Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts

Saturday, Apr 6, 2024 at 8:00am

The Brandeis University
415 South Street
781-736-5008
Free

Schedule of Events

8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Post-Baccalaureate Exhibition at Dreitzer Gallery, Spingold Theater Center

9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.: Popular Media and the Aesthetics of Dissent: Contemporary Dalit and Anti-Caste Cinema at Wasserman Cinematheque, Sachar International Center

"Dalit" (literally oppressed) refers to the lowest rung of the Indian caste system. Dalits represent a major historically oppressed community not only in South Asia, but in the US as well (the vast majority of South Asian immigrants to the US come from the Brahmin or other advantaged castes). Although caste and casteism were made illegal by the Indian constitution of 1950, Dalit scholars, artists, and filmmakers continue to face major impediments in the Indian education system, including historical disadvantage and lack of opportunity, harassment and outright abuse.

A few Dalit filmmakers have recently made commercially successful and critically acclaimed films in recent years. This series highlights those films, supplemented by panel discussions on gender, sexuality and caste, as well as the aesthetics of dissent. Sponsored by the South Asian Studies Program. Additional screenings on Friday, April 5, 7:30-10 p.m.

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: re: collections Tours at Rose Art Museum

Join the museum's student docents for a unique and insightful tour of "re: collections, Six Decades at the Rose Art Museum.

Noon: Indigeneity and Fashion from Frida Kahlo to Dior at Rose Art Museum

Join curator Circe Henestrosa for a conversation with Dr. Gannit Ankori, Henry and Lois Foster Director and Chief Curator of the Rose Art Museum, highlighting the global impact that Mexican Indigenous culture has had on contemporary art and design. Sponsored by the Rose Art Museum. Register at brandeis.edu/rose/programs.

3:30 p.m. - Kiss & release: Poetry Reading with Anthony DiPietro and Chen Chen at Rose Art Museum

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Anthony DiPietro, deputy director of operations at the Rose, whose book "kiss & release" was published this year by Unsolicited Press (Portland, Oregon). Chen Chen is author of, among other collections, "Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency," selected as a 2023 notable book by the American Library Association. Sponsored by the Rose Art Museum.

7 p.m. - The Tempest at Shapiro Campus Center Theater

In Shakespeare's classic late play, the sorceress Prospero seeks revenge on those who wronged her twelve years ago. This production explores themes of colonialism, redemption, and forgiveness. Presented by the student-run Hold Thy Peace. Performances on April 4, 5, 6, and 7. Naomi Stephenson '26, director; Ceil Shandell '26, stage manager. Featuring Laurel Kane '26 as Prospero, Phoenix Feldman '27 as Ariel, and JT Dickstein '27 as Caliban.

Tickets are free for Brandeis ID holders; $5 for general public. Available at the Shapiro Campus Center and Usdan box offices, or online at Brandeis Tickets.

7- 8:30 p.m.: Poetry Open Mic Night at Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Brandeis University Library is sponsoring a poetry open mic night. Light refreshments will be provided. All in the Brandeis community are encouraged to attend, and to read a poem or just listen! Featuring Greg Roitbourd '26 and other members of the Creative Writing program. This is an open event, and all in the Brandeis community are encouraged to participate, either by stepping up to the mic with a poem or two, or simply dropping in to listen!

7 p.m.: J-SAI at Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center

JSAI is the Japanese Student Association's annual culture show, a grand celebration of Japanese culture through performances, games, and food. Performers include Showa Boston, Wellesley Aiko, Tokyo Tramps, and Brandeis XL Girls.

7:30 p.m.: Lydian String Quartet Concert at Slosberg Music Center

From its beginning at Brandeis in 1980, the Lydian String Quartet (Andrea Segar and Julia Glenn, violins; Mark Berger, viola; Joshua Gordon, cello) has been acclaimed by audiences and critics across the world for embracing the full range of the string quartet repertory with curiosity, virtuosity, and dedication to the highest artistic ideals of music making. Program includes Beethoven's String Quartet in F Minor, op. 95, "Serioso"; the world premiere of "seeking all that's still unsung," by Kurt Rohde; and Ravel's String Quartet. Tickets: $5/$15/$20

8 p.m. - Speech and Debate at Chum's, Usen Castle

In this dark comedy by Stephen Karam, three misfit high school students amidst a local sex scandal involving the Republican mayor and teenage boys are forced to grapple with difficult questions about truth and their roles in sharing it. Featuring Garrett Molinari '26, Emma Sadewasser '27, Harvey Vostrejs '27, and Lelu Branch '27. Directed by Cole Simmons '26. Presented by the student-run Free Play Theatre Cooperative. Additional performance on April 4, 8 p.m. and April 7, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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