6:30 Concert Series returns March 8 with ‘Sustainable Voices’

UW-Green Bay Music’s 6:30 Concert series returns on March 8, 2021, with Sustainable Voices – A Musical Exploration of Ecological Sustainability. The 6:30 concert series can be viewed LIVE on the Weidner Center’s Youtube Channel.

UW-Green Bay Music faculty and guests present an inclusive program of an array of compositional voices and styles, each of which communicate a powerful, sometimes activist point of view regarding issues relating to the environment. In taking this approach, this program demonstrates that a sustainable future for the performing arts is one that embraces a wide range of musical expression by a full range of artists and produces performances that fully engage with the present moment. The concert will be presented from Fort Howard Hall at the Weidner Center.

Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Green Bay’s Weidner Center outlines series of online programs | WFRV

“We look forward to announcing live event dates for this summer and fall very soon,” said Kelli Strickland, executive, and artistic director. “In the meantime, we are committed to connecting community members with the arts and ideas through continued virtual programming.”

Source: Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Green Bay’s Weidner Center outlines series of online programs | WFRV

Veteran Services brings vets discussion and play to Weidner Center

On Feb. 17, 2021, the Weidner Center will host a virtual conversation about returning to civilian life after deployment and how storytelling can facilitate understanding. The sessions, at 1 and 4 p.m. will be hosted by John Maino, a local broadcaster and author of Frontline: World War II – Personal Accounts of Wisconsin Veterans. Register to join the discussion, here.

On Feb. 24, 2021, the Weidner Center and UW-Green Bay Veterans Services present Bent Compass by Neil Brookshire & Colin Sesek—a solo play based on true stories of Colin Sesek’s experiences as an army medic in Iraq. The event will streaming at 7 p.m. Contains strong language, viewer discretion advised.

If you are a veteran or a member of UW-Green Bay campus community, register for viewing.

 

Weidner Center Announces Digital Programming Line-Up for Spring 2021

Livestreamed and pre-recorded theater, concert and speaker events presented free of charge

Green Bay, Wis.—The Weidner Center for the Performing Arts announces a new slate of digital events for Spring of 2021. Upcoming events include a mix of livestream and pre-recorded theatrical performance, concerts and speaker engagements presented on the Weidner Center’s YouTube Channel. Out of concern for public health, all programs will be presented with no-person attendance.

”We look forward to announcing live event dates for this summer and fall very soon. In the meantime, we are committed to connecting community members with the arts and ideas through continued virtual programming,” says Executive and Artistic Director Kelli Strickland

List of upcoming Weidner Center digital events:

Bent Compass: A solo performance written by Neil Brookshire & Colin Sesek. Based on real events, Bent Compass explores the transformation of Army medic, Colin, from fresh recruit to seasoned war veteran during his deployment in Iraq. A pre-recorded performance by Neil Brookshire, directed by Phil Darius Wallace – February, 24, 2021 at 7 p.m.

STEAM Engine: The speaker series showcasing presentations on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics (previously held at the Neville Public Museum) moves to the Weidner Center for Spring 2021. Streaming live March 11, 2021 at 7 p.m. Speaker announcements coming soon.

Pegasis: A virtual concert performed by local Green Bay WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) nominated artist, Pegasis, known for tight harmonies, inventive arrangements, and engaging lyricism. Streaming live March 18, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Weidner Philharmonic String Quartet: A virtual concert featuring string musicians from the Weidner Philharmonic streaming live April 20, 2021 at 7 p.m.

The Weidner Center will collaborate with our University of Wisconsin-Green Bay partners on the following events:

“No Reservations”

A new speaking event series presented by UW-Green Bay College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS). Speaker events include:

  • Ryan Martin – Understanding Your Anger: Prof. Ryan Martin discusses his new book Why We Get Mad: How To Use Your Anger for Positive Change. Streaming live Feb. 10, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Jon Shelton – The Rise and Fall of the Human Capital Myth: Associate Prof. Jon Shelton will explain our current political divisions by examining how Americans’ conception of opportunity has changed over time. Streaming live March 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Michelle McQuade Dewhirst – The Next Best Thing: Connecting Through Music in Spite of Everything: Prof. Michelle McQuade Dewhirst discusses pieces she has written in the past year for musicians who are finding new ways to connect in a time of crisis. Streaming live April 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Kimberley Reilly – Politics and Mass Consumer Culture: Lessons from the 1920s: Associate Prof. Kimberley Reilly discusses the effect of mass consumer culture on Americans’ political engagement in the 1920s, and what lessons it may hold for today. Streaming live May 4, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

6:30 Concert Series: UW-Green Bay Music’s ongoing 6:30 Concert Series will continue virtually in Spring 2021. Upcoming concert dates TBD.

Additional Information for upcoming digital events available at WeidnerCenter.com.

About the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
UW-Green Bay’s Weidner Center for the Performing Arts opened on January 15, 1993 and is known for its elegant design and the acoustic excellence of its 2,000-plus seat main hall, Cofrin Family Hall. It also houses two smaller performance spaces, the Fort Howard recital hall and the Jean Weidner Theatre, along with a dance studio and Grand Foyer. The Weidner Center has a distinct benefit in being part of a leading institution of higher learning. The Center is a home for UW-Green Bay Music and Theatre and Dance programs, community events and productions and performances by visiting artists and touring companies. For more information on the Weidner Center, visit www.WeidnerCenter.com, call 920-465-2726 or 800-895-0071, or follow ‘Weidner Center for the Performing Arts’ on Facebook, Twitter (@WeidnerCenter) and Instagram (@weidnercenter).

 

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Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Allouez Village Band putting off start of season until fall (at Weidner Center)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Allouez Village Band is among many community performing groups in a wait-and-see mode because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.Normally, the 80-member band performs the third Monday of the month from fall through spring at the Meyer Theatre in downtown Green Bay, with special concerts held at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Source: Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Allouez Village Band putting off start of season until fall

Meacham, Kopischke and Strickland discuss how arts will save humanity, Saturday at 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Jan 30, at 1 p.m. via Zoom and Facebook Live, Rebecca Meacham (English, Humanities), Alan Kopischke (Arts Management, Theater) and Kelli Strickland, executive director of the Weidner Center for Performing Arts, will discuss how the arts sustain humanity during our darkest times. The event kicks off the NEA Big Read: Door County’s two-week program for Station Eleven, a post-pandemic novel by Emily St. John Mandel that centers on a traveling theater company, a comic book, and a museum of civilization. Attendance is free and virtual here.

More on UW-Green Bay involvement in Big Read in Door County

Mentioned earlier is the involvement of UW-Green Bay faculty and staff in an event called Big Read in Door County. You can see more below or the complete list of events and participants.

Saturday, Jan. 30
KICK-OFF PANEL: 
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS TO SUSTAIN US   1:00 pm 
(Zoom & Facebook Live)  |  Additional details including panelist bios

An inspirational panel discussion about how music, literature, art, philosophy and theater contribute to wellbeing from experts in Door County and the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay with a musical performance by the Griffon String Quartet, playing Jacob Gordon’s Six Shakespearean Sketches.

Panelists include: Rebecca Meacham author of two award-winning fiction collections as well as professor of English and Humanities and founding member of UntitledTown Book and Author Festival. Kelli Strickland the Executive and Artistic Director of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts. Alan Kopischke a university lecturer in both Theater and Arts Management and founding member of the Big Read Door County among other organizations and festivals. And Dr. Bryan J. Carr an Associate Professor in the Communication, Information Science, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies programs at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay specializing in Mass Media and Game Studies and is one of the co-directors of the University’s Center for Games and Interactive Media.

This event will be broadcast live on the Door County Library’s Facebook page. Zoom codes will be available closer to the event.

Sunday, January 31
DYSTOPIAN VIDEO GAME DISCUSSION  2:00 pm
(Zoom & Facebook Live)  |  Additional details including panelists bios

Popular games like Fallout, Warhammer 40K and others will be discussed along with information about the community of gamers, economics, and more. Moderated by local teens Bjorn Lokken and Brant Grahl and UW-Green Bay professors, Bryan J. Carr, Juli Case, and Chris Williams.

Broadcast live on the Door County Library’s Facebook page. Zoom codes will be available closer to the date.

Thursday, February 11
AUTHOR KEYNOTE    7:00 pm

(Zoom & Facebook Live)

Submit your question for the Author Talk  | Additional details about the Author and Moderator

Featuring a Keynote discussion with Emily St. John Mandel, author of “Station Eleven” and Rebecca Meacham author and UWGB professor. This event will be broadcast live on the Door County Library’s Facebook page. Zoom codes will be available closer to the event. Recording will be available through the end of February.

 

Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Grants recognize arts as part of Wisconsin economic engine

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Wisconsin has hundreds of performing arts groups, and the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has their many fans missing what they add to living in our state.The importance of the cultural attractions was especially noticed this year.The economic impact of the arts in Wisconsin has been recognized for decades by way of large studies. Overall, they say the impact is in the billions of dollars.In 2020, the awareness was ramped up to new levels in response to the damaging effect of the coronavirus on live performances. The government stepped in with special grants that were welcomed by recipients.Small companies like Play-by-Play Theatre of Green Bay received a bit more than $2,000. Large operations like Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton received the cap amount of $137,712.39. Green Bay’s Weidner Center for the Performing Arts and the seven University of Wisconsin campuses in Northeastern Wisconsin don’t qualify because they are state-owned.

Source: Warren Gerds/Critic at Large: Grants recognize arts as part of Wisconsin economic engine

Announcing: Phoenix Forum Virtual Speaker Series

Learning never stops—even when it’s not in person. One silver lining of the pandemic is our ability to stay connected through technology to continually support alumni success. The Alumni Office is announcing the Phoenix Forum Virtual Speaker Series. Learn from UW-Green Bay’s expert faculty and staff. Each speaker event will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. with an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.

1/21/2021 – ECO-U: The Next 50 Years: Speakers are Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, John Katers and CSET faculty Mike Draney, Bob Howe, Emily Tyner, Kevin Fermanich and John Arendt

3/18/2021 – The Silver Lining:  Unexpected Pandemic Outcomes on our Perceptions of Coaching, Teaching and Learning: Speaker is Associate Professor of Education Tim Kaufman

5/20/2021 – Mind on Money & Money on Mind: The Behavior & Psychology of Money: Speaker is Assistant Professor of Finance, Preston Cherry

7/15/2021 – How to Foster a True Love of Lifelong Learning: Speakers are Associate Dean for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Ryan Martin, Executive and Artistic Director of the Weidner Center, Kelli Strickland, and an English faculty member

9/16/2021 – Exercise is Medicine for Physical and Mental Health: Speakers are Psychology faculty Joanna Morrissey and Alan Chu

11/18/2021 – Get After It…Reaching Those Lofty Career Goals: Speaker is Director of Career Services, Linda Peacock-Landrum