The Oxnard College Literature, Arts & Lecture Series will begin its 2017 Spring Series on February 22nd featuring filmmaker and entertainer Byron Motley presenting, “The Negro Baseball Leagues, in celebration of African American History Month. Other events include: “Moctezuma’s Mexico: Visions of the Aztec World” on March 8th, “Silent Witnesses: Voices of Child Survivors of the Holocaust” on April 19th and “Mohiniyattam – Dance of the Divine Enchantress” on April 26th, and more.
Sponsored by Oxnard College, the Series will be held on Wednesdays from 1 – 2 p.m. on campus in the Performing Arts Center. The events held on April 5th and April 12th are co-sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc. through James Irvine Foundation and Hearst Foundation grants. All events are free, open to the public, and interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing. Parking is $2.00. The Performing Arts Center is located on the north end of Oxnard College at 4000 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033. For more information, contact the Series Coordinator, Shelley Savren, at ssavren@vcccd.edu or (805) 678-5800 ext. 1951.
SPRING 2017 SERIES SCHEDULE
Wednesday, February 22, 1017
The Negro Baseball Leagues
In celebration of African American History Month, filmmaker and entertainer Byron Motley will present clips from his documentary that bring to life a prosperous era featuring contributions by men and women who wanted to “Play Ball” but were ostracized due to the color of their skin.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Nurturing our Nature: Exploring our Shared Cultural Values and Heritage
In celebration of African American History Month, Fresno City College Professor Karla Kirk will provide an overview of Cheikh Anta Diop’s Two Cradles of Civilization, comparing the cultural similarities and shared values in African American culture with the African influences on Mexican culture.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Moctezuma’s Mexico: Visions of the Aztec World
Renowned anthropologist Davíd Carrasco will discuss Tenochtitlán (the Aztec capital and center of the empire that dominated Mesoamerica when Cortés arrived in 1519), the discovery and excavation of the Great Aztec Temple, the myth of Aztlán, and the siege and fall of the capital in 1521.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Anarctica: An Awe-inspiring World of Ice
Ira Meyer will present a slide show of the icy world – a photographer’s dream world that he has visited 30 times – which he claims is like traveling to another planet, and will include pictures of penguins, seals, whales and other creatures that make Antarctica their home.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Get Ready for Jazz: A Solo Piano Performance
Critically acclaimed pianist and composer Danny Green will perform his latest compositions, as well as some past recordings, and will discuss his experiences and insights on the composition process and how he blends elements of jazz, classical and Brazilian music in his pieces.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Performance Poetry Blends with Symphonic Sound Sculptures
In celebration of National Poetry Month, poet Ellyn Maybe will perform original spoken word poems coupled with the angelic voice and poignant piano compositions by Robbie Fitzsimmons, uniting two powerful art forms, which are featured on their recent LP release, Skywriting with Glitter.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Poems at the Crossroads of Hope and Doubt, Science and Faith
In celebration of National Poetry Month, award-winning poet Chris Buckley will read poems from his recently-published collection Star Journal: Selected Poems (University of Pittsburgh Press), that includes samples from each of his 20 books of poetry, followed by a book signing.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Silent Witnesses: Voices of Child Survivors of the Holocaust
In commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, actor/playwright Stephanie Satie will perform her 83-minute piece, directed by Anita Khanzadian, based on interviews with child Holocaust survivors from their memories through a child’s lens, yet infused with the wisdom of the adults they’ve become.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Mohiniyattam – Dance of the Divine Enchantress
Award-winning dancer and choreographer Vijayalakshmi will perform Mohiniyattam, a classical Indian dance from Kerala, the southern region of India – a dance which is deeply rooted in the sacred feminine and celebrates its energy, power and strength using graceful movements and dramatic expression.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
According to Plato: The Truth about Defending Lies
Professor Anthony Rodriguez and students of the Sigma Kappa Delta will tour Plato’s The Apology in an effort to examine the dangers of truth-seeking in both ancient and postmodern times with special emphasis placed on the problem of preserving power at the cost of embracing the truth.