Lewis University will present six events as part of the Lewis University Arts & Ideas’ “Performing Arts Series” for the Spring 2012 semester. They will be held throughout the semester and the general public is welcome. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the events are $10.

The series will begin with "Incognito", a play by Michael Fosberg on Jan.19 in the Philip Lynch Theatre. Performed by the playwright, the play centers around Fosberg’s search for his biological father. His search leads him to a discovery that impacts his life, the lives of those around him, and his vision of himself and society. This one-man play, unveils the playwright’s journey to uncover and discover his true self, his roots, his family, and the difficult history behind the tragic American complexity of “race.”

The second event in the series is a performance by the Antigua Baroque Consort. The performance will be held on Feb. 13 in the Sancta Alberta Chapel. The Consort performs music of the baroque with instruments of the time. The Antiqua Baroque Consort includes Zenia Lee - Soprano, Casey McGrath - Violin, Mark Ponzo - Baroque Trumpet/Cornetto/Sackbut and Emily Jane Morlan - Harpsichord.

The MAVerick Ensemble will perform on March 12 in the Philip Lynch Theatre. It will be an evening of new music featuring composition from the legendary George Crumb and award-winning Chen Yi. The ensemble is dedicated to the performance and presentation by composers, artists and filmmakers of the past 50 years. Known for its bold programming and its exceptional performances, the ensemble presents concerts of experimental music designed to engage, entertain and inform the audience.

On Feb. 29, pianist Adam Marks will perform in the Philip Lynch Theatre. Marks is best known for his innovative and impassioned performances of contemporary works. He has performed throughout the United States as well as in France and The Netherlands.

The fourth performance, held on March 20 in the Philip Lynch Theatre, is an adaptation of John Steinbecks’s "Of Mice and Men" by the National Players Touring Company. National Players make literature come alive for their audiences by engaging their minds and touching their hearts with fresh contemporary takes on classics.

The final performance in the series will be Jim Gallioreto’s Jazz-String Quintet. Under the direction of composer and saxophonist Jim Gallioreto, the Jazz-String Quintet is immersed in the traditions and performance practices of classical music while using the truest elements of jazz. Combining Gallioreto’s soprano saxophone with a string quartet, this Chicago-based group integrates jazz and classical music. It is inspired by diverse sources such as Miles Davis and Claude Debussy, John Coltrane and Maurice Ravel, and offers a perfect blend of the structure of classical music and the spontaneity of jazz. This performance will be held on April 12 in the Sancta Alberta Chapel.

Information about all events can be found at http://www.lewisu.edu/artsandideas. A portion of the Arts & Ideas events is sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. For additional information, please contact Dr. Michael Cunningham, Director of Arts & Ideas, at (815) 836-5385.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.