Laurie Rubin

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Critically acclaimed singer Laurie Rubin will present a free concert from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art at California Lutheran University.

The program will feature songs from movies represented in the gallery’s exhibit of vintage film posters, “Gotta Dance!” Accompanied by pianist Jenny Taira, Rubin will sing pieces from such films as “An American in Paris” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in the concert, which is being presented in collaboration with the New West Symphony.

Rubin will also share her story, which is depicted in her memoir, “Do You Dream in Color? Insights From a Girl Without Sight.” The 2012 book chronicles her against-all-odds rise from a blind musical prodigy to an accomplished international opera singer. A companion CD includes the recording of Bruce Adolphe’s “Do You Dream in Color?” that was inspired by Rubin’s experiences. She received the 2010-2011 Yale Alumni Ventures grant to develop a curriculum to dispel stereotypes by allowing people to share in the experiences of blindness.

Rubin is a mezzo-soprano classical vocalist. Recent career highlights include solo recitals at Weill Recital Hall inside Carnegie Hall and at London’s Wigmore Hall. She has also sung at the White House and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. She has performed a number of operatic roles and new music concerts.

She is the recipient of many prizes including The Music Center’s 1997 Spotlight Award in classical voice, the 1997 Panasonic Young Soloist Award and the 2003 Horatio Parker Memorial Prize from the Yale School of Music.

She and Taira founded Musique à la Mode Chamber Music Ensemble and the Ohana Arts festival and school. Rubin is also a founding member of the baroque ensemble Callisto Ascending.

“Gotta Dance!” spotlights the film poster as an underappreciated art form and explores the diverse ways in which dance has been used as a dominant image. The free exhibit, which runs through Feb. 8, features 40 posters selected for their artistic and historical significance by movie producer Mike Kaplan from his collection. The majority of the works date from between 1930 and 1950, a golden age for movie poster design. Many are from overseas, where designers made extensive use of illustrations rather than photos.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. For more information, contact curator Jeff Phillips or assistant curator Rachel Schmid at 805-493-3697 or rollandgallery@callutheran.edu.