George Mason University's Center for the Arts

Progeny

Opening Reception: February 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibition Lecture: February 16 at 1:30 p.m.
 
In the joint exhibit Progeny, we are introduced to Deborah Willis’s literal progeny, Hank Willis Thomas, and to the progeny of her artistic efforts, the remarkable photographs presented here in dialogue with Hank’s. Standing beside this scene, however, is her other progeny—her work as curator and historian of photography and visual culture by and about African Americans.

Willis has the distinction of having opened what was, before her efforts, an archive largely unknown to historians and the public alike: the images made by African American photographers starting from the earliest days of photographic activity. Aside from family collections and the work of a few prominent African American photographers, the rich legacy of work by black photographers during the first 120 years of photographic history was hidden away and largely unknown.

Willis’s Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers 1840 to the Present (WW Norton, 2000), the first general history of African-American photographers, reflected Willis’s lifetime of work retrieving the work of black photographers from the privacy of family archives or from obscurity within public archives like those of the Smithsonian Institution, where Willis worked for many years. Part of Willis’s determination to make these images available was to lend the weight and heft of canonicity to the extraordinary images that she and other photo historians had unearthed over several decades.

Her other purpose, however, was one that has been a motive force for her work since her earliest days of fascination with photography. The work of black photographers was not just representation of black lives; it was a means of self-representation, and as such was a vital resource for African Americans seeking to understand themselves and their history. In Picturing Us: African American Identity in Photography (New Press, 1994), Willis collected essays by 16 prominent African Americans in which they reminisced about the way in which an encounter with a specific photograph affected their lives.

Willis has also grappled with the complex question of how and why stereotypical, degrading or violent representations of African Americans should be recirculated in the present. Her response, thoughtfully considered, was to bring them into the light of day. As Willis and her collaborator Carla Williams wrote in the conclusion to The Black Female Body: A Photographic History (Temple UP, 2002), “Our purpose has been to situate these images—the affirming as well as the problematic—within their historical context and thus to invite further discussion and study. (198)” Suppressed, Willis and Williams suggested, the images are no less a continuing influence on black women’s present day assessment of their bodies; released into the open, the images become available to black women themselves, including black women artists and photographers, to mourn, get angry over, and to reframe as a part of reclaiming their own bodies from the visual legacies of enslavement.

These histories, these now-open archives, these new opportunities for self-creation, are Deborah Willis’s progeny too.

Games and Science Education, Melanie Stegman, Director, Learning Technologies Program, American Federation of Sciences

Visual Voices, a lecture series sponsored by the School of Art, runs through the academic year with a full schedule of eight nationally recognized visiting artists and designers who will speak about their work and the world of art and design. In addition to providing a look inside the studios of these top professionals, the series will offer the opportunity for Mason students to interact with them during daytime seminars and studio visits.

The lectures are open to the public and take place in Harris Theater on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, please call (703) 993-8898.

Legendary Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés and his band, the Afro-Cuban Messengers, perform a sublime evening of Latin jazz in their first appearance at the Center. Hailed as “the dean of Latin jazz” and “one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists” by The New York Times, this multi-Grammy Award winner has defined his genre and influenced countless musicians worldwide. “Whether Chucho Valdés is performing a gentle ballad or a rousing foot-stomper, his joy is in playing and his love of the music always shines through.” (All About Jazz) This supremely talented musician, composer and arranger is considered one of Cuba’s greatest jazz artists. His long and illustrious career includes more than 80 recordings, performing with such jazz masters as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, and Chick Corea. He is the winner of five Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards.  This is an unforgettable treat for jazz lovers.

WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio is the media sponsor for Chucho Valdés at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.

Roman Leontiev, conductor
Alexandre Pirojenko, piano

Since its founding shortly after World War II, this grand orchestra has developed an extremely diverse repertoire ranging from Baroque through 20th century music. Their moving performances often include compositions by Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, as well as Stravinsky and Poulenc—and, of course, works by the great Russian composers Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky. The orchestra also regularly commissions and performs new works each season. Under the direction of music director and chief conductor Roman Leontiev, the orchestra performs an exciting program, featuring Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé: Suite No. 2 and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Orchestra, Op. 35.  Prize-winning pianist Alexandre Pirojenko joins the orchestra for Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 1 in D-flat major.

This performance is generously sponsored by Evelyn and Tom Kiley.

Mason performs The Vagina Monologues as part of the 2012 V-Day initiative to raise awareness and to create a true and profound portrait of how violence against women and children affects all of us. The performance is filled with laughter and tears as actors and audience together experience what it means for women to inhabit their bodies, to love their bodies, and to take a stand to stop violence. Proceeds will go to the Mason Victims of Violence Fund and worldwide campaigns fighting sexual violence. Your presence counts!

Tickets:
General Admission: $25.00
Mason Faculty/Staff: $10.00
Mason Student: $5.00
Groups of 10+ purchased together: $15.00 each

Sponsored by George Mason University's Sexual Assault Services.

Orphée by Philip Glass
Virginia Premiere

The Virginia Opera brings the Virginia Premiere of Philip Glass’s Orphée to the stage this spring! Based on Jean Cocteau’s stunning cinematic reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Glass’ 20th century take on this emotional love story is set to music “so haunting and cinematic that one cannot help but be swept up in its magic.” (Virginia Pilot). Set in Paris, Orphée is a famous, but misunderstood poet who falls for a beautiful new muse – Death, herself – nearly turning his back on life and his wife, Eurydice. Featuring uplifting jazz-inspired musical orchestration and dramatic themes of neglected love, inspired passion and fevered obsession, the Virginia Opera’s stunning production of this opera is an event not to be missed! Sung in French with English supertitles.

Boys' Night Out

One of the great 20th century American folk singers—and consummate storytellers—comes to the Center with his son Abe Guthrie, grandson Krishna Guthrie, and longtime collaborator, Terry a La Berry for a highly entertaining evening of folk favorites, amusing stories, and witty anecdotes. An “hour and a half in the presence of Guthrie is like receiving the most enjoyable and authoritative master class on 20th century American folk music one could possibly have.” (The Independent, London) The son of singer-songwriter and activist Woody Guthrie, Arlo’s career exploded in 1967 with the release of his highly original “Alice’s Restaurant,” a satirical anti-war anthem. The record spun off a hit movie and Guthrie became a cultural hero to a new generation espousing social consciousness and activism. A gifted musician on the piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and a dozen other instruments, Guthrie has equal talent for clever repartee, promising an event the whole family will enjoy.

Orphée by Philip Glass
Virginia Premiere

The Virginia Opera brings the Virginia Premiere of Philip Glass’s Orphée to the stage this spring! Based on Jean Cocteau’s stunning cinematic reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Glass’ 20th century take on this emotional love story is set to music “so haunting and cinematic that one cannot help but be swept up in its magic.” (Virginia Pilot). Set in Paris, Orphée is a famous, but misunderstood poet who falls for a beautiful new muse – Death, herself – nearly turning his back on life and his wife, Eurydice. Featuring uplifting jazz-inspired musical orchestration and dramatic themes of neglected love, inspired passion and fevered obsession, the Virginia Opera’s stunning production of this opera is an event not to be missed! Sung in French with English supertitles.

Visual Voices, a lecture series sponsored by the School of Art, runs through the academic year with a full schedule of eight nationally recognized visiting artists and designers who will speak about their work and the world of art and design. In addition to providing a look inside the studios of these top professionals, the series will offer the opportunity for Mason students to interact with them during daytime seminars and studio visits.

The lectures are open to the public and take place in Harris Theater on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, please call (703) 993-8898.

Written and performed by OBIE-Award winning actress Kaiulani Lee
Directed by Rick Davis

“Mark Twain says that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme,” according to Mother Jones, as brought to life by OBIE Award-winner Kaiulani Lee in this brave new work about the formative days of the American labor movement.  Called “the most dangerous woman in America,” Mother Jones “educated, agitated, and organized” on behalf of child laborers, coal miners, steel workers, and all working people. Through an artful blend of history, biography, and a liberal dose of Mother Jones’s famous wit, “Can’t Scare Me” brings out some urgent “rhymes” of yesterday and today in a riveting, passionate, and fiery solo performance.

This groundbreaking company mixes methods, styles, and cultures to create an entirely new and exciting form of dance. Audiences everywhere are captivated by their intensity, passion, technical brilliance, and ability to evoke deep emotion. Choreographer and artistic director Dwight Rhoden and artist-in-residence and artistic director Desmond Richardson are “two of the greatest virtuosos ever to emerge from Ailey land.” (The New York Times) The founders' appreciation for multiculturalism was the inspiration for this innovative company of brilliant classical and contemporary dancers. Committed to transcending cultural and artistic boundaries, they have not only brought their art to great stages of the world, but also to the popular entertainment world, like E! and the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance. “Beware: the energy and spirit of this dance company are contagious.” (Holland Dance Festival)

The Blues Brothers™ are back! This West End musical is a runaway hit across Europe, and now it comes to the Center. “A rip-roaring, foot-stomping boogie,” says the Daily Mail about this hilarious musical that has some of the best blues you will hear this side of Chicago. Born in the ‘70s from the comic genius of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, Jake and Elwood Blues became an unprecedented, international phenomenon—part performance art, part music, and all entertainment—and it is every bit as popular now as they were 30 years ago. So throw on your black suit, porkpie hat, and coolest shades, and come enjoy unforgettable classic R&B songs like “Respect,” “Think,” and “Gimme Some Loving.” You can help the brothers save their Chicago orphanage as they perform this one last big show—if they can avoid the long arm of the law, that is.

Experience the beautiful songs of joy, peace, and hope, sung in a way that only this celebrated Grammy Award-winning South African Gospel choir can sing. “A cornucopia of remarkable voices…meticulous and unstoppable…spirited and spectacular.” (The New York Times) In ten short years, Soweto Gospel Choir has achieved international fame by enchanting audiences with their glorious voices, energetic dancing, vibrant costumes, and most importantly, an exuberant spirit that fills up the heart. This young, dynamic choir of 26 performs both traditional and contemporary songs in some of South Africa’s many languages in a way that leaves audiences overjoyed with emotion. “Sheer jubilation…the rhythm of life.” (Herald Sun, Melbourne, Australia)

Click here to view video of the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Theatreworks' production of Charlotte's Web is based on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman -- she will create a "miracle." Spinning the words "Some Pig" in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. (approximately one-hour in length)

We have learned from their management that the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra has canceled their 2011 tour and we regret that they will not be appearing at the Center for the Arts on Friday, February 24th.

Rehearsal from 7:00-11:00 pm

Northern Virginia’s very own jazz orchestra presents a very special tribute concert celebrating the music of Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton. This esteemed orchestra of gifted musicians from the Washington, D.C. area brings audiences jumping to their feet for enthusiastic ovations when they perform their stunning interpretations of traditional jazz classics. Artistic director and alto sax virtuoso Jim Carroll’s illustrious career includes performances at Carnegie Hall, the White House, the Kennedy Center, Royal Albert Hall, and the Apollo Theatre. A versatile performer, Carroll has performed with Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Maynard Ferguson, Billy Taylor, Woody Herman and His Thundering Herd, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Experience an evening of extraordinary jazz.

WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio is the media sponsor for Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra at George Mason University's Center for the Arts.

Ticket prices
$10 in advance
$15 at the box office Day of Show

Keith Clark
Associate Professor, English

In a literary world dominated by such luminaries as Nobel prize winner Toni Morrison and Pulitzer prize winner Edward P. Jones, novelist and short story writer Ann Petry remains an undervalued--if not wholly undiscovered--treasure of African American literature. Primarily known as the sole woman member of the “Richard Wright School of Social Protest,” Petry has garnered attention almost exclusively on the basis of her 1946 novel The Street, a work that superficially conforms to the dictates of “Black Protest” fiction. This lecture will address how gender and the politics of literary expression account for her relative invisibility in African American/American literary studies. In addition to exploring her life and prodigious literary output, Clark will discuss his current research project, The Radical Fiction of Ann Petry: From Gangsta to Gothic.