WVU Parkersburg Humanities Division celebrates region's diversity of heritage and viewpoint in its Fall 2003 Speakers Series.

CONTACT:  Rebecca Phillips, Speakers Series chair, 304-424-8282.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A series of free fall programs will recognize and celebrate the diversity of heritage and viewpoint in the Mid-Ohio Valley as well as in its connections to the larger world.

The Humanities Division of West Virginia University at Parkersburg will feature six programs in "Diverse Voices," its Fall 2003 Humanities Speakers Series.  The programs are free and open to the public.

The series begins at 7 p.m., Thursday, September 25, when Spanish instructor José Fernando Oquendo lectures on "Colombia: A Privileged Country." A native of Colombia, Oquendo will address common stereotypes of his country and discuss the effects the war on drugs is having on ordinary people there.  The program will be held in the college Theatre (Room 1305).

"Local Color: An Evening of Poetry" follows at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30.  Area poets Mark Bruce, Debra Conner, and Barb McCullough will read from their works.  The readings will be given in Rooms 2536-38.

On Monday, October 20, 2003 Vandalia Award winner Mack Samples brings his brand of storytelling to the College Theatre. A musician as well as a folklorist and writer, he will use music and story to share "Rural West Virginia Culture as Seen by a Rural West Virginian."  The program is at 7:15 p.m.

On October 30 and 31, the college will be the site of a special talk and workshops on the international dynamics of the visual and performing arts, both presented by Dr. Esiaba Irobi. A Nigerian dramatist on the faculty of Ohio University, Irobi has directed plays and conducted theatre workshops in various parts of the world, including Nigeria, the United States, England, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and Ireland.

At 7:00 p.m. on October 30, he will speak on "The Influence of African Culture on Contemporary American Visual and Performing Arts (1629-2003)" in the College Theatre. A two-hour workshop in cross-cultural ritual theatre aesthetics entitled "The Spirit Does Not Descend Without Song" will follow at 8:00 p.m. in Rooms 2536-38. On October 31 from 9:00 a.m. until noon in Rooms 2536-38, Irobi will facilitate a practical workshop on acting for the international stage. Members of the public are encouraged to attend any or all of Dr. Irobi’s events.

The final event of "Diverse Voices" will take place in November at a date to be announced at the WVU Parkersburg Jackson County Center in Ripley.  Rita S. Khoury, a native of Beirut now living in Roane County, will speak on her experiences growing up during Lebanon’s Civil War.

"Diverse Voices" is made possible by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council.  Dr. Irobi’s appearance is funded in part by a grant from the WVU Parkersburg Social Justice Committee. All Speakers Series events are free and open to the public.

For further information, contact Rebecca Phillips, chair of the speakers series, at (304) 424-8282.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
Executive Director for Communications
WVU Parkersburg
(304-424-8203)

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