The Eastman School of Music will host nine shows in its venues during the seventh annual First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival, running from September 12-22, 2018.
In addition to performances at the Eastman School of Music, Eastman faculty members, students, and staff will be performing at other venues in and around downtown Rochester during this year’s event.
The schedule of Fringe Festival shows taking place at Eastman venues includes:
Friday, September 14
UR IPM Presents The Yes Album: The University of Rochester Institute for Popular Music presents a complete performance of The Yes Album, as well as the song “Going for the One,” joined by students, faculty members, and staff of the College Music Department and Eastman School of Music. This 7 p.m. performance will feature the entire 1971 album, plus an extra surprise or two.
Among the faculty members performing are John Covach, professor of Music Theory as well as director of the Institute for Popular Music and director of the Institute for Performing Arts. As a guitarist, Professor Covach has performed throughout the United States and Europe. He remains active as a member of the progressive-rock band, Land of Chocolate, as well as with various other projects. He will also be playing in IPM’s performance of Led Zeppelin IV at 9 p.m..
7 PM | Kilbourn Hall | Tickets $10
The Bald-Faced Truth: Comedy Songs by James Harvey: Almost a concert, kind of a standup-comedy show, maybe a musical, THE BALD-FACED TRUTH a thrilling collision of song and satire. Armed with only a piano, acclaimed composer and lyricist James Harvey tackles such timely issues as porn addiction, the #resistance, cats, and male pattern baldness. Hilarious, thought-provoking, and full of unforgettable melodies, this show will make you wonder, “How is this not more of a thing!?”
9 PM | Hatch Recital Hall | Tickets: $10
UR IPM Presents Led Zeppelin IV: The University of Rochester Institute for Popular Music presents a complete performance of Led Zeppelin IV, featuring students, faculty, and staff of the College Music Department and Eastman School of Music, supported by the League of Extraordinary Uncles. Join us for a night of Classic Rock.
9 PM | Kilbourn Hall | Tickets: $10
Saturday, September 15
DRE|RED: What happens when the 13-member Dave Rivello Ensemble plugs in? DRE|RED! Sharp angles contrasted with smooth textures combine with dynamic solos to create an evening of continuous color. This performance features all newly composed music by Dave Rivello, specifically created for Fringe 2018.
Dave Rivello is an assistant professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media, as well as the director of the award-winning New Jazz Ensemble, at Eastman. Also a freelance composer/arranger/music copyist, his music has been widely performed throughout the United States and Germany.
7 PM | Kilbourn Hall | Tickets: $10
Howie Hypnotize: Ever wanted to be on stage at Fringe? Here’s your chance – at the HOWIE HYPNOTIZE COMEDY HYPNOSIS SHOW – the interactive experience that makes YOU the star of the show! Before each show, Howie will conduct experiments and pick willing volunteers to be hypnotized for the show. Whether you’re in the audience or on stage, you’ll be entertained and amazed. Join in the fun today! Howie Hypnotize has appeared across the Northeast, including at the Rochester and Pittsburgh Fringes.
8 PM | Hatch Recital Hall | Tickets: $10
Monday, September 17 & Tuesday, September 18
A Brit of Magic: This high-energy, hilarious show is an interactive roller coaster ride of fun, excitement, and magic, with a twist of British humor. You’re guaranteed to laugh and be amazed!
7 PM | Kilbourn Hall | Tickets: $10, Kids 12 And Under: $5
Tuesday, September 18
The Girl in the Band: Eastman alumni Megan Loomis (BM ’99) presents a coming-of-age musical about a woman determined to find her place in the world of music and men. After being fired from a band – again – Peggy finds she has lost her voice. Literally. Heartbroken and hurt, she picks up a guitar and begins to reconnect to the music within her soul. This gives way to six other instruments as Peggy speaks up for herself and finds her true voice in this soaring solo performance.
7 PM | Geva Theatre Center, Fielding Stage | Tickets: $15, Students and Seniors: $12
Wednesday, September 19
After Hours – A Capella Hour: Get excited for After Hours A Cappella, known for their unique arrangements and energy-filled shows. Popular with audiences of all ages, this all-gender a cappella group from the University of Rochester performs a wide range of genres. Whether your tastes include classics, pop, rock, or even electronic dance music, After Hours has a song for you!
7 PM | Hatch Recital Hall | Tickets: $10
Saturday, September 22
Eastman Percussion Ensemble: Steve Reich’s DRUMMING: The Eastman Percussion Ensemble will perform Steve Reich’s epic and revolutionary work, DRUMMING. Experience this exhilarating composition for percussion, voices, and piccolos that brought Steve Reich to the forefront of minimalism in contemporary music. Professor Russell Hartenberger – a founding member of the internationally acclaimed percussion group, Nexus, and an original collaborator with Reich on DRUMMING – will coach the ensemble for this exciting event.
The Percussion Ensemble is a chamber percussion experience that allows Eastman students to experience repertoire from the contemporary genres to that of world music and improvisation. Directing the ensemble is Michael Burritt, Professor of Percussion and Chair of the Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion Department at Eastman. Having performed on four continents and nearly forty states, Michael Burritt is one of the world’s leading percussion soloists. He is in frequent demand, performing concert tours and master classes throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Canada.
3 PM and 7 PM | Sproull Atrium at Miller Center | Tickets: $10
It’s Music & Comedy with Matt Griffo: “Both toe-tapping and rib-tickling!” –Chicago Sun Times. Matt Griffo (Chicago, USA) is an internationally touring musical comedian whose original songs on ukulele and piano have been featured on FunnyorDie and Buzzfeed. He’s just returned from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland and has crazy stories from around the world. A Rochester Fringe favorite, he’s bringing new songs and old favorites like “The Manliest Man in Mantown.”
8 PM | Hatch Recital Hall | Tickets: $15
––––––
The following are additional shows in the sixth annual First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival which feature Eastman performers—students and alumni—in other venues:
Wednesday, September 19
A Jazz Musician Walks Into a Comics Shop: Based on INSTRUMENTAL, a 224-page graphic novel with an accompanying soundtrack. Eastman graduate Dr. Dave Chisholm (DMA ’13) is the author, illustrator, composer, and performer of this ambitious and powerful work. The live soundtrack performance is accompanied by a slideshow of art from the book, creating an immersive multimedia experience! The performance features Dave Chisholm on trumpet, Colin Gordon (MM ’12) on saxophone, Matt Curlee (BM ’99 MA ’01), Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Eastman, on keyboard, Dave Kluge on bass, and Matt Bevan-Perkins on drums.
6 PM | Lyric Theatre: Main Stage | Tickets: $10
Saturday, September 22
Embers: Embers is Chris Xu (BM ‘17), Eugene Bisdikian (BM ‘17), Mike Sananikone, and Andrew Tachine (ESM ’19). Formed in 2014 at the Eastman School of Music, the band spent its formative years playing college festivals and venues in Rochester. Their guitar-dominated sound draws from a plethora of genres including alternative rock, prog, post-rock, and heavy metal: a molten blend that is sometimes delicate, other times visceral, and always tight, well-constructed, and powerful. Embers released its self-titled EP in July 2018.
5 PM | Gibbs Street Main Stage | Free
For more on both Eastman and University of Rochester participation in the festival, visit http://www.rochester.edu/arts/fringe/. Eastman Theatre tickets can be purchased at the Eastman Theatre Box Office by phone at (585) 274-3000, or online at eastmantheatre.org.
Tickets for all Fringe events, as well as more information on the Rochester Fringe Festival, are available on the festival website www.rochesterfringe.com. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at (585) 957-9837, or in person at the Fringe Box Office, One Fringe Place, located across from the Eastman Theatre on the corner of Main & Gibbs Streets, Rochester, NY 14604.