Dr. H. James Williams is now the 15th president of Fisk University. On his first day, he expressed to Fisk alumni and friends: “I am both humbled and honored to assume the helm of this storied institution of higher learning. While there are challenges ahead, I am confidant that working together, we will overcome all of them.” Williams’ “…vision is for Fisk to maintain its stellar reputation for academic excellence, enhance the physical plant so that it is second to none, strengthen student retention and graduation, and become fiscally sustainable.” This week, he will begin his experience of his first Fisk Spring Arts Festival that is now in it’s 84th year.
The Annual Spring Arts Festival that began on April 4 will continue through Sunday, April 14. The theme for this year is ‘Arts: the Voice of Fisk — Yesterday, Today, and Forevermore.’ The internationally renown Fisk Jubilee Singers, recipients of the National Medal of Arts and recent Grammy Award nominees, will be featured in concert as the grand finale event on Sunday, April 14 at 7 pm. The Fisk Jubilee Singers Concert is in the Fisk Chapel, with a reception immediately following the concert in Spence Hall.
The festival kicked off with the opening performance Thursday night by the Orchesis Dance troupe. Orchesis will perform in concert each night in the Little Theatre at 7 pm through Saturday, April 6. On Sunday, April 7, the University Choir will present a concert at 7 pm in the Fisk Chapel.
A ‘Student Independent Film Festival’ begins on Monday, April 8. The Film Festival begins with Born in Trench Town, a documentary by Greg Pond. The screening begins at 7 pm in the Appleton Room of Jubilee Hall and will feature a ‘Talk Back with the Director/Screenwriter.’ Tuesday, April 9, there is a Jazz Band Concert at 7 pm in the Chapel.
Wednesday, April 10 the focus shifts to the historic library-turned-administration building as an ‘Arts Soiree’ takes over the Rotunda on the 1st floor of Erastus Milo Cravath Hall at 7 pm.
The soiree will be highlighted by a Silent Auction of student works with a ‘Spoken Word Café.’
The Student Independent Film Festival continues featuring Robert Poole’s Brother’s Keeper at 7 pm on Thursday, April 11, in the Appleton Room, along with a ‘Talk Back with the Director/Screenwriter’ afterwards.
The Fisk Stagecrafters’ Production of The Colored Museum, by George C. Wolfe runs Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13, at 7 pm in the Little Theatre on campus next door to the Van Vechten Gallery. The production is directed by Persephone Felder-Fentress, assistant to the provost for Cultural Enhancement. The play was previewed by Bill Dorian in last week’s edition of the Nashville PRIDE.
Saturday, April 13, from noon until 6 pm, enjoy a day ‘Out on the Yard’ featuring music, craftsmen, food vendors, step groups, a Health Fair, a Student Talent Show, and other activities.
