- Center for the Performing Arts
ONSTAGE © Peter Stanley CE NTE R FOR TH E PE R FOR M ING ARTS AT PEN N STATE This performance is made possible, in part, through the generous support of Community Advisory Council The Community Advisory Council is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the Center for the Performing Arts and the community. Council members participate in a range of activities in support of this objective. Nancy VanLandingham, chair Lam Hood, vice chair Judy Albrecht William Asbury Lynn Sidehamer Brown Philip Burlingame Deb Latta Eileen Leibowitz Ellie Lewis Christine Lichtig Mary Ellen Litzinger Bonnie Marshall Pieter Ouwehand Melinda Stearns Lillian Upcraft Pat Williams Nina Woskob student representatives Brittany Banik Stephanie Corcino Jesse Scott CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT PENN STATE presents The Nile Project 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015 Eisenhower Auditorium Tonight’s program will be announced from the stage. The concert includes one intermission. sponsor Days Inn Penn State support provided by Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment This project is supported, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Tour Direction: SRO Artists, Inc. 6629 University Ave. # 206 Middleton, WI 53562 608-664-8160 [email protected] www.sroartists.com The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. ARTISTS MOHAMED ABOUZEKRY: Despite his tender years, this oud player has a stunning command of his instrument, as well as an open ear for other forms. They’re skills that got him a recent album deal with Harmonia Mundi. ALSARAH: Based in Brooklyn, this soulful Sudanese singer and ethnomusicologist’s songs have won high praise from rootsmusic tastemakers such as Songlines magazine. MICHAEL BAZIBU: A member of Ndere, Uganda’s leading traditional music and dance company, for the past seventeen years, Bazibu plays several traditional Ugandan stringed and percussion instruments with virtuosic grace. HANY BEDEIR: When the biggest stars in the Middle East need daff (hand drum) or riq (traditional tambourine), they call Bedeir, whose percussion skills have also earned him a teaching position at several respected Cairo institutions. NADER ELSHAER: Born in the culturally rich town of Port Said, Egypt, Elshaer taught himself accordion and ney, only to fall in love with the tones of the kawala (end-blown cane flute) and its role in Arabic classical music. DINA EL WEDIDI: With experience that spans Arabic clas- sical music, edgy theatre, and street protest, this young singer recently worked on her debut album with Brazilian heavyweight Gilberto Gil. MEKLIT HADERO (select appearances only): Co-founder of The Nile Project, this American-based Ethiopian singer frequently digs deep into soul and hip-hop but never loses sight of her roots. JORGA MESFIN: This selftaught saxophone player meshes jazz with Ethiopia’s wealth of musical forms and ideas, both as a respected band leader and as a favorite sideman for greats such as Mulatu Astatke. KASIVA MUTUA: Kenyan percussionist and singer Mutua learned drumming from her grandmother, but she has developed her own knack for powerful Afropop beats. Her expressive playing can tell a story by itself or keep a band perfectly in the pocket. SOPHIE NZAYISENGA: The first female master of inanga, the Rwandan traditional zither, Nzayisenga learned at her internationally acclaimed father’s knee before setting out to make the instrument her own. STEVEN SOGO: Burundi’s leading bassist, this multilingual multi-instrumentalist can play anything with strings, including the umiduri, Burundi’s answer to the birembau. Add to that Sogo’s wonderful voice, and it’s easy to see why he was named a World Bank musical ambassador. SELAMNESH ZEMENE: Hailing from a long line of unique culture bearers in northern Ethiopia, this young singer has brought her traditions to collaborations with indie darlings such as Debo Band and The Ex. PRODUCERS with a background in hospitality experience design, Girgis explores new ways to cultivate environments conducive to learning, making, and experiencing music. He specializes in curating and producing innovative musical collaborations across diverse styles. MINA GIRGIS (President and Chief Executive Officer): An Egyptian ethnomusicologist MILES JAY (Musical Director): A contrabassist, composer, and arranger, Jay has worked with the likes of Youssou N’Dour, Ziad Rahbani, Fathy Salama, Ross Daly, Naseer Shamma, Niyaz, Mashrou3 Leila, and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. NILE BACKGROUND The Nile, one of the world’s most iconic rivers, has captivated the imagination of millions throughout time. Originating at two sources—Lake Victoria in East Africa and Lake Tana in the Ethiopian highlands—the 4,144-mile river flows northward through a diversity of climates, landscapes, and cultures before passing through Egypt and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The region’s population of 437 million people is projected to more than double within forty years, placing an ever-increasing demand for Nile water. The water is tied to all aspects of life— from the food on tables to the electricity that powers homes to people’s health. Even now, people living along the Nile are vulnerable to water-related hardships. At least five nations in the Nile Basin are facing water stress. Seven of the eleven Nile countries suffer from undernourishment rates higher than 30 percent. Fewer than one in ten basin residents have access to electricity. The core issue at hand is how to peacefully allocate Nile Basin water among eleven nations, each with different needs and priorities, whose populations are skyrocketing. This mounting resource scarcity has contributed to a geopolitical conflict between upstream and downstream riparian states. Tremendous political capital has been expended to draft the Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement, an international treaty to govern water distribution and infrastructure projects differently from the existing 1959 Egyptian-Sudanese treaty that gives Egypt the majority water right annually. While the agreement has yet to win consensus, the arduous negotiation process has exposed the deep-seated mistrust between countries, the absence of opportunities for citizen-led dialogue, and the lack of a unified identity and vision for the development of a shared Nile ecosystem. The Nile Basin is wrought with political, environmental, economic, and social challenges requiring a new approach to better address the myriad challenges it faces. As regional tensions flare, The Nile Project offers a unique grassroots strategy to effectively mobilize thousands of people across the Nile Basin and beyond in constructive crosscultural dialogue and collaboration. © Peter Stanley THE NILE PROJECT The Nile Project is transforming the Nile conflict by inspiring, educating, and empowering an international network of university students to cultivate the sustainability of their ecosystem. The project’s model integrates programs in music, education, dialogue, leadership, and innovation to engage students across disciplines and geographies. Musical Collaborations: The Nile Project brings together artists from the eleven Nile countries to make music that combines the region’s diverse instruments, languages, and traditions. The concert experience aims to inspire cultural curiosity, highlight regional connections, and showcase the potential for trans-boundary cooperation. Dialogue and Education Programs: Participatory workshops and crosscultural dialogues provide university students with unique intellectual experiences, deepening their understanding of the Nile ecosystem while stimulating new ways of thinking, communicating, and doing. Leadership and Innovation Programs: The Nile Fellowship and Nile Prize programs incentivize university students to apply their education and training toward mobilizing their peers and pioneering innovative solutions to the Nile Basin’s complex and interrelated challenges. Matjaz Kocicnik Ahmed Hayman For more information: nileproject.org facebook.com/nileproject twitter.com/nileproject Bold listings represent members who increased their donations by 10 percent or more this season. Be Bold! Contact Dave Shaffer, assistant director for special programs, at 814-863-1167. Members The Center for the Performing Arts recognizes the following members for their support. For information on the membership program or how you may contribute to the Center for the Performing Arts, please contact Dave Shaffer at 814-863-1167 or [email protected]. Leadership Circle Encore Circle $3,000 and more $1,000 to $1,999 Lynn Sidehamer Brown Mimi U. Barash Coppersmith Marty and Joan Duff Blake and Linda Gall Robert and Helen Harvey Bob and Sonia Hufnagel Richard and Sally Kalin Dan and Peggy Hall LeKander Barbara Palmer Dotty and Paul Rigby Louis P. Silverman and Veronica A. Samborsky George and Nina Woskob Pamela M. Aikey Grace M. Bardine Mary and Hu Barnes Philip and Susan Burlingame Edda and Francis G. Gentry Richard B. Gidez Judith Albrecht and Denny Gioia David and Margaret Gray Michael P. Johnson and Maureen Mulderig Stan and Debra Latta Benson and Christine Lichtig Kenneth and Irene Mcllvried Karen and Scott Shearer Jackson and Diane Spielvogel Carol and Rex Warland Terry and Pat Williams David and Diane Wisniewski Director’s Circle $2,000 to $2,999 Patricia Best and Thomas Ray Lynn Donald Breon Janet Fowler Dargitz and Karl George Stoedefalke Rod and Shari Erickson Edward R. Galus Arnold and Marty Gasche Donald W. Hamer and Marie Bednar Beverly Hickey Honey and Bill Jaffe Kay F. Kustanbauter Eileen W. Leibowitz Tom and Mary Ellen Litzinger Pieter W. and Lida Ouwehand William Rabinowitz Robert Schmalz advocate $500 to $999 Ned and Inga Book Jack and Diana Brenizer Sandra Zaremba and Richard Brown Richard Carlson and Lori Forlizzi Joseph and Annie Doncsecz Michael T. and Ann F. Dotsey Steve and Sandy Elbin Mark A. Falvo Nancy S. Gamble John and Carol Graham Bill and Connie Hayes Steven L. Herb and Sara Willoughby-Herb Nancy L. Herron Lam and Lina Hood Cindy and Al Jones Chick King James and Bonnie Knapp James and Barbara Korner John and Michelle Mason Patrick W. and Susan N. Morse Marcia and Bill Newton Steve and Anne Pfeiffenberger Jack and Sue Poremba Patricia Hawbaker Quinlivan Andy and Kelly Renfrew Shirley Sacks Sally L. Schaadt Russell and Jeanne Schleiden Paul and K. C. Sheeler Vaughn and Kay Shirk Susan and Lewis Steinberg Marilynne W. Stout Kenton Stuck Mark and Anne Toniatti Elizabeth Trudeau George and Debbie Trudeau Mark and JoAnne Westerhaus Mary Jane and William Wild Charlotte Zmyslo Partner $250 to $499 Steve and Chris Adams William W. Asbury Dr. Deborah F. Atwater Sven and Carmen Bilén Alan Brown Roger and Corinne Coplan Lee and Joan Coraor Stephanie Corcino partner (cont’D) friend $250 to $499 Jo Dixon Margaret Duda Heather F. Fleck Pamela Francis Peg and Joe French Catherine Greenham Andrea Harrington Sue Haug Dawn E. Hawkins Dale T. Hoffman Anne Hummer Christopher and Gail Hurley John and Gina Ikenberry Allen and Nancy Jacobson Laurene Keck and Dave Sweetland John and Gretchen Leathers Debra Leithauser Fran E. Levin Jack and Ellie Lewis Dorothy and Kenneth Lutz Richard and Juanita Lysle Jodi Hakes McWhirter Susan and Brian McWhirter Jim and Sharon Mortensen Joe and Sandy Niebel Eva and Ira Pell Martena Rogers Mike and Joan Roseberry Robert and Peggy Schlegel Tom and Carolyn Schwartz Dave Shaffer and Eve Evans John and Sherry Symons Shawn and Amy Vashaw Gary and Tammy Vratarich Barbara R. and Joel A. Weiss Sue Whitehead David and Betsy Will Sharon and Carl Winter Craig and Diane Zabel Dr. Theodore Ziff Cal and Pam Zimmerman $150 to $249 Lynn and Ellis Abramson Shirley Allan Anne and Art Anderson Scott and Sandy Balboni Dr. Henry and Elaine Brzycki John Collins and Mary Brown John M. Carroll and Mary Beth Rosson George and Bunny Dohn Steven P. Draskoczy, M.D. Terry and Janice Engelder Barry and Patti Fisher Frank and Vicki Forni Bob and Ellen Frederick Andris and Dace Freivalds David and Kay Green Bethlyn and Scott Griffin Charlie and Laura Hackett Elizabeth Hanley and Patrick Kolivoski John Lloyd Hanson Betty Harper and Scott Sheeder In Memory of Bob Harvey Ann and Tom Hettmansperger Jackie and John Hook Jim and Susan Houser Steven and Shirley Hsi Daniel and Kathleen Jones Ed and Deb Klevans John F. Knepp Harry B. Kropp and Edward J. Legutko Thomas Kurtz and Grace Mullingan-Kurtz Mark and Theresa Lafer Fred and Louise Leoniak Sharon and David Lieb Bob and Janice Lindsay Herb and Trudy Lipowsky Jane and Edward Liszka Nancy and John Lowe Sandy and Betty Macdonald Helen Manfull Deborah Marron Betty McBride-Thuering Sherren and Harold McKenzie Tom Caldwell Memorial Fund Don Miller June Miller Gary and Judy Mitchell Betty and John Moore Chris and Bobbie Muscarella Robert F. and Donna C. Nicely Claire M. Paquin Guy and Grace Pilato Proforma LLH Promos, LLC Andrew and Jean Landa Pytel Ed and Georgia Reutzel Phil and Judy Roberts Susan J. Scheetz The Shondeck Family Donald Smith and Merrill Budlong Allan and Sherrill Sonsteby Carol Sosnowski and Rosemary Weber Barry and Ellen Stein JoLaine Teyssier James and Deena Ultman Stephen and Jennifer Van Hook Nancy and Wade VanLandingham Alice Wilson and Friends David L. and Connie Yocum the jazz train $250 and more Help us continue to present world-class jazz artists by becoming a member of The Jazz Train. For details, contact Dave Shaffer at [email protected] or 814-863-1167. William W. Asbury Patricia Best and Thomas Ray David and Susan Beyerle Lynn Donald Breon Philip and Susan Burlingame David and Lisa Coggins Gordon and Caroline DeJong Jim and Polly Dunn Edward R. Galus Arnold and Marty Gasche Charlene and Frank Gaus John and Michelle Groenveld Lee Grover and Anita Bear Steven L. Herb and Sara Willoughby-Herb Anne and Lynn Hutcheson Honey and Bill Jaffe Brian and Christina Johnson Michael P. Johnson and Maureen Mulderig Cindy and Al Jones Robert Martin and Kathy Weaver Kathleen D. Matason and Richard M. Smith Randi and Peter Menard Dr. Marla L. Moon Wilson and Maureen Moses William and Annemarie Mountz Larry and Kelly Mroz Jack and Sue Poremba Sally L. Schaadt David and Ann Shallcross-Wolfgang Dan and Melinda Stearns Dennis W. and Joan S. Thomson Dan and Linda Treviño Barbara R. and Joel A. Weiss Charlotte Zmyslo Endowment Contributors $150 and more We recognize the following donors who have contributed to endowments at the Center for the Performing Arts in the past year. For more information about how to contribute to existing endowments, contact Dave Shaffer at 814-863-1167 or [email protected]. John L. Brown Jr. and Marlynn Steele Sidehamer Endowment The Sturtz-Davis Family Nina C. Brown Endowment Pamela M. Aikey Richard Robert Brown Program Endowment Richard Brown and Sandra Zaremba Norma and Ralph Condee Chamber Music Endowment Robert and Dorothy Cecil William F. and Kathleen Dierkes Condee Honey and Bill Jaffe Endowment Honey and Bill Jaffe McQuaide Blasko Endowment Mr. and Mrs. James Horne Penn State International Dance Ensemble Endowment Elizabeth Hanley and Patrick Kolivoski vision Enriching lives through inspiring experiences mission The Center for the Performing Arts provides a context, through artistic connections, to the human experience. By bringing artists and audiences together we spark discovery of passion, inspiration, and inner truths. We are a motivator for creative thinking and examination of our relationship with the world. CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT PENN STATE MEMBERS BUY FIRST after we announce our 2015–2016 season. cpa.psu.edu/support • 814-863-1167 • [email protected] Center for the Performing Arts Staff George Trudeau, director Lea Asbell-Swanger, assistant director Annie Doncsecz, finance director Medora Ebersole, education and community programs manager Lisa Faust, audience services manager Tracy Noll, sales and development services director Deanna Heichel, assistant finance director Laura Sullivan, marketing and communications director Tom Hesketh, events manager Wanda Hockenberry, assistant to the director Amy Dupain Vashaw, audience and program development director Christine Igoe, ticket manager Shannon Arney, assistant ticket manager Erik Baxter, multimedia specialist Shannon Bishop, downtown ticket center manager Len Codispot, sales and development accounting coordinator Gary Collins, production supervisor Aimee Crihfield, contracts/logistics coordinator 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Urszula Kulakowski, art director Heather Mannion, advertising associate Sherren McKenzie, group sales coordinator John Mark Rafacz, editorial manager Dave Shaffer, assistant director for special programs Chad Swires, production supervisor Mark Tinik, production supervisor Front cover photos: 1. Diavolo Kenneth Mucke 2. Antibalas Marina Abadjieff 3. Imago Theatre’s Frogz Jerry Mouawad 4. SISTER ACT © 2014 Joan Marcus 5. Cyrille Aimée 6. The King’s Singers Axel Nickolaus 7. Time for Three Sherry Ferrante 8. THE CHIEFTAINS Kevin Kelly 9. Brussels Jazz Orchestra’s Graphicology Philip Paquet 10. eighth blackbird Luke Ratray 11. Rosanne Cash © Clay Patrick McBride 12. Theatreworks USA’s The Lightning Thief Jeremy Daniel 13. Brooklyn Rider Sarah Small 14. CAMELOT 15. The Nile Project Matjaz Kacicnik
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