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Kimberly Burnett
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Salem State University’s Center for Creative and Performing Arts is holding its second annual Salem Nights, which include creative arts events beginning on Thursday, February 26 and taking place once a month through May. Salem residents receive free admission.
“We want Salem State, and the Sophia Gordon Center in particular, to be a place where members of the community can come and enjoy the arts. These events will showcase the different genres of performing arts that can be found around the country, and the world. These performances are another way to say thank you to the community and encourage people to try something new!” said Karen Gahagan, director of the Center for Creative and Performing Arts.
Since the opening of The Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts one year ago, Salem State has hosted many performances and events that have welcomed Salem residents at no charge. The theatre was named for donors Bernard and Sophia Gordon who contributed $3 million for the renovations of the building that was originally built in 1958. Additional funding support came from contributions to the 10,000 Reasons campaign, Salem State’s largest-ever comprehensive fundraising effort, which raised $26.5 million.
All Salem Nights events are free and open to the public and media. As with every event, children under 18 are admitted free. The schedule of events is below. Learn more about the Salem Nights and reserve tickets here.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 | Recital Hall, 71 Loring Ave.
7:30 pm
FLAMENCO GUITAR CONCERT - Grisha Goryachev
An award winning guitarist, Goryachev will present an evening of flamenco compositions by modern and traditional maestros. A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Goryachev is renowned for his extraordinary sensitivity and technical virtuosity.
THURSDAY, MARCH 1| Sophia Gordon Center, 356 Lafayette St.
7:30 pm
ENTER LAUGHING - Joseph Stein
Denying his parents’ wishes for a druggist in the family, stage-struck David Kolowitz leaves their dreams and his devoted girlfriend Wanda behind and is soon enlisted (and paying for) a slot as the "leading man" in a third-rate theatrical company. His baptism of fire is a hilarious first performance where everything that can go wrong, does.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27 | Sophie Gordon Center, 356 Lafayette St.
7:30 pm
“A FREE MAN OF COLOR” - John Guare
Before law and order took hold, New Orleans was boisterous; before class, racial and political lines were drawn, it was a parade of beautiful women and good-looking men, flowing wine, and pleasure for the taking. At the center of this Dionysian world is Jacques Cornet, who commands the men, seduces the women and cuts a wide swath through the city and the province. But, it is 1801 and the map of New Orleans is about to be redrawn. The Louisiana Purchase will bring American rule to New Orleans, challenging the world of Jacques Cornet and all that he represents.
SATURDAY, MAY 5 | Sophia Gordon Center, 356 Lafayette St.
7:30 pm
THE SALEM DANCE ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT
A broad array of original work by dance student choreographers and faculty, along with renowned regional and international guest artists. This spring, guest choreographer and LORDE backup dancer, Nateli Ruiz, has created an innovative contemporary dance for the Salem Dance Ensemble. The concert also includes a new multi-disciplinary collaboration between students and assistant professor of dance Betsy Miller.