Elon University - Cultural Calendar

Wednesday, April 1
Robert Kirshner, “The Extravagant Universe”
LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7:30 p.m.

Just what is the size and shape of the Universe, and how fast do galaxies move? Harvard University astronomer Robert Kirshner answers these and other cosmological questions in a compelling style that makes this otherwise daunting field accessible and entertaining. Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum.

Thursday, April 2
Al Staggs, A View from the Underside: The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

A one-person play adapted and performed by Al Staggs brings the life of one of the great heroes of the twentieth century to the stage. The audience is brought into the prison cell where Bonhoeffer awaits execution and listens to his struggles with evil, injustice, and God. In the play, Bonhoeffer tells the profound influence of fellow Union Theological student, Frank Fisher, an African-American friend who introduced Bonhoeffer to the blight of racism in America. Prisoner Bonhoeffer expresses moral outrage against the Nazi treatment of Jews and explains how that outrage led him to become involved in the German resistance movement, a commitment that would result in his being executed by hanging on April 9, 1945. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Department of Religious Studies.

Friday-Saturday, April 3&4
Grand Night XVII
Yeager Recital Hall, 7 and 8:30 p.m.

One hour of show-stopping numbers by students in the performing arts department.

Monday, April 6
2008 Distinguished Scholar Presentation: Earl Honeycutt, “Academic Research: Selfish or Selfless?”
LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7 p.m.

Dr. Honeycutt examines the role of academic research at an evolving university. His presentation focuses on the role academic research should play among university faculty members. Specifically, is academic research a “selfish” pursuit or an essential activity that allows a professor to remain on the cutting edge of their discipline and mentor future scholars?

Tuesday, April 7
Anderson Cooper, “A 360-Degree Look at World Events”
Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 4:00 p.m.

Broadcast journalist, author, and CNN anchor, Cooper delves deeply beneath the surface of news stories, captivating audiences with a human side of events around the world, and how those outcomes affect life closer to home. Admission: $12 or Elon ID. Tickets available March 17.

Tuesday, April 7
Elon University Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert
Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

The Elon University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Jon Metzger, will perform contemporary works for percussion instruments.

Wednesday, April 8
Hillel Passover Seder
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 7:00 p.m.

Join Hillel in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Passover, the day commemorating the exodus of Jews from Egypt and the end of their slavery. All are invited to learn about Judaism and the story of Passover through the celebration of the traditional Seder meal when the story of Passover will be told and the customers explained. Admission: $5. Tickets will be sold in Moseley Center in advance.

Thursday, April 9
Jim Goodnight, Elon Medal of Entrepreneurial Leadership Presentation
LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 4:15 p.m.

Dr. Goodnight is CEO of SAS, the world’s largest privately held software company which is headquartered in Cary, NC, with more than 11,000 employees in 400 offices worldwide.

Wednesday, April 15
David Radcliff, “One Earth, One Chance, One Challenge”
Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project, traded in his car to travel across the world promoting the ideal of living sustainably with the earth and more fairly with its people. He has lead Learning Tours in the Arctic, Amazon, Iraq, Sudan, and Central America. He confronts our culture of consumption as dangerous to our spiritual health, the health of the planet, and its people. Radcliff is a graduate of Bridgewater College and Bethany Seminary, and teaches at Elizabethtown College about globalization, environmental care, poverty, and hunger. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Sustainable Living Learning Community

Wednesday, April 15
Anthony Zerbe, “It’s All Done with Mirrors”
Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

In a theatrical tour de force, award-winning screen and stage artist Zerbe provides joyous access to the art and energy of E.E. Cummings. Zerbe moves pell mell through a parade of characters, accents, dazzling word plays, capturing in perfect moments some of Cummings favorite subjects: carnival barkers hawking sex and imagination; the Cambridge ladies staunch in their belief and malice; men speaking about war and those living it; and the writer who finds in the color and terror of the circus the perfect metaphor for his art.

Thursday, April 16
Hanna Holborn Gray, “Education and Utopia”
Whitley Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

James P. Elder Lecture

Dr. Gray is a historian with special interests in humanism, political thought, and politics in the Renaissance and the Reformation. A Fulbright scholar with a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, she was the first woman to serve as Provost at Yale University (1974-78), and the first woman President of a major co-educational university, the University of Chicago (1978-1993). She has served on numerous non-profit and corporate boards and holds 21 honorary degrees from universities throughout the United States, Britain, and Canada.

Thursday, April 16
Frank Turek, "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist"
LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7:30 p.m.

Turek is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author or coauthor of: I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Correct, Not Politically Correct and Legislative Morality. Turek presents the evidence for Christianity, cross-examines arguments against it, and answers audience questions. He has appeared on many TV and radio programs including: The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith under Fire, Politically Incorrect, The Bible Answerman, and Focus on the Family. A former aviator in the U.S. Navy, Turek as a Ph.D. in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Sponsored by Campus Outreach, Intervarsity, and Young Life.

Friday, April 17
Elon University Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert: Swing and Salsa Dance
McKinnon Hall, free dance instruction, 6:30 p.m.; dance and concert, 7:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Elon University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jon Metzger, will perform jazz classics for swing and salsa dance. Elon dance faculty member Jane Wellford will provide swing and salsa dance instruction beginning at 6:30 p.m. The dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be cash prizes for the best student “Swing” Couple, the best student “Salsa” Couple, and the best Faculty/Staff Couple. Bring your dancing shoes!

Saturday, April 18
“The Impacts of Deportation in Alamance County”
Whitley Auditorium, 1:30 p.m.

The 287g Immigration Policy Working Group at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will report findings from the forthcoming study, “The Social and Economic Costs of the 287g program to Local Jurisdictions in North Carolina.” Sponsored by the Department of Political Science, the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC Chapel Hill.

Sunday, April 19
Linda Cykert, flute; Virginia Novine-Whittaker, saxophone; Ramon Brito and Sharon LaRocco, piano; Chip Newton, guitar, faculty recital
Yeager Recital Hall, 3 p.m.

Elon University Department of Music faculty perform selections from the Baroque through 20^th century for various combinations of flute, saxophone, piano and guitar.

Thursday, April 23
Thomas Moore, “The Soul of the University”
Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Thomas Moore is the author of Care of the Soul, which spent forty-six weeks on the New York times bestseller list, and fifteen other books on deepening spiritually and cultivating the soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, and ecology. He describes his Elon lecture in this way: “At all levels of Education currently we tend to provide for the mind, and to some extent for the body, but little for the soul. An education in soul would include preparation for marriage, illness, a life work, making a home, raising children, contributing to society, dealing with emotional and relationship issues, and developing a spiritual sensibility. Rather than creating an entirely new curriculum, he would involve studying any subject for its contributions to meaning, values, and vision. It would also be sensitive to the poetic, symbolic, metaphoric, and ritual aspects of life through a deep understanding of the arts and spiritual traditions. It would culture a person, give him depth, and prepare her for citizenship, leadership, and a rich life. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life.

Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26
Department of Performing Arts presents Noises Off by Michael Frayn
Directed by Fredrick J. Rubeck
McCrary Theatre, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m.

Hailed as one of the funniest farces ever written, Noises Off allows the audience a peek at the wacky goings on when a second-rate theatre company attempts to produce a traditional British sex farce. The audience sees the mayhem both on stage and back stage as the cast attempts to finish dress rehearsal—then watches as the subject matter disintegrates during its tour—with great hilarity. Contains some mature language and subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised. Tickets: $12 or Elon ID. Tickets available April 2.

Friday, April 24
National Pan-Hellenic, Inc. Council Step Show
Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 8:00 p.m.

The Elon National Pan-Hellenic Council governs the historically black African-American fraternities and sororities. Its purpose is to create and maintain high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities; perpetuate constructive fraternity and sorority relationships; foster an understanding of the structure and method of operation among the affiliate organizations; address, coordinate, and develop action strategies of mutual concert to the affiliate organizations; and serve as the conduit for such action plans as may be developed. Admission: advance tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 25 at 12 p.m. in the Office of Greek Life, Moseley Center, Room 209. Advance ticket prices are $5 Greeks, $7 general public. Tickets at the door (all guests) are $10.

Sunday-Monday, April 26&27
Tapped Out!
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, Sunday, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.; Monday, 6 p.m.
Artistic Direction by Gene Medler assisted by Rachel Teem and Rachel Perlman

An annual dance concert dedicated entirely to Tap! Gene Medler will choreography and direct the Elon Tap Ensemble in an exciting, entertaining, and rhythmic evening, assisted by two talented students who are making their mark as innovative Tap choreographers. Admission: $10 or Elon ID. Tickets available at the door—no advance reservations.

Monday, April 27
The Carolina String Duo
Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Elon music faculty members Carey Harwood and Kevin Dollar perform selections from the Renaissance to the modern day and from Dowland to Django Reinhardt in an entertaining concert that traces the history of music for fretted instruments. Sponsored by the Department of Music.

Tuesday, April 28
Elon University Chamber Orchestra
McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Director Dr. Thomas Erdmann welcomes guest soloist and Davidson University Piano Professor Dr. Ruskin Cooper to the stage to perform Rachmaninoff’s thrilling and famous Piano Concerto No. 2. Also featured will be a piece by Elon University Composition Professor Dr. Todd Coleman.

Tuesday-Saturday, April 28-May 2
Black Box Festival
Black Box Theatre, Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

Join us for two exciting productions—in rolling repertory! EDGES is a song cycle (written by the composer/lyricist team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) that confronts the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and examines the search for love, commitment, and meaning, directed by Lynne Kurdziel-Formato with musical direction by Richard Cook (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.) and a full-length student-directed play (title and director TBA—Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.). Admission: $5 or Elon ID. Tickets available at the door—no advance reservations.

Thursday, April 30
Department of Music presents Handel’s Messiah
McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Director of Choral Activities Stephen A. Futrell conducts the Elon University Chorale, Camerata, Festival Chorus and Orchestra, combined with the Front Street UMC Chancel Choir and the North State Chorale, to present Handel’s master work. Selections from all three portions of Messiah will be performed. Guest soloists for the evening include Catherine Clarke, soprano; Mary Gayle Green, mezzo-soprano; Gerald Knight, tenor; and Kevin Bell, bass.


SPECIAL PARKING INFORMATION Ticket Information Speaker Resources Directions February March April May Summer Staff Calendar Home	Wednesday, April 1 Robert Kirshner, “The Extravagant Universe” LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7:30 p.m. Just what is the size and shape of the Universe, and how fast do galaxies move? Harvard University astronomer Robert Kirshner answers these and other cosmological questions in a compelling style that makes this otherwise daunting field accessible and entertaining. Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum. Thursday, April 2 Al Staggs, A View from the Underside: The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. A one-person play adapted and performed by Al Staggs brings the life of one of the great heroes of the twentieth century to the stage. The audience is brought into the prison cell where Bonhoeffer awaits execution and listens to his struggles with evil, injustice, and God. In the play, Bonhoeffer tells the profound influence of fellow Union Theological student, Frank Fisher, an African-American friend who introduced Bonhoeffer to the blight of racism in America. Prisoner Bonhoeffer expresses moral outrage against the Nazi treatment of Jews and explains how that outrage led him to become involved in the German resistance movement, a commitment that would result in his being executed by hanging on April 9, 1945. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Department of Religious Studies. Friday-Saturday, April 3&4 Grand Night XVII Yeager Recital Hall, 7 and 8:30 p.m. One hour of show-stopping numbers by students in the performing arts department. Monday, April 6 2008 Distinguished Scholar Presentation: Earl Honeycutt, “Academic Research: Selfish or Selfless?” LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7 p.m. Dr. Honeycutt examines the role of academic research at an evolving university. His presentation focuses on the role academic research should play among university faculty members. Specifically, is academic research a “selfish” pursuit or an essential activity that allows a professor to remain on the cutting edge of their discipline and mentor future scholars? Tuesday, April 7 Anderson Cooper, “A 360-Degree Look at World Events” Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 4:00 p.m. Broadcast journalist, author, and CNN anchor, Cooper delves deeply beneath the surface of news stories, captivating audiences with a human side of events around the world, and how those outcomes affect life closer to home. Admission: $12 or Elon ID. Tickets available March 17. Tuesday, April 7 Elon University Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. The Elon University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Jon Metzger, will perform contemporary works for percussion instruments. Wednesday, April 8 Hillel Passover Seder McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 7:00 p.m. Join Hillel in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Passover, the day commemorating the exodus of Jews from Egypt and the end of their slavery. All are invited to learn about Judaism and the story of Passover through the celebration of the traditional Seder meal when the story of Passover will be told and the customers explained. Admission: $5. Tickets will be sold in Moseley Center in advance. Thursday, April 9 Jim Goodnight, Elon Medal of Entrepreneurial Leadership Presentation LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 4:15 p.m. Dr. Goodnight is CEO of SAS, the world’s largest privately held software company which is headquartered in Cary, NC, with more than 11,000 employees in 400 offices worldwide. Wednesday, April 15 David Radcliff, “One Earth, One Chance, One Challenge” Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. David Radcliff, director of the New Community Project, traded in his car to travel across the world promoting the ideal of living sustainably with the earth and more fairly with its people. He has lead Learning Tours in the Arctic, Amazon, Iraq, Sudan, and Central America. He confronts our culture of consumption as dangerous to our spiritual health, the health of the planet, and its people. Radcliff is a graduate of Bridgewater College and Bethany Seminary, and teaches at Elizabethtown College about globalization, environmental care, poverty, and hunger. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Sustainable Living Learning Community Wednesday, April 15 Anthony Zerbe, “It’s All Done with Mirrors” Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. In a theatrical tour de force, award-winning screen and stage artist Zerbe provides joyous access to the art and energy of E.E. Cummings. Zerbe moves pell mell through a parade of characters, accents, dazzling word plays, capturing in perfect moments some of Cummings favorite subjects: carnival barkers hawking sex and imagination; the Cambridge ladies staunch in their belief and malice; men speaking about war and those living it; and the writer who finds in the color and terror of the circus the perfect metaphor for his art. Thursday, April 16 Hanna Holborn Gray, “Education and Utopia” Whitley Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. James P. Elder Lecture Dr. Gray is a historian with special interests in humanism, political thought, and politics in the Renaissance and the Reformation. A Fulbright scholar with a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University, she was the first woman to serve as Provost at Yale University (1974-78), and the first woman President of a major co-educational university, the University of Chicago (1978-1993). She has served on numerous non-profit and corporate boards and holds 21 honorary degrees from universities throughout the United States, Britain, and Canada. Thursday, April 16 Frank Turek, "I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist" LaRose Digital Theatre, Koury Business Center, 7:30 p.m. Turek is a dynamic speaker and award-winning author or coauthor of: I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, Correct, Not Politically Correct and Legislative Morality. Turek presents the evidence for Christianity, cross-examines arguments against it, and answers audience questions. He has appeared on many TV and radio programs including: The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith under Fire, Politically Incorrect, The Bible Answerman, and Focus on the Family. A former aviator in the U.S. Navy, Turek as a Ph.D. in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Sponsored by Campus Outreach, Intervarsity, and Young Life. Friday, April 17 Elon University Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert: Swing and Salsa Dance McKinnon Hall, free dance instruction, 6:30 p.m.; dance and concert, 7:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Elon University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jon Metzger, will perform jazz classics for swing and salsa dance. Elon dance faculty member Jane Wellford will provide swing and salsa dance instruction beginning at 6:30 p.m. The dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be cash prizes for the best student “Swing” Couple, the best student “Salsa” Couple, and the best Faculty/Staff Couple. Bring your dancing shoes! Saturday, April 18 “The Impacts of Deportation in Alamance County” Whitley Auditorium, 1:30 p.m. The 287g Immigration Policy Working Group at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will report findings from the forthcoming study, “The Social and Economic Costs of the 287g program to Local Jurisdictions in North Carolina.” Sponsored by the Department of Political Science, the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC Chapel Hill. Sunday, April 19 Linda Cykert, flute; Virginia Novine-Whittaker, saxophone; Ramon Brito and Sharon LaRocco, piano; Chip Newton, guitar, faculty recital Yeager Recital Hall, 3 p.m. Elon University Department of Music faculty perform selections from the Baroque through 20^th century for various combinations of flute, saxophone, piano and guitar. Thursday, April 23 Thomas Moore, “The Soul of the University” Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Thomas Moore is the author of Care of the Soul, which spent forty-six weeks on the New York times bestseller list, and fifteen other books on deepening spiritually and cultivating the soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, and ecology. He describes his Elon lecture in this way: “At all levels of Education currently we tend to provide for the mind, and to some extent for the body, but little for the soul. An education in soul would include preparation for marriage, illness, a life work, making a home, raising children, contributing to society, dealing with emotional and relationship issues, and developing a spiritual sensibility. Rather than creating an entirely new curriculum, he would involve studying any subject for its contributions to meaning, values, and vision. It would also be sensitive to the poetic, symbolic, metaphoric, and ritual aspects of life through a deep understanding of the arts and spiritual traditions. It would culture a person, give him depth, and prepare her for citizenship, leadership, and a rich life. Sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26 *Department of Performing Arts presents Noises Off* by Michael Frayn Directed by Fredrick J. Rubeck McCrary Theatre, Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Hailed as one of the funniest farces ever written, Noises Off allows the audience a peek at the wacky goings on when a second-rate theatre company attempts to produce a traditional British sex farce. The audience sees the mayhem both on stage and back stage as the cast attempts to finish dress rehearsal—then watches as the subject matter disintegrates during its tour—with great hilarity. Contains some mature language and subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised. Tickets: $12 or Elon ID. Tickets available April 2. Friday, April 24 National Pan-Hellenic, Inc. Council Step Show Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 8:00 p.m. The Elon National Pan-Hellenic Council governs the historically black African-American fraternities and sororities. Its purpose is to create and maintain high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities; perpetuate constructive fraternity and sorority relationships; foster an understanding of the structure and method of operation among the affiliate organizations; address, coordinate, and develop action strategies of mutual concert to the affiliate organizations; and serve as the conduit for such action plans as may be developed. Admission: advance tickets will be available beginning Monday, April 20 through Friday, April 25 at 12 p.m. in the Office of Greek Life, Moseley Center, Room 209. Advance ticket prices are $5 Greeks, $7 general public. Tickets at the door (all guests) are $10. Sunday-Monday, April 26&27 Tapped Out! McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, Sunday, 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.; Monday, 6 p.m. Artistic Direction by Gene Medler assisted by Rachel Teem and Rachel Perlman An annual dance concert dedicated entirely to Tap! Gene Medler will choreography and direct the Elon Tap Ensemble in an exciting, entertaining, and rhythmic evening, assisted by two talented students who are making their mark as innovative Tap choreographers. Admission: $10 or Elon ID. Tickets available at the door—no advance reservations. Monday, April 27 The Carolina String Duo** Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Elon music faculty members Carey Harwood and Kevin Dollar perform selections from the Renaissance to the modern day and from Dowland to Django Reinhardt in an entertaining concert that traces the history of music for fretted instruments. Sponsored by the Department of Music. Tuesday, April 28 Elon University Chamber Orchestra McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Director Dr. Thomas Erdmann welcomes guest soloist and Davidson University Piano Professor Dr. Ruskin Cooper to the stage to perform Rachmaninoff’s thrilling and famous Piano Concerto No. 2. Also featured will be a piece by Elon University Composition Professor Dr. Todd Coleman. Tuesday-Saturday, April 28-May 2 Black Box Festival Black Box Theatre, Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Join us for two exciting productions—in rolling repertory! EDGES is a song cycle (written by the composer/lyricist team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) that confronts the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and examines the search for love, commitment, and meaning, directed by Lynne Kurdziel-Formato with musical direction by Richard Cook (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.) and a full-length student-directed play (title and director TBA—Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.). Admission: $5 or Elon ID. Tickets available at the door—no advance reservations. Thursday, April 30 Department of Music presents Handel’s Messiah McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Director of Choral Activities Stephen A. Futrell conducts the Elon University Chorale, Camerata, Festival Chorus and Orchestra, combined with the Front Street UMC Chancel Choir and the North State Chorale, to present Handel’s master work. Selections from all three portions of Messiah will be performed. Guest soloists for the evening include Catherine Clarke, soprano; Mary Gayle Green, mezzo-soprano; Gerald Knight, tenor; and Kevin Bell, bass.