Tea with Emily Dickenson: The Belle of Amherst
A one-woman play about the life of the reclusive yet visionary poet, Emily Dickinson.
The play, written by William Luce, was first produced on Broadway in 1976 and starred Julie Harris. Sybil Rosen, knowing she would be performing in libraries and living rooms with small audiences, adapted the play to an hour-long version. The play is an intimate glimpse into the poet’s unusual life – her legendary seclusion, the close circle of family, the men who loved her. Rosen says “the language, most of it taken from her letters and journals, is so beautiful and witty.”
Rosen’s interest in the play is her love of the play and of Emily Dickinson. She also wants to raise awareness about libraries – to help remind us of what they give us and why it matters.
Tea will be served by the Friends of the Library of Tazewell, Buchanan and Russell County Public Libraries. Voluntary Donations will benefit the libraries.
Performance Schedule
Tuesday, April 11
The Belle of Amherst, 6:00 p.m.
Tazewell County Public Library, Bluefield
108 Huffard Drive
Wednesday, April 12
The Belle of Amherst, 6:00 p.m.
Appalachian Arts Center, Cedar Bluff
Friday, April 14
The Belle of Amherst, 3:00 p.m.
Buchanan County Public Library, Grundy
Saturday, April 15
The Belle of Amherst, 3:00 p.m.
Russell County Public Library, Lebanon
Richmond Ballet
Richmond Ballet, Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m., SWCC King Community Center
Richmond Ballet, Masterclass, Friday, April 14, 10:00 a.m., SWCC King Community Center
PIANO X THREE
Pavlina Dokovska | Vladimir Valjarevic | Dr. Joseph Trivette
Sunday, April 16
3:00 p.m., SWCC King Community Center
The concert will feature selections arranged for one, two and three pianos featuring Pavlina Dokovska, Vladimir Valjarevic and Dr. Joseph Trivette.
Composer features will be Bach, Mozart, Beethoven Chopin, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Percy Grainger/Gershwin and Lecuona.
A Reception will be hosted by Kathy and Larry Mitchell following the concert.
SWCC STUDENT SHOWCASE
Celebrating Worldwide Visionaries
Wednesday, April 19
SWCC Student Showcase: Celebrating Visionaries: 12:10 p.m. Dellinger Hall, Ratliff Commons
Camerata Virtuosi New York
This ensemble of internationally acclaimed musicians will perform in three unique concerts to reflect the festival theme.
Inventors and Innovators
Music by composers Mozart, Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy and Bruch.
Visionaries and Virtuosos
Tim McClure, Special guest violinist
Music by composers Schumann, Vivaldi, Gershwin, Chopin, Hindemith, Debussy, Bruch.
Teachers and Trailblazers
Music by composers Bach, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Liszt, Beach, Ravel and Gershwin, Bruch
Tuesday, April 18
Camerata Virtuosi New York: Inventors and Innovators
Gaynelle Lockhart Albert Memorial Concert
7:30 p.m., Elk Garden United Methodist Church, Elk Garden
Thursday, April 20
Camerata Virtuosi New York: Visionaries and Virtuosos
Jan McClure Memorial Concert
7:30 p.m., Tazewell Baptist Church, Tazewell
Saturday, April 22
Camerata Virtuosi New York: Teachers and Trailblazers
in memory of Betty T. Corte
7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, College Avenue,
Bluefield, VA
JEOPARDY ...
Visionaries Timeless & Universal
Thursday April 20
Jeopardy: Visionaries-Timeless and Universal
12: 10 p.m., Dellinger Hall
This popular game show, skillfully organized by the Library and Recruitment and Student Engagement Staff tests the knowledge of Southwest faculty, staff and students on subjects related to the Festival theme. Enjoy theme-inspired refreshments.
KNOXVILLE SYMPHONY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
FESTIVAL FINALE
Sunday, April 23
Festival Finale: Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra
4:00 p.m., SWCC King Community Center
Always a highlight of the festival, the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro James Fellenbaum, will perform works by Kozeluch, Handel, Fauré, Mozart, Puccini, Beethoven, Bach, Copland,
Gershwin, Still. Guest soloists will be pianists Pavlina Dokovska and Vladimir Valjarevic and Clara Lisle, soprano.
The SWCC Community Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Joseph Trivette, will be accompanied by the orchestra.
FESTIVAL EXHIBITS...
VISIONARIES AROUND US ...
Ellen von Dehsen Elmes Gallery
Photographic portraits of living visionaries of Southwest Virginia will create a historical record of those who have significantly impacted Southwest Virginia. The Southwest School of the Arts students conducted interviews with living visionaries of SWVA through photographs and interviews. This research will be displayed in the Ellen von Dehsen Elmes Gallery.
Sunday, April 16
4:30 p.m.: Opening Exhibit Visionaries Around Us, Ellen Elmes Gallery
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL. ...
Festival Logo Designed by Johnathan Keene
The mission of the annual Southwest Virginia Community College Festival of the Arts is to provide an in-depth exploration of the cultural riches of countries and cultures around the world to create a better understanding of those nations and cultures. The two-week long Festival consists of numerous musical performances, including vocal, instrumental and solo presentations.
Dance, theatre, literature, visual arts and film are other areas of exploration. Students from the theatre and music departments at Southwest participate, as well as community singers in the SWCC Community Chorus. SWCC art students design the Festival logo each year and prepare art exhibits that reflect the artistic heritage of the country in the spotlight. Workshops are conducted by visiting artists and a Spotlight event is held each year to showcase student talent.
FESTIVAL DIRECTORS & COORDINATORS
Mary has served as Executive Director of the Festival of the Arts since its inception in 1995.
Email mewlawson13@gmail.com
Phone (276) 385-0104
Festival Artistic Director | Chair, Mannes College of Music Piano Department. Ms. Dokovska also serves as pianist-in-residence and conducts master classes for area piano students with their teachers each year.
Assistant Artistic Director, Piano faculty Mannes College of Music
Choral Director, Gaynelle Lockhart Albert Endowed Chair in Music
Morgan Gilbert & Brian Wright
Morgan Gilbert, Olivia Ratliff, Regina Rice, Nyoka Muawad, Stephen Gilbert; Jeopardy Directors Teresa Yearout and Terri Kiser
Ryan Magee
Annette McClanahan
Stacey Brooks
John Dezember and Travis Roberts
Susan Lowe
Design by Johnathan Keene
Michael Brown and Travis Roberts
2023 FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Whole Notes:
Nettie Peterson Estate
Stelio and Betty T. Corte Foundation
Ennio and Rosa Corte Foundation
Community Arts Council of Buchanan County
Virginia Commission for the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts
Half Notes:
Randy and Julie Forehand
Mary Sue Whitt
Dorothy Wright
Katharine B. Tierney Foundation
George M. Cruise Foundation
Tazewell County Board of Supervisors
Quarter Notes:
Altizer, Walk and White
Clinch Valley Medical Center
Richlands Pharmacy Associates/New Garden Pharmacy
Stephen and Susan Hicks
Gene and Martha Hurst
Charles R. King
Mary W. Lawson
Lynda Stuart
Keene Family Foundation
Columbus Phipps Foundation
Frank L. Smoot Charitable Trust
Eighth Notes:
Cooke, Shortt, Brown & Faletti, PLLC
David Mullins Wealth Management
Street Law Firm
TruPoint Bank
Mary G. Adams
Ken and Cynthia Anselmi
James and Becky Belcher
Donna Bell
Nancy G. Brooks
Brandon and Amanda Buskill
Glenda Calver
Rod Cury
Jim Dickinson
Joyce Gillespie
Larry and Kathy Mitchell
Jane Thornhill
Sam and Martha Varney
Nancy A. Wolf
Dr. Tommy and Tracey Wright
Southwest Cultural Arts Series
Russell County Board of Supervisors
Town of Bluefield, VA
Town of Richlands
Town of Tazewell
Grace Notes:
Appalachian Family Care
Doug and Ginger Branton
Dave Leonard
Ron and Naomi Levison
Kenny and Susan Lowe
Mike McClure
Rod and Linda Moore
Jim Morehead
Joe and Cindy Nicholson
Barbara Parker
Mary Ann Strong
Bob and Bonnie White
John and Jane Willis
Russell County Rotary Club
TCPL Friends of the Library
Town of Cedar Bluff
Town of Lebanon
Tazewell Music Club
