On the stage: Because of performances, visual arts, events from November 4 to 9

Embrace the chilly week ahead and warm up with these culture-focused events. Idaho Ballet celebrates its 50th season, The Cabin brings lively conversation to the stage, and classical pianists perform.

“Mozart in motion”

Get your Mozart on this weekend with the Idaho Ballet. The company has been embedded in the cultural fabric of Boise and Idaho for 50 years, and this concert truly shows how far the company has come. This season opener brings “Mozart on the Move,” a program filled with four new pieces for Idaho audiences and everyone into Mozart’s music.

“Divertimento No. 15” by George Balanchine, set to Mozart’s composition of the same name, is one of the titanic works of the American ballet repertoire. Created by the genius choreographer in 1952 for the New York City Ballet, it is what dancers today call “bare ballet,” meaning the simple purity of its movement showcases the artist’s technique.

The rest of the program offers more modern twists on the prolific music of classical composers:

Artistic Director of Chicago’s PARA.MAR Dance Theater, Stephanie Martinez, makes her Idaho debut with The Kiss, a show that ranges from poignant introspection to joyous celebration.

The modern American classic “Concerto 622” was originally composed in 1986. Set to Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Orchestra, this haunting and inventive work features a passionate male duet that became a cornerstone of America’s AIDS crisis. The Idaho Ballet performed pieces from it in 2021. Now you can experience the full performance with guest stars Brett Perry and Jacob Beasley.

Idaho Artistic Director Garrett Anderson makes his major choreographic debut with Seen/Unseen.

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7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 2 p.m. Nov. 6, Morrison Center, 2201 Cesar Chavez Drive, Boise. $41-65 for individual tickets at MorrisonCenter.com. Full season tickets (includes “The Nutcracker”) $183-$247; three-show season (not “Nutcracker”) $ 130-$ 173, in BalletIdaho.org.

Learn about the remainder of the 2022-23 season for Ballet Idaho and other performing arts groups.

Show your love for literature

Readings and talks: Cabin The literary series continues with this debate on stage between two very big minds: Writer, religious scholar, documentarian and podcaster Reza Aslan, which explores some of civilization’s most interesting and pressing questions, and actor-producer Rainn Wilson. Wilson, known as Dwight from “The Office”, was also one of its founders SoulPancake, “a digital media company designed to explore life’s big questions, celebrate humanity and champion creativity.” It’s a perfect pairing for this debate on stage that brings literature to life.

20. Nov. 9, Morrison Center. $39, $59, $79 in MorrisonCenter.com.

Rachmaninov

In Steinway stars the classical recital series brings award-winning pianists Winona Wang and Daniel Hsu to Boise for an intimate all-Rachmaninov performance at 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at Church of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., Boise; and 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at Dunkley Music, 3410 N. Eagle Road, in Meridian. Rachmaninov’s suite for two pianos is in the program. $15 donation at the door.

Light and shadow

The Treasure Valley Artists Alliance brings together the creative talents of over 100 regional artists of all mediums. The group’s latest show, The Play of Light and Shadow, features the work of 20 artists who explore “shape, shadow, depth and contrast.” You can find it at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. see when the building is open now through January 10, 2023.

Make a plan

Boyz Phil presents Rhapsody in Blue with Van Cliburn piano competition finalist Fei-Fei and the orchestra performs the American masterpiece of George Gershwin. Also on the program will be Grant Steele’s Holiday Overture, featuring seniors from the Boys Phil Youth Orchestra, and Florence Price’s Piano Concerto (Fee-Fee). 12 and 7:30 p.m. on November 12 at the Morrison Center. $31.93 – $96.59. Students with ID are half off or $15 at the door. 208-344-7849, boisephil.org.

This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 10:25 am.