From music to poetry and art exhibits to film, East Tennessee State University is hosting a variety of events in the arts this September. 

The following events are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted:

Music

Faculty Recital: Éva Polgár
September 7, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall
Pianist Éva Polgár, known for her research and performance of the music of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, presents a faculty recital.

Bucs on Parade: A Marching Bucs Fundraiser
September 13, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
The Marching Bucs will play selections from their pregame and halftime repertoire and parade numbers in this concert to raise funds to go toward travel costs for the band’s performance at the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this November. Tickets are $50.

Choral Collage 
September 27, 7:30 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
ETSU’s choirs – the ETSU Chorale, BucsWorth, East Tennessee Belles, Greyscale and Ascension – present their opening concert of 2024-25, with an entertaining mix of everything from jazz to pop to classical. Tickets are $12.

Theater/Cinema

‘I Saw the TV Glow’

September 6, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema hosts a First Friday film screening of “I Saw the TV Glow,” a 2024 film from Jane Schoenbrun in which two teens bond over their love of a supernatural TV show that is mysteriously cancelled. 

Fleischer Animations with Live Musical Accompaniment
September 12, 7 p.m. – Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall
The Bud Frank Cinema presents restored animations by Max Fleischer, best known for Betty Boop and Popeye, accompanied by live music from Department of Appalachian Studies faculty musicians Dr. Lee Bidgood, Roy Andrade and Kalia Yeagle.

Broadway at the Martin: ‘The Book of Mormon’
September 18 and 19, 7 p.m. – Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall
This nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical comes to ETSU’s Martin Center for the Arts for two performances. Tickets are $72.50 and $97.50 (plus tax and fees).

Fine Arts

‘Migracion: Latinx Exhibition’
Through September 20, hours vary – Tipton Gallery
This exhibit presents the narratives of Latinx artists, illustrating their journeys of resilience and the richness of Latin American culture. Meet the artists and special guests during the First Friday reception on September 6 from 6-8 p.m.

Poetry Reading by Cris Lira
September 9, 3 p.m. – Tipton Gallery
Brazilian poet Cris Lira will give a poetry reading in conjunction with the “Migracion: Latinx” exhibit. 

‘Threshold’ by Kimberly English
Through September 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays – Slocumb Galleries
“Threshold,” an exhibit of textiles and wooden objects, is artist Kimberly English’s response to navigating the recent passing of her father. Meet the artist during a closing reception September 26 at 5 p.m.


East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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