The Week in the Arts (through March 5)

Wednesday March 3:

The Russell Library continues its monthly "The Many Faces of Marlon Brando" film discussion series at 12noon in the Hubbard Room. Film critic Richard Alleva is the host and presenter this month and the title of his talk is "Will the Real Marlon Brando Please Stand Up?"  He'll discuss the actor's many and varied roles.  The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, ext. 135.

Playwright David Henry Hwang, best known for "M. Butterfly", "Golden Child", and, most recently, "Yellow Face", will deliver a talk at 7 p.m. in Wesleyan's Memorial Chapel.  Hwang wrote the "book" for the 2002 revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "The Flower Drum Song" and the Disney 2000 adaptation of "Aida." he written the librettos for 3 of composer Phillip Glass's operas.  In 1991, Hwang, in association with the Los Angeles, California-based East-West Players, created the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute, which provides a series of writing classes "designed to foster new works for the stage...plays that embrace the voice of multi-ethnic America."Hwang's talk is free and open to the public.

Thursday March 4:
The Buttonwood Tree presents its monthly Open Mic, hosted by Bob Gotta, at 7 p.m.  The sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m.

Raphaëlle Brochet's Graduate Recital takes place at 7 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall.  Titled "Wings That We All Have", the concert is a culmination of her studies in ethnomusicology. While attending Wesleyan, Ms. Brochett has studied South Indian music.  Her root are in jazz performance but she has a great interest in Eastern music.  The program is free and open to the public.  To find out more about her, go to www.raphaellebrochet.com.

Friday March 5:

The quartet known as Harpeth Rising calls its music "Neograssiclassicana", an acoustic blend of classical, bluegrass, Celtic and folk music influence.  Based in the Nashville, Tennessee, area (where the Harpeth River flows), they're in the midst of an East Coast tour promoting their self-titled and self-released debut CD and they'll be stopping for a 7:30 p.m. date at The Buttonwood Tree.  Composed of Jordana Greenberg (violin, vocals), Rebecca Reed-Lunn (banjo, vocals), Ruthie Valente Burgess (cello) and Chris Burgess (hand drums), they first came together while attending Indiana University. Their music is poetic, rhythmical, melodic and exciting, with passionate playing and fine harmonies.  To find out more, go to www.harpethrising.com.  Click here to hear excerpts. To reserve a seat or 2, call 860-347-4957.

The soulful sounds of Soul Tsunami can be heard at 9 p.m. in Boney's Music Lounge.  Members of the band include Ed Corvo, John Corvo, Matt Z and Ramon.  For more information, call 860-346-6000.