College of Arts & Letters announces November events

Music Events

• Nov. 2, The ISU Percussion Ensemble – 7:30 p.m., Goranson Hall in the Fine Arts Building

The ISU Percussion Ensembles will be joined by several student chamber wind groups for an evening of chamber music. The percussion group is under the direction of Thom Hasenpflug, and will feature works representing different percussion styles over the past century. The evening will be accompanied by student chamber wind groups, including the clarinet choir, and other smaller student ensembles. Professors Shandra Helman and Erin Armstrong will be preparing the student wind groups for performance. 

Tickets: Free, voluntary donations will be accepted

• Nov. 3, Opera Idaho’s “L’elisir d’amore”  – 7:30 p.m., Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center (SPAC)

The production is presented in part by Idaho State University's Season of Note and a grant from the F.M., Anne G., and Beverly B. Bistline Foundation. Opera Idaho has updated their production to the late 1940s, and the setting is Adina's Nightclub at the end of the USO nightclub craze. Patrons can be prepared to laugh at the antics taking place in the nightclub between Sargeant Belcore, a shifty traveling salesman named Dulcamara and the poor janitor, Nemorino. “L'elisir d’amore” will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Tickets: $25 for adults and $15 for children in the lower level, and $21 for adults and $11 for children in the upper level. Tickets can be purchased at the ISU box office at (208) 282-3595.

• Nov. 4, Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions – 10 a.m., Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the SPAC

The National Council Auditions program is designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. The auditions are held annually in 14 regions of the United States and Canada. There are 42 districts within these regions and ISU is part of the Idaho/Montana district. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite performer after all the contestants have sung.

Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for faculty and staff, $4 for pre-college students and free for ISU students.

ª Nov. 8, Idaho State-Civic Symphony Wine and Music Event – 6 p.m., Black Box Theatre in the SPAC

The Idaho State-Civic Symphony invites you to an intimate evening with your friends to enjoy the fruits of the harvest and the company of fellow wine lovers. A variety of wines has been selected to accompany each musical selection and a sommelier will be on hand to discuss the pairings. Zuill Bailey, two-time Grammy award-winning cellist, will delight audiences with excerpts from the Bach Cello Suites, along with his other favorite cello selections. Each ticket includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, musical entertainment and a Symphony wine glass. Proceeds benefit the Symphony’s education and scholarship programs

Tickets: $75 and can be purchased at thesymphony.us

• Nov. 10, Idaho State-Civic Symphony, Beethoven Symphony #2 – 7:30 p.m., Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the SPAC

Two-time Grammy winner and virtuoso cellist Zuill Bailey will join the Symphony as a featured performer to complement Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2 in D Major” and Saint-Saens “Cello Concerto in A minor.” The Symphony will also perform Massenet’s “Meditation from Thais.”

Tickets: Free for ISU students or range from $12 to $36. Tickets can be purchased at the ISU Box Office at isu.edu/tickets or (208) 282-3595.

• Nov. 15, ISU Symphonic Band Concert – 7:30 p.m., Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the SPAC

The ISU Symphonic Band and ISU Civic Concert Band will present a night of music for winds.

Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for faculty and staff, $4 for pre-college students, free for ISU students

• Nov. 17, Idaho State-Civic Symphony Youth Orchestra – 7:30 p.m., Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the SPAC

Come hear the talents of the Idaho State-Civic Symphony’s Youth Orchestra led by maestro Julie Sorensen. The Youth Orchestra will be performing J.S. Bach’s “Bradenburg Concerto No.3,” Bizet’s “Farandole” and Dvorak’s “New World Symphony- 1^st Movement.” 

Tickets: Free

Theatre Events

• Nov. 11, 13, 17 and 18, “Cat in the Hat” – 7:30 p.m., Beverly B. Bistline Theatre in the Stephens Performing Arts Center. Matinee performances available on Nov. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m.

From the moment his tall, red-and- white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure... but what will mum find when she gets home? Directed by Vanessa Ballam. 

Tickets: $10 for general admission and $7 for children

 Art Events

•  Nov. 1 to Nov. 16, “Vigilance: Veterans Art Exhibition” – John B. Davis Gallery in the Fine Arts Gallery. The fifth annual “Vigilance: Veterans Art Exhibition” will feature artist’s work in ceramics, metals, word carving and paintings. Davis Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Nov. 4, Good Impressions Letterpress Make and Take Studio – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Liberal Arts Building Room 139

Attendees will be able to work on the letterpress with emeritus professor Paula Jull and take home their work.

Tickets: $10 deposit/material fee. Contact Paula Jull (jullpaul@isu.edu) or Virginia Barnett (208-282-3295 or robevirg@isu.edu) to register.

• Nov. 7, Papermaking Open House – 5 to 7 p.m., Fine Arts Building Room 407

Attendees will be able to drop in and participate in making handmade paper with art professor Naomi S. Velasquez.

Tickets: Free and open to the public

English Events

• Nov. 8, visiting Writer: Christopher Howell – 5:30 p.m., Pond Student Union’s Bengal Cafe

Christopher Howell, renowned poet and professor at Eastern Washington University's MFA program, will visit ISU to read from his newest collection of poetry, “Love's Last Number.” Howell's work takes subjects as diverse as Lucretius, Baron von Richthofen, the Second Amendment and Boy Scouts to discuss concepts such as organized violence, love and grief, exploring the place of individual losses and joys in the context of greater historical tragedy and triumph. After his reading, Howell will participate in a question-and-answer session that may include discussion of his experience as the editor of a literary press.

Tickets: Free