/WelcomeBackActivitiesSpring2012

Welcome Back Activities Spring Term 2012 January and February

JANUARY: Water Refilling Stations To help achieve the College’s goal of reducing waste, a series of water-refilling stations are being installed at key campus locations. The East water-refilling station is located in the Cafeteria and provides chilled water treated through carbon filtration.

January 19 – Picasso and Einstein meet in a bar - Humanities Speaker Series – 1pm – Rm. 5-112 Director and Actor John Christopher Jones discusses his experiences as an actor in the Broadway production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at Lapin Agile, a play that brings Picasso and Einstein together in a Paris bar in 1904. Hear what Jones has in store for Orlando audiences as he directs this play for Rollins.

January 20 - Barbara Brainard New Orleans Portfolio Opening – 7pm - Anita Wooten Gallery A collection of images of aged vernacular Creole cottages and shotgun houses left standing after Hurricane Katrina. The Gallery talk and opening reception will be January 20 at 7pm in the Anita Wooten Gallery.

January 24 - Guest Speaker Dr. Bernice A. King - 1pm – Performing Arts Center “Raising the Standard” A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sponsored by Student Development.

January 23-27 - Conversation on Compassion Karen Armstrong is the recipient of the TED Prize, which grants "wishes big enough to change the world." With her prize, Armstrong developed an International Charter on Compassion.

Following the launch of the Charter, she wrote the book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.

Valencia College will host a "Conversation on Compassion," January 23-27 to explore ideas and practices in the book. Events include kick-off festivities, workshops taught by Valencia faculty, an art exhibit, interfaith forum, film screening and discussion and keynote speaker. Free books are available at the library and reading circles starting in early January will help to prepare the community for this week long conversation.

For details visit: http://valenciacollege.edu/PJI/events/default.cfm January 29 - The Barber of Seville – 2pm - Performing Arts Center “The Barber of Seville” is a comic opera that is directed by Florida Opera Theatre. Valencia has partnered with the Orlando-based Florida Opera Theatre along with opera companies in St. Augustine and Vero Beach to bring this professional production to Orlando for one performance January 29. The performance will be a 2pm matinee in the PAC. To purchase tickets go to www.RedChairProject.tix.com or call Florida Opera Theater at 407-718-4365.

FEBRUARY: February 2 – Stravinsky & Picasso at the ballet! – Humanities Speaker Series – 1pm – Rm. 6-110 Professor Matt McAllister and former Joffrey Ballet dancer Russell Sultzbach discuss the key players like Stravinsky (composer), Massine (choreographer), and Picasso (sets and costumes) who created transformational works for the Ballet Russes during the decade surrounding WWI. February 7 – Music Student Showcase – Performing Arts Center A free performance by Valencia’s top Music students. For more information, go to http://valenciacollege.edu/arts/ February 14 – Dr. Michael Balick, World Renowned Botanist – 1-2pm – Performing Arts Center Dr. Michael Balick, a world renowned Ethnobotanist and Director of the Institute of Economic Botany at the New York Botanic Garden will be presenting "Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science". The talk focuses on Dr. Balick's research on the indigenous people of Micronesia and their use of plants.

February 15 – 26 - A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry - Black Box Theater The New York Times calls RAISIN “a play that changed American Theater forever.” The drama is the story of an African American family in the 1950’s waiting desperately for a change in their situation. Multiple generations of this family struggle, feeling trapped in a dingy, tiny apartment. The catalyst for change is an expected life insurance check, but various family members have different and conflicting designs on the money. In the end, there is hope, but it will not be an easy road. For tickets, go to http://valenciacollege.edu/arts/.

February 16 – A Raisin in the Sun Reading Circle – Humanities Speaker Series – 1pm – Rm. 3-113 Join Professor and director John DiDonna to discuss Lorraine Hansberry’s play about the deferred dreams, financial dilemmas, and integration of an African-American family in the 1950s. Hear what the student community considers relevant in this text and prepare to see it performed in the Black Box by Valencia College Theater.

February 17 – 18 - 17th Annual Film Celebration – Performing Arts Center A mainstay at the East Campus, the 17th Annual Film Celebration will showcase two feature films and several shorts created by students, faculty, and staff in Valencia’s Film Program. For more information, go to http://valenciacollege.edu/arts/ February 28 – Music Faculty Recital – Performing Arts Center A free performance by Valencia’s Music Faculty. For more information, go to http://valenciacollege.edu/arts/