Please join us for our next Meet My Religious Neighbor open house Sunday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Iowa Sikh Association on 1115 Walnut Street in West Des Moines.

For this open house, we will be joining the Sikh community for its regularly scheduled Sunday workshop service. Approximately one hour of hymns (kirtan) will be followed by a short prayer (aardas), an exposition of the passage of the day (hookah nama), and the serving of the “holy pudding” (karah prashad). Following the service, everyone is invited to join the congregation for langar — a free, vegetarian meal.

Guest should dress modestly, avoid pointing outstretched legs at the holy book and altar, and also avoid turning their back to the holy book and altar (at least in close proximity to it). Shoes must be removed to enter the sanctuary. Simple kerchiefs (which are provided) must be worn by men and women.

Monique Rodriguez, College of Arts and Sciences

I am in need of music is the theme of the Drake University Department of Music’s choral concert on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.  This debut concert will feature performances by the Drake Choir, Chamber Choir, and Chorale and includes music by contemporary American, Latvia, and Mongolian composers, as well as a work by Mozart (with chamber orchestra).  There is no admission charge.

Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Music

Silvan Negrutiu, assistant professor of piano and coordinator of keyboard studies at Millikin University School of Music, will present the opening concert of the 2018–2019 season for the Drake University Keys to Excellence Piano Series at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8, in Sheslow Auditorium.

The performance, which is free and open to the public, will feature the following works:

Six Bagatelles, Op. 126
Ludwig van Beethoven

Third Piano Suite, Op. 6 No. 1
Constatin Silvestri

Sarabande, Op. 10
George Enescu

Ten Bagatelles, Op. 5
Alexander Tcherepnin

Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2
Alberto Ginastera

Dr. Silvan Negrutiu will also present a free masterclass at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7, in Sheslow Auditorium. The masterclass is open to the public.

About the artist
Internationally acclaimed pianist Silvan Negrutiu has performed concerts around the world at venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Ireland’s National Concert Hall, the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest, the Xi’an Concert Hall in China, the Showa Recital Hall in Tokyo, and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He appeared as a soloist with prestigious orchestras including the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra, Alicante Philharmonic, George Enescu Philharmonic, and Dublin Symphony Orchestra. Some of his concerts have included live television and radio broadcasts. He is a laureate of numerous international competitions, including the “Roma 2000” and Salerno “Beethoven e i classici” in Italy; the “Seiler” in Sofia, Bulgaria; the “Feis Ceoil” in Dublin, Ireland; and the “Konzerteum” in Pireas, Greece.

In high demand as a performer, masterclass clinician, adjudicator, and speaker, Silvan Negruțiu has been a frequent attendee and performer at international music festivals such as the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York, the International Holland Music Sessions in The Netherlands, the Xi’an International Music Festival in China, and the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. For the last two summers, he has been on the artist-teacher rosters at the Xi’an International Music Festival in China and at the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy.

In 2008, Silvan Negrutiu was one of the seven international pianists invited to the prestigious Beethoven Festival in Positano, Italy, organized by the Wilhelm Kempff Cultural Foundation. He is the recipient of the 2009 Gaiety Bursary in Dublin, the Romanian Government Bursary in 2007, the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research Award of Excellence in 2002, and the 2001 Eugen Barbu Award for excellence in performing activity. He has recently collaborated with Japanese violinist Akemi Takayama to record the CD Carl Roskott: Works for Violin (Centaur Records), which was recognized in May 2018 by Global Music Awards with a Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement. He is also an active member of the Performing Creation Union of the Romanian Musicians; College Music Society; Music Teachers National Association; and currently serves as Vice President of the Decatur Area Music Teachers Association and South District Chair of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association.

Silvan Negrutiu holds piano performance degrees from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia (D.M.A.), the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Dublin City University in Ireland (M.Mus.), and the National University of Music in Bucharest, Romania (B.Mus.). He currently resides in Decatur, Illinois, where he is the assistant professor of piano and coordinator of keyboard studies at Millikin University School of Music. Prior to his appointment at Millikin University, Silvan Negrutiu taught at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Shenandoah Conservatory.

About Keys to Excellence Piano Series
Keys to Excellence Piano Series was created to raise awareness of Drake’s fundraising efforts for 70 new Yamaha pianos for the music department. It brings internationally acclaimed artists to perform on the Yamaha CFX concert grand at Drake University. The series is supported by Yamaha, West Music, Civic Music Association, and Drake University. For more information, contact Nicholas Roth at 515-321-5947 or nicholas.roth@drake.edu.

Nicholas Roth, Music

Resistance, Resilience, Regeneration is an event of Meskwaki art and performance, both traditional and contemporary, that tells a story about how plant and human life compare in relation to how both have overcome adversity. It is about how young indigenous people have looked to their past to know where they are going in the future.

The event will consist of an art exhibition, poetry and literature readings, traditional and contemporary dances—all by up and coming Indigenous writers and Meskwaki dancers and artists.

Resistance, Resilience, Regeneration will take place Oct. 6 from 5–8 p.m. at the Harmon Fine Arts Center, 2505 Carpenter Avenue. The art exhibition will run from 5–7 p.m. in the Weeks Gallery, located on the second floor of the foyer in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Performances will follow in the Center’s Performing Arts Hall.

For inquires contact Angela Battle,  associate professor, at angela.battle@drake.edu.

Kayla Jenkins, Arts and Sciences 

Drake University’s production Theatre Durang-ed, a collection of theatre parodies written by Christopher Durang, runs Thursday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 7, in the William S.E. Coleman Studio Theatre of Drake University’s Harmon Fine Arts Center. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available online, in person, or by telephone at the Fine Arts Box Office, 2525 Carpenter Ave., 515-271-3841.

Theatre Durang-ed is directed by Michael Rothmayer, Drake University associate professor of theatre arts. It includes several thought-provoking and comedic collections, including: Euripides’ Medea; Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and A Streetcar Named Desire; and Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind and Fool for Love. It’s an evening of laughs intended for mature audiences only.

“The cast is made up of a great ensemble of actors,” said cast member Connor Sullivan, senior BFA musical theatre major. “Each actor plays multiple roles. I have grown as an actor throughout the rehearsal process learning how to switch quickly between characters, while making each role distinct and believable.”

According to Jack Griffin, sophomore BFA musical theatre major, the production has encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zones and immerse themselves in the world of comedy.

“The challenge with comedy is that you can’t force it to be funny,” said Griffin. “You have to take it seriously. If you try to make it funny, you’re not going to get laughs. Whereas if you take it seriously, you probably will get laughs.”

Noelle McVicar, senior BFA musical theatre major, is looking forward to seeing how the audience reacts to the production. “I think they [the audience] will be pleasantly surprised and pleasantly confused, but enjoy every second.”

October 3: Susan Ariel Aaronson
Topic: Data-based Technologies and Trade
Location: Sussman Theater, lower level of Olmsted Center
Time: 6–7:30 p.m.
Co-Sponsor:  Department of Political Science

Susan Ariel Aaronson is Research Professor of International Affairs and GWU Cross-Disciplinary Fellow at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She is also a Senior Fellow at the think tank Center for International Governance Innovation (GIGI) in Canada. Aaronson was also the Carvalho Fellow at the Government Accountability Project and the Minerva Chair at the National War College. Aaronson’s research examines the relationship between economic change and human rights. She is currently directing projects on digital trade and protectionism, and she also works on AI and trade and a new human rights approach to data. Source: https://elliott.gwu.edu/susan-aaronson

October 8: The New Americans: Nigerians Film Screening & Community Discussion 
Location: Sussman Theater, lower level of Olmsted Center
Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Sponsor:  Hometown Heritage

This is part of Hometown Heritage’s nine-week program series called “Becoming American: A Documentary Film and Discussion Series on Our Immigration Experience.”  The series features documentary films and scholar-led discussions designed to encourage an informed discussion of immigration issues against the backdrop of our immigration history. Hometown Heritage is one of 32 sites nationwide to host this program series which is made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor. Find additional information.

October 9: CHINA Town Hall featuring an interactive webcast with the Honorable Condoleezza Rice and on-site discussion with Prof. Wenfang Tang
Location:  Sussman Theater, lower level of Olmsted Center
Time: 5–6:30 p.m.

CHINA Town Hall provides Americans the opportunity to participate in a national conversation about issues in the U.S.-China relationship, via an interactive webcast and in-person discussion with leading experts. Join the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations for a conversation on China featuring the Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

The webcast will feature Secretary Condoleezza Rice, currently the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Standford Graduate School of Business, Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution, and professor of Political Science at Stanford University.  She is also a founding partner of RiceHadleyGates, LLC.  From January 2005 to 2009, Secretary Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and the first African American woman to hold the post.  She also served as President George W. Bush’s Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001 to 2005, the first woman to hold the position.

The webcast will be followed by an in-person discussion with Wenfang Tang, the Unversity of Iowa’s Stanley Hua Hsia Professor of Political Science and International Studies. His current research focuses on public opinion and political change in contemporary China, as well as comparative political behavior. He has authored and coauthored several books and many articles in academic journals.

Denise Ganpat, Drake International  

Get your first glimpse of the 2018-19 Drake Men’s Basketball team in the Blue and White Scrimmage presented by TrueNorth on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. Admission is free. All fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Food Bank of Iowa. In addition, each fan in attendance will receive a ticket voucher for the Bulldogs’ home opener on Nov. 8.

For more information please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

Volleyball
Drake vs. Bradley
Friday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Football
Drake vs. Butler
Saturday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m.
Drake Stadium

Volleyball
Drake vs. Illinois State
Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Men’s Soccer
Drake vs. Omaha
Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex

Men’s Basketball
Drake Blue/White Scrimmage
Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Volleyball
Drake vs. Indiana State
Monday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m.
The Knapp Center

For additional information and complete schedules, visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com or contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 3. This walk is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and its goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.

The walk will begin at the north entrance of the Olmsted Center at 12 p.m. and follow a path around Drake’s campus. Fruit infuser bottles and Grand Blue Mile tech shirts will be handed out, as supplies last, to faculty, staff, and students.

This year we are combining efforts with Sodexo’s Mindful Mile program. Lucas Flaherty, Sodexo campus dietitian, will be on hand to provide handouts, a few snacks, infused water, and more. If it rains, the walk will take place at the indoor track in the Knapp Center.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk a mile, so consider taking a few minutes away from work or studies to participate in this fun and healthy event. For more information, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Resistance, Resilience, Regeneration – an event of Meskwaki art and performance both traditional and contemporary that tells a story about how plant and human life compare in relation to how both have overcome adversity. It is about how young indigenous people have looked to their past to know where they are going in the future.

Come and experience an art exhibition, poetry and literature readings, traditional and contemporary dances – all by up and coming Indigenous writers and Meskwaki dancers and artists.

The event will take place on Oct. 6, 5-8 p.m., at the Performing Arts Hall in the Fine Arts Center at Drake University.

For inquires, contact Associate Professor Angela Battle – angela.battle@drake.edu