Arts at Clarke
FALL 2023 EVENTS
The Arts at Clarke series seeks to inform, entertain, and inspire through art in all its forms. From live performances to gallery exhibits, Arts at Clarke provides a place to gather and enjoy the talents of local and national artists, musicians, performers and more. Performances are open to members of the Clarke community and the general public.
Planning for Fall 2023 events is still underway! We will continue to add information as it becomes available.
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Margaret Mear, BVM Exhibits Selected Drawings and Sculpture
Monday, August 21 – Wednesday, September 27
Artist Reception: Sunday, September 9, 2-3:30 p.m.
Quigley Gallery, Clarke University
Margaret taught at St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn., for over 30 years. She currently maintains a studio at Key City Creative in Dubuque. Margaret’s sculpture, Always the Horrors of War, was included in the 2015 Art on the River Exhibition and was later installed on the front lawn of the Dubuque Museum of Art during the Just to Live Is Holy: Women Religious and a Tradition of Art, Faith and Justice exhibit in 2018.
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Dubuque Day of Peace: Making Peace in our Polarized Society
Thursday, September 21
7 p.m.
Alumni Center, Loras College
This year’s Peace Festival focuses on constructive conflict resolution and sustainable peace, even in seemingly impossible situations. Renowned expert Dr. Peter Coleman, a Columbia University professor, will serve as the keynote speaker. The event is free and welcomes everyone to explore pathways to resolution beyond polarized viewpoints.
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Clarke Music Department presents: KEYS OF EXCELLENCE
Saturday, September 30 at 3 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Join Clarke students, faculty, alumni, and musicians from throughout Dubuque in a heartwarming Homecoming celebration for all! This FREE piano concert will range from jazz selections and Disney classics to stunning modern duets. No tickets required.
Featured performers:
- Nancy Lease, Professor Emerita
- Keisy Peyerl Xavier, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music
- Maria Mustafa ’26
- Susan (Ernster) Lindahl ’82
- Mackenzie Blagojevic ’22
- Terri Ellerbach ’01
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Troy Aiken Exhibits “Material Decadence”
Saturday, September 30 – Friday, November 10
Artist Reception: Saturday, September 30, 2:30-4 p.m.
Quigley Gallery, Clarke University
This showcase will feature some of the most recent works of Troy Aiken, Assistant Professor of Art. Pieces will include a collection of new sculptural ceramic vessel forms. The show will focus on the exploration of forms as well as experimentation with different surface textures and color.
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Mary Murphy Endowed Lecture in Biology: The Burden of Wake and the Reasons for Sleep with Dr. Chiara Cirelli
Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Join Dr. Cirelli in an investigation into the science of sleep and why this seemingly simple function is a complex dance for our brain chemistry, memory, and adaptability as humans.
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Clarke String & Sing
Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
The Clarke String Orchestra and Collegiate Singers share a beautiful program classic string orchestra works, vocal repertoire, and combined pieces.
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POSTPONED: The Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series Presents, “The New Era of Exploration: Documenting a Beautiful But Fast-Changing Planet With David Thoreson”
Wednesday, October 18 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Thoreson will share insights from his extensive travels, including a 75,000-mile journey across oceans and polar regions. His experiences in the Arctic Ocean led him to focus on climate change and its impact on the environment. Don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired by his remarkable adventures and dedication to environmental issues.
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Piano recital with Dr. Keisy Peyerl Xavier
Saturday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Clarke Music Department presents a recital featuring Dr. Keisy Peyerl Xavier, Assistant Professor of Music in the institution. The program entails a masterful rendition of Ravel’s Sonatine accompanied by brilliant piano sonatas by Latin-Amercian composers, the distinguished Brazilian composer Edino Krieger, and the Argentinian composer Carlos Guastavino.
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Collegiate Jazz Night
Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.
Smokestack, 62 E 7th St.
Clarke Jazz Ensemble and Melos contemporary vocal ensemble perform some jazz, rock, and pop works in this semi-annual event. Collegiate Jazz Night includes ensembles from Clarke University, Loras College, and the University of Dubuque for an evening of good music, food, and spirits.
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The Julien Winds and Clarke Wind Ensemble: Strange Things
Sunday, November 5 at 2 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
The Julien Winds and Clarke Wind Ensemble will perform music spotlighting the strange, odd, and weird.
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Squatters on the Red Earth with Mary Swander
Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Squatters on Red Earth, Mary Swander’s latest play, explores the positive relationship that the Amana Colonies have had with the Meskwaki Indigenous people. This drama, written by Mary Swander, features an accompanying musical score and a crankie (an old medieval puppetry device).
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Pottery Painting Palooza!
Thursday, November 9 at 7-10 p.m.
Ceramics Studio, Eliza Kelly Hall
Members of the Clarke Community are invited to join Assistant Professor of Ceramics Troy Aiken and ceramics students for a painting party! You and your friends can each choose a piece and paint it any way you’d like. The item you paint is FREE and yours to keep! They can make great holiday gifts or fun décor for your room.
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New Music Concert
Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This honors recital features students from the studios at Clarke University who have excelled at performances during our masterclasses. This evening will also feature premieres of new works by our composers.
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The Mackin-Mailander lecture series presents: an alumni lecture with Joan Lingen BVM ’61
Wednesday, November 15 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
From five Catholic sisters in 1843 to the fire of 1984 and beyond, incredible leaders are a part of Clarke’s DNA. Joan Lingen, BVM ’61, captures the spirit of Clarke by celebrating the people whose lives have made a difference here and in the community. This event is free and open to the public.
Can’t make it to campus? Livestream Joan’s lecture on our YouTube page.
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Winter Orchestra
Monday, November 27 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This program features the string orchestra for the winter concert with additional works for chamber orchestra adding the Clarke Wind Ensemble.
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DSO Holiday Concert
The warm sounds of the holiday fill the hall at the DSO Holiday Concert. DSO is joined by vocalist Jeff Liebow, Clarke Collegiate Singers with The Dubuque Chorale, and members of the Heartland Ballet.
SPRING 2024 EVENTS
Planning for Spring 2024 events is still underway! We will continue to add information as it becomes available.
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Clarke Music Faculty Recital
Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
Music faculty of Clarke University (and Loras College) combine for our annual faculty recital.
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A Night in Brazil
Tuesday, February 13 at 6 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This Arts at Clarke event focuses on music and cuisine from Brazil.
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Julien Winds Chamber Concert
Thursday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
The Julien Winds and Clarke Wind Ensemble perform chamber music and flexible works for wind ensemble.
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Fabulous Friday
Friday, February 23 at Noon
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Clarke Collegiate Singers present their mid-semester concert at St. Luke’s Church for a 30-minute Fabulous Friday concert.
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Clarke Strings & Ukes
Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
The Clarke String Orchestra headlines this concert with Clarke Ukulele Ensemble as a special guest in this “strings only” performance.
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Religion and Science Lecture
Wednesday, February 28
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
More information to come.
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Clarke Music Day Concert
Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This annual event features Clarke Collegiate Singers, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble combining with students from the surrounding high schools in a day filled with music making. Students attend rehearsals and masterclasses during the day with free concert to close the day.
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Collegiate Jazz Night
Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m.
The Smokestack
The Clarke Jazz Ensemble and Melos contemporary vocal ensemble perform some jazz, rock, and pop works in this semi-annual event. Collegiate Jazz Night includes ensembles from Clarke University, Loras College, and the University of Dubuque for an evening of good music, food, and spirits.
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Musical Menus: Sound & Screen
Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 13 at 6 p.m.
Musical Menus features Clarke alumni, faculty, and students in this cabaret-style program. The event will begin with hors d’oevres in Clarke’s Wahlert Atrium, followed by our musical entrée in Jansen Music Hall. Our theme…(more description coming soon!)
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Studio & New Music Recital
Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This honors recital features students from the studios at Clarke University who have excelled at performances during our masterclasses. This evening will also feature premieres of new works by our composers.
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ClarkeFest!
Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m.
The fourth annual Clarkefest is an outdoor festival celebrating the end of the year at Clarke. The Jazz ensemble, Melos Singers and other area guest performers fill the street with sounds during this carnival-like event.
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Julien Winds and Clarke Wind Ensemble
Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
This concert includes wind works that are based on visual art. The performance opens with the wind-band standard Scenes from the Louvre by Norman Dello Joio. It will also feature Jeff Tyzik’s Images, as well as Steven Danyew’s This World Alive with video. We will end with a band arrangement of Mussorgsky’s musical painting, The Great Gate of Kiev.
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Clarke String Orchestra
Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m.
Jansen Music Hall, Clarke University
The Clarke String Orchestra ends its season with a spring concert of standard and contemporary music for strings.
Doors
Doors generally open 30 minutes prior to performances, unless noted otherwise. Admission to all drama department events begins 45 minutes prior to curtain. Seats for all events are general admission. Times and dates are subject to change.