2008 Woodie Awards
Arts & Issues lineup to celebrate 50th anniversary
Catherine Klene
Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: A&E
It isn't often students get to hear the classic folk tunes of Judy Collins or Arlo Guthrie live, then one month later listen to one of the most highly decorated U.S. Army generals in history discuss the war on terrorism.
Follow that up with a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert and a Pulitzer Prize winning author, as well as a critically acclaimed jazz and blues singer and a contemporary playwright and actress, and it is safe to say a wave of talent and culture will smash into SIUE during this year's Arts & Issues series.
Each year, the College of Arts and Sciences brings in talent from around the world to expose the SIUE community to a vast array of topics and ideas. Arts & Issues director Grant Andree said this year the incoming acts and speakers were chosen with a specific purpose in mind.
"It's a special series for celebrating the 50th anniversary because of the artists that we're bringing in and their connection to the university," Andree said.
The seven acts listed for the 2007 season are Judy Collins, Gen. Barry R. McCaffery, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sandra Reeves-Phillips, Arlo Guthrie, Anna Deavere Smith and Anna Quindlen.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker pioneered the Arts & Issues series 15 years ago and also played an integral part in the planning of this year's line-up.
The former Arts & Issues director stepped down from the position in January, and as the College of Arts and Sciences searched for a new director, Walker stepped into his old shoes to help line up talent for this year.
Walker said this year's acts are an encore presentation of performances and speakers from the past 50 years.
"All of the artists have been here before," Walker said. "These are people who are making history."
Andree said artists such as Collins and Phillips have a special link to SIUE through the Mississippi River Festival.
"Judy Collins was here five times, and Arlo was here four, so we're very lucky to book those two in our 50th anniversary season," Andree said.
Follow that up with a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert and a Pulitzer Prize winning author, as well as a critically acclaimed jazz and blues singer and a contemporary playwright and actress, and it is safe to say a wave of talent and culture will smash into SIUE during this year's Arts & Issues series.
Each year, the College of Arts and Sciences brings in talent from around the world to expose the SIUE community to a vast array of topics and ideas. Arts & Issues director Grant Andree said this year the incoming acts and speakers were chosen with a specific purpose in mind.
"It's a special series for celebrating the 50th anniversary because of the artists that we're bringing in and their connection to the university," Andree said.
The seven acts listed for the 2007 season are Judy Collins, Gen. Barry R. McCaffery, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sandra Reeves-Phillips, Arlo Guthrie, Anna Deavere Smith and Anna Quindlen.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration Rich Walker pioneered the Arts & Issues series 15 years ago and also played an integral part in the planning of this year's line-up.
The former Arts & Issues director stepped down from the position in January, and as the College of Arts and Sciences searched for a new director, Walker stepped into his old shoes to help line up talent for this year.
Walker said this year's acts are an encore presentation of performances and speakers from the past 50 years.
"All of the artists have been here before," Walker said. "These are people who are making history."
Andree said artists such as Collins and Phillips have a special link to SIUE through the Mississippi River Festival.
"Judy Collins was here five times, and Arlo was here four, so we're very lucky to book those two in our 50th anniversary season," Andree said.
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