River North Dance Chicago takes the stage Nov. 20

Celebrated for creating vital connections between dancer and audience as well as presenting gutsy and entertaining repertoire, River North Dance Chicago will combine athletic prowess and artistic perspective with bold, theatrical flair during their show Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The Page Series presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Page Theatre.

Under the artistic direction of Frank Chaves, River North Dance Chicago demonstrates depth and sophistication with a commitment to creating an accessible, enriching experience for audiences. Chaves aims for audiences to feel the complete spectrum of human emotions in a single evening. He wants them to leave feeling joyful and exhilarated at the end of each program.

Founded in 1989, the company is recognized as one of Chicago’s leading dance companies, receiving critical acclaim both on a national and international level. The dancers will present a mixed repertoire including “Simply Miles,” featuring the music of Miles Davis, and “SUPER STRAIGHT is Coming Down,” as well as other pieces from their 20-year repertoire.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $24 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Pre-show talk Nov. 20

Join Tammy Schmidt, assistant professor of dance, for a conversation with the River North Dance Chicago company manager about the process of setting dances, training, and the history of the dance company, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20. The conversation will end in plenty of time for the show.

Panel to discuss human trafficking in Minnesota Nov. 13

Human trafficking occurs in every Minnesota county, and the Twin Cities are one of the 15 largest trafficking centers in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Nov. 13, a panel of experts from throughout the state will gather at Saint Mary’s University’s Winona campus to discuss “Sold: Human Trafficking in Minnesota and Beyond” including:

• global aspects of trafficking;

• human rights, especially women’s and children’s issues;

• impact on rural and urban Minnesota;

• how to talk about the issue; and

• initiatives underway to combat trafficking.

Panelists will include Dennis Cusick, Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute; Sister Marlys Jax, Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights; Michele Garnett McKenzie, Advocates for Human Rights; and Grant Snyder, Minneapolis Police Department. The moderator will be Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the Under-Told Stories Project at Saint Mary’s University and a correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

The event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. The public is invited, and refreshments will be provided. Register online at www.smumn.edu/SOLD.

The same event will be held on SMU’s Twin Cities campus Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s University Center, 2540 Park Ave., Minneapolis.

This event is made possible by the Under-Told Stories Project as seen on the PBS NewsHour, and is sponsored by the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Students to stage comedy ‘The Government Inspector’

Wig designer Heather Fleming (left) and costume designer Andrea Gross (right) discuss their design process for "The Government Inspector," as well as careers, graduate school, and life in the theatre with majors and minors.   

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the satirical comedy “The Government Inspector” Nov. 7-10 at Page Theatre. Shows run 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, Nov. 8-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. A simple case of mistaken identity exposes the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the town in this biting moral satire. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic play exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.

Guest director Gale Childs Daly has served as the text coach for the Great River Shakespeare Festival since its inception in 2006. The actor, director, teacher, writer and dialect/text coach is from Milwaukee, Wis.

The play was selected to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. Although Russian comedies are known to be dreary and heavy, “The Government Inspector” — adapted by Minnesota playwright Jeffrey Hatcher — is both modern and funny.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and area available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Kirk, Leung pair for faculty recital Nov. 10

Department of Music faculty Dr. Ned Kirk and Dr. David Leung will present a faculty duo recital at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

Dr. Kirk, on piano, and Dr. Leung, on violin, will present Schubert’s “Rondo Brilliant in B minor,” Beethoven’s “Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor; “Diamond’s “Canticle and Perpetual Motion,” and Franck’s “Violin Sonata in A major.”

The event, free and open to the public, will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall.

Senior Class auction Nov. 12-13

The senior class is preparing for activities such as Gaslight, the senior dance, and Senior Week. Senior Week includes various events including a picnic, a boat cruise, and a night of bowling. Each of these activities requires a significant amount of funding, which has predominantly come from the Senior Class Auction in the past. This year’s auction will be Nov. 12-13. Watch for more details and help support this great group of students.

Conservatory news

River North Dance to host ballet master class 

On Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host the River North Dance Company for a ballet master class. This talented company will perform Nov. 20 as part of the Page Series.

Admission is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Register by e-mailing mca@smumn.edu, or call 453-5500.

Fight Club: Stage Combat 101 

Have you ever felt the need to slap your scene partner?  We know how you feel. Violence is a part of the life we create on stage, and there isn’t always a fight choreographer to help. Actors and directors need to know how to tell a clear story with violence and how to perform it safely. In this workshop, participants will learn basic principles of unarmed stage combat that will help create simple, safe, and effective violence on stage. Dress to move.

Class is Monday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m for youth ages 10 to 18 ($10) and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for those 18 and older ($1).

Fall music concert Nov. 15

On Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will hold its Fall Music Division Concert at the Figliulo Recital Hall on the Saint Mary’s University campus. The concert will showcase the jazz combos and a variety of private lesson students. The community is invited to come and support these talented young musicians.

Admission is a freewill donation, with all proceeds supporting the conservatory

For more information, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call 453-5500.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Theatreworks USA to present ‘Peter Pan’ Nov. 14

Audience members of all ages will enjoy a unique retelling of the classic tale “Peter Pan” as Theatreworks USA takes the Page Theatre stage Thursday, Nov. 14.

This Page Series offering will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A story within a story, this version of “Peter Pan” is an adapted version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale created by John Caird and Trevor Nunn. The performance begins with a group of children in turn-of-the-century London who use their imaginations — and some props from their room — to reenact the story of Peter Pan. This story empowers children to create their own world of make-believe. As the children fly to Neverland and escape the evil Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, they recognize the importance of friendship as well as the value of being part of a family.

Theatreworks USA often visits the Page stage; last season they performed “Bunnicula.” Since their founding in 1961, they have presented more than 90 million children and their families with opportunities to enjoy their theatrical productions in 49 states and Canada.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Winona National Bank is also sponsoring this performance.

Support SMU during ‘Give to the Max Day’

Give to the Max Day is a day for Minnesotans to come together to raise millions of dollars for thousands of nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year during Give to the Max Day, Saint Mary’s University finished fifth in the state, raising $68,561 with 318 gifts.

Help Saint Mary’s in the “Race for 1st Place” as it competes against other Minnesota colleges and universities to win prizes.

First place (the group or organization raising the most money) takes home an extra $10,000. The top 10 place finishers get an added bonus.

Additionally, 24 “Golden Tickets” ($1,000 prizes) will be given randomly every hour. One “Golden Ticket” worth $10,000 will be given at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 14.

Schools that raise the most money during each of the five power hours will also win a bonus $1,000 prize grant. Make gifts during 2 to 2:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 a.m., 5 to 5:59 p.m., 6 to 6:59 p.m. and 11 to 11:59 p.m. to help SMU’s odds.

Go online anytime to giveMN.org to schedule your gift for Nov. 14. Your gift can be broken into smaller amounts to increase Saint Mary’s chances of winning extra prizes.

Be a part of the excitement (and the competition). Show your Cardinal pride by making a gift on Nov. 14!

Invitation to participate in veterans service Nov. 11

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Hockey team serves meals at St. Paul’s

Members of the men’s hockey team volunteered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s annual harvest dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 9, serving more than 200 meals.

Alum elected to Duluth School Board

Alum Annie Harala ’06 was elected to the Duluth School Board. As the top vote getter, Harala received 36 percent of the votes and 11,064 votes. Read more about results at www.perfectduluthday.com/2013/11/05/duluth-2013-general-election-results.

Bake sale to raise money for Jamaica

A bake sale Friday, Nov. 15, will raise money for scholarships for Saint Mary’s Jamaican graduate students. Bring some extra cash for a sweet for yourself or for someone who could use a treat. Baked goods will be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the hallway of Saint Mary’s Hall by the main bulletin board. The event is sponsored by the Friends of M.Ed. Jamaica.

In the News

Here are just some of the ways SMU is making headlines this week:

• The Winona Daily News included several photos and a story about “The Government Inspector” in Thursday’s paper. Go to http://bit.ly/1bcmGRu.
• The Rochester Post Bulletin wrote an article previewing the upcoming panel discussion about human trafficking in Wednesday’s edition. Go to http://bit.ly/17OHorN.
• The Winona Daily News wrote an article about the loss of Taylor Richmond in “Community inspiration dies at 24” in the Nov. 2 edition. A more detailed story about Taylor’s life is pending.
• Check out the most recent volleyball coverage in the Winona Daily News at www.winonadailynews.com’s sports section.

Annual Twin Cities reception a success

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the Admission Office hosted a reception at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Bloomington. The event drew 25 students plus many parents. This event could not have happened without the generous support of many faculty, staff, coaches, current students, alumni and SMU parents who shared their Sunday to assist in bringing a taste of Saint Mary’s to our prospective students. Thanks go to the following individuals for their efforts:

Winona campus faculty, staff and coaches:  Esther Peralez, Steven McGlaun, Michelle Cullen, Alece Newbury, Pat Jackobsen, Bill Moore, Greg Moore, Rob McColl, Jeanne Minnerath, Tom Marpe, Larry Price, Brett Bodsgard, Dean Beckman, Carolyn Ayers, Melissa Luedtke, Sister Genevieve Robinson, Paul Weiner, Janet Heukeshoven, Alyson Kriz, Jayne Wobig and Tammy Vondrasek

Current undergraduate students: Christine Meeds, Moises Hernandez, Saul Hernandez and Megan Collins

Undergraduate alumni: Mike Berg, Erik Qvale, Chris Engesser, Danny Spiess, Mark Zuzek and Alex Conover

Parents of current SMU students: Mark and Janet Zuzek

The positive comments heard from the students and their parents after these events remind us that this is a valuable way to connect with future Saint Mary’s students.

Workshop Nov. 19 to discuss media influence

Last spring’s “In the Looking Glass” workshop invited conversation on how media influences societal expectations of women and men. “The Flip Side” — to be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the Common Room — will take a deeper look at how the media has stereotyped men and women and the resulting paradox of men and women’s roles in American society.

The evening begins with a medley of film showing how the media portrays men and women. Dinner and a small group discussion follows. Then choose one breakout session and conclude the evening in the closing session with conversation with the presenters’ panel.
 
Breakout sessions include:

If all I knew was what I read in the papers ... — Dr. Steven Schild. Using high-profile periodical articles and other media texts from the recent past, this presentation provides commentary on the way various topics or attributes are framed in terms of gender. The “pictures in our heads” that result from such portrayals, the presenter believes, cause confusion, consternation and, sometimes, challenges to common sense (whatever that is).

Popular Media Conceptualizations of Male Identity and Success — Dr. Tricia Klosky and Matthew Klosky. The focus of the session is on how popular concepts of success and the American dream influence perceptions of attainment and masculinity among men and women, with particular focus on popular movies that portray success in terms of stereotypical terms.

Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Disorders: Believe It or Not, Men are Not the Same as Women — Dr. Trisha Karr. Do men and women have similar body values, self-evaluations and behaviors? A focus of the conversation will involve consideration  of the differences between men and women in regard to body experience.

As dinner is included, registration must be made by Nov. 15 to Peg Winters at pwinters@smumn.edu. The event is sponsored by the Saint Teresa Institute.

Watters to lead workshop on ‘The Magic of Leadership’

Join sophomore Kelsi Watters Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a repast of silver dollar sandwiches, pumpkin pasties and butter beer in an exploration of leadership lessons learned from Harry Potter. This leadership workshop meets Leadership Certificate requirements. The event will be held in Room 23 of the Hendrickson Center. Email pwinters@smumn.edu by Nov. 11 to register.