Can you believe that it’s been 25 years since the new arts center opened at Middlebury College? Yep. What’s now called the Kevin P. Mahaney ’84 Center for the Arts, or MCA, opened in 1992 to provide an environment for the creation of art, and to invite Middlebury College and community audiences to experience the work of local, national and international artists. After thousands of events, it has truly become a hub for the arts. The yearlong 25th anniversary celebration began with Bandaloop dancing on the side of the building and an outdoor party last September. Events throughout the academic year will culminate with a grand celebration of the arts at Middlebury College on Saturday, May 5, including a mix of free and ticketed events.
The party starts at 6 p.m. (outdoors on the MCA Plaza unless weather moves the events inside) with tacos, pretzels, sliders and mocktails. Boston-based artist Loïca will perform her beautiful Latin American rhythms and poetic lyrics. The Museum of Art will open with special displays by students in the Museum Assistants Program.
The evening then moves indoors into three different ticketed events: Cyro Baptista’s Banquet of Spirits will perform their refreshingly fun world music in Robison Hall. The Dance Program proudly presents their senior students’ thesis work in the Dance Theatre. The Theatre Program hosts the play “Fifth Planet” in Seeler Studio Theatre, the senior work of Eliza Renner and Connor Wright.
Immediately following these events, audiences are invited to stay for a reception in the upper and lower lobbies, plus an exciting new event called “Nocturne: A Middlebury Arts Festival.” This student-run event from 9 p.m. until after midnight will take over the campus with dance, film, drawings, paintings, plays, concerts, stand-up comedy, food, lights, film, installations, fashion, pottery, poetry and more. Throughout the night, Middlebury College students will create artwork and weave together the Middlebury community through the arts. Look for maps and schedules at the MCA.
Happy 25th anniversary!