All Upcoming Events
Below are all upcoming events. To view the archives of past events, please click here.
2024
April May
2024
April
Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend: Craig Harris and Friends Play the Music of Sam Rivers
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Trombonist, composer, and bandleader Craig Harris has performed around the world with a wide range of progressive jazz luminaries, including the inimitable Sun Ra, as well as Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, Charlie Haden, Muhal Richard Abrams, Henry Threadgill, and Oliver Lake, since 1976. At Wesleyan, Harris’ sextet will make their Connecticut debut, performing the music of saxophonist Sam Rivers (1923–2011) in celebration of Rivers’ centennial anniversary at 8pm. The concert opens at 7pm with a 45-minute set performed by members of the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra, directed by Professor of Music and African American Studies Jay Hoggard ’76, MA ’91.
BUY TICKETSMay
Blindada: Poemas de Protección
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 4:30pm
Highwaymen Common Room, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, 300 High Street, Middletown, Connecticut
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 4:30pm
Highwaymen Common Room, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, 300 High Street, Middletown, Connecticut
FREE!
For an hour, experience the poetic voice of Caribbean performer and poet Yaissa Jiménez, the drums and voice of multidisciplinary composer and percussionist Mobéy Lola Irizarry, and dance as choreographer and dancer Angel Rose interprets Jiménez’s lyrics and intention. The audience is invited to participate through dance and the intimacy provoked by reading poems in the ear. Please note that this is a Spanish-language program.
Javanese Gamelan
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:30pm
World Music Hall
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:30pm
World Music Hall
FREE!
Wesleyan’s Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, under the direction of University Professor of Music Harjito, presents an evening of Javanese gamelan.
Wesleyan Concert Choir
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
The Wesleyan Concert Choir presents a program featuring both a cappella and accompanied selections from classical and modern choral repertoire under the direction of Nadya Potemkina, Director of Private Lessons and Adjunct Associate Professor of Music and of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
In William Shakespeare's 16th-century classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, four young lovers tumble into the Athenian forest only to unwittingly find themselves embroiled in the magical, age-old power dynamics governing the fairy kingdom. This Wesleyan production will explore how political turmoil, coming-of-age, and the fantastic elide.
Wesleyan Chamber Music Concert
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
Students from the Wesleyan chamber music program, under the direction of John Biatowas, perform works by Kodaly, Gebauer, Piazzolla, Devienne, Bartok, Villa-Lobos, Hennessy, and many more!
Wesleyan Collegium Musicum Spring Concert: Like a Dove Above the Streams
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6:00pm
Memorial Chapel, 221 High Street, Middletown
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6:00pm
Memorial Chapel, 221 High Street, Middletown
FREE!
Wesleyan’s Collegium Musicum performs a spring concert under the direction of Jane Alden, Professor of Music, and Chair and Professor of Medieval Studies. The ensemble will premiere new works by the Iranian composer and Visiting Scholar in Music Arshia Rahmati (b. 1991). The Collegium Musicum will also honor the late Wesleyan composer and John Spencer Camp Professor of Music Emeritus Richard K. Winslow ’40, Hon. ’10, P ’71, GP ’23 (1918–2017), performing several of his works from editions made in consultation with composer and Visiting Professor of Music William Brooks ’65. The concert will also feature guest Ralph Samuelson MA ’71.
Wesleyan University Orchestra
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
The Wesleyan University Orchestra performs under the direction of Nadya Potemkina, Director of Private Lessons and Adjunct Associate Professor of Music and of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
In William Shakespeare's 16th-century classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, four young lovers tumble into the Athenian forest only to unwittingly find themselves embroiled in the magical, age-old power dynamics governing the fairy kingdom. This Wesleyan production will explore how political turmoil, coming-of-age, and the fantastic elide.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 2:00pm
CFA Theater
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 2:00pm
CFA Theater
In William Shakespeare's 16th-century classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, four young lovers tumble into the Athenian forest only to unwittingly find themselves embroiled in the magical, age-old power dynamics governing the fairy kingdom. This Wesleyan production will explore how political turmoil, coming-of-age, and the fantastic elide.
Advanced Javanese Gamelan and Dance
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:30pm
World Music Hall
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:30pm
World Music Hall
FREE!
Advanced students from Wesleyan’s Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, under the direction of University Professor of Music Harjito, present the classical music and dance of Central Java.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8:00pm
CFA Theater
In William Shakespeare's 16th-century classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, four young lovers tumble into the Athenian forest only to unwittingly find themselves embroiled in the magical, age-old power dynamics governing the fairy kingdom. This Wesleyan production will explore how political turmoil, coming-of-age, and the fantastic elide.
Worlds of Dance Showcase
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
Wesleyan students perform an exciting array of dance styles from a variety of courses, including Javanese Dance, Afro-Brazilian, and Hip Hop.
Taiko Drumming Ensemble and Korean Drumming and Creative Music Ensemble Spring Concert
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 4:00pm
World Music Hall
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 4:00pm
World Music Hall
FREE!
Wesleyan’s Taiko Drumming Ensemble performs Japanese drumming under the direction of Visiting Instructor in Music Fumi Tanakadate, followed at 5pm by a concert by beginning and advanced students of the Korean Drumming and Creative Music Ensemble, directed by Assistant Professor of the Practice in Music Jin Hi Kim.
Wesleyan Steel Pan Ensemble Spring Concert
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 6:00pm
Fayerweather Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 6:00pm
Fayerweather Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown
FREE!
The Wesleyan Steel Pan Ensemble performs a spring concert under the direction of Visiting Instructor in Music Briele Scott.
Surviving Troubled Waters: Prison to Freedom Through Music Featuring Gospel Singer Naomi Wilson and Rap/Poet/Activist BL Shirelle [NEW DATE]
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00pm
Ring Family Performing Arts Hall
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00pm
Ring Family Performing Arts Hall
FREE!
In this music/theater performance created in collaboration with singer/dancer Dinny Aletheiani, gospel singer Naomi Wilson and rap/poet BL Shirelle recount their experiences as Black queer women, surviving a combined half-century behind bars with stories that echo Dante’s journey out of Hell onto the path towards Paradise.
Ebony Singers Spring Concert
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Monday, May 6, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
The Wesleyan University Ebony Singers present an inspirational evening of traditional and contemporary gospel music conducted by Marichal Monts '85.
South Indian Music Student Recital
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6:00pm
World Music Hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6:00pm
World Music Hall
FREE!
Students of Adjunct Associate Professors of Music and Global South Asian Studies B. Balasubrahmaniyan and David Nelson PhD ’91 perform their spring semester recital of vocal music and drumming from the Karnatak tradition of South India.
Gospel, Rap, and Social Justice: Prison, Poetry, and Power Featuring Gospel Singer Naomi Wilson and Rap/Poet/Activist BL Shirelle
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:00pm
Ring Family Performing Arts Hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:00pm
Ring Family Performing Arts Hall
FREE!
Featuring gospel singer Naomi Wilson and tap/poet/activist BL Shirelle with Robert Day, Dario Peńa, and Vernal Davis along with Wesleyan staff and students, this documentary theater performance was created by formerly incarcerated men and women in collaboration with Wesleyan students enrolled in “Gospel, Rap, and Social Justice” as they used gospel music and rap poetry to examine the parallels between twenty-first century journeys out of prison and the present medieval journey out of hell as depicted in Dante’s “Inferno.”
Peter Mulvey in Concert and in Conversation with Charles Barber
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:30pm
The Russell House, 350 High Street, Middletown
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7:30pm
The Russell House, 350 High Street, Middletown
FREE!
Songwriter and raconteur Peter Mulvey perfected his riveting style by busking on the streets of Dublin and Boston, honing his music and connecting deeply with audiences. Twenty albums, one illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, opening tours and gigs for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Emmylou Harris and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle… Mulvey has built his life’s work on collaboration with the people in the seats, and an instinct for the things that ignite our potential.
WesWinds Spring Concert: Moments
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 8:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
The Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble (WesWinds) performs a spring concert of contemporary concert band literature under the direction of Salvatore LaRusso.
Piping Performance
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 9:30pm
Memorial Chapel, 221 High Street, Middletown
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 9:30pm
Memorial Chapel, 221 High Street, Middletown
FREE!
Students of Assistant Professor of Music and University Organist Alcee Chriss present a recital of organ music.
Chinese Music Ensemble Spring Concert
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 7:00pm
Crowell Concert Hall
FREE!
Wesleyan’s Chinese Music Ensemble, under the direction of Chia-Yu Joy Lu, presents a spring concert featuring a variety of music derived from traditional and contemporary works.
Toneburst Electroextravaganza
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 8:30pm
World Music Hall
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 8:30pm
World Music Hall
FREE!
Wesleyan’s Toneburst Laptop and Electronic Arts Ensemble, under the direction of Professor of Music Paula Matthusen, performs new works written for and by the ensemble.
West African Drumming and Dance Concert
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 3:00pm
CFA Green
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 3:00pm
CFA Green
FREE!
An invigorating performance filled with the rhythms of West Africa, featuring Assistant Professor of Music John Dankwa PhD '18 and Assistant Professor of Dance Iddi Saaka joined by students in West African music and dance classes.
