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Coastal announces cultural calendar for 2006-2007

August 2, 2006

Coastal Carolina University's 2006-2007 cultural season will offer nearly 50 events including music, theater, dance, foreign films, lectures and readings. The season features the world renowned Peking Acrobats, Grammy Award-winning singer Sandi Patty, the perennial holiday favorite "The Nutcracker" ballet, as well as exhibitions in the Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery, readings by poets and novelists, student and faculty concerts and theatrical performances and more.

The following list is grouped chronologically according to categories. Some details are subject to change so call the Wheelwright Box Office at 349-2502 prior to performances. Many events are free, and all are open to the public.

THEATER and DANCE

"Hot 'N' Throbbing"

Directed by Jeff Rincione, CCU student

Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept.17, 3 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Produced, directed and designed by Coastal Carolina University students as part of the new Second Stage Series. "Hot 'N' Throbbing" is a chilling domestic drama written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel. The family unit is led by Charlene, who writes erotic screenplays to support her troubled teenaged son and daughter while struggling to keep her estranged, alcoholic husband at bay. Throughout the play, two characters at the edge of the stage act as a chorus, commenting on the action and quoting Joyce, Nabokov and other writers. Caution: This production has adult, sexual situations, and is not suitable for children.

Free and open to the public

"Forever Plaid"

Book by Stuart Ross, music and lyrics by various artists, musical continuity supervision and arrangements by James Raitt

Directed by Greg London

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 24, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

"Forever Plaid" tells the story of four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1950s on the way to their first big concert. Now miraculously revived, they are given the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the "Plaids" are smash. The show includes a program of great nostalgic pop hits from the '50s.

Admission: General admission, $12; alumni and senior citizens, $8

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical"

by Betsy Kelso and David Nehl

Directed by Greg London

Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov.19, 3 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical" is a delicious new musical about agoraphobia, adultery, '80s nostalgia, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan and disco - in short, it's everything a musical should be. The joint is jammed and jumping with raucous laughter in this 2005 off-Broadway hit that has been described as "'The Honeymooners' meets 'The Best Little Whorehouse' in 'Urinetown.'"

Admission: General admission, $12; alumni and senior citizens, $8

"Sordid Lives"

by Del Shores

Directed by Robin Russell

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov.19, 7:30 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

This new comedy by the author of "Daddy's Dyin' (Who's Got the Will?)" was nominated for more than 30 awards during its long run in Los Angeles. When Peggy, a good Christian woman, trips over her lover's wooden legs in a motel room and dies from a blow to her head on the sink, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas. Winner of 14 Drama-Logue awards including Best Production.

Admission: General admission, $12; alumni and senior citizens, $8

"Remember Pearl Harbor" A Salute to all American Veterans

Friday, Nov.10, 7:30 p.m.

Film produced by Rod Gragg and filmed/edited by David Parker and his CCU production staff

Wheelwright Auditorium

This is a Veterans Day premiere of a new one-hour documentary about the 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the American effort in the Pacific Theater during World War II. From the producers of last year's acclaimed Veterans Day documentary, "D-Day Remembered," the new film features contemporary footage shot on site at Pearl Harbor, Ford Island Naval Air Station, Hickam AAF Field and other locations in Hawaii, along with extensive World War II footage and interviews with local veterans of Pearl Harbor and the Pacific war.

Free and open to the public

"The Nutcracker"

Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Columbia City Ballet

Premium Performance

Wheelwright Auditorium

The Columbia City Ballet's full-scale production of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet, "The Nutcracker," returns to Coastal Carolina University. Early ticket purchase is recommended - this holiday classic usually sells out.

Admission: $30 first floor section I; $25 first floor section II and balcony. Students 18 and under receive a $5 discount

"The Last Five Years"

Directed by Jonah Bowles, CCU student

Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan.19 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan.20 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

A fresh and contemporary musical from TonyAward-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, "The Last Five Years" chronicles a young couple's romance in a new and exciting way. Her story starts at the end of their relationship and his begins on the day they met. Funny and uplifting, the show captures the poignant and universal rituals of modern romance.

Free and open to the public

"WAR(women)"

An adaptation of Euripedes' "The Trojan Women"

Adapted and directed by Greg London with original music by Scott Pleasant

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb.18, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Black Box Theater, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Wars have been waged and these displaced women await news of their families and their fates. The eldest prisoner learns that her oldest daughter is to be raped and her youngest daughter has been murdered. A messenger brings the terrible news that one prisoner's son is not to go with her but to be beaten to death so he may not grow up to avenge his father. Professor Greg London's adaptation intertwines Euripides' "The Trojan Women" with stories based on actual accounts of the horrors inflicted on women of war.  Original music is provided by Professor Scott Pleasant.

Admission: General admission, $12; alumni and senior citizens, $8

The Peking Acrobats®

Friday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Premium Performance

Since their debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats® have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, are experts at treacherous wire-walking, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, gymnastics, and defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. You won't want to miss this awe-inspiring event featuring all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival.

Admission: $30 first floor section I; $25 first floor section II and balcony. Students 18 and under receive a $5 discount.

"Crazy for You"

Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig

Steve Earnest, director

Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 15, 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

"Crazy For You" is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930s playboy whose dream in life is to dance. Despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be-ex-fiancee, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include "I Can't Be Bothered Now," "Bidin' My Time," "I Got Rhythm," "Naughty Baby," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "But Not for Me," "Nice Work if You Can Get It," "Embraceable You" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." This high energy musical comedy abounds with plot twists, fabulous dance numbers and classic Gershwin music.

Admission: General admission, $12; alumni and senior citizens, $8

MUSICAL CONCERTS

Mozart 250th Anniversary Piano Sonata Series, Faculty Recital

Friday, Sept. 29, 7:30 pm

Gary Stegall, piano

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Pianist Gary Stegall performs the third in a series of four recitals celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. In the course of the series, Stegall will perform a complete cycle of Mozart's piano sonatas. The final recital in this series will be performed on the anniversary of Mozart's death, Dec. 5.

Free and open to the public

David Bankston Trio

Monday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

A concert of original music and jazz standards performed by CCU music professor David Bankston with Elise Testone and Sam Favatta. The trio will be joined by special musical guests Steve Bailey, Kurry Seymour and Bill Hamilton, all of the CCU music faculty.

Free and open to the public

2nd Annual Spectrum Concert

Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Jim Tully, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

This Family Weekend performance features all of the CCU bands and chamber ensembles in an hour of nonstop music.

Free and open to the public

Choral Concert

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Concert and Chamber Choirs

Terri Sinclair, director

Special guests - Aynor High School Choirs

Amy Ward, director

Wheelwright Auditorium The Department of Music's Fall Choral Concert will feature the CCU Concert and Chamber Choirs, under the direction of Terri Sinclair, and the Aynor High School choirs, under the direction of Amy Ward. The program will include a selection of spirituals as well as two well-known pieces by Randall Thompson based on poems by Robert Frost. The individual choirs will each perform a set of pieces, and then all groups will perform several combined selections.

Free and open to the public

International Solo Bass Competition Master Class/Workshop Weekend Concert

Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Premium Performance

Coastal Carolina University's International Solo Bass Competition, inaugurated last year to great acclaim, is hosting the Bass Extremes Master Class/Workshop Weekend, which culminates in this not-to-be-missed concert. Internationally renowned bass players Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan, John Pattitucci and Steve Bailey will rock the house with percussionist Gregg Bissonette and bass stars of the future.

Admission: $75 - VIP includes the first floor seating and a post-concert reception with the artists; $30 first floor section I; $25 first floor section II and balcony. Students 18 and under receive a $5 discount.

Fall Symphonic Band Concert

Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Symphonic Band

Jim Tully, director

Les Hicken, guest conductor

Wheelwright Auditorium

The CCU Symphonic Band performs in concert, highlighting music from various periods and composers. David Gillingham's "Concertino for Four Solo Percussion and Wind Band" will feature CCU Director of Percussion Kurry Seymour and student soloists. Les Hicken, Furman University director of bands, is guest conductor.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Faculty Flute Recital

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Amy Hardison Tully, flute

Winifred Goodwin, piano

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

This recital will highlight a wide range of musical styles for flute and piano from composers around the world. The program will include a sonata by Mexican-American composer Samuel Zyman, French composer Pierre Sancan and Swiss-born Ernest Bloch. The music of contemporary American composer Robert Dick will also be featured as will an arrangement of Claude Debussy's "Les Chansons de Bilitis," which was inspired by the controversial poems of Pierre-Félix Louis.

Free and open to the public

Faculty French Horn Recital

Monday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Tonya Gray Propst, French horn

Mark Bernazzoli, accompanist

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Tonya Gray Propst, newly appointed assistant professor of music at Coastal, presents a French horn recital with accompanist Mark Bernazzoli. In addition to leading Coastal's Music Education Program, Propst teaches brass studio and directs Coastal's growing Summer Arts Academy Music Camp.

Free and open to the public

Fall Percussion Chamber Concert

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Percussion Ensembles

Kurry Seymour, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

Enjoy an evening of exciting percussion music from all over the world, performed by Coastal Carolina University's percussion ensembles, including the CCU Taiko ensemble, Grand Strand Pans Steel Band, CCU Pop-percussion ensemble, African Drum and Dance and the CATALYST Percussion Group (C.P.G.)

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Coastal Carolina University Saxophone Ensemble

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Dan O'Reilly, director

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

The CCU Saxophone Ensemble is a contemporary chamber music group comprised exclusively of saxophones. Their performances include music of many styles, including jazz, pop, gospel, classical and novelty songs.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Faculty Recital

Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Susan Lyle, soprano

Gary Stegall, piano

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Internationally renowned pianist and CCU music professor Gary Stegall joins with acclaimed soprano Susan Lyle of the music faculty at Converse College's Petrie School of Music.

Free and open to the public

Gospel Choir Fall Concert

Sunday, Nov. 12, 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services

Wall Auditorium

Enjoy a concert of stirring spiritual music showcasing the talents of Coastal's student-led Gospel Choir.

Free and open to the public

Jazz after Hours

Dan O'Reilly, director

Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Always a popular concert, Jazz After Hours features the CCU Big Band, which will perform a variety of standards, Latin, blues, and contemporary arrangements of Big Band jazz.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

4th Annual CCU Marching Band Finale Concert

Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Spirit of the Chanticleer Marching Band

Jim Tully, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

The Spirit of the Chanticleer Marching Band performs all of your favorite music from the Fall 2006 football season in concert on the Wheelwright stage.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

POP 101

Monday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Dan O'Reilly, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

POP 101 is Coastal Carolina University's contemporary music ensemble. This group performs popular music from the '50s up to today. Each concert features a specific theme, which adds to the enjoyment of the evening.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

7th Annual Holiday Concert

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Symphonic Band

Jim Tully, director

Coastal Carolina University Choirs

Terri Sinclair, director

Richard Johnson, guest conductor

Wheelwright Auditorium

The CCU Symphonic Band and Choral Program join forces for a holiday concert under the direction of faculty member Jim Tully and Terri Sinclair. "Christmas Carmina," a piece by local musician Andy Fowler, will be featured. Richard Johnson, the new chair of Coastal's Department of Music, is guest conductor.

Admission: General Admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Mozart 250th Anniversary Piano Sonata Series, Faculty Recital

Gary Stegall, piano

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Pianist Gary Stegall completes a series of four recitals celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. With this recital, which is being held on the anniversary of Mozart's death, Stegall will have performed an entire cycle of the composer's piano concertos.

Free and open to the public

Spectrum 2 Concert

Symphonic Band Concert

Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Honor Band

Jim Tully, director

Clayton DeHaan, drummer - guest artist

Wheelwright Auditorium

With a few additions and twists, Coastal's Band Program presents a redux of the October Spectrum concert, directed by Jim Tully and featuring the Coastal Honor Band participants. Guest artist Clayton DeHaan is 19 years old and is currently performing in "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theater in New York City. In addition to his professional career, DeHaan is a music student at the University of Florida. He has also studied in Salzburg, Austria, with Andres Steiner, head of percussion at the world-renowned Mozarteum University.

Admission: General admission $8; alumni and senior citizens $6

First Coastal Honor Band Festival Concert

Saturday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Regional high school band members converge on campus for three days of rehearsal, master classes and music making, culminating with this concert. Special guest conductor Richard Saucedo leads the group in a concert of his music, along with music of other composers. Scholarships will be awarded to seniors to participate in the CCU Bands in the fall of 2007.

Free and open to the public

Horry County Schools All County Band Festival Concert

Friday, Jan. 12, 6:15 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Middle and high school band members from across Horry County converge on the Coastal campus to create the Horry County School District Band. Students are chosen by audition at their local schools.

Free and open to the public

Horry County All County Choral Festival Concert

Friday, Feb. 2, 5 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Middle and high school chorus members from across Horry County converge on the Coastal campus to create the Horry County School District Chorus. Students are chosen by audition at their local schools.

Free and open to the public

Bankston & Broussard in Concert

Monday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Back by popular demand, composer-professor David Bankston and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sam Broussard team up to present an evening of great folk-blues-pop music, including new original songs from a musical they are collaborating on.

Admission: General admission, $8, alumni and senior citizens, $6

Gospel Sing Out

Sunday, Feb. 18, 4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services

Wheelwright Auditorium

The Gospel Sing Out is an annual event designed to celebrate a joyous and powerful musical tradition. The CCU Gospel Choir is often joined by visiting choirs from the region for this moving concert.

Free and open to the public

Sandi Patty

Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Premium Performance

Sandi Patty is universally acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest singers in the field of contemporary Christian music. In her 27-year career she has garnered five Grammy Awards, three platinum and five gold records as well as 39 Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. This is Patty's first performance at Coastal Carolina University.

Admission: $30 first floor section I; $25 first floor section II and balcony. Students 18 and under receive a $5 discount

"Carmina Burana"

Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Band

Jim Tully, director

Coastal Carolina University Concert Choir

Terri Sinclair, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

Almost unknown only 50 years ago, Carl Orff's secular cantata "Carmina Burana" has become one of the most commercially successful classical compositions of the 20th century. The opening chorus, "O Fortuna," has been used frequently in films and on television. Experience this musical masterpiece performed by the CCU Symphonic Band and Concert Choir led by Jim Tully and Terri Sinclair.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Carolina Master Chorale

Saturday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.

Tim Koch, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

Fresh from performing at Lincoln Center in New York, Myrtle Beach's own Carolina Master Chorale will present a concert featuring a new work by local composer Andy Fowler commissioned for the group's New York engagement. Founded in 1982, the Carolina Master Chorale sings frequently with the Long Bay Symphony and has performed in many European cities.

Admission: $20 first floor section I; $15 first floor section II and balcony; alumni, senior citizens and students 18 and under receive a $5 discount.

Pop 101 Concert

Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Dan O'Reilly, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

POP 101 is Coastal Carolina University's contemporary music ensemble. This group performs popular music from the '50s up to today. Each concert features a specific theme.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

CCU Symphonic Band Spring Concert

Monday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Symphonic Band

Jim Tully, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

The CCU Symphonic Band, directed by Jim Tully, will perform a tribute to Coastal President Ronald R. Ingle and Music Professor William Hamilton, on the occasion of their retirement. Pianist Gary Stegall will be featured on David Gillingham's "Concerto for Piano, Percussion and Wind Orchestra," conducted by John Savage, retired director of bands at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

The Choral Music of Randall Thompson

Thursday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Chamber and Concert Choirs

Terri Sinclair, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

CCU's Chamber and Concert Choirs, led by Terri Sinclair, present a concert of choral music by well-known American composer Randall Thompson. Highlights include "Have Ye Not Known" and "Ye Shall Have A Song" from "Peaceable Kingdom" and selections from "Testament of Freedom," two of his major works for choir. "Frostiana," another of Thompson's large-scale works for choir and orchestra, will be presented in its entirety.

Admission: General admission $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Jazz After Hours

Friday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.

Dan O'Reilly, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

Jazz after Hours, Coastal's Big Band, will perform a variety of standards, Latin, blues, and contemporary arrangements of classic jazz.

Admission: General admission, $8; alumni and senior citizens, $6

Percussion Concert

Monday, April 30, 7:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina University Percussion Ensemble

Kurry Seymour, director

Wheelwright Auditorium

Enjoy an evening of exciting percussion music from all over the world performed by Coastal Carolina University's percussion ensembles, including the CCU Taiko ensemble, Grand Strand Pans Steel Band, CCU Pop-percussion ensemble, African Drum and Dance and the CATALYST Percussion Group (C.P.G.)

ARTS and LITERATURE

A Poetry Reading by Alan Shapiro

The Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series

Thursday, Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m.

Wall Auditorium

Alan Shapiro is the author of eight acclaimed books of poetry, including "The Dead Alive and Busy and Song & Dance." His most recent collection is "Tantalus in Love" (Houghton Mifflin, 2005). He has received the Kingsley Tufts Award and the Los Angeles Times prize for poetry, among other honors. His memoir, "The Last Happy Occasion," was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. He teaches at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he is the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor.

Free and open to the public

Ernest Hemingway and Walker Evans: "Three Weeks in Cuba"

Traveling Exhibition Series

Sept. 12 to Nov. 3

Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

The lives of two legendary American artists--writer Ernest Hemingway and photographer Walker Evans--intersected for a brief but eventful three-week period in Havana in 1933. The nucleus of this traveling exhibit is a remarkable set of 46 vintage photographs that Evans, fearful of political uprisings in Cuba at the time, gave to Hemingway for safekeeping. Unseen for nearly 70 years, the photographs were discovered in 2002 among a trove of forgotten Hemingway memorabilia in a private collection. The exhibit also includes letters, pictures and personal artifacts that evoke a time in history marked by extraordinary creative and social ferment.

Free and open to the public

A Reading by Kirk Read

The Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series and the Women's and Gender Studies Program

Thursday, Oct. 12, 4:30 p.m.

Recital Hall, Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Kirk Read is the author of "How I Learned to Snap," a memoir about being openly gay in a small Southern high school during the late 1980s. He grew up in Lexington, Va., home of Virginia Military Institute, which schooled three generations of his family. His work appeared in Out, Genre, Christopher Street, QSF, and a host of alt-weeklies, Web sites and newspapers. He currently lives in San Francisco, where he is working on a second book.

Free and open to the public

A Poetry Reading by Jennifer Grotz

The Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series

Thursday, Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m.

Wall Auditorium

Jennifer Grotz's poems have appeared in Tri-Quarterly, Ploughshares, Black Warrior Review, New England Review, Best American Poetry 2000, and elsewhere. She recently completed a Ph.D. in literature and creative writing at the University of Houston. She earned a MFA in poetry and master's degree in English at Indiana University in 1996. Grotz's first full-length collection of poems, "Cusp," won the Bakeless Prize from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference.

Free and open to the public

Celebration of Inquiry Conference

Feb. 14 to 17, 2007

The sixth annual Celebration of Inquiry Conference will be held throughout Coastal Carolina University's Conway campus. The 2007 Conference Theme is "Think Globally, Act Locally: Guiding Our Changing World," inspired by the quote: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Gandhi

This cross-disciplinary theme will provide a breadth of conference topics particularly related to our changing culture, economy, history, environment and technology. Approximately 150 conference sessions by faculty, students, staff and community members are anticipated and will be noted in the conference program. Complete event information will be available in January 2007. For more information, visit www.coastal.edu/inquiry.

Free and open to the public

A Poetry Reading by Natasha Trethewey

The Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelwright Auditorium

Award-winning poet Natasha Trethewey will be the 2007 Celebration of Inquiry Conference keynote speaker. Her first book of poems, "Domestic Work," won the inaugural 1999 Cave Canem poetry prize. Her collection of poetry, "Bellocq's Ophelia," was named a 2003 Notable Book by the American Library Association and her most recent book, "Native Guard," was featured on PBS Lehrer News Hour. Trethewey is the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Bunting Fellowship Program. Her poems have appeared in several journals and anthologies, including Agni and the American Poetry Review.

Free and open to the public

A Fiction Reading by Michael Parker

Thursday, April 12, 4:30 p.m.

The Words to Say It Visiting Writers Series

Wall Auditorium

In 1996 Michael Parker was a finalist for Granta's "20 best American fiction writers under 40." He is the author of "Hello Down There," a New York Times Notable Book and a finalist for the PEN/ Hemingway award; "The Geographical Cure," winner of the Sir Walter Raleigh Award; "Towns Without Rivers"; and "Virginia Lovers." His most recent novel is "If You Want Me to Stay." His work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, the Oxford American, Five Points, and has been anthologized in the O. Henry Prize Stories, the Pushcart Prize, and "New Stories from the South." He is a professor in the M.F.A. writing program at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Free and open to the public