uncompromising musicianship... breathtaking precision and dimension...Nuances of phrasing that place the Trio among the world's finest chamber ensemble -San Angelo Standard Times

The Zodiac Trio closes out the 2021-2022 Arts&Ideas Performing Arts Series with an eclectic concert that will include a little something for everyone. One of today's premiere clarinet-violin-piano ensembles, the Zodiac Trio is known for presenting masterpieces for their unconventional instrumentation alongside hidden gems, arrangements, and the occasional duo/solo in a concert experience marked with a special gusto, virtuosity and energy.

Inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest, this jukebox musical is packed with rock 'n' roll classics such as Heard it Through the Grapevine, Young Girl, Good Vibrations, and Gloria. Blast off on a routine flight and crash into the planet D'Illyria where a sci fi version of The Tempest set to rock and roll golden oldies unfolds with glee. The planet is inhabited by a sinister scientist, Dr. Prospero; his delightful daughter Miranda; Ariel, a faithful robot on roller skates; and an uncontrollable monster, the product of Prospero's Id, whose tentacles penetrate the space craft.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The President's 14th Annual Art Exhibition highlights top artwork from Lewis Students and Alumni. This important juried exhibition and competition is hosted by the Department of Art and Design and sponsored by Dr. David Livingston, President of Lewis University. An informal discussion with winning artists from the show will take place at the Gallery Talk as part of Celebration of Scholarship on April 21.

Andrea Y. Rodriguez, Kasia Wolny, Zachary Klozik, Patricia Damocles, & Zakiya Cowan Lewis University graduates return to campus for a panel discussion to speak about their lives and work after obtaining a degree in English. Our five alums have taken different paths: some straight into graduate school and others into the workforce. They’ve been published, created short films, had babies, and continue to astound us with their accomplishments.

This long-standing series provides literary readings from a variety of national and regional writers: award-winning authors, contributors to Jet Fuel Review, as well as highlighting Lewis students’ and alumni’s original works.

Guest speakers include Rita Mookerjee and Carrie McGath. Dr. Rita Mookerjee is the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Postdoctoral Fellow at DePaul University. She holds a PhD in Literature from Florida State University. In 2020, she was a Fulbright fellow in Kingston, Jamaica. Her poetry is featured in Juked, Hobart Pulp, New Orleans Review, the Offing, and the Baltimore Review. She is the co-founder of Honey Literary and the Assistant Poetry Editor at Split Lip Magazine. Her book FALSE OFFERING is forthcoming from JackLeg Press.

Carrie McGath is a doctoral student in the Program for Writers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her first collection of poems, SMALL MURDERS, was released in 2006 by New Issues Poetry and Prose. She is at work on her second full-length collection of poems tentatively titled, THE LUCK OF ANHEDONIA.

Experience the historic Mark Twain! In this one-of-a-kind show, Warren Brown brings the famed American writer to life and talks about his life and the philosophies which made him the unique personality and writer known throughout the world. If you have ever wished to ask a question of Mark Twain join us for this interactive dialogue and performance.

Warren Brown is one of the premier Mark Twain impersonators. He has spent his life learning about the real Mark Twain and has traveled the country interacting audiences to bring Mark Twain back to life. Through his performances, people can once again hear of Mark Twain's life adventures and world views.

I want to see the world, not by the whole, but by the all too beautiful small things.

These words, written by Ryan Harris, were the catalyst for LYNX Project's Amplify Series, a project setting the words of autistic youth who are primarily nonspeaking to song for voice and piano. Started in 2016, from an initial collaboration with Ryan and his peers, the Amplify Series has grown into a multi-year project that has shared the voices and artistry of dozens of youth, composers, and performers.

The words of these young writers have brought smiles and tears to audiences across the country, and members of the autism community have expressed feeling heard, valued, and seen through these concerts. Now, LYNX is bringing their Amplify Series to Lewis University.

Join us for an evening celebrating these songs and come to understand individuals whose voices are valuable but so rarely heard.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

This chilling mystery thriller by the author of Rosemary's Baby explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder. Students Susan and Larry find themselves as guests enticed to the Brabissant mansion by its dissolute caretakers the lonely Mackeys. Struck by Susan's strong resemblance to Veronica Brabissant, long- dead daughter of the family for whom they work, the older couple gradually induce her to impersonate Veronica briefly to solace the only living Brabissant, her addled sister who believes Veronica alive. Once dressed in Veronica's clothes, Susan finds herself locked in the role and locked in Veronica's room. Or is she Veronica, in 1935, pretending to be an imaginary Susan?

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Benjamin F. Calvert III is a third-generation printmaker. His passion for nature is reflected in his use of wood blocks to create relief prints on paper and canvas. Life experiences are translated to two-dimensional works of art.

More information about the artist: https://www.benjamincalvert.com

It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. It is then up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.

Mark Swain is an Illinois artist. After graduating from Lewis University in 1993, with a BA in Art, he went on to complete his MFA in Painting at Northern Illinois University. Mark's work is representational in nature, portraying the play of light on a variety of surfaces. Mark has been at Lewis for 23 years, where he teaches primarily painting and drawing.

Join us for a theatrical production that supports community leaders who are impacted by carceral systems. JustUs is a collection of artfully crafted autobiographical monologues that expose the devastating impact of the criminal legal system and inspire action toward a vision of true justice. Since premiering at the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice Conference in 2019 in front of 1600 people, Motus’ JustUs monologues have served as keynotes for ten national and international conferences and have been read by law enforcement, district attorneys, DOC staff, legislators, and other Colorado state and community leaders. More information at motustheater.org.

Winners of the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the 2019 Plowman Chamber Music Competition, the Colere Quartet comes to Lewis to present an exciting concert of music written for saxophone quartet. Founded in 2017, the Colere Quartet is comprised of saxophonists John Cummins, Elissa Kana, Greg Rife, and Dennis Kwok. Colere is a Latin word meaning "to cultivate." This name was inspired by expansive farmland in America's heartland, and the group's commitment to cultivating musical life in the Midwest and beyond. You will not want to miss this concert of vibrant music played by one of the top saxophone quartets today.

Visit colerequartet.com for more information about this dynamic saxophone quartet.

Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor is an Icelandic-American pianist who has been enthusiastically received for her performances of Nordic piano works, including the North American premiere of Jón Nordal's Piano Concerto in 2003 and programs by invitation in Washington D.C. for the Ambassador of Iceland and President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. She performed widely in the U.S. as well as in Iceland, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Serbia, Canada, Latvia, and Lithuania. Dr. Taylor was the Grand Prize Winner of the Naftzger Young Artist Competition, a national finalist in the Music Teacher's National Association Young Chang Collegiate Competition, and a finalist in the Solo Piano Professional Division of The American Prize. She was a soloist with several orchestras gave a performance of an all-Schumann program at the internationally prestigious Reykjavík Arts Festival.

Kristíín was the recipient of a Fulbright grant to Iceland in 2004-2005 to conduct research for her doctoral thesis on Jón Nordal's Piano Concerto. She received another Fulbright Scholar grant award to Iceland for the Fall of 2010 to research the music of Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson. She released four professional recordings on the Pólarfónía, Smekkleysa, Iceland Music Information Centre, and MarkMasters labels.

Kristín is the Assistant Professor of Piano and Keyboard Area Coordinator at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She serves as President of the Central Regional Chapter of College Music Society and President-Elect of the Omaha Music Teachers Association. ristín Jónína Taylor is a Steinway Artist and is a member of the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame.

As one review wrote, Andrew White is a "... a formidable interpreter ... Every song composer should be so lucky with collaborators." A baritone who currently teaches at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Dr. White has performed in concerts and on festivals around the world. He has an extensive background in opera and concert appearances including being selected to participate in the Cleveland Art Song Festival six times, appearing as a featured artist on the 1996 festival. He won the VARN competition in 1997 and was First Prize winner of the 1995 Richardson Awards Vocal Competition. A champion of new music for voice, Dr. White has premiered new works for baritone voice that fosters and broadens the art song genre, and this concert will feature new songs chosen from a recent international call for submissions. Join us for an evening of new and innovative works for baritone voice in the St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall.

Known for creating deep connections with audiences through engaging repertoire and inspiring performances, Chamber Project Saint Louis will perform a diverse program of chamber music in the beautiful St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall. Founded in 2007, Chamber Project Saint Louis began with one goal: connect with audiences in a meaningful way. This collective of outstanding musicians have done just that by challenging classical music stereotypes, relating not only to the seasoned classical expert but also to those new to concert music. Since their founding, Chamber Project Saint Louis has confronted what it means to be a "classical chamber ensemble" often performing in non-traditional venues and playing music with atypical and exciting instrumentations. What results is a musical experience where the audience is the focus, and performances that build a community.

Grammy-nominated Victor Garcia is a musical force to be reckoned with. Examiner.com's Neil Tesser calls him "one of the most exciting young musicians." Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich says that he "stands out as an ebullient soloist offering a formidable technique and a radiantly polished tone." JazzChicago.net's Brad Walseth regards him as a "young lion trumpeter."

Join Victor Garcia and his quintet at Lewis University in a concert featuring music from his latest albums.

Lewis University English Studies alumni will return to discuss their lives and careers post-graduation, and to answer questions for potential English majors and minors. Alumni Career Panel include Bianca Apato, Dom Dusek, Stephanie Karas, Sam Moffett, & Tim Ochoa

Guest authors Hadara Bar-Nadav & Ananda Lima will be visiting to read from their award-winning collections.

JFR editors along with faculty, alumni, and staff will be reading editorial selections from Jet Fuel Review to celebrate their #24 launch!

The President's 15th Annual Art Exhibition highlights the top artwork from Lewis Students and Alumni. This important juried exhibition is hosted by the Department of Art and Design and sponsored by Dr. David Livingston, President of Lewis University.

Whether triggered by a conceptual, metaphoric, or formalist set of assumptions, Havlis, Dallas, Kronquist, and Roberts have a common interest in the ambiguous space between representation and abstraction. Each artist intuitively experiments with materials in distinctly different ways to explore various possibilities of abstract expression.

Didaar, meaning "meet-up," in Persian, is an art collective established in April 2018 in Chicago with the aim to promote and practice discussion, communication, and collaboration among Iranian artists, art historians, and those active in the field of Iranian arts. Didaar Art Collective held its first exhibition, Space: Chapter One, in April-May 2021 in Oliva Gallery (Chicago) as part of an investigation of the representations of space in the visual arts. Bringing together selected drawings and non-photographic print media such as etching, lithography, drypoint, and monotype, this juried show exhibited the practices of a group of emerging Iranian artists. The range of the works selected for the show visualized the perception or an idea of space in its personal and social connotations in addition to its usual physical and phenomenological attributes. In continuation with the ongoing inquiry into the theme of space, Didaar Art Collective will hold its second exhibition, Space: Chapter Two, at Lewis University from November 3 to 29, 2022. This show is a group exhibition that focuses on architectural representations in the works of visual art across different media.

More information about the artist: https://didaar.org/en

William Blake is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University and currently teaches at Harper College. The paintings he creates come from a life-long interest in the populist sub-culture of reenactment. His work has been published in Fine Art Connoisseur, New American Paintings, The Chicago Tribune, and American Art Collector.

More information about the artist: https://www.williamblakeart.com

Imagination is where German born artist, Eve Ozer, lived in her early years. She created a mythical mirror twin named Ila and a world of unlimited magic possibilities. In other words, a born storyteller. Using paper & paint, this body of work, in three acts, took 71 years to complete.

More information about the artist: https://www.eveozer.com/home

This ambitious play examines an almost forgotten chapter in showbiz history: In 1918 the engineer of a military train fell asleep at the wheel and plowed through the railway cars belonging to the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Eighty-seven of the circus people were killed and many of the dead were never identified. Roustabout provides beguiling narratives for three of those lost to history, interweaving their stories with a broad meditation on the transience of the theatrical experience and the costs of war. Roustabout attempts to find life, hope, and cheer in the stories, both told and untold, of the victims. Roustabout is described as a cheerful eulogy exploring the nature of performance, self and tragedy.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Just in time for the holiday season, the Philip Lynch Theatre presents a radio play adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials and the magic of live sound effects and musical underscoring. A handful of actors bring dozens of characters to the stage, as the familiar story unfolds: three ghosts take Ebenezer Scrooge on a thrilling journey to teach him the true meaning of Christmas. A charming take on a family favorite that will leave no one saying "Bah Humbug!"

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

A historical poetic story of the conquest of Mexico seen through the eyes of a young boy who struggles to save his world from the conquistador. This story is ultimately about hope and the struggle to find the courage to persist against all odds. It is the intimate story of a boy and his brother who are forced to take sides - one brother joining the conquest against the Aztecs and the other fighting to preserve the memory of his ancestors and culture that was being brutally erased. This journey of struggle and transition is also a universal one that resonates across historical and geographical boundaries. The Sun Serpent is a story that portrays the strength of the human spirit.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Charles Schulz's beloved comic strip is brought to life in this classic musical! Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship. Familiar, fresh, and fun, join us in rediscovering these favorite characters! Included is Lucy's infatuation with Schroeder and her perverse joy at tormenting Charlie Brown, Linus's love of his blanket, Snoopy's rich world of imagination, and, of course, Charlie Brown's hopeless love-at-a-distance of the mysterious little redheaded girl.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

The Pete Ellman Big Band has been entertaining Chicagoland audiences since 2009 performing at locations such as Mullen's in Lisle and Fitzgerals's in Oak Park. Committed to developing the next generation of jazz musicians, Pete and his band are often guest clinicians throughout the area. Join us as we celebrate big band jazz at Lewis with Pete Ellman and his band.