UNT's Fine Arts Series features RJ Mitte from 'Breaking Bad," comedian W. Kamau Bell, 'Don Quixote' & more

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 - 14:53
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DENTON (UNT), Texas – Educational opportunities and entertaining performances make up the backbone of the 112th season of UNT's Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series during the 2015-16 school year.

Speakers include actor and diversity activist RJ Mitte, who played Walter White's son in the Emmy-winning AMC drama Breaking Bad, and socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell, former host of the FX television series Totally Biased. Performances include an Indian adaption of Don Quixote, a concert by chamber music group Eighth Blackbird and a concert featuring Danilo Pérez and Panama 500 on stage with the One O'Clock Lab Band. There will also be art exhibitions and more, including the annual Campus Songwriters Competition.

Media: find the full Fine Arts Series schedule at the bottom of this release.

The Fine Arts Series started as the Lyceum Series in 1903 when UNT was North Texas Normal College. Guest artists are brought to the university to entertain and educate the campus community. Events are free for UNT students. Most events are ticketed for faculty, staff and the general public to attend.

Tickets may be reserved or purchased online. Tickets for events at the Murchison Performing Arts Center can be purchased at TheMPAC.com. More information on the events throughout the year can be found at the Fine Arts Series Facebook page.

The Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series

2015-16 schedule includes:

  • Permanence and Impermanence – The exhibition features photographs, video and 3-D artwork that deal with the themes of permanence and impermanence. Sept. 10 to Nov. 17 in the UNT Art Gallery, 1201 Mulberry St., Denton. Opening reception is 5-7 p.m. Sept. 10 (Thursday) with a gallery talk at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.
  • Don Quixote – Headed by Sheejith Krishna of the Sahrdaya Foundation, this adaption of Miguel Cervante's famous story of Don Quixote stays rooted in the Indian classical style of Bharatanatyam, at the same time using contemporary elements. Performance is at 8 p.m. Sept. 16 (Wednesday) in the UNT Main Auditorium, 1401 W. Hickory St.
  • RJ Mitte discusses "Overcoming Adversity: Turning a Disadvantage into an Advantage" – The actor who played the son of cancer-stricken science teacher-turned-drug manufacturer in the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad TV series has continued to act while also becoming involved in several organizations that raise awareness of equality and diversity. He also works with PACER's National Center for Bullying Prevention. Mitte speaks at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 (Thursday) at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35E.
  • Eighth Blackbird – The chamber music group has won three Grammy Awards and produced six acclaimed recordings. The Chicago sextet performs contemporary music. Performance is at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 (Wednesday) in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35E.
  • W. Kamau Bell presents "The W. Kamau Bell Curve: How to End Racism is About an Hour" – The comedian explores the current state of racism in America with a mix of stand-up comedy, a history lesson, video and audio clips, personal stories and more. Bell speaks at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 (Thursday) in the University Union Ballroom.
  • Siona Benjamin exhibition – New York-based painter Siona Benjamin is originally from Bombay, India, and will exhibit multi-media works that reflect her complex cultural background and her desire to contribute to a re-evaluation of concepts of identity and race toward a mutual understanding. March 3 to April 2 in the UNT Art Gallery, 1201 Mulberry St., Denton. Opening reception is 5-7 p.m. March 3 (Thursday) with a gallery talk at 6 p.m. Free and open to the public.
  • Danilo Pérez and Panama 500 – The group will be this spring's Glenn Gomez residency artists, rehearsing and teaching students in UNT's College of Music. Their residency culminates with a performance with the One O'Clock Lab Band at 8 p.m. March 3 (Thursday) in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35E.
  • The Story of Silk – Vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan and pianist Anil Srinivasan have been featured on TEDIndia (part of the popular TED lecture series) and featured at festivals worldwide. Their performance, the Story of Silk, is a collaboration of classical piano with Carnatic voice, exploring concepts of mythology from across the Indian subcontinent through music and poetry. Performance is at 8 p.m. April 15 (Friday) in the University Union Lyceum.
  • 15th Annual Campus Songwriters Competition – The annual competition invites songwriters to perform original compositions with the winning musician receiving an invitation to perform and compete for prizes at Kerville Folk Festival. Competition starts at 7:30 p.m. April 26 (Tuesday) in the University Union Syndicate.

Media: Please note that consent to interviews are at the guest artist's discretion and not guaranteed.

About the Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series

The Fine Arts Series began as the Lyceum Series in 1903 when UNT was North Texas Normal College. The series has grown over the past century while never losing sight of its purpose to enrich UNT students' lives and provide a higher quality of life at the university. Now in its 112th season, the series continues to entertain and educate the campus community by presenting an exciting series of performing, visual and literary arts events. All Fine Arts Series performances are presented free of charge to UNT students.

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