Houghton University will provide a combination of public art and music events this week which include a concert by a world-renowned Israeli pianist.
Friday night will feature back-to-back activities in the Center for the Arts, with an opening reception for University art professor John Rhett in the Ortlip Gallery, starting at 6PM, followed by the piano performance by Rami Bar-Niv, Israeli pianist, composer, author, and instructor of master classes, scheduled for 7:30PM in the Recital Hall of the same building at 1 Willard Avenue.
A Student Performer series also will be held Wednesday night, with a Wind Ensemble Concert Saturday.
Rhett’s work and gallery talk at the October 27 event will focus on a Self-Evaluation: Selected Work from 50 Years in Art, including paintings which have never been displayed before.
His progression of work over the years, including more than a quarter century as a Houghton University faculty member, will be on display from 9AM to 6PM Mondays through Saturdays, through December 15.
Pianist Bar-Niv, who offers a variety of music and contrast in style, is a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv, after which he was awarded a grant from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation to continue his studies at the Mannes School of Music in New York City.
The world-renowned performer was the first Israeli musician to perform in Egypt after the 1979 Begin-Sadat Peace Treaty. In 1989, he received the annual “Best Performer Award” from the Israeli government.
The Houghton University Dining Hall, located in the Campus Center, also is open daily to the public, with a broad dinner fare, from 5PM to 7:30PM Friday. Further information and menu selections are available at www.houghtonmetz.com/dining.html.
The Student Performer Series, to be held from 8PM to 9PM Wednesday in the Recital Hall, will feature sophomore bachelor of music majors at the School of Music who will perform a mixture of vocal, piano, solo and collaborative instrumental music.
From 7:30PM to 9PM Saturday, in the University’s Wesley Chapel, the University’s Wind Ensemble, comprised of some 65 percent music and 35 percent non-music major students, will provide a free performance involving a variety of music.