Best of the Arts at NC State

Brochures for the fall season of Arts NC State are out and brimming with excellent performances and exhibits. We interviewed Arts NC State’s marketing coordinator, Mark Tulbert, to learn more about his top five picks.

Daniel Bernard Roumain and Laurelyn Dossett Concert

Saturday, Nov. 17, 8 p.m. Stewart Theatre
Tickets: $21 to $25 for NC State faculty/staff, $5 for NC State students

Daniel Bernard Roumain, a classically-trained violinist and composer and gorgeous local singer and songwriter Laurelyn Dossett traveled across North Carolina seeking inspiration for a new musical collection reflecting our state’s culture. The duo blends Southern folk from Dossett and funk, rock, hip-hop and classical from Roumain. I love the promotional photos for the seven-concert tour photographed in our Free Expression Tunnel. This is my top pick for the season. It’s beautiful.

125th Anniversary Events

I’m cheating because this choice really highlights several events. “What We Wore” performs on Oct. 13 and 14 at the Titmus Theatre showing 125 years of fashion, music, achievement and change.

“Music from the Founding Year” with the Raleigh Civic Symphony, at Stewart Theatre on Nov. 18, celebrates our 125th anniversary with music composed at the time the university was founded.

“A Quasquicentennial Celebration: 125 years of Holidays at NC State” features seasonal songs, stories and memories with performances by guest vocalists and Arts NC State’s music and theater students, and concludes with a performance of the magnificent Rutter Gloria. It’s on Friday, Nov. 30 at Stewart Theatre.

Alice in Wonderland

Nov. 14 to Dec. 2.  Titmus Theatre
Tickets: $16 for NC State faculty and staff, $5 for NC State students.

This is a new adaption of the Lewis Carroll novel. University Theater Scenic Designer Jayme Mellema adapted the play, which features 12 actors and an ample cast of puppets. “Alice in Wonderland” also uses state-of-the-art projection technology more ambitiously than before. This is another great event for the calendar.

Kathy Mattea

Saturday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. Stewart Theatre
Tickets: $26 to $30 for NC State faculty/staff, $5 for students

Kathy Mattea is all about Appalachia. She’s an impeccable song maker and just released her latest album, “Calling Me Home.” You will love the work of this very popular country singer from West Virginia.

Parsons Dance

Friday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. Stewart Theatre
Tickets: $23 to $27 for NC State faculty/staff, $5 for students

This highly skilled dance troupe from New York is phenomenal. The brochure describes them as having “exuberant personality and joyous movement.” I’ve seen them, and this description certainly fits. This is a highly uplifting performance.