Celebrate the Arts at GCC with SHOWCASE 2015, the Fine Arts Festival and Rochester Gay Men Chorus

BATAVIA, NY (02/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Anyone needing to take the edge off this long winter should head to Genesee Community College for two unique opportunities that celebrate the performing arts and visual arts! SHOWCASE 2015 offers a medley of performances designed to illustrate the diverse and dynamic talent of GCC's students including singing, music, dance and choreography, theatrics and original drama. Two complete shows are scheduled, Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. all at the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Among the musical selections of SHOWCASE 2015 are:

• "Till There Was You" from The Music Man performed by Samantha Bell (North Tonawanda)

• "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables performed by Maria Albanese (Kendall)

• "This is the Moment" from Jekyll and Hyde performed by David Wysocki (Hamburg)

• "O Del Milo Dolce Ardor" performed by Samantha Marchisin (Alexander)

• "Air Romantique" performed by Maryssa Peirick (Batavia)

• "Where I Want to Be" performed by David Wysocki (Hamburg)

• "I Carry Your Heart" performed by Maryssa Peirick (Batavia)

SHOWCASE 2015 dance numbers were choreographed by Tara Pocock and Amy Taravella and will be performed by: Kayli Wilson (Canastota), Blake Carter (Batavia), Shelby Waterman (Byron-Bergen), Katerina Lynch, Christian Hoffman (Hilton), Michael Stewart (New York City) and David Wysocki (Hamburg).

The dramatic performances, directed by Maryanne Arena, GCC's director of Fine and Performing Arts include:

• Lives of Great Waitresses by Nina Shengold performed by Maria Albanese (Kendall), Alexis Wilson (Rochester), Amiyah Johnson (Kenosha, Wisconsin), Shelby Waterman (Byron-Bergen) and Blake Carter (Batavia)

• Death Knocks by Woody Allen performed by David Wysocki (Hamburg) and Bill Rupp (Batavia

• Love in Chains, an original dramatic work written and performed by Jerry Jordan (Bronx) with Kayli Wilson (Batavia)

Tickets are just $8 for general admission, $5 for seniors (55+) or students (16+), and all GCC alumni with ID receive $2 off the general admission price. To reserve a seat, call the Box Office, (585) 345-6814 or boxoffice@genesee.edu.

In addition, GCC's Fine Arts Committee and Art Club are delighted to present the Third Annual Fine Arts Festival on Thursday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Forum of the Batavia Campus. Art enthusiasts, artists of all ages and persuasions and anyone who wants to have fun exploring the visual arts are invited to share this creative opportunity. Experience art by participating in your choice of numerous workshops demonstrating creative endeavors such as drawing, painting, photography, origami, printmaking and much more! Among the artists and their media who will be participating:

• Melita Gill – Weaving

• Lance and Amanda Taylor – OATKA School of Glass

• Sue DiMartino – Watercolor Painting

• Shawna Hawkins – Henna tattoos

• Nate Hodge – Painting, Mixed Media Demonstrations

• Debbie King-Frisby – Kirlian (energy field) Photography

• The Pratts – Chainsaw Carving demonstration

• Joyce Chizick – Felting

• Diana Martin – Caricature drawings

• Art Club – Hands-on Art Projects

"This year's Fine Arts Festival promises to be the most vibrant and exciting opportunity to explore the visual arts," Maureen (Moi) Dugan, associate professor of Fine Arts and Ceramics said. "We hope the wider community will join us!" The Fine Arts Festival is free and open to the public.

Another exciting opportunity for local music lovers is the just-announced performance of The Rochester Gay Men's Chorus on Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. Since 1982, members of the RGMC have pursued the dream of using music and "harmony of voice to create a harmony of the spirit." Today, over forty voices share their talent and proudly unit in seeking a better world through the universal language of music. For further information go to: http://www.thergmc.org/

Finally, the Roz Steiner Art Gallery will have Fine Arts Student Exhibit on exhibit from February 24 through April 9, 2015. Two artists' reception will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 12:30-2 p.m., and 5 - 6:30 p.m.

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Editor's Note: A dress rehearsal photo opportunity for SHOWCASE 2015 is scheduled Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 4 p.m. in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.