Tagged: Wharton Center

Chef and author Anthony Bourdain has a new globetrotting TV show called “Parts Unknown” on CNN. On Tuesday, he brings his “Guts and Glory” speaking tour to MSU’s Wharton Center. After his talk, he’ll join 150 people for a VIP event at Red Haven, a new restaurant in Okemos.

Today on Current State: Lansing city budget; Red Cedar now open for fishing ; Wharton Center reveals new season; and a Public Poetry Announcement with Carl Phillips.

The Wharton Center for Performing Arts announced its 2013-14 season Monday evening.  Peter Whorf spoke with Wharton Executive Director Mike Brand about some of the highlights, including The Book of Mormon and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

  Jazz singer Carolyn Leonhart  will turn Wharton Center’s Jackson Lounge into a jazz club next Wednesday. She’ll be putting on two performances that night to benefit East Lansing’s Summer Solstice Jazz Festival. WKAR’S Melissa Benmark caught up with her this week to ask what kinds of material she’ll be performing at her Wharton gig.

A new production opening tonight at MSU’s Wharton Center pays homage to the Harlem Renaissance.  In the 1920’s, the arts in America, like just about every other industry, were dominated by whites. Most representations of African-American life were done in parody.  One of most popular programs of the day was “Amos and Andy.”  It debuted in 1928 with two white actors who would later appear on screen in blackface.

Today on Current State: The iconic SS Badger's future; gender imbalance in medical research; summer road construction East Lansing; the Safe Patient Care Act; and a preview of the Wharton Center's remaining lineup.

The stretch run begins next week for the remainder of the concert season at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.  WKAR’s Peter Whorf chats with Wharton Center executive director Mike Brand about the breadth and depth of performances coming to East Lansing in the next few months.  

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is coming to Wharton Center Wednesday to perform their signature South African Zulu-style choral music. They began singing in competitions in the 1970s, and rose to world-wide fame when they appeared on Paul Simon’s album “Graceland” in 1986. They’ve recorded over 50 albums, and their latest tour has a stop in East Lansing. WKAR’s Melissa Benmark spoke to one of the longest-singing members, Albert Mazibuko, about the music his group performs.