Lisa Vroman will kick off the 2018-19 CPS Guest Artist Series, with two performances on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m., at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.
The Community Performance Series 2018-19 season will once again bring distinctive and renowned artists to the SUNY Potsdam campus. For its 29th season, CPS has packed its calendar with Broadway, Latin, jazz and contemporary classical music.
“This year, we are very excited to be able to present the exceptional artistry that we have in the past, while adding more diversity and fun to the series. We may have to remove the seats and build a dance floor,” said CPS Executive Director Jason L. Dominie.
The 2018-19 CPS Guest Artist Series will begin with the 35th annual McElheran Visiting Artist. Lisa Vroman ’79 will make her return to the Crane School of Music stage on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater. Vroman will perform from her extensive repertoire, ranging from Broadway to classics. The performance will also include accompaniment from an exclusive group of Crane School of Music vocalists on select pieces.
The 19th annual Ranlett Organ Recital will follow, on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall, featuring the premier young concert organist Jonathan Ryan. Ryan is acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, for his strong communicative skills in numerous styles, depth of musicianship, and passion. The annual recital will include a free organ encounter on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m.
CPS will welcome the string ensemble Dalí Quartet to deliver its signature mix of Latin American, classical and romantic repertoire, on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Hosmer Hall. The quartet’s passionate energy is poured into everything they do, generating critical and audience acclaim for their “classical roots and Latin soul.” The Dalí Quartet program will include a selection of passionate tangos, boleros and Puerto Rican dances.
The jazz ensemble Julian Bliss Septet will perform “A Tribute to Benny Goodman” on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m., also in Hosmer Hall. Handpicked Bliss, one of the finest clarinetists of our day, the Septet performs shows that combine over 200 years of musical heritage with an incredible command of Western classical and jazz. Their live shows showcase some of the best tunes of this era, inspiring authenticity with a modern twist.
The 4th Cania Visiting Artist performance with Jason Vieaux and Yolanda Kondonassis will take place on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. in Hosmer Hall. The elite classic guitarist and acclaimed solo harpist will once again come together to share their “almost rapturous sense of cohesion” (Gramaphone Magazine), as can be heard on their debut album, “Together.”
Thanks in part to funding provided by the Maresca Family Endowment for the Arts, the Corning Incorporated Foundation and The Sweetgrass Foundation, the CPS Meet the Arts Series, which features educational and family-friendly theatre, will also continue to provide opportunities for school-day performances.
This year’s CPS Meet the Arts Series performances include:
- Crane Opera Ensemble production of “Mayo”: Thursday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
- Theater Heroes production of “Call of the Wild”: Monday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- SUNY Potsdam Department of Theatre and Dance production of “Wiley and the Hairy Man”: Friday, March 29 at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- National Players production of “Twelfth Night”: Thursday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Teachers who would like to learn more about the school-day performances and educational opportunities offered by Community Performance Series are invited to visit the new CPS website at www.cpspotsdam.org, or contact CPS Director of Educational Programming Patti Mason at (315) 267-2612.
Tickets are now on sale, and can be purchased by visiting the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, by calling (315) 267-2277 or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Single tickets can also be purchased in-person at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.
A 25 percent discount is available exclusively through the CPS Box Office when purchasing tickets to three or more Guest Artist Series events. Regular ticket prices differ depending on the event and seat location. Student tickets cost as little as $8, and adult tickets range from $10 to $50. Discounts are also available for senior citizens and SUNY Potsdam faculty/staff.
For more information on the 2018-19 season and artists, visit www.cpspotsdam.org, or check out the CPS Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/cpspotsdam.
The Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of only three arts campuses in the entire SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam’s arts curriculum offers the full palette: music, theatre, dance, fine arts and creative writing. No matter the discipline, people from all backgrounds can find their creative compass at Potsdam, with myriad arts immersion experiences available for both campus and community. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
Arts & Culture