2021 Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts
April 15, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I encourage you to participate, both online and on campus, in the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, which will take place from Sunday, April 25 through Monday, May 1.
The Festival of the Creative Arts honors its founder, the great American composer, conductor, and Brandeis faculty member Leonard Bernstein, and his legacy as an artist, educator, activist, and humanitarian.
The theme of this year’s festival, “Art Finds a Way," reflects our community's determination and resilience during this challenging year. Whether on campus or online, Brandeisians have found a way to create new works of performing and visual arts and to host distinguished guest artists from around the world.
Most of the festival’s events will take place online and are open to the public. Events that take place on campus will be open to the Brandeis community only and conducted in compliance with current health and safety protocols.
Highlights of the week include:
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Super Sunday Watch Party: A two-hour video premiere of short performances and films by more than 100 Brandeis students and alumni, including Department of Music student ensembles and guest artists, a cappella and dance clubs, and filmmakers and multimedia artists.
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The Gifted Givers: A virtual catalog of 500 small works of art made by more than 60 generous students, staff, faculty, and alumni to give to their fellow Brandeisians.
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Online performances of “The Lathe of Heaven,” adapted from the science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin, and the Senior Thesis Festival of new works created by graduating Theater Arts majors—all of which are produced by the Department of Theater Arts.
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The online world premiere of four works written by Brandeis graduate composers for the Lydian String Quartet.
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The Create@Brandeis craft market, featuring handmade goods by Brandeis students and staff, at the Brandeis Booths in Fellows Garden.
You can find a complete listing of events on the festival website and artist highlights on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, email arts@brandeis.edu. The Festival of the Creative Arts is sponsored by Brandeis Arts Engagement, which is part of the Division of Creative Arts. It is made possible through the generous support of Elaine Reuben ’63 and the Aaron Foundation Visiting Artist Fund for Theater, Music, and Fine Arts.
I hope that you enjoy the sights and sounds of this extraordinary week.
Sincerely,
Ron Liebowitz