French culture shared with community
The Regions of France Showcase will take place on Thursday, April 16, from 3:15 – 4:45 p.m in the Whitman Commons. The showcase will be hosted by students in Assistant Professor of Modern Language and Literature Tara Foster’s “Introduction to French Culture and Civilization” class. The students will be presenting informational displays about various regions of France. In addition, students will prepare culinary specialties from these areas for guests to taste. “I wanted students to have the opportunity to share their research on the traditions of the different regions of France with an audience because I wanted them to engage critically with what they were learning,” Foster said. Community members and faculty are also encouraged to participate to learn more about French culture and to compare it with their personal experiences. For entertainment, the NMU International Dancers will be performing various French traditional dances in which the audience will be encouraged to participate. This event is sponsored by the NMU French Program and the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. For more information, those interested can contact Foster at [email protected].
– Lucia Lopez
MFA students to present theses
While the term “thesis defense” doesn’t usually inspire connotations of creativity, a presentation will be just that. The event called, “A Celebration of Writing,” will be on Friday, April 17 and will feature six NMU graduate students in the English department. They will be reading from, answering questions about, and defending their creative theses for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program. Creative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry pieces will be read during the presentation. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse in Marquette. “You’ll be hearing some of the best writing that has been done in our department this year,” said Paul Lehmberg, a professor in the English Department who helped organize the event. He added that it is required for students wishing to graduate with an MFA to participate in the reading, which serves as a time for them to present and defend their final projects. “It will be like a wedding, both festive and serious at once,” said Lehmberg. Anthony Guerriero, an MFA student who will be presenting his creative fiction thesis, said that there will be two fiction, one poetry and three non-fiction presenters. “The MFA program is an intense program; only six people are graduating,” said Guerriero. “A lot of people don’t know the work that it takes to write a 180-page creative thesis. It might seem easy at first, but there is a lot of work involved.” The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
– Cameron Witbeck
Mexican dance comes to Northern
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli de Veracruz, a traditional Mexican dance troupe, is coming to Marquette. They will be performing at the Kaufman Auditorium on Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m. as a part of the International Performing Arts Series. The Quetzalli performance includes a combination of dancing, singing and live music. “They will perform dances from Mexican history ranging from indigenous dances to modern dances based on folk traditions,” said Dan Truckey, director of the Beaumier Heritage Center. A free workshop will be held by Quetzalli, on April 22 at 10 a.m. in the Great Lakes Room of the University Center; the dancers will take some time to preview and teach some of the dances they will perform at the Kaufman Auditorium. “Attendees will be dazzled by the performance material, beautiful costumes, energy and exoticism,” Truckey said. The event will cost $6 for students; $15 for faculty/staff and seniors over 60; and $20 for the general public. Students interested in volunteering to be an usher at the event can contact Truckey at (906) 227-1219.
– Amber Wiley
