Carnival ah! showcases variety of Arts & Humanities

AUSTIN, TX (March 26, 2009) – Austin Community College, together with more than a dozen leading arts groups, invites residents to see and experience the joy of art during “Carnival ah!” Thursday through Saturday, April 2-4, at the Rio Grande Campus, 1212 Rio Grande St.

Carnival ah! includes three days of live drama, dance, and music performances, as well as literary readings, humanities discussions, and an open mike. Visitors also will have opportunities to discover their artist within – master classes and workshops are scheduled in creative writing, dance, music, film, theater, and humanities.

The event is free and open to the public.

“ACC is celebrating 35 years since its founding as well as 35 years of supporting the local arts community,” says Lyman Grant, dean of the ACC Arts and Humanities Division which is organizing Carnival ah! “We invite everyone to come and enjoy the incredible talent Central Texas has to offer.”

Below is a sample of what’s coming up. See austincc.edu/carnival for a daily schedule:

Theater – Run through an actor’s warm-up, or try your skill in an improvisation workshop. Or just sit back and enjoy two plays, including special performances of the Austin classic “In 2 the West” and “Moliere 2009: A French Classic Reloaded.” Natalie Marlena Goodnow will present her one-woman show “Muntu.”(A $6 donation is requested for admission to “In 2 the West” performances.)

Film – Faculty, staff, and student filmmakers will screen their work and hold discussions. Philip Randolph Fagan, recipient of a 2008 Texas Filmmakers Production Fund Grant, will present his documentary in progress. Sidney and Shelby Brammer premiere their film short of “The Flea Circus,” based on their father Billy Lee Brammer’s 1960s novel of Austin’s political life, “The Gay Place.” Following the premiere will be a panel discussion featuring Gary Cartwright, Nadine Eckhardt, Don Graham, Kaye Northcott, Jan Reid, and A.R. “Babe” Schwartz.

Literary – Writers will bring their words to life with readings and discussions. Stephen Kuusisto, of the University of Iowa, and Maxine Beach, of St. Louis Community College, will share their award-winning work. Jill Paterson, editor of “Iron Horse Literary Review” at Texas Tech University, will lead a workshop on editing journals. Paterson will then be joined by editors of several of Central Texas journals, including “Visions International,” “Borderlands,” “American Book Review,” and “Bat City Review.” ACC also celebrates the 10th year of the “Rio Review” student literary journal with a reception and readings by former ACC students Shawn Badgely, Paula Mendoza-Hanna, Lance Lawhon, Marita Peppard, Roberta Preston, Phaidra Vega-Harper, Nettie Hartsook, and Susan Stockton.

Dance– Sample the variety of student dance and choreography through open rehearsals, works-in-progress, improvisations, and finished works. Or explore your own dance in free master dance classes. The Asian American Cultural Center presents Hawaiian Kona Isle.
Art Gallery and Sale – View student paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and more. You can also take home your favorite artwork – many of the selections are available for purchase.

Live Music – Rock, folk, blues, and punk will take the stage, along with a performance by the Austin Girls’ School Orchestra. Also, add your voice to a community sing-along led by the Austin Lyric Opera’s Armstrong Community Music School.

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About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 35,700 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”

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