This week, the big news is Duke–as in Duke Performances. The university’s summer music series began last week and continues through Aug. 6. The fare’s not all classical–there’s great variety. The offerings are very attractively priced, and with only a few exceptions, you’re not likely to be glared at if you bring curtain-climbing tricycle engines to these concerts. We’ll recap the whole run here in a format that we hope you’ll find useful for sticking on the refrigerator at home, so you won’t go hungry for culture as the summer doldrums grip the Triangle.
Please note that admission is $5 (Duke students with ID are free) except as noted below, and contact information–684-4444 or duke.edu/web/dukeperfs–is the same for all events.
Thursday, May 25
One Leg Up–Parisian Jazz from Asheville. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 1
Ciompi Quartet with Scott Rawls, viola, and guests from the Charlotte Symphony. Mozart: Divertimento, K.585, and String Quintet in D. Kirby Horton Hall, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 2
Mallarme Youth Chamber Orchestra, Yoram Youngerman, director. Kirby Horton Hall, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 8
David Heid and Deborah Hollis, piano four hands. Schubert’s “Lebensstürme” and music by Handel, Mozart, Debussy, and Poulenc. Kirby Horton Hall, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 15
Malone Alone–Bob, the Piano-Man (piano jazz). Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham. 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 16
Ensemble Vermillian. “Hidden Gems” from a musical treasure-trove of Italian chamber music, transcribed for recorder, viola da gamba, cello and keyboard. Kirby Horton Hall, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 25
Vocal Arts Ensemble, Rodney Wynkoop, director. “Oh Sweetest Song”–10th Anniversary Celebration of the Vocal Arts Ensemble. Duke Chapel, Durham. 7 p.m. $15, Duke students with ID free.
Sunday, July 2
Mariachi los Viajeros (vihuela, guitarron, violin, and trumpet), Hector Varel, leader. Angle Amphitheater, Doris Duke Center, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m. Free.
Sunday, July 9
Carolina Chocolate Drops (African-American string band). Angle Amphitheater, Doris Duke Center, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m. Free.
Sunday, July 16
Ciompi Quartet & Friends. Music by Amy Beach, Mozart, and Steven MacKay for strings, horn, and flute. Auditorium, Nasher Museum of Art, Duke University, Durham. 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Cowboy Envy All-Girl Cowboy Ensemble (Berne Poliakoff, vocals, whip cracks, dinner bell, train whistle, and stampedes; DeDe Vogt, vocals, bass, harmonica, and mandolin; and Kathleen Hatfield, vocals and guitar). Angle Amphitheater, Doris Duke Center, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m. Free.
Sunday, July 30
Scott Ainslie, blues guitarist. Angle Amphitheater, Doris Duke Center, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m. Free.
Sunday, August 6
Alex Weiss, drummer, and a screening of FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992). Angle Amphitheater, Doris Duke Center, Duke Gardens, Durham. 7 p.m. Free.
Recommended Reviews
Cell Phone Mars Daedalus Quartet’s Magical Beethoven Performance, by William Thomas Walker
cvnc.org/reviews/2006/052006/Daedalus.html
The Awesome Power of Mahler, by Jeffrey Rossman
cvnc.org/reviews/2006/052006/NCSMahler.html
At www.cvnc.org you can find…
Complete classical music and dance calendar listings for North Carolina
Complete series information Concert and dance reviews
Links to classical music and dance organizations Feature articles
Reviews of CDs, DVDs and books on classical music
Comprehensive theater coverage–reviews, openings and links
