Grayson County College

Humanities Series

Fall 1999

September 9
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?

A powerful docu-drama written and performed by Bryan H. Barrows, III, brings the essence of the Civil Rights movement--and King's place in it--to the stage. Mr. Barrows moves the audience between laughter and tears, and helps us to understand better this historical giant and his commitment to the equality of all Americans. .

September 16
A High Energy Overview of the Structure and Origin of the Universe
During this evening, Professor Michael Strauss from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Oklahoma will describe what scientists are learning about the origin and structure of the universe using gigantic particle colliders to reproduce the conditions present shortly after the Big Bang. Our early universe had only extremely high concentrations of energy and particles, which were the fundamental components of matter. The research of high energy physics helps us better understand the concept that from these fundamental particles of matter came atoms, stars, galaxies, and eventually, humans.

September 23
Three Keys to Culture: A Study of the Maya
Dr. Geoffrey Grimes, an expert on the ancient Maya, examines the nature of human cultures and the effects of cultures in conflict. The ancient Mayan civilization faded in the late 10th century. Its descendants, however, continued to occupy ancestral territories where their forebears had erected towering ceremonial cities throughout southern Mexico and Central America. This program addresses one of the Maya groups, the Quiche Maya of Guatemala, and analyzes their civilization through their mythology, religion and art.

September 30
Bang Bang You're Dead *
The GCC Theatre Department presents a drama written by William Mastrosimone that celebrates life while dealing with a broken and violent world. After the tragic school shootings in 1998 and 1999, it is reasonable to assume there is a potential killer in every school. Even if we turn our schools into airtight security zones and stop weapons at the door with x-ray machines, the hearts of those bent on destruction remain a mystery. The play examines this subject by introducing "a shooter" and the world in which he exists to the audience along with the eleven other characters in the play. The program is open to the public at 7:30pm in the Cruce Stark Auditorium.

October 7 *
The Creole Music Culture of Louisiana - Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie in Concert
Of all the young zydeco bandleaders to raise the ante in South Louisiana, Geno Delafose stands alone in the appealing diversity of his music and in his deep connection with the Creole culture of his forebearers. Starting on rubboard at age 7 in his father's legendary John Delafose & the Eunice Playboys family band, Geno is now a seasoned veteran with over 18 years of touring and performing experience. Considered Louisiana's hottest traditional Creole zydeco band, his Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie outfit has thrilled nightclub, fine arts, and festival audiences the world over. The concert will begin at 7:30pm in the Cruce Stark Auditorium and will be open to the public.

October 14
The Holocaust
Many consider the treatment of the Jewish people by Germany during WWII the greatest human tragedy of the twentieth century. The Dallas Memorial Center for Holocaust Studies sends Mr. Mike Jacobs, a survivor of the holocaust, to present a personal and historical perspective of this event.

October 21
The Cowboy Ain't Dead Yet Robert Joe Vandygriff presents a one-man, one-act play which looks at the life of this American hero from the late 1860's to modern times. The character, Joe Texas, has heard he is a dying breed and decides to come to town to prove that the cowboy is alive and well. The life of the cowboy unfolds through songs, stories and poems of the old west.

October 28
Art as the Visual Language
Mr. Don Van Radke is a talented teacher and artist having had major exhibits at Laguna Gloria Museum, Austin, Longview Museum, Galveston Museum, El Paso Museum of Art, Alexandria, Louisiana Museum and the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, New Castle, PA. He will use his own works to explore the concept that art is our visual language.

November 4
The Living Roots of Music
From Minneapolis, Minnesota, the founder of the Lauren Pelon Musique Company, Ms. Lauren Pelon traces the story of music and instruments throughout history. She will perform music from the 1st to the 20th centuries on such instruments as the lute, lyre, krummhorn, pennywhistle, Kiowa courting flute, and kurzweil sampler in a musical journey featuring compositions from Ancient Greece, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

November 11 *
Glory Hallelujah Gospel
Directly from off-Broadway New York comes Singer Sandra Reaves with an exciting evening of gospel and jazz. Ms. Reaves appeared here in the 97-98 season in "The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz." She returns in this critically acclaimed tribute to gospel with a full company of singers and musicians to present an evening of traditional, rafter-raising music. This program will be open to the public at 7:30pm in the Cruce Stark Auditorium.

November 18
The Griot
Kijana Wiseman, a classically trained entertainer with degrees in drama and education, invites you to "Celebrate Our Common Humanity." Webster's Dictionary defines GRIOT as the world's first educator, historian, journalist and singing storyteller whose main function is to keep an oral history of the tribe. Kijana's multi-media, audience-participation adventure unfolds as a journey ... a time trip of unity, song, narrative, characterization, slides, comedy, pathos and original poetry that chronicles and unifies the voices of Afri-Euro-American music - utilizing African highlife, spirituals, gospel, vaudeville, jazz and the classics.

November 25
Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2 *
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare's most frequently produced comedy will be performed by the Grayson College Theatre Department. Enjoy an evening that celebrates the magical story of star-crossed lovers, overly ambitious homespun clowns, and misadventures with the fairies. The action begins at the beautiful court of Theseus, Duke of Athens, and later moves to the mystical forest inhabited by Oberon and Titania, king and queen of the fairies. And don't forget Puck! Laugh and enjoy a perfect holiday celebration by the bard! The program is open to the public at 7:30pm in the Cruce Stark Auditorium.

December 9
The Year 2000 Problem: Local Disturbances and Annoyances or Global Crisis?
Because of media coverage and widespread speculation about the effects on our society of computer failure on January 1, 2000, some people have chosen to move to remote locations, purchase large supplies of food and arm themselves in anticipation of mayhem. Others are ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away. In this evening's presentation, Dr. Deborah A. Trytten, a professor and expert in applied mathematics, physics, and computer science, will explain the source of the problem, how it is being addressed by our society and what appropriate actions can be taken in preparation for the new year.

* Denotes programs that are open to the public.

In addition to the programs presented by the Humanities Series, several visual exhibits are being brought to the GCC campus. All exhibits are open to the public and to the students of the college.

The Gathering - An Installation by artattack Artists
August 30 through September 16
Cruce Stark Gallery
The Gathering is a unique compilation of a one-of-a-kind scrap metal table, art chairs, and found objects that have been recycled and assembled to create an environment which reflects the personalities of the individual artists as well as the persona of the group. The show also features paintings, drawings and mixed media works inspired by the installation. This group is composed of Texoma artists.

The Sherman Art League Travelling Exhibition
September 20 through October 7
Cruce Stark Gallery
The exhibition features award winning works of area artists. The exhibit is sponsored by the Sherman Art League in conjunction with its annual membership show. The juror for this year's show is Perrin Sparks of Dallas.

A Brush with Time
October 10 through October 28
Cruce Stark Gallery
The exhibition features works including oils, acrylics, watercolors, collage and mixed media by ARC artists. The public is invited to attend and meet the artists from 3:00 - 5:00pm, Sunday, October 10.

The Bill of Rights
October 18 through November 7
1st Floor GCC Learning Resource Center
Adopted on December 15, 1791, as the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights is the very basis of our society, the document that guarantees the rights and privileges of all citizens. This exhibit is composed of twelve photomontage posters with pictures and texts describing the intent and impact of the first ten Amendments and the "Civil War" Amendments.

The Container Show and Silent Auction
November 8 through December 4
Cruce Stark Gallery
This annual event features original one-of-a-kind designs by current and past GCC Visual Arts students as well as local artists. The theme for this year's silent auction is the "art container." A reception for the artists and the silent auction will be held from 5:30 - 7:00pm, Saturday, December 4.

Songs of Glory
November 15 through December 12
1st Floor GCC Learning Resource Center
This exhibition surveys the varieties and purposes of medieval art through six centuries with 73 color photographs and drawings. The show traces the evolving uses of art through the Middle Ages and brings viewers to a heightened awareness of how people found meaning and purpose in chaotic times.