What’s to do? Vassar Edition

Spring orchestral performances

The Vassar College Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will both present their penultimate performances of the semester this Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5, respectively. The College Orchestra, led by music lecturer Eduardo Navega, is a full Symphony Orchestra of approximately 60 students. The repertoire features performances of works by Mozart, Lalo and Schubert.

The Wind Ensemble is led by lecturer and Jazz Ensemble Conductor James Osborn. Their performance features Guest Conductor Sean McLaughlin, who has played bassoon with the Ensemble for two years. McLaughlin is pursuing graduate work in music composition at SUNY Purchase and will conduct a piece that he wrote, The Memories of Forgotten Heroes. Osborn said that this was the premiere of McLaughlin’s piece, and said that the concert would provide, “just one non-stop highlight after the other.”

—Marcella Veneziale, Arts Editor

Genghis Tron to headline in Mug

In the spirit of charting CDs you’ve never heard of, WVKR is sponsoring a series of concerts by bands you’ve never heard of, beginning March 6. The first show will feature Genghis Tron, USAISAMONSTER, and Akimbo.

Vassar’s own Genghis Tron, the dance-grind band who has made appearances at a number of WVKR shows, will be familiar to any Vassar student who has ever head-banged. The not-so-familiar USAISAMONSTER is a two-piece guitar and drums combo who alternate between meditative acoustic passages and fried-circuitboard noise punk in the blink of an eye. Seattle trio Akimbo will switch things up with their grimy yet dynamic hardcore—picture Black Flag and Converge in a barroom brawl.

Subsequent shows have already been announced, most notably the Bobby Birdman with Y.A.C.H.T. and E*Rock show on April 17. The shows will take place at the Mug at 9 p.m., and will end early to accommodate for Trivia Night immediately following.

—Mike Newmark, Assistant Arts Editor

Friday, March 3
Vassar:
Film League Series Screening Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. Blodgett, 7 p.m.
Comedy Show Steve Hofstetter, sponsored by the Class of 2006, performs. Students’ Building, 8 p.m.
Indecent Exposure Comedy group’s long show of the semester, featuring skits and stand-up. Sanders 212, 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 4
Poughkeepsie:
Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre Vassar’s premiere dance group performs a revival of Jamaican suite, complete with traditional costumes, masks, and headpieces, as well as special guest percussionists. Shuttles will be available between Main Circle and the Bardavon Theater. Bardavon, 8 p.m., $7

Vassar:
Made to Last Love, sex, fame, and pot in a play written and directed by Liz Galvao ’09. Shiva, 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 5
New York:
Common Coming off of the release of his most lauded album, Be, the rapper performs a rare live show. Nokia Theatre Times Square, 1515 Broadway, 7 p.m., $40