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.