Dancers, all that jazz highlight April events

Every weekend in April and most weeknights, too, are booked for the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University.

Offerings include the annual contemporary dance concert, which will feature guest artist Doug Varone, said Nick Johnson, director of WSU dance. Varone is an award-winning choreographer and director whose company is based in New York City.

The Wichita Jazz Festival rocks over four days, starting with WSU Jazz Arts concerts and followed by the daylong Big Band & Combo performances from college and high school programs. The festival ends with world-class Galen Jeter and the Dallas’ Original Jazz Orchestra.

Then there’s the second annual children’s organ concert, with Lynne Davis showing off the Marcussen organ. She’ll perform fun and recognizable popular tunes and invite children in the audience to come onstage and play something they know.

On the final weekend of April, the Ulrich Museum of Art will open “On the Verge: Contemporary Ceramics,” curated by Ted Adler, WSU assistant professor and head of ceramics media, and featuring six nationally prestigious ceramic artists.

Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233, or online at www.wichita.edu/fastickets. For more information, go to www.wichita.edu/finearts.

Please note: Faculty Artist Series April 14 concert
with Pina Mozzani has been canceled.

Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.

Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre Spring Concert, Dance Series, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $10 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

WSU Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

“The Shadow Box,” Second Stage, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, April 7-10; 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11; Welsbacher Theatre, Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5915 E. 29th St. N. Tickets $8 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: WSU Jazz Arts II, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: WSU Jazz Arts I, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: College and High School Big Band & Combo performances, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, April 17, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Free to low-cost. Information, (316) 978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: Galen Jeter and Dallas’ Original Jazz Orchestra, Connoisseur Series, 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $16 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

Children’s Organ Concert with Lynne Davis, Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, Wiedemann Recital Hall, WSU. Tickets $3. Schools, for information, (316) 978-3233.

“Lady Be Good,” Opera & Musical Theatre Series, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23-Saturday, April 25; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $15 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

“Blow Up: Juried Exhibition/Graduate Ceramics Students,” WSU School of Art and Design, 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 24 (Final Friday), WSU Shift Space gallery, 803 E. Third St. in Old Town; gallery hours 4-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Free. Information, (316) 978-3555.

“Wired IV: Natural Phenomenon,” a WSU CRATEL and Hack Art Lab collaboration, 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 24 (Final Friday), at the Finn Building, 430 Commerce St. Free. Information, (316) 208-4925.

“On the Verge: Contemporary Ceramics,” opening Saturday, April 25, through Sunday, Aug. 9, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU. Free admission. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Information, (316) 978-3664 or ulrich@wichita.edu.

University Ensembles: WSU Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers and guest ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6 (discounts available), (316) 978-3233.

Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.