Community Calendar

Flint Symphony Orchestra

Enrique Diemecke music director and conductor
George Goad trumpet

Program
Samuel Barber Overture from The School for Scandal, Op. 5
Eric Ewazen Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra
John Williams “With Malice Towards None” from Lincoln
Aaron Copland Billy the Kid (Suite)
William Grant Still Afro-American Symphony

In celebration of the American Semiquincentennial, experience the music of the American spirit and the persistence of its people from the Old West to the Harlem Renaissance. Among them, William Grant Still, the first African American to have a symphonic work performed by a major orchestra, and Aaron Copland, a defining voice of 20th-century music.

Other composers on the program forged new and enduring frontiers of their own: Barber’s School for Scandal overture was his first of many pieces for full orchestra, and Ewazen’s concerto has paved a path for the contemporary trumpeter, as a beloved piece in the repertoire.

With obvious reverence for the American story, John Williams’s “With Malice Toward None,” explores the moral frontier of post-Civil War America, as George Goad’s solemn trumpet solo sings Lincoln’s hopeful vision of a unified country.

In celebration of the centennial of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, pianist Emmet Cohen brings together an all-star quintet to explore the fundamental questions that shaped their artistry: Why are we here? What are we reaching for? Where does the music take us? Guided by the spirit of the infinite, Cohen continues the journey set forth by the architects of jazz — seeking deeper truths through sound. A dedicated champion of musical community, Cohen believes in jazz as a living, evolving conversation — one that unites people across time and place. Join Cohen and his ensemble for a bold, reimagined experience of the music that forever changed the course of jazz.

SCHEDULE
6:30 PM | Doors Open
7:00 PM | Royce Auditorium Doors Open
7:30 PM | Concert Begins
9:00 PM | Post Concert Reception

The Flint Symphony Orchestra will present Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert featuring John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film.

Indiana Jones is the classic hero in this adventure set in the 1930s, which follows the quick-witted and determined archaeologist as he hunts for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Often facing insurmountable odds, Indy always manages to succeed in the nick of time, joined by endearing companions and opposed by notorious villains.

With an impressive team of supporting actors including Karen Allen, John-Rhys Davies, Denholm Elliott, and Paul Freeman, combined with innovative special effects techniques by Industrial Light & Magic, Raiders has captured the spirits of moviegoers for generations and continues to inspire adventures yet to come.

A ghost light is a single bulb left burning in a theater between performances, when the space is “dark.” A combination of safety, tradition, and superstition, the ghost light helps us avoid unseen obstacles in an unoccupied theater and keeps any artistic spirits who might reside there happy while the theater is unused. This season, as the Bower undergoes renovation and the Elgood remains dark to accommodate construction, Flint Rep’s Ghost Light Cabaret series will be keeping the lights on in our home venue. Join us on the first Wednesday of the month in the Elgood Lobby, transformed into an intimate club-style performance venue, for these one-night-only evenings of curated music, storytelling, and fun.

Genesis ReTouched offers a unique experience by recreating the look and feel of a late-80s to mid-2000s Genesis concert – when the band was at the height of their popularity. Genesis ReTouched plays the hits of Genesis’s best-selling albums, including Duke, Abacab, Mama, Invisible Touch, and We Can’t Dance, while also revisiting classic material.

Genesis ReTouched is fronted by Adam Wheeler, who tackles not just the voice of Phil Collins, but his incredible drumming as well. On keyboards is Jim Questa, capturing the sounds and textures of Tony Banks. Representing Mike Rutherford, Matt Wiles anchors the low-end with bass, bass pedals and guitar. Completing the lineup are Clark Connley and Devon Leigh, stepping into the roles originally filled by Daryl Stuermer and Chester Thompson.

Based on books by Margret & H.A. Rey & Universal Stage Productions’ play

Join Curious George, the inquisitive, engaging monkey-star of books, movies, and the award-winning PBS television show in a brand-new musical – Curious George: The Golden Meatball.

On All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day, George helped his friend, Chef Pisghetti, cook some delicious meatballs and serve them to the hungry crowd. But this year, the crowd had vanished! Something was keeping people away... something pretty big. And that something was Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his speedy Meatballs-o-Matic machine. In despair, Chef Pisghetti vows to cook no more. Determined to help his friend, George goes on a mission to enter the Chef's meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome.

With every swing and flip, George takes the audience through a fun-filled adventure, in which he learns more about Rome, meatballs, and the secret ingredient to cooking!

Step Afrika!, founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe and ranking as one of the top 10 African American dance companies in the US.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows – they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique, leaving the audience with their hearts pounding.

Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. The company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as Washington DC’s one and only Cultural Ambassador.

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music. The NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee is equally at home performing concertos with symphony orchestras and sitting in with members of the Grateful Dead, but the core of his musical universe remains the Branford Marsalis Quartet.

SCHEDULE
6:30 PM | Doors Open
7:00 PM | Royce Auditorium Doors Open
7:30 PM | Concert Begins
9:00 PM | Post Concert Reception

One of Shakespeare’s most enduring and beloved comedies! In this play full of mistaken identities and unexpected revelations, love and loyalty are tested in the aftermath of war. The story follows two very different romances: one sweet and straightforward, the other tangled in teasing and stubborn pride. As friends plot to bring enemies-turned-lovers together, a darker scheme threatens to pull everything apart.

This production balances laugh-out-loud wit with the emotional weight of betrayal and redemption. With themes of honor, forgiveness, and the power of truth, Much Ado About Nothing offers a fun night at the theatre for audiences of all ages. Prepare to be captivated by a story where laughter and heartbreak intertwine, and where the most unexpected heroes might just save the day.

One of Shakespeare’s most enduring and beloved comedies! In this play full of mistaken identities and unexpected revelations, love and loyalty are tested in the aftermath of war. The story follows two very different romances: one sweet and straightforward, the other tangled in teasing and stubborn pride. As friends plot to bring enemies-turned-lovers together, a darker scheme threatens to pull everything apart.

This production balances laugh-out-loud wit with the emotional weight of betrayal and redemption. With themes of honor, forgiveness, and the power of truth, Much Ado About Nothing offers a fun night at the theatre for audiences of all ages. Prepare to be captivated by a story where laughter and heartbreak intertwine, and where the most unexpected heroes might just save the day.