Take Five - Spring 2008

Try something new at Take Five, the Center's free series of interactive, informal events on selected Tuesdays.

Tuesday, February 5 – 5:30PM AARON RAZ LINK What Becomes You Using multimedia and physical theatre to play with the relationship between art and science, truth and fiction, performer and audience, Aaron Link documents his transition from female to male. This piece explores the masks we wear, the roles we play and how we know what's real. Sex, gender, treachery and puppets – this show is unconventional and can't be missed. LABORATORY THEATRE Contains adult themes and language.

Tuesday, February 12 – 5:30PM ROBERT GLASPER TRIO With deep roots in jazz and a subtext of hip-hop, R&B and alternative rock, up and coming musician Robert Glasper displays a musical maturity well beyond his years, articulating bold ideas about what a jazz piano trio can achieve. GILDENHORN RECITAL HALL

Tuesday, February 19 – 5:30PM LENI STERN Leni Stern is perpetual motion – singer, guitarist, label owner, author, composer, orchestrator and social advocate. Her music is energetic and powerful, with a wide range from inspirational and rocking music to deep and intimate poetry. Embracing cultural exchange, she integrates African and Western musical forms and shares her journey to West Africa, which opened her to a new musical world. GILDENHORN RECITAL HALL

Tuesday, March 4 – 5:30PM LAURA SCHANDELMEIER & STEPHEN CLAPP Portals Offering a magical glimpse into the celebrations, rituals and intimate moments shared between two people, this theatrical dance duet examines the transformative process of evolution, rites of passage, crossing thresholds and looking back. Clapp's commitment to art and social justice, combined with Schandelmeier's edgy exploration of dance, is a unique blend of artistry, cultural synthesis and contemporary commentary. KOGOD THEATRE

Tuesday, March 11 – 5:30PM ALIF LAILA Alif Laila plays the sitar with the insight of a painter mixing colors and tones. The emotion in her music expresses the deep connection of life with art. She brings out the essence of traditional Indian Classical music with a unique sense of freedom. Performing and recording with leading percussionists in Switzerland and India as well as New York, Alif embraces the sitar as the instrument of her soul. Accompanying Alif is one of India's most prominent young tabla players, Anubrata Chatterjee, who blends his virtuosity and artistry of the tabla with Alif to create a transcendental musical journey. GILDENHORN RECITAL HALL

Tuesday, April 1 – 5:30PM SQUEEZE BAYOU Squeeze Bayou plays exciting Cajun dance music from Southwestern Louisiana with a dash of zydeco thrown in, lively two-steps and soulful waltzes, and music that blends many styles including country music, blues and Creole. Their material is rooted in traditional Louisiana sources and most of the songs are sung in Cajun French. KOGOD THEATRE

Tuesday, April 8 – 5:30PM KEVIN BURKE & CAL SCOTT Legendary Irish fiddler Kevin Burke and guitarist Cal Scott put their own unique spin on the toe-tapping traditional music of Ireland – with some nifty sidesteps into new compositions and even bluegrass. Consummate artistry! GILDENHORN RECITAL HALL

Tuesday, April 15 – 5:30PM DEBRA MIMS Madness, Menopause & More... This autobiographical "hotflash" monologue chronicles the change of life and change of mind of a "Sista Girl" who extravagantly extols stories about her life, race and work experiences, and embraces the next phase of her life with a "new attitude." Recipient of the 2004 Individual Artist Award for Outstanding Theatrical Solo Performance by the Maryland State Arts Council, Mims offers a transformative catalyst for the mind, body and soul. LABORATORY THEATRE Contains adult themes and language.

Tuesday, April 29 – 5:30PM MONICA BILL BARNES & COMPANY Suddenly Summer Somewhere Simultaneously hilarious and painful, this new duet, performed with Anna Bass, explores how the passage of time affects the lives of two people. The women could represent any two people locked together by love, circumstance, blood or hatred, grappling with the comedy and tragedy of human interaction, both alone and in a sea of strangers. The result is dense, dark and messy...heartbreak with a glimmer of hope. DANCE THEATRE