LOOKING FORWARD
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MAGNIFICENT MUST SEE, MUST DO THIS WEEK COMPI L E D BY COU RTNEY COP P
MONDAY 03
Second Sight To date, more than 200,000 people worldwide have regained their eyesight thanks to the Himalayan Cataract Project. Founded in 1995, the Waterburybased nonprofi t is dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness in developing countries. CEO Job Heintz details the organization’s efforts in education, training and volunteer work in a lecture at Johnson State College. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 53
SATURDAY 01 SATURDAY 01
SINGING HER PRAISES Nina Simone left an indelible mark on music. Combining her training as a classical pianist with her passion for civil rights, the high priestess of soul brought magnetism to the stage. Vocalist and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello (pictured) pays tribute to the iconic performer in a concert of covers and originals.
Hitting the Trail It may be cold outside, but it’s time to get off the couch and embrace the seasonal splendor at the Winter Trails Festival. Whether on skis, on snowshoes or by foot, folks of all ages take advantage of equipment demos, dog sledding, guided adventures and more, then warm up inside with tasty fare and live Celtic music. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 51
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 52
FRIDAY 31
Word Play Since 1976, performance poet Magdalena Gómez has tackled issues of race, gender, class and violence in her work. Able to fi nd light and hope in dark places, she advises, “˜ e world is having a nervous breakdown; don’t despair, create art and take action.” ˜ e esteemed artist does just that with excerpts from Why I Lost the Popularity Contest. SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 51
Now Hear ˜ is
SEE INTERVIEW ON PAGE 58
WEDNESDAY 29 – SUNDAY 02
Holiday From Hell
SEE CALENDAR LISTING ON PAGE 48
ONGOING
˜ e Big Picture “So what is it we’re supposed to be doing with our time spent together on this strange planet?” ˜ is query drives artist Riki Moss, whose sculptures appear in the collaborative installation “Parade” alongside those of Janet Van Fleet. Created with natural, reused and found materials, these human, animal and hybrid creatures call up questions about extinction, ethnicity and more. SEE STATE OF THE ARTS ON PAGE 22
SEVEN DAYS MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
In a new play by Jon Robin Baitz, a young woman arrives at her famous parents’ mansion with the manuscript of a tell-all memoir, containing a long-guarded secret. Other Desert Cities marked Baitz’ Broadway debut and earned him a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nomination. Set at Christmastime, this family dustup is riveting, says the Hollywood Reporter.
01.29.14-02.05.14
Onstage, Matthew Houck is known as Phosphorescent. ˜ ough his star has been rising over the past decade, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist stopped the music world in its tracks with his 2013 release Muchacho. A mix of introspective lyrics and synth-pop, the album marks a personal and professional transition for the Brooklyn-based musician. He hits up ArtsRiot for an intimate show.
SEVENDAYSVT.COM
MONDAY 03
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COURTESY OF CHARLIE GROSS