Roger Glass Center for the Arts
The history of ArtsLIVE
Since it was founded in 1961, the University of Dayton's ArtsLIVE program brought luminaries in the arts to campus. Over a thousand artists, as soloists or in ensembles, have performed and dozens of other writers, actors and composers have spoken in presentations open to campus and community. Marian Anderson, who in 1955 was the first African-American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, was one of the first featured artists. Admission was just a dollar when she performed at the UD Fieldhouse.
The selection of artists demonstrated the University’s' commitment to excellence, innovation and diversity. The artists featured each decade also reflect the culture and concerns of the period.
- Marian Anderson (1961-62)
- W. H. Auden (1962-63)
- Miriam Makeba (1969-70)
- Basil Rathbone (1965-66)
- Juan Serrano (1966-67)
- Robert Penn Warren (1964-65)
Image: Marian Anderson performs in the UD Fieldhouse in the inaugural season of the Arts Series in 1962.
- Edward Albee (1979-80)
- Van Cliburn (1972-73)
- Eliot Fisk (1977-78)
- Ella Fitzgerald (1974-75)
- Marcel Marceau (1973-74)
- Edward Villella (1974-75)
Image: Van Cliburn waits "backstage" at UD Arena before his Arts Series performance in 1972 with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Robert Altman (1984-85)
- Chick Corea (1985-86)
- Guarneri String Quartet (1983-84)
- Arlo Guthrie (1989-90)
- John Houseman (1981-82)
- New Irish Chamber Orchestra (1985-86)
Image: Chick Corea appeared in concert at UD in 1985. Photo courtesy of Chick Corea Productions.
- Anonymous Four (1999-2000)
- Ballet Hispanico (1994-95)
- DCDC (1992-93)
- Ensemble Galilei (1999-2000)
- Norman Kreiger (1999-2000)
- Kronos Quartet (1991-92)
Image: Sheri "Sparkle" Williams, shown here in a dress rehearsal on campus (2011) as part of DCDC's Community Artist in Residence programming, appeared with the dance company in the Arts Series 1992-93 season. Photo by Adam Alonzo.
- Ronald K Brown/Evidence (2004-05)
- Simon Shaheen (2007-08)
- Luciana Souza (2004-05)
- Vieux Farke Touré (2007-08)
- Trio Apollon (2002-03)
- Jason Vieux (2000-01)
Image: Simon Shaheen in one of two sold out concerts in his first UD residency in 2008. Photo by Adam Alonzo.
- Menahem Pressler (2011-12)
- Imani Winds (2012-13)
- So Percussion (2012-13)
- Trio da Kali (2016-17)
- Fred Hersh (2018-19)
- LA Guitar Quartet (2018-19)
- David Hazeltine Trio (2022-23)
- Les Delices (2020-21)
- New Morse Code (2021-22)
- The Harlem Quartet (2021-22)
- Trio Virado (2022-23)
- Wycliffe Gordon (2022-23)
ArtsLIVE Initiatives
Cityfolk is a word that still resonates with the Dayton community. This small but mighty non-profit presented hundreds of exceptional world and traditional music concerts over three decades: Celtic, R&B, jazz, zydeco, klezmer and more. To the regret of many, Cityfolk closed its doors in 2014 — but left a real legacy at the University.
The outstanding jazz programming presented by ArtsLIVE was the direct result of Cityfolk’s work: these concerts and residencies are supported by a substantial endowment established by Cityfolk with support from the JazzNet program of the Doris Duke Foundation.
ArtsLIVE’s commitment to presenting world music is also a Cityfolk legacy. ArtsLIVE and Cityfolk began a partnership in 2003 to co-sponsor a “World Rhythms” series on campus. While that relationship is ended, the tradition continues — reflecting the importance the University places on international education.
World Rhythms Performances
- Kiran Ahluwalia - India (’07 & '14)
- Francesca Blanchard - France (’16)
- Cristina Branco – Portugal (’06)
- Brasil Guitar Duo - Brazil (’08)
- The Cuban Connection: Jane Bunnett, Hilario Duran and Candido Camero – Cuba (’12)
- De Temps Antan – Quebec, Canada (’12)
- Ensemble Heinavanker – Estonia (’19)
- Mamadou Diabate – Mali (’03)
- Fatoumata Diawara – Mali (’12)
- Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate - America/Guinea ('15)
- Gao Hong & Chen Tao – China (’03)
- Hot Club of Detroit – America-France (’13)
- Hungarian State Folk Ensemble - Hungary (’07)
- Hunn Huur Tu – Tuva (’11 & ’06)
- Khumariyaan - Pakistan ('14)
- Konono No.1 – Democratic Republic of Congo (’05)
- Kotchenga Dance Company – Ivory Coast (’05)
- Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Mali (’11)
- Le Vent du Nord – Quebec, Canada (’11)
- Les Yeux Noirs – France (‘04)
- Lo Còr de la Plana – France (’09)
- Aurelia Martinez – Honduras (’06)
- Rahim Al Haj String Quartet – Iraq (’05)
- Russian Renaissance – Russia (’20)
- Rhythm in Shoes with Dallas Chief Eagle – America (’09)
- Sahrdaya Foundation’s Don Quixote - India (’15)
- Jean Paul Samputu and Ingeli - Rwanda (’07)
- Simon Shaheen – Palestinian-Americal (’08 & ’11)
- Alex Skolnick’s Planetary Coalition (’15)
- Son de Madera – Veracruz, Mexico (’09)
- Luciana Souza and Romero Lubambo – Brazil (’04)
- Trio da Kali - Mali ('16)
- Vieux Farka Touré – Mali (’07)
- Wacongo – Democratic Republic of Congo (’10)
- Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole ('14)
- Taj Weekes and Adowa ('13)
- Chen Zimbalista – Israel (’10)
Founded by Elana and Vince Bolling in 1962, the Vanguard Concerts were a popular chamber music program hosted by the Dayton Art Institute for more than five decades. In 2016, Vanguard Concerts ended its long run at its original home. That same year, the University of Dayton agreed to extend the Vanguard legacy.
Now, with support from a Vanguard Legacy Endowment established by the Bollings, the same high-caliber classical chamber concerts will continue — but in a new home. Vanguard Legacy Concerts are presented in the Sears Recital Hall on occasional Sunday afternoons during the academic year.