The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats have taken the world by storm and continue to do so in their 30 years as a North American Theatre attraction for hundreds of Universities and performing arts centers. The precision and grace of Chinese acrobatics, is an art form honed by centuries old style of training and discipline. Their multi-faceted and multi-cultural production features dazzling acrobatic displays, formidable feats of daring and balance, explosive energy, brilliant costumes, with a touch of Chinese comedy. These daring maneuvers and death-defying acrobatic acts will have you clamoring for more! More Information
Our Feelings Took the Pictures: Open Shutters Iraq
Our Feelings Took the Pictures: Open Shutters Iraq (Maysoon Pachachi, Syria/UK, 2008, 102 minutes, in Arabic with English subtitles) Iraq-born Maysoon Pachachi’s latest film documents project in which a group of women refugees from five cities in Iraq living in Syria learn to take photographs and present their lives to each other.
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
The Lar Lubovitch company will perform a memorable program of new and retrospective work that underscores Lubovitch’s passionate musicality and deep humanity. Imbued with poetic and musical eloquence, this program features his masterpiece North Star, set to the mesmerizing music of Philip Glass.
“Some dance troupes are dance-theater ensembles. Others are just dance dance dance. Lar Lubovitch Dance Company falls forthrightly in the latter category. It offers no stories, no plots. Instead, it’s light and limber, with its focus entirely on how music and movement can interpenetrate to produce pure footloose delight” (Seattle Times). More information
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
The true story of mountaineer Greg Mortenson’s inspired mission and struggle to build schools for young girls in Pakistan.
From the first heart-stopping opening moments stranded on a mountaintop, this accomplished actor brings audiences through the very intimate journey of one man’s fight against all odds to make a difference in the world. The story feels simultaneously personal and of epic consequence. Alternating between scenes in the U.S. and Pakistan, students become aware of the lessons that can be learned from a culture that is seemingly so different from their own; consequently they come to understand the need to share in the responsibility of educating children everywhere. Surrounded by a pre and post show interactive discussion the audience will explore themes including social action, intercultural understanding and perseverance.This story launched the “Pennies for Peace” project across America, an elementary to high school program, that collects pennies to help build schools for Dr. Greg’s Central Asia Institute. Recommended for Grades 7-12. Run Time: 60 minutes with 30 miniutes of pre and post show Question & Answer.
Curriculum connections: Cultural diversity, Language and Literature, Theater, Geography, History.
Tonight’s Performer and Son speak with WFCR Host
There’s going to be a public conversation with both Hugh Masekela and his son, Sal Masekela (host of programs on ESPN and E!) TODAY at 1:30 pm in Bowker Auditorium. WFCR’s host, Kari Njiiri, will also be included in this conversation. Don’t miss out!
Three Cups of Tea
Based on the best selling book by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Redin
Produced by The American Place Theater Literature to Life series
Three Cups of Tea is a gripping theater piece beautifully constructed word to word from the book of the same name by the world renowned mountain climber Greg Mortenson and literary journalist David Oliver Relin.
From the first heart-stopping opening moments stranded on a mountaintop, this actor brings us through the very intimate journey of one man’s fight against all odds to make a difference in the world. The journalistic style of the book is woven into a narrative that feels simultaneously personal and of epic consequence. Alternating between scenes in the U.S. and Pakistan we become aware of the lessons that can be learned from a culture that is seemingly so different from our own. This story has touched the hearts of students across America and the “Pennies for Peace” project got students from elementary to high school learning the roots of community activism by collecting pennies to help build schools for Dr. Greg’s Central Asia Institute.
Surrounded by a pre and post show interactive discussion the audience will explore themes including social action, intercultural understanding and perseverance. More information
Holly Lynton: Selected Work
Holly Lynton is interested in photographing people who work with animals on small scale, sustainable, local, organic farms and in the wild to expose the spiritual conviction they have for this way of life, and as a gesture to her commitment and belief in their importance.
Holly Lynton is a photographer who received her BA from Yale University in 1994, and an MFA from the Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts at Bard College in 2000. More information
Cedar Lake pre-talk
Benoit-Swan Pouffer, the Artistic Director of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet gives a talk to a few patrons before the evening’s performance on October 2nd.
*Photo credit: Kat Fry
Exploring Buddhism: 2010 Wisdom Teachings
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobzang Tsetan Abbot, Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Bylakuppe, Mysore Dist, South India Founder and Director, Siddhartha School, Leh, Ladakh, India with Professor David L. Gardiner, Chair, Dept. of Religion, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO; Co-founder, BodhiMind Center, Colorado Springs.
All sessions will begin and end with traditional Buddhist prayers led by Khen Rinpoche, following which Rinpoche will introduce and develop the topic for each session in dialogue with David Gardiner, who will provide perspectives from his scholarship and practice and further elucidate the session’s theme. Question and answer time will be part of each session. More information
Session 1
Friday, October 22 from 6:30PM to 9PM: Wisdom through the Buddhist Mahayana Path
Session 2
Saturday, October 23 from 3PM to 5PM : The Practice of Wisdom
Session 3
Saturday, October 23 from 7:00 to 9:00PM : Wisdom & Ethics
Session 4
Sunday, October 24 from 1: 30 to 4PM: Wisdom Deity Blessing by Khen Rinpoche
For more information call 413-577-2486 or email
Women Without Shadows
Women Without Shadows (Haifaa al-Mansour, Saudi Arabia, 2005, 44 minutes, in Arabic with English subtitles) This documentary by Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker addresses important issues faced by women in Saudi society and beyond. Screening will be followed by a panel discussion. More Information