November 21, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Islamic Cultural Celebration: Islam Through The Ages

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Islamic culture and religion has evolved and transformed over the centuries, broadening its traditional principles to become more open and progressive while still maintaining the integrity of its spiritual origins. Over time, events in Islamic culture have enlightened and even contributed to modern society. The Islamic Student Association and James Farmer Multicultural Center invite you to celebrate the vast Islamic culture and discover how it fits in with contemporary Western ideologies and values. Increase your awareness of the many Islamic contributions to the overall achievements of humanity, whether they be technological, ethical, cultural, or moral.

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Henna Night
Monday, November 28
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 5 p.m.

The art of Henna is often thought of as being part of Islamic religion, but, in fact, it is part of its culture. The decorative body art has been in existence longer than Islam and is celebrated by individuals from around the world. Please join the Islamic Student Association as they address the history of Henna in combination with the opportunity to express yourself in utilizing this form of body art.

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Islamic Invention Display
Tuesday, November 29
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

While the Dark Ages consumed most of the world, the Islamic Empire carried the light of human civilization. Ranging from India to Spain, the Islamic Empire, from the Caliphates to the Ottoman Empire, were the world’s leaders in technology, medicine, and innovation. Come explore the inventions and discoveries that the Islamic Empire has contributed to the history of the world and modern society.

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Islam And Science: Movie Night
Film and Discussion
Wednesday, November 30
Monroe Hall, Room 116; 6:30 p.m.

Terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali are all Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science – there would not be modern mathematics or physics without algebra, computers without algorithms, or chemistry without alkalis. Join Physicist Jim Al-Khalili in a captivating documentary, as he travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia, and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th Centuries.

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Islamic Cultural Banquet
Cultural Awareness Series Keynote Speaker: Imam Yahya Hendi
Thursday, December 1
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 6 p.m.

The Islamic Cultural Banquet offers traditional food, fellowship, and a keynote lecture from Imam Yahya Hendi. Imam Hendi is the Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown University, the first American university to hire a full-time Muslim Chaplain. He has written numerous publications on many topics, including Islam and biomedical ethics, and religion and Islam in the United States. A sought-after speaker, Imam Hendi has presented a multitude of interfaith and general lectures in the U.S., Asia, Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and the Middle East over the past 14 years. He has traveled to more than 63 countries and 45 U.S. states for conferences.

 

 

 

Native American Cultural Keynote Performer: Bill Miller

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Monday, Nov. 14

7 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

For years, Bill Miller’s music has moved audiences around the world. An icon of the Native American music community, Miller has won three Grammys in the last four years. Through music and discussion, Miller illustrates the relationship between majority and minority cultures. Instead of teaching tolerance and assimilation, he promotes a redemptive culture of understanding and peace.

 

 

 

 

GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration| Stand Out! Speak Up!| (October 19-28)

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STAND OUT! SPEAK UP!

If all people are to get the same opportunities and rights, then everyone must Stand Out! Speak Up! Societal norms seem to be shifting, queer rights and other GLBTTQQIAAP issues are becoming more prevalent in American politics. There have been legal victories, but there’s still a long way to travel on the road to egalitarianism. Join PRISM – People for the Rights of Sexual Minorities – and the James Farmer Multicultural Center to celebrate the courage to stand out and speak up for one’s beliefs and values.

GLBTTQQIAAP Kickoff Celebration
October 19
4-6 p.m., Ball Circle
(Rain location: Great Hall,Woodard Campus Center)

PRISM welcomes the entire campus community to share in a kickoff celebration that fuses food, live music, and fun. Read “PostSecret” style coming-out stories and be inspired by the experiences, struggles, and victories of your peers.

In this corner….. Fight for Your Rights Panel Discussion
October 20
6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

Join faculty, staff, and students as they discuss the many issues facing queer students at UMW. Learn about resources and tools that encourage positive change so you’ll be equipped to Speak Up!

PRISM Prom – Rio Carnival
October 22
8 p.m., Great Hall,Woodard Campus Center
Cost: $3
(Formal attire strongly encouraged)

Standing out at the high school prom might have made for a bad memory, but the memorable PRISM Prom can help undo all that. Look great and proudly stand out while you enjoy all the prom’s trappings – music, dancing, photos, and refreshments.

Changing Time, Changing Policies?
Debate on Protected Classes
October 24
6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

UMW students debate whether sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in Virginia and whether they should be included in the non-discrimination policies of Virginia’s colleges and universities. Stand out and speak up on the issues that affect your community.

GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Andrea Gibson
October 26
7 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

A powerful live performer, Andrea Gibson is the winner of the 2008 Women’s World Poetry Slam and has placed third in the world on two international poetry slam stages. With Gibson, the personal is political. Her themes deconstruct gender norms, sexuality, class, patriarchy, and white-supremacist capitalist culture.

Queer Film Festival
Featuring Milk and The Birdcage
October 27
6 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center
(For mature audiences)

Milk tells the story of American gay rights activist Harvey Milk and his struggles as the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California.

The Birdcage illustrates how standing out and speaking up can be difficult. A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to their son’s request to put up a straight front when his fiancée’s anti-gay, moralistic parents come to call.

Latino Identities Month 2011 “Our Heritage is a Celebration”

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Rich in heritage and history, the Latino culture embodies the essence of diversity. As we learn and understand the significant impact this fascinating culture has had within the United States and beyond, our society will begin to understand the unique threads that fuse individuals from an array of backgrounds and interests together into one harmonious celebration of life. Exploring the various ethnicities that personify the Latino culture, the Latino Student Association  and James Farmer Multicultural Center invite you on a journey to travel the world in order to celebrate our heritage and yours!

Kickoff Celebration

Featuring Kevin Davis and Ban Caribe

September 15| 4-6 p.m.| Ball Circle

(Rain location: Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center)

Begin the journey of exploring Latino culture through a celebration that fuses food, live entertainment, and fun. Meet members of the Latino Student Association and discover what wonderful programs are featured throughout the month.

Latino Culture in the United States

D.R.E.A.M. Act or Nightmare?

Exploring the Impact of the D.R.E.A.M. Act on the U.S. Economy and Educational System

September 19| 6 p.m.| Lee Hall, 411

Facilitated by UMW Associate Professor College of Business , Raul Chavez

Cultural Awareness Series & Latino Identities Month Keynote Speaker Bobby González

September 21| 7 p.m.| Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Bobby González is a nationally known multicultural motivational speaker, storyteller, and poet. Born and raised in the South Bronx, New York City, González grew up in a bicultural environment. He draws on his Native American − Taino − and Latino − Puerto Rican − roots to offer a unique repertoire of discourses, readings, and performances that celebrates his indigenous heritage.

Latino Culture in Central America and the Caribbean

Please Don’t Stop the Music: An Exploration of Latin Roots in Popular Music

September 26| 6 p.m.| Lee Hall, 411

Zumba Bash

Featuring Certified Zumba Instructor, Carlos Reyes

September 28| 6 p.m.| Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

(Recommended for adult audiences)

Latino Culture in South America

Read Between the Lines…

Literary Seminar highlighting authors Gabriel Garcia Marquez &Mario Vargas Llosa

October 3| 6p.m.| Lee Hall, 411

Facilitated by UMW Assistant Professor of Spanish, Mariá Laura Bocaz

Taste of Latino Culture

Dinner Theatre Featuring Quique Aviles

October 5| 5-7 p.m.| Faculty/Staff Dining Room, Seacobeck Hall

Combining authentic South American cuisine and the poetic talents of Quique Aviles, participants are invited to continue their journey and celebration of Latino culture and heritage. Quique Aviles is a poet and performer whose talents address social issues. A native of El Salvador and a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Quique has been writing and performing in the United States for over 20 years. His poetry has been featured on NPR’s “Latino USA” and on subway posters through Washington’s “Metro Muse.” A 1991 recipient of the Washington, DC Mayor’s Arts Awards, he is founder and artistic director of Sol & Soul, where he continues a lifelong commitment to mentoring emerging artists and helping young people find their voice.

Latino Culture in Spain & Beyond

Is the World Going Broke?

The Economic and Cultural State of Spain

October 10| 6 p.m.| Lee Hall, 411

Feria

October 12| 4-6 p.m.| Ball Circle

(Rain location: Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center)

The Latino Identities Month cultural journey culminates with a celebration filled with an array of festivities to include live entertainment, dancing, and a fashion show provided by members of the UMW campus community.

 

Cultural Awareness Series 2011-2012

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Over the past 18 years, the Cultural Awareness Series has grown more successful and has become highly anticipated thanks to your continued support. The James Farmer Multicultural Center invites you to join us for a new and exciting year. The speakers and performances scheduled for this year’s Cultural Awareness Series aim to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity in race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, age, and culture.

A detailed list of scheduled speakers and performers can be found at www.umw.edu/multicultural. For questions, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or visit our office in Lee Hall, room 211.

Latino Identities Month Keynote Speaker: Bobby González

Wednesday, Sept. 21 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Andrea Gibson

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | Lee Hall, 411

Asian Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Tai Yim Kung Fu School Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstrations

Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Taste of Asia

Friday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Co-sponsored by the Asian Student Association

 Native American Cultural Keynote Performer: Bill Miller

Monday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

 Jewish Cultural Celebration Keynote Speaker: Roya Hakakian

Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Islamic Cultural Celebration Banquet

Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Co-sponsored by the Islamic Student Association

Kwanzaa

Monday, Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

 Co-Sponsored by the Black Student Association

The University of Mary Washington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 4 p.m. | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Sponsored by the Office of the President

The James Farmer Visiting Professor Lecturer and Black History Month Keynote Speaker: Dr. Angela Davis

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Co-sponsored by the James Farmer Visiting Professor Committee

Step Show Competition

Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7 p.m. | Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall | Cost: $7 general admission, $5 UMW

Women’s History Month Keynote Speaker: Dr. Danielle McGuire

Thursday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Passover

Monday, April 9 | 6 p.m. | Faculty/Staff Dining Room, Seacobeck Hall

 For cost please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Student Association

22nd Annual Multicultural Fair

Saturday, April 14 − rain or shine | 10 a.m. − 5 p.m. | UMW campus

 

Cultural Awareness Series 2011-2012

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Over the past 18 years, the Cultural Awareness Series has grown more successful and has become highly anticipated thanks to your continued support. The James Farmer Multicultural Center invites you to join us for a new and exciting year. The speakers and performances scheduled for this year’s Cultural Awareness Series aim to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of diversity in race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, age, and culture.

A detailed list of scheduled speakers and performers can be found at www.umw.edu/multicultural. For questions, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or visit our office in Lee Hall, room 211.

Latino Identities Month Keynote Speaker: Bobby González

Wednesday, Sept. 21 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Andrea Gibson

Wednesday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | Lee Hall, 411

Asian Cultural Celebration Keynote Performer: Tai Yim Kung Fu School Lion Dance and Kung Fu Demonstrations

Wednesday, Nov. 2 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Taste of Asia

Friday, Nov. 4 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Co-sponsored by the Asian Student Association

 Native American Cultural Keynote Performer: Bill Miller

Monday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

 Jewish Cultural Celebration Keynote Speaker: Roya Hakakian

Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Islamic Cultural Celebration Banquet

Thursday, Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Co-sponsored by the Islamic Student Association

Kwanzaa

Monday, Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

 Co-Sponsored by the Black Student Association

The University of Mary Washington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

Wednesday, Jan. 18 | 4 p.m. | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Sponsored by the Office of the President

The James Farmer Visiting Professor Lecturer and Black History Month Keynote Speaker: Dr. Angela Davis

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Co-sponsored by the James Farmer Visiting Professor Committee

Step Show Competition

Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7 p.m. | Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall | Cost: $7 general admission, $5 UMW

Women’s History Month Keynote Speaker: Dr. Danielle McGuire

Thursday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Passover

Monday, April 9 | 6 p.m. | Faculty/Staff Dining Room, Seacobeck Hall

 For cost please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Student Association

22nd Annual Multicultural Fair

Saturday, April 14 − rain or shine | 10 a.m. − 5 p.m. | UMW campus

 

Islamic Cultural Week 2011

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“Stereotypical Islam: Dispelling the Myths, Labels, and Prejudices Surrounding Islamic Culture “

There is no poster child for Islam. It is a religion and culture that is constructed of a diverse community that cannot be defined by media images and the acts of extremists. In truth, Islam is a peaceful and open religion; one that is often typecast based on the false myths, labels, and prejudices created by various forms of media. The Islamic Student Association and James Farmer Multicultural Center aim to educate the members of the campus and greater community about the truths of Islamic culture and increase the acceptance levels of not only the members of the Islamic community, but all individuals who have suffered from intolerance.

Are you a Terrorist?

Film and Discussion • Monday, January 24
Lee Hall, Room 411; 5 p.m.
Please join the Islamic Student Association for the viewing of The Road to Guantanamo Bay. This film is a docudrama about “The Tipton Three,” three British men who were held in Guantanamo Bay by the United States government for two years. The film features interviews and archival footage to tell the story of possible abuse by the government in the name of fear. The film will be followed by a discussion about the actions that took place during the years these men were imprisoned and whether prejudices toward Islamic culture influenced these actions.

Muslims and Miniskirts: What you Don’t Know about Islamic Fashion

Fashion Show • Tuesday, January 25
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 7 p.m.
Fashion in Islamic culture is certainly not confined to niqabs and kufis. It is just as diverse as the culture itself; filled with elements of self expression, wonderful colors, and a variety that ultimately dispels the stereotypical images media provide of the men and women of Islam. Members of the UMW community will model various fashions to highlight how different and actually modern the clothing and culture of Islam can be.

Henna Night

Wednesday, January 26
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 5 p.m.
The art of Henna is often thought of as being a part of Islamic religion, but in fact it is part of its culture. The decorative body art has been in existence longer than Islam and is celebrated by individuals from around the world. Please join the Islamic Student Association as they address the history of Henna in combination with providing individuals the opportunity to express themselves utilizing this form of body art.

Islamic Cultural Banquet

Cultural Awareness Series Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Liyakat Takim
Thursday, January 27
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 6 p.m.
The Islamic Cultural Banquet offers traditional foods, fellowship, and a keynote lecture from Dr. Liyakat Takim. Dr. Takim is the Sharjah Chair in Global Islam at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He has written over 70 scholarly works on Islam in America, both pre- and post-9/11.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For more information, contact James Farmer Multicultural Center, 540/654-1044,  Lee Hall, Room 211 | www.umw.edu/multicultural

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week

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“Letter From the Birmingham Jail”: Breakfast & Discussion

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Place: Faculty/Staff Dining, Seacobeck Hall

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” These famous words written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his open letter titled, “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” still ring true today. The program will feature a panel discussion including UMW faculty members regarding the spirit and compelling message of Dr. King’s Letter. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs and the Fredericksburg chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., an organization in which Dr. King was a member.

Kwanzaa

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Reservations are preferred but not required for this event; please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540/654-1044.

Kwanzaa was established by Dr. Maulana Karenga and first celebrated on Dec. 26, 1966. It was created in order to enhance the value of unity throughout the African and African-American communities as a non-religious, week-long holiday celebrating and honoring African culture and heritage throughout the world. Traditionally celebrated Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting, pouring of libations, and culminating in a feast and gift giving. Please join us as we partake in the activities and rituals of Kwanzaa as well as enjoy a feast together.  This event is cosponsored by the James Farmer Multicultural Center and the Black Student Association.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON’S DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Nontombi Naomi Tutu

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

Time: 7 p.m.; reception to follow in Trinkle Hall Rotunda

Place: Dodd Auditorium

Sponsored by the Office of the President
The challenges of growing up black and female in apartheid South Africa led Naomi Tutu to her present role as an activist for human rights. Her experiences have taught her how much we all lose when any of us is judged purely on physical attributes. The third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu, Naomi Tutu was born in South Africa and has also lived in Lesotho, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She was educated in Swaziland, the U.S., and England, and she has divided her adult life between South Africa and the U.S. Growing up the “daughter of” has offered her many opportunities and challenges. Most important of these has been the challenge to find her own place in the world. She has taken up the challenge and channeled the opportunities that she has been given to raise her voice as a champion for the dignity of all.

Tutu has served as a development consultant in West Africa and a program coordinator for programs on race, gender, and gender-based violence in education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. She has also taught at the universities of Hartford and Connecticut and at Brevard College. Tutu began her public speaking as a college student at Berea College in Kentucky in the 1970s when she was invited to speak at churches, community groups, colleges, and universities about her experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa. Since that time she has become a much sought after speaker for groups as varied as business associations, professional conferences, meetings of elected officials, and church and civic organizations. In her speeches she blends the passion for human dignity with humor and personal stories.

Tutu has also led truth and reconciliation workshops for groups dealing with different types of conflict. Together with Rose Bator she presents a workshop titled “Building Bridges: Dealing with Issues of Race and Racism.” The two also lead women’s retreats through their organization Sister Sojourner. They are also writing a book, I Don’t Think of You as Black: Honest Conversations on Race and Racism.

Tutu is a consultant for two organizations that reflect the breadth of her involvement in issues of human rights, including the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence, founded by renowned author Riane Eisler, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams, and the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In this empowering keynote speech, Naomi Tutu combines Dr. King’s dream of the “Beloved Community” with the teachings of a South African proverb, speaking to the need to understand how our actions – or inactions – affect ourselves and all with whom we come into contact. Rather than focus on what separates us, Tutu encourages us to focus on our shared humanity in order to build a just world. Both the “Beloved Community” and the proverb share an underlying theme: the importance of not dehumanizing those with whom we are in conflict and instead concentrating on what we have the power to change.

The Celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will also include a week-long community service challenge at UMW. All students, faculty, and staff members will be charged with serving the greater Fredericksburg community.

Asian Cultural Celebration

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Asia is the world’s largest continent, occupied by roughly four billion people dispersed among 47 different countries. Within each country is a wealth of diverse cultures, traditions, and lifestyles influenced by uniquely different people. Yet, despite the 17 million square miles encompassing the land mass, from the vast icy expanses of Siberian Russia to the dense tropics of Indonesia, from the far western reaches of the Middle East to the rich traditions of the Far East, the unique heart of Asia unifies the distinctive worlds into one reflection.
This is the reflection of Asia, a continent beaming with historical tradition. The voices of long forgotten emperors still resound inside the ruins of the great Chinese dynasties, their precedents and ideals have long since been adopted and evolved into the fabric of thriving nations such as Korea and Japan. The rice fields of Southeast Asia lend heavy influence to eclectic cuisines from Thailand to the Philippines, and the majestic palaces in India still stand strong amidst threats of colonization and division.
Through all the triumph and tribulation, the people of Asia hold on to the values of humanity. Family and love stand as the strongest of them all. Like a spectrum of light, which encompasses every single color but is visible only as a luminous white, so is this great continent, where every single culture shines in all its glory and reflects a single, beautiful Asia.
The James Farmer Multicultural Center and Asian Student Association strive to teach and encourage tolerance and acceptance. Through this celebration, we seek to educate the UMW and Fredericksburg-area communities on the richness and many facets of Asian heritage and culture.
– James Farmer Multicultural Center and the Asian Student Association

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Nov. 1
Asian Anonymous


7 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411


Join UMW campus and community members as they discuss and explore the many triumphs and tribulations associated with being Asian on the campus of a predominantly white institution. Learn more about the various experiences our students, faculty, and staff face at UMW as well as within the greater community and how those experiences have influenced their views about acceptance and pride.

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Nov. 3
Asian Cultural Week Keynote Performance
Boba Stories


7 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center


Hereandnow theatre company is proud to bring home Boba Stories, a collaborative work featuring refreshing personal tales with lots of Asian flavor. Originally conceived in 2001, Boba Stories is a collection of vignettes incorporating storytelling, poetry, dance, video, and music. It has been touring universities and festival venues throughout the United States since its inception.
Boba is a popular Asian drink made of tapioca balls mixed with anything iced, from coffee to tea to fruit juices. But beyond being a drink with a funky texture and a fun sound, it represents a special meaning to the creative team of hereandnow. “Boba actually takes a long time to make and each piece is unique,” says Artistic Director John Miyasaki, “and to have a boba drink that tastes good, you need to pay attention to it the entire time it’s being made.” The same goes for this show – each piece and person is unique and shaped by the paths of life. Please join us as we celebrate the uniqueness and life of Asian culture.

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Nov. 5
Taste of Asia


7 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center
Cost: $3 general admission, $1 UMW student admission or one canned good item for donation


A celebration of Asian culture, Taste of Asia is one of the more well-known events at the University of Mary Washington. Taste of Asia educates the community about the different aspects of Asian societies and the different cultures and lifestyles that they embody. Complete with a fashion show, dance performances, and a variety of ethnic foods, the event provides an inviting and festive atmosphere. The Asian Student Association works closely with other student organizations and local businesses to plan the much anticipated program. For advance ticket information, contact
dkim@mail.umw.edu

GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration

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Outside the Box: Transcending Labels, Prejudices, and Stereotypes of Gender and Sexuality

People assign so many labels – man, woman, straight, gay, white, black – that we get focused on seeing differences in one another and forget how alike we all are. When we accept the identities people define themselves by, we discover being human is more than one word can capture. PRISM, People for the Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities, promotes discussion and learning about sexual orientation and gender identity. Our acronym – GLBTTQQIAAP: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, ally, asexual, and pansexual – is just one way for us to define our identities. The James Farmer Multicultural Center and PRISM strive to teach tolerance and acceptance of each member of the community. Through this celebration, we seek to educate the UMW and Fredericksburg-area communities on the spectrum of gender identities, how sexuality and gender are distinguishable, and how we can embrace a world where people think outside the simple notions of “male” or “female.”

– James Farmer Multicultural Center & People for
the Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities

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Oct. 18
GLBTTQQIAAP Kickoff Celebration

5-7 p.m., Ball Circle

Everyone’s invited to enjoy music, games, and refreshments
at PRISM’s second annual GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration!
Read “PostSecret” style coming-out stories and be inspired by
the experiences of your peers. Email umwprism@gmail.com.

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Oct. 19
GLBTTQQIAAP 101

5-7 p.m., Seacobeck Hall, Dome Room
Dinner costs one meal card swipe, $8.85 Flex, or $9.90 for
EagleOne, cash, or credit cards.

Stop by after dinner for dessert of cake and sherbet, and learn
more about the GLBTTQQIAAP community. Co-sponsored by
Dining Services. Email umwprism@gmail.com.

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Oct. 20
Queer Film Festival
Red Without Blue and XXY

6-10 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411
(Parental discretion advised)

PRISM’s sixth annual film fest, co-sponsored by Orpheum,
features two films, followed by a discussion. Email
umwprism@gmail.com.
Red Without Blue: Using candid interviews, this
documentary follows a pair of identical twins for three years
as one transitions from male to female. What appeared to be a
happy childhood is revealed to have been tragic. Memories of
it are interwoven with the twins’ present desire to reunite and
reconcile their differences with their parents, each other, and
their inner selves.
XXY: Alex, an intersex teenager, was raised as a girl, but
faces the emotional and hormonal turmoil of uncertain gender.
As puberty forces hard decisions, this Spanish film shows Alex
exploring her sexual identity, her difficult relationship with her
family, and her ultimate self-discovery.

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Oct. 21
Sex and the Founding Fathers: George Washington,
Manhood without Issue, from Weems to Wikipedia

7 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

Dr. Thomas Foster, director of DePaul University GLBTQ
Studies, discusses the public memory of George Washington’s
personal life, which reveals 18th-century connections between
sex and masculinity and traces them through the modern
era. Foster will also explore the interconnected discourses
of sex and manliness as linked to the national project of
remembering George Washington as a model man in his public
and private life. Foster’s op-ed columns have appeared in the
San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Sun-Times.
He is author of the upcoming New Men: Manliness in
Early America. Co-sponsored by the Dept. of History and
American Studies and the Women’s and Gender Studies
Program.

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Oct. 25
Panel Discussion
Study Abroad: Exploring Gender and Sexuality
Around the World

6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

Embark on a cultural journey without having to pack your
bags! Join UMW PRISM members, faculty, staff, and students
to discuss gender and sexuality in various cultures. Email
umwprism@gmail.com. Co-sponsored by Gender Neutral
Housing.

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Oct. 27
Open Mic Night

7:30 p.m., The Washroom, Woodard Campus Center

PRISM celebrates every kind of identity, so join us for a night
of self-expression! Through short stories, spoken word, poetry,
personal accounts, music, art, and more, individuals are
invited to express themselves using every creative and artistic
outlet. If you want to perform, please contact Lee Gilliam at
lee.gilliam@gmail.com.

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Oct. 29
PRISM’s GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration Keynote
Performance Katastrophe and Athens Boys Choir

7 p.m., Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
(Parental discretion advised)

Rapper and producer Katastrophe (Rocco
Kayiatos) weaves a lyrical tapestry of
personal themes, protest, funky and soulful
beats, and rap riffs. One of hip-hop’s first
openly transgender artists, Katastrophe’s
debut album earned him Out Music Awards’
Producer of the Year. His music has been
featured on MTV’s LOGO and Showtime’s
The L Word. His latest album, The Worst Amazing, is a
coming-of-age triumph over addiction and depression.
Katz began touring as Athens Boys Choir (ABC) in 2003 and
released the debut album Rhapsody in T. As Athens Boys
Choir, Katz fuses hip-hop with sharp humor to create edgy and
engaging music. He delivers spoken-word pieces that deal with
issues such as gender, love, sex, and politics. Warning: Katz
may shock sensibilities. He doesn’t push the envelope,
he shoves it!

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Oct. 30
Charity Prom and Dance-a-thon

8 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center
Cost: $3
(Formal attire strongly encouraged)

If you missed the prom or just want to relive it, here’s a
second chance – with a twist. PRISM offers you the prom’s
trappings – to music, dancing, photos, and refreshments – and
the opportunity to help a great cause. All Dance-Throughthe-
Decades Dance-a-thon donations and pledges go
Richmond’s Fan Free Clinic Transgender Program.
Co-sponsored by Gender Neutral Housing.
Email umwprism@gmail.com.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural
Center at ; Lee Hall, 211 or at www.umw.edu/multicultural