French trivia contest at NMU
In keeping with Northern Michigan University’s focus on internationalization, students in a French literature class are launching a trivia contest that is open to the campus and local communities. Prizes will be awarded to four individuals-two whose questions are selected from all submissions and two who are selected at random from among those who answer the questions correctly. Contestants are asked to submit a trivia question related to the history or culture of France or French-speaking regions and peoples to NMU professor Tara Foster at [email protected] by Sunday, Nov. 2. The answer to the question should be included in the e-mail. The first question selected will be posted on the department of modern languages and literatures Web site at www.nmu.edu/languages on Monday, Nov. 3, with answers requested by Sunday, Nov. 16. A contestant is not eligible to win for answering his or her own question but may answer the other question. The second question will be posted on the Web site on Monday, Nov. 17, with answers requested by Thursday, Dec. 4. Winners will be selected at random, announced on the department’s Web site and notified by e-mail so that they can make arrangements to pick up their prizes. For more information, e-mail Foster.
– NMU News Bureau
NMU string orchestra performs
The Northern Michigan University String Orchestra, under the direction of Barbara Rhyneer, will perform a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in Reynolds Recital Hall. The public is invited. The concert is titled “Gateway” and will include the following selections: “Violin Concerto in B Flat Major” by George Frederic Handel, featuring violin soloist Deborah Carlson; “Serenade for Strings” by Peter Tchaikovsky; and “Irish Legend” by Robert Kerr, an “air and jig” from the Celtic tradition revolving around imagery of a traveler visiting an ancient ruin, where he is transported to another time and place-a place of battle and chivalry. For more information, contact the NMU music department at 227-2563.
– NMU News Bureau
Spanish students stage political drama
Northern Michigan University students will perform a dramatic reading of “El Gesticulador” (The Imposter), a political drama by Mexican playwright Rodolfo Usigli, as the final project in their Spanish theater performance class. The single showing is scheduled at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Jamrich 102. Admission is free. The play will be performed in Spanish, but aids for English-only speakers will be provided. The script was adapted by Timothy Compton, head of the department of modern languages and literatures at NMU. The 14 students enrolled in the managed all aspects of the production under Compton’s guidance. “El Gesticulador” is regarded by many literary historians to be the first important work of modern Mexican drama. It deals with the issues of historical accuracy, honesty, corruption and politics. “The universal themes allow any audience to enjoy the play, especially with the upcoming election in mind,” said Compton. Written in 1938, “El Gesticulador” focuses on César Rubio, a history professor in Mexico. A professor from Harvard takes Rubio for a famous and missing general by the same name from the Mexican Revolution. Publication of his “discovery” unleashes a remarkable set of events. As Rubio assumes his new identity, he is pressured to run for governor despite his family’s mixed feelings. Rubio’s corrupt opposition becomes determined to come to power while Rubio quickly gains popularity.
– NMU News Bureau
