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BY TAMAR LERER

In print | September 7, 2006

This semester, you’ll finally find a reason other than the amazing dining hall to visit Bryn Mawr: The Upstanding Citizens Brigade. On Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., you can see the group Time Out magazine calls “the best sketch comedy troupe working today” — for free. UCB will be performing as part of Bryn Mawr’s 2006-2007 Performing Arts series, which also includes a two world dance concerts, a string quartet, and a percussion ensemble. The tickets are free to all Tri-Co students for the first time ever, which “is a very big deal for us here at Bryn Mawr,” Helene Studdy, a member of the arts program support at the college, said.

Some students might recognize the Upstanding Citizens Brigade. If you’re not alert to the sketch comedy scene, know that according to Bryn Mawr’s press release their “90-minute shows boast some of the nation’s freshest and most outrageous long-form improv.” The group has performed on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brian” in addition to its regular shows, and will now be performing a mere 20 minutes away.

Kraus thinks the show will appeal to Swarthmore students. “is a changing group of really talented comedians. They’re political, they’re sassy … I think the timing is really great, a way for everyone to unwind at the end of the semester,” she said. Swatties are already excited. “The Upright Citizens Brigade is coming?” said Dan Jameson ‘08, a member of Swarthmore’s sketch comedy group Boy Meets Tractor. “No way! They’re awesome!”

The season opens on Friday, Sept.. 15 with Garth Fagan’s dance company, which, according to the press release from Bryn Mawr “blends Afro-Caribbean movement and energy with the speed and precision of ballet and the rule-breaking experimentation of the post-moderns.” Garth Fagan, the Tony-award winning choreographer of Broadway’s “Lion King” has “a general appeal to everyone,” said Lisa Kraus, coordinator of performing arts at Bryn Mawr. “There’s such a powerful interest in African dance at Swarthmore, so for people to come and see a fusion of Afro-Caribbean and modern dance forms is really important.” The series also includes the Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra on Friday, Oct. 6. Those Swarthmore students who missed their performance on campus last year should be sure to catch what the press release calls “a high-energy celebration of world music.” The Orchestra features the North Indian tabla, Afro-Cuban bata, Brazillian samba and West African djembe music. “Swarthmore students should really be interested in this act because the students at Swarthmore really get exposed to all of these world cultures,” Kraus said.

Going to see Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana perform Friday, Feb. 16 is “a no-brainer,” Krauz said. “You have a very strong flamenco teacher at Swarthmore and there’s a group of very committed flamenco students at Swat, and this is the premiere group coming … and it’s free.” The group is “known for their smoldering sensuality and polish,” according to the press release, and is sure to move the audience with an emotional performance.

Finally, classical music fans at Swarthmore won’t want to miss the “Borealis String Quartet” on Friday, March 23. The Globe and Mail wrote the Quartet does not “let anyone cling to their sober stereotypes of classical music and chamber quartets … they practically flew out of their chairs … so vigorous and physical was their playing.”

There’s something for everyone at Bryn Mawr’s 2006-2007 performing arts line-up. So grab a friend, get on the shuttle and enjoy.

Performances

Garth Fagan’s Dance Company
Sept. 15, 8 p.m. Goodhart Theater

Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra
Oct. 6, 8 p.m. Goodhart Theater

Upright Citizens Brigade
Dec. 8, 8 p.m. Goodhart Theater

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
Feb. 16. 8 p.m. Goodhart Theater

Borealis String Quartet
March 23, 8 p.m. Thomas Great Hall

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