Sources: Linda Duke, 785-532-7718, lduke@k-state.edu;
and Todd Holmberg, 785-532-6425, trholm@k-state.edu
Website:http://www.lib.k-state.edu/illuminate
News release prepared by: Megan Molitor, 785-532-1566, molitor@k-state.edu
Monday, March 12, 2012
Cultures uniting: Events celebrate creativity and discovery through music, literature and writing
MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University community will have the opportunity to explore art and history through books, music and culture during Creativity Illuminated, a celebration of cultural awareness.
Creativity Illuminated will explore cultural music through workshops, movie screenings and a free performance by the Yuval Ron Ensemble, a group uniting music and dance from the Middle East into a musical celebration. The ensemble is led by Oscar-winning composer Yuval Ron and was featured in PBS' "Holiday Celebration" in 2005 and 2006.
The Yuval Ron Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in K-State's McCain Auditorium. Todd Holmberg, director of McCain Auditorium, said the ensemble's performance is a key part of the Creativity Illuminated events.
"Creativity occurs when humanity transcends traditional thinking on ideas," Holmberg said. "The Yuval Ron Ensemble illuminates creativity using music and dance to unite historically diverse cultures in a celebration of peace. Not only will group members stimulate intercultural connections with their music, but they will also encourage community-wide dialogue during their two-day residency in Manhattan. The spirit of their positive messages will be inspiring."
The ensemble also will present three 90-minute workshops highlighting different forms of music, including:
* Christian music of the holy land, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Manhattan Christian College's Wilson Worship Center, 1415 Anderson Ave.
* Hebrew music of biblical times, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave.
* Muslim music and movement, 11 a.m. Thursday, April 5, in the community room at Meadowlark Hills, 2121 Meadowlark Road.
A double-feature presentation of "Proteus" and "West Bank Story," scored by Ron, will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the UMB Theatre at K-State's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
All of the Yuval Ron Ensemble events are free and open to the public, but a ticket is required to attend the McCain performance. Tickets can be reserved by calling 785-532-6428 or in person at the McCain box office.
Creativity Illuminated also will recognize book arts, beginning with a presentation on the tradition of the illuminated manuscript. The Rev. Eric Hollas, a professor at St. John's University, will speak at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Hemisphere Room at Hale Library. This presentation will feature the Saint John's Bible, the first manuscript to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in 500 years. A rare reproduction of this text recently arrived at K-State for study and discussion.
This presentation is free and open to the public.
A calligraphy workshop will continue the celebration of creativity at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Beach Museum of Art's UMB Theater on the gallery level. For a $10 fee, which includes dessert and supplies, participants will listen to a lecture on Western calligraphy followed by demonstrations and activities.
Cindi Morris, community relations manager for the Beach Museum, said the evening will begin with an illustrated presentation on Western calligraphy, followed by a lesson in techniques from calligraphers Tony Chelz, Carole Chelz and Peg Hornsby.
"Calligraphy is beautiful writing," Morris said. "Before the invention of printing, important texts like the Bible were copied onto paper by the masters of this art form."
Participants will be given a demonstration and can try different calligraphy tools and techniques. They will also have an opportunity to create their own illuminated letter, embellished with elaborate designs. Reservations for the calligraphy workshop can be made by contacting 785-532-7718 or klwalk@k-state.edu.
For more information on any of the Creativity Illuminated events, visit http://www.lib.k-state.edu/illuminate.
