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February Events OPENERS

By D Magazine |

PAS DE DEUX OF CLASSICAL BALLET

Will Dallas ever become a “dance town”? It will if Tom Adams has anything to say about it. Ever since Adams moved from his post as general manager of the Fort Worth Ballet to become executive producer of The International Theatrical Arts Society (TITAS), Dallas has begun to see a steady procession of some of the most interesting dance companies around, including Pilobolus, the New World Ballet of Caracas and the Paul Taylor Company. Audiences during the first season seemed to go for the broad range of dance presented in McFarlin Auditorium-from classical ballet to contemporary, avant-garde dance.

In February, two major companies arrive for a classical double bill: the Royal Winnipeg Ballet on Feb. 1 and the Feld Ballet on Feb. 4. Royal Winnipeg rose to fame during the Sixties and became known on five continents for its varied repertory and for the high quality of its dancers. Although the troupe has slipped somewhat in recent years, the addition of star ballerina Evelyn Hart seems to have sparked the company to higher achievements: It has received eight major awards since 1980. Hart has been specially engaged for the company’s appearance in Dallas and will be featured in an all-classical program that includes Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Ashton’s Les Patineurs, Our Waltzes (choreographed by Vincent Nebrada) and two pas de deux: one from Giselle and the Blue Bird from Sleeping Beauty.

The Feld Ballet, a classically trained 23-member company, was founded by Eliot Feld, whose choreography has been ranked with that of Balanchine and Robbins. Feld’s dances display wit and imagination and appeal to a broad audience of dance connoisseurs as well as new-comers. The tentative Dallas program includes Intermezzo, a romantic ballroom ballet set to Brahms; Anatomic Balm, set in a burlesque house and performed to Scott Joplin rags; and Feld’s latest work, The Jig’s Up.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. Feld Ballet: Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. Both performances at McFarlin Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. Tickets $25-$5. 528-5273; metro 429-1181.

-Tony White



MUSIC FROM THE MIDDLE AGES

Max van Egmond is a singer who likes living in the past. A Dutch baritone, van Egmond has built an international reputation by singing music from the Middle Ages through the early 1800s, accompanied by instruments appropriate to that period.

The Texas Baroque Ensemble also enjoys living in the past, and it performs only on authentic reproductions and restorations of musical instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries. Based in Dallas, the eight-member ensemble performs regularly throughout the Southwest and has traveled to such faraway places as Amsterdam and Helsinki.

This month, van Egmond and the Texas Baroque Ensemble get together for a return concert in Dallas. The program will feature sacred music and cantatas from the baroque, including Bach’s Cantata No. 158. Feb. 5 at 8:15 p.m. at Perkins Chapel, SMU. Tickets $5. 692-2502.

-Wayne Lee Gay



ART OF MAN AND NATURE

At one time or another, Giuseppe Penone has created a potato that’s shaped like an ear, a pumpkin that bears an uncanny resemblance to a human face and an 8-meter-long drawing of the inside of his own eyelid. He has also peeled a wooden beam to reveal the tree underneath. Where is Ripley’s Believe It or Not when we need it?

Penone, an Italian, is one of a small number of European and American artists who, during the Sixties, began using the humblest of materials to create art (their work is sometimes called “Arte Povera”). The current exhibit of Penone’s sculptures at the Fort Worth Art Museum includes stones, box-tree leaves, potatoes, clay and casts of bronze and plaster that are in the form of vegetables and parts of the artist’s body.

Penone collaborates with nature and with natural forces to create works that reveal such organic processes as growth and decay. For his Eight-Meter Tree, Penone stripped a wooden beam layer by layer, removing the natural growth rings until the underlying structure of a tree that matched his age (22 at the time) was revealed. In his 1977 work, Potatoes, Penone planted potatoes in plaster molds of his own sense organs. As the plants grew, the tubers filled the molds, producing vegetable reproductions of the artist’s ears, nose and mouth. These creations reveal a deep sense of poetry, a kinship with nature that is oddly moving. Penone is like a shaman, a tribal priest/artist who, by donning the mask and skin of a bear, actually seems to become the bear.

The exhibit is the first time this artist’swork has been shown in the United States.Jan 31-March 18 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery, Fort Worth. Tue10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.

-Ken Barrow



D’s Openers include this month’s theater, music, film, sports, art, dance, enlightenment and recreation events. These listings are updated and supplemented each month. They have nothing whatsoever to do with paid advertising.

All events listings should be addressed to the Openers editor. They must be received at least seven weeks before publication.



ART



Bill Kane. By combining enlarged black-and-white photographs of urban graffiti with flashing neon tubes, Kane reinforces and energizes the spontaneous gestures of protest with his own elegant calligraphy. Through Feb 24 at Foster Goldstrom, 2722 Fairmount. Tue-Sat 10:30-5:30. 744-0711.

Dallas Museum of Art. Edward Barnes’ new building is now open, and the collections, supplemented by a number of newly acquired works, have never looked so good. Continuing exhibit. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 Harwood. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. 922-0220.

James Surls. Texas’ Old Man of the Woods is still carving, sawing, hacking and shaping sculptures that have the air of forest spirits brought to life, of tree and tendril striding purposefully across the gallery floor. Through Feb 29 at Delahunty Gallery, 2701 Canton. Tue-Sat 10-5. 744-1346.

Joyce Tenneson. Tenneson prints her negatives on hand-sensitized paper and restricts tones to the lightest grays, producing photographic prints with the delicacy of pencil drawings. Through March 3 at Afterimage, 2800 Routh in the Quadrangle, Suite 151. Mon-Sat 10-5:30.748-2521.

The Lane Collection. American art came of age in the years between 1913 and 1950 when a group of American originals that included (among others) Arthur Dove. Georgia O’Keeffe, John Marin, Stuart Davis and Arshile Gorky developed a truly indigenous style. Through March 4 at Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.

Robert Nell Williams. A self-taught craftsman who has been carving since childhood, Williams has created charming miniatures using the pioneers, wagons, animals and rustic furniture of old Texas as his subjects. Through Feb 10 at Eugene McDermott Library, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson. Mon-Fri 9-noon and 1-5. 690-2570.

Roberto Munguia. In a show entitled “Conversions,” this Dallas artist displays his latest paper constructions-extravagant and exotic forms that have been saturated with tropical colors. Also on display are Stephen Shore’s color photographs of Monet’s garden at Giverny. Mattingly Baker, 3000 McKinney. Through Feb 2. Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 526-0031.

Yucatan, Maya Ceremonial Centers. The ruins of a magnificent and mysterious civilization are presented in 40 color photographs by Sher Dunaway. Through Feb 19 at University Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building, University of Texas at Arlington. Mon-Fri 9-4, Sun 1-4. (817) 273-2891.

Sid Richardson Collection. This premier collection of Remingtons and Russells full of rip-roaring action is displayed in a prime location amid the restored 19th-century splendor of Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. Continuing exhibit. Sid Richardson Collection, 309 Main, Fort Worth. Tue-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-6, Sun 1-5.(817)332-6554.



THEATER



Agnes of God. The Majestic Broadway Series presents Elizabeth Ashley and Mercedes McCambridge in a razor-sharp drama about a novitiate in a nunnery and the chaos she causes when she mysteriously gives birth to a child whom she claims is the son of God. Jan 31 -Feb 5 at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tue-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2:30 & 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $23.50-$18.50, available at Ticketron outlets or at the Dallas Theater Center box office. 526-8857.

Charlotte Sweet. This light and lively musical set in darkest Victorian England is about an innocent soprano who is bartered to a troupe of strolling players with freak voices. This musical was recently nominated for two Drama Desk awards in New York. Through Feb 5 at Theatre Three, 2800 Routh in the Quadrangle. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm. Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $13.50 Fri & Sat; $11 Tue-Thur & Sun. 871 -3300.

The Dining Room. Playwright A.R. Gurney sees the American dining room as the first and last bastion of a dying breed: the upper-middle-class family. In this hilarious play about changing times, three men and three women switch roles-from father to son, daughter to dinner guest and so on- in dining rooms everywhere. Through Feb 26 at the Plaza Theatre, 6719 Snider Plaza. Tue-Sun at 8:15 pm, Sun matinee at 2:30 pm. Tickets $16-$14 Fri & Sat; $13-$11 Tue-Thur & Sun; $10 & $9 Sun matinee. 363-7000.

Galileo. Under the direction of new artistic director Adrian Hall, the Dallas Theater Center opens its season with this provocative play by German playwright Ber-tolt Brecht, translated by Charles Laughton. In the new Age of Reason, Galileo is condemned by the church for his heretical teaching that the earth revolves around the sun, instead of the other way around. Brought before the Inquisition, he addresses the subject of reason with much to say to people of all times. Through Feb 19 at Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 4 & 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $14.50 & $13 Fri & Sat evening; $12.50 & $11 Tue-Thur, Sat matinee & Sun. 526-8857.

Mass Appeal. Jack Clay, Stage #1’s artistic director, directs this sharp, funny, two-man play about a sly old priest who wants only to please his congregation and his pupil, an incisive young seminarian who calls the good father’s bluff. It’s a delightful battle of wits. Through Feb 26 at Stage #1, Greenville Avenue Theatre, 2914 Greenville. Wed-Fri at 8:15 pm, Sat at 5:30 & 9 pm. Sun at 7 pm. Tickets $10 Fri & Sat; $8.50 Wed, Thur& Sun. 824-2552.

The Sorrows of Stephen. Poor Stephen Hurt is a hopeless romantic, and he knows it. So do the many women whom he drives crazy. This comedy has a New York pace, a New York mentality and lots of laughs. Through Feb 18 at New Arts Theatre, 702 Ross at Market. Wed & Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $10.50 Fri & Sat; $7.50 Wed, Thur & Sun. 761-9064.



MUSIC



BL Lacerta. The improvisatory chamber ensemble presents “The Quartet: World” Feb 10 at 8 pm at Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E Lawther. Tickets $6.50. 328-8427.

Cliburn Foundation. The 1977 Cliburn first-prize winner, Steven de Groote, joins Fort Worth Symphony concertmaster Robert Davidovici to perform music for violin and piano, including Mozart’s Sonata in A, Ravel’s Sonata in G, Ives’ Sonata No. 2 and Brahms’ Sonata in A (Op. 100). Feb 14 at 8 pm at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tickets$10. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band presents an evening of New Orleans “Jass,” Feb 29 at 8 pm at Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU, University at Cantey, Fort Worth. Tickets $16-$5. (817) 738-6509.

Dallas Chamber Music Society. Salzburg’s Mo-zarteum Quartet appears in concert Feb 27 at 8:15 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. Tickets $6; $3 for students. 526-7301; 521-3831.

Dallas Chamber Orchestra. An evening of chamber music includes Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A, Richard Strauss’ Quartet for piano and strings and Schumann’s “Pictures from Fairyland.” Feb 26 at 7 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. Tickets $8; $4 for students. 826-6974.

Dallas Public Library. The Sunday concert series resumes this month. Feb 5: Performances by cellist Harriet Aronson and pianist Roberta Goodman. Feb 12: Members of the American Harp Society. Feb 19: Viola da gamba performer Susan Barton. Feb 26: Soprano Fredna Grimland. All concerts at 3 pm. Voices of Change presents a lunchtime concert Feb 27 at 12:10 pm. All events are free and are held in the auditorium of the Dallas Central Public Library, 1515 Young. 749-4402.

Dallas Symphony Superpops. Famed trumpeter Al Hirt appears with the Pops Orchestra Feb 10 at 8 pm at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $18-$8. 692-0203.

Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Chris Xeros conducts a concert featuring winners of the McCarty Young Artist Competition for high school musicians Feb 18 at 8 pm at Richardson High School Auditorium, Coit at Belt Line, Richardson. Tickets $10; $5 for students. 279-0584.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra. A month featuring guest conductors opens with Serge Baudo leading a concert including Berlioz’s “Benvenuto Cellini” Overture, Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor (with soloist Youri Egorov), Poulenc’s Model Animals Suite and Roussel’s “Bacchus et Ariane” Suite No. 2, Feb 3 & 4 at 8:15 pm and Feb 5 at 2:30 pm. Robert Shaw returns to Dallas the next week and is joined by the Dallas Symphony Chorus for an all-Brahms concert featuring “Schicksalsied” (“Song of Destiny”), “Nanie,” “Gesang der Parzen” (“Song of the Fates”) and the First Symphony, Feb 9 and 11 at 8:15 pm. David Atherton conducts Mathias’ Dance Overture, Elgar’s “Sospiri” (“Sighs”), Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 18 (with soloist Stephen Bishop-Kovacevich) and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Feb 17 & 18 at 8:15 pm. All concerts at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $15-$5. 692-0203.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The subscription series presents the Houston Symphony with conductor Sergiu Commissiona in a guest appearance featuring Brahms’ Fourth Symphony, Schubert’s “Unfinished-Symphony and Barber’s “Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance,” Feb 11 at 8 pm and Feb 12 at 3 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center, 1111 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $15-$5. Schola Cantorum, a Fort Worth chorus, and its conductor, Gary Ebens-berger, join the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra for an all-Bach concert including the Second and Fifth Brandenburg Concertos, the First Suite for orchestra and Cantata No. 4 (“Christ lag in Todesbanden”), Feb 28 at 8 pm at Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU, University at Cantey, Fort Worth. Tickets $12-$8. (817) 926-8831.



DANCE



Dallas Ballet. The spring season opens with Flem-ming Flindt’s The Four Seasons, choreographed to Vivaldi in a production first presented by the Dallas Ballet in 1981. The company also brings back Night Shadow, George Balanchine’s ballet about romantic intrigue at a masked ball. The highlight of the program may be Flindt’s Quartet for Two, set to the music of Mahler. Feb 16-18 at 8 pm and Feb 19 at 2 pm. Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tickets $25-$5. 744-4430.

Fort Worth Ballet. The troupe’s February program promises an intriguing survey of choreography that includes Kami No Yama (“Mountain of Gods’), by Japanese choreographer Saeko Ichinohe; Tom Dula, by Hartford Ballet artistic director Michael Uthoff; and Texas Swing, by Fort Worth Ballet artistic director Anthony Salatino in collaboration with fiddler Carroll Hub-bard. Feb 17 & 18 at 8 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center Theatre, 1111 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $21 $6.50; available at Central Tickets. 429-1181.



SPORTS



Dallas Mavericks. Reunion Arena. Home game tickets $8, $6 & $4; available at Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets, Sears stores and Reunion Arena box office. Games start at 7:35 pm. 658-7068.Feb 1 vs New York

3 vs Denver

10 vs Kansas City

15 vs Philadelphia

17 vs Phoenix

18 vs Detroit

22 vs Houston

24 vs Milwaukee

29 vs Seattle

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