UM stars arrive for annual fine arts bash

The Odyssey of the Stars is an opportunity to showcase the talent of the School of Fine Arts, as University of Montana music director Stephen Kalm put it.

The event, coming up this Saturday, brings together the talents of UM student musicians, the Department of Drama/Dance, and distinguished alumni in a night of performing and raising money to benefit scholarships from the School of Fine Arts.

The eighth annual event promises to be “a chance to celebrate the arts and the people who make it happen,” said Linda Lussy, School of Fine Arts outreach director.

“People come to the University, they get an education, and off they go. This is a chance for them to come back and show current students what they can do with a fine arts degree,” Lussy said. “It should be a pretty exciting evening with lots of variety.”

This year’s featured alumni are Beth Lo, an award-winning ceramicist, musician, author and teacher, and David Simmons, a distinguished singer, composer, playwright and actor.

Performing alongside the alumni will be the Big Sky Mudflaps, actor and UM alumnus J.K. Simmons (“Spiderman,” “Juno”), Dan Erickson, Michael Smith and Michael Morrison. Appearances will also include numerous UM music ensembles, the UM Symphony Orchestra, the cast of the upcoming drama/dance production “Gypsy,” and the Islanders Steel Drum Band.

Audiences can expect to hear and see everything from retro hits like “Fly Me To The Moon” to videos of Beth Lo’s ceramic works, from musical numbers to electric guitar.

Many of the students performing are recipients of the scholarships, which is why Kalm said the concert is “a chance for the audience to hear the fruits of their generosity.”

Kalm has been conducting ensembles in the Odyssey of the Stars since its inception, and he said that the community event represents the best of the School of Fine Arts.

“It’s a great opportunity to support young student artists and performers, and to honor distinguished alumni,” Kalm said. “Basically, it’s the University of Montana at its best.”

The Odyssey of the Stars will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 5 in the University Theatre. Tickets are available at all GrizTix locations, on the web at http://www.griztix.com, or by phone at (406) 243-4051. Adult tickets are $30, student tickets are $15.