THE EVAN CHRISTOPHER TRIO brings its New Orleans Jazz tradition to Gainesville. Clarinetist, Evan Christopher is a refreshingly bright light on the international Jazz scene. He combines virtuosity, immaculate taste and enthusiasm with a deep commitment to exploring the full range of musical possibilities. Anchored in the musical vocabulary created by early Creole clarinetists, Christopher has created a highly personal brand of “contemporary early-jazz” that strives to extend the legacy of this unique clarinet style. His tone is warm, woody, fluid and swooping. In July 2010, he had the honor to debut his ‘Treat It Gentle Suite,’ the first concerto written for clarinet and Jazz band in the New Orleans style, with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Evan Christopher Trio

Saturday, February 18
8:00 PM

The Arts Council
Smithgall Arts Center

Evan Christopher – clarinet and saxophone
Dave Frankenpohl – guitar
Robert Dixon – Bass

Tickets: $30

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Linda Duvoisin presents three great short films that will peak interest and encourage conversation.

Excerpt from “You Don’t Know What I Got” from Mindflow Media on Vimeo.

“You don’t know what I got” 
Life. Love. Passion. Five women lay their heart and soul on the line: singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco, activist/poet Linda Finney, police officer Julie Brunzell, artist/architect Myrtle Stedman and housekeeper Jimmie Woodruff. Through a tapestry of homespun stories, confessions, advice, music and poetry, we discover a cross-section of American women with an extraordinary passion for life.

Excerpt from “We Shall Not Be Moved: the Nashville Sit-ins” from Mindflow Media on Vimeo.

“We Shall Not Be Moved: The Nashville Sit-ins”
The Nashville Sit-ins of 1960 were among the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement. Over a period of several months, college students from Fisk University and other schools staged a very well-organized, non-violent protest at downtown lunch counters. The protests caught the city’s white establishment off-guard and culminated in the mayor agreeing to end segregation of lunch counters while facing thousands of protestors gathered on the steps of City Hall and the eyes of the nation watching. It was just the first step in ending segregation in all facets of life throughout the city and it inspired similar movements throughout the South.

Excerpt from “We Shall Not Be Moved: The Chattanooga Sit-ins” from Mindflow Media on Vimeo.

“We Shall Not Be Moved: The Chattanooga Sit-ins”
In February of 1960, at the same time that the better-known Nashville lunch counter sit-ins were taking place, students in Chattanooga staged their own, similar protest. As there was no local college for black students at the time, the Chattanooga protests were organized and carried out by Howard High School students. Their inspiring, first-hand accounts of the sit-ins bring to life the dangers and fears they endured to force change in their own community and our country. Their participation in the movement confirmed the endless potential and power that youth can have when it is motivated to do good.

You Don’t Know What I Got
April 12, 2012

Film Screening at 7:30 PM 

Linda Duvoisin, Director & Producer

Meet the Filmmaker Q&A Reception

Gainesville State College: Academic Building IV, Room 3110 (on Mathis Drive)

Tickets (includes reception):
$7 Adults;
$5 Students/Seniors

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A Gift for the Village Trailer from Tom Landon on Vimeo.

“A Gift for the Village” examines the connections between an American Community and a remote Himalayan region both fighting to heal and deal with different obstacles

In June of 2007, seven friends traveled from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to the village of Jomsom in the Himalayas of Nepal to deliver a painting by American artist Jane Lillian Vance. The painting depicts Tsampa Ngawang, a Tibetan Amchi, or doctor and mind healer.

The film is narrated by Public Radio’s Lisa Mullins. The cross-cultural project has received the blessing of his Holiness the Dalai Lama, and examines the connections between an American community reeling in the face of the killings at Virginia Tech, and a remote Himalayan region fighting to preserve its way of life in the face of encroaching modernization.

A Gift for the Village
Mar 23, 2012

Film Screening at 7:30 PM 

Directors/Producers:
Tom Landon and Jenna Swann

Meet the Filmmaker Q&A Reception

The Arts Council
Smithgall Arts Center

Tickets (includes reception):
$7 Adults;
$5 Students/Seniors

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In a privatized American Internet, is big business “Big Brother” or does the free market protect and serve the needs of the average citizen with its invisible hand? With the simple act of swapping files, barbershop quartet baritone Robb Topolski finds himself at ground zero of a landmark case whose outcome will affect the rights of every American citizen.

Following one man’s personal quest to defend what he believes to be his inalienable rights, BARBERSHOP PUNK examines the critical issues surrounding the future of the American Internet and what it takes to challenge the status quo.

Contemplating the future of the American Internet and the inalienable rights under review, the film features discussions with Ian MacKaye, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Henry Rollins, Janeane Garofalo, EFF’s John Perry Barlow, U.S. Congressman Chip Pickering, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Free Form DJ Jim Ladd, Clinton White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry, Michelle Combs of the Christian Coalition, Songwriters Guild President Rick Carnes, NARAL’s Ted Miller, lobbyist Jack Burkman, and FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, among others.

Barbershop Punk
Feb 9, 2012

Film Screening at 7:30 PM 

Georgia Sugimura Archer,
Director/Producer/Writer

Meet the Filmmaker Q&A Reception

Gainesville State College: Academic Building IV, Room 3110 (on Mathis Drive)

Tickets (includes reception):
$7 Adults;
$5 Students/Seniors

Buy Tickets

The 2011-2012 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers is heading our way, to be presented by The Arts Council and Gainesville State College. Appearances include:

Barbershop Punk: Feb 9 @ 7:30 pm| Gainesville State College. Meet filmmaker Georgia Sugimura Archer, director/Executive Producer/Writer

A Gift for the Village: Mar 23 @ 7:30 pm| Smithgall Arts Center. Meet filmmakers Tom Landon and Jenna Swann, Co-Director/Co-Producer

You Don’t Know What I Got: April 12 @ 7:30 pm| Gainesville State College. Meet filmmaker Linda Duvoisin, Director/Producer

Tickets for all will be $7 for Adults and $5 for Students and Seniors.

For more details, please visit The Arts Council.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is internationally renowned for its excellence in live performances, presentations, choruses, and its impressive list of GRAMMY Award-winning recordings. It is regarded as one of the most creative and innovative orchestras in North America and serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the southeast.

The Orchestra’s performances in Gainesville have been nothing short of impressive, making our audiences leap to their collective feet bravo-ing in many elated instances. What makes these performances spectacular is that they are open-air, under the moonlight. Whether it is Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Wagner, Reznicek or Mozart, the smooth and flawless string sound and liquid brass and percussion sections, so immaculately realized, never let us down.

It is a glamorous amalgam of silk, silver and steel. The warmth and richness of the playing is always exceptional, with every department contributing its share of complex timbres and holding them together in a finely achieved soundscape. One cannot get past the impressive ease with which these musicians prove that the sound of this Orchestra is simply extraordinary and electrifying, wherever it plays. Nothing is rushed, phrases are carefully rounded off with loving care, and everybody seems to breathe in unison – performers and spectators.

The Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra

DATE TBA

The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center Lawn
(Outdoor Concert)

Tickets: $35 Adult; $32 Senior; $28 Student

Series Tickets: $80
AC members please call for discount, 770-534-2787

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Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of thirteen, beginning a forty-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family that includes Alex, James, Kate and Hugh.

Livingston recorded his first record at 18 and has continued to create well-crafted, introspective and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide. His brother, James Taylor has recorded and included original songs by Livingston on his albums. Livingston has never stopped performing since those early coffeehouse days, touring with major artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffet and Jethro Tull, and he maintains a busy concert schedule of over eighty shows a year.

He is a natural performer, peppering his shows with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans. His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or something from the best of Broadway.

Livingston Taylor
Thursday, March 15
8:00 PM

Pearce Auditorium

Tickets: $30 Adult; $28 Senior; $27 Student

Series Tickets: $80
AC members please call for discount, 770-534-2787

Buy Tickets

They’re a little bit classical, they’re a little bit rock n’ roll. They’re also humorous, a little bit manic and a whole lot entertaining. STRINGFEVER simply dazzles! If you’re looking for an evening’s entertainment like you’ve never seen before, then meet Giles, Ralph, Graham & Neal Broadbent aka Stringfever.

A British family of musicians classically trained take to their electric instruments and live beat-boxing, the worlds first genetically modified string quartet combine exceptional musical skill with a real talent for involving and engaging audiences to provide you with a night you’ll never forget. They are clearly immensely talented and have managed to create an act that appeals to the widest of audiences.

This band exudes charisma and warmth coupled with talent and humor. The visual and aural treat of three brothers and a cousin entwined around the instrument and each other to coax four harmonies from a single cello is stunning!

STRINGFEVER

Friday, February 10
8:00 PM

Pearce Auditorium

Tickets: $30 Adult; $28 Senior; $27 Student

Series Tickets: $80
AC members please call for discount, 770-534-2787

Buy Tickets

Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic Director Bob Farley, who is guest directing The Grapes of Wrath for the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, will offer explanations and visual examples of his alchemy on Tuesday, January 31.  Community membersr are invited to attend a free Stage Tour presentation that night at 6pm, in Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre (429 Academy St., Gainesville).  Farley be joined that evening by GTA scenic designer Larry Cook and GTA Costume Designer Sara Olson to discuss their ideas and research in bringing the classic Steinbeck story to the stage next month.  The Grapes of Wrath opens on February 14 and runs through the 21^st.  There is a discounted preview performance on February 13.

While the Stage Tour is free to the community, performance tickets are $16-18 for adults, $14-16 for seniors and $10-12 for students. Patrons can select their own seats on the website at www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org or purchase tickets through the GTA Box Office from 10am to 4pm weekdays at 678-717-3624.  MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted.  ADA seating is available through the Box Office only.

Alex Hall may be young, but his musical resume hold its own against performers twice his age.

For the last several years, the 17-year-old Gainesville resident has been busy writing songs, performing live and opening shows for artists like Frankie Ballard and Bucky Covington.

He’s also mentored younger musicians through First Verse, an after-school program for students interested in songwriting. It was created by members of the John Jarrard Foundation.

Although he spends a lot of time on the road traveling to shows all over the Southeast, Alex took a break to talk to The Times about his latest achievements:

Question: How crazy was 2011 for you? 

Answer: I played 125 plus shows last year. In July, we released a new CD called “The Way I Was Raised.” I also have written several new songs, and I was invited to attended the Country Music Awards. That was awesome!

Q: What has it been like interacting with industry veterans at such a young age? Has anyone given you any advice that really stuck with you?

A: It is crazy to be meeting people that you have looked up to your whole life, and earning their respect as not only an artist, but a songwriter as well. People that have given me the most advice and really been inspirational to me are Eric Elliott, Mike Dekle, Bruce Burch, Lee Davis and my vocal coach, Jan “Mama J” Smith. Yes, she is in the Justin Bieber movie.

Q: Have your roles as student and Gainesville resident been replaced by your life on the road as a musician?

A: I still go to Chestatee High School and I do still live here in Gainesville, but we spend a lot of time up in Nashville, too. It is definitely my second home.

Q: If someone has never seen you live, or heard any of your original material, how would you describe an Alex Hall Band performance?

A: It is very high-energy show. Even on the ballads, you can feel the soul in the music. Our music has a little blues, rock, R&B and a whole lotta country.

Q: How can folks get sample your music for themselves? 

A: This weekend, I will be doing an acoustic set at McArthur’s (Grill and Pub) on Cleveland Highway on Friday at 9 p.m. And Saturday, I will be doing a full band show at Wild Wings at 9:30 p.m. Also, you can check out my music, dates, videos and pictures at www.thealexhallband.com.