When is it right to laugh? In the 1930s, as the Nazi party rose to power, cultural phenomena ranging from cabaret to stage comedy provided possibilities for reaction to the racist violence and oppression. Brian Els of the history department examines the German singing sensation of that period known as the Comedian Harmonists to provide a window into this historical moment. The evening will include live renditions of the Comedian Harmonists’ music by Nicole Hanig of the music department and Gregory Pulver’s Musical Theater and Opera Workshop Ensemble. Sponsored by the Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture. Part of Beckman Humor Initiative. Wednesday, October 22 7:30 p.m., Mago Hunt Recital Hall
“The West Behind Us” exhibit with photos by Bobby Abrahamson and interviews by Lisa Wells
University of Portland is hosting “The West Behind Us” exhibit with photos by Bobby Abrahamson and interviews by Lisa Wells through Friday, Oct. 17. The exhibit, in Buckley Center Gallery on campus, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., is free and open to the public. An artist’s reception will take place in the gallery from 5-7 on Friday, Oct. 10.
The exhibit documents four small rural towns in Oregon (Fields, Mitchell, Long Creek and Halfway) and investigates the challenges faced by rural communities in an age of increased urbanization and economic depression. In the tradition of WPA era collaborations like Walker Evans and James Agee’s “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” this exhibit combines black and white documentary photographs by Abrahamson with interviews and text by writer Wells to weave a lyrical narrative. The result is two independent, complementary visions of life in rural America on the cusp of the urban millennium.
Abrahamson is a Portland-based documentary photographer, filmmaker and media educator with 25 years experience producing documentary work. He has six published books of his work, and has been featured in 14 solo shows, and numerous group exhibits in the U.S. and Europe. His work is included in the permanent collections of many institutions including the Portland Art Museum, the RACC Portable Works and Visual Chronicle Collections of the city of Portland, the Oregon Jewish Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Museum of Contemporary Art Belgrade, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. Abrahamson has taught photography and media literacy in the Portland metro area to both adults and children for the past nine years, at institutions including the University of Portland, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Mount Hood Community College, Clark College, Oregon College of Art and Craft, the Portland Art Museum, Newspace Center for Photography, Saturday Academy and Open Meadow Middle School.
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information contact the performing and fine arts department at (503) 943-7228 or pfa@up.edu.
Red Mass: Dinner & Law Lecture With Judge Carlos T. Bea
Judge Carlos T. Bea of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will examine the use of religious art in public spaces. The Red Mass is celebrated as a prayer for those entrusted with the law and for those who administer justice. All are welcome to attend the Red Mass with principal celebrant, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample. Tickets are required for the dinner and lecture; $55/person. Please RSVP to powell@up.edu. Monday, October 20: 5 p.m., Red Mass, Chapel of Christ the Teacher & 6 p.m., Dinner & Lecture, Executive Boardroom
The 1940’s Radio Hour
You are cast as the live audience watching a live radio broadcast near Christmas time in 1942. The world is at war, but a small radio station in New York City is determined to bring some warmth and levity to your holiday season, and to the soldiers overseas. “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” are just two of the many American standards performed in this unique musical by Walton Jones. November 7-9, 13-15. Performances at 7:30 p.m (2 p.m. Sunday), Mago Hunt Theater Tickets: $10/$5, Mago Hunt Box office, 503.943.7827Opera & Musical Theater Workshop Showcase
The Opera and Music Theater Workshop Showcase features student performances in a program entitled “Heart & Home.” Staged scenes from Bernstein’s Candide and On the Town, Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Company, and Jake Heggie’s operatic adaptation of Dead Man Walking will be featured as well as songs from Wicked, The Wiz, and both the operatic and music theater adaptations of Little Women. Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1 7:30 p.m., Mago Hunt Recital Hall
Wind Symphony and Orchestra Concert
The Wind Symphony and Orchestra open their 2014-2015 concert season with an exciting program. The Wind Symphony program looks at the use of humor in music, including Percy Grainger’s whimsical Country Gardens, Paul Hart’s Cartoon, and Jonathan Newman’s “bubblegum pop” piece Single, featuring senior vocalist Amelia Segler. Rounding out the program is John Mackey’s Aurora Awakes, one of the most significant band works thus far in the 21st century. The UPO will feature student concerto competition winner David Yee playing Alexander Glazunov’s Concerto in E flat major for Alto Saxophone. Also on the program is Margaret Brouwer’s stirring and elegiac tone poem, Remembrances. Saturday, October 4 7:30 p.m., Buckley Center Auditorium
Chef’s Table Dinners
Enjoy a gourmet multicourse meal prepared just for you by Bon Appétit general manager Kirk Mustain and his chefs. Eight to twelve mini courses will be accompanied with wine pairings. Interact with the chefs as you enjoy the show from the inner workings of the kitchen in the Bauccio Commons. Please choose from three separate Chef’s Table dinners. Cost is $85 per person. Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, please RSVP to alumni@up.edu or 503.943.7328. Saturday, October 18; Saturday, November 15; Friday, January 23 6:30 p.m., Bauccio Commons
English Society: Halloween Murder Mystery Party
Keep an eye out for the English Society’s biggest event of the semester: the Halloween Murder Mystery Party! Literary characters galore from very separate works of fiction are all brought together for a dinner party, only to find out that one of their number has been murdered. Show up on October 31 in St. Mary’s from 4-6 to help us figure out who dunnit. Also, check out the club’s biweekly book-sharing’s at theenglishsociety.wordpress.com. If you have any questions, email Grace Kirk kirk15@up.edu or McKenzie Parker parkerm@up.edu
Drop By UP Authors’ Reception, Oct. 9
Drop By UP Authors’ Reception, Oct. 9: The Clark Library is pleased to invite all faculty, staff, and students to the annual UP Authors’ Reception on Thursday, October 9, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., on the upper floor of the library. Enjoy refreshments and live music while browsing publications by 93 faculty and staff authors, and 24 student authors. The seven volumes of the Saint John’s Bible will also be on display in the library classroom. For more information contact Diane Romero, library, at 7775 or romero@up.edu.
University Singers, Women’s Chorale Concert, Oct. 4
University Singers, Women’s Chorale Concert, Oct. 4: The University Singers and Women’s Chorale will open their new concert season on Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. The concert is free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the public. The University welcomes Kathryn Briggs as the new director of the Women’s Chorale with this all-choral program featuring American music, including works by Stephen Paulus, Portland’s own Joan Szymko, and honorary University of Portland alumnus Aaron Copland. For more information contact performing and fine arts at 7228 or pfa@up.edu.