OVATION Union College Arts & Culture
The “banner stamp” art for this issue of Ovation is inspired by this month’s Redbud Festival, held on campus each year. The photo was submitted by Diana Mills. Readers, Spring is here, and with it comes the annual Redbud Festival. For this edition, we have dedicated a good bit of space solely to this event that offers so much to enthusiasts of the arts and local culture. The Redbud Festival, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is an annual Barbourville event hosted on Union’s campus. It showcases works of local artists, writers and craft-makers who display and sell their goods and sometimes provide demonstrations. Classes are also offered. You’ll find a detailed list of these inside, along with more information on some of the more prominent Redbud events. You’ll also find recaps from campus concerts, including Stephane Wrembel, the Gypsyjazz guitarist famous for composing music for Woody Allen films. Previews for upcoming campus events, such as the last concert of the year for Union choirs, are inside as well. Remember, if you would like your photo, event, or any other media included in the next edition of Ovation, please let us know. We’d love to have your submissions. Contact Us Office of College Communications
Missy Reid, director 606-546-1610 communications@unionky.edu
April 2012 | Volume 1 | Issue 2
Mama P’s
Celebration
She has touched so many lives, worked with so many students, directed so many plays, and contributed so much to the arts in southeastern Kentucky. Taking into consideration all that she has done, how do you properly say thank you to Mama P? On Saturday, April 14, friends, family, former students and colleagues will gather to at least try. There will be a reception in the Sharp Academic Center on Union’s campus in honor of Dr. Rebecca Pettys as she nears retirement. It is called the “Mama P Celebration” and will begin at 6 p.m. Following the reception, guests will move to Rector Little Theatre for the annual Spring Awards Ceremony. All former students, along with family and friends of Pettys, are invited to attend. Pettys came to Union in 1984. Since then, she has directed 49 plays, acted in three of them and worked with more than 100 students. Pettys refers to all of these students as her “theatre children” and considers them a part of her family. Cortni Thrasher, a current student, said that Mama P was always ready to adopt new students. “When I auditioned for ’12 Angry Jurors,’ I was a little bit nervous. I was fresh from leaving the swim team and needed a new family to take me in,” Thrasher said. “Mama just walked up to me and put her arms around me like she’d known me for years. She told me that she was happy to have another daughter in her family.” The final performance of her last play, “The Lion in Winter,” was March 31. Pettys both directed this play and performed a leading role.
SATURDAY, APRIL 14 6:00 PM
SPRING CONCERT:
LAST major choral performance OF THE YEAR The upcoming concert will be the last chance during this academic year for choral music enthusiasts to hear all three Union College choirs in a single performance. This year’s spring concert will be April 19 at 8 p.m. at Conway Boatman Chapel on Union’s campus. The three groups will not perform together again until fall. This concert also provides an opportunity for friends and family to recognize and show appreciation to graduating singers. The three performance groups are the UC Singers, Union Harmony and the UC Regional Chorus. Of these three, two of them are made up solely of Union students. The UC Singers is a choir that any Union student may join. The smaller of the two choirs, Union Harmony, is a much more select group. There are only eight available spots in this choir, and students must audition to be a part of it. The other featured choir is the UC Regional Cho-
rus. Unlike the other two, it consists of more than just students. It is a community-based choir, and includes singers from Barbourville and surrounding areas, as well as any Union College faculty, staff or student who wishes to participate. Dr. Virginia Gay Gandy, director of all three choirs, says that listeners should expect to hear more classical pieces than normal, some in different languages. “Spring concerts are typically more classical in nature, and this spring we are presenting some wonderful music,” Gandy said. “The program will include Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria,’ several chorales by Bach, along with other works by Baroque composers. The choirs are singing works in Latin, German, and yes, English.” The concert is free and the public is invited.
THURSDAY, APRIL 19 8:00 PM
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TRIO
JAZZES UP
the place
STEPHANE WREMBEL Stephane Wrembel and his band performed a free one-night concert at Conway Boatman Chapel in March. They played Wrembel’s original compositions, including “Bistro Fada,” which was featured in the recent Oscar-winning Woody Allen movie “A Midnight in Paris.” Click the icon for a video of concert highlights.
The David Linard Trio, made up of three Indiana University students, played at Conway Boatman Chapel at the end of February, providing the audience with an evening of jazz. Click the icon to hear some music from that concert.
redbud
festival 2012
It’s that time of the year again.
The redbuds are providing clear evidence of springtime as Barbourville’s annual festival draws near. The Redbud Festival is scheduled for Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 on the Union College campus. There will be different events going on each day, including live music, storytelling, Writers Row, various vendors at the Heritage Living Event, workshops and much more. Here you’ll find a quick preview of what this year’s festival has to offer.
FOR THE
active side of YOU
The Redbud Festival isn’t all arts and crafts. For those who also crave some cardio, the Redbud Run and Redbud Ride— both annual events—are scheduled alongside the Redbud Warm-Up, which is new to the calendar this year.
All three are events that not only allow participants to enjoy the beautiful redbuds in bloom; they each bring a physical challenge into the mix. The annual Redbud Run has two categories: a 10K and a two-mile run/walk. It will take place on Saturday, April 14. The event kicks off at 8:45 a.m., and registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The course for the Redbud Run begins at Union College’s Conway Boatman Chapel. Participants will run through a well-marked Barbourville route and end up back at the chapel. Runners should expect a mostly flat, fast course with two moderate hills. There are divisions for age and gender, and the top three finishers in each category will receive a prize. Registration, which is accepted on the day of the event, is $15. Those who prefer to pre-register will be given a discounted rate of $10 until April 6. Entry forms and fees to should be mailed to: Redbud Festival, PO Box 1766, Barbourville, Ky. 40906. The registration form can be found on their website. Participants will receive a Redbud Run T-shirt. Only pre-registered participants are guaranteed a shirt. For cycling enthusiasts, there is also the annual Redbud Ride, which takes participants along a choice of scenic routes. The Redbud Ride begins in downtown London at the Kentucky Farmers’ Market on Saturday, April 21. The ride itself starts at 8:00 a.m., but registration will open at 7:00 a.m.
Riders can choose from four different courses, all of which display the blooming redbuds. One path in particular has been named a top ten redbud sightseeing route in the state. The four routes vary in difficulty from the 23-mile beginners’ trail, to the one for the hardcore endurance biker, a staggering 102 miles. Registration is $30 before April 6, when the price goes up to $40. Register the day of the event or preregister online. All participants will receive a pancake breakfast, courtesy rest stops along each route, access to a bike mechanic, on-road support, route directions and maps, and the official Redbud Ride T-shirt. For those who just can’t wait until that Saturday to hop on their bikes and go, there will also be the Redbud Warm-Up, this year’s new attraction. It will be the Friday before the Redbud Ride: April 20 at 1:00 p.m. This is also a bike ride, but it will take participants through downtown Barbourville, rather than London. It begins at Union College, and offers only one 40-mile route. Each participant receives a complimentary Tshirt. Registration is $25. Each event has a separate fan page on Facebook, or you can get more information at the following websites: www.redbudfestky.com www.redbudride.com
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Writers
row
returns When the redbuds return fill every hollow in the hills, breathe their sweet breath in the shadows of the pines, I will stand among them though I am not there for heaven is in Kentucky when the redbuds appear -Sue Scalf
Despite what her poem says, renowned poet and Knox County native Sue Scalf will be among the redbuds this year. She will be featured on Writers Row. This event provides a chance for the community to interact with participating writers, while giving writers an opportunity to return home and share literary works. It will be in Robsion Arena on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Scalf will perform a reading of her poetry on Friday, April 20 at 3:30 p.m., in the Weeks-Townsend Memorial Library. Scalf was raised in Barbourville and now lives in Alabama. Her most recent book, “Almost Home,” contains many poems related to Kentucky and is dedicated to the people of Kentucky and Alabama. This book will be available at this year’s festival. Scalf has been nominated twice for a Pulitzer Prize. Her book “Ceremony of Names” was nominated first, followed by “South by Candlelight.” She has won hundreds of awards for her poetry and has had poems published in literary journals, including overseas publications. Other authors to be featured this year are: Melissa Newman, Linda Clement, Regina Bargo, Don Dampier, Julie Hensley, Rosezelle Qualls, Wayne Taylor, Terry Cummins, Betty Pace, Betty Mae Hodges, Jen Barry, Nellotie Chastain, Charles Roe, Bob Terrell and Dr. Lin Stepp.
OTHER redbud EVENTS All events are at Union College unless otherwise noted. While times and campus locations are listed for many events, others will be announced later.
Saturday
April 14 Redbud Run (10K & 2 mile run/walk), 8:45 am at Conway Boatman Chapel, $10 early registration, $15 after April 6
Friday
April 20 Twice as Nice…Plus More (quilting class), 8:00 am at Black Technology Center, $60 Jeri Landers Storytelling, first performance at 9:00 am in Rector Little Theatre, free Fabric Collage (fabric class), 9:00 am at Patridge Student Center, Heritage Conference Room, $35 Russ and Barb Childers Square Dancing, first time at 10:00 am, Outdoor Stage, free The Redbud Warm-Up (bike ride), 1:00 pm, $25 Knitting Basics (knitting class), 1:00 pm at Patridge Student Center, Conference Room A, $10 Gourd Painting (painting class), 1:00 pm at Patridge Student Center, Heritage Conference Room, $20
OTHER redbud EVENTS Friday
April 20 窶ツontinued Gardening for Hummingbirds and Butterflies Workshop, 1:00 pm, free Russ Childers Concert, 3:00 pm, free Pillowcase Dress Making (fabric class), 5:00 pm at Sharp Academic Center, $10
Saturday
April 21 Redbud Ride, 7:00 am registration, 8:00 am start, begins in downtown London, $30 before April 6, $40 after
heritage
living event As always, the Redbud Festival will feature the Heritage Living Event, where vendors showcase their homemade goods under a large tent outside Robsion Memorial Arena. Some vendors will actually make their products on-site, and browsers are encouraged to linger and observe. Vendors include:
Agape Lland Llamas Fair trade baskets, llama fibers, fiber blends, handspun yarns and quality made items Creations by Vickie J. Cobb LLC Hand-crocheted and hand-knitted items Ruth Cross Handmade baskets
Basic Snowball Quilt (quilting class), 8:00 am at Black Technology Center, $60
Helton Nursery Heirloom tomato plants
Market Basket Weaving (weaving class), 8:00 am at Patridge Student Center, Conference Room B, $45
Lend-A-Hand Center Food products and books
Fabric Embellishment Techniques (fabric class), 9:00 am at Black Technology Center, $40 Linda O. Douglas and Leann Butler Concert, 10:00 am at the Outdoor Stage, free Backyard Chickens Workshop, 10:00 am, free Food-Safe Gardening Workshop, 12:00 pm, free Reel World String Band, 11:30 am and 1:00 pm at the Outdoor Stage, free Gourd Painting (painting class), 1:00 pm at Patridge Student Center, Heritage Conference Room, $20 Jim Rubin, 2:00 pm at the Outdoor Stage, free Cumberland Gap Dancers Donnie Hobbs Workshop, free
Mountainfire Forge Hand-forged wrought iron and hand-chased copper pieces Mystic Glass Jewelry from broken china, marbles and washer necklaces Out of Necessity Home and garden art Singing Hills Goat Milk Soap Handmade goat milk soap Smith Hill Pottery Hand-thrown and hand-built pottery The Stone Pansy Hand-painted rocks for the garden Warriors Path Club Apple butter Wool and Glass by Babb Fused glass jewelry and suncatchers, felt wool (wet felt and needle felt) scarves, ornaments and vessels
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find it
online This website provides a unique shopping experience for the art lover. You can shop by style, shop for individual family members, shop by personality and even by budget. If that doesn’t work, try browsing the different brands and artists.
War Bowl
Culture Label
www.CULTURELABEL.com
This is a blog that features products for book lovers. Each post features a different gift idea and provides product details including where to find it. The products are unique and “bound” to make the book lover you know happy.
http://gifts4booklovers.csla.net/ This website breaks down classical music, composers and CDs. So if you are into classical music, or want to know more about classical music, this is definitely a place you should check out. There are reviews on CDs, articles about classical music, forums where you can talk with other people about classical music and so much more.
Colorful Book Clock
Gifts4Booklovers
www.good-music-guide.com Having trouble deciding what book you should pick up next? This website can help. All you have to do is type in the name of a book you love, click go and it brings up a list of what you might like based on the book you entered. It also gives you information about each book and tells you where you can buy it.
www.whatshouldireadnext.com Trying to design a room inspired by a specific country? Or maybe you traveled overseas, saw something you loved but couldn’t fit it in your suitcase. If so, you should check out this website that offers home décor and art based on certain areas of the world. You can browse by product or geography.
www.novica.com
Andes Vase “Inca Spirit”
Novica
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You cannot depend on
your eyes if your imagination is
out of focus.
Mark Twain
our tobacco-free campus doesn’t include sticks
This tobacco stick table sits in Sharp Academic Center. Artisan Charles L. White of Mt. Vernon, Ky., refers to tobacco sticks as the toys of his childhood. The table was gifted by trustee Helen Mills.
calendar of events
N
IO AT UN
& PLAYS LS CA MUSI
RTS
E CONC
E& DANC T E BALL
April 14 26th Annual Awards Gala, 8:00 pm at Rector Little Theatre, Union College, free April 19 Spring Concert with UC Singers, Union Harmony and UC Regional Chorus, 8:00 pm at Conway Boatman Chapel, Union College, free April 20 and 21 Redbud Festival, Union College, free and paid events (see Redbud stories and events listings inside this edition) April 5 “In The Mood,” 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm at the Lexington Opera House, tickets starting at $24.50 April 13-14 and 18-21 “Cabaret,” 8:00 pm at the McGaw Theatre, Jelkyl Drama Building, Berea College, tickets $25 April 19-22 and 26-29 UK Theatre Department presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” various time at the Guignol Theatre, University of Kentucky, Lexington, tickets starting at $15
April 10-15 Blue Man Group, various times at Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall, Louisville, tickets starting at $22.75 April 10 NEEDTOBREATHE rock band, 8:00 pm at the Singletary Center for the Arts, University of Kentucky, Lexington, tickets starting at $25 April 12 The Knights, chamber orchestra, 8:00 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, tickets starting at $25 April 13 Australian Chamber Orchestra, 8:00 pm at the Norton Center, Centre College, Danville, tickets starting at $33 April 14 The Temptations and Four Tops, 8:00 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, tickets starting at $45 April 27 Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra presents “Baroque Splendor,” 7:30 pm at the Singletary Center for the Arts, University of Kentucky, Lexington, tickets starting at $25 April 28 Lexington Philharmonic, 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church in London, tickets $30 for adult, $10 for student, free for Union College faculty and staff April 28 Aretha Franklin, 8:00 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, tickets starting at $65 April 28 Bela Fleck and The Flecktones- The Original Line-up, 8:00 pm at the Brown Theatre, Louisville, tickets starting at $25 April 17 Moscow Festival Ballet presents “The Sleeping Beauty,” 8:00 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts, Richmond, tickets starting at $25 April 19-22 Disney on Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story 3,” various times at Rupp Arena, Lexington, tickets starting at $15 April 20-22 “Cinderella” by the Lexington Ballet Company, various times at the Lexington Opera House, tickets starting at $19.75
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