37 campus events to attend this spring

From student and faculty performances to interactive workshops, don't miss these arts and culture events at TU

By Rebecca Kirkman on February 6, 2019

Form.Print Exhibition

Through April 20 (Closed March 17 – 25), Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts Gallery, CA 3040
Free

Form.Print explores the processes within digital fabrication. The challenge for participating artists is to create work that maximizes the unedited potential of additive and subtractive digital tools. Files submitted by artists will be fabricated on site by TU faculty and students.

video still by Frank Cho — Young Jea (Frank) Cho, In pursuit of greatness: forgive me if I've ever hurt you, 2019, film still

MFA Exhibitions

Through April 20 (Closed March 17 – 25), Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Holtzman MFA Gallery, CA 2040
Free

In their MFA exhibitions, Lukas Goodmuth presents Panacea, an architectural consideration of a love of simplistic explanations at the cost of overlooking more complex realities; Yong Jea (Frank) Cho presents a fictional short film about a homogenous society where “yellow nationalism” arose; and Nadia Mohamed explores the relationship between the human body and the natural world through the lens of fiber manipulation.

Bridges to the World International Film Festival

Five dates, Feb. 8 – March 8, 7 p.m.
Van Bokkelen Auditorium, VB 204
Free

In its 11th season, films from Israel, Lithuania, Mongolia, Mozambique and Chile will be presented in six venues across Maryland: Annapolis, Bowie, Cumberland, Salisbury, St. Mary’s City and TU. Each film has been chosen and sponsored by its corresponding embassy and will be introduced by a professional in the field. A post-screening discussion will follow.

2/8 – Lithuania, Children from Hotel America (1990)
2/15 – Israel, The Band’s Visit (2007)
2/22 – Mongolia, Bogd Khaan (2011)
3/1 – Mozambique, The Train of Salt and Sugar (2016)
3/ 8 – Canada, Wajd: Songs of Separation (2018)

Mastering Infinite Strength: Asia’s Martial Arts

Feb. 15 – May 12 (Closed March 17 – 24), Mon. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Asian Arts Gallery, CA 2037
Free

Explore the diverse world of martial arts originating in China, Japan and Korea. Regional martial arts specialists present their insights and expertise about training, fighting techniques, mental discipline, self-defense, sport and more. Learn about the histories of these traditions and their global diffusion.

New Music Ensemble Concert

Feb. 20, 8 p.m.
Recital Hall, CA 3066
Ticketed

The New Music Ensemble at TU presents a concert of contemporary music featuring faculty composer/performer Will Redman, who engages with interactive music technology and new techniques for musical expression. Included on the concert will be a performance by Baltimore avant-jazz trio Microkingdom (John Dierker, Marc Miller and Will Redman) with live computer processing and prerecorded vocals, as well as world premieres of two pieces written for and performed by TU faculty member Dave Ballou (trumpet) and Shelly Purdy (vibraphone).

Martial Arts Workshops

Four dates beginning Feb. 21
University Union
Ticketed, free to TU students

February 21: Beginner’s Self-Defense-Featuring Tang Soo Do and Karate
Learn the basics of body posture, voice tactics, establishing boundaries, and easy-to-remember movements to defend yourself. Come prepared by wearing athletic clothing and shoes. Recommended for ages 18+.
February 27: Introduction to Kung Fu, Contemporary Wushu and Sanda
Experience firsthand the exciting world of Chinese Martial Arts! Participants will focus their minds, root their stances, snap their kicks, and drive their punches. All experience levels, including beginners, will learn something new and get a good workout.
March 7: Demonstration | Fundamentals of Kendo
Learn the fixed forms (kata) that make up the basic elements of kendo swordsmanship. Kata include fundamental techniques of attacking and counter-attacking and have practical applications in general kendo.
April 18: Demonstration | Feeding Crane Style Kung Fu
“Feeding Crane” (Sit-hoh-kun or She-he-quan) is a branch of the White Crane Kung Fu that originated in Southern China and is now preserved in Taiwan. The Crane system is known for its burst of power and footwork.

Dance Majors Performance Project

Feb. 21 – 23
Dance Studio Theatre, CA 1003
Ticketed

A thrilling and creative celebration of student choreography and performance that includes a variety of movement styles and music. Dance majors evolve their works to the next level in this performance with guidance from faculty mentors and peers.

The Aliens

Feb. 27 – March 2, 7:30 p.m.
Ruth Marder Studio Theatre, CA 3044
Ticketed

A student-directed play by Annie Baker, The Aliens won the Obie Award for Best New American Play in 2010. The Aliens is a funny and heartening look at friendship, ritual and small town New England.

The Electric Baby

March 6 -14
Studio Theatre, CA 3060
Ticketed

Towson University Department of Theatre Arts presents The Electric Baby by Stefanie Zadravec. Directed by Yury Urnov, folk tales and folklore weave throughout this darkly comic story of sad endings, strange beginnings and the unlikely people that get you from one place to the next.

Facial Recognition Comedy Night

March 7, 7 p.m.
University Union, Paws
Free

Join us to celebrate Women’s History Month with a comedy night featuring the Facial Recognition Comedy Group, stand-up comedians who identify as women of Indian, South Asian or Arab descent. FRC was founded to dispel the myth that there can only be one representative or narrative of minoritized experiences in Hollywood and mainstream media.

Faculty Chamber Music Concert

March 10, 3 p.m.
Recital Hall, CA 3066
Ticketed

Two monumental works—the Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7 (1914) by Zoltán Kodály and the Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 67 (1944) by Dmitri Shostakovich—flank this diverse program. Performers include The Baltimore Trio with guest pianist Anna Soukiassian, violinist Emmanuel Borowsky, baritone Jason Widney, and clarinetist Erik Franklin with pianist Hui-Chuan Chen.

Akiko Kitamura’s Cross Transit

March 15, 7 p.m.
Stephens Hall Theatre, ST 0217
Ticketed

International choreographer and dancer Akiko Kitamura and Cambodian artist and photographer Kim Hak merge photography, voice, video and multimedia technology with traditional and contemporary dance, music and martial arts to convey the universally relevant but rapidly fading memories of the Cambodian history. Stay for a Q&A with the artists immediately following the performance.

The Vagina Monologues

March 29 and 30, 7 p.m.
University Union, Chesapeake Rooms
Ticketed

The TU Feminist Collective invites you a performance of the award-winning play The Vagina Monologues. Be prepared to gasp, laugh and be moved. All proceeds from the event will benefit TurnAround, a local organization working to end violence against women, and TransUnited, an organization focused on building the political power of trans and gender-expansive communities and their allies to advocate for trans equality.

What Were You Wearing? Weaving a New Narrative Exhibition

April 4, 5 p.m.
Cook Library

What Were You Wearing? Weaving a New Narrative aims to dismantle the toxic ideology behind the question asked to so many sexual assault survivors: “Did what you wear cause your attack?” As a platform to allow survivors to reclaim their bodies and stories, this exhibit consists of first-hand survivor accounts detailing what they were wearing when assaulted to debunk the theory that the two are correlated, or that a survivor should have any blame in the matter. This exhibit will act as a springboard to illuminate the severe problem of sexual assault across college campuses.

Never Give Up: Yasui and the Fight for Justice

April 4, 6 p.m.
LA 4310

Join us for this film screening and discussion in commemoration of the 77th anniversary of Executive Order 1966 that incarcerated Americans during World War II. The screening will be followed by a moderated Q&A with writer and co-director Holly Yasui, daughter of Minoru Yasui.

Anomalous

April 4 – 6
Dance Studio Theatre, CA 1003
Ticketed

Thirteen choreographers challenge themselves artistically in Anamolous, a show of exciting, collaborative, and multi-layered dance works. Creators present their senior works, diving deeper into genres including ballet, modern, contemporary and Afro-centric dance.

Family Arts Day

April 13, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts Atrium
Free

Experience the joy of being an artist at TU Community Art Center’s Family Arts Day. Drop in for a day of interactive art activities, dance workshops, and gallery tours inspired by the current art exhibitions. All ages welcome.

PRISM: A Musical Collage

April 13, 8 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

The TU Department of Music features some of its finest student ensembles and solo musicians in a fast-paced “prism” of musical works under theatrical lighting. Ensembles featured include the TU Symphonic Band, Chorale, Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, chamber music groups, composers and more.

TU Concert Band Spring Concert

April 14, 3 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

Under the direction of John Miliauskas, students will present a variety of concert band literature.

Al Takes a Bride

April 17 – 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ruth Marder Studio Theatre, CA 3044
Ticketed

A student-directed play by Gary Sunshine, Al Takes a Bride is set on a moonlit riverbank, over a hundred years before the U.S. Congress passes the Defense of Marriage Act, where two young southern women imagine their wedding to each other. Full of lyrical suspense and based loosely on a high-profile, turn of the century murder case, Al Takes a Bride hinges on impossible choices, where decisions rest somewhere between dreaming and dying.

Faculty Recital: Kalin Kirilov: Journey to the Balkans

April 17, 8 p.m.
Recital Hall, CA 3066
Ticketed

Accompany Kalin Kirilov and his digital accordion on a musical journey that melds tradition with 21st century technology. Music from Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey will be complemented by pictures, videos, and the newest virtual instruments and sampling technology. This performance aims to create an expert-guided virtual tour to distant lands and music cultures.

Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency 10th Anniversary Concerts

April 23 and 26, 7:30 p.m.
Recital Hall, CA 3066
Ticketed

The TU Department of Music celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency with a week of special events and concerts. Highlights of this week include a concert of past guest artists and talks by local jazz scholars.

Classical Guitarists Xavier Jara & Thibaut Garcia

April 27, 8 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

Join the Baltimore Classical Guitar Society for a performance by Xavier Jara, the 2016 winner of the Guitar Foundation of America competition born and raised the United States. He will share a concert with Thibaut Garcia of France, who won the same competition in 2015. A pre-concert lecture begins at 7:15 p.m.

Short & Sweet: One-Act Works for the Musical Stage

April 28, 3 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

Led by director Courtney Kalbacker, students of TU’s Music for the Stage Ensemble present an entertaining afternoon of fully staged and costumed short works, showcasing TU Department of Music’s singer-actors at their very best.

Victory

May 1 – 5, 7 p.m.
Stephens Hall Theatre, ST 217
Ticketed

In our journey through life and in our everyday practices, we mustn’t dwell on what we didn’t accomplish but rather celebrate our victories no matter how large or small. TU Dance Company presents an eclectic mix of works by Will B. Bell ’11; guest faculty Lizhu Chen; TU faculty members Malcolm Shute, Runqiao Du, Vincent Thomas, and artistic director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell.

Merrily We Roll Along

May 2 – May 11
Mainstage Theatre, CA 3043
Ticketed

Merrily We Roll Along tracks the unraveling of the friendship and aspirations of three friends. With a narrative traveling backward in time from 1980 to 1957, Frank, Charlie and Mary discover the true costs of success in this semi-autobiographical musical. Classics such as “Not a Day Goes By,” “Good Thing Going” and “Opening Doors,” convey Stephen Sondheim’s wit and humor in this moving musical.

TU Choirs: Voices of Nature

May 4, 3 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

The TU choirs, under the direction of Diana V. Sáez and Stephen Holmes, will present a varied program of choral repertoire celebrating love and nature, including music by Ola Gjeilo and Johannes Brahms.

Symphonic Band Concert

May 5, 7 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

Join the students in the TU Symphonic Band for a lovely evening of masterworks for wind band from composers Maslanka, Respighi and more.

Percussion Ensemble: Drones + Droids

May 8, 8 p.m.
Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, CA 3042
Ticketed

Technology comes roaring to life through pulsing rhythms, subtle movements of the hand on amplified wood, and a new view on percussion: from above! The students of the TU Percussion Ensemble present works that explore the current College of Fine Arts and Communication theme, "Drones and Droids."

Lecture: Artist and Writer Cara Ober

May 9, 6:30 p.m.
Art Lecture Hall, CA 2032
Free

Cara Ober is the juror for the 2019 Undergraduate Juried Student Exhibition. She is a Baltimore-based artist, writer, cultural organizer, producer of digital and print media and the founding editor of BmoreArt, Baltimore's online art magazine and print journal.

Exhibition: Senior Show

May 10 – 25, Tues. – Sat., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts Gallery, CA 3040
Free

The Senior Show features student works that represent various tracks, including painting, sculpture, graphic design, illustration, crafts, metalworking, jewelry, ceramics, digital art and design, photography and printmaking. Join us for a lecture and opening reception Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Undergraduate Juried Student Exhibition

May 10 – May 25
Holtzman MFA Gallery, CA 2040
Free

The annual undergraduate juried exhibition features select students’ works in painting, sculpture, graphic design, illustration, crafts, metalworking, jewelry, ceramics, digital art and design, photography and printmaking. Join us for a lecture and opening reception Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Spring Pottery Sale

May 10 – May 11
Center for the Arts, CA 3012
Free

At this annual event, students and faculty present a vast selection of handmade pottery, sculpture, jewelry, glass and more.

Dance for the Camera Screening

May 10, 7 p.m.
Van Bokkelen Auditorium, VB 204
Free

The projects for this screening were created by Dance and EMF students during the semester. In an interdisciplinary course that combined Composition V and Dance for the Camera, choreographers and videographers collaborated to craft unique movement pieces specifically for the screen.

more events

Master Events Calendar

For a full list of events happening at TU, check out the Master Events Calendar.