Arts & Culture

Mahalia celebrates the life and music of gospel great Mahalia Jackson (1911-72).

The program will focus on the music of two contrasting historical periods — the 18th-century Baroque and the early 20th century — through the work of composers representing the breadth of Europe.

The event regularly serves as the unofficial kickoff to St. Louis’ professional dance season.

Kellie Wells, Ph.D., and Kerri Webster, both writers-in-residence in the Writing Program in Arts & Sciences, will launch the fall Writing Program Reading Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7.

The Department of Music in Arts & Sciences will open its 2006-07 concert season at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, with a performance by the Washington University Chamber Orchestra. The program will focus on the music of two contrasting historical periods — the 18th-century Baroque and the early 20th century — through the work of composers representing the breadth of Europe.

MacDonaldHugh Macdonald, the Avis H. Blewett Professor of Music in Arts & Sciences, has prepared a performing edition of Fiesque (1866-68), a previously unperformed opera by French composer Eduardo Lalo (1823-1892). The piece will receive its world première July 27 at Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier. His newly prepared score will be published later this year by Bärenreiter Editions.

Peter CookPaul MuldoonPaul Muldoon, “the most significant English-language poet born since the second World War” according to The Times Literary Supplement, will read from his work at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.

David Kilper/WUSTL Photo ServicesMary MazelloTango, rhumba and Indian bharata natyam will share the stage with contemporary multi-media works and live improvisation in Dance Closeup, the biennial concert of original choreography by faculty in the Dance Program in Washington University’s Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences. Launched in 1995, Dance Closeup regularly serves as the unofficial kickoff to St. Louis’ professional dance season. This year’s installment will feature ten works choreographed and performed by faculty and guest dancers.

The book examines the Rinzai Zen convent, founded in 1285 by nun Kakusan Shido.

David KilperAs fall quickly approaches, so does the time for which many parents and students have long been waiting — some would say, dreading — the first day of college. Your child’s departure for college is a monumental step and one that you can start preparing for when your child is just taking his or her first steps, says a Washington University in St. Louis expert on the college experience.