Thursday, June 13, 2024

7:30 PM

Bringing innovative research, fresh perspective, and dynamic challenges to the historical status quo, musicologist Dr. Charissa Noble presents her original research this summer at the Athenaeum in a special lecture series, On the Edge: Radical Art and Music Scenes of Early 20th Century California.

Over the course of three lectures, Noble traces the influence of California’s mythology on the creative activity of its early 20th century artistic circles. Each lecture explores a past bohemian community whose avant-garde thinkers and their radical works epitomized the epic collision between landscape, myth, and art: San Francisco, Carmel, and Oceano. From Ansel Adams to Henry Cowell, John Steinbeck to John Cage, her lectures reveal the intricate network connecting these radical communities and many of California’s most famous residents. By telling stories of people, place, and identity, Noble sheds new light on the neglected legacy of uniquely Californian experiences on contemporary art and music over the previous century.

About Dr. Charissa Noble:

A specialist in avant-garde and experimental music, assistant professor Dr. Charissa Noble teaches music history, art history, and music criticism as an assistant professor at the University of San Diego. Her interdisciplinary research encompasses music history in the American West and stories of 20th-century California avant-garde music and art. Noble has presented her work at numerous professional academic conferences such as the American Musicological Society, The International Society for Minimalist Music, and the Society for American Music, and her research has been published in Sound American, The Journal of  Musicological Research and The Journal of Interdisciplinary Voice Studies. In addition to her academic work, Noble co-directs the local experimental vocal ensemble San Diego New Verbal Workshop and currently serves as Executive Director of San Diego New Music.

Tickets: $16/21

The lecture will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for this event. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. This event will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of the lecture.