The Jorgsensen Center for the Performing Arts is the University of Connecticut’s premiere venue for arts and entertainment on campus. Each semester, the intimate theater hosts a variety of events and performances that allow students to see comedy shows, music and more at affordable prices. The venue’s October schedule continues this tradition, with an array of shows that Storrs students will not want to miss. Here’s a look at those who will be taking their talents to Storrs this upcoming month.
Wednesday, Oct. 1: An Evening with Dan Hurley
You’d be hard-pressed to find a UConn student who doesn’t know the name Dan Hurley, but finding those who know about his life story would be more difficult. To commemorate the release of his upcoming book “Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes To Be Great” that he co-wrote with Ian O’Connor, Hurley will take the stage at the Jorgensen on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. for “An Evening with Dan Hurley” to talk about the book and participate in a Q&A session moderated by ESPN’s Molly Qerim. Tickets are $35 for UConn students and $40 for adults, and admission includes a copy of the book.
Saturday, Oct. 4: Take Me As I Am – A Joni Mitchell Tribute with Rainee Blake
Rainee Blake, an Australian-born singer-songwriter, is coming to the Jorgensen on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. for “Take Me As I Am,” a show dedicated to honoring the music of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Blake will spend the evening in character as Mitchell on a night in 1976 after she returned from a cross-country road trip where she wrote most of the album “Hejira.” Tickets are $10 to $30.
Thursday, Oct. 9: Cedric Burnside
Cedric Burnside, a Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer-songwriter, is bringing his talents to the Jorgensen on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. A blues musician, Burnside has focused most of his work in the subgenre of hill country blues, which emphasizes droning groove, minimal chord changes and atypical song structures that go beyond the traditional 12-bar blues format. Tickets are $45.
Friday, Oct. 17: Ray Chen
Calling all classical music enjoyers of UConn – you’re not going to want to miss when Ray Chen takes the stage on Friday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. Chen is a virtuoso violinist known for his intensity and command of the instrument. His performance, where he will be accompanied by Julio
Elizalde on piano, will feature a program that includes works by classical composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Johan Sebastian Bach, as well as jazz composer Chick Corea. Tickets are free for UConn students and $40 for adults.
Saturday, Oct. 18: An Evening with Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier is everywhere in the music industry. As a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, the seven-time Grammy Award-winner has collaborated with a plethora of artists, including Coldplay, John Mayer, Shawn Mendes, Quincy Jones and Joni Mitchell to name a few. Now, he’ll be in Storrs on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. for “An Evening with Jacob Collier” at the Jorgensen. Tickets are $20 to $65, though availability is limited.
Thursday, Oct. 23: Compagnie Hervii Koubi – Sol Invictus
Closing out the Jorgsensen’s packed October schedule is a performance by Hervii Koubi’s dance company on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Koubi is a French-Algerian choreographer whose work combines influences from urban and contemporary dance movements, as well as elements of martial arts. His company’s current show, “Sol Invictus,” features male and female dancers performing with hip-hop elements. Tickets are $10 to $40.
Tickets for each event can be purchased online at jorgensen.uconn.edu or at the box office.