Chamber concert added to Gala lineup
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 5, 2009 1:46 PM
The annual gala sponsored by Wayne Community College Foundation will be a little different this spring -- prompted by a chamber music concert that exceeded expectations several months ago.
That concert featured Dr. Jeremy Thompson, a pianist at First Presbyterian Church, said Jack Kannan, director of the college's Foundation.
"We had chamber music and expected 50 people. We had 350 to come," he said.
The idea prompted organizers to expand the concept to include a Russian violinist befriended by Thompson, and the duo will perform as part of this year's gala event in April.
Mikhail Krutik began studying music at age 5 and since 1999 has been part of St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1994, he became more active as a composer.
Details of the upcoming Goldsboro performance will be announced in the coming weeks, Kannan said, but a tentative date has been set. There will be a private performance and party April 21, with a free public performance set for April 22.
"We're calling the event, 'From Russia With Love,'" he said.
The arts and humanities program also has announced its slate of activities for the spring season, which includes two courses, an educational trip and the Southern Writers Festival.
On the four Monday evenings in February, Bill Brettmann, director of the arts and humanities program, will lecture on "Homer's Epics in America: Cultural Themes in Literature and Film." The course will emphasize the profound influences of Homer on contemporary writers and filmmakers.
On the four Monday evenings in March, Brettmann will lead the course on "Standing on Giants' Shoulders: What Our Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans," relating the classical influences on American life.
Both programs will be held in Room 138 of the Spruce Building, starting at 7 p.m. Cost for each is $20 per person, $35 per couple. For the class on Homer, an accompanying book can also be purchased. "The Odyssey: A Dramatic Retelling of Homer's Epic" by Simon Armitage is available in the campus book store.
March 19-22, "Hot Grog," first performed by the Red Clay Ramblers, will be presented in conjunction with Wayne County Reads: "Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate."
The dinner theater performances will take place on March 19 at the Goldsboro Country Club and on March 20-22 in Moffatt Auditorium at WCC. Times will be announced.
Details are incomplete, but a Southern Writers Festival is being planned for April 6-8 on the Goldsboro campus of WCC. A schedule of events will be released soon.
For more information on any Foundation or arts and humanities events, or to register for a course, call 735-5152, ext. 360 and leave name, phone number and requested course or program.