Calendar of American Culture in the UK

American Friends of English National Opera

The American Friends of English National Opera (ENO) present their 2008 Spring/Summer Season of events. Unless otherwise stated, all events take place at: The London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES.
To reserve places for any of the events, or for information about the American Friends of ENO, please contact: Emma Goldschmied, American Friends Coordinator, English National Opera, London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES. E mail egoldschmied@eno.org, phone 020-7845-9331, fax 020-7845-9272

Sanctus Ensemble

Sanctus proudly presents a fundraising concert of early 20th Century American music in aid of St George's Church, Bloomsbury.
Sanctus are opening with Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, his stirring tribute to the working people who, unlike the military heroes of World War Two, received little recognition for their contribution to the American war effort. Written in 1942 for eleven brass instruments, timpani and percussion, this has become one of his most recognised works.
Venue:St. George's Church Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2HR.
For further information: www.stgeorgesbloomsbury.org.uk

Friday 8th August at 19.30

America: The Greatest Country in the World" Starring Lewis Schaffer

As part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Mr Lewis Schaffer will grace us with an evening detailing the differences and the similarities between the UK and the USA, and explains why the British should be grateful for their 'special relationship' with America, the 'greatest country'.
Venue:Underbelly's Baby Belly

8-24 August

'American Blues' by Tennessee Williams

As part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of America's greatest playwrights, performed by top-notch youth ensemble from New York City. 'American Blues' is a collection of one-act plays dealing with the complex struggle of the 'American Dream'.
Venue: Church Hill Theatre

3-25 August

Steve Reich Evening

As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, American composer Steve Reich has inspired Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker throughout her choreographic career. De Keersmaeker's choreographic style is accentuated in Steve Reich Evening, which brings together seven pieces made over twenty-five years to the music of her favourite composer.
Venue:Edinburgh Festival Theatre .

15-17 August

Elana Durán
Mexico Of My Heart

As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, Anthony Field Associates and London Artists present Elana Durán with Mexico Of My Heart featuring the music and songs of Mexican idols Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante and Javier Solis. Also featured will be clips from their iconic 'epoca de oro' movies.
Venue: Universal Arts Theatre, George Street, Edinburgh
With Luis Zepeda, piano  1-12 August
With Betty Woo, piano  14-25 August

1-12 August, 11:30 daily
14-25 August, 11:30 daily

The Wizard of Oz

This summer there is no place like Royal Festival Hall as it transforms into the mystical Emerald City. With a click of your heels and a sprinkle of Southbank Centre magic you'll be swept away on a bewitching adventure to the Land of Oz. Follow Dorothy and her friends Toto, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion on their quest to find their heart's desire and a way back home. This new stage version of the unforgettable film is directed by acclaimed Artistic Director Jude Kelly, and features the classic songs 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', 'Follow The Yellow Brick Road' and 'We're Off To See The Wizard'. A rare opportunity to experience this spell-binding musical live on stage, this is a must-see summer event.
For further information visit www.followtheyellowbrickroad.co.uk Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall

23 July - 31 August

The American Scene: Prints from Hopper to Pollock

The British Musem's exhibition, The American Scene, features around 150 outstanding prints by 74 leading modern American artists, including George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois and Jackson Pollock. The first half of the 20th century was a period of great change in America, and this exhibition examines American society and culture through the prints produced by some of the most important artists of the time.
Full details are on the British Museum website.

Until 7 September 2008

Cy Twombly: Cycles and Seasons

Coinciding with Cy Twombly’s 80th year, this will be the first major retrospective in the UK for twenty years of the work of this artist. Born in 1928 in Lexington Virginia, Twombly studied in Boston, New York and Black Mountain College, Carolina. In the mid 1950s, following travels in Europe and Africa, he emerged as a prominent figure among a generation of artists working in New York that included Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns.
Full details are on the Tate Modern website.

19 June – 14 September 2008

John Singleton Copley (1738-1815): Painter of American Revolutionaries and the English Aristocracy

The English-Speaking Union invites you to attend a lecture in aid of The ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham, John Singleton Copley (1738-1815): Painter of American Revolutionaries and the English Aristocracy. This lecture will be given by Emily Ballew Neff, Curator, American Painting and Sculpture from 1997 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The event will take place at 7pm at the English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London W1.
Tickets, to include a glass of wine, cost £7.50 and may be obtained from:
Gillian Parker, The English-Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, London W1J 5ED Tel: 020 7529 1550 Fax: 020 7495 6108 Email: gillian_parker@esu.org

Tuesday 16th September 2008, 7pm

Shelby Lynne

American country singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne comes to Southbank Centre to perform songs from her new critically acclaimed album Just a Little Lovin', a tribute to Dusty Springfield
Full details are on the Southbank website.

Friday 19 September 2008, 7.30pm

Paul Curreri

A performance from the American musician and songwriter Paul Curreri. Renowned for his inspired songs, bright voice and talented finger-style, he performs with Lucy Sale on percussion and Jo Carvell on double bass. At the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre.
Full details are on the Southbank website.

Friday 26 September 2008, 7.45pm

Mark Rothko

Tate Modern presents an exhibition by one of the world’s most famous and best-loved artists, Mark Rothko. This is the first significant exhibition of his work to be held in the UK for over 20 years.
Full details are on the Tate Modern website.

26 September 2008- 1 February 2009

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock plays at the Royal Festival Hall,as part of the London Jazz Festival.
Full details are on the Southbank website.

Saturday 15 November 2008, 7.30pm

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring the American pianist Jonathan Biss peforming Mozart's Piano Concerto 22, K482 at the Royal Festival Hall
Details of the event can be found on the LPO's website.

16 January 2009

London Philharmonic Orchestra performing:Rachmaninov, Mozart and Strauss

The London Philharmonic Orchestra featuring the Californian pianist Leon Fleisher performing Mozart's Piano Concerto 23, K488 at the Royal Festival Hall
Details of the event can be found on the LPO's website.

20 February 2009

London Philharmonic Orchestra performing: Brahms and Tchaikovsky

Featuring the American pianist Nicholas Angelich performing Brahms' Piano Concerto 2, at the Royal Festival Hall
Details of the event can be found on the LPO's website.

1 April 2009