As the end of fall semester approaches and temperatures drop, the arts on Emory’s campuses are heating up with seasonal offerings. A myriad of concerts, theater and dance performances and other arts-related events can help fill the time before taking a holiday break.
Here are a few of the opportunities that students, staff, faculty and community members can enjoy during November and December at Emory.
Catch a flick at Emory film and media events.
Emory Cinematheque, a series of film screenings with a different theme every semester, has focused on the films of legendary filmmaker David Lynch this fall. Screenings are free and take place Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall, Room 208. The final screening of the series is “Inland Empire” on Nov. 29.
Film and Media Studies will also host its final Photography Speaks artist talk of the year, with Emory graduate Noor Aldayeh as the guest speaker, on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. The event will take place in person at The Hatchery.
Gain a new perspective from an expert.
The Emory Creative Writing Program nonfiction brings author S. L. Wisenberg — winner of the Juniper Prize in nonfiction — to campus for a colloquium on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. in the Kemp Malone Library, Room N301 Callaway. Entitled “Using Memory in Writing Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry,” the program features a series of writing exercises using memory (the participant’s or a character’s) to locate details and meaning.
On the Oxford campus, hear from Ed Pavlic, distinguished research professor of English, African American studies and creative writing at the University of Georgia. Pavlic is also the editor of the James Baldwin Review and will be presenting “No Time to Rest: James Baldwin’s Many Lives” in Williams Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Take a leap with Emory Dance.
The Emory Dance Company presents its annual fall concert with four performances Nov. 16-18: each evening at 7:30 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. performance on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased on the Schwartz Center box office website.
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, students in professor Sasikala Penumarthi’s Kuchipudi class will demonstrate and discuss this dance form from southern India in a free showing in the Schwartz Center’s Dance Studio.
The Oxford Dance Company also gives its final performance of the year on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Hall.
Tune in to a concert.
The end of the semester means the various student ensembles at Emory are performing their final concerts of 2023.
In addition to student ensembles, many November and December concerts feature visiting artists with the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta (ECMSA) and the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. On Thursday, Nov. 16, Midori and Festival Strings Lucerne perform in Emerson Hall at 8 p.m. as part of the Schwartz Center’s Candler Concert Series.
ECMSA continues the Cooke Noontime Series with two performances in the Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall during the coming weeks. Attend a euphonium concert by Adam Frey on Friday, Nov. 17, or a concert by pianist Ying Huang on Friday, Dec. 1. On Sunday, Dec. 10, ECMSA hosts Santa’s Favorite Chamber Music, part of their Family Series, in Ackerman Hall at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Emory Gamelan Ensemble presents its annual fall concert at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Studio, followed by the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Wind Ensemble Concert at 8 p.m. in Emerson Concert Hall of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Both performances are free and open to the public.
Following the Thanksgiving break, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, the Emory Big Band and Jazz Combos give their fall concert in Emerson Hall at 8 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Music Composition program presents its semesterly Composition Showcase in the Performing Arts Studio at 8 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public.
The Emory Choirs are back with the beloved tradition of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Glenn Memorial Church. They will give three performances, one at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and two on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4 and 8 p.m. Purchase your tickets online.
The Oxford Holiday Concert also takes place Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in Williams Hall. Enjoy live renditions of your favorite holiday tunes and plenty of festive cheer. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the OxTheatre Box Office website.
Rounding out the concert season, the Schwartz Center hosts Christmas with Atlanta Master Chorale in Emerson Concert Hall for three performances on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. The Friday and Saturday programs are at 8 p.m. and the Sunday performance is at 4 p.m. Tickets for all events at Emerson Hall can be found on the Schwartz Center box office website. Livestream access is available for the Saturday concert.
Give Theater Emory a standing ovation.
Theater Emory presents its most recent production in November with the Langston Hughes translation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s classic, “Blood Wedding.” This tragedy follows a girl caught between two men in a repressive society and explores the themes of love, gender roles and isolation. The production opened Thursday, Nov. 9, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater. Ticket information can be found at the Schwartz Center box office website.
Enter the Praise House one last time.
The Praise House Project is a public art installation and immersive digital experience created by artist Charmaine Minniefield honoring the African and African American traditions of the Praise House and Ring Shout. The installation opened in October and will remain on the grounds of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church through Friday, Dec. 15. The installation is open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 p.m., and on Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment, which can be made via Calendly.