Monday, April 28
12:00 pm - 1 pm // Dish It Up | FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture + Building a Movement to End Violence Against Women // Women's Resources Center // PUJA
1:30pm-5:30pm// Turkish Studies Symposium: After Gezi Park Protests – Rethinking Turkish Politics and Political Culture// 210 Illini Union, 1401 W Green Street, Urbana// Free// Joey
4pm// Cultures of Law in a Global Contexts - Gilmore// Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum; 600 S. Gregory Street; Urbana IL// Free// Joey
6-8PM // Community Gamelan // School of Music, Room 1188, 1114 W. Nevada Street, Urbana // CORIE
7-9 // Hot Topics | Dangerous Intersections: Critical Race Perspectives on Men of Color and the Fight Against Sexual Violence // CHRIS
Tuesday, April 29
12:00 pm // Resume Mania // Main Library, Scholarly Commons, Room 306 // ANNE
12:00 pm - 1 pm // Last Lecture Series: Lessons Learned from Homeland by Kimiko Gunji // Asian American Cultural Center // PUJA
Roshni: She began teaching in the states, but had a hard time leading her class due to the language barrier. After, she decided she would over-prepare and write out her lesson plans in Japanese and translate them into English to memorize. The plan seemed perfect, but as she started her class her mind went blank. Her students noticed her struggle and helped her through the lesson. Due to their kindness and support, Gunji Sensei was inspired to translate their compassion to her future students.
Puja: We all have the ability to affect the lives of others, and certainly in a positive way. You never know who is looking to you for inspiration.
2pm// Lemann Lecture Series: Rediscovering Africa? The Role of Brazilian Experts and Expertise in Mozambican Agriculture// 101 International Studies Building, 910 S. Fifth Street, Champaign// Free// Joey
4:30pm// Roundtable Discussion: The French Research University in the Twenty-First Century: Challenges and Opportunities// Lucy Ellis Lounge, 1080 Foreign Language Building// Free// Joey
5-7PM // An Evening of Carnatic Music // 321 Main Library // CORIE
Brigitte: I had never seen these
instruments before, but the mridangam was a drum like instrument, the veena was
kind of like a lyre/string instrument, and the kanjira was like a tambourine.
Jill: The instruments included a veena, a mridangam, and
a kanjira. I had personally never heard the names of these instruments before,
but Brigitta and I concluded they are similar to a lyre, drum, and tambourine.
7:00pm //Jim McKelvey, Co-Founder of Square Lecture // Illini Union I-Rooms // Free // Cate
Anne: For those of you who do not know what the square
is, it is the small little white thing that you can plug into your iPhone and
swipe credit cards with it, I’m sure everyone has seen it. Going into this
lecture, I wasn’t sure what to expect, I thought Jim would be some old man who
had been working on this device for years but to my surprise, Jim was a very
young man.
Maggie: He said how taking a course, computer science 50,
could teach someone the basics of computer coding when he or she knew no
previous knowledge on the topic. I really enjoyed this lecture and thought Jim
seemed like a down to earth guy. I always like when good guys make it big, and
I have a feeling the Square will be popular for a long timeWednesday, April 30
2pm // Cultures of Poverty, Lyric Subjects, and Sandra Cisneros's Wicked, Wicked Ways // Department of Latina/Latino Studies, 1207 W. Oregon, Room 103, Urbana // CHRIS
4pm // Nunavut: Canada's Frozen Territory // Beckman Auditorium of the Beckman Institute 405 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana // BRIGITTA
4pm // Physics Colloquium: "Messy magnets and dirty superfluids" // Gil Refael, California Institute of Technology // 141 Loomis // SEANO
5:30pm-6:30pm // Saying No More to Violence: Latino/a Student Activist Panel// La Casa Cultural Latina, 1203 West Nevada Street, Urbana // ROSHNI
7:30pm // Diavolo // Krannert Center, Tryon Festival Theatre // BRIGITTA
7:30pm // UI Wind Orchestra Chamber Concert // KCPA // SEANO
There's also big band jazz going on at the same time in the building.
Thursday, May 01
12:00pm // Lecture Series: CHILE 40 Years After the Coup: The Pursuit of Truth and Justice and Historical Accountability through Declassified U.S. Documentation // 12:00 pm // Location 101 International Studies Building, 910 S. Fifth Street, Champaign // Cate
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm // Self-care: The ultimate prevention of burnout // School of Social Work Room 2015 // ANNE
5:00 pm // Krannert Uncorked with Lauren Turk and Friends, Motown/blues // Krannert Center, Stage 5 // JILL
Chris: The show was a small ensemble a man an on piano and
a woman singing for most of the show. All of the songs were original, and
ranged from happy and uplifting to more sad and emotional. I was a bit
disappointed that there was less information presented than when I went to the
show about the civil rights, but the music was excellent, so I still really
enjoy the show
7:30PM // UI Jazz Band IV and UI Jazz Vocal Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // CORIE
Friday, May 02
12:00 pm // EUC Visiting Scholar Lecture: The Integration of the Arab Mediterranean Countries into the EU Market: The European Neighborhood Policy As a Three-Level Game // Lucy Ellis Lounge, 1080 Foreign Language Building // JILL
10 am // Archaeology Day 'Engage the Senses' // Davenport Hall // ALEX
Saturday, May 03
undisclosed time // "Free" // Krannert Museum // Free // Cate
3 pm // I-Pan Steel Drum Band // Champaign Public Library // ALEX
7:30 pm // Sinfonia da Camera: Three's a Charm // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
7:30 pm // David Rousseve/REALITY: Stardust // Krannert Center, Colwell Playhousel // $10 - $35 // KELLY
Sunday, May 04
3:00 pm // UI Jazz Saxophone Ensemble and UI Jazz Guitar Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // $4 - $10 // KELLY
Lindsey: They played a bunch of really great songs that I
have never heard of and then they played a Willy Wonka cover. It was really
great.
3 pm // Krannert Center Debut Artists: Alexandra Nowakowski, soprano, and Samuel Gingher, piano // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
7:30PM // UI Latin Jazz Ensemble // Krannert // CORIE
4pm // Physics Colloquium: "Messy magnets and dirty superfluids" // Gil Refael, California Institute of Technology // 141 Loomis // SEANO
Joey: Although there is a stereotype that this level of
intelligence warrants an awkward, anti-social, mad scientist-creating mental
preoccupation, in my experience I have noticed the exact opposite. The people
in this room were relaxed and carefree. It reminds me of the saying “the more
you know, the more questions you have”.
7:30pm // Diavolo // Krannert Center, Tryon Festival Theatre // BRIGITTA
7:30pm // UI Wind Orchestra Chamber Concert // KCPA // SEANO
There's also big band jazz going on at the same time in the building.
Thursday, May 01
12:00pm // Lecture Series: CHILE 40 Years After the Coup: The Pursuit of Truth and Justice and Historical Accountability through Declassified U.S. Documentation // 12:00 pm // Location 101 International Studies Building, 910 S. Fifth Street, Champaign // Cate
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm // Self-care: The ultimate prevention of burnout // School of Social Work Room 2015 // ANNE
5:00 pm // Krannert Uncorked with Lauren Turk and Friends, Motown/blues // Krannert Center, Stage 5 // JILL
Chris: The show was a small ensemble a man an on piano and
a woman singing for most of the show. All of the songs were original, and
ranged from happy and uplifting to more sad and emotional. I was a bit
disappointed that there was less information presented than when I went to the
show about the civil rights, but the music was excellent, so I still really
enjoy the show7:30PM // UI Jazz Band IV and UI Jazz Vocal Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // CORIE
Friday, May 02
12:00 pm // EUC Visiting Scholar Lecture: The Integration of the Arab Mediterranean Countries into the EU Market: The European Neighborhood Policy As a Three-Level Game // Lucy Ellis Lounge, 1080 Foreign Language Building // JILL
10 am // Archaeology Day 'Engage the Senses' // Davenport Hall // ALEX
Saturday, May 03
undisclosed time // "Free" // Krannert Museum // Free // Cate
Cate: The first performance was extremely interesting
because it stood out from all of the rest. She video taped 40 minutes of just
her face with her eyes closed and had it fast-forwarding on a white screen
while she sat in a “V” crunch facing away from the audience. This “V” crunch
was continued throughout the entire video. The effect of the static movement
caused by the fast forwarding was mimicked by her body as she began to become
fatigued from holding this crunch position for so long.
7:30 pm // Sinfonia da Camera: Three's a Charm // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
7:30 pm // David Rousseve/REALITY: Stardust // Krannert Center, Colwell Playhousel // $10 - $35 // KELLY
Sunday, May 04
3:00 pm // UI Jazz Saxophone Ensemble and UI Jazz Guitar Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // $4 - $10 // KELLY
Kelly: I learned a bit about jazz "etiquette" as
well. A few times during the songs, a performer would get a solo, and once that
was finished, the audience would burst into applause right in the middle of the
song. A few of the other music-based performances I've been to would keep
silent during the entire song, but during this concert it was acceptable to
voice approval before it was finished.
Lindsey: They played a bunch of really great songs that I
have never heard of and then they played a Willy Wonka cover. It was really
great.3 pm // Krannert Center Debut Artists: Alexandra Nowakowski, soprano, and Samuel Gingher, piano // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
7:30PM // UI Latin Jazz Ensemble // Krannert // CORIE
Corie: I went to the Latin Jazz Ensemble tonight, and
truly enjoyed it. I did not know what to expect going into the event, with
mixed cultures creating one experience.
Alex: People were not afraid to move and dance a bit,
which i usually don't see at krannert.
Apr. 30 // 7:30pm // Diavolo // Krannert Center, Tryon Festival Theatre // BRIGITTA
ReplyDelete$10-38
"Transit Space" navigates skateboarding culture and pushes boundaries with steep ramps and towering platforms.
Apr. 30 // 4pm // Nunavut: Canada's Frozen Territory // Beckman Auditorium of the Beckman Institute
ReplyDelete405 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana // BRIGITTA
Nunavut, created in 1999, is one of the most remote, sparsely populated regions in the world with only 32,000 residents in an area larger than Mexico. Nearly all of Nunavut is in the zone of continuous permafrost, and glaciers and ice caps abound in its northernmost plateaux and highlands. In his 30-year career with the Geological Survey of Canada, Dr. Shilts carried out major research projects that provided a unique understanding of the permafrost, periglacial features, and glaciers of this arctic region. The modern world he experienced in Canada’s arctic is virtually identical to the world we would inhabit in Champaign County, if we had lived here 19,000 years ago. Free and open to the public
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/7?eventId=31782918&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=1
April 30 // 2pm // Cultures of Poverty, Lyric Subjects, and Sandra Cisneros's Wicked, Wicked Ways // Department of Latina/Latino Studies, 1207 W. Oregon, Room 103, Urbana // CHRIS
ReplyDeleteJohn Alba Cutler has published essays in "American Literature," "Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies", and "MELUS," and has an essay forthcoming in the summer 2014 issue of "American Literary History." He is currently completing a book manuscript entitled "Ends of Assimilation: Race, Gender, and the Formation of Chicano Literature," forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Co-sponsors: Department of English and La Casa Cultural Latina
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31779273&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=1
April 28 // 7-9 // Hot Topics | Dangerous Intersections: Critical Race Perspectives on Men of Color and the Fight Against Sexual Violence // CHRIS
ReplyDeleteHot Topics Dialogues is a series hosted by the Women's Resources Center and the YWCA on campus. Hot Topics seeks to provide a space for dialogue on gender and other social identities and social justice--and occurs on Mondays 7-9pm. Refreshments will be provided. Event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Gender Action Network and the Champaign-Urbana Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Should you require any additional accommodations (assistance with food and seating, large print programs, ASL interpreter, visual/audio assistance, etc.), please contact us at your earliest convenience. facebook
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31073027&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=1
Apr 29 // 12:00 pm // Resume Mania // Main Library, Scholarly Commons, Room 306 // ANNE
ReplyDeleteWork in time to cover the basics of finding a career while studying. Drop-in to ask a quick questions about job-related materials to career choices or stay for a few minutes and get your resume reviewed.
Great opportunity for all of the graduating seniors, including myself!
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31748677&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=1
May 1 // 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm // Self-care: The ultimate prevention of burnout // School of Social Work Room 2015 // ANNE
ReplyDeleteEvent: Panel Discussion entitled: “Self-care: The ultimate prevention of burnout” (Students Only)
Register here - djfishe2@illinois.edu
Burnout can have an everlasting impact on social work professionals! Therefore, attend this panel discussion to find out what current social workers find to be most effective self-care practices. No matter how big or small, caring for yourself will ensure that you can better care for your clients.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31441685&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=1
April 29 // 12:00 pm - 1 pm // Last Lecture Series: Lessons Learned from Homeland by Kimiko Gunji // Asian American Cultural Center // PUJA
ReplyDeleteSpeaker will be Kimiko Gunji, Former Director of Japan House
Food for Thought, part of the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relation's Lunch on Us series, is a weekly noontime discussion focused on topics relevant to the Asian American community. Past discussions include topics such as nutrition, mental health, sexual health, and issues of queer Asian Americans.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/2040?eventId=31460735&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=3926
http://oiir.illinois.edu/aacc/our-programs/food-thought
I attended the last lecture by Kimiko Gunji, who was the former director of the Japan house on campus. The timing was kind of nice because I had just finished learning how to construct beautiful Japanese flower arrangements from her in my Japanese Aesthetics class. Gunji Sensei has such a calming and passionate presence when it comes to teaching or spreading her wisdom. I was truly touched by her speech and grateful that I decided to attend. She designed her "last lecture" speech into a story that everyone felt truly connected to. She talked about how she struggled with english and homesickness after moving from Japan to the states. She began teaching in the states, but had a hard time leading her class due to the language barrier. After, she decided she would over-prepare and write out her lesson plans in Japanese and translate them into English to memorize. The plan seemed perfect, but as she started her class her mind went blank. Her students noticed her struggle and helped her through the lesson. Due to their kindness and support, Gunji Sensei was inspired to translate their compassion to her future students. She wanted the Japan house courses to be a class where students could apply what they learn about Japanese art to their real life. It was amazing to hear her say this because after learning about flower arrangements I realized how applicable this could be in my own life. The art form was both about the act of arranging the flowers, as well as looking at them as a viewer. I remember constructing my first arrangement and how in the present I felt. It was amazing because I felt myself paying attention to the intricate textures of the flowers, branches and leaves. I think I started understanding the idea of "enjoying the little things" a bit better. The arrangement also was about evoking an emotion with the negative/positive space, form, textures, colors, and line formation. This also related to my major Industrial design because essentially we were designing an experience through this flower arrangement just like designing a product to enhance a consumer's experience. She allowed us to explore and construct our own arrangement with only a few rules. I was able to think about the everyday flower or branch in a different way just by manipulating the line formation or cutting into the leaves.
DeleteDuring her speech, she presented beautiful haikus and Japanese phrases about living in the present moment. My favorite saying was "ichigo ichie" (one life, one opportunity). This saying was so engrossed into producing Japanese art in the Japanese Aesthetics Course. I have never appreciated the smell or texture of a flower/branch before producing my own flower arrangement. I dont know why examining and experiencing the whole the flower or branch made me happy, but I knew that this is what it means to cultivate happiness and compassion through appreciation. I definitely dont have the whole present mindset down, but I am happy that I have felt that way even for a small amount of time. I think one thing Gunji Sensei mentioned was how our culture has become so fast paced and stressed out that we do not even notice the blooming flowers anymore while walking outside. Something that also really struck me was the idea of Kokoro (heart, mind, spirit), which means to put your whole self into everything you do because otherwise that opportunity is wasted. I think this Japan Class and this last lecture has opened my eyes a little more on how to lead a happy life by looking to nature and truly putting my kokoro into everything I do.
Like Roshni, I too attended the “Last Lecture” by Gunji Sensei. Hearing her speak was particularly impactful because she taught us Japanese flower arrangement just a few weeks ago in our art class at the Japan House. Although she was only our teacher for a brief moment in time, I could see that she was very wise and knowledgeable. I also found that she has such a calming presence, and was always available to help us when we were unsure. I’m aware that she has made many contributions over the decades, especially as director of the Japan House. Yet, I find her to be very humble of the work she has done.
DeleteOne of the things that I remember clearly is when she talked about her transition to America. When she first arrived, she could only call home once a year. Doing so was expensive, so she would only talk to her family during New Year celebrations. She found herself crying more on the phone than talking. This made me think of my own family, who also left their homeland in hope of a better future. I can only imagine how incredibly terrifying that must have been, to pack one’s belongings and travel halfway across the world to an unknown land. When my mom came to America after marrying my dad, she also had a hard time adjusting.
Gunji Sensei also shared some meaningful Japanese phrases such as “ichigo ichie” (one life, one opportunity), “kokoro” (mind, heart, spirit), “yume” (dream), and “katsu” (vivify, be alive). She jokingly said that she wants to have “kokoro” added to Webster’s dictionary before she passes away, because it’s so important to her. We often say that we should put our whole heart into things, but Gunji Sensei thinks it’s just as important to put your mind and spirit in it as well. One of the last parts of the presentation included the quote: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” I thought this was kind of profound and a valuable takeaway message. We all have the ability to affect the lives of others, and certainly in a positive way. You never know who is looking to you for inspiration.
April 28 // 12:00 pm - 1 pm // Dish It Up | FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture + Building a Movement to End Violence Against Women // Women's Resources Center // PUJA
ReplyDeleteFORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture + Building a Movement to End Violence Against Women will be presented by Rebecca Nagel and Hannah Brancato, the duo behind Playboy's Guide to a Consensual Time and Victoria's Secret PINK Loves Consent hoax, will spend the lunch hour speaking about their projects, rape culture, and consent.
Enjoy a complimentary meal. Each Dish It Up program offers vegan and vegetarian food options. Should you require any additional accommodations (assistance with food and seating, large print programs, an ASL interpreter, visual/audio assistance, etc.), please contact us at your earliest convenience. Paid for by the Student Cultural Programming Fee.
Speaker Rebecca Nagel and Hannah Brancato
Date Apr 28, 2014
Time 12:00 pm
Location Women's Resources Center, 703 S. Wright Street, 2nd Floor, Champaign (SW corner of Wright & Green St)
Cost FREE
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/2040?eventId=31384645&calMin=201404&cal=20140421&skinId=3926
May 1 // 5:00 pm // Krannert Uncorked with Lauren Turk and Friends, Motown/blues // Krannert Center, Stage 5 // JILL
ReplyDelete***free
The upbeat spirit of Motown inspires Lauren Turk to write original songs with the distinctive flavor of those pop hits plus a bluesy vibe. Gather at Stage 5 this week for a wine sample or two and a taste of driving bass and catchy melodies.
Seeing as this was the last week of events, it seemed fitting for me to go to a Krannert Uncorked event, as it was the event I attended week 1. The turnout this time around was comparable to the last time that I attended attended a Krannert event. They served wine and cheese, and of course I capitalized on this. I enjoyed a small dixie cup of a velvet white wine, and some crackers with an excellent cheese spread. Before the show began, I ran into one of my professors, Eric Benson.
DeleteThe show was a small ensemble a man an on piano and a woman singing for most of the show. All of the songs were original, and ranged from happy and uplifting to more sad and emotional. I was a bit disappointed that there was less information presented than when I went to the show about the civil rights, but the music was excellent, so I still really enjoy the show. The singer did briefly touch on the group's Motown inspiration, explaining how they came to acquire their distinctive poppy yet bluesy vibe.
The show was excellent, and I would recommend Krannert Uncorked for anyone looking for something to attend on a Thursday evening.
May 2 // 12:00 pm // EUC Visiting Scholar Lecture: The Integration of the Arab Mediterranean Countries into the EU Market: The European Neighborhood Policy As a Three-Level Game // Lucy Ellis Lounge, 1080 Foreign Language Building // JILL
ReplyDeleteThe EU response after the Arab Spring was to announce a new and more ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with the aim to make the ENP more objective and effective. The new ENP is based three axles; Money, Market access and Mobility. The few papers that have been produced so far question the effectiveness of the 3Ms, but more specific accounts of the revised policies are still lacking. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap in the existing debate by analyzing the implementation of the Tunisian and Egyptian ENP Action Plans (before and after the Arab Spring). More specifically, this paper uses Putnam’s two-level game analysis in order to measure the impact of the ENP reforms in the agricultural and industrial sector of these countries. The main point here is to evaluate the ENP changes by understanding the role of the social forces and their interaction with statesmen, to realize the win-sets in both regions and to see the interest groups that benefit and lose from the new policies. Particular attention will be given to the contribution of the ENP to the development of a dual agricultural market in these countries and to the effects of standardization for the North African businesses. The paper explains the commercial and political gains for the participants and argues that the ideas of policy makers have not changed substantially after the Arab Spring. Under these conditions, the chances for the ENP to become a successful foreign policy strategy are slim.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/7?eventId=31505800&calMin=201404&cal=20140502&skinId=1
May 3 // 7:30 pm // Sinfonia da Camera: Three's a Charm // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
ReplyDeleteSinfonia explores Beethoven's powerful legacy through "Leonore Overture"; "Piano Concerto No. 3," written as the composer was becoming deaf, with Ian Hobson at the keyboard and conducting; and the revolutionary "Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica.'"
Price: $5-$34
http://www.krannertcenter.com/performance.aspx?id=201371895913631128174106178
May 4 // 3 pm // Krannert Center Debut Artists: Alexandra Nowakowski, soprano, and Samuel Gingher, piano // Krannert Center, Foellinger Great Hall // MAGGIE
ReplyDeletePrice: $5-$42
It has become a time-honored tradition that the end of each season also signals renewal through the Krannert Center Debut Artist Competition. This powerful foundation for a musical career beautifully symbolizes Krannert Center's threefold mission of education, research, and public engagement.
http://www.krannertcenter.com/performance.aspx?id=201371895913725128174106178
May 3 // 7:30 pm // David Rousseve/REALITY: Stardust // Krannert Center, Colwell Playhousel // $10 - $35 // KELLY
ReplyDeleteDavid Rousseve juxtaposes Nat King Cole standards with the rough-edged music of d. Sabela Grimes to redefine the coming-of-age story. An African American gay urban teen, who appears through projections of his emotion-laden text messages, is the means for exploring the evolving nature of intimacy.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=28564014&calMin=201404&cal=20140422&skinId=1
May 4 // 3:00 pm // UI Jazz Saxophone Ensemble and UI Jazz Guitar Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // $4 - $10 // KELLY
ReplyDeleteReeds and strings take the lead when these student jazz ensembles head into the Studio Theatre
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31722072&calMin=201404&cal=20140422&skinId=1
This week, I attended the UI Jazz Saxophone Ensemble and UI Jazz Guitar Ensemble. My aunt is extremely passionate about jazz music and plays piano in a big jazz band in venues around my hometown. I've only seen her perform once or twice, but what I saw was extremely lively and fun music. I thought it would be interesting to see how UIUC students perform this type of music.
DeleteThe concert took place in the Studio Theater at the Krannert Center. I'd never been in this particular theater before and when I first walked in, I thought I had accidentally walked backstage or something. The whole place really does look like back of a theatre stage - dark with lots of metal and exposed catwalks up ahead, frayed trunks and instrument cases left laying around, and sound and lighting controls taking up a big space in the back of the room. All in all it gave off a very urban vibe. It was really cool and I could see why it would be an appropriate venue for jazz music.
The band was made up of all men - one on piano, one playing bass, one on guitar, one playing drums, and three who appeared to all be playing saxophones, though the sizes of the instruments were different. The music itself was just as I remembered from my Aunt's performances: loud and exciting. The saxophones almost sounded like voices to me, like each note was a syllable someone was singing. I also really enjoyed the drums and the bass; I think they added stability to the entire concert.
I learned a bit about jazz "etiquette" as well. A few times during the songs, a performer would get a solo, and once that was finished, the audience would burst into applause right in the middle of the song. A few of the other music-based performances I've been to would keep silent during the entire song, but during this concert it was acceptable to voice approval before it was finished.
I also noticed the players seemed to be really connected. There was a lot of eye contact and subtle nods and such...I'm not sure if this had something to do with the players being students or if they were encouraging one another through their solos or what, but I found it interesting.
Overall, the concert was really cool. I loved the atmosphere and the music was fun.
I went to the Jazz ensemble performance this afternoon and really enjoyed it. The performance lasted for a round two hours with one intermission. I got there about fifteen minutes early with my boyfriend and we sat down right in front of the equipment man who manages the sound board. My boyfriend is very into sound boards and music so we sat right infront of it on purpose so he could watch. There were three saxophonists, one piano man, one guy on the drums. THey were all so talented. The piano man and the drummer were getting really into the music and used there head and facial expressions to put on a show. It was really entertaining to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if the drummers turns out be famous musician. They played a bunch of really great songs that I have never heard of and then they played a Willy Wonka cover. It was really great. I actually know one guy in the Jazz ensemble who plays the guitar but he wasn't playing today. I wish he was. Anyways it was fun to see what the students perform what they had been working on all semester. It was a great showcase of their skills and it looked like they were having just as much fun as the audience was. Overall it was a great experience.
Delete
ReplyDeleteApril 29th // Jim McKelvey, Co-Founder of Square Lecture // 7:00pm // Illini Union I-Rooms // Free // Cate
"Jim McKelvey co-founded Square, the offline payment app for smartphones and tablets. A meet and greet will be held immediately after the lecture in the South Lounge of the Illini Union."
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/7?eventId=31803219&calMin=201404&cal=20140423&skinId=1
For my last mining event EVER, I attended the lecture featuring Jim McKelvey, the man who co-founded the square. For those of you who do not know what the square is, it is the small little white thing that you can plug into your iPhone and swipe credit cards with it, I’m sure everyone has seen it. Going into this lecture, I wasn’t sure what to expect, I thought Jim would be some old man who had been working on this device for years but to my surprise, Jim was a very young man. I believe he was somewhere in his late 20’s- mid 30’s. Jim started off his lecture asking the crowd how many of us were seniors, a few raised their hand and then he had begun. He then asked the group how many of us had jobs lined up, less raised their hand, he too graduated college without a job. His life after college mainly consisted of blowing glass. I found that to be strange because he was an engineering major/science. He then went on to say that he had taken a glass blowing class in school and he became really good at it. He was making glass faucets for sinks and selling them for a large price, he sold them because they were hard to make and many people wanted them for their home. After he had done that for a bit, he joined one of his old college friends and they had begun their work together. They had started a company that wrote code for computers. Jim had mentioned that even though he did not major in this, it was still easy to be successful in this field because the job market for computer science majors is huge at the moment. He event encouraged us to think about that as a possible career since there are so many places who are hiring computer science related jobs. I think it was neat for my last lecture to have a large portion of it be about being a senior and going through what comes next, the real world.
DeleteFor my last mining event, I attended a lecture given by Jim McKelvey. Jim is best known for being a co-creator of the Square, which is that little white box that plugs into smart phones and allows companies to do credit card transactions. There weren't many people in attendance to this lecture, which made me feel bad for him. But it allowed him to be a little more personable with the crowd. He told us he liked to do lectures casually, and not so structured, which I liked. Jim really focused on how important computer science is in today's world. He also discussed how computer programming and coding is where several jobs are open today. Hearing this actually made me think about the past decisions I have made when deciding on my future plans. He said how taking a course, computer science 50, could teach someone the basics of computer coding when he or she knew no previous knowledge on the topic. I really enjoyed this lecture and thought Jim seemed like a down to earth guy. I always like when good guys make it big, and I have a feeling the Square will be popular for a long time. From this event, I learned how important technology is today, and who knows, maybe I will look around for an intro computer science class to take and keep my options open!
DeleteMay 1st // Lecture Series: CHILE 40 Years After the Coup: The Pursuit of Truth and Justice and Historical Accountability through Declassified U.S. Documentation // 12:00 pm // Location 101 International Studies Building, 910 S. Fifth Street, Champaign // Cate
ReplyDelete"Speaker Peter Kornbluh, Director of the National Security Archive's Chile Documentation Project and of the Cuba Documentation Project"
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/7?eventId=31608705&calMin=201404&cal=20140423&skinId=1
April 29 // 6-8PM // No Cameras Allowed - Exclusive Film Screening // ARC Auditorium // CORIE
ReplyDeleteNo NO CAMERAS ALLOWED is a documentary that gives a behind-the-scenes, unfiltered look inside the world of die-hard music fan, James Marcus Haney, who uses his passion and determination to not only sneak into some of the world’s biggest music festivals and shows like Coachella and Glastonbury, but also hang backstage with artists like Mumford and Sons, Skrillex, Jay Z and more. But his zeal for road trips puts him at risk of losing his girl, his diploma, and his sense of self.
MTV will be giving away food and prizes to students who attend - FREE!
may 2nd // 10 am // Archaeology Day 'Engage the Senses' // Davenport Hall // ALEX
ReplyDeleteThe Archaeology Student Society at the University of Illinois will be hosting an Archaeology Day event at Davenport Hall on the Main Quad from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme of the event is 'Engage the Senses'. We will have information booths and activities that people can participate in. These include games, cave art, flint knapping, food and beverages, oral tradition workshops, and more. Admission is free.
may 3rd // 3 pm // I-Pan Steel Drum Band // Champaign Public Library // ALEX
ReplyDeleteImmerse yourself in the sunny sounds of Trinidad and Tobago, performed on steel drums by students from the University of Illinois School of Music. For all ages. I-Pan is a student-run ensemble made up of members of the University of Illinois Steel Band, open to both music majors and non-music majors. The band primarily performs Calypso and Soca music, the native music of Trinidad and Tobago where the steel pan was invented. Members of I-Pan get a hands-on experience both writing and arranging their own music for the group, as well as honing their skills improvising on bass and percussion as well as the steel pans. Champaign Public Library 200 W. Green St, Champaign librarian@champaign.org champaign.org 217-403-2030
May 1 // 7:30PM // UI Jazz Band IV and UI Jazz Vocal Ensemble // Krannert Center, Studio Theatre // CORIE
ReplyDeleteThis jazz band from the University of Illinois specializes in tunes from the Big Band era and will be joined by the UI Jazz Vocal Ensemble on this concert.
$4-$10 fee
April 29 // 5:30PM // Speak Out: Black Women and Sexual Assault // Women's Resources Center, 703 S. Wright Street, 2nd Floor, SW Corner Wright & Green // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteSpeak Out: Black Women and Sexual Assault
Speaker Lauren Wash, Counseling Center Paraprofessional
Date Apr 29, 2014
Time 5:30 pm
Location Women's Resources Center, 703 S. Wright Street, 2nd Floor, SW Corner Wright & Green
Cost FREE
Sponsor Women's Resources Center SAAM Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Contact Molly McLay
E-Mail mclay1@illinois.edu
Phone 217-333-3137
Event type Co-sponsored by WRC
Views 31
Originating Calendar Women's Resources Center
Did you know that over 60% of black women have experienced sexual assault before reaching the age of 18? Does this statistic sound a bit "exaggerated" to you?
Perhaps the reason why so many of these cases go unreported is because of our culture's acceptance of the stereotypes that surround black women's behaviors, bodies, and sexuality. These pervasive beliefs are inhibiting black women from seeking the help they need, and are silencing them. This workshop has been designed to take a more critical look at these archetypes that are so commonly accepted in our culture, and help participants develop ways to avoid perpetuating them. Come with an open mind and be ready to think deeply! Facebook
Facilitated by Lauren Wash, Counseling Center Paraprofessional.
April 30 // 5:30pm-6:30pm // Saying No More to Violence: Latino/a Student Activist Panel// La Casa Cultural Latina, 1203 West Nevada Street, Urbana // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteSaying No More to Violence: Latino/a Student Activist Panel
Speaker Latino and Latina students at UIUC
Date Apr 30, 2014
Time 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location La Casa Cultural Latina, 1203 West Nevada Street, Urbana
Cost FREE
Sponsor La Casa Cultural Latina
Contact Molly McLay
E-Mail mclay1@illinois.edu
Phone 217-333-3137
Event type SAAM
Views 0
Originating Calendar Women's Resources Center
Come hear Latino and Latina students at UIUC speak about their experiences as sexual violence prevention educators and activists on campus and in their communities! In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Latino/Latina Month at UIUC.
Sponsored by Campus Acquaintance Rape Education, La Casa Cultural Latina, and the Women's Resources Center. Facebook
April 30 // 4pm // Physics Colloquium: "Messy magnets and dirty superfluids" // Gil Refael, California Institute of Technology // 141 Loomis // SEANO
ReplyDeleteMagnets and superfluids provide the simplest examples of symmetry breaking and correlations in interacting quantum systems. When disorder is thrown into the mix, particularly in low-dimensional quantum systems, novel and universal behavior often emerges. In my talk I will first explore some surprising effects of disorder in systems of non-interacting electrons, and magnetic chains. I will then focus on the superfluid-insulator transition for interacting bosons in a disordered environment, where recent research brought about a new understanding of superfluidity and its demise in low-dimensional disordered bosonic systems.
The first thing I did after attending the Physics Colloquium was look up the word “colloquium”. Contrary to what you might assume, a colloquium is not a seminar regarding colloquial things. In fact, it is literally the exact opposite. “Colloquial” means appropriate within familiar knowledge and conversation. A “colloquium” is a conference at which expert scholars gather and present essays and research about a specific topic. Ah, English language, you sly, inductive-logic-crushing, dog. I went to the Physics “colloquium” based on my definition of “colloquial”; knowing that physics is cool as hell, and thinking it might be simple enough for me to understand, I figured it would be a really awesome lecture. But having now sat through it, I can honestly say that I didn’t understand even the slightest bit of it. In fact, it was the most complex math I have ever seen in my entire life.
DeleteBut don’t get the wrong idea. My vocab faux pas withstanding, this was a pretty
sweet event. Mainly because the whole time I was in complete and utter awe of what the main speaker, Gil Rafael was talking about. Not because I could understand it, but more because anybody could. Currently a professor at Cal Tech, and with his PhD at Harvard, this was one badass dude. And all around me in the audience were still more badass dudes, and ladies. The room seemed to be largely full of grad students and professors, which made for a really cool environment.
Although it’s not one I have the fortune of participating in, I find the culture of these engineers and physicists to be one of the most refreshing, fascinating, and enlightening I’ve ever experienced. The intelligence in that room was incredible. So were their qualifications. And I’m sure they’re all making a healthy living monetarily. Yet, with all that being said, they all carried themselves with an air of humility and lightness. They joked and laughed, switching between atom-splitting mathematics and innocent comedy like it was nothing. This is something I’ve noticed with other people like them; friends and teachers whose brilliance is palpable.
Although there is a stereotype that this level of intelligence warrants an awkward, anti-social, mad scientist-creating mental preoccupation, in my experience I have noticed the exact opposite. The people in this room were relaxed and carefree. It reminds me of the saying “the more you know, the more questions you have”. To me, it seems as though the spectacular depth and range of their knowledge gives them a comfort in the unknowing. Not knowing the answers to the unimaginable questions that such knowledge reveals is not something that intimidates them. It excites them! Beyond that, it also seems that such knowledge trivializes the little problems most people deal with. When you understand the functionings of our universe down to the size of a single atom, how worried could you be about parties and sports? (And I’m sure most of them still do enjoy those things). I believe that there is vitality in their intellect and in their immense curiosity. Put dozens of such people in one department, one faculty, one room; they must be having the time of their lives. Their job is to speculate, and to piece together the world we live in. They’re modern day frontiersmen.
April 30 // 730pm // UI Wind Orchestra Chamber Concert // KCPA // SEANO
ReplyDeleteThere's also big band jazz going on at the same time in the building.
The outstanding musicians in the UI Wind Orchestra excel at a wide range of musical styles and are committed to expanding band music’s reaches as they undertake works for large or small groups, traditional pieces, and new compositions. This concert focuses on pieces for a small band.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteApril 29 // 5-7PM // An Evening of Carnatic Music // 321 Main Library // CORIE
ReplyDeletePerformers include veena player Saraswathi Ranganathan, mridangam player Patri Satish Kumar and Ganapathi Ranganathan on the kanjira. Indian snacks will be served. Sponsored by, University Library and International and Area Studies Library. Free admission.
When we arrived it was already pretty crowded. There was a buffet and a row of seats set up facing a small stage. The musicians were warming up and everyone was getting food and talking. I tried a bit of the food but do not typically like Indian, so I didn't wind up eating very much. The music was definitely more on the relaxed side at first but they sped up after a bit. I had never seen these instruments before, but the mridangam was a drum like instrument, the veena was kind of like a lyre/string instrument, and the kanjira was like a tambourine. We had some trouble finding the room because many staircases don't lead to the third floor of the library and the room numbers were confusing, but a man heading to the event helped us out. It was an interesting insight to a different culture, although it was obvious some people came for the free food and just left!
DeleteThis week I attended An Evening of Carnatic Music with Brigitta. The event was located on the third floor of the main library. I rarely go to the main library, and found finding the third floor to be difficult. Certain stairways do not go to the third floor, which is aggravating. Once we found the room the event was full. There was a buffet line of Indian food. The food was free, which proved to draw people. Brigitta and I walked through the line. I only grabbed a small amount of food, which I ended up only eating a bite. I am more of a burger and fries girl. After people filed through the line they walked to the other side of the room where there were rows of seats. People were casually talking and eating while the performers warmed up. The instruments included a veena, a mridangam, and a kanjira. I had personally never heard the names of these instruments before, but Brigitta and I concluded they are similar to a lyre, drum, and tambourine. The music was smooth and relaxing. It didn’t necessarily command attention which was why people were freely eating and talking.
DeleteMay 4 // 7:30PM // UI Latin Jazz Ensemble // Krannert // CORIE
ReplyDeleteSouth American, Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, and traditional jazz rhythms will entwine in this kinetic improv session with Tito Carrillo and the UI Latin Jazz Ensemble.
I went to the Latin Jazz Ensemble tonight, and truly enjoyed it. I did not know what to expect going into the event, with mixed cultures creating one experience. The environment of the event was very relaxed, the crowd truly got into the music - there were fingers snapping and feet tapping along with the group. One of my favorite parts was the director, he was not only a director but became a participant with his own instrument. I was not expecting the concert to last as long as it did, they did two sets for the night, about 50 minutes a piece.
Deletei went with Corie to this event, and it was really entertaining. I haven't been to a jazz performance in quite some time, so this made me miss playing trumpet and being a part of a jazz ensemble. I recognized a few songs, but for the most part, everything was very new to me. I usually wouldn't seek out latin music, because i find it kind of cheesy, but this was so well done, so i had a great experience. Like Corie said, the crowd was really into the music. People were not afraid to move and dance a bit, which i usually don't see at krannert. It was cool to see the director guide the ensemble by playing, and not just conducting. He led them by example, and they all played according to him.
DeleteFri 2nd // "Free" // Krannert Museum // Free // Cate
ReplyDeleteUniversity of Illinois Dance Departments senior thesis dance concert.
Friday night my friends came storming into my room asking if I was going to watch the University of Illinois dance program’s senior thesis dance concert, “Free”. I was thinking, “HELL NO. You are not trying to get me to leave this comfy bed to go watch a bunch of dance majors flail about on a stage and call it art.. no fucking way.”
DeleteEventually I gave in because a good friend was also performing and I was pleasantly surprised by the show but in a very interesting way.
I’m not necessarily sure that I “bought” any of the ideas these seniors were trying to convey or that it was that impressive of a show (or that they were that impressive of dancers)... but there is just something about dance and watching people dance. I love it.
Dance is an interesting way to communicate and idea. And I found it challenging to interpret… but I also couldn’t help but imagine how I would choreograph a dance and what I would want to convey and what music I would use and how I would really make it stand out. I was extremely excited when I left. I don’t know about what.. but I really wanted to organize something when I was walking out… it was weird.
Dance is really interesting because it is all about the one performance. You have one extremely important moment to bring together months of work. You can perfect a photograph or a statue or a painting before a show and it will remain perfect during the show and after the show you can show it again… but you never know if a dance will be perfect.
The first performance was extremely interesting because it stood out from all of the rest. She video taped 40 minutes of just her face with her eyes closed and had it fast-forwarding on a white screen while she sat in a “V” crunch facing away from the audience. This “V” crunch was continued throughout the entire video. The effect of the static movement caused by the fast forwarding was mimicked by her body as she began to become fatigued from holding this crunch position for so long. The way she incorporated the video was really interesting, especially since she faced away from us and we couldn’t see her face at first except for on the video. I raised an eyebrow of slight interest. But once that part of the dance was over and she started to actually dance I realized she was a pretty shitty dancer and her costume was horribly put together and she didn’t use music (which… was obviously for a reason.. but I really think it hurt her over all performance). But her performance was definitely the most artistic and thoughtfully presented.
My friend Katie is a freshman and was part of the last dance. For the shit that she says and the things that she does/is interested in… She is a damn good dance. And I don’t feel biased when I say that at all… she really impressed me and if anything, I’m glad I went because it helps me take her and what she does a little more seriously… I even think it is something that I would enjoy collaborating with her on in the future if she would take it serious.
I think I could dabble in dance in the future/ incorporate it into a future project.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete