March allows us to say one last goodbye to our winter, hinting at the inviting signs of spring. Fort Lewis College also has some very inviting activities in the arts for this month.
The Community Concert Hall continues to present exciting programming. On Wednesday, The Christian McBride Trio will perform live jazz. McBride stands out as one of the top jazz bass players in the world. A week later, Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo will grace the stage with a playful and entertaining view on classical ballet performance. The Trocks are known for the dancers’ inspired blend of their loving knowledge of dance, their comic approach and the astounding fact men can, indeed, dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces. Next, on March 20, Cody ChesnuTT, a soul singer with the style of a troubadour, will present his exciting new music. Called a “raw storyteller for the people, wearing a guitar and a toothpick-chewing smirk,” he has always stood his own creative ground. Locals Robby Overfield and the Breaks will return to the Concert Hall stage as his opening act. Finally, Los Lobos, the band made famous for their soundtrack to the movie “La Bamba,” is on tour celebrating its 40th year. They will perform their concert called “Disconnected” on March 27.
The Music Department is staying busy as well with a host of exciting festivals and performances during the month of March. The Fort Lewis College Jazz Festival will take place Thursday. The Community Concert Hall will be filled with public school students performing throughout the day. The evening will feature a free concert at 7:30 p.m. with the Fort Lewis College Jazz Ensemble and their special guest, McBride. Saturday brings the Fort Lewis College Clarinet Day. This event will feature special guest, Timothy Phillips, Associate Professor of Music at Troy University. The event will have master classes, reading sessions and a recital at 7 p.m. in Roshong Recital Hall. Next week, on March 16, two musical worlds will come together in an exciting collaborative recital: Dr. Joshua Mietz and yours truly will perform in solo and chamber settings for clarinet and percussion. Fort Lewis College faculty and students can also be seen off campus this month in the Durango Ragtime Festival at the Strater Hotel (March 13-14) and at St. Mark’s Epsicopal Church in the Bach Festival (March 16-22).
The Department of Art and Design is now showing the exhibit “Journey of an Artist: the Art of Mary-Ellen Long” in the Art Gallery until March 19. After that, the students will prepare for the 53rd Annual Juried Exhibition to open at the beginning of April. The Theater Department is deep in rehearsing for the final production of the year, “Avenue Q.” It is suggested you plan to purchase tickets soon for this popular play. More information about this production and the Juried Exhibition will be coming in the April column.
Though March also has a spring break for the college, one can see the arts are not taking a break this month. The students, faculty and staff are working hard to continue great experiences up on the campus. Fort Lewis College is alive with vibrant arts, and a trip up the hill can definitely create new experiences every day.
Latta_J@fortlewis.edu. Jonathan Latta is an assistant professor of music and Director of Percussion Studies at Fort Lewis College.
