The Weis Center will welcome classical ballet ensemble Houston Ballet II on Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. There will be a pre-performance Q&A from 6:45-7:15 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium featuring Kelly Myernick Kubin, teaching artist with Ballet II and two Bucknell University students: Sophie Vlak and Sasha Roumyantseva. The performance is sponsored, in part, by the Standard Journal. Houston Ballet II is the second company of Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest ballet company. Comprised of a stellar array of young dancers from around the world, Houston Ballet II is under the […]

The Weis Center will welcome Ukrainian world music ensemble DakhaBrakha on Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. The performance is sponsored, in part, by Geisinger. DakhaBrakha is a world music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian “ethno-chaos” band DakhaBrakha creates a world of unexpected new music. DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Dakh Contemporary Art Center by the avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi and given the name that means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language. Theatre work has left its mark on the band’s performances; their shows […]

A Night of Connection: Nate Smith and His Band Create Magic Through Music From the moment Nate Smith and his band took the stage, it was clear that this wouldn’t be just another performance. It wasn’t the typical, flashy spectacle that one might expect; instead, it felt like being gently guided into a world of sound, a space where every note invited you to settle in and find your rhythm. With Tim Lefebvre on bass and Jason Lindner on piano/keys, the trio was more than just a band—they were a force that embraced the magic of improvisation and audience connection. […]

The Weis Center will welcome Esmé Quartet on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. The Quartet includes: Wonhee Bae, violin I, Yuna Ha, violin II, Dimitri Murrath, viola and Ye-Eun Heo, cello. When at the Weis Center, they will present: “Spring” from Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter by Kui Dong, “Fall-Winter” from Infinite Season by Juri Seo, String Quartet in F Major by Maurice Ravel and String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 by Ludwig van Beethoven. Praised for their warm sound and powerful stage presence, the Esmé Quartet was formed in […]

I have been to many, many events at the Weis Center. Last night in my opinion was one of the very best ever: Brazilian pianist Heloisa Fernandes Quartet! She is a fantastic composer and her touch can be as light as a feather, as smooth as velvet, run like a rabbit, and soar like an eagle. I can tell she writes from her heart and she, and her music touched my heart! She has three musicians accompanying her that are as passionate about the music as she is: Toninho Carrasqueira on flute, Sidiel Vieira on bass and Ari Colares on […]

A Night of Harmony: Heloísa Fernandes and Her Quartet Enchant the Audience As the first notes filled the room, a hush fell over the audience. Each musician—pianist Heloísa Fernandes, flutist Toninho Carrasqueira, double bassist Sidiel Vieira, and percussionist Ari Colares—had a mastery over their instrument that was undeniable. But what made the performance truly extraordinary was how they played together. Each had their own distinct voice, yet they moved in perfect synchrony, seamlessly weaving their sounds into a single, mesmerizing melody. It was breathtaking to witness. The flute soared, light and airy, while the double bass grounded the music with […]

The Weis Center will welcome Grammy nominated drummer Nate Smith on Friday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. Joining Nate will be Tim Lefebvre on bass and Jason Lindner on piano/keys. The performance is sponsored, in part, by ViaMedia and Karl Voss and Chanin Wendling and family. For nearly two decades, Nate Smith has been a key piece in reinvigorating the international music scene with his visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming. He holds a diverse and ample résumé — which includes work with esteemed jazz leading lights such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, […]

A Night to Remember: The Pablo Gimenez Spanish Ensemble at Bucknell On the evening of January 31st, the Weis Center at Bucknell University was transformed into a sanctuary of passion, rhythm, and cultural celebration as the Pablo Gimenez Spanish Ensemble took the stage. But the journey to that magical moment began much earlier, as the lobby of the Weis Center became alive with the sound of anticipation and the stir of excitement. As patrons arrived, the air was filled with the soft hum of conversation, the mingling of diverse voices, and the warmth of shared excitement. Students, faculty, and community […]

The Weis Center will welcome bluegrass ensemble Henhouse Prowlers on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. The performance is sponsored, in part, by The News Item. Founded two decades ago, this Chicago-bred quartet finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education. Onstage, the group’s performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. In recordings — including 2023’s Lead and Iron — the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Henhouse Prowlers’ music, the band bends […]