AVONDALE, Arizona – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is celebrating another year of its expanding arts programs with its annual Fine and Performing Arts Week, April 21 – 25, 2014.
A multi-genre mix of national and international art promises to provide a variety of cultural experiences that also create fun for audiences of all ages. The week-long events showcase the talents of EMCC art students, expose all students to visiting artisans, and invite the community to participate in the celebration of creativity in all of its forms.
“Arts week is about giving audiences the opportunity to become fully aware of how much our world revolves around the arts, whether through the expression of designing a t-shirt or through an intricate dance performance,” says Linda Keyes, EMCC arts staff and event co-coordinator.
EMCC is currently constructing an on-campus Performing Art Center (PAC) with a projected completion of December 2014. The PAC will measure nearly 30,000 square feet and includes a 295-seat theatre, Black Box Studio and Dance Studio. While the primary purpose of the PAC is a learning environment to support the arts, including theatre, photography, dance, fine arts, and music, the space will also be available for community events.
“This event is also an opportunity to highlight our growing arts program at EMCC and encourage more students to participate in these programs, either as a major or as means of personal enrichment,” says Dr. Anastasia Amabisca, English faculty and event co-coordinator.
All events are free and open to the public, and will be held on the EMCC campus, located at Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale, Ariz. Parking is also free. Events are made possible in part through the support of the City of Avondale.
For more information or event details, call 623-935-8444 or email [email protected].
Monday, April 21
Photography Open House
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Montezuma Hall, Room 275
Learn about photography in a real darkroom and have the chance to create a self-portrait photogram utilizing silhouette masks and objects to represent yourself.
SambAZ Dancers
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Komatke Hall Courtyard
Enjoy the rhythms of Brazilian Samba with the SambAZ Dancers. Learn the history and cultural aspects behind the dance at this performance and workshop.
Tuesday, April 22
MusicEstrella Concert
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Estrella Hall, North lawn
Three musical groups will bring a variety of musical entertainment to the campus: Estrella Foothills High School Jazz Band conducted by Lance Wilson; Tolleson Elementary Mariachi Group conducted by Mr. Casillas; and R&B singer Edwin Lopez accompanied by guitarist Kegan Braisted.
Mariachi Myths featuring Miguel Omaña III
12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Montezuma Hall, Center for Teaching & Learning
Discover the rich legacy of mariachi music and culture with Mariachi Los Caballeros Director Miguel Omaña III. A stage upbringing combined with his current rustic style of gigging gives Omaña a greater perspective of the future of mariachi.
Mariachi Master Class featuring Miguel Omaña III
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Montezuma Hall, Center for Teaching & Learning
Do you play guitar, trumpet, or violin? Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be in a mariachi band? Bring your instruments and your voices to this special beginning mariachi master class to learn the basics of mariachi from a local expert on the art form.
Sankofa/Island Magic Drumming featuring Keith Johnson
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Komatke Hall Courtyard
Join in a musical experience as you learn to play Caribbean Steel Drums from Trinidad and Tobago at this performance and workshop with Keith Johnson.
Wednesday, April 23
Music + Computers
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Montezuma Hall, Center for Teaching & Learning
Learn about music and composing with EMCC student Brendan Rincon. He started playing the piano at the age of 5 and composing music by 6. At the age of 12, his parents gave him studio software and he has been composing with computers ever since.
StoriEstrella Performance
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Estrella Conference Center
“When The World Was New...” Story time for children and adults – StoriEstrella brings you culturally diverse stories both ancient and new. The program consists exclusively of EMCC storytelling students. From the magic that comes from a wand, to the magic that comes from within, the night promises to be a powerful evening of voyage and discovery.
Thursday, April 24
Photography Open House
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Montezuma Hall, Room 275
Learn about photography in a real darkroom and have the chance to create a self-portrait photogram utilizing silhouette masks and objects to represent yourself.
Printmaking Demonstration featuring Jamison Banks
1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Komatke Hall, Plaza Gallery
Learn about printmaking at this presentation and demonstration featuring artist Jamison Banks.
“Mischief, Thou Art Afoot” Performance
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Estrella Hall, Ceremonial Plaza
Estrella Mountain acting students present “Mischief, Thou Art Afoot,” a collection of bits and pieces from a variety of Shakespeare plays.
Ignite Concert
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Komatke Hall Courtyard
Ignite specializes in a rich flavor of rhythms and styles such as Jazz, Latin Jazz, Swing, Big Band, Mambo, and Bosa Nova. The band features a mix of cultural styles such as Puerto Rican and Afro Cuban Caribbean Jazz.
TheatrEstrella Performance
7:00–8:30 p.m.
Estrella Conference Center
From epic battles to personal trials and everything in between, “The Doomsday Diaries” is a collection of 13 original monologues featuring a wide variety of surprising characters written by emerging EMCC student playwrights and performed by EMCC acting students.
Friday, April 25
Printmaking workshop featuring Jamison Banks
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Montezuma Hall, Room 274
Design and print your own t-shirt at this hands-on workshop in printmaking. Learn how printmaking is done, and leave with your own wearable creation. T-shirts provided while supplies last.
DancEstrella Performance
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Estrella Conference Center
The EMCC student dance ensemble presents a creative and collaborative experience with “Rising from the Ashes: Struggle, Transformation and New Beginnings.”