Art Gallery

By Kevin Lee Associate Editor

What: Masquerade Show

When: Through Tues., Feb. 28,

Where: Off.Dauph ArtSpace, 5 N. Jackson St.

Though there’s always debate about the effect of Mardi Gras on other area cultural events, some are embracing it with style.

A little gallery with a big impact, Off.Dauph presents its Masquerade Show, a juried exhibition featuring more than 25 works from area artists, including official Mardi Gras posters by Jim Wainwright and Mardi Gras letterpress posters by Amos Kennedy.

In the spirit of the season, also available will be red beans and rice, jambalaya and etouffee, made and sold by Café 615 during all parades and on Joe Cain Day.

It’s a busy month for Off.Dauph as they are also hosting a day-long fundraiser for Bay Area Inclusion that starts Sat., Feb. 17 at noon and continues into the evening.

Customary hours are Tues-Fri, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

For further info call 454-1584.

What: Art & Place 2: Materials At Hand

When: Through Sun., March 4

Where: Space 301 OffCentre, 6. S. Joachim St.

This latest show, curated by Clayton V. Colvin is the first in the new space being utilized while the central building for Space 301 undergoes renovations.

Popular buzz on the new spot has been superlative. As much as the crowds raved about the contemporary feel of Space 301 when it opened a few years ago, those same cognescenti describe the Off Centre digs to be “hip,” “like something you’d find in a bigger city” and “a great addition.”

Word has it the spot was packed for the January ArtWalk and the demographic skewed toward a newer, younger crowd than for the usual 301 openings. New exposure seems to be on the rise.

The present show, which includes a film on terraforming as art, is provocative. It would be nice to see this space opened and filled with browsers on the nights of the Perlman and Peyroux shows.

Customary hours are Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun, Noon – 5 p.m.

For more info, call 251-208-5671 or visit www.space301.com

What: Gee’s Bend -a drama by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder

When: Wed., Feb. 21 & Thurs., Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Fairhope Civic Center, 161 N. Section St.

The initial reading of this play drew a standing ovation at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s 2006 Southern Writers’ Project. The story follows a half-century in the lives of Sadie Pettway and the women of rural Gee’s Bend, Ala and reveals the creation of two art forms from the women: the magnificent and renown quilts they sew, and the haunting gospel music they create while sewing.

The tale traces Sadie’s marital strife, the prejudices of the times and the general harshness of poor rural life and how it blossoms into the art she creates as a result of it all.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival hosts this event and proceeds benefit art programs in Baldwin County Schools.

Tickets are available at Ashland Gallery in Mobile and Page & Palette in Fairhope.

For more info, call 251-479-3548.

What: Itzhak Perlman with the MSO

When: Wed., Feb. 28 & Thurs., March 1, 8 p.m.

Where: Saenger Theatre, 6 S. Joachim St.

Over the years, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra has hosted lofty guest performers, but few match up to the most recent offerings. Just a year ago, world renown cellist Yo-Yo Ma sat in with the locals and now he is being matched by the appearance of violin impresario Itzhak Perlman.

Such heady company makes it look as if one of Mobile’s longtime strengths might be approaching another tier. The offerings and presence of classical music, both in the form of the symphony and the opera, have been unusually strong for a town of this size.

Perlman’s appearance is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many and will likely elicit raves. On the program for the evening is Beethoven’s Violin Concerto; Paganini’s Perpetual Motion and a Mendelssohn symphony.

Shuttle service will be available from the Eastern Shore and West Mobile.

For further info, call 251-432-2010 or visit www.mobilesymphony.org

Kevin Lee is Lagniappe associate editor. Contact him at klee@lagniappemobile.com.

Archives