British Council USA

November 2010 Newsletter

$15 Takes You to Edinburgh

An autobiographical monologue by the key figure in Britain's post-war gay liberation struggle, a five ton rice installation exploring US demographic stats and a one night stand between two middle aged strangers that turns into a drunken weekend of bridge burning and car chases - all are among the new British performances featured in ON THE FRINGE: Eye on Edinburgh at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC now through next Friday, November 13.

If you're a local artist, don't miss the chance to hear from Edinburgh Festival Fringe staff, veteran artists, and the heads of the US fringe festivals this Sunday for "The Fringe Roadshow and Meet Market," where you'll get tips for placing your work in the premiere contemporary performance festival.

Learn more about the festival from the Washington Post, the Kojo Nnadmi Show and Washington City Paper.

International Approaches to Citizen Diplomacy  

The British Council has assembled an international delegation of cultural relations organizations to attend the US Center for Citizen Diplomacy's Summit November 16-19 in Washington, DC.  We are also chairing the summit's report on "Citizen Diplomacy Organizations Throughout the World:  Opportunities for Cooperation."   

During the summit, which aims to double the number of American volunteers involved in international activities at home or abroad, we will lead a plenary luncheon and roundtable discussion on international cooperation. Members of the international delegation participating in the discussions include:

Students in San Francisco, Kabul and London Debate the Great Game

Next week, students at California State University, East Bay; Royal Holloway, University of London; and the American University of Afghanistan will come together by video conference to discuss themes in The Great Game: Afghanistan and share research on the arts, history and international affairs.

The Great Game, a series of plays tracing the history of foreign engagement in Afghanistan, is on a US tour, currently performing at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in San Francisco and traveling to the Public Theater, presented in association with the NYU Skirball Center, in December.

Climate Competition Launched in California and Minnesota Schools

Last month we began a new school-based climate competition in California and Minnesota.

Building on our International Climate Champions program, Climate Generation engages young people around the world as communicators who will help influence and educate their peers and the general public on the importance of taking action on climate change.

The Climate Generation program expands on the Climate Champions network by engaging many more students in climate action project-based learning activities. Schools in California and Minnesota are eligible to take part in the project by developing and implementing a climate action project by April. In May, winning projects will be announced and will have the opportunity to receive project funding or other awards.

In the US, Climate Generation is offered in partnership with the California Air Resources Board and the Will Steger Foundation.

BRITISH COUNCIL AROUND THE WORLD  

English Training in Egypt in the News

Our English language program at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt was recently featured on CNN. Over the last three years, we have set up an English training center and supported and mentored Al-Azhar teachers.

Al-Azhar is considered the world's oldest university and today is a global center for Sunni Islamic learning. The theology students at the English center are expected to rise to the highest ranks of Islamic life as imams, judges and academics. Learn more about British Council's work with Al-Azhar.

BRITISH CULTURAL EVENTS IN THE US

BRITISH COUNCIL SUPPORTED EVENTS

Rebecca Warren Solo Exhibition

Supported by Grants to Artists, new works by UK sculptor Rebecca Warren are exhibited at the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago's Contemporary Art Museum in the artist's first solo exhibition in an American museum. Warren has developed a body of work distinguished by its formal risk-taking and shrewd humor. Placed in the open air against the dramatic Chicago skyline, her sculptures morph and abstract the human form, providing an organic counterpoint to the linearity of the cityscape.

October 3-December 12, 2010

The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago Contemporary Art Museum

Chicago, IL

John Hoyland in The Independent Eye

Supported by Grants to Artists, John Hoyland exhibits his work in The Independent Eye at the Yale Center for British Art.  One of England's foremost abstract painters, Hoyland has gained international recognition by developing a distinctive personal style that utilizes the movement of paint to evoke a world of emotion and imagination. Also on display are a handful of Hoyland's notable British contemporaries who have produced provocative work over consistently prolific careers.

September 16, 2010 - January 2, 2011

Yale Center for British Art

New Haven, CT

Yinka Shonibare in Huckleberry Finn

Supported by Grants to Artists, Yinka Shonibare contributes his work to Huckleberry Finn, a showcase of international artists addressing issues of racism, the history of slavery, and struggles for equality through the lens of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

September 28- December 11, 2010

CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts

San Francisco, CA

OTHER EVENTS

At any given time, there are a large number of British cultural events taking place across the US. The following are a small selection of non-British Council events. Please contact the venues listed for more information.

The Pitmen Painters

Inspired by a book by William Feaver, The Pitmen Painters was hailed by London critics as "a glorious instant classic" (Evening Standard), "a wonderful piece of theatre" (Financial Times) "a beautiful work of art that everybody should see'" (The Times of London), and "a superb piece of work; warm, funny, sad, and thought-provoking'" (The Daily Telegraph). The play tells the story of the Ashington Group - miners from Northumberland who became celebrated painters. The Pitmen Painters was named Best Play at the 2008 Evening Standard Awards.

September 14 - December 13, 2010

Presented by Manhattan Theatre Club at the Friedman Theatre on Broadway Co-production between Live Theatre, Newcastle and National Theatre

Talking Pictures by Cambridge Jones

Photographs of creative people inspired by Wales or carrying the DNA of Wales will be unveiled in Cardiff, London, New York and Los Angeles over the coming months. The subjects have been chosen and photographed by Llanidloes-born celebrity photographer Cambridge Jones. Jones' portraits are direct, bold and often playful. He says, "I shoot celebrities as people rather than people as celebrities. I like my portraits to be honest without any veneer."

September 20 - November 27, 2010

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center

New York, NY

Venetian Masterpieces from the National Galleries, Scotland

The High Museum of Art, in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland, will present an exhibition of 25 masterpieces of the Venetian Renaissance-12 paintings and 13 drawings.

October 17, 2010 - January 2, 2011

High Museum of Art

Atlanta, GA

European Union Film Showcase

AFI presents the 23rd AFI European Union Film Showcase, a selection of new films from EU member states including film festival award winners, box office hits and US premieres. Two British films have been selected for the festival this year: Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff, a documentary that illuminates cinematographer's art and provides a rare insight into the workings of the movie world and Made in Dagenham, a film based on true events surrounding the landmark sexual discrimination lawsuit of 1968.

November 6,8, and 21, 2010

AFI Silver Theatre

Silver Spring, MD

Bryn Terfel to perform in New York and California

Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel performs an annual recital with Malcolm Martineau at Carnegie Hall in New York and two performances in California. Born in North Wales, Bryn's accolades include being honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales in 2003 and receiving the Queen's Medal for Music in 2006.

November 17, 2010

Carnegie Hall

New York, NY

November 22, 2010

Zellerbach Auditorium

Berkeley, California

November 22, 2010

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Los Angeles, CA

Wales in America

The Welsh Assembly's travelling exhibition about the Welsh in America will participate in the University of Houston, Clear Lake's Annual Global Expo.

November 12-20, 2010

University of Houston, Clear Lake (UCHL)

Houston, TX

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