Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
Thurs, Feb 18 at 8pm, Kenan Auditorium
Tickets: $6 UNCW students, $16 UNCW employees, $20 public
Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile grew up performing in the award-winning newgrass (and beyond) band Nickel Creek. His new band the Punch Brothers – whose name is taken from the Mark Twain short story, Punch, Brothers, Punch! – combines the talents of the best young pickers in modern bluegrass – Gabe Witcher, Naom Pikelny and Paul Kowert. The Boston Globe hails this acoustic quintet as “a virtuousic revelation,” and together they defy categorization by producing a fresh, cutting-edge sound that seamlessly blends bluegrass traditions with breathtaking innovation. Their first album, How to Grow a Woman from the Ground, released in 2006, was Grammy nominated for Best Instrumental Performance.
Special Event
Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story
Fri, March 19 at 8 pm, at Kenan Auditorium
Free Admission
Selected Shorts, the signature literary program of New York's Symphony Space broadcast each week on radio stations across the country, comes to the UNCW stage. Hosted by David Rakoff, Selected Shorts presents fine actors reading classic and bold new short fiction. These spellbinding short stories by established and emerging writers take on a new life when they are performed by stars of the stage and screen, and as a result each Selected Shorts event is a unique night of literature in performance. The readings will be taped for local broadcast on WHQR public radio (91.3 FM). Co-presented with the Department of Creative Writing and the Katherine Buckner Lecture Series
Chris Potter’s Underground
Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m., Kenan Auditorium
Tickets: $6 UNCW students, $18 UNCW employees, $22 public
Known for his impeccable timing, luminary saxophonist Chris Potter operates ahead of the curve. Prior to his thirtieth birthday, he’d already achieved first-call status in heavy hitting New York circles and a Grammy nomination to boot. Legions of young players cite him as a primary influence, and with good reason. Equally adept on soprano, alto or tenor, Potter has carved out a singular niche in an all too competitive field. As sideman for everyone from Dave Holland to Steely Dan, he’s done so without ever sacrificing the artistry and integrity of his music. Unquestionably at his finest in the role of bandleader, his Underground quartet features guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Nate Smith. Co-presented with the Department of Music's 28th UNCW Annual Guest Artist Jazz Festival
Kronos Quartet
Sunday, April 11 at 7:30 pm, Kenan Auditorium
Tickets: $6 UNCW students, $20 UNCW employees, $24 public
For more than 30 years, the Kronos Quartet, comprised of David Harrington, John Sherba (violins), Hank Dutt (viola) and Jeffrey Zeigler (cello), has pursued a singular artistic vision, combining a spirit of fearless exploration with a commitment to expanding the range and context of the string quartet. In the process, Kronos has become one of the most celebrated and influential groups of our time, performing thousands of concerts worldwide and garnering numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance (2004). In addition to writing and performing new music of their own, Kronos Quartet, through their organization, Kronos Performing Arts Association, seeks to continually re-imagine the string quartet experience. Kronos fulfills its mission through commissioning, performing, presenting, recording and publishing contemporary music, and collaborating with, mentoring and encouraging other artists. Co-sponsored by the UNCW Office of Cultural Arts and Chamber Music Wilmington
BOX OFFICE AND TICKET INFORMATION
For tickets, call Kenan Box Office 910.962.3500 or or visit Sharky's Box Office in the Fisher Student Center.
ABOUT THE ARTS IN ACTION PERFORMANCE SERIES
The Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the Wilmington community through the presentation of diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. The series is supported by grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a Division of the Department of Cultural Resources with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with National Endowment for the Arts.
UNCW Presents is a member of the NC Presenters Consortium. The 150 member venues of the NC Presenters Consortium may be visited at www.presenters.org.
