Recycled Percussion previously performed at Adrian College four years ago.

The doors opened at 7 p.m. and the event began at 8 p.m. The concert was free for AC students. Guest students were charged $5 admission, and adults from the community were charged $10. There was a large turnout at the show. However, a majority of the audience consisted of community members, as opposed to college students. There were an estimated 600 total audience members.

It takes a lot of planning to coordinate an event of these proportions.

“[I] coordinated their [the band’s] needs, the facility and the audio,” said Todd Connely, the staff advisor of the Campus Activities Network (CAN). Although this concert was really chaotic for Connely to plan, he said it was also exciting and they put on a good show.

Recycled percussion has also perfomed on the hit television show, “America’s Got Talent.”

Students from CAN also helped prepare for the event. Junior Shelby Pushies helped sell merchandise at the concert. She also took students’ ID’s at the door and helped wherever she was needed.

“[I] had a good time and the band was cool,” said Pushies. She aspires to be an event coordinator in the future. Her favorite part of the entire concert was the grand finale, when the band played a collaboration of different types of music.

To raise awareness about this event, members of CAN hung up flyers around school for people to see. Also, the back of this year’s “Crazy CAN Friday” t-shirts advertised the concert.

Senior Samantha Hoot is another CAN member that helped out at the concert. Like Pushies, she sold merchandise and tickets to get into the event. Also, Hoot helped do public relations (PR) for the concert, and put the event on Facebook, so more students could find out about it. CAN also had advertisements put in the daily telegram had flyers put up in Domino’s Pizza and Jimmy John’s.

“[It] was fun,” said Hoot.

Junior Shelley DeHosse, director of “More than Friends, Less than Lovers,” gives directions to her cast during a read through rehearsal in Downs Hall Wednesday afternoon. Opening night for the One Acts is September 23 at 8 p.m. (Photo by Ashley Brown)

This year’s One Act Plays will be premiering on September 23, 24 and 25 in Downs Hall, at 8 p.m. The One Act Plays are written by Rebecca Spicer and Laura Shank. Laura Shank is the writer of “More then Friends, Less than Lovers,” as well as a recent Adrian College graduate. Rebecca Spicer, the writer of “Hidden,” is currently a senior at AC.

“Hidden” is set at a party in the 1950’s.It is about a ghost writer whose name is Constance, who runs a boarding house. She has a visiting sister named Eve, a snobby diva actress.

“More than Friends, Less than Lovers” is the story of a female college student who turns to a male friend for support when her heart is broken. However, things get complicated when the friend seems to have hidden motives, apart from providing a shoulder to cry on.

Auditions were held for the plays on August 24. Now that the cast has been selected, rehearsals and script read-throughs are beginning.

The directors for the One Acts are juniors Tiffany Taylor and Shelley DeHosse. Taylor is directing “Hidden,” while DeHosse is directing “More than Friends, Less than Lovers.”

“Being able to interpret the plays’ ideas and being in charge and being able to cast the play [is my favorite part of directing],” said Taylor.

As a play director, Taylor and DeHosse have a lot of responsibility. They run rehearsals for each of their individual plays, cast and stage the show, discuss the characters, and organize the crews. The technical crew includes a stage manager, assistant stage manager, light board operator, run crew, build crew, props master, costume designer, set designer, publicist manager and house manager.

Last year, Taylor directed a ten-minute play for class, but this is her first real directing experience. Taylor said she is both nervous and excited for this play. It is nerve-wracking because the directors only have three weeks to get everything together before the production days.

Taylor feels as if it is a lot of work, but it is also going to be really cool when it all comes together.

When these plays are performed, a widely known critic will be in the audience and if the play is recieved well enough, they may be chosen to compete at the American College Theatre Festival.

“I’m not that nervous, because I’ve seen respondents speak about shows I’ve been in and worked on before, and, for the most part, they talk about the things that they like,” said DeHosse, concerning the critic who is coming to review the One-Acts. “Really, I guess, I am more excited than nervous about meeting the respondent.”

DeHosse, like Taylor, has some experience in directing. The first play that she directed was in her senior year of high school. She says that the production she directed in high school is a much different experience from directing the One Acts on campus, however.

“I feel like my position as a director is more important, now that I’m in college, because I have to deal with all the technical and theatrical aspects of the show,” DeHosse said. “In high school, all I had to do was present the script to the cast, and have them memorize lines, basically.”

“The Vagina Monologues,” which took place last Thurday and Friday in the Adrian-Tobias Room, featured a number of different monologues from various womens. The play was originally written by Eve Ensler. (Photos courtesy of Chelsea Blankenship)

On Thursday Feb. 4 and Friday Feb. 5, “The Vagina Monologues” were performed in the Adrian-Tobias Room of Ritchie Marketplace at Adrian College.

The event was sponsored by the combined efforts of V-Day: Adrian College, FinCom and the Feminist Empowerment Movement (FEM). This was the second time “The Vagina Monologues” was hosted at AC and FEM members hope it will become an annual event.

The event was free for students with an I.D. and canned food item or an article of clothing. Admission was $5 otherwise.

The proceeds from the event went to Students Active For Ending Rape (SAFER),  an organization run by students which aims to reform college sexual policies, the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter, a local support shelter, and to women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The Vagina Monologues” is based off a series of interviews conducted by Eve Ensler. Women between the ages of 18 and 75 were asked different questions about their vaginas.  The monologues work to empower women, and to bring light to the existence of physical abuse towards women and girls.

The night began with three speeches; one by Emma Donelson, organizer of the event and vice president of FEM, one by Skyler Lambert, president of FEM and one by a representative from the Catherine Cobb center.

The cast list consisted of 16 different AC students: Donelson, junior and director Angelica Lopez, senior Alyssa Allen, senior Jalisha Elaine Belle, sophomore Courtney Carolyn Clouse, sophomore Shelley DeHosse, junior Dominique Fernandez, senior Kelly Funk, sophomore Sasha Gale, sophomore Laura Ashley Greer, freshman Emily King, junior Connie Klein, junior Gabrielle Piazza, junior Sara Smither, junior Brittany Ward and  junior Amber Lee Williams.

The monologues themselves ranged from humorous to somber, from “My Angry Vagina” to “The Memory of her Face” and “The Happy Fact” to “The Not-So-Happy Fact.” The play concluded with a slideshow documenting the struggle of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There were also two musical performances, one by Greer and the other by Gale featuring freshman Tyler Chase on guitar. In total, there were 17 different monologues performed.

“It was pretty good,” said junior Ken Warren. “There is no one form to vaginas.”

Freshman Autumn Clark thought the play was exhilarating and believes all should see it at some point.

“It was extremely empowering,” she said. “It’s something that all men and women should see.”

Freshman Sarah Alder also thought the play was moving.

“It was absolutely empowering,” she said. “It’s wasn’t about sex, or about women being better, it’s about respect.”

Planning for the play began in November.

“We chose to do ‘The Vagina Monologues’ because it seemed like a great opportunity, and we wanted to take part in it,” said Lopez.

This was Lopez’s second time performing a monologue. She returned because she had an “amazing time” and wanted to have that same experience to share it with others.

“It’s a very positive show because it’s all real,” said Lopez. “It’s not glamorized, it’s come straight from real life.”

Donelson said the play brings all women together.

“It expresses that women are not alone,” she said. “They have nothing to be ashamed of. It helps show them a way to cope.”

For those inspired to take action or looking for people to talk to, FEM meets every Monday in the Vivian Boardroom at 9 p.m.

The choir prepares for their trip to New York City by rehearsing once a week on Friday afternoons. These practices are being called Carnegie Choir practices, as the College Choir still practices every Wednesday at noon. (Photo by Anthony Spangler)

The Adrian College choir will be traveling to New York City to sing at Carnegie Hall May 27 to June 2. There are 75 students going on the trip along with 30 additional people.

“I was thinking 50 to 60 [students] would be going,” Thomas Hodgman, professor of music, said. “I’m really pleased more signed up.”

Hodgman said he is also glad that so many people are coming to support the choir.

They will perform two shows at Carnegie Hall. The first performance is Saturday night May 29 at 8 p.m. The AC choir is one of three choirs that were asked to perform a thirty minute set in Carnegie.

Hodgman said the songs that the choir will perform have a great variety, ranging from classical and contemporary to gospel and even an original piece composed by AC’s own, Pete Ford, professor of music theory.

According to Hodgman, Ford dedicated his song to the college choir and finished it a couple of weeks ago. He said that the lyrics in this piece celebrate AC’s history and AC’s first president, Asa Mahan. The lyrics in the song have to do with meaningful quotes that Mahan is known to have said.

There are seven songs that the choir will be performing. They are: Hodie Christus Natus Est by Palestrina, Kyrie from Mass in G Major by Franz Schubert, Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind by John Rutter, Laughing Song by George Mabry, Nahamasa by Pete Ford, South Sami People by Frode Fjellheim, and Praise His Holy Name by Keith Hampton.

“I love choosing music,” Hodgman said. “Songs are like beautiful gems, each one is unique and has its own beauty.”

The second performance the choir will participate in will be on May 31 at 8 p.m. They will be singing Mozart’s Requiem with several other choirs.

Junior Trevor Alger is attending the NYC trip and said he is looking forward to the choir performances.

He said his favorite song is the Mozart Requiem because it is the most challenging and is also a very well-known piece.

“It’s kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” Alger said. “To perform in Carnegie Hall.”

Hodgman said he works for the trip every day.

“The business side of the trip is monumental,” he said.

He has to keep track of about 100 accounts, think about rooming, rehearsal times in NYC, meals and transportation details.

“There’s a lot to consider,” Hodgman said.

Hodgman said one of his favorite memories is from twenty years ago when he sang at Carnegie Hall with a college choir. He said that it is really great to have the opportunity to go back and conduct there.

“It’s a major life achievement,” Hodgman said.

Freshman Kelly Friend has been to New York State before, but not New York City. She said she is going on the choir trip because it sounds like a lot of fun and because she gets the chance to sing in Carnegie Hall.

“I’m psyched to sing in Carnegie Hall,” Friend said. “[And] not just sit in the audience.”

Hodgman said he feels that the choir is on track in terms of music preparations, and that they will be ready for the Carnegie Hall performances.

“Have a great time,” Hodgman said he would encourage his students going on the trip. “It will be something you remember for the rest of your life.”

(Photos by Anthony Spangler)

The Adrian Public Library, located at 143 E. Maumee St. in town, opened a new exhibit Saturday which features artwork from Adrian College students. The Community Clay exhibit contains over 50 pieces of art from AC students of the fall class of 2009. Each work is a glazed surface made using different techniques such as raku, salt, wood and high fire reduction. A reception was held from 1-3 p.m. at the library for anyone interested in meeting the artists. The exhibit will last until Feb. 12 and spectators can view the works of art during regular library hours of 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For parking, the library suggests the Toledo Parking Lot and on the street. Community clay classes are offered in the Art Department at AC during the fall, winter and spring semesters. Pi Benio, professor of art and design, organized the exhibit.

(Photo courtesy of www.adrian.edu)

Shannon Ford, adjunct professor of music at Adrian College, will be performing a clarinet recital this Thursday, Jan. 28, in Dawson Auditorium at 8 p.m.

According to the AC website homepage, Ford will be performing a mixture of music by French, Danish and American composers.  Ford will be accompanied by a few other performers who will play after Ford’s performance.

“I am going to Shannon Ford’s recital this Thursday, and I am looking forward to it,” freshman music student Melissa Perry said. “The recitals here at Adrian are always fun because our professors, like Shannon Ford, are all incredibly talented musicians.”

Along with being a faculty member at AC, Ford also plays the clarinet in the Lima Symphony.

The AC website also mentions that Ford has been published on some CD’s, is part of a clarinet-flute-piano and has been heard on the radio.

The performance is free for anyone who would like to come.

A reference worker at the library, Shirley Ehnis, says the display is meant to show off more than fifty different works. These works include glazed surfaces and a variety of clay molding techniques.  according to Ehnis, this is the first time the library has participated in showing the class’s work.  The aim of the class is to teach enrolled participants about different techniques, surfaces, different kinds of clay and more.

The class is taught by Pi Benio, professor of art.  Assisting in the teaching of the course are John Ahearn and Meghan Walton.

Making an appearance over the course of the exhibition will be Bryan VanVenscholten.  VanVenscholten is a retired head potter who previously worked at Greenfield Village.  The retired potter will be giving a demonstration at some point during the exhibition period.

Also, on Jan. 23, a reception will be held.  People observing the exhibition will have the opportunity to meet the artists and comment on their works.

According to Ehnis, classes are offered through the AC Art Department in the fall, winter, and spring.  The class’s cost is $160.

The Community Clay Exhibit is free and runs during the open hours of the library.  Library hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“It’s a concert where we show off the variety of our musical capabilities,” Marty Marks, assistant professor music, said.

Marks and Tom Hodgman, associate professor of music, directed the concert. Marks credits Hodgman with doing the majority of the work. Marks was in charge of band performances, while Hodgman was in charge of choir performances.

There were 18 different musical performances, with a total of 225 students taking part in the concert, many of whom have been preparing for this concert since the beginning of the semester, both individually, and as larger ensembles. Seven different conductors lead the performances.

The different solos and ensembles were hand picked by the conductors. Some were approached and asked to perform, while others were able to request the opportunity to perform.

The showcase concert opened with the Adrian College choir singing “Kyrie” while surrounding the audience in Dawson Auditorium (they would take the stage after intermission) and closed with the marching band coming down the aisles to the stage and playing selections from ABBA.

The performers were very proud of the concert they put on.

“I thought it went really well,” sophomore Chris Quinlan said. “I’m proud of all the performers. There was a wide variety of musical styles exhibited.”

Freshman James Campbell was also pleased with the concert.

“I was really happy with the performances,” he said.

Junior Derek Frayer thought the different performers did a nice job.

“I thought it went really well,” he said.  “The band sounded good. All the groups sounded good, particularly the choirs.”

Sophomore Derek Rymill liked a performance of jazz music the most.

“My favorite performance was One-by-One,” he said. “It’s nice, easy, fun jazz music.”

Marks was  pleased with the student performers overall.

“I thought the students did fantastic,” he said. “The students have worked very hard to get where they are.”

Marks was also proud of the small number of glitches in the show. Those few glitches, though, are helping him to lean in the direction of holding a dry run of the concert next year, something that they have not yet done. Those small mistakes were more noticeable to performers than spectators.

“Some of the timing was off,” said Campbell. “That made it difficult if you were in multiple groups. You really didn’t have much time to get from one group to the next.”

However, that would be the only change made, as Marks is very pleased with the structure of the event.

Marks was also pleased with the response from the audience.

“It seemed like a very positive response to me,” he said.

This was a sentiment echoed by members of the audience, as well being shown physically. During the Adrian College fight song, close to half of the audience rose to their feet.

“It was a strong representation of our music program,” said freshman Cyle Rogotzke. “The Showcase Concert entices people to go to the actual concerts.”

More information on AC concerts can be found at www.adriancollegemusic.com.

Photographer Shelby Lee Adams spoke during convocation Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Adrian College. (Photo by Sarah Miller)

Garin Horner, assistant professor of art and design, introduced Adams by explaining how he came to be at AC. Horner met Adams at Photostock during the summer, when the men had the opportunity to have lunch together. During this encounter, Adams said something very interesting to Horner. He said he was making a photograph, not taking a photograph.

“The making a photograph implies a collaboration,” Horner said.

And collaborating is what Adams does, in more ways than one. Adams works with the people who live in the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky, in what Adams calls the Hollows or “Hollers.”

Adams said he photographs these people in the places they’ll be most comfortable because that’s where they’ll be the most natural.

“In the (1980s) I started asking people where they’d like to be photographed,” Adams said. Of course, according to him, they always chose locations where the lighting was really bad which made is necessary for him to begin using natural lighting and strobe lighting in conjunction with each other.

Adams said he never photographs people without getting to know them first. To do otherwise would be a social taboo as well as exceptionally rude. He also connects with people through their own social networks.

“We’re a formal people and like to be asked,” Adams said.

Instead of taking payment for his pictures, which people have offered, Adams asks his subjects to introduce them to their neighbors.

According to Adams, his uncle was the one who taught him how things worked among the mountain people. His uncle was a doctor who had a set price for every service, from delivering babies to general checkups. If people couldn’t pay the price he charged, Adams’ uncle was willing to take food or services like mowing his lawn or painting his garage.

Adams said the people in the Appalachians don’t like to accept handouts because so-called free handouts always come with a price tag, even if the giver doesn’t mean for one to be attached.

An example of this is when people from churches and organizations come to fix up a person’s house without finding out whether they own the property first. When they fix up the house, the landlord might start charging more rent, which the person occupying the house might not be able to pay.

According to Carissa Massey, assistant professor of art history, the people in the Appalachians do not choose to be poor. Even when they own land, they only own what’s on the surface. The mineral rights belong to other people and companies who resort to blast mining to get to the minerals under the surface. This type of mining destroys the land and causes large amounts of pollution, Massey said.

Because of this type of treatment, people in the Appalachians also don’t trust government representatives. According to Adams, the people in charge of programs that provide government aid hold it over their heads and constantly threaten to stop their payments and take away their children.

His uncle also told Adams not to flaunt his degrees. The mountain people would care more about the fact that Adams was once time a college professor, and who he is related to.

Another thing Adams touched on was the view of the mountain people as second-class citizens. They are often looked over or dismissed by people with a need to keep them in their place, Adams said.

“Contemporary art is about the language and discourse,” Massey said. According to her, a person has to be careful when criticizing art like his. To understand works like Adams’ pieces, a person has to know about Adam’s intention and process.

Massey also said Adams’ work is controversial. There are arguments that say he is trying to celebrate the culture of the Appalachian people, but there are other arguments that assert Adams is ding more harm than good.

“I think the subject matter was interesting,” senior Ashlee Hill said.

Hill said she’ll have to defend her senior art exhibit next semester and it was good to see how Adams addressed his works and the choices he made in his works.

“It was interesting to see how he defended what he took photos of,” Hill said.