Arts & Culture

“The Invisible Man”What does it mean to become invisible? Find out Oct. 29 and 30, when The Aquila Theatre Company, one of the nation’s finest producers of touring classical drama, present an origianal stage adaptation of The Invisible Man, H.G. Wells’ timeless morality tale, at Washington University’s Edison Theatre.

Detail of the 1899 plan for Washington University’s Hilltop Campus.One hundred years ago, the eyes and ears of the world turned to St. Louis — and the newly built campus of Washington University — for the 1904 World’s Fair. On Oct. 17, Washington University will honor that centenary with a performance by the Saint Louis Wind Symphony. A Grand Concert of Band Music Performed at the 1904 World’s Fair will feature a representative sampling of music heard at the fair, including works by Philip Sousa, Peter I. Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, Jr., and Carl Maria von Weber.

Mezzo soprano Mary Ann Hart and pianist Dennis Helmrich will present Washington University’s annual Liederabend at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10. Literally translated as “evening of song,” Liederabend is a German term referring to a recital given by a singer and pianist, particularly of works by 19th-century Austrian or German composers. The program will include lieder by Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvorák, Edvard Grieg, Charles Ives, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann and Hugo Wolf.

Tom CaravagliaGus Solomons jrGus Solomons jr, a distinguished visiting professor in Washington University’s Dance Program in Arts & Sciences, will discuss his career as a dancer, choreographer and critic during an informal lecture/demonstration titled Gus Solomons jr Tells All at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30.

The Washington University Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, in Graham Chapel. Graham Chapel is located just north of the Mallinckrodt Student Center, 6445 Forsyth Blvd. For more information, call (314) 935-4841.

Amazones: The Woman Master Drummers of GuineaFor centuries, masters of the sacred West African djembe drum have been exclusively male. But in 2002, Mamoudou Conde, managing director of the world-renowned Les Percussions de Guinée, launched a revolutionary “sister” ensemble — Amazones: The Woman Master Drummers of Guinea. On Oct. 23, these musical siblings will share the stage for a special, one-night-only performance at Edison Theatre.

Poet and translator Heather McHugh, visiting Washington University as a Fannie Hurst Professor of Creative Literature in the Department of English in Arts & Sciences, will speak on the craft of poetry oat 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28. In addition, McHugh will read from her poetry at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30.

The Sam Fox Arts Center at Washington University in St. Louis will present its first annual Festival of the Arts from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1. The event, which will feature a variety of student-led arts activities, is free and open to the public and takes place on the grounds of Bixby, Givens and Steinberg halls, located adjacent to one another near the intersection of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards. Food and beverages will be available. For more information, call (314) 935-9347.

Russ RosenerRuss Rosener, “Lost in Skool” The Washington University School of Art Faculty Show will open in the University’s Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30. The all-media exhibition will showcase close to 50 pieces — ranging from video and installation to prints, drawings, painting, sculpture, graphic design and fashion design — by 38 artists, including both current and emeriti faculty.

Joe Angeles/WUSTL Photo Services”The Awakening”The Awakening (1899) by St. Louis author Kate Chopin (1850-1904) was perhaps the most controversial novel of its day. In October, Washington University’s Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences will mark the centennial of Chopin’s death with an original stage adaptation of The Awakening by Henry I. Schvey, Ph.D., chair and professor in the PAD. Performances begin Oct. 14-17 in Edison Theater, and continue Oct. 28 and 29 at the Missouri Historical Society.