‘Hänsel and Gretel’
The MTSU Opera and Theater departments will present three performances of Engelbert Humperdinck's “Hänsel and Gretel,” featuring students from the McFadden School of Excellence, Feb. 10-12 on the university’s campus.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m.  Sunday in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU’s Wright Music Building.

Based on the classic story of Hansel and Gretel and their encounter with the wicked witch in the wood who tries to bake the children into bread, the MTSU version will feature MTSU opera students Katie Spencer as Hansel, Sarah Wofford as Gretel, Amanda Smith as Mother, Corbin Phillips as Father, Leslie Freemans as Sandman/Dew Fairy and Kevin Isbell as the Witch.

Dancers and angels, played by MTSU students, are Caleb Marshall, Heather Danielsen, Katie Hahn, Kayla Allsop, Kayla Holt, Tiffany Philpot, Christine Phillips, Sarah Upchurch, Victoria Stephens, Cora Frye, Elizabeth Elliott and Sarah Taylor, among others.

The children's chorus of McFadden students features flower dancers Camryn Adcock, Kathryn Hans, Sara Posey, Abi Shamburger and Emma Jo Shamburger, along with other choristers Harrison Arney, Allie Boatwright, Lilly Ann Brow, Mia Collins, Hannah Coutcher, Ross Eady, Peter Hays, Aubrey Knowles, Allison Meisel, Zoe Naylor, Emma Beth Petty, Sidney Roberts and Charles Shamburger.

The opera is under the musical direction of Raphael Bundage. Staging director is Kristi Shamburger, and Erin Rehberg is choreographer. 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the Brothers Grimm publication of the fairy tales that include “Hänsel and Gretel.” The German composer Humperdinck adapted the tale to opera, and it was first performed in 1893.

General-admission tickets for the Feb. 10-12 performances are $10 for adults and $5 for all non-MTSU students and will be available at the door. MTSU students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid ID. For more ticket information, call 615-898-2849.

Irish Music Day
Feeling a need for a bit of music from the auld sod? Then don’t miss the first Irish Music Day on Saturday on the MTSU campus!

MTSU’s School of Music is collaborating with the Franklin, Tenn.-based Authentic Ireland Cultural Enrichment organization to conduct the daylong event. It will include workshops for traditional singing, step dancing, fiddle, Irish flute, bodhran and bouzouki as well as classes in the Gaelic language and other associated topics.

The day will culminate at 4:30 p.m. with a special public concert in Room 101 of the MTSU’s Saunders Fine Arts Building.

The workshops cost $40 each with a discount for multiple sessions, and the closing concert costs $10 per person. MTSU students with a valid ID will be admitted free.

For more information about the individual workshops, visit the AICE’s workshop page at www.eiliscreanaice.com/weekend_workshops.html. Attendees can pre-register by emailing AICE founder Éilís Crean at eiliscrean@gmail.com.

FRIDAY
7 p.m. - City Schools Foundation Gala
Hollywood-style celebrity roast of John Hood. Stones River Country Club

7 p.m. - Valentine Dance
Featuring: Debbie Bailes Trio. St. Clair Street Senior Center, 325 St. Clair St.

7:30 p.m. - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Runs Friday and Saturday nights and at 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 11. General admission: $12; VIP admission: $25. Swan Performing Arts Center, 1203 Park Ave. 615-617-3784

7:30 p.m. - Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
Runs at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 28. Arts Center of Cannon County, 1424 John Bragg Hwy., Woodbury. 615-563-2787 or 1-800-235-9073