Soon all of us will experience an arts immersion like no other — autumn. We will marvel at breathtaking color — yellows, russets, reds and browns — brilliantly lighting up the landscape. The University of South Carolina similarly offers a wide spectrum of arts experiences to ignite your imagination this fall. Here is just a sampling.
Oct. 4-12
Longstreet Theatre 219
$15/$22
This play illuminates the final chapter in Sophocles’ Oedipus Trilogy, presenting themes of gender equality and civil disobedience that are as relevant today as they were more than 2,000 years ago.
The Dog Show: Time Traveler Umeyama’s Drawings from the 21st Century; Artist Hiromi Stringer
Aug. 26–Sept. 27
Reception and Artist Talk, Sept. 26, 5:30--7 p.m.
McMaster Gallery at USC
Free
Examine the evolution of dog breeds through the eyes of fictional character Shoei Umeyama, an 1850s Japanese scholar who travels through time to the 21st century, conducting fieldwork and sketching the diverse and intriguing dog breeds he encounters.
Let the Light In: Artist Addison Graham
Aug. 21-Sept. 8
Opening Reception, Aug. 22, 5-7 p.m.
SVAD Studio at Stormwater, 413 Pendleton St.
Free
Graham explores the influence of human interaction on nature, including the effects of buildings, walkways and invasive species. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the fragile equilibrium between natural landscapes and human-created structures.
Distinguished writers bring their unique and inspiring literary voices to campus as the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. All lectures are free.
- Jesmyn Ward, Sept. 25, 6 p.m., Campus Room at Capstone Hall
- inelle Barnes, Sept. 29, 2 p.m., All Good Books in 5 Points
- Walter Moseley, Oct. 23, 6 p.m., Campus Room at Capstone Hall
USC Symphony Orchestra: The Firebird & The Phoenix
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Koger Center for the Arts
$30/$25/$8
Described as “one of the wildest, most original pieces of music,” the 25-minute “Song of the Flaming Phoenix” by USC associate professor Fang Man, features actual birdsongs from southern species. It anchors an inventive program rich in passion and poetry.
Southern Exposure New Music Series: BlackBox Ensemble
Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.
USC School of Music Recital Hall
Free
The BlackBox Ensemble, a collective of young contemporary-music performers based in New York City, is dedicated to exploring the experimental boundaries of the music of our time. USC faculty and students join the ensemble and USC doctoral student cellist Jordan Bartow for a performance of new works.
Unrequited United: Artist Sophia Bruekner
Oct. 14-Dec. 6
McMaster Gallery at USC
Free
This exhibition explores the vulnerability and empathy people have expressed through anonymous Amazon Kindle Popular Highlights in romance novels. A Kindle e-book passage becomes a Popular Highlight after a certain number of readers independently highlight it.
Oct. 24-Nov. 3
Booker T. Washington 100
$10
Enjoy a fast-paced evening of laughter, heartbreak and everything in between as you view a collection of (very) short plays, each directed by a different member of our theater performance faculty.
USC Symphony Orchestra: Spotlight on Faculty
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Koger Center for the Arts
$30/ $25/$8
This showcase features the work of USC School of Music faculty Michael Harley (bassoon), John Fitz Rogers and David Kirkland Garner (composition) as well as Dean Tayloe Harding.
Betsy Blackmon Dance Company Fall Concert
Nov. 7-8, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Koger Center for the Arts
$15/$22
The Betsy Blackmon Dance Company performs an exceptional repertory of classic and contemporary ballet, including Act III of Petipa’s dramatic ballet La Bayadére.
USC Center for Southern African American Music: Songs of Protest
Friday, Nov. 8, 5 p.m.
Penn Center, St. Helena Island
The mission of the Center for Southern African American Music is to preserve and record for future generations the oral histories, music recordings, film and video footage of African American music in the South.
Nov. 8-16
Longstreet Theatre 219
$15/$22
This magical journey through space and time takes audiences literally from Philadelphia to the moon and back. The play dwells in the loneliness of being an only child to a working single mother, the barriers we let down when genuine love wants in and the enduring power of the mother-son relationship.
Dec. 3-6, 7-9 p.m.
Drayton Hall 141
$15/$22
USC student choreographers present a program of cutting-edge original works that each has conceived, designed and directed. This biannual showcase is a not-to-miss opportunity to witness their innovative artistry!
USC Symphony Orchestra: An Evening of Alumni
Dec. 5, 7:30-9 p.m.
Koger Center Auditorium
$30/$25/$8
This three-piece program features alumni Nové Deypalan, guest conductor, violinist Isabel Ong and composer Clay Mettens.
Dec. 6, 7:30-9 p.m.
Shandon United Methodist Church
Free
The USC Concert Choir and University Chorus bring joy to the world to lift up audiences as the winter holidays approach.
Outside of Columbia
Savannah Jazz Festival: Left Bank Big Band with Nicole Zuraitis
Friday, Sept. 20, 6:35 p.m.
Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia
Free
The Left Bank Big Band is the premiere ensemble of the Jazz Studies Program. Musicians will perform a variety of styles representing the history of big-band performance and improvised music. Zuraitis is the 2024 Grammy-winning jazz vocalist of the year and two-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist and arranger.
USC Percussion Ensemble Showcase Concert
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m.
Indianapolis Convention Center
Indianapolis, Indiana
This talented band is one of three winners of the 2024 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition. It will perform a 50-minute showcase performance at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), one of the world’s largest drum and percussion events.
Carolina Marching Band at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, Nov. 28, 8:30 a.m.
New York, New York (and televised on NBC)
Free
For the first time in its history, “the musical magic of the Carolina Band” will fill the air in New York City when they perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.