UNCG series to include Angelou, MC Lyte
UNCG’s 2013-14 University Performing Arts Series is offering a celebration of Dr. Maya Angelou and a hip-hop competition for students punctuated by a performance by hip-hop artist MC Lyte.
The series, managed by the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance, kicks off Sept.14 with an “Evening with Dr. Maya Angelou.” The highlight of the evening will feature Angelou reading from her vast collection of literary works and speaking on her storied life experiences as a dancer, actress, author and mother. Also on tap is original music, dance and visual art inspired by and created for Angelou by faculty in the school.
Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker and civil rights activist.
She is perhaps most well-known for her 1970 publication, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” She has since published more than 30 bestselling titles in fiction and non-fiction, and in 2000 received the Presidential Medal of Arts.
Homecoming weekend, Oct. 25-26, will include two nights of all things hip-hop. Friday night will feature UNCG students in live dance, music and spoken word competitions. Prior to the live performances, visual artists will submit works for display on campus. Winners in each category will be selected by a panel of judges, and monetary prizes will be awarded.
On Saturday night, the winners of the performance categories will open for hip-hop artist MC Lyte, a lyricist, inspirational speaker, DJ, industry pioneer and entrepreneur. From her beginnings in Brooklyn in the mid ’80s, she became one of the most prolific and well-respected female hip-hop artists of all time.
The series also includes a bluegrass performance by Tony Rice Unit and Peter Rowan on Feb. 22, 2014, and on April 9, 2014, Doug Elkins Choreography, Etc. will take to the stage with a merry band of dancers, actors and clowns. All events begin at 8 p.m. in Aycock Auditorium on the UNCG campus.
Get tickets at the Triad Stage Box Office, 232 S. Elm St., Greensboro, by phone at 336-272-0160 or toll-free at 866-579-8499. Visit http://performingarts.uncg.edu/upas for more details on events and ticket prices.
