Events

A lecture by writer Lawrence Weschler, the director of the New York Institute for Humanities at New York University. Weschler discussed the two contemporary artists Robert Irwin and David Hockney.

The Chinati Open House lectures for 2009 focused on the conservation efforts and restoration of Donald Judd’s 15 untitled works in concrete, 1980 -1984.

An intimate performance with influential folk group Bon Iver.

A jazz music festival which featured the Latin Jazz of the Ruben Gutierrez Quartet, acclaimed vocalist Greta Matassa with the Paul English Trio, the unique ukulele and percussion of Abe Lagrimas Jr. and David Caceres on saxophone and vocals.

Marfa participants wrote, directed, rehearsed and performed approximately eight one-act plays in twenty-four hours.

An evening of dance and music performed by Non Fiction and the past)(modern performance duo. Performers included Andrew Wass, Kelly Dalrymple-Wass, Rebecca Bryant, and Don Nichols.

A dance workshop led by members of dance group Lower Left. The week focused on improvisational skills within the context of solo body, ensemble, and duet forms. Nina Martin’s techniques “Ensemble Thinking” and “Articulating the Solo Body” were the focus along with contact improvisation.

Performances by local young aspiring ballerinas choreographed by Romina Uruena-Shizzi

The 52nd Street Project Teen Ensemble from New York led participants in games, exercises and readings from Shakespeare’s King Lear with community volunteers.

Dance performance by artist in residence Molissa Fenley. Molissa Fenley is a choreographer, modern dancer, and part-time associate professor of dance at Mills College. Fenley was awarded two New York Dance and Performance Awards in choreography.

Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group performed as part of Ballroom Marfa’s 2009 benefit weekend.

Marfa Independent school district teachers organized a production of Kinder Goes West. The Marfa Elementary Kindergarten class performed as wranglers and ponies representing the United States and Texas.

Film retrospective and discussion with Michael Almereyda, Ballroom Marfa filmmaker-in-residence. The range of Almereyda’s work includes award-winning Pixelvision films Another Girl, Another Planet and The Rocking Horse Winner, the stunning cult vampire movie, Nadja, and his acclaimed version of Hamlet set in contemporary New York (with Ethan Hawke, Bill Murray, Kyle MacLachlan, and Julia Stiles).

Performances by local the Sul Ross State University Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir as well as the Alpine Community Choir and Band. The centerpiece was George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. “American Masterworks” was also the farewell concert to Sul Ross University music professor Justin Badgerow.

Legendary Scottish folk singer and story teller Norman Kennedy stopped in Marfa on a small Texas tour.