Holiday concerts, skating party, food drives and more

by Angie Gaddy

When Alabama-born jazz lover Jeremiah Woolsey met Indian vocalist Bala Ashtakala at work in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, talk invariably turned to music.

Woolsey grew up in Mobile, and had made pilgrimages to New Orleans jazz festivals. Ashtakala, a professor of transportation engineering, is a classically trained vocalist who has hosted his own radio program and started a Carnatic music school.

“We found we had an affinity for different blends of music,” said Woolsey, an instructional technology analyst. “I had been a fan of Indian music for a long time.” Ashtakala had been a fan of jazz and fusion.

The two men began planning a concert series that would support the many blends of music they are interested in.

“Gumbo is the term from where I’m from,” Woolsey said.

Months of planning has culminated in Saturday’s launch of East Meets West concert series, which features Ragleela, a group that combines both Western and Indian influences.

The two hope to eventually have a one- or two-day festival of world music ranging from jazz to Indian and South Asian influences.

“We think Montreal will support it,” Woolsey said.

They’ve tentatively planned for another classical concert in January, but times and dates haven’t been arranged.

For now, they hope students will have a chance to take a break from studying and enjoy the music they love.

East Meets West will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday in H-110. It is only one of many concerts and holiday events hosted at Concordia.

Here’s a list of other upcoming events:

Today at the Concert Hall

The Department of Music presents classical works at 8 p.m. by students from the graduate diploma in the advanced music performance program. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Saturday, Dec. 6

The St. Lawrence Choir performs Sing Noël at 3 and 8 p.m. The event is the annual Christmas concert of holiday music from diverse eras and composers, including Josquin des Près, Palestrina, Tresham and Britten. With Iwan Edwards, founding conductor; Concerto Della Donna, guest chamber choir; Choeur des enfants de Montréal, guest children’s choir; Dominique Roy, piano. Tickets available through the Admission network (790-1245) and at the box office, $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and students. Service charges applicable.

Sunday, Dec. 7

The Department of Music presents classical vocal repertoire at 2 p.m. Directed by Valerie Kinslow, students will perform works by Purcell, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Monday, Dec. 8

The Department of Music presents the Loyola Orchestra at 8 p.m. Directed by Hélène Gagné, students will perform orchestral works by Greig, Schubert and Beethoven. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Tuesday, Dec. 9

The Department of Music presents the Chamber Choir at 8 p.m. Directed by Monique Martin, students will perform choral works by J.S. Bach and John Rutter. The University Chorus will also perform, directed by Jean-Sébastien Allaire, works by William Mathias, Raymond Daveluy, David Ouchterlony, Peter Mathews, Ralph Vaughan and others. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Wednesday, Dec. 10

The Department of Music presents Jazz Improvization I at 8 p.m. Directed by Gary Schwartz, students will perform gems of the jazz repertoire. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Thursday, Dec. 11

The Department of Music presents Jazz Improvization II at 8 p.m. Directed by Charles Ellison, students will perform music of Gigi Gryce, Kenny Dorham, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly and others. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Friday, Dec. 12

The Department of Music presents Jazz Combo at 8 p.m. The Little Big Band performing Mostly Gil (Evans), directed by Gary Schwartz. Tickets at the door only. $5 general admission, free for students with ID.

Sunday, Dec. 14

The Suzuki Institute performs at 2 p.m. Suzuki students of all ages will perform repertoire standards. Directed by Dragan Djerkic. Admission free.

Sunday, Dec. 21

Khanukah Celebration 2003 will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. With Yehuda Pinto and Shani. Be part of this international concert - fun for the entire family. Tickets available at the box office. $15 general admission, $10 for children. Service charges applicable.

Charity and other events

Today

Songs of Light and Faith will be held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the DeSève Cinema. Admission is free with a donation to the Feed the Fund Drive to support the Student Emergency Food Fund. For more information, call 848-2424 ext. 3585 or e-mail daryl.ross@concordia.ca.

Saturday, Dec. 13

Stingers Skating Party will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Ed Meagher Arena on the Loyola Campus. For more information, call 848-2424 ext. 3862.

Concordia’s Annual Food Drive begins this week and lasts until Dec. 17. Organized years ago by the Information Desk staff, it’s grown to a campus-wide event. Boxes will be placed in each department, where staff, faculty and students can contribute non-perishable food items, toiletries, children’s gifts and clothing.

“Pretend you’re shopping for yourself,” organizer Lise Tavares of Information Services said. “It’s stuff we take for granted.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Information Desk on the Sir George Williams Campus and in the Psychology department on the Loyola Campus. When a box is filled, departments can call Distribution Services for pick up.