DAN’S PAPERS
danshamptons.com
August 17, 2012 Page 69
ART COMMENTARY
ART EVENTS
Art is all around us, look out!
Openings, closings, see and be seen.
Southampton Arts Festival Sunday
O
n Sunday, August 19 at 5 p.m., The Southampton Cultural Center will be the place to be to witness an “extraordinary cast of musicians,” says Elena Baksht, concert pianist, and Founder and Executive Director of The Southampton Arts Festival. This promises to be an “extraordinary night,” says Baksht. The concert will feature child prodigy, William Chen, 9-year-old pianist and winner of the “Little Mozart” competition. “He has incredible maturity in his playing,” Baksht says of Chen, “and at the same time, we encourage people to bring their children to the concert since it is very inspiring.” The concert is result of Baksht’s and other musician’s desire to “give back, because many of us were child prodigies ourselves.” Baksht, Russian-born, was dubbed “the pianist with the magic touch,” by The Washington Post, and performed at the age of 11, Bach’s D-Minor Piano Concerto, with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra at Moscow’s Central Hall of the Arts. She is a soloist and chamber musician who has performed in the U.S. and all over the world. She regularly performs with violinist Dmitri Berlinsky. It is her belief in the “synergy between music, education and medicine,” that led her to create this event, which highlights the relationship between child prodigies and autism. Part of the proceeds are going to autism research and education. Baksht became aware of the work of psychology professor
Baksht, also a poet, has created and Dr. Joanne Ruthsatz on gifted organized “interactive arts programs children. Ruthsatz, the author of incorporating poetry and music in a How To Raise Extraordinary Children, new public performance genre. All is working toward finding a link my life I have been interested in between autism and child prodigies. connecting art forms.” Her interest, “They hold the key in their genetic besides creating and sharing great system,” Baksht explains, “a modifier music with the public, is to also that blocks the negative effects of create workshops for children, to autism.” At a recent event in New meet child prodigies and to build a York, Dr. James Watson, Nobel Prize student program with professors of Winner in 1962, for the discovery of music from Purchase College and The the DNA molecule, and Director of Julliard School. Part of the proceeds the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory of the concert will go to this end. on Long Island, spoke on his work Another event, taking place on with Dr. Ruthsatz. Baksht says the August 22 at Wolffer Estate, will be a research and findings point in a very wine reception and benefit, with food interesting direction and may lead to prepared by 17-year-old chef, Greg a groundbreaking discovery. “That Grossman, a child prodigy who has the clue to autism may be in the worked with Dr. Joanne Ruthsatz. genes of musical prodigies. We find Pianist William Chen Baksht cannot say enough about her it thrilling to be able to present this passion to share and expose people of all ages to information to people.” The night of August 19 at the Southampton Cultural great music and help them find their own inner Center will feature both world-class musicians musician. “We are offering a wonderful way to hear and child prodigies. Members of the New York extraordinary music and create great joy.” Philharmonic will be on hand as well as renowned For tickets to the concert on Sunday August 19 at 5 classical pianist, Evgeny Kissin, the “most remarkable child prodigy in the world of classical music for the p.m. with wine reception to follow, call 631-287-4377. last 50 years,” says Baksht. “We are so proud to have Or go to: www.southamptonculturalcenter.org. The Kissin on board with us.” Kissin is known for his Southampton Cultural Center is located at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton. interpretations of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt. Southamptonartsfestival.org
By Nanci E. Lagarenne
Now Thru Sept. 2
Tony Award Winner Lillias White is Maybelle Smith in
Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues Photo by Jerry Lamonica
Written and directed by Paul Levine
Monday Night Laughs!
August 27
Jim Breuer
Comedy Central, The Podcast Masters, Fridays with Jim Breuer
Dr. Cindy Bressler House Call Veterinarian
“powerhouse blues sensational & soulful!”
www.drcindybressler.com 631-255-8556
8 pm Tickets: $60 members $67 non-members
Week of August 12-18 sponsored by
Because there’s no place like home.
Call now for tickets!
631-725-9500 New York City
www.baystreet.org
The Hamptons
All programming subject to change 18657
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