Wednesday, December 16, 2015

7PM; doors at 6:30PM

Admission Price: Pay what you can (at the door)

Artists

Wu Fei & Special Guests

The Beijing-born, Nashville-based composer, vocalist and performer of the guzheng (21-string Chinese zither) has garnered international acclaim for her own work and for collaborations with musicians including Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck, Billy Martin (of Medeski-Martin-Wood), and John Zorn. OZ Arts Nashville welcomes her for a casual evening in which she will perform solo and with special guests as part of The Artists’ Lounge, the new work-in-progress series in the contemporary arts center’s lounge space.

She will perform a selection of classical guzheng pieces, Chinese folk songs and her own compositions and improvisations. Throughout the performance, she will give brief introductions to the origins and cultural contexts of the traditional pieces, and to the theory and practice underlying her work.

Fei began playing guzheng at the age of six, and spent her formative years studying composition at the China Conservatory of Music. More than 2,000 years old, the instrument became prominent during the Qin period (221 to 206 BCE) and by the Tang Dynasty (618 CE to 907 CE), when it was arguably the most commonly played instrument in China. Fei employs many techniques while playing the guzheng, realizing its potential to create sounds evoking a cascading waterfall, thunder, horses’ hooves, and even a scenic countryside.

The Artists’ Lounge gives artists opportunities to develop work before a live audience, and gives fellow artists and audiences a place to dwell, and to and experience work as it is being developed.

Performance FAQs

Coming to a performance at OZ Arts? Here’s what you need to know!

[toggler title=”What is the dress?” ]Many of our guests will be in business casual or cocktail attire, however OZ Arts does not strictly enforce a dress code. [/toggler]

[toggler title=”Is this program kid-friendly?” ]Every program at OZ Arts is vastly different. While our visiting artist programs are not usually designed for children, we have found that many children of varying ages have enjoyed experiencing contemporary art. Ultimately, we encourage parents to do some research and decide if a program matches their child’s interests. Of course, feel free to call or email us if you have any specific questions! And, check out some of our education and outreach programs – created just for kids! – on our Education page. [/toggler]

[toggler title=”May I take photos or record this performance?” ]Absolutely.[/toggler]

[toggler title=”Do you have snacks and/or drinks?” ]Wine, beer, and light concessions are available for purchase at this OZ Arts artistic program. The bar and concession area accepts cash and major credit cards.[/toggler]

[toggler title=”What is The Artists’ Lounge and how is it different from regular artistic programs?” ]The Artists’ Lounge is a more casual gathering with pay-what-you-can admission. Donations are accepted at the door. Feel free to come and go at your convenience, and enjoy our bar.[/toggler]