Weis Center for the Performing Arts Blog
Bringing the performing arts to Central Pennsylvania for more than 35 years
-
2018-2019 Jazz Touring Network Engagements Announced, Weis Center Receives Three Jazz Grants
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has announced grants to 22 presenting organizations, totaling $70,060, in support of 42 engagements through its Jazz Touring Network (JTN) program in 2018-2019. The Weis Center received funding to host three jazz artists: Banda Magda, NY Drawing on the band’s global background (Greece, Argentina, Japan, Colombia, USA), the group combines South American rhythms with jazz improvisation, cinematic arranging, sophisticated audience participation, mid-century classics and world “chansons” sung in 6 languages. Banda Magda will visit: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklyn,…
Continue reading >: 2018-2019 Jazz Touring Network Engagements Announced, Weis Center Receives Three Jazz GrantsBy
-
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Announces Grants: Weis Center Receives Two Touring Grants
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has awarded $134,366 in grants supporting 52 performing arts engagements through its 2018-2019 Mid Atlantic Tours program. The grants, awarded directly to presenting organizations, will support engagements by the following artists at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region. All engagements will include public performances and activities designed to foster greater appreciation for artists’ work and offer meaningful exchanges between artists and the public. Jazz: René Marie Warrenton, VA In a span of two decades, 11 recordings and countless stage performances, vocalist René…
Continue reading >: Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Announces Grants: Weis Center Receives Two Touring GrantsBy
-
Center Stage Brings Compelling Performers from Ukraine and Egypt to US Audiences, Weis Center a Host Venue
Catalyzed by intense upheavals, Egyptian and Ukrainian performing artists are animating their nations’ public spheres. Now, some of the strongest performers and creative innovators from these countries are coming to the US, to share their perspectives and broaden ours. For its fourth edition, Center Stage, the cultural exchange program initiated by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and produced by the New England Foundation for the Arts, will bring five contemporary music and theater ensembles from Egypt and Ukraine to…
Continue reading >: Center Stage Brings Compelling Performers from Ukraine and Egypt to US Audiences, Weis Center a Host VenueBy
-
Diversity at Home with the Silkroad Ensemble
Our 30th Anniversary Season is nearing its close and Saturday, April 14 marked the final in-house performance with Grammy Award-winning musical collective the Silkroad Ensemble. Silkroad redefines classical music through the presentation and celebration of artists from different nationalities and musical traditions. The group is comprised of over three dozen musicians representing countries like Korea, Kazakhstan, China, and the United States. On Saturday we were introduced to ten ensemble members who performed with instruments unique to their cultures including the Spanish bagpipe, the pipa, the violin,…
Continue reading >: Diversity at Home with the Silkroad EnsembleBy
-
Double Bassist Xavier Foley to offer free classical performance at Weis Center
This performance includes a world premiere work and Weis Center commission by composer Daniel Temkin. Avery Fisher grant winner Xavier Foley will perform a classical repertoire on Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. The performance is free and tickets are not required. Winner of a 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, double bassist Xavier Foley has captivated audiences “with superbly executed performances… playing fluidly and passionately” (Splash Magazines). As a Winner of the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions along…
Continue reading >: Double Bassist Xavier Foley to offer free classical performance at Weis CenterBy
-
World Music from Tunisia comes to the Weis Center in free performance
World music from Tunisia will be featured in a performance called “Suite for Abu Sadiya” on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. The performance is free and tickets are not required. In this musical take on a North African myth, Brooklyn-based, French-Tunisian saxophonist Yacine Boulares and French cellist Vincent Segal will present an original suite of variations re-imagining the Tunisian healing trance music — Stambeli — for their trio with American drummer Nasheet Waits. Their original compositions form a…
Continue reading >: World Music from Tunisia comes to the Weis Center in free performanceBy
-
Silkroad Ensemble Comes to Weis Center
Silkroad Ensemble, featuring musicians and composers from more than 20 countries, will perform on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. There will be a free pre-performance talk immediately before the performance from 6:45-7:15 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. The Silkroad Ensemble creates music that engages difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration and passion-driven learning to build a more hopeful world. Founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the group has been called “vibrant and virtuosic” by the Wall…
Continue reading >: Silkroad Ensemble Comes to Weis CenterBy
-
Jazz Saxophonist to give free concert at Weis Center
Jazz saxophonist Melissa Aldana will perform on Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. The performance is free and tickets are not required. There will be a free pre-performance talk immediately before the performance, from 6:45-7:15 p.m. The band will include Melissa Aldana on Saxophone, Sam Harris on Piano, Pablo Menares on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums. Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana follows up her 2014 Concord release Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio album with the explorative and deeply…
Continue reading >: Jazz Saxophonist to give free concert at Weis CenterBy
-
Classical Music with a Taste of Cuba
Classical music is a Weis Center specialty. Our architecturally striking and acoustically excellent performance hall suits the intricacies of the genre very well and the Weis Center was able to showcase this the evening of March 22 with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. The performance featured Yekwon Sunwoo, renown South Korean pianist and gold medalist of the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Sunwoo also graduated from Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music and, interestingly enough, performed in the Atrium Lobby of the Weis Center…
Continue reading >: Classical Music with a Taste of CubaBy
-
Traditional Hula Ensemble Comes to Weis Center
Traditional hula ensemble, Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau, will perform on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. There will be a free pre-performance talk on the same day as the performance from 1-2 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. The talk will include a brief history of hula and an informal hula dance lesson. Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau is dedicated to preserving and performing traditional hula, a dance style called hula ku‘i. This style evolved from the…
Continue reading >: Traditional Hula Ensemble Comes to Weis CenterBy