To-do List: ECO, Barstool Open, A Night in Hollywood

Erie Chamber Orchestra Presents: Bach to Bloch - Friday, Feb. 21

The violin is a deep-rooted, storied instrument, with over 500 years of history behind its strings. Since its origin, hundreds of composers and musicians have used the violin to contribute to a grand musical tradition, and even today, pieces of music that predate the birth of our nation are still played, sometimes on violins that are also older than our country.

Still, even the oldest institutions need new generations to carry on their legacy, vessels to turn the notes on a sheet into an audible experience for audiences as older performers retire from the art. Luckily for us, the current state of the violin is in capable hands with Rachel Barton Pine and Ade Williams.

Both Pine and Williams will join the Erie Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant for Bach to Bloch, a musical journey featuring the works of Handel, Bach, Schnittke, and Bloch. Pine, at just 39, has earned high praise throughout her career since she debuted with the Chicago String Ensemble at the age of 7. Now it's Williams who is busting through the musical ranks, a past winner of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players in 2012 and an up-and-coming violin sensation at the age of 16.

"It's exciting to see a talented young violinist blossoming and continuing our grand tradition," Pine says of Williams.  "There's something really special about her. She just moves people in a way that you can't teach, where they just have it or they don't, and she has it in spades."

The two virtuosos will share the stage, performing together for the first time with an orchestra, treating the crowd to concerti by Bach and Schnittke, with the latter composer's piece a more modern work that Pine described as "off the wall" but still accessible and creative. While they'll be playing a couple of school assemblies before the Friday concert, Pine said that she'd like to see some younger people in the crowd for their performance with the Chamber Orchestra.

"I hope that there will also be kids in the audience, because there's nothing more inspiring to a young person than seeing a slightly-older young person doing such a great job, because then they can feel like they can do it too," Pine says.

It doesn't matter what age you are, because anyone can enjoy Bach to Bloch. Plus, you never know who else will be inspired to help carry on a musical legacy on a night where an old tradition is celebrated by a younger generation. 

16th Annual Barstool Open - Saturday, Feb 22

Apart from investing in a bunch of neon-colored balls and converting a snowmobile into a cart, Erieites don't get too many good chances to get a round of golf in during the winter. Excuses to consume liquid libations, however, are acceptable all year round – and the 16th Annual Barstool Open gives you a chance to combine both golf and grog.

The sporting tradition returns to Erie Saturday, Feb. 22, with 18 holes of mini golf goodness scattered across several State Street locations. Compete alone or team up with three fun-loving friends to show off your putting prowess. Even if your golf game isn't so hot, there are still prizes to be won, as special gifts will be given out as part of a costume contest for the most cleverly coiffed competitors.

The Barstool Open kicks off at 10 a.m., so make sure to pick up your scorecard between 7 and 10 a.m. to be properly prepped for a day of putt-putt and partying. Call 454.9113 ext. 226 to reserve your spot in one of Erie's favorite February events.  

One Night in Hollywood – Sunday, March 2

Movies have a magical ability to transport you to different places and times, destinations displayed over glowing rectangles as big as a wall or as small as a note pad. In 2013, some of the best films took us to very different locations, from Her's lonely Los Angeles to the frightening depths of outer space in Gravity.

Soon the Academy Awards will honor some of the best movies of the past year, and The Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania is hoping to transport you from Erie to Hollywood for Oscar night without ever leaving The Gem City.

One Night in Hollywood brings the excitement of the Academy Awards to the Erie Art Museum starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 2, with formally dressed guests treated to hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, potential prizes, and, of course, the Oscars ceremony shown on a giant projection screen.  Purchasing VIP tickets treats you to even more Academy rewards, with early entrance allowed at 6 p.m., preferred seating, a VIP-only lounge with DJ NatasK, and five free drinks.

Whether the Academy Awards are all about Steve McQueen and his film 12 Years a Slave or someone experiences a Dallas Buyer's snub, make sure you do it in style at One Night in Hollywood.

Tickets for One Night in Hollywood can be purchased at brownpapertickets.cpm/event/553410 for $45 a piece or $85 for two. VIP passes are available for $100.