With the new school year in full swing and a new building to fit the growing number of students, the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts has a first quarter filled with big fun. From theatre performances to faculty recitals, Charter Arts is teeming with excitement as students share their talents with their new community. Here is a summary of the events occurring in the beginning of the school year!

The first big artistic event of the school year was the Best of Summer Series/Faculty Art Exhibit Opening Reception on Oct. 2. The exhibit had been on display since Sept. 16 and will continue to be until Oct. 9.

The next event the art department will hold is the Olympus InVision Photo Festival Event. It is curated by Christine Oaklander and will feature Theo Anderson’s exhibit: “In Cahoots.” The exhibit will run Oct. 19 through Nov. 19. The opening reception will be held First Friday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. The closing on Nov. 19 is from 6 to 9 p.m.

The dance department’s first performance of the year, Dance Soup, will take place Nov. 20 through 22. The performances on the 20th and 21st will be at 7 p.m., while the final one on Oct. 22 is at 2 p.m.

The theatre department’s first productions are soon to be presented to the public, as well. Oct. 30th to Nov. 1 is “The Real Inspector Hound” by Tom Stoppard on the main stage. It is a funny satire on the classic murder mystery. The Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. In the Underground Black Box Theatre, “The Laramie Project” by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project will be performed Nov. 12 through the 15. It is a powerful play focused on the events surrounding Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998. The shows Thursday through Saturday will be at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m.

The music departments have some very exciting events planned, too. The first is Songwriter’s Cafe at Godfrey Daniels, 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8. Next is a Faculty Music Recital Oct. 20 beginning at 7 p.m. The Jazz Ensemble performs at Godfrey Daniels Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Godfrey Daniels will also host Vocalist’s Cafe Nov. 5, Music from the Theatre Nov. 12, an Evening of Guitar Nov. 19 and the Chamber Ensemble Concert Nov. 24, all at 7 p.m.

More information regarding the location of these and other events and ticket prices is available at the school’s website (www.charterarts.org). Also, for more reports coming from other students, check out our student-run newspaper blog online at theperformerblog.wordpress.com.