Mark Morris Dance Group with Silk Road Ensemble: Layla and Majnun

Mark Morris, director and choreographer

Silk Road Ensemble Alim Qasimov, mugham vocals Fargana Qasimova, mugham vocals

Layla and Majnun is a classic story of love well-known across many Middle-Eastern and sub-continental cultures and most notably expressed by the great Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi. In 1908, the tragic lovers’ tale became the subject of the first Middle Eastern opera, written by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, who interspersed symphonic and choral sections with mugham—a Central-Asian style of improvised singing—and created a masterpiece of Azerbaijani culture. Silk Road Ensemble’s new arrangement of Hajibeyli’s work, joined with Morris’ choreography, brings together on stage instrumentalists from Asian and western traditions; the revered singer Alim Qasimov (a Living National Treasure of Azerbaijan) and his daughter and protégée, Fargana Qasimova; and 16 dancers of the Mark Morris Dance Group, here at MMDG’s Midwest home. Silk Road Ensemble founder Yo-Yo Ma states, “Morris’ deep respect for and knowledge of traditions in both music and dance—he never plays tourist but is an artist, so that any tradition Mark incorporates becomes organic to his work—as well as his extensive experience directing epic love stories . . . make him the only choice to re-imagine Layla and Majnun for a 21st-century audience.”

This performance will last approximately 70 minutes with no intermission. Please note that there will be no late seating. Yo-Yo Ma will not be performing with the Silk Road Ensemble.

Dublin Irish Dance: Stepping Out

With lightning-fast leg work, sprightly jumps, and rhythmic stomps, Dublin Irish Dance enchants audiences worldwide, bringing with them the astounding beauty, good humor, and lively music of the Emerald Isle. In Stepping Out, this troupe of world-champion Irish step dancers is joined by an eight-member traditional Irish band and vocalist as jigs, reels, tap, and soft shoe numbers celebrate the incredible evolution of Irish traditional dance and music while showcasing the art form’s new standard-bearers.

Recommended for ages 7 and up

Family Fun Free Concert: Sonia de Los Santos

“One of the Latin children's music artists you should know” —Billboard

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Sonia De Los Santos, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, is familiar to fans through Sprout’s The Sunny Side Up Show, NBC’s Visiones, Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live, WXPN’s Kids Corner, and, at Krannert Center especially, through multiple ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival appearances as a member of the Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes and Friends band. Her bilingual, melodic vocals and outstanding stylings on guitar, mandolin, and jarana have steadily earned her global audiences since she first began touring. In this free family concert, Sonia and her ultra-talented multicultural band will share songs from her Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award-winning album Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island. Expect a joyful feast of original songs, vibrant Latin-American party music, and fresh bilingual renditions of American classics that are sure to enliven patrons of any age!

Recommended for all ages

UI Steel Band Concert - Director: Ricardo Flores

This group from the UIUC School of Music performs calypso, soca, jazz, and global styles.

Festival of South African Dance featuring the Gumboots and Real Actions Pantsula Dance Company

South Africa is home to a rich mix of cultural traditions that reflect the vibrant diversity, complex history, and inventive creativity of its nearly 56 million citizens. Two of its national dance forms come together in this captivating program. The Gumboots, clad in wellies and led by acclaimed producer Thapelo Motloung, tell the story of migrant men in Stimela the Musical—a stirring and theatrical presentation using isicathulo (gumboot) dance, which began as a form of resistance by black miners. Pantsula dance style was born of street culture in South Africa’s black townships, influenced by Sotho dances and American jazz and hip-hop, and inspired by everyday events. Real Actions Pantsula, founded in 1992 by Sello Modiga in Orange Farm Township near Johannesburg, features a diverse young troupe dedicated to education and social justice alongside their phenomenal skills as performers.

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin, the People's Republic of China: China Soul

Glittering costumes, breathtaking tricks, and magnificent feats of athletic daring splendidly create a tour de force when this magnetic, award-winning troupe takes to international stages. First formed in 1957, but with a legacy stretching back thousands of years, the Tianjin Martial Artists and Acrobats bring joy to audiences through their delightful gymnastics, towering human pyramids, precise Kung Fu maneuvers, and more in the debut tour of China Soul.

Recommended for ages 7 and up

Midwest Mandeng: West African Master Drummers & Dancers

Join us for a spirited, energetic, participatory drumming and dance performance for all ages. Every fall, a group of some of the most talented performance artists from West Africa come to Urbana for Midwest Mandeng, a festival celebrating West African drum and dance. In this performance, some of the featured artists will share traditional rhythms and dances and introduce you to the arts and culture of Guinea and Mali. A free all-ages event.

Presented in cooperation with the C-U West African Drum & Dance Collective's Midwest Mandeng 2017.

End of semester concert featuring Balinese Gamelan ensembles under the direction of I Ketut Gede Asnawa.

Traditional works will be performed by the UIUC Student Ensemble and Community Gamelan.

Balinese dance under the direction of Putu Oka Mardiani Asnawa will also be featured in this program.

The performance is open to the public and admission is free.

The Spurlock Museum continues its Cultural Celebration Series with a free sing-along of American folk music for all ages. From Clementine to Home on the Range, join local folk enthusiasts Hilary Valentine and Rebecca Grosser to sing some of the traditional tunes sung at campfires, in classrooms, and from church pews around the nation. Song lyrics will be provided so everyone can participate. Hilary plays and teaches mountain dulcimer and Rebecca plays guitar and upright bass. Together, they love sharing traditional and early country songs with children and adults alike.

After the sing-along, participants are encouraged to visit the Museum’s temporary exhibit, Knowledge at Work: The University of Illinois at 150.