Posted on Oct 25, 2006

Fulbright Visiting Scholar Professor I Nyoman (Komang) Astita, a master of gamelan musicianship and well known for his performances in Bali and throughout the globe, joins guest artists for an evening of Balinese movement and dance Monday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. at the Nott Memorial.

The event, sponsored by East Asian Studies and the Department of Music, unites faculty and students from Astita’s class on The Music and Culture of Bali; the Asian Percussion Workshop, taught in conjunction with Professor Jennifer Matsue; select Union College dancers and three very special guests. Astita’s brother, I Ketut Gede Asnawa who is currently teaching at the University of Illinois, Champaigne-Urbana, will lead the performance. Asnawa’s daughter, Ayu Putu Niastarika (Tarika), a college student in Kansas and long-time performer of Balinese dance, will perform a special number. Also contributing to the performance will be I Nyoman Saptanyana from the Indonesian Consulate.

Balinese culture is best identified through its dance and drama and well-known for its use of the gamelan musical ensemble in music. Originating from Indonesia, a gamelan features a specific set of instruments all built and tuned to be played together and not be interchanged with other gamelans. The ensembles typically include metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings and even vocalists. The word “gamel” means to strike or hammer, and gamelan music often features a rhythmic repetition or repeated pattern in pitch or a complete melody which blends wonderfully with Balinese dance.

In addition to teaching music classes throughout the fall ’06 term, Astita will be performing at Union and at other area colleges.

Astita is a faculty member at the Indonesia Institute of the Arts in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. He holds a diploma in music from the Denpasar Conservatory, a bachelor’s in dance from the Dance Academy in Denpasar and a Masters of Arts in musicology from San Diego State University.

For more information contact Jennifer Matsue in the Department of Music at 388-8075 or matsuej@union.edu

Posted on Oct 25, 2006

By Katie Pandolfo '09

“The Elephant Man,” a well-known and provocative play, is this year's fall theater production at the Yulman Theatre. Directed by Department of Theater & Dance Costumer Lloyd Waiwaiole, it will be performed Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

The show is “a big play, with a big name and reputation, and has been produced on both Broadway and in film,” says Professor William Finlay, the play's producer and director of the theater department. “Nobody will walk out of the theater without having been emotionally affected.”

“The Elephant Man” is about John Merrick, who lived in England in 1884 and worked at a side-show as a freak. He was called the Elephant Man due to his unusually large head. A doctor found him at the show and decided to market him under his nickname. 

People realized that he was a bright, charming, intelligent and witty human being, says Waiwaiole, “and he soon became the darling of the royal and upper class because they wanted to be perceived as benevolent and compassionate. They were actually using him on some level.” 

Merrick eventually fell in love with a woman, but realized that he would always be alone in life, and he ended up killing himself. 

“I worked on this play in other places, and I have always enjoyed it,” Waiwaiole says. “I saw room for improvement in this production, and that's what motivated me to get involved.” 

In summary, says Waiwaiole, the “Elephant Man” is about “how the grass is always greener on the other side, until you get there.”

Davin Reed '07 plays Merrick, and Justin Silvestri '07, Rich Leahy '08, Shannon Vandawalker '10, Jonathan Gerard '08, Victor Cardinali '08, Michael Hamill '07, Michelle Curiale '07, Keegan Peters '08, Christina Chen '10 and Mary Roberts '09 round out the cast. Students in the tech production class are in charge of sets, lighting and sound.

Tickets are $7 for members of the Union College community and $10 general admission. For reservations, call the Yulman Theatre box office at 388-6545. 

Posted on Oct 25, 2006

“The Elephant Man,” the provocative play by Bernard Pomerance, is this year's fall theater production at the Yulman Theatre. Directed by Theater & Dance Costumer Lloyd Waiwaiole, it features 11 students.

Performances are Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

“The Elephant Man” is about John Merrick, a side-show freak in England in the late 1880s.

“This is a big play, with a big name and reputation, and has been produced on both Broadway and in film,” says Professor William Finlay, the play's producer and director of the Theater department. “Nobody will walk out of the theater without having been emotionally affected.”

“People realized the Elephant Man was a bright, charming, intelligent and witty human being,” says Waiwaiole. “He became the darling of the royal and upper class because they wanted to be perceived as benevolent and compassionate. They were using him on some level.”

Davin Reed '07 plays Merrick, and Justin Silvestri '07, Rich Leahy '08, Shannon Vandawalker '10, Jonathan Gerard '08, Victor Cardinali '08, Michael Hamill '07, Michelle Curiale '07, Keegan Peters '08, Christina Chen '10 and Mary Roberts '09 round out the cast.

Students in the tech production class are in charge of sets, lighting and sound.

Tickets for the play are $7 for members of the Union College community and $10 general admission. For reservations, call the Yulman Theatre Box Office at ext. 6545.

Posted on Oct 25, 2006

Are you a big fan of the Bolshevik Revolution? A Dylan devotee? A connoisseur of Northern Italian cuisine? Chances are there's someone else at Union with similar interests and passions.

Now you can join the entire campus community in “shopping” to your heart's content, thanks to the Marketplace of Ideas, a virtual emporium that connects faculty, staff and students through their talents, skills and expertise on a wide range of subjects.

“The marketplace is Union,” said Professor of Economics Eshi Motahar, who spearheaded the effort to create the Web-based interface.

“Any member of the College community can exchange ideas and learn something that may not be a part of their everyday experience. The goal is to connect the campus through our interests and our spaces.”

Many Marketplace activities will take place in one of Union's seven Minerva Houses, tying in perfectly with the spirit of the Minervas as premiere campus gathering places.

“This is a unique way to support and enhance our Minervas. Once you set up your profile, the market will be brought right to you,” said Dean of Residential and Campus Life Tom McEvoy, noting that the Web site's categories cover arts, finance, gaming, health, travel, religion and everything in between.

The Marketplace is open for business and welcomes customers. Simply visit http://www.union.edu/marketplace/.

“It's fully functional. You can register, browse and use it now,” says Web Director Jim Feck.

Others involved in Union's newest initiative include Professor of Biology Barbara Danowski, Professor of Economics Shelton Schmidt, Minerva House Representative Suzanne Benack and Senior Web Programmer Liam Miller.

“The site is easy to use and has a lot of potential for students who share a common interest, who are looking to start a band, book group or TV or movie night and might not know where to go,” says Ross Marvin '07, an early customer. “Now there is a new space, a campus-wide message board that connects people. It beats posting fliers.”

Posted on Oct 24, 2006

They’re strong. They’re virile. They fight for truth, justice and the American Way. Now, imagine your fave comic book superheroes donning spandex tights and a yarmulke and you’ve captured the essence of “Up, Up, and Oy Vey!,” the best-selling book by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein contrasting comic book superheroes and the Jewish mind.

Rabbi Simcha brings his unique blend of humor, religion and historic culture to Union College Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. for a talk and book signing sponsored by Hillel in the Reamer Auditorium.

Born Simon Weinstein in Manchester, England, Rabbi Simcha grew up on comic books and entertainment, eventually pursuing a bachelor’s in film history from Manchester Metropolitan University. But, his passion for media and pop culture left him with a void.

Abandoning his own Clark Kent existence, he reverted to his Hebrew name “Simcha” and changed his vocation to a passion and dedication to becoming a Rabbi or “teacher.” Marriage brought him to New York City where he founded the Jewish Student Foundation of Downtown Brooklyn and is the rabbi of Pratt Institute and Long Island College Hospital.

Rabbi Simcha’s book explores the origin and history of comic book superheroes and their foundation in Jewish tradition—from the early creators’ own ethnicity and adjustment to Jewish-American life, to the superheroes’ evolution from the powerful, vibrant, biblical characters they personified.

Combining his passion for comic books, entertainment and tradition, Rabbi Simcha envisioned a book that would teach, inspire, engage and entertain a vast majority of individuals. His research included collaborations with Floyd Hughes, professor at Pratt Institute and former Marvel^® artist; Steven M. Bergson, comic book historian and librarian at the Jewish Public Library of Toronto and comic book legend Stan Lee.

For more information visit www.RabbiSimcha.com or contact Marisa Kaufman '09 at kaufmam2@union.edu.