‘ On Sunday, Nov. 4, the Staller Center for the Arts brought to Stony Brook University the African Children’s Choir. The event, which only cost $10, had been sold out well before Sunday. Meant for children eight and above, the event featured adults of all ages.
The choir presented children between the ages of seven and 11, whose colorful tour performed popular, gospel and contemporary songs and dances using ethnic instruments. The children were inspiring in their heartfelt story, which never once took away from the hopefulness of the performance. Some of these children had lost entire families to war and disease in Africa.
According to a press release, the choir has gained recognition by performing alongside philanthropic celebrities, such as ‘Mariah Carey and Sir Paul McCartney in London, at Nelson Mandela’s AIDS Awareness concert in South Africa, at a 2006 pre-Oscar party in Hollywood.’ The Choir has also been telecasted in shows, such as’ Good Morning’ America’ and Oprah.
On Nov. 9, Staller brings the Iceland Dance Company. Although the ticket costs $37, the show is bound to be worth the price. The Company is on its first United States tour.
Founded in 1973 by the National Theatre of Iceland, it is now run under the artistic direction of Katrin Hall. Renowned choreographers, such as Jiri Kylian have worked with the Company in the past. ‘The Varsity’ has proclaimed them as ‘versatile, daring and explosive…a treat for the senses and a challenge for your intellect.’
The company’ focuses on’ an’ ‘exclusively modern and’ contemporary repertoire, commissioning and nurturing Icelandic choreographers as well as those from Scandinavia and Europe,’ according to Staller.
The comapny is comprised of 12 dancers, all trained classically,.’ For the benefit of the Stony Brook community, a free pre-performance talk will be held by members of the Company itself at 7:00 PM. This will be followed by the performance at 8:00 PM.
Still unsatisfied? Wait for Saturday’s moving’ Renaissance Jazz’ performance by Alexa Ray Joel, Long Island’s own ‘rising star.’
Joel’s music is electic and fuses jazz, pop, blues, country, funk and rock! Her diverse skills will be brough together in one night, reminiscent of her performances in places such as, The Hard Rock Cafe, Mohegan Sun and even the well-known’ New Orleans’s Jazz & Heritage Festival. Tickets are priced at $32.
As if the unforgettable punch of ‘Trestle at Pope Lick Creek,’ weren’t enough, Staller houses William Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ brought by the Aquila Theater Company. The play will be performed on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 PM’ and will cost $32.
To those unfamiliar with the plot, it tells the tragic tale of Caesar in a political and domestic setting. Aquila Theater’s production explores Caesar’s traitor, Marcus Brutus’ moral and political dilemma and his choice, which could’ leave the nation in a shamble of civil war pieces.
The production ‘asks the audience to consider the price of democracy and freedom and the consequences that can befall a society when it is asked to defend its core beliefs,’ according to Staller.
The company brings an aesthetic ensemble, original music and an innovative concept design. The play is meant to be visceral, challenging, but most importantly entertaining. The company is offering a free pre-performance talk at 6:00′ PM before the show.
Lastly, Staller ends the November season with another hearing of the ever-popular Emerson String Quartet. Held on Nov. 29 at 8:00, the show will cost $42.
Having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary season and 20 years of exclusivity with Deutsche Grammophon, the chamber musicians bring Martinu’s String Quartet No. 3 and Madrigals for Violin and Viola, Brahms’ String Quartet No. 1 in C minor, op. 51 No. 1 and Beethoven String Quartet in E minor, op. 59 No. 2.
Whether or not you are musically inclined, come simply for an experience that ends the season so spectacularly and that has left the audience coming back for more every year.
