John Dunnan, who chairs the Kennedy Center's National Committee for the Performing Arts, has been named chairman of the Charleston Concert Association's board of directors. He succeeds John G. Davis, who served in that capacity for six years.
Dunnan, 41, a visual artist who moved to Charleston seven years ago with his wife and son, has shown his artwork nationally and owns The John M. Dunnan Gallery on King Street.
A native of Washington, D.C., Dunnan paints, sculpts and draws abstracts of the human figure. He graduated with honors from the Corcoran College of Art and is a member of the Kennedy Center's Board of Overseers and of the Spoleto Festival USA board.
"We are so pleased to have someone with such a high level of artistic experience in this leadership position," says Jason Nichols, CCA board president. "Also, John has such a deep understanding of the business, education and artistic aspects of the CCA."
Established in 1936 as a nonprofit organization, the association is the Lowcountry's oldest full-season presenting organization, bringing to Charleston world-class artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Van Cliburn, the Bolshoi Ballet, Yo-Yo Ma and Leontyne Price.
In recent years, the CCA has branched out to include modern dance and jazz.
"I look forward to working with the board toward sustained growth and ensuring the Charleston Concert Association's ability to provide exceptional programming," Dunnan says of the organization that has about 2,000 subscribers.
"I selected the CCA to join because I was impressed by Jason Nichols and the world-class art forms and programs the CCA brings in," says Dunnan, who joined the CCA board in 2003. "Also, I felt as if I could play a valuable role with my connections at the Kennedy Center."
In his position as chairman of the Kennedy Center's National Committee for the Performing Arts, Dunnan leads 66 members who are cultural and arts advocates from all over the United States.
The committee provides funding for four Kennedy Center educational programs, including the American College Theater Festival.
Also last week, the CCA announced its seven-event 2007-08 program, which includes in its season lineup: The Bavarian Philharmonic, Oct. 19; the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Oct. 30; the opera "H.M.S. Pinafore," Nov. 13; the Canadian Brass Holiday Show, Dec. 10; the Monterey Jazz Festival, Feb. 5; and the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre, March 5. An Encore Event, presented outside the season, will feature Chanticleer, a classical vocal ensemble.
Season tickets ranging from $75 to $300 are available by calling the CCA at 571-7755 or e-mailing chasconcertassoc@aol.com.
Around town
Myriad arts openings this week include a new musical, new art gallery, classical piano concert and CSO homage to women.
Piano series
As part of the College of Charleston's International Piano Series to be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sottile Theatre, globally known pianist Andrew Armstrong will perform Mozart's Sonata K. 280, Beethoven's Sonata Op. 101 and three preludes by Debussy, among other classical selections.
Armstrong has performed several times at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory as well as the Kennedy Center.
He recently performed with conductor Itzhak Perlman. Armstrong's work is released by Cordelia Records.
Tickets are $20 and free for College of Charleston students and those under 18 and may be purchased the night of the performance at the box office of the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St.
Boulanger 'Effect'
An homage to a famous female composer, Nadia Boulanger, will be performed as part of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra's Casual Classics Series on Saturday when the CSO performs the music of Boulanger's students: a tango by Argentinean master Astor Piazzolla and compositions by American composers Aaron Copland and Philip Glass.
Conducted by Scott Terrell, the CSO will play the music of three students of Boulanger, who was a famous composer and teacher.
On the extensive program will be the composition of minimalist pioneer Glass' "Music in Similar Motion" and the piece "Music for the Theater" by Boulanger's most famous student, Copland. Also to be performed will be Boulanger's "D'un matin de printemps (1918)," appropriate for early spring.
The concert will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Tickets start at $15 and are $5 for students.
They may be purchased at the door or by calling Ticketmaster at 554-6060.
Coco's Gallery
Mount Pleasant has another gallery to add to its growing collection.
Coco's Gallery and Fine Art Exhibition will hold its grand opening at 7 p.m. Thursday with the exhibit "A Vision of France." A reception featuring various cheeses and terrines will be prepared and served by Coco's Cafe chef Stephen Ollard and his staff.
Artists who will exhibit their work are Bea Aaronson, originally from Paris, Paul Mardikian, Bette Mueller-Roemer, Sabine Avcalade and Nathalie Naylor.
The gallery is next to Coco's Cafe, 863 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Mount Pleasant. The exhibition and reception are free to the public.
'South Hall'
"South Hall," a new musical featuring a cast of 16 College of Charleston students, will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St.
With music and lyrics by Toby Singer and a book by Singer and Andy Jaworski, "South Hall" examines a collegiate relationship and includes humorous and poignant anecdotes about college life.
The lighthearted collage of memories is said to be contrasted with a sobering look at the difficulty of today's youths connecting with others.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and may be purchased at the door.
Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.
