Springfield College William Simpson Fine Arts Series
Highlighting the Springfield College winter/spring visual and performing arts programs will be special events celebrating the college’s 125th anniversary: a screening of the film “Hoop Dreams” and related master class by producer, director and screenwriter, Steve James; Jack Ridl’s reading of his prize-winning basketball poetry; and an exhibition of historic Springfield College art and artifacts. Completing the William Simpson Fine Arts Series will be a rollicking comedy production, a spirited flamenco dance presentation, a documentary film on hip-hop dance, and art exhibitions. Most events are free of charge, and the free series poster is available by calling 748-3187.
Schedule of Events
Jan. 20 - Feb 19
Art Exhibition: "Portable Promises"
By: Matthew Board
Springfield College assistant professor of computer graphics/digital art
Viewers often look at paintings as a flat surface, but they usually comprise many layers. What if a viewer could experience a painting by being inside of it? This nationally and internationally exhibited artist and Springfield College assistant professor of computer graphics/digital art presents works created as real-time virtual environments that act as interactive abstract paintings using the Unreal game engine.
Reception: Sun., Feb. 7, 2-4 p.m.
William Blizard Gallery,*
Visual Arts Center
Jan. 20 - Feb. 19
Art Exhibition: "The Founders’ Show - A Look Back"
Treasures from the Springfield College art collection and archives and loaned from others illustrate Springfield College’s early leaders and famous alumni. See paintings of the College’s first president, David Allen Reed; Director of the Physical Department Luther Halsey Gulick; Head of the YMCA Department Jacob Titus Bowne; and others. Additional images depict alumni James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, and Amos Alonzo Stagg, “the grand old man of football”; former faculty member Ted Shawn, founder of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival; Shawn’s His Men Dancers, who were Springfield College athletes; the College’s first football and basketball teams; and more. Among other highlights will be inventions of the renowned exercise physiologist and former faculty member Dr. Peter Karpovich, and various other memorabilia.
Reception: Sun., Feb. 7, 2-4 p.m.
William Blizard Gallery,*
Visual Arts Center
Weather Notice:
The Avner the Eccentric show is cancelled due to inclement weather. The event is due to be rescheduled.Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Comedy Show: Avner the Eccentric in Exceptions to Gravity
Sponsored by SC Theatre
“Avner the Eccentric is a brilliant comic…hurt yourself hysterically funny. I laughed for two solid hours. The show only lasted an hour and a half.” Joel Siegel, ABC-TV
“If laughter really is the best medicine, Avner Eisenberg could easily cure everything that ails you. He’s a clown in the truest sense of the word…You’ve got to see it to believe it can be this much fun.” Boston Metro
Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium,
Fuller Arts Center
Admission: $5
Students/seniors: $2
Children free
Feb. 16, 8 p.m.
Documentary Film: History and Concept of Hip-Hop Dance: The Street Culture That Became a Global Expression
Film and discussion with filmmaker Moncell Durden
Hip-hop dance, a global marketing phenomenon, struggles to define its historical lineage, concept, origins, aesthetics, and generational acceptance. Durden, adjunct professor at Drexel University and international lecturer, shares expert opinions about hip-hop’s heritage that reveal the deep structure of its mode of communication via language, movement, and music, from the pioneers of B-Boy and party dancing to commercially successful choreographers and the international new generation of dancers and instructors.
Feb. 16, 8 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium,
Fuller Arts Center
March 1-April 2
Art Exhibition: Thread/Text/Time
Milisa Galazzi
“In my paintings, I explored the fine line between traditional craft -- mending, fixing, sewing -- and fine art, while simultaneously making a conceptual commentary about human relationships. In these pieces, bits of old lace, thread, or rope are pressed into a bed of warm encaustic wax and delicately pulled out leaving a powerful impression symbolic of the detritus of generations of women’s domestic chores long ignored as valuable work.” Milisa Galizzi
Reception: Sun., March 7, 2-4 p.m.
William Blizard Gallery,*
Visual Arts Center
March 4, 7:30 p.m.
Dance: Flamenco Dance Production
Son Flamenco
Passionate and graceful dancer and choreographer Inés Arrubla joins forces with musicians representing traditions of Spain, Arabia, and North America. Son Flamenco offers a mosaic of sounds, ranging from flamenco to jazz, in an exciting dialogue with one of the region’s most vibrant dance performers. Arrubla has won acclaim from audiences and the media for performances in theatres and festivals throughout Europe and the United States.
March 4, 7:30 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium,
Fuller Arts Center
March 25-28
Springfield College Theatre Production: RABBIT HOLE: A Play by David Lindsay-AbaireDirector: Martin Shell
Springfield College associate professor of theatre arts
Rabbit Hole is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play (2007) written by David Lindsay-Abaire. It was first produced in New York in 2006. It has also been produced by regional theatres in cities such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. It deals with the ways that family members survive a major loss, and includes comedy as well as drama. "A satisfyingly strange mix: a wrenching look into grief and healing, leavened with generous spoonfuls of humor. “ - Harold Shapiro, Philadelphia Inquirer
Thurs., Fri., Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium, Fuller Arts Center
Suggested donation: $5
Students and seniors: $2
April 12-23
Art Exhibition: Graduating Senior Student Show
Painting, digital imagery, and sculpture reflect learning over four years in computer graphics, studio art, or art education.
Reception: Sun., April 18, 2-4 p.m.
William Blizard Gallery,*
Visual Arts Center
April 12-17
Celebrating the Birthplace of Basketball®:
James Naismith and His Legacy
April 12, 2-3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Hoop Dreams: Film screening, introduction, and question-and-answer session with Hoop Dreams director, producer, and screenwriter Steve James
Master Class with Steve James
Director of Hoop Dreams
The highly-acclaimed film director, producer, and screenwriter, James will conduct a lecture and question-and-answer session. James also directed Prefontaine, produced and edited The War Tapes, and is completing two documentaries for ESPN.
Lecture and question-and-answer session: April 12, 2-3:30 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium,
Fuller Arts Center
Hoop Dreams Film
An epic chronicle of hope and perseverance, Hoop Dreams is the powerful story of two inner-city kids who dare to dream the impossible – professional basketball glory. Selected for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, Hoop Dreams also earned the Directors Guild of America Award, a Peabody Award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.
April 12, 6:30 p.m.
Appleton Auditorium,
Fuller Arts Center
April 13, noon
Dedication of Statue of Dr. James NaismithApril 13, noon
Richard B. Flynn Campus Union,
Springfield College
April 14, 7:30 p.m.
Poetry Reading: "From Losing Season"
By: Jack Ridl
According to poet Conrad Hilberry, Ridl’s sports poems are “unmatched anywhere in American poetry…They are so compelling, so varied, so familiar to anyone who knows high school and sports that they may well introduce a new genre.” The newest collection of the award-winning author of poetry and chapbooks chronicles a year of hope and defeat on and off the basketball court in a small town.
April 14, 7:30 p.m.
Marsh Memorial Chapel
Book signing and refreshments follow the reading.
April 26-May 15
Art Exhibition: Graduate Art Therapy Show
Painting, ceramics, and digital imagery reflect learning over four years in art therapy.
Reception: Sat., May 15, 3:30-5 p.m.
William Blizard Gallery,*
Visual Arts Center
May 1, 8 p.m.
Concert: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “choral”
SC Singers, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony Chorus
SC Singers join the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Symphony Chorus for a performance of this famous work by Ludwig van Beethoven, which features the “Ode to Joy.”
Tickets and prices available through www.springfieldsymphony.org
May 1, 8 p.m.
Symphony Hall
Springfield, MA
Open weekdays 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Admission free (unless otherwise indicated)