Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts

Schedule of Events

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Raku Firing at Outside Spingold Theater Center

Observe the traditional Japanese ceramic process of raku, which produces a crackled effect in glaze and clay. Made possible by the Brandeis Arts Council and sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts.

Brandeis Folk Festival

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy stellar performances by folk and acoustic ensembles from around New England.

11 a.m.: So Blue Band
11:45 a.m.: Tim Mann
12:30 p.m.: Lizzy Hilliard '22
1:15 p.m.: Too Cheap for Instruments: Brandeis a cappella
1:45 p.m.: Pamela Means
2:30 p.m.: Brandeis Roots Ensemble
3 p.m.: Buddy Merriam with Taylor Ackley and James Heazlewood-Dale

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Create@Brandeis Craft Market

Shop for jewelry, accessories, artwork, and more, all made by Brandeis students and staff.

Noon-12:20 p.m. and 1-1:20 p.m.: Young People's Synthesizer Concert at Slosberg Music Center

The first composers in Brandeis' electro-acoustic music studio were among the inventors of live electronic music, thanks to the Buchla synthesizer, which still resides in Slosberg. Graduate composer Sam Long, GSAS MFA'25, gives a demonstration and lecture on the Buchla synthesizer, in the engaging style of Leonard Bernstein and his Young People's Concerts.

R/Evolution Dance

Dance performance in costumes inspired by NASA technology! Scientific advisor, Vivekanand Pandey Vimal, Ashton Graybiel Spatial Orientation Laboratory; artistic director, Brooke Stanton, costume shop director, Department of Theater Arts; composer/programmer, Yuval Gur Jalon, Berklee School of Music, MIT Media Lab; choreographer, Liam Delaney '26; director/publicity: Greg Roitbourd '25; costume designer, Sam Taxman '27; director of photography, AJ Pesaro '24.

Community Sing + Music Machine
Students in MUS 37a, Music and Community, will lead a community sing and an interactive "musical machine" game for audience members of all ages. Andrea Segar (Lydian String Quartet), instructor.

Performance Fair

Enjoy performances in the Shapiro Campus Center Theater by Brandeis students in a variety of genres from pop to jazz to R&B.

11:30-11:50 p.m.: Rae Rein '25 (stage name Rae Nico) is a folk-pop ukulele artist who performs original music.

12-12:30 p.m: The Brandeis Hillel Klezmer Band plays traditional Eastern European Jewish folk music. They're excited to share their music, whether it's a classic you know or something you've never heard before!

12:30-1 p.m.: Simon Fidlin '23, aka Fids, performs his original blend of electronic music, ambiance, hip-hop, R&B, and pop.

1-1:30 p.m.: James Heazlewood-Dale, GSAS PhD'24, and his jazz quartet perform three pieces from Koji Kondo's iconic score for Super Mario 64, in which for the first time in gaming history, players experienced Mario's whimsical adventures in a 3D setting.

1:30-2 p.m.: Zara Lokuge '26 performs original and cover songs accompanied by guitar.

3-3:20 p.m.: Vimāna plays R&B and soul covers.

2-2:30 p.m.: Brandeis' XL Girls perform K pop dance.

3:30-3:50 p.m.: Midnight Groove is an eight-member mixed genre band with a focus on R&B. They are looking forward to performing as the campus opener for Brandeis' Springfest on April 14!

All-ages Vogue + Ballroom Werkshop and Exploration of Queer BIPOC Herstor

Haus of Glitter is a dance, performance, and activist collective from Providence, Rhode Island. In the work they share and co-create with audiences, they strive to embody ancestral liberation and healing and love in every step and every breath of their creative process.

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.

2:30-2:50 p.m.: Children's Dance Workshop at Light of Reason sculpture (outside the Rose Art Museum)

Learn a fun piece of choreography with Irina Znamirowski '24 (Adagio Dance Company, Hooked on Tap, Ballet Club). Children of all abilities are welcome (must be accompanied by an adult).

3 p.m.: Brandeis Chamber Singers and University Chorus at Slosberg Music Center

Professor Robert Duff leads the Brandeis Chamber Singers & University Chorus in their spring 2024 concert, in preparation for their summer tour to Germany and Austria. Featuring works by Bach, Hogan, Mozart, Howells, and more. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

6 p.m.: Adagio Spring Showcase: Hollywood at Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center

Adagio is one of the largest dance groups at Brandeis, open to students of all dance backgrounds and levels. They perform student-choreographed work in styles such as jazz, contemporary, lyrical and modern.

7 p.m. - Brandeis Wind Ensemble: Playing Around at Slosberg Music Center

The concert opens with Leonard Bernstein's "Slava," a vaudevillian tune filled with side-slipping modulations, sliding trombones, and a canonic tune in 7/8 time. Program also includes Concerto No.1 for Marimba by Ney Rosauro (Michael Newman, guest soloist), music from Willy Wonka, and Movement 5, "Hobbits," from Johann DeMeij's "Lord of The Rings." Tom Souza, director. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

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 performances at 2 p.m. and on April 4, 8 p.m. and April 6, 8 p.m.

9 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.