Performing Arts Series
Following is a look back at the stellar 2024-2025 performance season.
A Musical Homecoming with Calabria Foti & Bob McChesney
"From Bebop to Broadway"
Friday, September 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Olean born, Grammy-nominated recording artist Calabria Foti and world-renowned trombone virtuoso Bob McChesney return to their Western New York roots as they open our 2024-2025 performance season with a musical homecoming titled “From Bebop to Broadway."
With an exciting blend of jazz and beloved show tunes, this special program features Foti’s sensual vocals along with McChesney’s buttery trombone. They can be heard daily on SiriusXM’s "Siriusly Sinatra" and "Real Jazz," and on traditional pop and jazz radio around the globe. Calabria’s sound has been praised by hosts of industry giants, from internationally-renowned pianist Van Cliburn to legendary crooner Johnny Mathis. McChesney’s trombone wizardry and lush tone is known throughout the world.
This dynamic duo combines their enormous talents and warm personalities for a fun, engaging evening of entertainment. They will swing, sway, and charm their way into your heart!
"One of my greatest pleasures in life is listening to a beautiful voice. Listening to this recording of Calabria's voice is some of the most beautiful and artistic music I have ever heard!" - Legendary crooner Johnny Mathis
Showtime: Friday, September 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25.00 each, with $5.00 from each ticket sale benefitting The Endowment for Warming House Sustainability.
This performance is in association with Friends of Good Music.
Luis B Castro
"Emerging Artist Series Featuring Luis B Castro – Cello
with Samuel Vargas, Violin; Grace Betry, Piano; and Betania Canas, Flute"
Friday, October 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Cellist Luis B Castro’s musical journey began in his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, and has taken him around the world – to Spain, where he refined his artistry under the guidance of acclaimed German cellist Wolfgang Boettcher, to the United Kingdom, where he was recognized as a Britten Pears Young Artist in 2020, and to Italy, where he achieved third place in the Samnium International Competition in 2019 and performed on the stages of the Sull’Acqua Music Festival with the famous cello player Pablo Ferrández.
In addition to solo, chamber and orchestral performances, Luis recently won the soloist concerto competition at LSU with his stirring performance of Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D major, marking another important point in his musical path.
Showtime: Friday, October 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
This performance is in association with Friends of Good Music.
New York Theatre Ballet
Stravinsky’s “Firebird,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” and a new work titled “Minetta Creek”
Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Interested in learning more about ballet? The NYTB troupe will host "Come As You Are" masterclasses on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center multipurpose room on the SBU campus. Wear whatever you like, and bring whatever skills you have (or don't have)! The classes are free, but registration is requested.
Date: Nov. 16
Location: Sandra A. and William L. Richter Center multipurpose room on campus
Times: Community members at 10 a.m., SBU students at 2 p.m.
The New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) will present Stravinsky’s “Firebird,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” and a new work titled “Minetta Creek,” choreographed by Gabrielle Lamb with music by violinist Pauline Kim Harris. The magical experience will captivate audiences of all ages.
For more than 45 years, the NYTB has performed small classic masterpieces and new contemporary works for adults and innovative hour-long ballets for young children. Their mission is carried out in the work of the Professional Company, its Ballet School, and its LIFT Program. Together these divisions reach adults and family audiences across the country, building a love for dance and diverse audiences for the future.
Showtime: Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
Above photo by: Richard Termine, NYTB.org
Connect with NYTB on social!
This performance is in association with the Tri-County Arts Council.
The Vickie and Nickie Show
"Vickie and Nickie's Holiday Sleigh Ride"
Friday, December 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
During this celebration of the holiday season "Minnesota-style", the multi instrumental, singing housewife sisters, Vickie & Nickie, entertain with sidesplitting interpretations of your favorite holiday songs and pop tunes, wacky originals, fun family stories, social commentary, improv and audience participation!
Created, written and performed by real life sisters Lisa and Lori Brigantino, the fast talking Minnesota moms come to you straight from their prison circuit tour to celebrate the season all while accompanying themselves on many different instruments including acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard, accordion, banjo, saxophone, ukuleles, percussion and more!
The creative sisters have written and performed over ten different full length "Vickie & Nickie" shows to date, including sold out performances of their holiday shows in NYC at The Duplex, Don't Tell Mama, Dixon Place and other NYC venues as well as regional theatre performances.
"Straight from 'the prison circuit' and the land of lutefisk — Garrison Keillor fans will know what that is — the pair poke good-natured fun at middle-of-the-road American culture while revving up the crowd with perfectly executed vocal harmonies and musicianship." - Jon Soble of Blogcritics
Please Note: This comedy may not be suitable for all audiences.
Showtime: Friday, December 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
Above photo by: Joseph Rivera
This performance is in association with the Tri-County Arts Council.
Ed. Simone
"A Christmas Carol, A Retelling by Ed. Simone"
Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Ed. Simone, former longtime professor and director of the theater program at St. Bonaventure, returns to campus to perform his masterful one-man show “A Christmas Carol, A Retelling by Ed. Simone."
“Ed.’s version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ is so much fun to work on,” said Janell Clingenpeel, the costume and set designer for the QCA production. “And it’s a really exciting show to experience.”
In this solo performance, Simone, an actor and voice artist, brings all the familiar Dickens characters vividly to life: Jacob Marley, the Cratchits, the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future, Old Fezziwig and, of course, Scrooge himself. In a little over an hour, Simone embodies all these characters and tells the beloved story through the eyes of a Londoner who knew them all.
“We’re so happy to have Ed.’s performance be a part of our 2024-25 season,” said Rachel Harris, Executive Director of the Quick Center for the Arts. “It’s great holiday entertainment for everyone."
Simone, who retired from St. Bonaventure this year, is a 30-year member of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers; an associate member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers; and a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association.
Showtime: Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
This performance is in association with the Tri-County Arts Council.
Jennifer Hayghe
“Girl Power: Piano Music Written By, For and About Women”
Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Pianist Jennifer Hayghe has been sought after as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher throughout the United States and in Central America, Europe and Asia.
She received her bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from The Juilliard School, where she was the last student of the legendary artist-teacher Adele Marcus. During her studies, Hayghe won every award possible for a Juilliard pianist to receive, including the William Petschek Debut Award, resulting in her New York City recital debut at Alice Tully Hall.
Hayghe has performed and taught at universities and colleges throughout the country. She has also appeared as a concerto soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Hayghe has performed in multiple major chamber music series, including Bargemusic in New York and the Garth Newel Center for Music series in Virginia, and has most recently been a Festival Artist for Colorado MahlerFest for the past six years. She has taught chamber music throughout the United States and in Central America, and since 2018 has taught and performed as a soloist and chamber musician at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy.
"I have heard very few piano recitals — including those by internationally famous performers — that were as thoughtfully chosen or played with a more assured technical control or a finer sense of the varied styles of the chosen composers. (Hayghe) knows how to create and sustain an atmosphere through subtle variations of tone and phrasing." - The Washington Post
Showtime: Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
Connect with Jennifer Hayghe on social!
This performance is in association with Friends of Good Music.
The Reverón Piano Trio
Friday, March 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
The Reverón Piano Trio’s main goal is to introduce audiences to underrepresented music from Latin America alongside contemporary and standard repertoire. These seasoned artists are active promoters of Latin American music through their work as scholars and entrepreneurs, and they have devoted their careers to the discovery, cataloguing, performance, editing, and recording of this rich repertoire.
The Reverón Trio is named after Venezuelan painter and sculptor Armando Reverón (1889-1954), one of the earliest American modernists and considered one of the most important visual artists in Latin America. Even though Reverón is now regarded as a highly influential figure in Latin America, his work is not celebrated outside the borders of Venezuela. The members of the trio are all Venezuelan artists who have made their home in the United States, teaching at the University of Michigan and the University of North Texas, respectively.
"Musicians like the Reverón Trio are an inspiration for any composer; after listening to you play, one feels an urgent desire to write more music!" - Miguel del Aguila, Grammy-nominated & award-winning composer
Showtime: Friday, March 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
Connect with the Reverón Trio on social!
This performance is in association with Friends of Good Music.
Atlantic Brass Quintet
Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s finest and most versatile brass chamber ensembles, the Atlantic Brass Quintet has performed in 48 states and dozens of countries across four continents.
Atlantic specializes in masterful and vibrant presentations of repertoire spanning five centuries and a broad spectrum of styles, from artistic transcription of baroque music to the lively music of Balkan brass bands. Winner of six international chamber music competitions, the Quintet’s distinctive sound, impeccable ensemble, stunning virtuosity and warm, inviting stage presence have won praise from scores of critics.
"This award-winning quintet, whose technique is flawless and musicianship is impeccable, offers some of the most enjoyable chamber music there is." - Fanfare
Showtime: Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for senior citizens and SBU staff & faculty, and $5.00 for students.
Connect with the Atlantic Brass Quintet on social!
This performance is in association with the Southern Tier Symphony.