Woman, Life, Freedom event focuses on Iranian women’s rights movement Evening includes pop-up art exhibition and panel discussion

From our friends at Columbia Museum of Art …

The Columbia Museum of Art presents Woman, Life, Freedom: An Evening on the Art of Protest, an evening of art and activism in conjunction with the exhibition Reverent Ornament: Art from the Islamic World, on Thursday, April 27, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free with membership or admission, the program focuses on Iranian culture and the current women’s rights movement and features diasporic artists and scholars living in Columbia.

“This museum has been given the opportunity to present art from the Islamic world, in an exhibition that showcases more work from Iran than anywhere else, so I thought it was important to provide space for local Iranian Americans to give voice to what is currently happening there,” says CMA Manager of Engagement Wilson Bame. “I'm extremely excited to be working with these artists, who are very distinct yet very in sync with each other, to highlight their fine work while also giving our visitors a chance to learn more about and maybe participate in the Woman. Life. Freedom. movement.”

The geographical representation in Reverent Ornament: Art from the Islamic World is broad, with art included from regions as far west as Egypt, and as far east as India. The country with the greatest number of items in the exhibition is Iran, a place with thousands of years of cultural history. Presently, Iran is on the minds of many as protests continue in cities throughout the country and across the world following the death of Iranian citizen Mahsa Amini, who died last September while in custody after being arrested by the government’s guidance patrol or “morality police” for “improperly” wearing a hijab. Chanting “Woman. Life. Freedom.,” many people of Iran and their international allies protest the ill treatment of its citizens, especially women, under the rule of the present regime and fight to bring equality to their home nation.

Attendees are encouraged to visit Reverent Ornament to view the art that inspired the program before gathering in the CMA Theater for a short historical recalling of Iran’s most recent histories and a panel discussion led by USC language professor Farzad Salamifar. A pop-up exhibition in the Reception Gallery features the work of three Iranian American women artists, all affiliated with the USC School of Visual Art and Design: designer and associate professor Meena Khalili, visual artist, and adjunct professor Nakisa Beigi, and multimedia artist and MFA student Nina Rastgar. These artists will be present throughout the program and available for questions and discussion. The evening ends on Boyd Plaza with the chalk-stenciling of protest phrases in Farsi, Kurdish, and English.

Thursday, April 27 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Galleries and bar open at 6:00 p.m. | Panel discussion 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Pop-up exhibition at 7:00 p.m. | Free with membership or admission | Cash bar

CMA Jazz on Main kicks off September 12th with Noel Freidline

The Columbia Museum of Art presents the first concert in the new, world-class jazz series, "CMA Jazz on Main," under the artistic direction of internationally renowned band leader Noel Freidline on Friday, September 12, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. The two-concert pilot season last year was a phenomenal success. With the generous support of Dr. Serbin and his partners at Family Medicine Centers of South Carolina, the Museum is proud to present the exciting new series bringing amazing, hot jazz performances to the elegant setting of the DuBose-Poston Reception Hall.

"We are very excited about the coming season of Jazz on Main," says Leslie Pierce, CMA director of adult programs. "The concerts transform the ambience of the Museum into the feel of a cool, laid-back jazz club with soft lighting, a snazzy bar, and wine bottles at nice table seating that really puts the audience in the right mood for exceptional jazz music. The night almost has a velvet feel to it."

The inaugural concert features Nelson Rangell joined by the acclaimed Noel Freidline Trio for an amazing evening of contemporary and straight ahead jazz. Jazziz magazine writes that Nelson Rangell is "an artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser nonpareil." The Times of London notes "his extraordinary facility on a range of instruments and his undoubted virtuosity," adding that Nelson is "one of fusion's most accomplished exponents."

Such praise is a confirmation of what contemporary jazz fans have known since the Denver-based saxophonist emerged in the late 80s: that Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the genre, equally adept at soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, as well as being a genuine virtuoso on flute and piccolo.

"I'm embarking on a new chapter in my career," says Rangell. "I've been very blessed to have been a participant in the contemporary jazz scene for the past 30 years. The modern and 'popular' jazz scene is undergoing a lot of change. I think for the better. I believe it will be a creative and exciting period for many artists. I hope my performance at 'CMA Jazz on Main' with the excellent Noel Freidline Trio will be a reflection of this. I thank my friend John Baker for bringing me to Columbia for the first time."

Pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator, Noel Freidline has led his own band since 1992. He is currently a lecturer in music at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is the director of the Lake Norman Big Band (Mooresville, NC), and the artistic director of the new Center City 6th & Tryon Jazz Series in Charlotte, NC.

"I couldn't be happier with how well this series has been received," says Freidline. "And to have the ability to kick off the new season with an artist such as Nelson Rangell is an absolute privilege. The description 'world-class' gets thrown around a lot these days, but Nelson Rangell is truly the embodiment of that phrase. His career speaks for itself, but Nelson is unique in the depth and breadth of musicality and diversity that he can bring to a bandstand. Respect amongst your peers is the hardest-won achievement for performers, and jazz musicians think of Nelson as 'the real deal'."

"I really can't wait to see the 2014-2015 Jazz on Main season unfold," Freidline continues. "We have had such great momentum due in large part to the excellent Columbia audience that has come out and taken part in some spectacular evenings. Every musician who has thus performed has commented to me how great the venue is and especially how wonderful the audiences have been. We simply can't thank Columbia enough for making us feel so welcome."

Based out of Charlotte, N.C., the famous swinging repertoire of Noel Freidline's band mines the best of every genre, from the swing of Duke Ellington to the gritty sincerity of Bonnie Rait, from soulful and edgy reinterpretations of Patti Page to Africanized arrangements of Simon & Garfunkel. Vocally driven, their sound is characterized by sophisticated arrangements that always retain a playful element of spontaneity.

Upcoming concerts in the 2014-2015 season:

• Celebrating the Great American Songbook - Friday, November 14, 2014
• Oscar, Ahmad & George: Three Legends of Piano Jazz - Friday, January 16, 2015
• Tribute to the Swing Bands - Friday, April 17, 2015

Doors open at 7:00 p.m.Concert at 7:30 p.m. Cash Bar.

Season Tickets: $130/ $90 for members

Individual Seats: $35 / $28 for members / $5 students

Premier Table Seating:

$300 6 guests & 2 bottles of wine $200 4 guests & 1 bottle of wine

Tickets and program information can be found at columbiamuseum.org.