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Performing Arts

400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio
About six people standing looking at open books on a table in a library

John Pollack (fourth from left) of the Penn Libraries organized the First Folio Day and chose the Shakespeare-related works to put on display. 

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400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio

A Penn Libraries celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies” featured students performing scenes and a rare appearance of four First Folios.
Penn Live Arts 2023-24 season highlights Ukrainian artists, ‘tolls the bell’ for gun violence
Three artists hunched over signs that read "Let me out."

Balaklava Blues, which fuses Ukrainian polyphony and other folk traditions with EDM, will perform as part of the 2023-24 Penn Live Arts season.

(Image: Courtesy of Balaklava Blues)

Penn Live Arts 2023-24 season highlights Ukrainian artists, ‘tolls the bell’ for gun violence

Executive and artistic director Chris Gruits previews what’s to come with Penn Live Arts’ upcoming season.
Art of the South Asian diaspora
Four women stand in front of a stage

From left to right, Aisha Khan, Arooj Aftab, Shahzia Sikander, and Fariha Khan at “The Artists’ Talk.”

(Image: Ana Glassman)

Art of the South Asian diaspora

An event spearheaded by the Asian American Studies Program combined scholarship and artistic practice to showcase art of the South Asian diaspora as a contemporary American tradition.

Kristina García

By the Numbers: Six years of The Sachs Program student grants
Distorted visions of people in a grid-like mirror

Untitled, 1974-1977, gelatin sliver print. Tamir Williams, a Ph.D. candidate in History of Art and Sachs Program student grantee, will curate an exhibition titled A Space to Appear, A Space to Tarry, which will present works from the photographic series “Black Nightclubs on Chicago’s South Side” (1975-1977) by Penn alumnus Michael Abramson. The exhibition and supplemental programming is anticipated in the summer and fall 2023, and will be presented at a Penn-affiliated gallery and at a collective art space in Philadelphia.

(Image: Michael Abramson)

By the Numbers: Six years of The Sachs Program student grants

This week, The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation announced its latest round of spring grants for students, and Penn Today offers a by-the-numbers look at the Program’s investment in students to date.
Evoking an ancient world
Benjamin Bagby speaking and gesturing with his hand

Bagby has been performing “Beowulf” for nearly 30 years.

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Evoking an ancient world

The medieval English epic poem “Beowulf” is brought to life in a musical performance by Benjamin Bagby and academic discussion through a partnership among the Penn Live Arts, the Libraries, and the School of Arts & Sciences. 
Our 15 favorite stories from 2022
student in classroom

Our 15 favorite stories from 2022

From interdisciplinary research and life-changing discoveries to a new University president and everything in between, this year at Penn has been one for the books.

Penn Today Staff