The Hastings College Department of Music presents a month of guest events that celebrate music diversity in honor of National Arts & Humanities Month and Music Diversity Month at Hastings College.

Saturday, Oct. 10 – Ronald Radford, Flamenco guitarist
Renowned Flamenco guitarist, Ronald Radford, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in Perkins Auditorium at Hastings College.

He will present a varied and entertaining program of haunting Gypsy melodies and dazzling Flamenco techniques. He paints a picture for his audience of the Flamenco art form, native to southern Spain, by lacing his program with fun and educational commentary. Radford will pick from a selection of traditional Flamenco sounds including Tango, Rumba, Zambra, Bulerias and more. Tickets are $5 at the door. The event is free for HC students, faculty and staff.

Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Gail Dooley, soprano
Gail Dooley, chair of the music department at Morningside College, will perform “Appalachian Folk Song & Mountain Dulcimer” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13 in Perkins Auditorium at Hastings College.

She will discuss the origins of Appalachian folk song tradition and the mountain dulcimer and perform songs related to ballads that came across the ocean with immigrants from the British Isles as well as traditional American fiddle and dance tunes. The program will include some familiar songs such as “Shady Grove,” “Pretty Polly” and “Barbara Allen.” The event will include a sing-along.

Friday, Oct. 23 – Rastrelli Cello Quartet
The Rastrelli Cello Quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 in Perkins Auditorium at Hastings College.

A singularly unique ensemble, the Rastrelli Cello Quartet has been thrilling audiences with their renderings of non-traditional programming since 2002. Kira Kraftzoff, Kirill Timofeev, Misha Degtjareff and Sergio Drabkine formed the ensemble with a mission to perform music “between the genres,” and their widely varied programs mix works by Bach, Frescobaldi and Dvorak with the music of Chick Corea, Scott Joplin, Paul McCartney and the Propellerheads.

The name of the Quartet is taken from the eighteenth-century architect Bartholomew Rastrelli, who designed the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, the home city of three of the four Quartet members. This event is part of the Lied Center’s Arts Across Nebraska program.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Debbie Greenblatt/David Seay, improvisation and bluegrass
Bluegrass artists, Debbie Greenblatt and David Seay, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27 in Perkins Auditorium at Hastings College.
The multitalented duo provides rich vocal harmonies and plays a variety of instruments, including the fiddle, guitar, harmonica, banjo, tinwhistles, hammered dulcimer, recorders, limberjacks, tabor pipe, Indian flutes and more. Greenblatt and Seay are particularly noted for their zany original tunes.

A classically trained fiddler from Boston met a poetic harmonica player from Birmingham, and they have been jamming together ever since. The fiddler, Deborah Greenblatt, and the harmonica player, David Seay, are now married, and perform extensively throughout the Midwest.

Hastings College students and faculty have been making music since the beginnings of the College in 1882. During its first century, the Music Department established an enviable reputation throughout the Midwest for its quality programs, dedicated faculty and talented students. Hastings College's commitment to music is a proud tradition and offers a glimpse into a future where the arts will be an even more important part of the college program.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.