SU’s Pulse announces 2006-07 season, releases Fall 2006 cultural calendar

SU’s Pulse announces 2006-07 season, releases Fall 2006 cultural calendarAugust 22, 2006Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

The 2006-07 season of Syracuse University’s Pulse will include performances by Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Ballet Hispanico, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Ballet NY, Baltimore Consort and Midori. Pulse provides SU students and, in turn, the Central New York Community with out-of-classroom opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions and events in the visual and performing arts. It is a collaborative project of SU’s Division of Student Affairs and College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).

“This season of Pulse offers an incredibly diverse lineup of artists with international reputations,” says VPA Dean Carole Brzozowski. “We’re proud that we can bring this caliber of talent to Syracuse’s flourishing cultural scene and give campus and community members an enjoyable, unforgettable experience.”

Tickets for all performances (with the exception of free events) are $5 for SU students with valid SU I.D.; $10 for SU faculty, staff and alumni; and $20 for the general public. They can be purchased at the Schine Student Center Box Office. For more information, call (315) 443-4517.

Legendary father and daughter sitar virtuosos Ravi and Anoushka Shankar open the season Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. The event is co-sponsored by Syracuse Symposium, and tickets are required. Ravi Shankar is India’s most esteemed musical ambassador, whose artistry crosses cultural and musical boundaries. He is the foremost pioneer in disseminating India’s rich classical music tradition to the West. Anoushka Shankar is the only artist in the world to be trained completely by her father. She has been playing and studying sitar with him since the age of nine.

The Ballet Hispanico Company will display its distinctive blend of ballet, modern and Latin dance Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The program is co-sponsored by La L.U.C.H.A. and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Tickets are required. Celebrated for its innovative repertory and sizzling artistry, Ballet Hispanico embodies the vitality of Hispanic culture and its contributions to contemporary dance and modern American culture. Established in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, the company performs works inspired by an aspect of Hispanic culture, set in a lively and colorful atmosphere that celebrates Latino heritage.

Under the direction of Daniel Hege, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will present a free concert Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium located in Crouse College. No tickets are required. Malcolm Bilson will perform on fortepiano. Selections include Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414” and Schumann’s “Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120.”

New York City dance troupe Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY will perform Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium. The program is co-sponsored by Daphna and Gerald B. Cramer ’52, an SU trustee. Tickets are required. Ballet NY was founded in 1997 by former New York City Ballet principal ballerina Judith Fugate and international guest artist Medhi Bahiri, who serve as the company’s artistic directors. The mission of the company is to present audiences with the highest level of professionalism and artistry possible; cultivate, educate and develop new audiences; and provide expanded artistic opportunities for accomplished dancers and choreographers. The troupe is composed of accomplished principals and soloists who performed with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem and the Joffrey Ballet, among others.

The Baltimore Consort, one of America’s favorite early music ensembles, will mark its 27th season with a free performance Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. The performance is part of Hendricks’ Malmgren Concert Series, made possible by a gift from alumna Esther Drake Malmgren ’42. No tickets are required. The consort has made 11 recordings on the Dorian label and tours widely in the United States, Canada and Europe. It performs arrangements of early music from England, Scotland, France and Italy, and the members’ love for music of English/Scottish heritage has led them to delve into traditional balladry and dance tunes preserved in the Appalachian Mountains and Nova Scotia. More recently, they explored repertory from the Iberian Peninsula and released their latest recording, “Cancionero: Early Music from Spain,” in spring 2006.

Accomplished classical violinist Midori will give a free lecture and performance April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. The lecture will be moderated by SSO music director Daniel Hege. The event is co-sponsored by University Lectures and held in conjunction with Midori’s SSO appearances. No tickets are required. Midori has performed recitals with many of the world’s major orchestras. While in Syracuse, she will conduct a master class for local music students. Beyond her music, Midori is known for founding five outreach organizations to address access to music for all, an issue she believes to be of crucial and ever-growing importance.

“Pulse has helped make Syracuse University students a visible presence on the Central New York arts scene, and it is growing in value as a resource for the broader community,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “This year’s lineup is a clear indication of Pulse’s unprecedented success in its collaboration with Central New York arts institutions and its promotion of national artists.”

Once again, Pulse will release fall and spring editions of its cultural calendar, created as an easy-to-use publication and index of local cultural events to further foster student exploration. Pulse has again partnered with The Post-Standard to distribute calendars to the greater Syracuse community as an insert in the newspaper’s Sunday, Aug. 26, edition. Free copies of the calendar may also be picked up at the Schine Student Center (while supplies last,) and a free PDF download of the calendar will be available on the Pulse website, http://students.syr.edu/pulse.

Pulse seeks to raise the caliber of cultural programming while increasing the number of participating students. It is a model program recognized for quality, diversity, innovation and collaboration, while celebrating and expanding the cultural climate of SU and the community. Pulse programs the best offerings of local arts organizations with performances of internally renowned visiting artists.