Jan. 22 | 7 PM | Marilou Awiakta | “Restoring a Climate of Respect: A Challenge for Our Times”

Community Conversations Series | LAWSON AUDITORIUM, FAYERWEATHER HALL

This poet, storyteller and essayist is internationally known for her unique fusion of her Cherokee and Appalachian heritages with science. Awiakta, born in Knoxville, but raised in Oak Ridge, came back to Knoxville to the University of Tennessee for her education. She brings her knowledge and experience to Maryville when she presents on her own experiences with how the human climate of respect affects people, the environment and the cellular responses of both that new superquantum tones research reveals. Her published works in this area include Abiding Appalachia: Where Mountain and Atom Meet, Rising Fawn and the Fire Mystery and Selu: Seeking the Corn Mother’s Wisdom.

Feb. 4 | 7 PM | Dr. Russel Botman | “God’s People Divided:  Life Under Apartheid”

February Meetings  | ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

Dr. Russel Botman, rector of Stellenbosch University in South Africa and president of the South African Council of Churches, has been an important figure in helping his country and his church find the path from division to unity and from struggle to hope. His three addresses to the campus – all supporting the theme “Confessing Hope:  Stories of Faith & Struggle from South Africa” – are meant to inspire a Christian commitment among people in the places they live and work.

Feb. 5 | 1 PM | “The Church Speaks for Faith & Justice:  The Confession of Belhar”

February Meetings  | SAMUEL TYNDALE WILSON CENTER FOR CAMPUS MINISTRY

Feb. 5 | 7 PM | “Leaving Hate Behind:  Life in the New South Africa”

February Meetings  | ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

Feb. 12 | 7 PM | Dr. Jeff Wasserstrom | “China in the American Imagination, 1900-2008”

Jackson Lecture Series | LAWSON AUDITORIUM

Dr. Jeff Wasserstrom is professor of history at the University of California, Irvine, and author of China’s Brave New World:  And Other Tales for Global Times. In his presentation, Wasserstrom will discuss what he calls the “intertwining of variations on the American China Dream.” Exploring the country’s evolution from the days of the Boxers to this year’s Summer Olympics, he addresses both a rosy vision of a country that is about to convert to the United States’ ways and a dark vision of a threat to what U.S. citizens hold dear.

Feb. 19 | 7 PM | Bill Dana | “Humor: The Shortest Distance Between Two Points”

Community Conversation Series | ALUMNI GYM

For all but three years, Bill Dana has been a writer-producer during American television’s entire history. In all that time, no matter what other accomplishments he can claim, the “José Jimenéz” character he created on the Steve Allen Show in 1959 will forever be his alter ego. Still an active funster at age 83, Dana brings Maryville his message that no matter one’s destination, humor is the shortest distance between two points.

Feb. 28 | 7 PM | Olga Loya | “Napantla (Between Worlds)”

Community Conversations Series | ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

In her presentations to audiences, Mexican-American storyteller Olga Loya explores that place between who and where we are in this world. Hers is a story about searching for a cultural home while struggling with racism, shame, drugs, gangs and defeatist advice. Using humor, dance, music, wit and fierce honesty, Olga also talks about the influences that helped her proudly embrace her culture as a Mexican-American, Chicana and Latina and find a way to bridge her worlds.

March 3 | 7:30 PM | The Orchestra Showcase of Area Artists Concert

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MARYVILLE

Accompanied by musicians of the Orchestra at Maryville College, singers April Martin and Rocky Sellers, flutist Chelsae Stills and violinists Katy White and Elizabeth Weitnauer will perform works by Handel, Stills, Chaminade, Haydn and Bach.

March 4 | 7 PM | Dr. Bulent Atalay | “Leonardo’s Universe: The Renaissance World of Leonardo da Vinci”

LAWSON AUDITORIUM, FAYERWEATHER HALL

Dr. Bulent Atalay is a physicist, artist and author of the book Math and the Mona Lisa. His presentation will highlight the relationships between math, science and art. Atalay, who lives in Virginia and teaches physics at the University of Mary Washington and University of Virginia, lectures around the world, mostly on the "A-subjects” – art, archaeology, astrophysics and atomic physics. 

March 6 | 8 PM | “The School for Wives”

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

Molière’s hysterical farce, translated and adapted by J. Riley Bryant and Richard H. Seay, Jr., tells the story of Arnolphe, a middle-aged man who has become obsessed with avoiding the fate of cuckoldry. To ensure an uncomplicated marriage, he has raised young Agnes from the age of 4 to be the perfect wife for him, teaching her only the things that a woman should know: sewing, praying and serving him. But as their wedding day grows near, Arnolphe’s careful plan unravels as innocent Agnes falls in love with someone else!

March 7 | 8 PM | “The School for Wives”

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

March 8 | 8 PM | “The School for Wives”

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

March 9 | 2 PM | “The School for Wives”

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

March 27 | 8 PM | Concert Choir Spring Concert | “A Choral Ceilidh”

LAKE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, KNOXVILLE

An important event in Gael is the Ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lay”). Literally meaning “a visit,” the word refers to a gathering for the purposes of song and storytelling. This concert, featuring the Concert Choir and vocal ensemble Off Kilter, will feature music prepared for the group’s upcoming concert tour to Scotland in May.

April 11 | 7 PM | Sheri Matascik | Faculty Recital

LAWSON AUDITORIUM, FAYERWEATHER HALL

At this recital, attendees will be treated to all new solo guitar pieces composed by Dr. Sheri Matascik for a soon-to-be-released CD. Matascik, associate professor of music, will perform on classical guitar, resonator guitar and steel-string acoustic guitar during the recital. In her compositions for steel-string acoustic guitar, she combines elements of classical guitar music with that of Appalachian and Celtic folk traditions for an exciting amalgamation of styles and sounds.

April 17 | 7 PM | Carolina Chocolate Drops

Community Conversations Series | HUMPHREYS COURT (RAIN LOCATION:  ALUMNI GYM)

Concluding the Community Conversations Series and the 2007-2008 theme “American Voices,” the College hosts The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Considered by one critic to be "the hottest thing to hit the old-time music community in decades," the group of young African-American stringband musicians plays in the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music from the foothills of the Carolinas. Last year, the group's music was featured on the soundtrack for the Denzel Washington movie “The Great Debaters.”

April 20 | 1-4:30 PM | Historic College Hill District Homes Tour

VARIOUS ADDRESSES IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Six homes, including the College’s Wright House, are on the 2008 tour. Most of the homes in the district were built between 1880 and 1939 and display a variety of architectural styles:  Queen Anne, Victorian, Bungalow, Craftsman and Romanesque. Reserved tickets for the tour are $10 (available in the College’s Communications Office); $12 on the day of the tour. 

April 20 | 4 PM | Maryville College-Community Concert Band | Spring Concert

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

The program will be themed around music from the stage and screen.  Selections will be drawn from film music, Broadway shows, and ballet music scores.

April 24 | 8 PM | An Evening of One-Act Plays

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

This assortment of student-directed work is sure to run the gamut of all things theatrical. From serious to silly, these plays will showcase the actors and directors of tomorrow. You can say you “knew them when …”

April 25 | 8 PM | Emily Emadian Junior Jazz Vocal Recital

CHILHOWEE CLUB, MARYVILLE 

A music theory and composition major who studies both piano and guitar and sings with various campus ensembles, Emily Emadian ’09 is comfortable performing in front of an audience. Her recital will feature jazz vocal collections as well as three piano selections. The 20-year-old was born in Gainesville, Fla., but has since lived in many different states. She attributes this exposure to an eclectic taste in music.

April 25 | 8 PM | An Evening of One-Act Plays

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

April 26 | 8 PM | An Evening of One-Act Plays

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

April 27 | 2 PM | An Afternoon of One-Act Plays

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

April 28 | 7:30 PM | Orchestra at Maryville College and the Maryville College Community Chorus | Spring Concert

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MARYVILLE

Orchestra musicians, chorus singers and guest artist Mike Bundon will come together for an evening of opera classics. Featured choruses will include “Anvil Chorus” from Il trovatore and “Chorus of the Hebrew slaves” from Nabucco, both by Verdi; “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin by Wagner; and “Chorus of the wedding guests” from Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti.

April 29 | 7 PM | Jazz Band | Spring Concert

CHILHOWEE CLUB, MARYVILLE

Jazz, America’s original musical art form, will be performed and celebrated by 15 musician-students of the College. Classics, as well as newer compositions, are on the program.

May 1-2 | 7 PM | Maryville College Dance Ensemble | “Where Soul Meets Body”

ALUMNI GYMNASIUM

The 10-member squad will perform in more than six styles of dance. The event is free for MC students; $5 for others.

May 2 | 7 PM | April Martin Senior Voice Recital

1st UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, MARYVILLE

Singing in four languages, April Martin ’08, a music education for teacher licensure major, will perform selections written by Beach, Bellini, Handel, Faure, Schubert and Brahms. A student of Emily Douglass and native of Burlington, N.C., Martin is actively involved in three choral ensembles on campus (a featured soloist for two), including the MC Concert Choir. She hopes to study music in Austria this summer and then plans to return to Maryville to complete her student teaching next fall.

May 9 | 8 PM | Aaron Schmissrauter Senior Jazz Recital

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MARYVILLE

Assisted by William Yager '11 on bass and Othman Djuliarso on drums, Aaron Schmissrauter '08, a music major, will perform jazz selections on piano.

May 4 | 8 PM | Concert Choir | “The Scots-American Musical Journey”

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MARYVILLE

Family, friends and members of the Blount County community are invited to join the MC campus community as it gathers to hear pieces that will be performed on the Choir’s concert tour to Scotland (scheduled for May 22-31) and wish them safe travels. A reception will follow the concert.