Guest pianist to perform masterclass

On Thursday, Feb. 7, pianist Dr. Clara Christian will perform a solo recital followed by a masterclass in piano technique on Friday, Feb. 8. Christian is a professor at College of the Ozarks and coordinates the school’s piano program. She is an active performer, regularly playing in North America as well as Russia, and collaborates with other musicians in the group “Fuse Trio.” Christian received the Chicago Area Musician’s Club of Women top scholarship in piano and emphasizes the importance of music education by providing children of low income families with piano lessons. Both of the events will be held in the Sherman Van Solkema Hall in the Haas Center for Performing Arts, with the recital at 7:30 p.m and the masterclass at 7 p.m.

GV theatre presents ‘Wonderful Town’

Beginning Friday, Feb. 8, the Grand Valley State University opera theatre will debut their production of “Wonderful Town.” With music by Leonard Bernstein, the musical tells the story of two sisters, Ruth and Eileen, transitioning from their life in Ohio to bustling New York City. While their plans don’t turn out as expected, hilarity and show tunes create an entertaining performance. Directed by 2009 GVSU alumnus Chris Carter, the production offers student acting, singing and comedy. “Wonderful Town” will occur each weekend, Feb. 8-10 and 15-17 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre.

Student-directed ‘God of Carnage’ to hit the stage

GVSU’s Performance Studio Series, which gives students the opportunity to direct their peers in smaller productions, will feature “God of Carnage,” directed by Ron Boudreau. The Performance Studio Series allows theatre students to sharpen their skills in every aspect, including directing, acting, producing and designing. “God of Carnage” involves two sets of parents meeting to talk after their children get in a dispute in a public park. What begins as a civilized discussion turns into a childish debate. The performance will take place in the Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre Feb. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. showing on Sunday, Feb. 24.

“Stories of Summer” exhibit features local history

The Kutsche Office of Local History at GVSU received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. With this grant, a Saugatuck-Douglas history exhibit will occupy the Mary Idema Pew Library Exhibition Space starting Monday, Feb. 4. The exhibition, “Stories of Summer,” focuses on the history of tourism along Lake Michigan beaches, specifically the history of Saugatuck and Douglas as a safe space for minority and LGBT communities. The exhibit features photos of beach-goers throughout history and will remain in the exhibition space until Thursday, March 14.