AVONDALE, Arizona – April 25, 2013 – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is celebrating another year of its expanding art program with the third annual “Fine and Performing Arts Week,” April 29 through May 4. The schedule of events includes participation and performances by students, faculty and guest artists, blending cultural experiences to create a vibrant, diverse week that celebrates creating, experiencing and learning about art.
“Fine and Performing Arts Week at EMCC highlights the great work being made by our students,” said Jim Fike, head of the EMCC art faculty.
Attendees can take in dance recitals, concerts, performances and exhibitions of student work. Several guest artists will inspire the community and give EMCC students access to professionals in different art disciplines. Events will include Capoeira Arizona, African Drumming from Sankofa, with a special feature and a free concert by indie rock band Bad Lucy.
Most of the events are free and open to the public, and will be held on the EMCC campus, located at Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale, Arizona. Parking is also free.
EMCC has systematically expanded the arts curriculum and recruited new students. “With four new classes added to the schedule (Painting, 3-D Design, Digital Photography, Color Theory and Portfolio), we can now fulfill all the requirements for the Associate in Fine Arts degree,” said Fike.
To support a growing emphasis on art, the college has added a new lab fitted with Apple computers, scanners and an array of inkjet printing options. Three new classrooms are scheduled to open in fall semester 2013, including two art studios and a darkroom; this will allow the addition of more classes in photography and graphic design. Future plans include a new performing arts center, which will include a digital lab, black box theatre and a scene shop.
Fine and Performing Arts Week also coincides with the launch of the annual literary review, featuring creative work (short stories, poetry, photographs and drawings) of EMCC students.
Monday, April 29
Performance and Workshop: Capoeira Arizona
1-2:00 p.m., Komatke Hall Courtyard
Developed by African slaves on Brazilian soil roughly 500 years ago, capoeira is a martial art disguised as an improvisational dance. Along with an exciting physical performance, traditional capoeira music will be performed.
Workshop: Bad Lucy band member, J. Miller, and MUP 133 class
6:00 p.m., Estrella Hall Community Room
Tuesday, April 30
Workshop: Bad Lucy band member, J. Miller, and MUP 133 class
6:00 p.m., Estrella Hall Community Room
Wednesday, May 1
Workshop: Sankofa/Island Magic African Drumming
2:00 p.m., Komatke Hall Courtyard
This demonstration of Djembe drumming will take you on a journey to West Africa; the audience will have a chance to participate. Drums will be provided or bring your own.
EMCC Faculty Recital
11:45 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Komatke Hall Courtyard
Faculty and staff members will perform a variety of musical numbers.
Thursday, May 2
Theatrical Performance: “Fools,” featuring AAEC High School Drama Students
7:00 p.m, Estrella Hall Community Room
Storyline: Leon Tolchinsky is ecstatic. He's landed a terrific teaching job in an idyllic Russian hamlet. When he arrives, he finds people sweeping dust from the stoops back into their houses and people milking cows upside down to get more cream. The town has been cursed with chronic stupidity for 200 years and Leon's job is to break the curse. No one tells him that if he stays over 24 hours and fails to break the curse, he too becomes stupid. But, he has fallen in love with a girl so stupid that she has only recently learned how to sit down.
Friday, May 3
Dance Recital plus “Sound Suits” Roving Dance Performance
6:00-8:00 p.m., Estrella Hall Community Room
EMCC's 10th annual dance recital features Dance Performance students in a variety of numbers including contemporary, social Latin and modern jazz.“Sounds Suits” features moving performances of modern dance by students wearing sound-generating costumes made by Art 115 students.
Bad Lucy (indie rock band)
8:00-10:00 p.m., Estrella Hall Ceremonial Plaza Amphitheatre
Formed in 2011, Bad Lucy performs surprising harmonies with a range of influences, including folk, jazz, soul, marching and rock. Their single, “Forward,” broadcast in conjunction with the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, was also a “homegrown hit” on the airwaves in the Phoenix area. The band has been performed in Local First events and has just returned from touring in Austin and Houston. This performance is being sponsored in part by the City of Avondale Parks and Recreation Department and the Manzana Foundation. Free and open to public.
Saturday, May 4
Photography Exhibition:“Paper and Plastic,” organized by Richard Gross
10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Estrella Hall Community Room