UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 21, Page 4
February 24, 1994
Up and coming

Women authors exhibit in library
     "Irish Women Authors: An Exhibition" is on view through June 4 in the
Morris Library's Special Collections Exhibition Gallery from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,
weekdays except Tuesdays, when the gallery is open until 8 p.m.
     Organized by Timothy Murray, head of the Special Collections, and L.
Rebecca Johnson Melvin, senior assistant librarian, the exhibit examines a
wide range of Irish women's writing, focusing for the most part on authors
who write in English, from the 18th century to the present.
     The exhibition presents work by virtually all well-known figures in
this field, including Maria Edgeworth, Lady Gregory, Somerville and Ross,
Elizabeth Bowen, Mary Lavin, Edna O'Brien and Eavan Boland. It also
includes a host of minor and neglected authors of the past and present, as
well as newer authors who are just beginning to emerge. In all, 74 women
are featured in the exhibition.
     "The exhibition celebrates more than 200 years of literary effort by
Irish women," Susan Brynteson, director of libraries, said. "Items in the
exhibition are drawn entirely from the University of Delaware Library's
extensive holdings in Irish literature and afford an opportunity to bring
this superb collection to scholarly notice."
     "Irish Women Authors" reveals the depth of resources available in the
library to students and scholars of Irish literature. In addition to the
authors and collections included in this exhibition, the University has a
strong collection of books and other printed materials for virtually every
figure of note in Irish literature, with a particular strength in
20th-century authors.
     A catalog, featuring an introductory essay by Bonnie Kime Scott,
professor of English at the University, accompanies the exhibition. Copies
of the catalog, "Irish Women Authors," also are available for purchase for
$25, plus $2.50 for postage and handling, from the Office of the Director,
University of Delaware Library.

Christine Lavin to perform March 14
     Funny, often profound and always enjoyable singer-songwriter Christine
Lavin will perform at the University on Monday, March 14. The concert is
set for 8 p.m. in Mitchell Hall in celebration of Women's History Month.
     In 1989 and 1992, Lavin won the New York Music Awards' "Folk Artist of
the Year." Her seventh solo album, What Was I Thinking?, was recorded live
at the Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas, and released last October.
     Her music combines the wit of poet Ogden Nash, the crazy viewpoint of
The Roches, the sensitivity of Judy Collins and the voice of Joni Mitchell.
Lavin's unabashed charm and satirical wit enliven shows and captivate
audiences.
     Among her hits are the mid-'80s spoof, "Sensitive New Age Guys," the
sentimental "The Kind of Love You Never Recover From" and her ode to frozen
dinners- "Gravy on My Scissors."
     In "Baldheaded Men," she optimistically sings, "Try looking in your
mirror from a whole different place, you're not losing your hair. You're
gaining face."
     Lavin is famous for her witty on-stage repertoire that may include
such varied activities as impromptu games of Jeopardy and baton-twirling
demonstrations.
     Lavin is known for encouraging and assisting the careers of other
performers. In 1992 and 1993, she organized month-long singer/ songwriter
retreats on Martha's Vineyard that involved over 150 artists, agents,
managers and music business professionals.
     Tickets are now on sale at $5 for the general public and $3 for
members of the University community.
     For tickets or more information, call the Hartshorn box office at
831-2204. For more information on Lavin, call the University's Office of
Women's Affairs at 831-8063.
     Lavin's appearance is sponsored by the offices of Women's Affairs and
Housing and Residence Life; the Commission on the Status of Women; and the
University's Performing Arts Series.

U.N.I.T.Y. festival to feature play
     Our Young Black Men Are Dying and Nobody Seems To Care, a
life-changing play by James Chapman, will be presented at 7:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 1, in Newark Hall auditorium.
     The play is part of the University's "African Consciousness
Celebration '94: U.N.I.T.Y. (Understanding Now Inspires Tomorrow's Youth)."
     The Village Voice said Chapman's play "blends stand-up comedy with
out-and-out tragedy to investigate the people behind the black community's
death rate. (It) trots out all the angry black theatre cliches-the drug
addict, the drug dealer, the leftover political activist-and turns them
inside-out with vividness and candor.
     "This play makes you forget you're being educated and takes you for an
entertaining ride, from the declaratory shouts at the beginning to the
inspirational gospel harmonies at the end."
     Chapman was born the son of a Baptist minister and recalls standing
beside his mother and father on picket lines in the 1960s, watching them
cry the day Martin Luther King Jr. was killed and walking miles to his
integrated school. At 23, he found himself homeless, eating garbage,
sleeping in vacant houses and washing in public restrooms. Writing a
suicide note to his mother was a turning point in his life.
     Now, after 200 performances of his play before nearly 100,000 people,
thousands of young black men have been motivated to try harder, hundreds of
mothers have been urged not to give up and people one by one are saying,
with renewed determination, "I care."
     Cost of the presentation at the University is $3 for students, $4 for
faculty and staff and $5 for the general public. Advance tickets are on
sale at the Hartshorn box office on the Newark campus and at Haneef's
Bookstore in Wilmington. For ticket information, call the Hartshorn box
office at 831-2204.
     This event is sponsored by the Center for Black Culture (CBC), the
Cultural Programming Advisory Board, the Office of Affirmative Action and
Multicultural Programs and the Black American Studies Program.
     For more information, call the University's CBC at 831-2991.

Kids' Conference at Warner School
     "Rainbow Leaders" will be the theme of the first Kids' Conference of
Delaware, sponsored in March by the University's Department of Individual
and Family Studies.
     The conference is scheduled from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 12,
at Warner Elementary School, l8th and Van Buren streets, Wilmington.
     Students in grades 4 through 8 are invited to participate in the
conference designed to prepare future leaders who can contribute to the
world and work with people of all kinds.
     Cost is $3, and reservation deadline is Saturday, March 5.
     For more information or a reservation form, contact Kate
Conway-Turner, individual and family studies, at 831-8533 or 831-8474.

Registration set at Southern academy
     Registrations for the spring semester of the Southern Delaware Academy
of Lifelong Learning (SDALL) are now being accepted at the University's
Virden Center in Lewes.
     A reception will be held from 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, in Room
104 of Cannon Laboratory at the University's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.
Registration will be available at that time and also on Thursday, March 3.
     This spring, 34 courses are being offered by the academy, and a
catalog is available by calling the Virden Center at 645-4111. Mail-in
registrations are accepted, using a form in catalog.
     SDALL's membership fee for the spring semester is $60 for an
individual or $110 per couple. There is no limit to the number of different
courses for which an individual may register.
     SDALL, a community educational cooperative for men and women 50 years
of age or older, is sponsored by the Division of Continuing Education.
     For information, call 645-4111.

Radio fund drive begins March 11
     WVUD (91.3 FM) will conduct its annual radiothon March 11-20. Each
radio show will host a different event for the University station's
fundraiser.
     "Cutting Edge" will sponsor two concerts. The first, featuring Absurd,
Mother Nature and Trapdoor, will be held Friday, March 11. The second, on
Friday, March 18, will feature Puddle, the Caulfields and Schroeder. Both
shows begin at 8 pm. in the Bacchus Theatre. Admission is $5 with a UD ID
and $7 for guests (who must be accompanied by a University student.
     "Club 91.3" will hold a rap contest March 12. There will be two
categories, both vocal and DJ. To enter, send a three-to-five minute demo
tape to Sherman Backous at WVUD, Perkins Student Center. Deadline for
submission of tapes is March 1.
     "Ruffage" will hold a metal show at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 19, in
Bacchus Theatre, featuring Solitude and Gangster Pump. Cost is $5 for
University students and $7 for guests accompanied by a University student
     For more information about Raidothon '94, tune in or call 831-2701.

Tennis star guest at women's gala
     Billie Jean King will be the guest speaker at a gala dinner, Saturday,
April 23, in Clayton Hall, culminating a year-long celebration of the 25th
anniversary of Blue Hen women's athletics.
     King, who is currently director and spokesperson of World TeamTennis,
was ranked number 1 in the world five times and number 1 in the U.S. seven
times. She has devoted her life to creating opportunities in the sport of
tennis. She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the
National Women's Hall of Fame. King founded the Women's Sports Foundation
and Women's Tennis Association.
     A reception at 6 p.m. will precede the dinner. The evening also will
include remarks by Barbara J. Kelly, professor of physical education and
co-chair of the 25th anniversary celebration committee. Cost of the dinner
is $35.
     For more information, call Mary Ann Hitchens at 831-4505.

Faculty recital in Loudis Hall Feb. 27
     The Department of Music will sponsor a free faculty recital featuring
soprano Marie Robinson,o accompanied by Julie Nishimura on the piano at 3
p.m., Sunday, Feb. 27, in the Loudis Recital Hall of the Amy E. du Pont
Music Building. The program will include Six popular songs by Manuel de
Falla, Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, a set of songs by Mozart and a
cantata by John Carter.
     Robinson, associate professor of music at the University, made her
operatic debut as "Aida" with the Graz Opera, where she was principal
soloist for three years.

Flutist, guitarist in duet concert
     Flutist Eileen Grycky and guitarist Christiaan Taggart will perform at
8 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, in the Loudis Recital Hall of the Amy E. du
Pont Music Building.
     The duo will perform L'histoire du tango by Astor Piazzolla, Sonata
for guitar and flute by Lowell Liebermann, Dream Travels by Gary Schocker,
Sonata in C Major by J.S. Bach and Three Dances from the Gayane Ballet by
Aram Khachaturian.
     The Taggart-Grycky duo is in residence at the University, where Grycky
and Taggart are both faculty members in the Department of Music.
     For more information, call 831-2577.