Julliard-trained Brooklynite Simone Dinnerstein, a classical pianist, and North Carolina-raised singer-songwriter Tift Merritt would seem on the surface to have little in common.
Yet on one of last year’s more unexpected and category-defying CDs, “Night,” they artfully bridged disparate musical worlds. One critic called the album a “triumph of critical risk”; others praised its introspective late-night vibe.
Dinnerstein and Merritt bring their collaboration to Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Performance Center on Feb. 21 as part of the school’s Guest Artist Series.
The musicians met in 2008 when they were set up for an interview for Gramophone magazine and Merritt’s own public radio show “The Spark with Tift Merritt.” They quickly realized they shared a passion for music and performance, and, in 2010, began playing and honing the “song cycle” that became “Night.”
The CD includes several tunes penned by Merritt, an Americana artist who’s mainly played clubs in prior Atlanta appearances. The dark-night-of-the-soul title song is by Nashville singer-songwriter Patty Griffin. Another highlight is Daniel Felsenfeld’s “The Cohen Variations,” a solo piano piece commissioned by Dinnerstein based on Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne.”
“We were coming from completely different directions and taking the risk of extending ourselves into foreign territory to find each other,” Merritt has said. “We both felt very exposed and vulnerable but … we really challenged each other and pulled new places out of each other.”
Dinnerstein, whose latest solo album, “Bach: Inventions & Sinfonias,” is just out, said she’s enjoyed playing music by living songwriters and has learned a lot from Merritt. Those lessons include “not to use too many notes, to let the words come through, to keep an edge and rawness to the improvisation.”
Watch video about the making of "Night" at MyAJC.com/sundayliving.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $8-$40. 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 1-877-725-8849, baileycenter.kennesaw.edu.
ARTS
Atlanta institutions, individuals honored
The Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries, a group dedicated to encouraging growth and improving professional practices of museums and non-profit galleries throughout the state, honored several Atlanta institutions and Atlantans at its recent annual conference in Dalton:
- The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum won in the museum exhibition category for "Return To Rich's: The Story Behind the Store."
The exhibit continues through May 27, with related programming including store reunions for employees, a "Fashionata" event and "Spend the Day Teas." 1440 Spring St., Atlanta. 678-222-3700, www.thebreman.org, www.returntorichs.org.
- Don Rooney, the Atlanta History Center's exhibitions director, was honored in the lifetime achievement category.
- The Outreach Team of Kennesaw State University's Museum of History and Holocaust Education was recognized in the education category for its in-school program for north Georgia students that employs traveling exhibits and trunks and standards-based curriculum.
- Frank Dimartino of the KSU program was honored in the museum volunteer category.
More on the awards: www.gamg.org.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Gala celebrates O’Neal Singers’ silver anniversary
The Michael O’Neal Singers celebrates is 25th anniversary of choral music making with a gala dinner and auction Feb. 22 at Ivy Hall at Roswell Mill. Tickets are $75 for the semi-formal 7 p.m. event, 85 Mill St., Roswell.
The group’s next concert is “The Music of Ireland: A Saint Patrick’s Day Concert,” 8 p.m. March 14 at Roswell United Methodist Church. And an anniversary concert, “In Praise of Music,” closes the 2013-14 season there at 8 p.m. May 16.
Details: 770-594-7974, www.mosingers.com.
VISUAL ART
High tapped for fellowship promoting diversity
The High Museum of Art is one of five American museums launching the Andrew W. Mellon Undergraduate Curatorial Fellowship.
Supported by a $2.07 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the program will provide specialized training in the curatorial field for freshmen and sophomores across the U.S. from diverse backgrounds who are committed to developing a full spectrum of museum audiences.
“This program offers the very special opportunity for undergraduate students to gain a true understanding of how museums work and for art institutions to become more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve,” High director Michael Shapiro said in a statement.
Twenty students nationwide will be selected for this intensive program following summer academies at each museum this year and in 2015. The one-week intensive will include workshops, tours, field trips and networking events with museum professionals.
Other participants include the Art Institute of Chicago, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Details: www.high.org (click "Get Involved" and "Cultural Fellowship").
EVENT
Historic Madison hosts antiques show
Madison’s Madison-Morgan Cultural Center will present the 13th Annual Madison Antiques Show and Sale on Feb. 21-22.
The show features 21 national dealers showing American (predominantly Southern) antiques, including furniture, silver, pottery, textiles, art, oriental rugs, accessories and more. Free decorative arts lectures will be offered.
Preview party: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 20 ($65, includes weekend admission); 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Feb. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 22 ($7, includes repeat admission). 434 S. Main St., Madison. 1-877-233-0598, www.mmcc-arts.org.
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