May 2012
4 posts
5 tags
Last film: It's gonna be a silent one
The final film of the Langer Film Series for the 2011-12 school year is “The Artist.”
This film is set in the period of silent films in Hollywood, and as such is itself a black and white, silent film.
“The Artist” follows an unhappy movie star who doesn’t want to participate in the talking revolution that is quickly approaching Hollywood.
The film is showing at...
5 tags
Only two more movies left!
The second to last film for this season is “The Descendants,” starring George Clooney.
“The Descendants” is about a husband named Matt who is indifferently raising his two daughters after his wife suffered a fatal boating accident in Hawaii.
The accident leads to decisions that Matt never wanted to have to make, including whether to sell his family’s land in...
5 tags
The Iron Lady: Next in the film series
The next installment in the Langer Film Series is “The Iron Lady,” a film following the United Kingdom’s Margaret Thatcher, as played by Meryl Streep.
Thatcher was the UK’s longest-serving prime minister, and the film focuses on the things Thatcher had to give up in her rise to power, such as strong relationships with her two children.
“The Iron Lady” is...
4 tags
Next in series: Kurt Elling
The next big event at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Mercyhurst University is world-renowned jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
Elling has been performing since the 1990s, and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, Legends of Jazz, and hundreds of other publications.
He has also been named ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ by the Jazz Journalists Association half...
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Next Langer film: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
The next installment of the Langer Film Series is “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” a documentary that follows 85-year-old Jiro Ono.
Ono has established one of the most famous sushi bars in the world—located in a subway station, people travel all over the world to eat at his sushi bar, which is one of the only restaurants of its kind to receive a 3-star rating from Michelin.
Customers...
April 2012
8 posts
4 tags
Viva la Danse!
For the past three months, the Mercyhurst University Dance Department has been working on a show called Viva la Danse! which will be performed next weekend.
Many famous works will be performed, including The Dying Swan and Paquita, and will include famous guest artists and alumni as well as current students.
Guest artists who worked with the students were from Ballet West, Joffrey Ballet,...
4 tags
Next film!
The next installment of the Langer Film Series is showing tomorrow at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).
“Living Downstream” is a documentary film based on the book of the same name by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D.
The documentary tells the story of Steingraber’s private struggle with cancer as well as her public struggle to expose...
4 tags
Fazil Say
This is a busy week for the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC): BJM Danse Montreal tonight, “Jane Eyre” tomorrow, and Fazil Say on Thursday!
Fazil Say is a Turkish pianist who began playing at the age of four.
He has become a world famous musician, honored with over 20 awards. He has also played with many different orchestras, including New York Philharmonic, Detroit...
4 tags
At the PAC: Jane Eyre
The next installment in the Langer Film Series is “Jane Eyre,” the newest version of the classic book by Charlotte Bronte.
“Jane Eyre” follows Jane Eyre, a woman orphaned in childhood who has to make it by herself in the world. Jane receives very harsh treatment throughout her adolescence.
She finally arrives at Thornfield Hall to be a governess, and Mrs. Fairfax, the...
8 tags
On Screen/In Person: Paul Devlin
Yesterday I had the exciting opportunity to interview the producer of this week’s Langer Film Series installment, BLAST!
Paul Devlin was on the Mercyhurst University campus all day yesterday as part of the On Screen/In Person Program started this year.
BLAST! follows Paul’s brother Mark Devlin, a scientist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania and funded by NASA, as he...
2 tags
BJM Danse Montréal
Next week, BJM Danse Montréal will be performing at Mercyhurst at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).
The group is internationally recognized for not only its dance, but also its ability to keep up with the times and provide their audiences with a rich vitality that is modern and contemporary.
Each of their performances allows for the individuality and uniqueness of all of...
4 tags
BLAST! is next On Screen/In Person installment
BLAST! is the next film installment of the On Screen/In Person program.
Director Paul Devlin follows his brother Mark Devlin, Ph.D., as Mark and his team of scientists try to answer an infamous question: How did we get here?
They are trying to answer this question by launching a new telescope under a NASA high-altitude balloon.
Paul has won five Emmy awards, and portrays his brother and the...
March 2012
9 posts
5 tags
Two events this weekend!
Hey ya’ll, so there are two student-based events you can go to this weekend that are free and open to the public!
The first is the Senior Show Reception tomorrow at 2 p.m., and is in the Cummings Art Gallery. The reception is from 2 to 5 p.m., and there will be refreshments. It is showcasing the works of Mercyhurst seniors Kaitlin Badger, Samantha Fiorello, Laura Palermo, Tyler Stauffer and...
3 tags
MET Opera: Massenet's Manon
One of the least-talked about Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) series is that of the MET Opera: each Saturday, the PAC simulcasts a MET Opera live.
This is a unique feature for the PAC, and one that attracts many students and community members to the PAC’s doors.
This weekend, the PAC will be simulcasting Massenet’s “Manon.”
The opera follows the French...
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"A Man Named Pearl"
The next installment of the Langer Film Series is “A Man Named Pearl,” a true story about racism and bigotry in America.
It starts out rather simply: Pearl Fryar gets a new job and wants to move with his wife into an all-white neighborhood in 1976. He is quickly informed by the realtor that a black family is not welcome, because “black people don’t keep up there...
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Next film installment: Poetry
The Langer Film Serie’s next installment is “Poetry,” a film about a woman named Mija in her sixties raising her insolent grandson.
Although beautiful and refined, Mija leads a simple life cleaning someone’s house in order to provide for her grandson.
Suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s and needing something fulfilling in her life, Mija begins taking a poetry...
3 tags
New director at the PAC!
Mercyhurst University announced today that we now have a new director for the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture: Jamie Grady.
Grady has almost 25 years of experience: 12 in nonprofit theater management and 12 in academia. He has an undergraduate degree in business management from Bentley College, a graduate degree in arts administration from Lesley College, and a certificate in...
4 tags
Spring term's first film showing
Tomorrow marks the first installment of the Langer Film Series, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a film following the Cold War between Russia and the United States and United Kingdom.
It is the long-awaited film version of the best-selling British novel of the same name by John le Carre.
The film follows a dedicated operative named Jim and his mission to Hungary, which fails quickly. After his...
8 tags
The rest of spring term's events
Hi everyone, here are the rest of the events for spring term. I will be sure to update if/when more get added!
Kurt Elling
Friday, May 11, at 8 p.m.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Wednesday, May 9, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
Iron Lady
Wednesday, May 16, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
The Descendants
Wednesday, May 23, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
The Artist
Wednesday, May 30, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
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April's events
Hi all, here are the rest of the events for April at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC). Also look out for May’s events soon!
Blast!
Wednesday, April 11, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
Verdi’s La Triviata
Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m.
BJM Danse Montreal
Tuesday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Jane Eyre
Wednesday, April 18, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
Fazil Say
Thursday,...
4 tags
Welcome back to spring term!
Hi all, and welcome back to spring term here at Mercyhurst. This is also my last term—yay for graduation in May!
I thought I’d start you all off with a preview of what’s going to be going on here at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center for the spring term. Here is the schedule for the rest of March and into April:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
PAC, Wednesday, March...
February 2012
11 posts
3 tags
Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co.
The last event set to occur before spring term classes start up is the performance of the Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co.
The inflatable show is known for its interactiveness with audience members and the fact-paced, energetic pace of the show.
The Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater Co. has gained national as well as international merit, performing on the Late Show with David Letterman, on...
6 tags
Next On Screen/In Person film: Fambul Tok
The next film in not only the Langer Film Series, but also the On Screen/In Person Program is “Fambul Tok,” a film about the reconciliations in Sierra Leone after their gruesome civil war.
Meaning ‘family talk,’ the film follows the victims and perpetrators of the civil war as they meet, talk and forgive what happened in traditional truth-telling and forgiveness...
4 tags
Busy weekend!
This weekend at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) is busy busy busy!
Not only is the Robert Cray Band performing Friday, but the Count Basie Orchestra with New York Voices is performing Saturday!
The Count Basie Orchestra was originally formed in 1936 by Count Basie, and has continued to perform even after his 1984 death. They have performed with singers such as Frank...
3 tags
Robert Cray Band comes to Erie
This Friday, the Robert Cray Band, a Grammy-winning blues band, will be coming to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).
After being interested in music during high school, Cray formed a band in his 20s, and has been playing ever since. He has opened for performers such as Eric Clapton, Albert Collins and Freddie King, and has toured around the world, including Spain and the...
4 tags
Next film: Of Gods and Men
Spring break is upon Mercyhurst University, but that doesn’t mean the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) is slowing down.
The next installment of the Langer Film Series is “Of Gods and Men,” a film based on the true story of the Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria from 1993 until their kidnapping in 1996.
The film follows eight French Christian monks who...
3 tags
Jin Xing: the documentary
Erieites and the ‘Hurst community are getting a double serving of Jin Xing: not only did her dance theatre perform here at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) tonight, but the next installment of the Langer Film Series tomorrow is “Colonel Jin Xing.”
“Colonel Jin Xing” is the story of Jin Xing as the male Xing, a former colonel in the...
3 tags
Tonight: Jin Xing Dance Theatre
Tonight in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC), Jin Xing and her dance theatre will be performing at 7 p.m.
They are China’s most celebrated dance company, and the show will feature her best works and a lavish atmosphere that will be sure to please audiences.
The next film in the Langer Film Series is about Jin Xing, and will be discussed in a later post!
Tickets for...
4 tags
Next stop: Donor Unknown
The next installment in the Langer Film Series is “Donor Unknown,” the story of 20-year-old Mercyhurst senior JoEllen Marsh.
Marsh grew up in Pennsylvania with two mothers, and was very curious about who her fatehr was. When she discovered there was an online bank to connect donor siblings, she immediately registered and started searching for her father.
She first discovered a...
5 tags
Mark Doss: internationally known and coming to...
Tomorrow brings a much anticipated event on the Mercyhurst campus: internationally recognized opera singer Mark S. Doss.
Born in nearby Cleveland, Ohio, Doss is a Grammy award-winning bass baritone opera singer. He divides his free time between Toronto, Canada and Erie—but it doesn’t seem he has much of that.
He has performed internationally, touring throughout Italy, including...
4 tags
Raw Edges: No. 14, a wonderful tradition
Every year, Mercyhurst’s dance department puts on a show called “Raw Edges” that features choreography from current student and recent alumni.
This is the 14th year Raw Edges has been put on, and its popularity is only increasing.
Last year’s performance was dedicated to Jenni Lyn, a dance student who was killed. This year there are numerous themes, as decided and...
4 tags
Ryan Richmond: Brilliant debut with "Money...
This morning I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Ryan Richmond, the director of this week’s Langer Film Series and On Screen/In Person Program film “Money Matters”.
“Money Matters” is the coming-of-age story of Monique, a 14-year-old girl being raised by a young mother in urban Washington, D.C.
Along with not knowing who her father is, Monique is...
January 2012
5 posts
2 tags
On Screen/In Person director coming Wednesday
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the director of “Money Matters,” the next film in the Langer Film Series, is visiting the Mercyhurst campus.
Stay tuned for more details on my exclusive interview with Ryan Richmond!
3 tags
First film in Maria J. Langer series shows...
The first film in the Maria J. Langer film series is “Goodbye (B e Omid e Didar)” is showing tomorrow at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).
“Goodbye” is about an Iranian lawyer who has been disbarred because of her alleged participation in activist campaigns against the government. Her husband was also banished to the desert.
She is seeking a visa to...
3 tags
New name for film series!
Hi all, just an update on the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center film series: it has a new sponsor. Alumnus John J. Langer has agreed to sponsor the film series.
He named it after his mother, Maria J. Langer.
The film series will start next Wednesday, Jan. 25 with “Goodbye,” an Iranian film about a woman whose license for practicing law was revoked because of her...
7 tags
And the rest...
Here are the rest of February’s events. Like I said before, be on the look out next for a behind the scenes interview that I will be doing!
The Robert Cray Band
Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. Five time Grammy winning, multi-platinum-selling legend, Robert Cray, leads the Blues Hall of Fame—Class of 2011.
The Count Basie Orchestra with NYV
Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. One of the...
8 tags
What's coming up...
Hey all, I know it’s been a little while since I posted, but that’s because the PAC has been on a little hiatus. There is a lot of stuff coming up, however, and below is a list of events in the near future.
MET Opera: The Enchanted Island
Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. In one extraordinary new work, lovers of Baroque opera have it all: the world’s best singers, glorious music of...
December 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Last event before Christmas break is...
…the next installment of the Guelcher Film Series, “Shall We Dance.”
“Shall We Dance” is about a Japanese accountant who is depressed with his mundane, routine life until he sees the beautioful face of a dance teacher in the balcony of a studio and is inspired to take ballroom dancing classes there.
The more classes he takes, the happier he becomes, and his wife...
4 tags
A Christmas show for the whole family
What is a better way to spend time together during the holidays than seeing a Christmas-themed show? Now, there aren’t many and the ones there are (such as the Nutcracker) can become quite pricy.
The Mercyhurst College dance department, along with the Liturgical Dance Ensemble, is offering a show called ‘Tis the Season, featuring singing, dancing and performances both appropriate...
3 tags
Latest Guelcher installment: Queen to Play
Starring Kevin Kline in his first French-speaking role, “Queen to Play” is the latest Guelcher Film Series installment and is about a French chambermaid name Hélène (Sandrine Bonnaire) who is leading a repressed, quiet lifestyle.
She stumbles upon a couple in an intense chess match, and discovers she has a knack for the game.
Her intense interest in chess leads her to pursue the...
November 2011
4 posts
3 tags
Welcome back!
Hey everyone, and welcome back to winter term 2012.
I’m going to dive right into this week’s movie: “Another Earth”.
“Another Earth,” which debuted at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, is an indie sci-fi film about how the discovery of a duplicate Earth forever intertwines two strangers’ lives.
Rhoda is driving back intoxicated from a party celebrating...
3 tags
Meek's Cutoff: New rendition of an old plot
Get ready for the next installment of the Guelcher Film Series: “Meek’s Cutoff,” a new rendition of an old plot that is surprisingly thrilling with its powerful effect on its viewers.
“Meek’s Cutoff” is about a group of travelers in 1845 on the Oregon Trail trying to cross the Cascade Mountains.
They have to decide who they can trust—at first they...
2 tags
Yamato returns!
The famous drummers of Japan are returning once again to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
Yamato, the PAC’s most popular show, is returning to Erie for another set of performances. Their new program called Gumushara! is exhilarating and features audience participation, and is sure to be a fun time for all involved.
When I was in high school at Collegiate Academy (in Erie),...
6 tags
A woman of jazz
The next installment of the Guelcher Film Series and also of the On Screen/In Person program is “In Good Time, the Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland,” which follows the life of the now 93-year-old Marian McPartland.
Born in England, McPartland started playing the piano as a child, and eventually moved to the United States with her husband Jim in 1948.
She quickly moved up the ranks...
October 2011
9 posts
6 tags
"Beyond Words": the dance of Mercyhurst
So often it is heard how great Mercyhurst’s dance program is, and it is a shame they don’t get to show off more often.
However, this weekend, the two dance companies in residence at the college will be performing a show called “Beyond Words.” The newly formed Mercyhurst Ballet Theater, along with SoMar Dance Works will be performing in the show.
This will be the ballet...
7 tags
"Honest Man": The Life and Death of a Pennsylvania...
“Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer” is the next installment of the Guelcher Film Series.
The film follows the life and death of Pennsylvania politician Robert Budd Dwyer (R), who was driven to suicide because of an impending trial in which he was charged with accepting a bribe.
“Honest Man” took four years to make and tells a story that went untold for 24 years.
...
3 tags
David Sedaris at the PAC!
David Sedaris is coming to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
This is a big deal.
Sedaris is a Grammy-nominated radio contributor, humorist, author and comedian who is best known for his essay, SantaLand Diaries, as well as several of his novels.
SantaLand Diaries is an essay that was made famous by National Public Radio about Sedaris’s stint working as a Christmas elf in...
5 tags
"In a Better World": Difficult decisions,...
The next installment of the Guelcher Film Series, “In a Better World,” is a Danish/Swedish film that stars Mikeal Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm and Markus Rygaard.
Anton is a doctor who works at an African refugee camp and commutes from his Danish hometown on a daily basis.
His marriage to his wife, Mariana, is struggling and they are considering separation and divorce. Anton is faced...
6 tags
David Lanz, renowned pianist
David Lanz, an acclaimed, Grammy-nominated pianist, is performing at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Lanz has been playing the piano since he was a child, and lists his mother as his musical mentor—she taught him to play.
His most famous album was Cristofori’s Dream, which topped the New Age charts in 1988. Since then, he has put...
5 tags
"The Beginners": Familial love
“The Beginners” is the next installment of the Guelcher Film Series, and is about a 38-year-old man named Oliver (Ewan McGregor) who is coping with the recent death of his father.
Flashing back and forth between memories of his father (Christopher Plummer), one has to wonder how Oliver survives daily life without suffocating from the pressure of the memories.
Normally a sullen...
