Thought-provoking performances headline March at Connecticut College

NEW LONDON, Conn. - March at Connecticut College is filled with non-traditional performances that invite discussion and activism, including a performance of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," to raise money for two good causes. All events are open to the public and take place on the Connecticut College campus. Unless otherwise stated, tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Connecticut College box office at (860) 439-ARTS (2787).

Events include:

Poetry Readings

• "2009 CT Student Poet Winners Poetry Readings," presented by the Department of English and the Connecticut Poetry Circuit and featuring Matthew Gilbert, University of Hartford; Jordan Jacks, Yale University; Susanna Myrserth, Wesleyan University; Sarah Nichols, Tunxis Community College, and Katie Rowe, Albertus Magnus College; March 3, 7:30 p.m., Charles Chu Reading Room, Charles E. Shain Library. Free. Dessert to follow.

Dance Performances

• "Monster." Rebecca Pappas, a 2001 graduate of Connecticut College, returns to her alma mater with a theatrical dance piece that combines the beautiful and grotesque in an exploration of Jewish heritage and shame; March 28, 7:30 p.m., Martha Myers Dance Studio, the College Center at Crozier Williams. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students at the door.

Theater Performances

• Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues," performed by students, staff and surprise celebrity guests with profits benefitting the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut and the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; March 28, 7:30 p.m., John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $7 for students. Additional donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Megan Nashban at mnashban@conncoll.edu.

Musical Performances

• "Georgian Symphony: A Vector for Cultural Codes," a discussion and performance by John Prevedini '09 for his senior research project; March 3, 4:30 p.m., John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Free.
• "The Art of Music - The Music of Art." Connecticut College Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble in Concert, with Gary Buttery, director. Performing: scenes from "The Louvre"; theme from "Schindler's List"; "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and more; March 4, 7 p.m., John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for general admission, $3 for students and seniors.
• "Danú Traditional Irish Ensemble," with the floor-shaking tempo and ancient staccatos of Ireland; part of the onStage at Connecticut College season; March 5, 8 p.m., John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Tickets are $22 for the general public, $20 for seniors and $11 for students. To listen, visit Danú on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/danuband.
• "Bert Seager Trio in Concert," featuring Jorge Reder on bass, Richie Barshay on percussion and Bert Seager on jazz piano; March 25, 7 p.m., Fortune Recital Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Free.
• "Piano and Cello Master Class," with pianist Hui-Mei Lin and cellist Peter Siedenberg and featuring an interactive recital of a Bach da gamba sonata, a Chopin polonaise and a contemporary piece written for Lin and Siedenberg; March 26, 11:45 a.m., Fortune Recital Hall. Free.
• "New Music Series Concert," with director Peter Jarvis. Featuring "A Portrait of a Composer," the music of Arthur Kreiger, with performances from the Connecticut College Percussion Ensemble, The Amelia Piano Trio, Kiara Hwang '09 and faculty members Gary Buttery, Peter Jarvis and Kumi Ogano; March 26, 7 p.m., John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for general admission, $3 for students and seniors.
• "Family Concert featuring the Connecticut College Orchestra," with Connecticut College faculty members Jason Duckles and Anthea Kreston directing the orchestra; March 29, 2 p.m., Fortune Recital Hall, Cummings Arts Center. Free.

Film Screenings

• "NO! The Rape Documentary," produced, written and directed by award-winning feminist filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons; postponed to March 3 at 7 p.m., F.W. Olin Science Center, room 014. A question and answer session will follow. Simmons also will be on campus March 3 for a noon lunch at the Connecticut College Women's Center, followed by a 4:30 p.m. tea at the LGBTQ Center. Free. For more information, visit http://notherapedocumentary.org/.
• "Lust, Caution," (2007) directed by Ang Lee, 2007; March 29, 7 p.m., Silfen Auditorium, Bill Hall. Free.

About Connecticut College

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning.

For more information, visit www.conncoll.edu.

-- CC --

---

March 3, 2009