The arts abound in April in University City, from free Thursday evening concerts at University Place to UNC Charlotte performances of scenes from La Boheme, a Faculty and Friends concert by Distinguished Professor of Violin David Russell, and the Spring Dance Concert.

Your Arts Appreciation April can start tonight, April 5, with the opening for two major student art shows! Here are the details on the many opportunities.

Two exhibit openings by BFA students on April 5

You can take in not one but two openings tonight, April 5, for student art exhibits at UNC Charlotte. Graduating seniors receiving BFA degrees invite you to the opening reception for their final exhibit of artwork, 5-7 pm in the Rowe Arts Building. The exhibit will remain open in Rowe Galleries through April 13.

Meanwhile, other student artists in illustration will hold an opening reception of their show, titled `1, 5:30-8 pm in the Student Union Gallery. Both receptions are free.

Rock the lake each Thursday night!

Shake off your winter blues each Thursday in April with the always-popular Spring Concert Series at The Shoppes at University Place!

Four of Charlotte’s favorite cover bands will perform for free from 6-9 pm on the patio beside the main lake bridge. Come early for dinner at one of the many University Place restaurants. Several offer patio seating so you can dine while you take in the show. Or sample dishes from University Place’s newest breakfast-lunch spot, Famous Toastery.

Concerts are sponsored by The Shoppes at University Place, Paschal Promotions, UNC Charlotte Alumni, 1029 The Lake and, of course, University City Partners.

Here’s the schedule. Click the band titles for details and great musical samples:

• April 7 – The Coconut Groove Band
• April 14 – Too Much Sylvia
• April 21 – The Voltage Brothers
• April 28 – Sol Fusion Band

Scenes from La Boheme on April 11

La Boheme, Puccini’s beloved opera, comes to life on the Rowe Recital Hall stage with this performance of favorite scenes by students in the Department of Music.

• The concert is at 7:30 p.m. April 11. General Admission tickets are $8. Parking is free. Purchase tickets.

Faculty and Friends: Violinist David Russell on April 12

Celebrated violin instructor and UNC Charlotte Anne R. Belk Distinguished Professor of Violin David Russell will perform pieces by Stravinsky, Beethoven and Debussy with guest pianist Kyle Linscheid on April 12 at Rowe Recital Hall.

Russell has served on the faculty of some of the world’s most prestigious violin schools and has given numerous recitals and masterclasses around the globe. Get a preview of Russell and Linscheid performing together in this recording of Ravel’s work, “Tzigane,” performed in 2010 at the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, in Lisbon, Portugal.

• The Friends and Faculty performance will begin at 7:30 pm in Rowe Recital Hall. Tickets are $18 general admission, $10 for seniors. Get tickets.

Spring Dance Concert on April 14-17

The Department of Dance will present a Spring Concert April 14-17 in Anne R. Belk Theater in Robinson Hall.

Among the works on the program is Suite Otis, choreographed by the Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison. Faison is a former dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the choreographer of more than two dozen Broadway musicals, including The Wiz. A modern dance classic created in 1971, Suite Otis is a collection of dances set to songs by Otis Redding.

The concert also includes new works and chorography by UNC Charlotte faculty.

• Performances are April 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 pm and April 17 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $18 for general admission, $10 for seniors. Details and tickets.