April 5, 2005

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

CONCERT PIANIST JOANNE ROGERS, THREE RIVERS JAZZ ORCHESTRA HEADLINE SRU’S APRIL 16-24 KALEIDOSCOPE ARTS FESTIVAL:  CHILDREN’S DAY, MOVIE NIGHT, SITAR CONCERT AMONG OTHER EVENTS

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Classically trained pianist Joanne Rogers and performing partner Jeannine Morrison will appear at Slippery Rock University’s nine-day Kaleidoscope arts festival with a 4 p.m. April 17 concert at Swope Music Hall. Afterward, Rogers will sign copies of her new book “Life’s Journeys According to Mister Rogers.”

It is her second book in a three-part series on Fred Rogers, the public television host who died in 2003.  Copies will be available for purchase at the concert. The performance is free but contributions supporting Kaleidoscope will be accepted. They will perform piano duets by Duvernoy, Poulenc, Brahms, Mozart, Dohnanyi and Borodin.

Kaleidoscope’s April 24 finale stars the Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra, featuring three SRU music faculty and 15 jazz musicians in Pittsburgh. The group recently released its first CD and will perform originals and jazz standards at 7 p.m. at the University Union.

 In addition to these signature events, the April 16-24 arts festival offers a “Children’s Day” on April 16, a movie night, a lecture by poet Arnold Adoff, a sitar concert, plays, a flute concert, dance recitals and an outdoor sculpture exhibit featuring student artwork. Go to www.sru.edu/pages/916.asp for the complete schedule and ticket information. Many events are free. 

Piano duo known nationwide

Rogers and Morrison have performed 300 concerts and conducted piano workshops throughout the country. Their repertoire includes classical, romantic and contemporary pieces.

Rogerschairs the board of directors of Family Communications, Inc., the nonprofit organization Fred Rogers founded in 1971 to support the healthy emotional, social and intellectual development of children.

Morrison, of Atlanta, is professor emeriti of Clayton College and State University and was recently named “Teacher of the Year” by the Georgia Music Teacher’s Association.

Best of regional jazz at SRU

“We hand-selected the best jazz players in Pittsburgh for the big band,” notes SRU’s Dr. Steven Hawk, the associate professor of music who helped organize the Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra. It features Hawk on trumpet as well as SRU’s Terry Steele, associate professor of music, on saxophone and David Glover, assistant professor of music, on drums.

The group’s first CD “The Nightowl Suite” came out this winter. The group will play originals penned by Hawk and standards such as “Little Sunflower” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.”

Movie nights culminate with awards at original Warner Theater, New Castle

The newly created Harry S. Warner Film Institute at SRU will open its two-day festival by showing short films at 7 p.m. April 21 at University Union. Independent filmmakers from around the world submitted films. Winning films will receive awards from the institute at 8:30 p.m., April 22, at the refurbished Warner Theater in New Castle.

           SRU, which recently introduced a minor in film studies, formed the institute with help from the Lawrence County Historical Society. It bears the name of the first president of Warner Brothers studio who -- with his brothers – opened their first movie theater in the United States in New Castle in 1907.

About Kaleidoscope

SRU’s College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts launched Kaleidoscope four years ago to promote the arts, showcase the talent of students and faculty and build relationships within the region.

The schedule

April 16-24                                Regional outdoor sculpture exhibition,
to be held all seven days of Kaleidoscope.

April 16                                    Children's Day (balloon sculptor, children’s dance performances, face painting, crafts, puppet shows, children’s theater, brass ensemble and jazz combo)

April 15-16, April 20-23            Brave New Plays, Miller Auditorium, 8 p.m.

April 17, April 24                      Brave New Plays, Miller Auditorium, 2 p.m.

April 16                        SRU Jazz Festival Concert; Stephen Hawk, host; Conrad Herwig, trombone guest artist 7:30 p.m., place to be announced

April 17                        Joanne Rogers and Jeanine Morrison piano concert, Swope Recital Hall, 4 p.m.

April 18                       Ginger Hill, SRU’s literary magazine, released;
poetry reading, Russell Wright Alumni House, 7 p.m.

April 18-24                    Gallery 164, senior art project exhibits

April 18-19                    “Flying Solo,” presented by the theater department, Miller Auditorium, times to be announced

April 18                         Percussion Ensemble, SRU’s Dr. David Glover, director, Swope Recital Hall, 8 p.m.

April 19                         Wind Ensemble, conducted by SRU’s Dr. Stephen Hawk, Swope Recital Hall, 8 p.m.

April 21                         Sitar Concert by Allyn Miner, Swope Recital Hall, 8 p.m.

April 21                        Arnold Adolff, poet and author, book singing, Russell Wright Alumni House, 7-8 p.m.

April 21                         Harry M. Warner Film Institute presentation of the first half of accepted works for the Harry M. Warner Film Festival, McKay Education Building, 7 p.m.

April 22                        Harry M. Warner Film Institute presentation of second half of accepted works for Harry M. Warner Film Festival, Cascade Riverplex Theatre, New Castle, 7 p.m.

April 23                        Senior dance concert, Swope Recital Hall, 3 and 8 p.m.

April 24                        Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra, University Union Multi-Purpose Room, 8 p.m.

April 24                        Flute choir, directed by SRU’s Stacey Steele, Swope Recital Hall, 4 p.m.

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