Fine & Performing Arts

One of the first highlights of North Central College’s 2010 Fine & Performing Arts season is a stellar program of Martin Luther King Week events.

Tickets are on sale now for a presentation by Princeton professor Cornel West, a powerful performance by Chicago Sinfonietta and a musical Gospel Extravaganza. This year’s program marks the 50th anniversary of King’s visit to North Central’s Naperville campus.

North Central College President Arlo Schilling greets Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights leader's visit to the Naperville campus in 1960.

West will speak from the same stage and lectern as the great civil rights leader did in 1960. One of America’s most provocative public intellectuals, West has been a champion for racial justice since childhood. West speaks on King’s birthday at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and seating is general admission. Tickets are just $10.

The College’s celebration of civil rights continues the next evening with a powerful music presentation. The Chicago Sinfonietta’s performance of “The Dream Lives On: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center.

The Chicago Sinfonietta led by conductor Paul Freeman marks the life and work of King with a musical celebration presented by the nation’s most diverse symphony orchestra. The performance concludes with audience participation in a moving rendition of the spiritual “We Shall Overcome.” Tickets are $50 and $40/adults, $10/students.

Martin Luther King Week culminates with the 22nd annual Gospel Extravaganza at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, in Pfeiffer Hall. Tickets are $15/adults, $8/students and senior citizens. In addition to North Central’s own Voices of Praise gospel choir, groups performing include the 50-member Wheaton College Gospel Choir, Lisle-based DuPage African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Voices of Praise Gospel Choir and the 80-member Dexter Walker and Zion Movement Chorale.

North Central College’s Martin Luther King Week, Jan. 15-23, is an annual celebration of the College’s history of building bridges among cultures. To reserve tickets, call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).

North Central College offers several exciting performances to share the holiday spirit and enjoy first-rate musicians, singers and actors in top-notch venues.

Natalie MacMaster

Celtic folk fiddler Natalie MacMaster will perform a toe-tapping evening of holiday music on Thursday, Dec. 10 in the Wentz Concert Hall. If you haven’t seen Natalie perform live, don’t miss this opportunity to appreciate one of Canada’s finest talents. She’ll welcome members of Young Naperville Singers to the stage.

Country and bluegrass fans are in for a treat when Ricky Skaggs makes his only Chicago-area appearance as part of his current nationwide tour on Sat., Dec. 12 in Pfeiffer Hall. “A Skaggs Family Christmas” will feature members of the celebrated musical clan The Whites and Skaggs’ own family.

Tickets for these and other holiday performances are available by calling the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or by visiting the various event pages on this site.

Happy Thanksgiving from the fine and performing arts program at North Central College! If you’re looking for a perfect gift for someone who loves the arts, call our box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) and ask about gift certificates that may be used to purchase tickets.

This weekend, families can enjoy three performances of Naperville-based School of the Performing Arts’ production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, in Pfeiffer Hall.

This wonderful production is performed by actors ages 8 to 18 and based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature. The stage version includes your favorite songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman as well as additional new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice.

For tickets, call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit the “Beauty and the Beast” pages on this site, found under Theatre or Full Schedule.