For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL -- Dame Julie Andrews, the beloved star of stage, screen, television and recordings will come to the Columbia College Chicago campus on Thursday, November 17 to launch the college's second season of the popular "Conversations in the Arts: Up Close With..." series. She will be interviewed by Debra Martin Chase, Columbia trustee and the producer of Andrews' hit films, The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement.
The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan, in the heart of Columbia's Campus. Ticket are $35 each; TicketWeb sales begin on September 17 at 866-468-3401 or www.ticketweb.com.
Born and raised in England, Julie Andrews was still in her teens when she launched her Broadway career in the 1953 musical The Boy Friend. She went on to create to classic roles for two Lerner and Lowe musicals -Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Queen Guinevere in Camelot. She received Tony nominations for both roles. Thirty-five years later she returned to Broadway to reprise her groundbreaking role of Victor/Victoria in the 1995 stage adaptation of the hit movie, written and directed by Blake Edwards, her husband of 36 years.
As beloved as Andrews is to theater goers, she is an icon of the silver screen. She earned an Academy Award for her title role in Mary Poppins as well as Oscar nominations for her starring roles in The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria. Other film credits include The Americanization of Emily, Hawaii, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Star!, Darling Lili, 10, That's Life, and Duet for One.
Andrews also has a distinguished and award-winning television career including The Julie Andrews Hour, Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center and most recently Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime and the CBS live production of On Golden Pond.
Already a best-selling author of children's books, Andrews has recently entered the world of publishing with The Julie Andrews Collection, an imprint of HarperCollins committed to stimulating a sense of wonder in children and young readers.
Andrews received her honors as a Dame of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on New Year's Eve 1999. She was also a 2001 Kennedy Center Honoree.
"Conversations in the Arts: Up Close With..." continues with James Earl Jones on February 16 and Debbie Reynolds, interviewed by Columbia alum Steve Kmetko ('76), on April 6. Bill Clinton is in the works for Spring 2006.
Columbia College Chicago, an urban institution committed to open access and excellence in higher education, provides innovative practice and education in the visual, performing, media and communication arts to 10,500 students in more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs. Founded in 1890 as a communications school for women, Columbia was revisioned in 1963 as a liberal arts college with a "hands-on minds-on" approach to arts and media education and a progressive social agenda. Under the modern leadership of President Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D., Columbia is aggressively pursuing its mission to bring a richness of vision and a multiplicity of voices to the creation of culture through the diversity of our students and graduates. For further information visit www.colum.edu.
For Immediate Release
August 30, 2005
Note: Interviews are available by request
Images are available electronically
WHAT: Columbia College Chicago will open seven of its eight exhibition spaces to launch a new annual event entitled, Talk the Walk. The Talk refers to the curatorial and/or gallery director's tour of the exhibition spaces; the Walk, to a traversing of the South Loop where Columbia houses its many exhibition spaces. Talk the Walk invites the public to join in an open lecture and dialog about the art presented at Columbia College during the fall art season. A curator and/or gallery director will be available at each site to walk guests through the exhibition and discuss the show's theme, the art and to answer questions. Talk the Walk, a part of the Chicago Artist's Month celebrations, is an opportunity for the art-going public to see and learn about internationally recognized artists alongside the work of students, faculty and alumni.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 19, 2005
5pm to 8:30pm
WHERE: Columbia College Chicago Campus
HOW
MUCH: Free and open to the public. A free shuttle will take guests along Wabash Ave. from the corner of Congress and Wabash to the corner of 11th Street and Wabash Ave.
MORE
INFO: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, Media Relations Office, 312.344.8695
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Micki Leventhal, 312-344-7383
September 12, 2005
NOTE: Powell is available for interviews.
Chicago, IL --The first Intersections presentation of the fall season will focus on the nexus between two topics that are still taboo in many 'politically correct' circles. Are we still embarrassed to recognize the politics of domestic power? Can we admit that race plays a role? Sharon Powell, a teacher at Columbia College Chicago, has assembled gifted presenters from several fields to look at some of the gender and race components of domestic abuse. The program, entitled Domestic Power: Lovers and Perpetrators, will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, in the First Floor West Meeting Room of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Admission is free. For more information, call 312-744-6630.
The panel discussion and performance will venture into the usually hidden territories of domestic abuse. Starting with short performance pieces that explore intimate partner violence, the session will pursue the larger issues of private gender politics, with special attention to the relationships between race and domestic abuse. The panel of artists, scholars and activists will struggle with this complex topic, ultimately searching for creative pathways to domestic peace.
Sharon Powell is an artist, educator and consultant in the field of sexual health. Her poetry and performance have been showcased and adapted for the stage at numerous area venues. She has worked with the Chicago Women's Health Center, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, and African Women Evolving. She teaches Women's Health Care Issues and a Human Sexuality Seminar at Columbia College Chicago.
Powell points out that women, particularly African American women, have historically had their sexuality externally defined. "It keeps us outside ourselves." Working with a broader emotional and spiritual concept of sexuality, she emphasizes the need to keep the power of sex "an integral part of the self."
Domestic Power: Lovers and Perpetrators is part of the adult education series, Intersections: A Meeting Place for Diverse Ideas on Contemporary Culture and the Arts. Intersections, a collaboration between the Cultural Studies Program of Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, presents lectures and discussions that investigate and celebrate the complexity of contemporary culture and the arts in which scholars and educators from Columbia College Chicago explore a broad range of compelling topics in a format designed to be informative, invigorating and accessible. The second presentation of this season, From Visionary Experience to Spiritual Life: Entheogenic Plants and Chemicals, will take place on Wednesday, November 2, to be followed on Wednesday, December 7 by The Simpsons: Cultural Criticism and America's Favorite TV Family. All Intersections events take place in the First Floor West Meeting Room of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Admission is free.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Micki Leventhal 312-344-7383
September 12, 2005
NOTE: Tim Wittman, Dominic Pacyga and Larry Oberc are available for interviews
WHAT: Columbia College and Chicago's South Loop: Past, Present and Future - Exhibition and Lecture Series
A mixed-media exhibition that examines the current conservation and preservation of the college's historic buildings - made possible through a 2004 Getty Foundation Grant - in the context of the architectural and social history of the neighborhood. The exhibition, in the college library, includes historic photographs, posters, sheet music and sound recordings and other cultural and architectural artifacts. Curated by Tim Wittman and Larry Oberc. Wittman presents introductory remarks at the opening, which will include a wine and cheese reception.
A series of presentations by noted scholars will explore architectural and cultural history and preservation issues, followed by audience Q & A and a wine and cheese reception.
· History and Transformation of the South Loop, with Dominic Pacyga, historian and author of numerous volumes on Chicago cultural history. (October 19)
· Historical Architectural Preservation: Planning for our Buildings' Survival, with Ann McGuire, principal architect with McGuire Igleski and Associates. (October 26)
· The Future of the South Loop, panel discussion with representatives from the preservation, development, architectural and residential communities. (November 2)
WHEN:Exhibition opening and reception: Wednesday, October 5, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Exhibition runs through November 3 (Library Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8 am - 10 pm; Fri. 8 am - 6 pm; Sat. 9 am - 5 pm; Sun. noon - 5 pm)
Lecture/Discussions: Wednesdays, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 6 - 7:45 p.m.
Wine & Cheese Receptions: following Wednesday lecture discussions, 7:45 - 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Columbia College Chicago Library, 624 S. Michigan, 3rd Floor
HOW MUCH: All events are free and open to the public
PUBLIC INFO: 312-344-7355
The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic institution devoted to the visual arts that features the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the Getty Grant Program. The J. Paul Getty Trust and Getty programs are based at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. The Getty Grant Program provides crucial support to institutions and individuals throughout the world in fields that are aligned most closely with the Getty's strategic priorities. It therefore funds a diverse range of projects that promote learning and scholarship about the history of the visual arts and the conservation of cultural heritage, and it consistently searches for collaborative efforts that set high standards and make significant contributions. Additional information at www.getty.edu.
Columbia College Chicago, an urban institution committed to open access, opportunity and excellence in higher education, provides innovative degree programs in the visual, performing, media and communication arts to more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded in 1890 as a communications school for women, Columbia College Chicago was revisioned in 1963 as a liberal arts college with a "hands-on minds-on" approach to arts and media education and a progressive social agenda. Under the current leadership of President Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D. Columbia is aggressively pursuing this mission. Through the diversity of its students and graduates, the school brings a rich vision and multiplicity of voices to American culture. For further information visit www.colum.edu.
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Micki Leventhal 312-344-7383
August 29, 2005
WHAT: Banana Paradise: Taiwan through Film
From the veteran lens of award winning filmmaker Wang Toon to the fantastical vision of emerging artist Chen Yu-hsun, this retrospective of six films (including one U.S. premiere) captures the unique history and culture of Taiwan. An opening reception features special guest Wang Toon, who will receive the Center for Asian Arts and Media's Distinguish Artist Award.
WHEN: Screenings: September 29 - October 2, 2005 Reception with Wang Toon: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Columbia College Chicago's Film Row Cinema,
1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor
HOW MUCH: Screening and reception are free and open to the public.
Seating is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis.
MORE INFO: 312-344-7870 - www.asianartsandmedia.org
Presented by The Center for Asian Arts and Media and the Film/Video Department at Columbia College Chicago in conjunction with the Press Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago with additional support from the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.