Kansas.com: Visual Arts

Duo's paintings infused with light, color

JOANNA MIX — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:43 CDT

After visiting the studio of artists Jan Vavra and James Butler, it's easy to understand why the works of both artists evoke the essences of light, tranquillity and nature.

The French doors of the couple's airy studio, situated along the banks of the Arkansas River, open to a flourishing vegetable garden and a sloping hill covered with Canadian geese that leads down to the water's edge -- a view that any one of the French Impressionist masters would have been happy to capture.

Visitors to Exploration Place will have the opportunity to see the works of these two local artists at a new exhibition, "Light and Color," in the center's Egret Dining Room through Oct. 25.

Although the styles and influences of Vavra and Butler are entirely different, their works are harmonious in their subjects and colors, making for a cohesive exhibition.

Butler said that painting has always been a passion for him, but it was not until his retirement that he was able to pursue his hobby full time. His greatest influences, he said, are Impressionism and Postimpressionism.

Symphony spotlight

CHRIS SHULL — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:43 CDT

The Wichita Symphony Orchestra opens its classics concerts season next weekend with performances of two popular, powerhouse pieces -- Brahms' First Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony.

Pianist Arnaldo Cohen, an artist of international reputation who now teaches at Indiana University, is soloist. Also on the bill is Shostakovich's zippy "Festive Overture."

Not every piece scheduled across the orchestra's eight-concert classics season is as crowd-pleasing or as well known. So we asked conductor Andrew Sewell to choose his favorite piece for every concert. (I chose my favorite pieces, too.)

Here are our musical highlights for the coming Wichita Symphony season. But don't take our word for it -- go to a concert and choose favorites for yourself.

OPENING CONCERTS: SATURDAY-OCT. 12

Dancers have Friends spinning with delight

CHRIS SHULL — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:43 CDT

New school years are always full of promise. The excitement is especially high in the ballet department at Friends University, where a bumper crop of dancers arrived on campus this fall.

"They are all incredible," said Stan Rogers, director of ballet at Friends University. "This is probably the best group of dancers I've had ever."

Friends University Ballet will present its annual Fall Ballet performances Friday through Oct. 12 at Sebits Auditorium. The performance will feature four contemporary ballets, including two works created by Rogers this fall.

Also included will be a comic modern ballet by Sara Semonis from Illinois State University set to music by Kronos Quartet and David Byrne; and "Weeping Woman," an emotionally charged ballet by Francisco Martinez from Los Angeles making its return to the Sebits Auditorium stage.

Rogers said one of his dances, set to the charming "L'Arlesienne Suite" by Bizet, grew in complexity as the dancers learned it.

Symphony adjusts to lineup changes

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:43 CDT

Changes come to the Wichita Symphony Orchestra before most concert seasons. Players retire; musicians attending Wichita State University (such as a second trumpet and second bassoon) graduate and move away.

As the Wichita Symphony approaches this season's opening classics concerts next weekend at Century II Concert Hall, it is facing player changes in several key positions.

Two long-standing stalwarts of the woodwind section, Michael Wilder and Joyce Anne Wilder (second clarinet and second flute, respectively), are taking year-long leaves of absence as he settles into a job at Wheaton College in Illinois. Nicolasa Kuster, principal bassoonist since 2000, left Wichita last summer for a teaching job in Stockton, Calif.

All told, eight musicians (of the orchestra's complete roster of 94) will be new to the orchestra this year, a not-unheard-of total except for the long-standing tenures being newly filled. On a happy note, Nancy Luttrell will take her place in the first row of the violin section after an absence of several months due to a shoulder injury.

"Overall, we've got the same band and there's some really great repertoire we're doing this year," said conductor Andrew Sewell.

'High School Musical 2' announced for MTW

DENISE NEIL — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:43 CDT

Music Theatre of Wichita will perform a new production of Disney's "High School Musical 2" at the end of next year's regular season.

The show will be performed Aug. 20 to 23, after the regular season ends.

It will feature dozens of young actors from around the region, who will participate in special workshops and training sessions.

Music Theatre of Wichita was specially selected by the Disney Co. to be among the first professional theaters given rights to the popular musical, said Wayne Bryan, MTW's producing artistic director.

The show will not be included in the regular five-show season subscription, but season ticket holders will have early-purchase options starting in early May.