Gloria Steinem Lecture, Cantus Performance To Conclude 2007-08 Cultural Enhancement Series At WKU

March 18, 2008

Bowling Green, Ky. - A lecture by feminist leader Gloria Steinem and a performance by vocal ensemble Cantus will wrap up the 11th season of the Cultural Enhancement Series at Western Kentucky University.

Steinem’s presentation “The Longest Revolution: Where Are We Going?” will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 1 at Van Meter Auditorium. Her lecture, co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Program’s Catherine Coogan Ward Visiting Professorship, is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

A writer, activist and architect of the women’s movement, Steinem began her investigative work as a journalist when she took a job for three weeks as a Playboy bunny and wrote an expose of the women’s working conditions. Soon after, she helped establish the Women’s Action Alliance, and in 1972 founded and became the first editor of Ms. magazine. For almost 40 years, Steinem has been one of the country’s most committed advocates for equality and social justice.

“Intimate Portrait,” a documentary about Steinem, will be shown at 3 p.m. March 31 at Cherry Hall, room 125. The presentation is free and open to students.

On April 8, Cantus will perform at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in downtown Bowling Green. The concert is free and open to the public.

Cantus was founded in the fall of 1995 when a few college friends gathered on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Since then, Cantus has created a programming style that is unlike any other ensemble performing today. The group’s repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary works, art songs, folk music, spirituals, and pop. By combining poetry, song, and theatre, Cantus has changed the face of American vocal music and blurred the division among chamber music, choral music, art and entertainment.  

This year, the Cultural Enhancement Committee is offering an additional incentive for WKU students to attend with a drawing for two $500 book awards. Students use their WKU ID to record their attendance and accumulate electronic raffle tickets. By attending more events, students will increase their probability of winning next spring’s drawing.

The 2007-08 Cultural Enhancement Series began in October with a performance by Mamadou Diabaté and a lecture by Jeff Corwin.
               
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For information, contact Mina Doerner at (270) 745-5204.