Swing into Spring

Performers in this year’s spring ballroom concert are busily preparing for what promises to be a spectacular show at the Ragan theatre this week. The participating students are from the top of the ballroom totem pole at UVU: the Bronze, Silver, and Gold teams and the tour team.

A cellist of great conviction

All lovers of classical music will, on April 10 and 11, have the rare opportunity to see a true artist in action. Alban Gerhardt, a German classical cellist who is noted for playing every note with passion and mindboggling perfection will be performing at Abravanel Hall this weekend.

Oh, Danny be good

Just like every local music scene, Provo has its disappointments, but Danny Torriente is not one of them. His audiences can’t help but listen mesmerized or take to the dance floor as he lets his fingers “play” with the guitar in the literal sense — there is nothing methodical here.

Grease without sleaze

One can only express admiration for the director Laura Barnham and her youth program Acting UP! at the SCERA. Teenagers from all over the valley audition for her program, and once admitted become part of an ensemble that focuses on family-friendly fun and uplifting entertainment.

The winds of The Phantom blow west

The charming Hale Theatre by the E Center Sports Arena is currently featuring one of the many versions of the musical Phantom — not to be confused with Phantom of the Opera; although the two shows center around the same characters and story, they are presented and written in very different ways.

Design on a dime

UVU’s costume design has a unique and affordable program. Students do not have to go to expensive design schools to get the initial training in the art of costume design to become successful. Small design classes offer each individual close mentoring while working on several designs.

Welcome to the Pond

The stage was lit up at the Scera and the scenery was staged for the musical A Year With Frog And Toad. On opening night, the seats were filled with moms, dads, grandparents and children, sponsored by the Head Start program of Provo Mountainland Preschool, excited to have a theatre experience with “The animals at the pond.

A chance to dance

The ballroom in the student center was full to the brim with enthusiastic dance students last Thursday at the UVU Dance Sport Festival. Every semester, the ballroom department gives the students an extra bonus outside their class work to participate in competitions.

Magician Bruce McDonald visits campus

Hypnosis has been popularized as a game played by con artists and scoundrels. However, it is actually a science used by experts to reach the inner mind, although many of us are probably skeptics. Thursday night, professional hypnotist Bruce McDonald performed his craft in the UVU Ballroom.

Oh Polly

Johanne Frechette Perry gives a wonderful performance at the Covey center’s little Blackbox theatre. This tiny woman has a mighty range of emotions and the ability to hold the audience captivated with her brilliant performance from start to finish. Surprisingly, this true story was written by Perry’s husband Steven Kapp Perry.