February 25, 2003

Award-winning talent at
CSUS Festival of the Arts, April 3-12

• Festival features intimate concert with acclaimed Guarneri String Quartet
• Filmmaker to share documentary chronicling local poet’s life
• CSUS production of Cabaret offers new spin on old musical favorite
• 2002 American Book Award winner to read his work at CSUS
• Artist Wayne Thiebaud comes home to CSUS
• Events Schedule

California State University, Sacramento's 11th annual Festival of the Arts, April 3-12, features a variety of local and international artists, authors and performers.

Highlights of the festival include a rare look at more than 40 works representing virtually the entire career of internationally acclaimed artist and CSUS alumnus Wayne Thiebaud and a performance by the Guarneri String Quartet. The exhibition, "Wayne Thiebaud: Works from 1955 to 2003," opens April 4 and will remain on display in the new University Library Gallery through July 25. The award-winning Guarneri String Quartet, revered for its distinctively rich sound and majestic playing, will perform at 8 p.m., April 8 in the Music Recital Hall as part of the New Millennium Concert Series. Tickets for the performance are $25.

In years past, the festival has attracted more than 20,000 people. "Each year the festival gets better and better," says Roberto Pomo, interim director of the CSUS School of the Arts. "We are fortunate to have a good following from the community."

Other artistic offerings include an exhibition of watercolors by illustrator and Davis resident Yan Nascimbene April 3-12 in the Department of Design Gallery, Mariposa Hall 4000. Nascimbene, who has authored and illustrated more than 30 books that have been translated into eight languages, is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Bologna International Graphic Award and the Society of Illustrators' Silver Medal. A gallery talk and reception with Nascimbene will be at 5:30 p.m., April 9 in the Department of Design Gallery.

Graphic design will be the topic during a discussion led by designer Clement Mok at 6 p.m., April 10. in the University Union Redwood Room. The event is free and a reception will be held after the discussion.

For theatre and dance buffs, performances of the high energy musical Cabaret, directed by CSUS professor Ed Brazo, will take place in the University Theatre at 8 p.m., April 3-5 and at 2 p.m., April 6. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $11 for students and seniors.

At 8 p.m., April 3-5 Dale Scholl Dance/Art, directed by CSUS professor Dale Scholl, will perform "Classical Meets Jazz," featuring four new choreographic works performed to classic tunes by such legendary musicians as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. The performances will be held in the Dancespace, Solano Hall 1010. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $13 for students and $8 for children. A reception will be held after the April 4 performance.

Also featured on the stage will be "Sorta," directed by Sacramento native Doniel Soto of Abandon Productions. The production celebrates the joy and folly of simple human behavior through physical theatre and clown work. Performances will take place at 8 p.m., April 9-10 in the Dancespace, Solano Hall 1010. Tickets are $13 for general admission, $11 for students and $8 for children.

Fans of the written word are invited to hear 2002 American Book Award winner Al Young read from some of his well-known work at noon, April 4 in the University Union Hinde Auditorium. A reception with the author will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. in the University Union Lobby Suite.

CSUS creative writing program graduates Elaine Feller, Dan Hallford and Andrew Williamson will offer a reading of prose and poetry at 10:30 a.m., April 8 in the University Union Hinde Auditorium. A reception will follow at noon in the University Union Lobby Suite. Both literary events are free.

Documentary film enthusiasts will enjoy a viewing of filmmaker Chris Simon's new film about Central Valley poet Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel at 3 p.m. on April 10 in the University Union Hinde Auditorium. The film, titled Down an Old Road: The Poetic Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel, documents the experiences McDaniel faced as a young woman during the Dust Bowl Migration of the early 1930s. Simon intertwines history and poetry to explore McDaniel's life and vision. McDaniel's poems, the core of the film, are illuminated with images from the Dust Bowl and life in rural California today.

Music lovers of all kinds will find a range of performances offered by CSUS faculty and students to suit their tastes. CSUS professor Keith Bohm will give a saxophone recital at 8 p.m. on April 3 in Capistrano Hall 151. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. At 8 p.m. on April 9, CSUS professor Dan Kennedy will give a percussion recital with guest Terry Longshore in the Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

At 8 p.m., April 5 in the Music Recital Hall, the CSUS Jazz Ensemble will perform with guest Ingrid Jensen on trumpet. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. CSUS Vocal Jazz I and II will perform on April 7 at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

The festival's musical offerings conclude with the CSUS Symphony Orchestra performance at 8 p.m., April 10 in the Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

For ticketed festival events call the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323. For more information about the Festival of the Arts, contact the CSUS School of the Arts at (916) 278-ARTS or see the links from the Festival of the Arts news release at www.csus.edu/news. Media assistance is available from CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

Events Schedule

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