Year of Arts & Culture | 2007-08

Aloka Kanungo will be performing Odissi (Indian classical dance) on September 8 at Brody Auditorium from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Shreelina Ghosh, a doctoral student of MSU is honored to be sharing the stage with her Guru. The recital is free and all are welcome. Aloka will conduct workshops from September 4 to 8 where she plans to demonstrate the history and grammar of the dance, and also teach Odissi items to those interested in trying out the dance themselves. She will also give advanced training in Odissi. MSU students are entitled to discounts. Aloka Kanungo is a nationally acclaimed Odissi dancer from India and is currently on a US-tour with a series of workshops and recitals at Houston, Phoenix, Austin, New York, Detroit and yes, East Lansing. Please download the flyer and workshop registration form here:- Recital Flyer--- Workshop registration form---

The Asian Studies Center presents the Odissi classical Indian dance recital featuring Aloka Kanungo, reknowned dancer and choreographer from India and Shreelina Ghosh, MSU Ph.D student and dance student.

The Tribute recreates one of the famous "Summit at the Sands" hotel shows, when the swingin' ring-a-ding group known as the "Rat Pack" was creating hipster legends with a free-wheeling, no-holds-barred nightclub act of Las Vegas' four favorite sons: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop. Uncanny vocal recreations, unbridled hilarity, and a swinging big-band send audiences straight to the coolest time in history, with all-time hits such as "Come Fly with Me," "That's Amoré," "Mr. Bojangles," and more.

This event celebrates excellence in arts and humanities outreach. Exhibits prepared by faculty and students in the College of Arts and Letters will illustrate the wide range of ways that MSU engages with communities throughout Michigan. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by September 14 to Bets Caldwell at (517) 432-2479 or caldwell@msu.edu.

It burst onto the cultural landscape as a smash hit movie musical on The Disney Channel. Now, get ready for "the start of something new!" Disney Theatrical Productions, the producers of THE LION KING and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, have created a thrilling stage version of the phenomenal HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. It's the irresistible story of two teenagers – Troy Bolton, super-popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez, super-smart transfer student and a genius in science class – who try to navigate the tricky currents of peer pressure to follow their dream and score the leads in the big school show. All the characters from the movie, every single song that propelled the soundtrack to the top of the Billboard charts – plus two new songs written especially for the stage – make HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL a top-drawer Disney production, and a must-see for every fan of the film and every theatre-goer. So "getcha head in the game!" And get ready for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. Live on stage at Wharton Center.

In the on-going tradition of spectacular touring productions, Neil Goldberg and Cirque Productions have once again reinvented the circus with European flair, imaginative theatrics and world-class acrobatics. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is an all-new adventure that takes audiences soaring into a magical forest through the air and on stage. An international cast of graceful aerialists, spine bending contortionists, vine swinging characters, strong men and balancers bring this jungle dream to life in a lush Broadway setting filled with wildly unpredictable designs, special effects, inventive choreography, puppeteering and dazzling costumes. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is an exhilarating journey the entire family can experience together.

In collection of original scenes ranging from the hilarious to the disturbing, this premiere explores censorship and snobbery involved in judging the artistic. From early Greek architecture to Christina Aguilera—nothing is safe from this biting and incisive new work.

At this 22nd annual festival, MSU international student organizations and area nationality groups will share their cultures with exhibits, performances of ethnic dances and music; fashion shows; and demonstrations of native games and crafts. The World Gift shop offers a variety of international art works, jewelry, glassware, clothing, stamps and a multitude of gift items (proceeds support scholarship fund for spouses of international students to attend MSU classes). The Global Cafe serves ethnic cuisine.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from the now fabled performance at the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York in March 1958. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. Today, led by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, AAADT has gone on to perform for over 21 million people on six continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed ambassadors of American culture, promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance.

DanceFest 2008 under the Artistic Coordination of Sherrie Barr – a collection of new works commissioned for the MSU Repertory Company. DanceFest, the 2008 main stage Repertory Dance Company concert, will be celebrating the creative energies of the MSU Dance Program. The concert, showcasing the artistry of the dancers, will highlight the premiers of dances choreographed by guest artists. Through creating these new works, choreographers will be sharing their artistic knowledge for dance making with the students. A unique feature of DanceFest will be the appearance of Vincent Thomas, artistic director of VT Dance based in Baltimore, Maryland. Acclaimed as a charismatic solo performer, Thomas will be dancing one of his signature solo works, accompanied by a cellist from the MSU College of Music. DanceFest promises to be a celebration of all the arts.

The American Indian Studies Program at Michigan State University and the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers will present "Returning the Gift: Native Writers Conference," Thursday through Saturday, March 13–15, 2008, at the MSU Union, in East Lansing. The conference will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday with an evening of invited readings by Native writers, and continue Friday and Saturday with workshops on American Indian writing, including storytelling, tribal histories, fantasy novels, comic books, songs, poetry, publishing, children's literature, autobiographies and even rock art. The conference will conclude with a banquet and performance by Asani (Cree/Metis women singers) Saturday evening. This event is open to the public; registration is required (opens January 1, 2008).

With its roots extending as far back as 1870, the Tchaikovsky Ballet and Orchestra is one of Russia's most distinguished artistic companies and shares the standards and the styles of its sister company the Kirov Ballet. The company has toured extensively around the world and brings its sterling reputation to East Lansing to perform its Tchaikovsky Spectacular program featuring classic scenes from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

In a very special performance by the Gulistan Dance Theatre of Los Angeles, artistic director Carolyn Krueger and her company will spotlight some of the beautiful folk dance traditions of Central Asia. Part of the ASN Colloquium Series, "Focus on Central Asia."

Now in its 12th phenomenal year, RIVERDANCE, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance that has touched the hearts of millions around the world, triumphantly returns to East Lansing! "An explosion of sight and sound that simply takes your breath away," cheers the Chicago Tribune. "A family evening unlike anything else!" raves The London Times. Discover why nothing in the world compares to the original! Whether it's your first time or your fifth, there is no better time to share the magic of RIVERDANCE with your family.

In this new version all of the old Rodgers and Harts classics

The African Children's Choir features delightful children ages 7 through 11, from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Many have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease, and in spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, these musically-gifted children are radiant with hope and wonderfully entertaining. They melt the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles and joyful African melodies and dance. Their voices sing out on behalf of Africa's 12 million AIDS orphans. They represent the future of the entire continent, demonstrating the potential to become strong leaders for a better future in their homeland.

High School Combos
1-4 p.m. MSU Union Lobby FREE

MSU Jazz Octet IV, Vocal Jazz Ensemble II, and Jazz Orchestra III
4-7 p.m. MSU Union Lobby FREE

Vocal Jazz Ensemble I
7 p.m. MSU Union Lobby FREE

Swing Dance, featuring MSU Jazz Orchestra I and Jazz Orchestra II
8 p.m. MSU Union Lobby FREE
All Thursday events are co-sponsored by the MSU University Activities Board

A weekend celebrating all of the arts on the campus of MSU. Observe, participate and celebrate the arts.

All of the dance pieces are choreographed, performed, and produced by students.

THR 354 Choreography and Production presents... SKETCHES: A Collection of Dance Explorations Free admission...donations accepted to support the MSU Theatre and Dance programs. All of the dance pieces are choreographed, performed, and produced by students.