UNCA Announces 2003-2004 Cultural and Special Events Season

QuinTango

UNC Asheville will host seven performances in the 2003-2004 Cultural and Special Events season. Events range from tango music to a one-man performance of Leonard Nimoy’s play "Vincent." All performances are open to the public and are $18 general admission.

The South American tango music of QuinTango will take center stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. A touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, QuinTango brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a Command Performance at The White House. The group has been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition, CNN and network television in the United States and Costa Rica.

QuinTango has played to sell-out crowds both at home and abroad. A highlight of their domestic schedule is their annual performances at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in

Charleston, S.C. Their 2003 residency marked the fourth year that, according to Spoleto critic Robert Jones, "their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy." Other notable performances include the International Music Festivals in Costa Rica, five performances in Normandy, France and the Wolf Trap’s Theatre-in-the-Woods Children’s Festival.

At the UNCA performance, QuinTango will be joined by master tango dancers Harby Gonzalez and partner Emilie Tobias. Gonzalez and Tobias will also conduct an Argentine Tango Dance workshop on the evening of September 11. Please call for details and to register. All ages and levels of expertise will be welcome. These events are co-sponsored by UNCA’s Multicultural Student Programs in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Tickets for QuinTango are on sale now. Call 828/232-5000 to order your tickets by phone.

Other performances in the series include --

The highly acclaimed Turtle Island String Quartet will present the jazz tribute "Blue in Green: The Legacy of Miles Davis" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. This boundary-breaking string quartet will explore the roots of Davis’ influences as well as the jazz classics that built his legend. Since their inception in 1985, the Turtle Island String Quartet has been a singular force in creating bold new trends in chamber music for strings while losing none of the rhythmic force and groove structure that has always been the foundation of their "American Vernacular" style.

In conjunction with the concert, Turtle Island String Quartet will hold a free workshop on "The Art of Groove" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Lipinsky Auditorium. A second workshop on "It’s About Time" will be held at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Lipinsky Auditorium.

An evening of readings and discussions with renowned poet Edward Hirsch will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The 2003 P.B. Parris Visiting Writer at UNCA, Hirsch is the award-winning author of the national bestseller "How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry." A reception and book signing will follow his presentation. Hirsch’s appearance is co-sponsored by UNCA’s Creative Writing Program, UNCA’s Center for Jewish Studies and the West Branch of the Asheville-Buncombe Library System.

Sones de Mexico Ensemble will perform their rich and lively traditional Mexican music at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. This six-piece ensemble specializes in "son," the cross-cultural heritage of mariachi music and dance. Featuring Mexican musical traditions, regional instruments and costumes, Sones de Mexico Ensemble creates an upbeat dance fiesta from the influences of the Mestizo, Native American, Spanish and African music of Mexico.

The French sextet Les Yeux Noirs ("Dark Eyes") will perform their unique blend of high-energy Gypsy jazz and Jewish music at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The group was formed more than 10 years ago by brothers Erik and Olivier Slabiak. The two drew their inspriation from their uncle, a Gypsy and jazz violinst who played with Django and Joseph Reinhardt. Lex Yeux Noirs’ latest CD, "Live," was released in July.

The Bruce Wood Dance Company will hold performances at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 24, at the Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. The modern dance ballet executed by this Texas troupe will blow any preconceived notions about boring dance performances out of the water. Critics have raved that the Bruce Wood Dance Company’s performances are accessible, outrageous, funny and sexy. Reserved tickets for these performances are available by phone from the Pack Place box office at 828/257-4530. Tickets may also be purchased online. This event is co-sponsored by UNCA’s Arts and Ideas Program and the UNCA dance program. A master class in "modern ballet" with the Bruce Woods Dance Company will also be available.

The final event in the series is a performance of the one-man play "Vincent" at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, at UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. This dazzling multimedia theater piece explores the life and work of Impressionist genius Vincent Van Gogh told through letters written to his brother and slides of his exquisite paintings. "Vincent" was written by Leonard Nimoy and is performed by veteran actor Jim Jarrett.

For more information about the Cultural and Special Events season and tickets, call UNCA’s Student Activities Office at 828/232-5000 or visit the Web site.

Media Contacts:

• Bunny Halton-Subkis, UNCA Student Activities Assistant Director, 828/232-5000
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526