WOODBURY MUSEUM | UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

National Invitational Postcard Exhibition
November 6, 2009 - January 15, 2010
Opening reception November 6, 6 - 8 p.m.

Through a network of artists, an artist from each of the fifty states was invited to make a postcard size (5" x 7") image dealing in some respect with the place in which they live. The curator of the exhibit is Jeanne Voltura, Director of the Bridge Gallery, City of Las Vegas, NV. The exhibition was exhibited at the Bridge Gallery from April - July of 2009. It is also traveling to these other venues as of this time: Woodbury Art Museum, Utah Valley University School of the Arts, Orem, UT, November 2009 – January 2010; McCutchan Art Center, University of Southern Indiana, January – March 2010; A.D. Gallery, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC, May – July 2010; USCB Gallery, University of South Carolina, Beaufort SC. Other venues are under consideration.

The art pieces represent visual contexts and environments with diverse impetus and purpose. While the concept of postcard art is not new, this iteration of such an event presents serious works of art on a miniature scale, as opposed to simply images that has transited the country through the US mail. Many of the works on paper are two sided - and are installed in such a manner as to permit the patron to examine each surface.

Antique Dolls from the McCurdy Doll Museum
November 6, 2009 – January 15, 2010


Shirley Paxman founded the McCurdy Doll Museum in 1978 in Provo, UT and named it for Laura Christensen McCurdy who provided more than 3,000 dolls. McCurdy, who was a teacher, collected and used the original dolls in her instructional programs. The museum’s dolls are grouped in such historical themes as women of the Bible, folk dresses of the world, Native American dolls, and first ladies of America. The museum, was located in a restored 1893 carriage house until 2005. The museum closed that year and the dolls have not been seen publically since that time. For the first time in four years, a special selection of dolls will be on display at the Woodbury Art Museum (UVU School of the Arts).

The dolls in this exhibition represent a small selection of the works created by Lewis Sorensen. Born in 1910, Sorensen became one of America's premier creators of wax dolls. Appearing in this exhibit is a series of 12 “Father Christmas” dolls representing traditions from a variety of nations. Sorensen developed a unique wax technique that he developed that is soft enough to carve, but firm enough to resist melting. The life-like, and individual characters of the ornately clothed figures adds charm to the stories of their origin.

HARPSICHORD WEEK | LING-JU LAI

Written by: Hilary Demske, (801) 863-7360
The Music Department is proud to present Harpsichord Week at Utah Valley University from November 16-21, 2009, celebrating the recent acquisition of a 2009 harpsichord built by Peter Fisk. The festival features renowned harpsichordist, Ling-Ju Lai, presenting five recitals in collaboration with UVU students and faculty. All events are free and open to the public.
Dr. Lai, a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music, is a well-known Baroque specialist who has garnered consistent favorable reviews with her creative interpretation of Baroque keyboard music, particularly the complete Bach Partitas. The Baltimore Sun writes, “The depth of the sound sinks in with startling poignancy as Ling-Ju Lai lets the notes linger long in the air . . . a moment of musical insight to savor.”
The festival will begin with a solo harpsichord recital by Ling-Ju Lai on Monday, November 16 at 7:30 pm in GT 416 (Gunther Technology building). The concert includes selections from Rameau, Scarlatti, J.S. Bach, Farnaby, and Soler. “The opportunity to hear a solo harpsichord recital with an artist of Ling-Ju Lai’s caliber is extremely rare.” piano department chair Dr. Hilary Demske writes. “Often even musicians are not aware of the expressive power that the instrument has in the hands of the right performer. Ling-Ju Lai’s playing will transform the way you hear the harpsichord.”
The remaining four musical events will take place in the Ragan Theater. Thursday, November 20 at 7:30 pm will be ‘Harpsichord Concerto Night’. Dr. Lai will perform Vivaldi concerto in D Major and three Scarlatti sonatas with the UVU Percussion Ensemble featuring flute and marimba quartet. The d minor keyboard concerto of J.S. Bach with the UVU Honors String Quartet will follow.
On Friday, November 21 at 7:30 pm, the UVU Chamber Orchestra will perform Brandenburg Concerto No.5 with harpsichordist Ling-Ju Lai, violinist Dr. Donna Fairbanks, and flutist Mary Richards. The orchestra, directed by Dr. Donna Fairbanks, will also present Eccles Sonata in G minor with bass soloist Eric Hansen and Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony.
‘Harpsichord Week’ will conclude with two performances on Saturday, November 22, in GT 416. A student harpsichord recital will take place at 5:30, with performers and ensembles selected by Dr. Lai after individual private instruction throughout the week. After a brief pause at 6:30, the concluding recital at 7:00 will feature the UVU Chamber Choir performing selections from Vivaldi’s Gloria and faculty harpsichord ensembles.
Festival organizer Hilary Demske says that “with so many different ensembles performing, the students and audience can experience the depth and variety of the harpsichord. The best way to learn about Baroque music is to hear it, and this festival presents that opportunity for both students and the public led by a world-class artist.” For more information, please visit www.uvu.edu/music.

SYNERGY DANCE CONCERT | RECAPTURE

For more information: Amy Markgraf Jacobson (801) 863-6394
University Marketing & Communications: Erin Spurgeon, (801) 863-6807
Written by: Amy Markgraf Jacobson (801) 863-6394

Utah Valley University’s Synergy Dance Company presents “Recapture”
Utah Valley University’s Synergy Dance Company will present “Recapture” November 12-14 at 7:20 PM in the Ragan Theater. Tickets for the general public are $10; students, faculty and staff are $8. Tickets are available at Campus Connection: 801-863-8797.
“Recapture” is an evening of vibrant and reflective contemporary dance. Students, faculty and guest artists come together to present a unique and original collection of choreography. The movement will explore the intricacies of human relationships, witty investigations through the everyday mundane, and strength and identity in community. The performance offers a diverse array of evocative textures and tones.
Guest artist, Lisa Stoddard, has created an eclectic contemporary jazz piece with visceral dance vocabulary. Faculty members and Artistic Directors, Angie Banchero-Kelleher and Amy Markgraf Jacobson will premiere an organic and powerful work based on a sense of place and community at Utah Valley University. Faculty member Mark Borchelt has created a new work that will feature the diverse physicality of the men of the company. The concert will also feature student choreography from company members at they showcase their multifaceted abilities as artists.
Join UVU’s Synergy Dance Company for a clever, inspired, poignant and physical evening of dance. For more information on the Synergy Dance Company, contact Amy Markgraf Jacobson at 801-863-6394.

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | HOLIDAY SEASON

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Utah Valley University Theatre’s second show in the new Noorda Theatre is an adaptation of the classic horror novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. While the book has been presented on stage and screen before, this is the North American premiere of Bradbury’s own adaptation for the stage. The production opens on October 22 and continues through November 7. Evening performances will be held at 7:30PM, with special midnight performances on October 30 and 31.

Something Wicked This Way Comes was originally written by award-winning Bradbury as a screenplay in 1955. Shortly after it was written, Gene Kelly approached Bradbury with a proposal to collaborate on a movie that Kelly would direct. Unfortunately, Kelly was not able to procure financing for the film. After this setback, Bradbury focused his attention on changing the screenplay to a novel. Five years later, in 1962, Something Wicked This Way Comes was published. Bradbury stated that, “without [Kelly’s] invitation to that screening, this book might never have been born.” In 1983, Disney made Something Wicked This Way Comes into a movie that went on to win the Saturn Award (Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, USA) in 1984. In 2003, Bradbury created an adaptation for the stage, which was produced by the National Theatre of Scotland in Edinburgh in conjunction with Catherine Wheels Theatre Productions. Something Wicked This Way Comes is considered to be one of the scariest films of all time, which contributed to UVU’s decision to produce as this year’s Halloween show.

The play is an adaptation of the book and has, like all adaptations, some minor changes to fit the medium it is in. It is a mixture of both the book and the movie and tells the story of two young boys, Will and Jim, who find themselves caught up in the mystery of Mr. Dark’s Carnival. “When we were young, our playground was our world,” stated Dr. Terry Petrie, director of UVU’s production, “in this deliciously scary play we revisit the playground of our youth as we follow the story of a father and two boys coming of age. Together they struggle to defeat an evil carnival whose members are bent on luring in and capturing their very souls.”

This play is not for the faint of heart, but it is suitable for middle school aged children and up. There will also be a study guide online with fun facts and activities for families and teachers. Tickets to the production can be purchased by calling 801-863-PLAY or online at www.uvu.edu/theatre.

Upcoming Events

There will be a recital held tonight only in GT 416 at 7:30pm by opera singers: Jennifer Welch-Babidge and Darrell Babidge. This recital is free and open to the public.

Your last chance to see Charlotte's Web in the new Noorda Theatre is quickly approaching. This fun and delightful play based on the well loved book by E.B. White can be seen until October 3. Click here for tickets and more information.

The exhibition, Shaolin: Temple of Zen, will be on display at the Woodbury Art Museum until October 9. Over the past eight years, photographer Justin Guariglia has slowly but surely won the trust of the notoriously secretive warrior monks of the Shaolin Temple, a unique Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu referred to as the "vehicle of Zen." With the blessing of the main abbot, Shi Yong Xin, Guariglia has earned the full collaboration of the monks to create an astonishing, empathetic record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions. It is the first time the monks have allowed such extensive documentation of these masters and their centuries-old art forms - from Buddhist mudras to classical kung fu - in their original setting, a 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Click here for more information.

Rise, the Annual Art Department Faculty Exhibition is also on display now, at the Springville Museum of Art. This exhibition showcases current faculty work and will be available to be seen until October 16. Get more information here.