Arts Planner: Piano virtuosos, bestselling author coming to town
The Southeastern Piano Festival kicks off June 12, and features a pianist who can play 100 minutes of Bach from memory, a competition with some of the best young virtuosos in the country, and piano mash-ups of popular hits like Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.”
The weeklong festival takes place at various venues around Columbia, including the University of South Carolina, Columbia Museum of Art and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
At each performance, “you will hear beautiful, sublime music played at a high level,” festival artistic director Marina Lomazov said.
Some festival highlights are:
Piano Extravaganza Gala Concert: A performance that showcases eight pianists and four Steinway grand pianos, including the cutting-edge Steinway Spirio piano, known as the world’s highest resolution player piano.
Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition: Twenty of the most gifted pre-college pianists from across the country participate in a rigorous program of lessons and master classes, competing for a $4,000 prize and a chance to perform a solo with the South Carolina Philharmonic.
Sergei Babayan performing the complete “Well-Tempered Clavier” by Bach from memory. It’s something you almost never hear live because of its difficulty. “It's a daunting task, even for a professional pianist,” festival co-founder Joseph Rackers said.
Eric Lu: A Chopin champion and all-around piano wunderkind, Lu is a Piano Competition alumni returning to play at the Rising Star Showcase.
Kids activities: Everyone 18 and under can attend Piano Festival events for free. Kids receive a certificate for each show they attend and get a prize for collecting five certificates.
For a full schedule with ticket prices, visit www.southeasternpianofestival.com.
She loves the Columbia Museum of Art. The museum (and Michelle Obama) loves her back
OTHER ARTS EVENTS AROUND THE MIDLANDS
‘RACE: Are We So Different?’
The S.C. State Museum’s new blockbuster exhibit opens this weekend. “RACE: Are We So Different?” explores a cultural and scientific look at race throughout history and the reasons we should celebrate our differences. The exhibition will address the topics of race from three different perspectives: science, history and everyday experience.
The museum is at 301 Gervais St. scmuseum.org/race
Pottery show and sale
Potters from the Midlands Clay Arts Society will sell their work and demonstrate techniques at the Meet the Locals Sale and Festival, which continues through Sunday at the Southern Pottery Gallery. The work ranges from classic and functional to fun decorative pieces, jewelry, and tableware.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 3105 Devine St. Free. www.facebook.com/MidlandsClayArts
Lunch and book signing with author Dorothea Benton Frank
Books on Broad will host author Dorothea Benton Frank at the Historic Robert Mills Courthouse for a special luncheon celebrating the release of her latest novel, “All Summer Long.”
Noon Tuesday at 607 Broad St. in Camden. $50. Ticket includes lunch catered by Lilfred's and a hardback copy of “All Summer Long.” Tickets can be purchased at Books on Broad, 944 Broad St., by calling (803) 713-7323 or online at booksonbroad.com.
Related: Meet the artist behind the colorful murals popping up around Columbia
This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 11:00 AM.