public. 

The Cooke Noontime Concert Series heads to the Emory Quadrangle this month, with a performance on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at noon. Audience members are welcome to bring a blanket and their lunch to enjoy al fresco while listening to the Atlanta Brassworks. 

Opportunities to enjoy live performances in the crisp fall air continue with Jazz on the Green, happening at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, and Thursday, Oct. 15, on Patterson Green. Both performances are free and open to the public. 

The Emory Sound Collective and Wind Ensemble presents “In Motion” in Emerson Concert Hall on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. Through a shared program of classic and contemporary works, the performance explores the relationship between space, silence and sound while showcasing the creativity of Emory’s student musicians. This concert is free and open to the public. 

Emory’s Homecoming and Family Weekend brings the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Choirs to Emerson Concert Hall on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. The free performances highlight the range, talent and artistry of student vocalists from across the university. Advance tickets are required.

The Green Room Ensemble returns to Emerson Concert Hall as part of the Candler Concert Series on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. The ensemble will present the U.S. premiere performance cycle of Eleanor Alberga’s “Three String Quartets.” Tickets are available for purchase through the Schwartz Center Box Office.  
 

Oxford’s artistic autumn

Latin American music comes to the Oxford College campus on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. when APU INKA performs in the Williams Hall Auditorium. Founded by Peruvian musician John Zorrilla, the Atlanta-based ensemble is dedicated to preserving and sharing the ancestral music, dance and traditions of the Andes. Blending traditional instruments such as the quena, zampoña and charango with influences from across Latin America, APU INKA delivers a vibrant performance that celebrates cultural heritage while fostering connection through the universal language of music. This event is free and open to the public.

OxTheatre takes the stage with Will Arbery’s acclaimed drama “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” in the Tarbutton Performing Arts Center from Thursday, Oct. 22, through Saturday, Oct. 24. Set during a late-night gathering of four young conservatives celebrating their mentor’s appointment as president of a small Catholic college, the play explores faith, politics and identity with nuance and intensity. Tickets are available for purchase through OxBox. 

The month concludes with the Oxford Chorale Concert on Thursday. Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in Oxford Chapel. Directed by Madison Tiegreen, this free concert highlights the power of collective voice through a diverse and engaging program. Whether you’re a longtime choral music enthusiast or simply looking for an uplifting evening of performance, this concert offers a fitting finale to October’s arts lineup at Oxford.