BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prior Performing Arts Center - ECPv6.15.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Prior Performing Arts Center X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prior Performing Arts Center REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20280312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20281105T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250925T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250926T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112923 CREATED:20250811T144516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T180502Z UID:4267-1758828600-1758915000@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Papermoon Puppet Theatre | Puno\, Sewing Memories DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n Papermoon Puppet Theatre\n \n \n \n \n \n Puno\, Sewing Memories\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nPlease be advised that this program may contain thematic elements unsuitable for children ages 12 and under. \nHow do we experience loss? How can we hold and appreciate what has been left to us? Papermoon Puppet Theatre Company’s Puno\, Sewing Memories is a story of Tala\, a young girl who is coping with her father’s passing and learning about life and death. \nPapermoon Puppet Theatre believes that anything can come alive: every creature\, every object\, and every single thing in the world holds life somewhere inside of it. Called “a staple of the global arts festival circuit” by The New York Times\, Papermoon Puppet Theatre tells stories ranging from myth to the birth of modern Indonesia with astonishing modernist puppets. \nFounded in April 2006 in Yogyakarta\, Indonesia by Co-Artistic Director Maria Tri Sulistyani\, Papermoon Puppet Theatre has created and toured internationally with over 30 puppet performances and visual art installations and exhibitions.  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Sep 25\, 20257:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n Sep 26\, 20257:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $39 | $55 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nBoroughs TheatreThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “Papermoon Puppet Theatre has become a staple of the global arts festival circuit\, with enigmatic\, modernist puppets that tell stories from myth to the birth of modern Indonesia. \nWords are few for these puppets with moon-shaped faces who\, like mimes\, express everything in evocative\, poignant gestures.” \n The New York Times\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/papermoon-puppet-theatre/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Boroughs Theatre –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/puno-landscape-web-new.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112923 CREATED:20250811T144543Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T191817Z UID:4280-1760988600-1760988600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Osvaldo Golijov | Creation DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n Osvaldo Golijov\n \n \n \n \n \n Creation\n \n Reserve Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nReservations limited to students\, faculty and staff of College of the Holy Cross. Sign-in required for all reservations.  \nFrom Grammy- and MacArthur-winner Osvaldo Golijov\, The Prior’s Composer-in-Residence\, comes a thrilling new work-in-progress on the creation of the universe and the story of life. \nAt this special sneak peek\, audiences will hear selections performed by three of Golijov’s closest collaborators\, each of whom embody entire cosmogonies in their music-making: Iranian kamancheh player Kayhan Kalhor\, who harvests endless melodies from the remote past; legendary percussionist Cyro Baptista\, who channels the rhythmic universes of Africa and Brazil; and electronic artist Jeremy Flower\, whose music speaks of the future. \nPROGRAMPrologueElements of CreationDiscussion \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Oct 20\, 20257:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Free entry\, reservation required. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “That is the magic of music. This idea of a melody that rephrases itself in the air is a high calling for a composer. It can be how you unveil that melody.” \n Osvaldo Golijov\n Composer-In-Residence\, The Prior Performing Arts Center URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/osvaldo-golijov-creation/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Holy Cross Community ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/osvaldo-golijov-creation-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20250811T144606Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T202048Z UID:4308-1763148600-1763148600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:American Patchwork Quartet DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n American Patchwork Quartet\n \n \n \n \n \n A co-presentation with Music Worcester\, Inc.\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nJoin us for a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. in the Boroughs Theatre\, free and open to all. \nAmerican Patchwork Quartet (APQ)\, led by multi-Grammy award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross\, binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication\, country twang\, West African hypnotics\, and East Asian ornamentation. APQ’s sound is a masterful confluence of tradition and innovation\, transcending culture\, politics\, and ideology. \nA southern-born roots music aficionado\, Ross is also the founder of  the world-renowned Gullah group Ranky Tanky. In APQ\, Ross intertwines with other Grammy-winning artists: Falu (Falguni Shah)\, an eleventh-generation Hindustani classical vocalist\, Yasushi Nakamura\, an internationally acclaimed Issei jazz bassist\, and Clarence Penn\, a drumming protégée of Ellis Marsalis whose fibers were honed by African American church traditions. \nAPQ resonates as a potent symbol of unity in diversity. It stands testament to the notion that\, from a collage of varied backgrounds\, a coherent and beautiful whole can be fashioned. Mirroring America’s cultural mosaic\, APQ stitches together a story that’s both intricate and resilient. The fabric of their music is genuine—it neither feigns tolerance nor presents an overly-embellished image of unity. Instead\, each carefully chosen piece dives deep into America’s patchwork soul and shares the joys\, sorrows\, and unwavering hope of a nation crafted by shared dreams and diverse histories. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Nov 14\, 20257:30 p.m. Performance6:30 p.m. Pre-Concert Talk \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $35 | $45 | $55 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert Hall\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “ . . . a breathtaking confluence of heritage roots\, jazz\, and world music influences . . . ” \n Robyn Flans\n Mix Magazine \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Music Worcester\nCelebrating More than 160 Years of Music and Culture\nMusic Worcester has been bringing world-renowned musicians and ensembles to Central Massachusetts since its founding in 1858. Today\, the organization regularly presents world-renowned orchestras\, soloists\, and ensembles from the worlds of classical\, jazz\, folk\, world music\, and dance to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. \nIn 2024\, Music Worcester launched THE COMPLETE BACH\, an 11-year project to present live performances of all J.S. Bach’s known works. Music Worcester’s education and outreach initiatives include in-school workshops and masterclasses\, and the availability of free and reduced-price tickets. In 2026\, Dr. Everett McCorvey will serve as the Artist-in-Residence\, a bi-annual program that establishes deep community relationships with an individual artist. \nLearn more at MUSICWORCESTER.ORG URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/american-patchwork-quartet/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/apq-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251121T190000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20251009T134938Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T135714Z UID:5366-1763751600-1763751600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:LayeRhythm | SWITCH DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n LayeRhythm\n \n \n \n \n \n SWITCH\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree entry\, open to all.\nJoin us before the interactive performance at 7 p.m. for a DJ set beginning at 6 p.m. to warm up and feel the vibe for the show. Come prepared to dance! \nLayeRhythm (LR) highlights freestyle dance and music voices under-recognized in the traditional performing arts landscape while providing entertainment\, building community through play\, educating audiences in cultural history\, preserving the legacy of street & club dance forms\, transforming individuals’ relationship to music & dance and supporting emotional & social well-being. LR is dedicated to risk-taking improvisation and interactive audience engagement through performances and educational events. \nCommissioned by Works & Process\, LR’s performances and events have engaged audiences at Jacob’s Pillow\, USC Kaufman School of Dance\, Harris Theater\, Movement Research at Judson Church\, 92NY\, Abrons Arts Center\, National Jazz Museum in Harlem\, Spiegeltent (Bard) and Bridge Street Theatre. LR has been presented by Works & Process at the Guggenheim\, Lincoln Center\, SummerStage\, NY Public Library for the Performing Arts\, Gibney\, The Church (Sag Harbor)\, Catskill Mountain Foundation and Manhattan West Plaza. LayeRhythm was nominated National Dance Institute’s Helen Stambler Neuberger Artist-in-Residence (22-23). \nAbout the Program\nIn SWITCH\, the audience is LayeRhythm’s muse. Through a series of games\, audience ideas are collected and announced by the MC. Performers instantaneously draw from personal experiences and artistic knowledge to turn audience ideas into music\, lyrics and movement. The evening’s events will take place in five parts: \n6-7 p.m.1st DJ Set \n7 p.m. until end of show1st Interactive Performance2nd DJ Set2nd Interactive Performance3rd DJ Set \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Nov 21\, 20256 p.m. – Welcome DJ Set7 p.m. – Interactive Performances & Additional DJ Sets \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free entry\, open to all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nBoroughs TheatreThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “If dancing with others is an intimate act\, LayeRhythm makes it communal.” \n James Thomas\n Contributor\, The New York Times \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n LayeRhythm Participating Artists\nMai Lê Hồ – Founder/DancerStiggity Stackz – DancerKlassic – DancerOsyris Antham – MCSimone Acosta – Musician (keyboard)Pete Henry – Musician (bass)Rodney Harrison – Musician (drums)SC-One – DJ\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About the Founder\nMai Lê Hồ is a French-Vietnamese movement artist\, cultural strategist\, curator\, and educator based in New York City. She is the founder of LayeRhythm Productions\, Inc.\, a nonprofit organization amplifying street/club dances and freestyle artistry. Since launching LayeRhythm in 2015—a groundbreaking performance platform layering freestyle dancers with live musicians and emcees\, acclaimed by The New York Times—she has produced over 140 editions in NYC and beyond. \nAs a dancer\, Mai Lê has performed and taught nationally and internationally for over 20 years\, with past engagements at the National Dance Institute\, USC Kaufman\, 92NY\, Lincoln Center\, Harris Theater\, Lehman College\, FIAF\, and others. She is a 2025 Simons Foundation & Gibney Open Interval Resident Artist.\, a 2024 Bogliasco Foundation fellow\, a 2023 Dancing Futures resident artist at BAAD! through Pepatián\, a 2021 virtual artist-in-residence with the Asian American Arts Alliance\, and movement curator for Asian Cultural Council’s East West Fest. In 2014\, she toured Europe with pioneering Detroit producer Theo Parrish and his live band. \nFirst introduced to house dance by her late teacher Babson in France\, Mai Lê has since won first place in this category at events including Ladies of Hip-Hop (NYC\, 2015)\, Universole (Detroit\, 2015)\, and Step Ya Game Up (NYC\, 2013). She has judged competitions such as Sole Open Philly (2024)\, Footwork Frenzy (2022)\, House Dance UK (2015)\, Slick City (Chicago\, 2015)\, and The Blueprint (Houston\, 2013). \nMai Lê has served as a voting member of the Bessies Awards selection committee (2018-2020)\, and as a grant panelist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)\, New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)\, Works & Process at the Guggenheim\, New Music USA\, and Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL). \nCurrently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hunter College\, she consults with institutions on integrating street and club dance cultures into programming\, and reimagining artist-centered support systems. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/layerhythm-switch-dance/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Boroughs Theatre –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/new-layerhythm-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T180000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20250811T144646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T194128Z UID:4321-1771524000-1771524000@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Christine Sun Kim | Deaf Death [SOLD OUT] DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n Christine Sun Kim\n \n \n \n \n \n Deaf Death\n \n \n \n \n \n A co-presentation with the Department of Visual Arts\n \n Reserve Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nThis presentation is sold out. There is no wait list. Please check back at the reservation link above\, as returned tickets will be added back to online sale inventory in real time. \nChristine Sun Kim is a Berlin-based artist who works with sound\, language\, and the complexities of communication. She uses musical notation\, infographics\, and language—both in her native American Sign Language (ASL) and written English—to create drawings\, site-specific murals\, paintings\, video installations\, and sculptures. \nIn her lecture-performance Deaf Death\, Kim explores the frequent autocorrection of “deaf” to “death” in text-based technologies. Through a study of popular media\, memes\, disability signage\, and recent headlines\, Kim questions what defines disability\, and how different definitions reflect fears and hopes for the future.  \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Feb 19\, 20266 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Free entry\, reservation required. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert Hall\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “Kim’s work . . . is often the first encounter museumgoers have with the question of what it is like to live in a hearing world as a Deaf person — with all the anger\, frustration and\, most strikingly when it comes to Kim’s work\, the humor that it entails.” \n Aruna D'Souza\n Contributor\, The New York Times \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \nCantor Window Exhibition\nChristine Sun Kim (b. 1980\, active Berlin\, Germany)\, Mind Touch Touch Touch\, 2025\, digital print of charcoal drawingCourtesy of the artist\, François Ghebaly\, Los Angeles and New York\, and WHITE SPACE\, Beijing. \nRepetition and iteration define Christine Sun Kim’s work\, which distinctly incorporates the visual representation of sign language. This mural was made exclusively for the Cantor’s front window and comes from a body of work that combines text and graphic representations of signs in American Sign Language (ASL). Here\, Kim depicts the arc of the hand movement in the sign obsess\, which is a compound formed by the signs for mind and touch. Through her practice\, Kim foregrounds Deaf culture; explores the relationship between sound\, language\, and image; and explores the social politics of communication. \nCLICK HERE for a video of obsess being signed in ASL. URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/christine-sun-kim/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Department of Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/csk-new-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260312T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20250811T144712Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T142629Z UID:4328-1773343800-1773343800@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Sunny Jain's Wild Wild East DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East\n \n \n \n \n \n A co-presentation with the Department of Music\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nThe career of composer\, drummer and dhol player Sunny Jain is a celebration of cultural diaspora. Its deep-rooted tradition ripples outward\, changing – and being changed by – the cultures that it touches. The ease with which Jain braids his sound highlights the interconnectedness of global styles — and that sense of connection goes beyond the music itself\, as Jain leads his group across genre borders he knows are arbitrary.  \nDefined by its restlessness\, and daring enough to encompass many different identities\, Wild Wild East is raucous\, powerful\, gorgeous\, jubilant\, dissonant\, and built of a truly American spirit. In other words\, it recognizes a world that’s always changing: today’s cowboy or cowgirl learns how to adapt to their conditions\, seeing that they’re just as conditional as everything around them.  \nCalled the “Hendrix of dhol” by Manchester Salon (UK)\, Jain is most known for founding the pioneering band Red Baraat\, a frenzied fusion of bhangra\, hip-hop\, jazz\, rock\, and sheer\, unbridled energy. NPR called them “the best party band in years” and their 2017 NPR Tiny Desk concert was touted as the 8th best TDC of all time by New York Magazine. He and his current five-piece band have toured the country and the world with performances from his Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album Wild Wild East. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Mar 12\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $35 | $45 | $55 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert Hall\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “The indefatigable drummer and dhol player Sunny Jain is an unrepentant maximalist.” \n Jay Ruttenberg\n Contributor\, The New Yorker \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/sunny-jain-wild-wild-east/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Department of Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sunny-jain-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20250811T144729Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T202255Z UID:4336-1773948600-1773948600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:SW!NG OUT DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n SW!NG OUT\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nAudience participation limited to patrons seated in the orchestra section. \nAcclaimed choreographer Caleb Teicher brings the best of the swing dance world to The Prior\, with live music by the Eyal Vilner Big Band. \nConceived by Caleb Teicher alongside collaborators Evita Arce\, LaTasha Barnes\, Nathan Bugh\, Macy Sullivan\, and Eyal Vilner\, SW!NG OUT features exciting Lindy Hop choreography and improvisation. This performance concludes with an on-stage jam session\, inviting audiences seated in the orchestra section to join in the fun! \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nArrive early for a free swing dance class! \nPatrons are encouraged to arrive early to participate in a free swing dance class (beginners welcome!) at 6:30 p.m. taught by Magenta Dance Place‘s Sergiy Georgiyev before the show! More information about this offering will be included in the pre-show email delivered to all ticket holders. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n PERFORMANCEMar 19\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n PRE-SHOW DANCE CLASS6:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $35 | $45 | $55Audience participation limited to orchestra seating. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert Hall\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “Sometimes\, you can see it in their eyes: A split-second hesitation converts to an effortless spin that twirls along perfectly to the music. These bursts are captivating\, even oddly adventurous\, and for the audience\, a chance to grasp something of the performers’ sensorial secret language.” \n Gia Kourlas\n Contributor\, The New York Times \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Artists\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Caleb Teicher\n \nCaleb Teicher is widely regarded as a leading performer\, choreographer\, director\, musical collaborator\, and curator of musically-driven dance and interdisciplinary collaboration. \nA two-time Bessie Award winner (and five-time nominee)\, their work in concert dance and music has played some of the most prestigious venues in North America including Lincoln Center\, the Kennedy Center\, New York City Center\, Carnegie Hall\, the Joyce Theater\, and countless others. They’ve performed duets with Regina Spektor and Ben Folds on Broadway\, television\, and on music albums. They’ve graced the cover of Dance Magazine\, and they’re the only dancer to be featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. \nMany shows created by Caleb (SW!NG OUT\, Counterpoint\, Caleb Teicher & Nic Gareiss\, B-Z-Z-Z) regularly tour performing arts centers in North America – their work will be presented in over twenty cities this year. \n \n \n \n \n \n Eyal Vilner\n \nEyal Vilner is one of the leading new voices in the New York and global swing scene. Born in Tel Aviv\, saxophonist\, clarinetist\, flutist\, composer and bandleader Eyal moved to New York in 2007 and started his big band the following year. The Eyal Vilner Big Band has been performing widely in New York City’s landmarks such as Lincoln Center\, the Guggenheim\, Birdland\, Dizzy’s Club\, Smalls\, Minton’s Playhouse\, Harlem Jazzmobile and Central Park SummerStage. Internationally\, Eyal has performed at the Red Sea Jazz Festival\, Tel Aviv Museum\, Jerusalem Theater; Ghent Festival\, Belgium; Teatro Alameda\, Spain; Théâtre Plaza\, Montreal\, as well as Paris Jazz Roots\, the historical La Bellevilloise\, Le Duc des Lombards\, and Caveau de la Huchette in Paris\, to name a few. \nEyal’s interest in the exchange between sound and movement within the jazz idiom inspired his musical journey and yielded collaborations with acclaimed dancers and choreographers. Among these projects are theater productions\, dance festivals and competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships\,  The Xperience\, Midsummer Night’s Swing\, and the celebrated SW!NG OUT show at the Joyce Theater (co-creator and musical director). This show\, which the New York Times has called “Groundbreaking\,” has toured throughout the US\, in venues such as the Jacob’s Pillow and the LA Music Center.​ \nThe big band performs Eyal’s original compositions as well as his new arrangements of jazz classics. Their music\, which derives from the tradition of jazz\, swing and the blues\, strives to bring a unique voice to this beautiful art form. The big band’s first seven albums: Introducing the Eyal Vilner Big Band\, Almost Sunrise\, Hanukkah\, Swing Out!\, Live in Washington Square Park!\, The Jam!\, and Swingin’ Uptown received rave reviews and made it to the Top Jazz Radio Charts of the US and Canada.  \n \n \n \n \n \n Evita Arce\n \nEvita Arce is a renowned Lindy Hop dancer and teacher based in New York City. Highlights of her career include dancing with Jazz at Lincoln Center\, competing on “So You Think You Can Dance“\, touring with the Broadway show “SWING!”\, and making her Broadway debut in Regina Spektor’s run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Evita was also featured in the Swing documentary “Alive and Kicking” which follows her path in the international Lindy Hop community. \nSince 2005 she has taught and performed all over the world including Europe\, Asia and Australia. With her dance partner Michael Jagger\, they were invited to bring their company “Syncopated City“ to perform at the Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Stage in 2012 and 2013. Evita has danced for Caleb Teicher & Company since 2017\, performing in “Meet Ella” and “More Forever” both beautiful new works featuring American dance forms of Tap\, Jazz\, Swing and improvised partner dancing. Currently\, Evita is part of the creative team for “Swing 2020“ which has been postponed and is in process to premiere at the Joyce Theatre in July 2021. \nIn the strange and difficult time of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic\, Evita was given a virtual art commission from the Guggenheim’s\, “Works & Process” series that premiered June 18. Evita’s teaching experience has spanned across local Swing communities\, Ballroom dance studios in L.A.\, 10 years on staff at Dance Manhattan and 5 years teaching experience in her own online school for Swing dance\, SyncopatedCity.com. \n \n \n \n \n \n LaTasha Barnes\n \nMulti-Bessie award winner (2021/2023)\, New York Times lauded “Queen of Social Dance” and celebrated Best Dance & Breakout Star (2021) LaTasha Barnes is an internationally awarded and critically-acclaimed artist-scholar\, curator\, choreographer\, and tradition-bearer of Black American Social Dance co-based in Phoenix\, AZ and New York. A Richmond\, VA native\, she is globally celebrated for her musicality\, athleticism\, and joyful presence throughout the cultural traditions she bears: House Dance\, Hip-Hop\, Waacking\, Authentic Jazz\, and Lindy Hop\, among them. Barnes’ expansive artistic\, performative and wordsmithing skills have made her a frequent collaborator to The New York Times\, Summer Dance Forever & Foundation Hip-Hop Center Amsterdam\, International Center for Prince Studies\, Singapore-based Timbre Arts Group\, Jacob’s Pillow and many more.  \nBarnes’ leadership and business acumen have placed her in positions of service as Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees for Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival®\, Directing Board Member of the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund\, the Frankie Manning Foundation\, and consulting artist to efforts such as the Al Minns Next Generation Project and events like Paris Jazz Roots Festival\,Women’s Jazzination (Shanghai) and International Lindy Hop Championships. \nExpanding the scope of impact for the communities she serves\, Barnes completed her self-designed Masters in Ethnochoreology\, Black Studies and Performance Studies thru New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study (2019). Her thesis and continued applied research are working to bridge the gap between communities of practice and academic cultural dance research\, performance\, preservation and pedagogy as well as expand the reach of dance as a healing tool for disabled US military veterans like herself.  \nIn support of this dialogue\, Barnes was honored to be a contributing author to the 2022 National Dance Education Organization Ruth Lovell Murray Book Award winning text Rooted Jazz Dance: Africanist Aesthetics and Equity in the Twenty-First Century – Univ. FL Press (2021). Ensuring future artists and dance scholars maintain authentic cultural context as they move through the world bearing forth Black dance traditions. To further support this effort Barnes joined the esteemed faculty of Arizona State University School of Music\, Dance & Theater in Fall 2021. Now Associate Prof. of Dance\, Barnes is the second tenured Hip-Hop Dance professor in the US\, proudly representing the class of academic educators who actively contribute to the cultures studied. She is also expanding dialogue and critical heritage efforts in service as a 2025 Race\, Arts & Democracy Fellow of ASU’s Center for the Study of Race & Democracy. \nFrom the analysis of her research and in deeper concert with the mission to strengthen Black artists reverence for and expression with Jazz\, Barnes is honored to be the visionary creator and Artistic Director of the multi-award winning and NYT critically acclaimed intergenerational and intercommunal cultural arts project  The Jazz Continuum.  First commissioned by Guggenheim Works & Process\, further supported by The Joyce Theater (2022) TJC is a recipient of the prestigious NEFA National Dance Project grant (2022)\, and two Bessie Awards for Outstanding Creation/Choreography & Outstanding Music Direction. \nAdditionally she is also honored to be a part of the Brain Trust that developed the ground-breaking stage production Sw!ng Out\, bringing the passion and power of Lindy Hop and its community to the concert stage. The New York Times said of her collaboration with Caleb Teicher in Swing Out\, “Barnes is especially extraordinary for the way the past and the present can pass through her…” \nAcross all her endeavors\, Barnes’ eternal purpose is to inspire fellow artists and arts enthusiasts to champion artivism in their creative expressions and daily lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n Nathan Bugh\n \nNathan Bugh is known worldwide for his intimately rhythmic style of Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz. He “rocked the stage” at Carnegie Hall\, dancing Lindy Hop with the New York Pops Orchestra; he performed in Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater in Swingin’ Frankie’s Way; and he danced in the CT&Co’s More Forever\, at Jacob’s Pillow. \nNathan is also co-creator/choreographer of the Joyce Theater’s SW!NG OUT\, one of the greatest theatrical presentations of Lindy Hop in the modern era. His on-film appearances include: “My Fair Wedding” S.3 E.3 Great Gatsby Bride\, Making Money w Charles Payne\, Fox and Friends Christmas\, Rebel In The Rye\, and The Weepies – Be My Honey Pie. As a national jazz-dance competitor\, Nathan has taken 1st place in Lindy\, Slow Dancing\, Solo\, Team\, Jill&Jack\, Video\, and Cabaret divisions. \nThroughout the 2010s he was one of the most eminent solo-jazz contestants in the world\, winning both the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (2012) and International Lindy Hop Championships (2014)\, as well as achieving 3rd place in the ILHC invitational (2018). He was also the director and choreographer of “Yeah Man\,” the 2015 ILHC Team champions. \nNathan is based in New York City\, where he performs frequently and teaches social-dance classes. He has taught the Columbia University Swing Club since 2006\, and he is adjunct dance faculty at Marymount College. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/swing-out-dance/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/swing-out-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T180000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20250811T144747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T162333Z UID:4344-1774807200-1774807200@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:yMusic DESCRIPTION:Prior Presents 2025–26\n \n \n \n \n \n yMusic\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nyMusic is a genre-leading and award-winning American chamber ensemble representing the vanguard of American and contemporary music. \nNow in its seventeenth season\, the group is renowned for its innovative and collaborative spirit. Since their inception\, yMusic has had a unique mission: to work on both sides of the divide between classical and popular music without sacrificing rigor\, virtuosity\, charisma or style. NPR Music calls them “…Deeply\, profoundly skilled\,” adding that the group has “formed a language all their own.” Named for “Generation Y\,” yMusic has been tapped to lend their orchestral sound and instantly-recognizable style to recordings and concert projects by a dizzying array of popular artists from John Legend to Paul Simon. \nRecent projects include their acclaimed first album of self-composed (2023’s yMusic) and Stories x yMusic\, a series of filmed performances featuring prominent artists such as Bruno Major\, Amy Allen and Rufus Wainwright. The ensemble was also enlisted by the Park Avenue Armory to compose an original score for renowned choreographer Kyle Abraham’s production Dear Lord\, Make Me Beautiful. \nFinally\, yMusic has released four full-length albums of commissioned music\, 2020’s Ecstatic Science\, 2017’s First\, 2014’s Balance Problems\, and 2011’s Beautiful Mechanical\, which earned Time Out New York’s “#1 Classical Record of the Year.” Additionally\, they can be found performing around the world at such venues as the Sydney Opera House\, Carnegie Hall\, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg\, and Madison Square Garden. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n Mar 29\, 20266 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $35 | $45 | $55 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert Hall\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “A sextet notable for blurring the lines between classical-minded indie rockers and accessible bouts of 21st-century composition.” \n Christopher R. Weingarten\n Contributor\, Rolling Stone Magazine \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/ymusic/ LOCATION:PRIOR PRESENTS – Luth Concert Hall –\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ymusic-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20260730T141703Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T155903Z UID:6622-1789747200-1789759800@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:The Last Pass DESCRIPTION:The Last Pass\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nTwo Showings on September 18: 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nJoin us for the staged reading premiere of The Last Pass\, Vincent Murphy’s adaptation of Gary Pomerantz’s NYT-bestselling book chronicling Celtics legend Bob Cousy’s memories of his partnership with teammate Bill Russell throughout the racial tensions of mid-century America. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n September 18\, 20264 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $35 | $50Pricing includes all fees. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nBoroughs Theatre\nThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/the-last-pass/ LOCATION:Boroughs Theatre – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/the-last-pass-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260924T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20260730T141122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T212358Z UID:6655-1790278200-1790278200@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:BRKFST: STORMCLUTTER DESCRIPTION:BRKFST\n \n \n \n \n \n STORMCLUTTER\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nBRKFST fosters individuality and community through creation\, performance\, and mentorship while providing education in movement technique\, methodology\, and choreography in breaking\, hip-hop’s first dance style. \nSTORMCLUTTER is an exploration of relationships and our ongoing efforts to resolve opposing states of interpersonal tension. Misunderstanding\, compassion\, resentment\, egoism\, love\, loss\, betrayal—moving through or attempting to compartmentalize complex dynamics between family and friends and the emotional baggage we collect over time becomes an overwhelming task that piles up. While maturation requires us to accept that which we cannot change\, BRKFST members illustrate the efforts individuals may take when working to resolve the inner chaos that triggers feelings of dissociation\, paralysis\, and isolation. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n\n \n \n \n \n \n September 24\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n\n \n \n \n \n \n $45 | $65Pricing includes all fees. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Artists\n BRKFST Dance Company is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that cultivates an equitable\, collaborative space for artists through breaking. BRKFST fosters individuality and community through creation\, performance\, and mentorship while providing education in movement technique\, methodology\, and choreography. Founded in 2014\, BRKFST specializes in performance art that combines breaking\, hip hop’s first dance form\, with abstraction and non-codified vernacular to create emotionally resonant and physically rigorous works. Informed by the lived experiences of working-class and BIPOC artists\, BRKFST’s compositions expand the form of breaking beyond competition and into contemporary performance spaces. \nSelected premieres & Touring history: Vancouver International Dance Festival (B.C.)\, Bates College (ME)\, John Michael Kohler Arts Center (WI)\, Walker Arts Center (MN)\, Orchestra Hall (MN)\, Civic Theater (IA)\, Belding Theater (CT)\, D2C Hip Hop Festival (Ireland) \nResidencies: Princeton University NJ\, U of Akron\, OH\, Bates College\, ME\, Dance Ireland\, Dublin and Winona State U\, St. Olaf and Carleton College in MN. \n \n \n \n \n \n Credits for STORMCLUTTER\n STORMCLUTTER is originally commissioned by The Cowles Center\, Northrop\, Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts’ Caroline Hearst Choreographer-In-Residence Program and is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation and Development Fund Project co-commissioned by John Michael Kohler Arts Center\, National Center for Choreography at The University of Akron\, Bates Dance Festival and NPN. The Creation and Development Fund is supported by The Doris Duke Foundation\, the Mellon Foundation\, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). BRKFST Dance Company is the recipient of a creative residency at The National Center for Choreography-Akron. The development of STORMCLUTTER was made possible in part by The National Center for Choreography-Akron. \nBRKFST acknowledges this activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.  URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/brkfst-stormclutter/ LOCATION:Luth Concert Hall – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/brkfst-stormclutter-new-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261104T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112924 CREATED:20260730T144744Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T150003Z UID:6668-1793820600-1793820600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Los Angeles Guitar Quartet DESCRIPTION:Los Angeles Guitar Quartet\n \n \n \n \n \n This program is made possible by the Heidi Brake Smith ’82 Fund for the Arts. \n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nov 4\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n $45 | $65All-in Pricing \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallThe Prior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Parking\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree parking\, registration required. CLICK HERE to pre-register for visitor parking. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nThe Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) is one of the most multifaceted groups in any genre. The LAGQ is comprised of four uniquely accomplished musicians bringing a new energy to the concert stage with programs ranging from Bluegrass to Bach. Consistently playing to sold-out houses world-wide\, their inventive and critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past\, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground. Programs including Latin\, African\, Far East\, Irish\, Folk and American Classics transport listeners around the world in a single concert experience. Their ‘Don Quixote’ collaboration with Firesign Theater veteran\, actor Philip Proctor\, continues to expand and delight audiences and the work ‘SHIKI: Seasons of Japan’ written for the LAGQ plus guitar orchestra by composer Shingo Fujii is connecting communities across the nation. \nWinner of a 2005 Grammy Award\, their “Guitar Heroes” CD released on Telarc is a brilliant follow-up to their Grammy nominated “LAGQ-Latin”. “Spin” (Telarc\, 2006) continues their explorations of jazz and contemporary music. “LAGQ: BRAZIL” (Telarc\, 2007)\, including collaborations with vocalist Luciana Souza\, was released to rave reviews\, and their newest recording of the Rodrigo “Concierto Andaluz” and Sergio Assad’s “Interchange”\, written specifically for them\, was released on Telarc in Spring 2010\, and quickly climbed to top spot on the Billboard charts.  The live DVD of “The Ingenious Gentleman: Don Quixote” was released on the Mel Bay label in spring 2012. In 2015\, the LAGQ released “New Renaissance\,” a unique blend of renaissance originals and renaissance-inspired compositions by Dusan Bogdanovic and Ian Krouse. \n“Opalescent”\, released in Spring 2022\, shows off the LAGQ’s rich palette of colors and sparkling sound. 2021 albums include the Grammy®-nominated collaboration with Conspirare\, The Singing Guitar(Delos)\, featuring Nico Muhly’s groundbreaking work “How Little You Are” and Pat Metheny’s Road to the Sun (Modern Recordings/BMG)\, named for the title track written for LAGQ\, which hit #1 on the Apple Music Classical chart. In addition to solo programs\, other touring highlights include collaborative works with choir\, guitar orchestra\, symphony orchestra and Latin Romance with vocalist and flamenco dancers; many of these works were written expressly for the LAGQ. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n Program\n \n \n \n \n \n Portal (2026)\, World Premiere | Douglas LoraOpals (1993\, rev 2014) | Phillip HoughtonAdagio sostenuto from “Moonlight” Sonata #14\, Quasi una fantasia (1801) | Ludwig van Beethoven“Imagens do Brasil” | Paulo Bellinati\, Heitor Villa-Lobos (arr. S. Assad) and Hermeto Pascoal (arr. W. Kanengiser) \nINTERMISSION \nSimple Gifts from Appalachian Spring (1944) & Corral Nocturne and Hoe-Down from Rodeo (1942) | Aaron CoplandMaracasalsa (2003) | Douglas LoraAir & Ground (1999) | William KanengiserHungarian Rhapsody #2 in C-sharp minor (1847) | Franz Liszt (1811-1886) (arr. W. Kanengiser/J. Minei) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/los-angeles-guitar-quartet/ LOCATION:Luth Concert Hall – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/lagq-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261113T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261113T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112925 CREATED:20260730T142852Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T160418Z UID:6400-1794598200-1794598200@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Harmony of Nations: Songs from Around the Arab World DESCRIPTION:Harmony of Nations: Songs from Around the Arab World\n \n \n \n \n \n Center for Arabic Culture‘s Jazal Choir & Music Ensemble\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nov 13\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n $45 | $65All-in Pricing \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallPrior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Parking\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree parking\, registration required. CLICK HERE to pre-register for visitor parking. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLed by Arabic Studies faculty Alma Richeh\, the Jazal Choir performs classical Arabic music as well as contemporary and modern Arabic songs. \nTheir Harmony of Nations program blends Arabic and Middle Eastern musical styles with Western choral traditions of a cappella and harmony-based singing and orchestration. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Center for Arabic Culture\n “Building Bridges\, Connecting Culture”  \nThe Center for Arabic Culture (CAC) is a secular and non political organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of Arabic culture and the Arab-American experience through educational and artistic programs. \nThe CAC is home to an Arabic Language and Music School for children and adults and hosts a variety of cultural events including film screenings\, book events\, human library series\, music concerts\, art workshops and annual festivals and bookfairs. \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Jazal Choir\n The Jazal Choir is the Center for Arabic Culture’s Adult Choir\, welcoming members from all backgrounds to sing in Arabic and become immersed in Arabic culture through folkloric and contemporary Arabic music. Speaking Arabic is not a requirement.  \nThe Jazal Choir’s mission includes the following goals: \n\nIntroducing the community to the Arabic and Middle Eastern music\, musicians and singers\nEducating about Arabic quarter tones\, scales and singing styles\nIntroducing Arabic and Middle Eastern music to American society at large\nEncouraging members from all backgrounds to join without the requirement of speaking Arabic\nParticipating in concerts around Massachusetts and beyond to spread the word about the rich Arabic musical heritage\nSinging in harmony and a cappella\, enriching members’ musical backgrounds and and building a stronger knowledge of the Arabic language\n\n \n \n \n \n \n About The Director\n Alma Richeh\, LL.M. Executive Director & Choir Director \nAlma was born in Damascus\, Syria and holds a law degree from Damascus University and an LL.M. master’s degree in international legal studies from the American University\, Washington College of Law in Washington D.C. \nShe worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Damascus as an advocate to determine the refugee Status. In Syria\, in 2001-2005\, Alma studied singing with and trained by the best music and singing teachers at the Syrian Higher Institute for Music. Between 2000 and 2008\, Alma was a conductor of Al Farah Choir at the Lady of Damascus Church in Damascus. She conducted the Choir’s youth division concentrating on concerts to fundraise for humanitarian causes and children’s rights.During her LL.M Studies\, she worked as a teaching assistant to Arab League Ambassador to the UN and Professor Clovis Maksoud at the American University\, Washington College of Law. \nAfter moving to Boston\, she worked as a research intern at the Boston Consortium for Gender Security and Human Rights at the University of Massachusetts. Her research concentrated on the rights of women in Arab and Middle countries from legal\, historic\, cultural\, religious and humanitarian perspectives.In Boston\, Alma is the Executive Director of the Center for Arabic Culture (CAC)\, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Arabic Culture and an Arab American experience through education and the arts. \nShe teaches Arabic culture and international law courses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the College of the Holy Cross. \nAlma is the founder and choir director of the Children’s Choir and Jazal Choir at the Center for Arabic Culture in Boston. She is on the board of the Mansfield Local Cultural Council. URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/harmony-of-nations-songs-from-around-the-arab-world/ LOCATION:Luth Concert Hall – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/jazal-choir-primary-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261118T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112925 CREATED:20260707T203016Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T164415Z UID:6393-1795030200-1795030200@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:Painting Creation DESCRIPTION:Painting Creation\n \n \n \n \n \n Osvaldo Golijov\, Prior Composer-In-Residence\n \n \n \n \n \n Alex Sopp\, Prior Commissioned-Artist\n \n Reserve Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Nov 18\, 20267:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Free General Admission\, Registration Required \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nBoroughs TheatrePrior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Parking\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree parking\, registration required. CLICK HERE to pre-register for visitor parking. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nJoin us for an informal exhibition of commissioned art works accompanied by a panel discussion between Prior Composer-In-Residence\, Osvaldo Golijov\, and Prior-Commissioned Artist\, Alex Sopp\, on the process and eventual marriage of a new work for chorus & orchestra premiering with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in November 2026 with art-infused projection as a way of communicating a world that inspired the inception of this new work. URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/painting-creation/ LOCATION:Boroughs Theatre – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/creation-artwork-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270318T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270319T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112925 CREATED:20260730T150025Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T200827Z UID:6674-1805398200-1805484600@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:World Premiere: From The Ashes DESCRIPTION:From The Ashes\n \n \n \n \n \n Daniel Weidlein\, composer\n \n \n \n \n \n Gwendolyn Gussman\, choreographer\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Mar 18 & 19\, 20277:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n $45 | $65All-in Pricing \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallPrior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Parking\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree parking\, registration required. CLICK HERE to pre-register for visitor parking. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\nFrom The Ashes is a suite of music for a 10-piece chamber ensemble that tells a narrative story of the life-cycle of a forest through compelling modern dance and visual projection. \nThe piece asks the following questions: what role do we as humans play in the story of a forest? Are we caretakers? Co-inhabitants? Destroyers? Forest fire has become the norm in our lives\, rather than the exception\, and we must face these questions head-on if we are to change this trajectory and protect our precious forests. \nPerformances of From The Ashes are accompanied by community engagement with local ecologists and forest-fire experts about the changing paradigm of how we approach wildland fires\, as well as the intersection of art making and ecological activism. This program was piloted during the April 2024 workshop residency of the piece through a series of hikes and talkbacks with the Sonoma Ecology Center and members of the Sonoma\, CA community who lived through the 2017 Tubbs Fire\, thanks in part to support from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Composer\n \n\n\nDaniel Weidlein is a Los Angeles-based composer\, instrumentalist\, and producer whose work lives at the intersection of jazz\, chamber music\, and immersive performance art. Originally from Boulder\, Colorado\, his music weaves accessible melody and an ethos of empathy into expansive\, genre-crossing works.\n\n \nHis concert works focus on subjects that are inherently hard to talk about. Alongside From the Ashes\, his catalog includes CONE\, a multi-movement piece for jazz quartet and chamber choir exploring the generational\, inherited anxiety of being Jewish-American.\n \nIn 2018 he released Fire in the Sky\, his first collection of contemporary jazz compositions\, followed by the 2019 release of A Winter’s Lullaby. To celebrate the release of these albums\, he issued a separate vinyl edition of the three-movement piece The Red Line Suite. In 2024 he released a companion album to the film Sleepwalk called Music For Your Hi-Fi\, featuring original compositions in the style of 50s and 60s exotica and Brazilian jazz.\n \nHe composed the original score for independent films Sleepwalk (2024) and Mother (2026)\, orchestrated the Indigo Girls film musical Glitter and Doom\, and served as producer and orchestrator for The Shadow (2026) premiering at La Mirada Theatre. His production and arranging credits include the Budapest Recording Orchestra\, drag queens Peppermint\, Monét X Change\, and Sapphira Cristál\, and pop artists like Blake McGrath\, Kenton Chen\, and Lumi Jin. As a performer\, he has appeared in Whiplash\, on Glee\, and on NBC’s The Sing-Off.\n \nHe is also a longtime member of M•PACT\, the acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble\, and runs BioSoul Music\, a boutique recording studio in Silver Lake\, Los Angeles.\n \n \n \n \n \n About The Choreographer\n \nGwendolyn Hope Gussman is a director\, choreographer\, creative producer\, performer\, movement teacher\, and generative artist based between Denver\, Colorado (Ancestral Lands of Ute\, Cheyanne and Arapaho peoples) and New York City (Ancestral Lands of the Lenape peoples). Gussman is the Founder and Artistic Director of interdisciplinary performance company\, HOLDTIGHT (HT)\, which was established in 2016. Her work with HT illuminates the intersection of art\, environmental activism\, psyche\, and body through performance\, education\, and community events. Gussman’s work with HT has been awarded residencies and presented nationally by Denver Arts & Venues (2024)\, The Cell Theatre in NYC (2020-2022)\, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver (2024)\, Carroll Hall in NYC (2023)\, Presenting Denver (2024)\, and others. \nAs an independent choreographer\, Gussman’s work has been presented by institutions & organizations including National Sawdust (2020 NYC)\, The Gallery Players (Once the Musical\, 2023\, NYC)\, The Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (2020)\, James Madison University (2018\, VA)\, Seaside Dance Festival (2019\, FL)\, Bridge for Dance Festival (2018\, NY)\, Nimbus DanceWorks Offline Series (2018\, NJ)\, The Wadsworth Museum (2017\, CT)\, Nimbus DanceWorks Offline Series (2018\, NJ)\, YourMove Festival (2017\, NJ)\, Denver School of the Arts (2016\, CO)\, and more. In 2021\, was named a Toulmin Creator through the support of National Sawdust\, Center for Ballet and the Arts\, and The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. \nGussman holds a BFA in Dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. \nIn addition to her work with HOLDTIGHT\, she regularly collaborates with a myriad of multidisciplinary artists. She has worked on both live and film projects with musical artists Daniel Weidlein\, Lisel (Eliza Bagg)\, Johnny Butler\, The Warp Trio\, Jett Kwong\, Trevor New\, Hallie Spoor\, and Meredith Rose. She is currently collaborating on projects with visual/textile artist Maki Teshima\, and in addition\, recently activated the work of artist Ronny Quevedo for his exhibition\, at the line\, as part of Movements Toward Freedom at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. \nCurrently\, Gussman is choreographing From The Ashes\, a 90-min Contemporary Concert Dance meets Chamber-Jazz piece following the life-cycle of a forest fire\, conceived by composer Daniel Weidlein. This work is incredibly potent for both of them\, growing up and living in states that have been severely affected by increasing forest fires over the past 30 years. \nAs a performing artist\, Gussman has extensive experience working in concert dance\, music\, film/tv\, site-specific/installation\, and experimental theater including her work with Shen Wei Dance Arts\, Sean Curran Company\, Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance\, Vanessa Walters ‘Ripening’\, Heidi Latsky\, Control Group Productions\, Cleo Parker Robinson\, Roger C. Jeffrey\, Amy Sedaris\, Daniel Fish\, Ashley Tata\, among others. Her career has included performing at prestigious venues and festivals such as The Koch Theater at Lincoln Center\, MASS MoCa\, Stanislavsky Theater (Moscow)\, Teatro Arcimboldi (Milan)\, Shanghai Cultural Square Theater\, Teatro Comunale Modena\, American Dance Festival\, Spoleto Festival\, Theater Olympics Festival (Beijing)\, Off The Grid Festival\, and many others. \nGussman has been teaching movement since 2012. She teaches movement & writing workshops through HOLDTIGHT that have recently been presented by Denver Arts & Venues (2024 workshops at The Arts Complex in Denver)\, Rino Arts District (monthly workshops through 2024 in Denver) and St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn\, NY (2023). As an independent guest teacher\, Gussman has taught improv\, composition\, modern\, and contemporary dance workshops for a range of dance and theater students at institutions such as Yale University\, New York University\, James Madison University\, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CO)\, Denver School of the Arts\, Opening Act (NYC)\, Steps Ahead (NYC)\, BOUNCE Festival (NYC)\, MOVE! (Denver)\, and others. \nIn addition to her dance & interdisciplinary art teaching experience\, Gussman is a certified Pilates and Yoga instructor who has additional experiences studying extensively in Hanna Somatics\, Exercise Science\, Anatomy\, and Functional Fitness. She has developed and maintained a thriving Private Practice since 2015 which focuses on blending her movement knowledge and specializes in rehab-based movement for clients navigating chronic pain\, acute injury\, body-part replacements\, athletes\, and more. Her teaching philosophy is to see & work with a person holistically\, ultimately with the goal of them deepening their knowledge and understanding of their body so that they can find more awareness\, ease\, and freedom of movement. She has taught movement to the casts of renowned international shows such as The Jungle (when on tour at St. Ann’s Warehouse in NYC)\, as well as teaching at gyms and studios around NYC. Gussman is currently leading movement meets psychology workshops and retreats in collaboration with a master psychotherapist (& her mother) Virginia Poor. Throughout all of her teaching experience\, she has taught students with a range of physical ability level and ages 13-85 years old. URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/from-the-ashes/ LOCATION:Luth Concert Hall – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/from-the-ashes-official-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270421T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270421T193000 DTSTAMP:20261023T112925 CREATED:20260730T153636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T200226Z UID:6686-1808335800-1808335800@priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu SUMMARY:New West Guitars: A Celebration of the Blue Guitars Project DESCRIPTION:New West Guitars\n \n \n \n \n \n A Celebration of the Blue Guitars Project\n \n Purchase Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Details\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Apr 21\, 20277:30 p.m. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Price\n \n \n \n \n \n \n $45 | $65All-in Pricing \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Venue\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nLuth Concert HallPrior Performing Arts Center \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Parking\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nFree parking\, registration required. CLICK HERE to pre-register for visitor parking. \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nNew West Guitars (NWG) have developed a widespread reputation as one of the premier jazz guitar ensembles in the world. Featuring guitarists Perry Smith (NYC)\, John Storie (LA)\, and Will Brahm (LA)\, NWG performs exciting originals\, jazz standards and popular covers. Their signature sound comes from an innovative style that highlights rhythm\, beauty and virtuosity through using classic “archtop style” jazz guitars. \nTheir new project features instruments from The Blue Guitars Foundation\, a legendary collection of vintage “archtop style” jazz guitars. NWG was chosen to represent the newly commissioned guitars through live performances and recordings. \nThe Blue Guitar Collection was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History from November 11\, 1997 through October 1998. The Blue D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe was featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the museum’s “Guitar Heroes” exhibit in 2011. After founder Scott Chinery’s passing in 2000\, the guitars remained with the Chinery family until 2021\, when they were acquired by the Archtop Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to share the collection with everyone – it is too good to keep hidden! \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Explore More\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Blue Guitars Collection\n \nThe Blue Guitar Collection was displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History from November 11th 1997 through October 1998. It is also worth noting that the Blue D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe\, the Benedetto La Cremona Azzurra and the Monteleone Rocket Convertible were featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the museum’s “Guitar Heroes” exhibit in 2011. After Scott Chinery’s passing in 2000\, the guitars have remained with the Chinery family and in 2021 were passed along to The Archtop Foundation. \nThe Foundation’s goal is to share the collection with everyone – it is too good to keep hidden. We look to: 1) exhibit the guitars at shows\, museums\, and schools; 2) build a virtual museum here so that you can experience the collection wherever you are\, with information on every guitar and luthier involved\, including highest quality video recordings; 3) offer access to the collection to luthiers and scientific researchers studying how to understand and improve the art of luthiery; and 4) make these available to professional musicians looking to record on–or just experience– these wonderful instruments. \n \n \n \n \n \n About The Artists\n “Beautiful acoustic rhythms\, vibrant classically infused single note lines and jazzy arpeggios cover the magnificent musical landscape these three players create.”— Metronome Magazine \n \n \nNew West Guitars have developed a widespread reputation as one of the premier jazz guitar ensembles in the world. Featuring guitarists Perry Smith (NYC) John Storie (LA) and Will Brahm (LA)\, they perform exciting originals\, jazz standards and popular covers. Their signature sound comes from an innovative style that highlights rhythm\, beauty and virtuosity through using classic “archtop style” jazz guitars. \nTheir new project features instruments from The Blue Guitars Foundation\, a legendary collection of vintage “archtop style”  jazz guitars. NWG was chosen to represent the newly commissioned guitars through live performances and recordings.  \nStarting in the Fall of 2020\, John\, Perry and Will started a podcast series called High Action. Interviewing a variety of legendary and influential guitar players\, the trio has provided a space to build community\, share experiences and learn from some of today’s leading voices on the Guitar. \n Praised as “sharp and refined” by the Seattle Times\,  the New West Guitars have released 7 full length albums since 2005. Each project features their unique style of laid-back virtuosity and finely crafted arrangements. Their latest album “Live at Mauch Chunk Opera House” was filmed and recorded near Allentown\, Pennsylvania at a legendary opera house built in the 1800s. The project features original compositions and popular covers captured in an exciting live setting for a sold out crowd.   \nIn August of 2015\, New West released a collaborative project “Send One Your Love” on Summit Records. The recording features renowned jazz vocalists: Gretchen Parlato\, Sara Gazarek\, Becca Stevens\, Tierney Sutton and Peter Eldridge. Downbeat Magazine gave this CD the prestigious Editor’s Pick in their August 2015 issue.  \nSmith and Storie founded New West at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Today they continue to tour as a trio with Brahm and special guests throughout the United States and abroad. Their music is regularly featured on NPR and jazz radio stations\, while their repertoire is performed throughout the country by college and high school guitar programs. New West Guitars versatility as players and composers have given them a reputation as pioneers in the realm of guitar ensemble. URL:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/new-west-guitars-a-celebration-of-the-blue-guitars-project/ LOCATION:Luth Concert Hall – Prior Performing Arts Center\, 1 College St\, Worcester\, MA\, 01610\, United States CATEGORIES:Artist Residencies,Events at The Prior ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/nwg-blue-guitars-web.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR