Heights Arts presents music, visual art and poetry events

Theater District (photograph), by Claudia Berlinski, is on view as part of the Heights Arts Light Show exhibition.

Even in the middle of winter—when neighbors may not see each other for months at a time—Heights Arts is providing plenty of reasons to thwart social hibernation with an enticing calendar of local cultural events.

On Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., the public is invited to EKPHRASTACY: an evening of conversation with participating artists from the gallery’s Light Show exhibition and reading of ekphrastic poetry. You may ask, “What kind of poetry?” The Greek word ekphrasis roughly translates as “ecstatic speech.” Ekphrastic poetry is a form in which the poet responds in verse to works of visual art.

During the evening, curator Sharon Grossman and artists Claudia Berlinski, Dana Depew, Scott Goss, Nancy Luken, Ben Parsons and Andrew Simmons will share insights on exhibition works, process and vision. Heights Arts and Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate Kathleen Cerveny has invited poets Amy Sparks, Christine Howey, Adina Schoem, Damien Ware and Lake Erie Ink Teen Poet Laureate Moonisha Halim to create and read original poems written in response to works they select in the exhibition. A reception with refreshments will follow the talk. 

Light Show, a group exhibition of nine contemporary Northeast Ohio artists who work with materials, process and visual languages that speak to the theme of light, is on view through Feb. 28 in the Heights Arts gallery at 2175 Lee Road.

On Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., Heights Arts resumes its 2015 Close Encounters series—chamber music concerts performed in unique venues by members of the Cleveland Orchestra—with a performance of “Bach Bartók Beatles” at the Midtown studio of Kalman & Pabst Photo Group.

Inspired by the famous works of three great masters from different eras and musical genres, this interactive and entertaining concert explores similarities and differences in musical content of works, such as Bach's fiery “Brandenburg Concerto No. 5,” inspired tunes by members of the Beatles, including "Imagine" and "Eleanor Rigby," and Bartók's "Burletta" movement from his Sixth String Quartet. Words and poetry read by Cerveny accompany a journey to the inner workings of these great musical geniuses.

“Bach Bartók Beatles” will be performed by Cleveland Orchestra members Katherine Bormann and Isabel Trautwein, violins; Sonja Braaten Molloy, viola; and Tanya Ell, cello. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $40–$50 at the Heights Arts gallery or online at www.heightsarts.org. Discounted $15 tickets are available for students ages 8–23.

"I am excited to move forward in the new year as we unveil another tremendous lineup of new collaborations, exhibitions, poetry readings and performances," said Rachel Bernstein, Heights Arts executive director.

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan is on staff at Heights Arts, a nonprofit community arts organization.

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Volume 8, Issue 2, Posted 10:09 AM, 02.02.2015