Arts & Entertainment at USU: October Events Preview

October at Utah State University will bring a wide variety of arts events and performances for the community to enjoy. Whether you’re a longtime arts enthusiast or simply looking for something new to experience, there’s something on campus for everyone. Read below for more details about these coming events and subscribe to the weekly events reminder email.

Exploding Native Inevitable

Oct. 1 through Nov. 29

Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art

An exhibition of contemporary Indigenous art from the land we now call America.

Exploding Native Inevitable is an exhibition of the work of 12 contemporary Indigenous artists and two collaboratives. Exhibiting artists range from emerging to elders. The artists build on cultural traditions, push new creative boundaries, and represent some of the extraordinary work being created by Indigenous artists across the land.

The exhibition title riffs on Andy Warhol’s 1966-67 Exploding Plastic Inevitable, which featured a series of multimedia events that extended the exhibition beyond the gallery. The exhibition includes work by Norman Akers, Nizhonniya Austin, Alison Bremner, Jaque Fragua, Raven Halfmoon, Elisa Harkins, Sky Hopinka, Terran Last Gun, Fox Maxy, New Red Order, Mali Obomsawin & Lokotah Sanborn, Sarah Rowe, Duane Slick, and Tyrrell Tapaha.

Exploding Native Inevitable is curated by Brad Kahlhamer and Dan Mills and organized by the Bates College Museum of Art.

INTO LIGHT: Faces of Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories from Utah

Oct. 1 through Nov. 29

Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art

INTO LIGHT is a national project, partnering with one museum in each of the 50 states to change the conversation about drug addiction through the power of portraiture and storytelling. The exhibition, Drug Addiction: Real People, Real Stories from Utah, will feature original, hand-drawn portraits and poignant narratives from people across the state who have died from drug overdose, drug poisoning or related causes. By sharing these stories, we aim to foster understanding, break down stigma, and inspire hope within the community. Together we can create a compassionate dialogue around this critical issue.

Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really

Oct. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4, 1 p.m.

Morgan Theatre, Chase Fine Arts Center

“When your survival is at stake … will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Both terrifying and riotous, Kate Hamill’s imaginative, gender-bending “feminist revenge fantasy” is like no Dracula you’ve ever seen — exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, disquieting, darkly comic drama. Hamill’s signature style and postmodern wit upends this familiar tale of Victorian vampires — driving a stake through the heart of toxic masculinity.” – Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Autumn Voices

Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Daines Concert Hall, Chase Fine Arts Center

Autumn Voices features the combined choirs of the USU Music Department performing music perfect for the fall season, including seasonal favorites, beautiful a cappella masterworks and thrilling choral anthems.

The Utah Chamber Music Festival, featuring violinist William Hagen

Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

Utah’s own internationally recognized violin soloist William Hagen is joined by an all-star cast of globally diverse chamber musicians as part of the Utah Chamber Music Festival. Violinist Mairéad Hickey, violist Natalie Loughran, cellist Andrei Ionita and pianist Orion Weiss join Will for an unforgettable evening of chamber music featuring beloved works for piano quintet by Dvorák and Schumann.

Big Bands

Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

USU big band concerts typically feature both the jazz ensemble opening and the jazz orchestra closing, playing a mix of mostly traditional big band music.

Wassermann Piano Series presents Marina Lomazov

Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

Praised by critics as “a diva of the piano” (The Salt Lake City Tribune), “a mesmerizing risk-taker” (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland), and “simply spectacular” (Chicago International Music Foundation) Ukrainian-American pianist Marina Lomazov has established herself as one of the most passionate and charismatic performers on the concert scene today. New York Times chief music critic Anthony Tommasini describes a recent New York performance as “dazzling” and Talk Magazine Shanghai describes her performances as “a dramatic blend of boldness and wit.”

Three Corners of Europe, featuring the USU Symphony Orchestra and the Fry Street Quartet

Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Daines Concert Hall, Chase Fine Arts Center

A symphonic journey through Europe starting with picturesque Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok, followed by elegant English work by Edward Elgar and concluding with the most joyful of all Beethoven symphonies: his mighty Symphony No. 7.

The Fry Street Quartet are featured soloists in the Elgar composition.

The concert marks the first appearance of the new director of the USU Symphony Orchestra, Mariusz Smolij.

Dona Nobis Pacem: A Concert of Peace by the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra

Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

AFCO begins its season with A Concert of Peace, featuring the magnificent Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as his Five Variations on Dives and Lazures. The program will also include the Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein, conducted by guest conductor Andrew Larson.

Larry Smith Jazz Kicks Big Band

Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

An evening of band music including arrangements of Larry Smith.

Jazz Jams

Oct. 22, 7 p.m.

TSC Hub, Moonlight Stage

Each Jazz Jams session will showcase the Caine Jazz Combo, a special guest artist, and talented jazz students from the Music Department, all performing timeless jazz standards. Whether you're an enthusiast or a musician, you're invited to be part of the action — bring your instrument and join the jam session.

Jazz Jams will take place at the Hub Stage on the first floor of the Taggart Student Center. Don't miss this chance to experience great music and collaborate with fellow jazz lovers.

Logan Canyon Winds

Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

Logan Canyon Winds, the faculty wind quintet at Utah State University, present their fall recital. Repertoire to be announced.

Play Reading Series #2: An Evening of Short Plays

Oct. 24-25, 7:30 p.m.

Black Box Theatre, Chase Fine Arts Center

"Triangle" by Ashley Patterson, directed by Liz Marigoni.

"The Appointment" by Darrin Ingram, directed by Katie Ludlow.

"An Infinite Number of Monkeys" by Dan West, directed by Brighton McDonald.

"100 Things I've Never Said to You" by Adam Szymkowicz, directed by Gem Christiansen.

Overall movie equivalent rating: R.

Content Warning: Adult themes and topics, strong language, mental health issues, suicide, bullying, death, fire.

Youth Conservatory Monster Concert

Oct. 25, 4 p.m.

Daines Concert Hall, Chase Fine Arts Center

Join us for the annual USU Youth Conservatory Monster Concert, a fun and one-of-a-kind piano extravaganza. With 15+ pianos on stage and hundreds of young performers playing side by side, it’s a joyful showcase of collaboration, creativity and fun. The event also features a lighthearted skit starring our YC mascot, Frankensteinway, adding a playful touch to the program. It’s a great way to support local young musicians and enjoy an afternoon of music that’s full of energy and charm.

Escher Quartet with Jordan Bak, Viola - CMSL

Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

The Escher String Quartet has received acclaim for its profound musical insight and rare tonal beauty. A former BBC New Generation Artist and recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the quartet has performed at the BBC Proms and is a regular guest at Wigmore Hall. The ensemble serves as season artists of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Other Events with More Information to Come

Communitas Lecture Series: Kristen Laciste

Oct. 2, 5 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

Marion Hyde Retrospective

Oct. 6–31, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tippetts & Eccles Galleries

Communitas Lecture Series: Tyrrell Tapaha

Oct. 23, 5 p.m.

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

Watch for coming events and updated descriptions by checking the online events calendar.