Seven Days in the Press
Salman & Garfunkel: Seven Days lineup offers a bit of everything
One of the world's leading literary figures will be joining an eclectic lineup of artists and entertainers when the 10th annual Seven Days of Opening Nights arts festival raises the curtain at Florida State in February.
Salman Rushdie, whose novels include "The Satanic Verses" and "Midnight's Children," will take the stage on Feb. 22 in FSU's Ruby Diamond Auditorium. It's his first public appearance in Tallahassee.
"The Satanic Verses" brought Rushdie death threats from the Muslim world and a fatwa from Ayatollah Khomeini when it was published in 1988. In June, Rushdie was knighted by the Queen of England for his contributions to literature.
"I think Rushdie is one of the greatest writers in the world, a guy with an amazing vision, deep knowledge, great compassion and hysterical humor," Seven Days director Steve MacQueen said. "It's 'great literature' that's a lot of fun to read. ... And he's the truest living example we have of the power of the written word and the need for free speech - the ideas in his book actually got him on a hit list."
Other headliners for the 10th season include singer-actor Art Garfunkel, comedian Martin Short, blues singer-guitarist Keb' Mo', Americana band The Wailin' Jennys, a visit from the director of the Sundance Film Festival, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and a two-headed concert by banjo-whiz Bela Fleck and jazz pianist Chick Corea.
"Seven Days of Opening Nights is designed to show FSU's commitment to the performing arts," MacQueen said. "And since FSU's involvement in the arts is so wide-ranging - with great programs in theater, classical music, dance, literature, fine art, jazz and film - it makes sense the Seven Days (lineup) would reflect that breadth."
The new season was officially announced during a special reception Monday night at FSU prior to a concert by The Pointer Sisters at Ruby Diamond Auditorium.
The sisters blew through Ruby Diamond Auditorium like a funky three-woman hurricane, blazing through hits that included "He's So Shy" and dipping into soulful country territory on the Grammy-winning "Fairytale." They delivered a simmering, sultry "Slowhand." Sister Ruth's daughter Issa brought hot, youthful energy and sassy dance moves to the mix. There was a whole lot of chair-dancing going on during "Yes We Can, Can" until the audience just gave up to the groove and awarded the group a dancing ovation on "I'm So Excited." That ovation morphed into a gospel-infused "Neutron Dance" before breaking into the rave-closer "Jump."
While Rushdie is in town, he will meet with students from FSU's top-ranked Creative Writing Program.
"Salman Rushdie's not just one of the best novelists alive, he's also one of the most entertaining," novelist and writing program director Mark Winegardner said. "His books cross-pollinate mythology, politics, religion and pop culture, and while, yes, they're important, they're also great, brainy fun. What's not to love about a writer whose novels center on such characters as a telepathic super-smeller, a cuckolded clown, a Bollywood superstar famous for playing gods, or a Bombay-born rock star who's an amalgam of Elvis, John Lennon, and Freddie Mercury?"
Individual Seven Days tickets for the general public go on sale Nov. 5 and they range from $8 to $90. Donors - who are willing to spend anywhere from $100 to $1,500 and up - can start buying tickets as early as Oct. 1. Learn more by visiting www.sevendaysfestival.org or calling 644-6500. Here's who and what's coming to town for Seven Days (all shows are being held in Ruby Diamond Auditorium unless otherwise noted):
The lineup
"Prism Special Edition IV" (Feb. 10): Various musical ensembles, the Marching Chiefs and other bands from the FSU College of Music present a nonstop, surround-sound concert experience.
Art Garfunkel (Feb. 11): The other half of Simon & Garfunkel performs standards from the American songbook as well as hits such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet (Feb. 13): Get a taste of international dance when the New Jersey troupe presents new works by choreographers from Belgium and Canada.
Chris Botti (Feb. 14): Spend Valentine's Day with a young jazz trumpeter who has worked with such biggies as Sting, Andrea Bocelli and The Blue Nile.
Simultaneous art openings (Feb. 15): The FSU Museum of Fine Arts will present two shows: "Full and Spare: Ceramics in the 21st Century" and works by mother-and-son artists Adam Strauss and Phyllis Strauss. The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science is playing host to the painting exhibit "Enrique Chavarria: Journey Into the Subconscious."
Barrage (Feb. 15): Jazz, world music, classical and pop collide when the 10-member collective brings its big, seven-violin sound to town.
"A Musical Evening With Martin Short" (Feb. 16): The multi-talented actor and comedian ("SCTV," "Saturday Night Live") performs songs, sketches and fields questions from the audience.
The Imani Winds (Feb. 17): The Grammy Award-nominated chamber-music quintet unpacks a collection of music from around the world.
AXIS Dance Company (Feb. 18-19): The troupe will perform a new work by Kate Weare and more during a two-night stand at FSU's dance school.
Chick Corea and Bela Fleck (Feb. 20): The multi-Grammy-winning pianist and banjo player team up for an evening of improvisation.
Salman Rushdie (Feb. 22): The Booker Prize-winner holds court.
Keb' Mo' (Feb. 23): Contemporary blues guitarist and singer provides an evening of music from America's roots.
Actors From the London Stage troupe presents "The Taming of the Shrew" (Feb. 25-26): Shakespeare's battle of the sexes rages for two-nights in TCC's Turner Auditorium.
The Wailin' Jennys (Feb. 28): Expect a combo platter of country, folk and twang from "A Prairie Home Companion" regulars.
Geoffrey Gilmore, Director of Sundance Film Festival (Feb. 28): Sundance's one-man judge and jury will present and discuss a new film freshly plucked from January's competition in Park City, Utah.
