There are two events that have been rescheduled due to the recent winter weather. Tonight's Soul Food Night at ASU's Military Science Building has been moved to next Thursday night, February 13th, and "An Evening of Trumpet and Piano" will take place Sunday afternoon at three p.m. Here are the releases:
The Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter (S-TAC) of the Arkansas State University Alumni Association will host the 9th annual “Soul Food Day” on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Military Science Building (formerly the Armory) at 1921 Aggie Road.
This year’s theme is “Remembering Life Cycle Transitions,” emphasizing the role that food plays in all major life events, such as births, weddings, reunions, and funerals. The common thread is the good food and fellowship people experience as they transition to each life cycle.
The event is sponsored by the A-State Multicultural Center, Delta Studies Center, and the Office of Diversity.
The Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter of the ASU Alumni Association, formed in 1982 by a small group of African-American alumni, is named after Walter B. Strong and Frederick C. Turner, the first African-American graduates of Arkansas State.
S-TAC sponsors many activities, programs, and events designed to strengthen the existing bond between A-State, the city of Jonesboro, and surrounding communities.
Soul Food Day began in 2004 with only 50 people attending.
“The event has grown tremendously since then,” according to Peggy Wright, Soul Food Committee chair. “Last year, we had between 300-400 people and we expect more to attend this year.”
She added that Soul Food Day continues to unify people of diverse cultures, both on and off campus, through the sampling of a variety of different foods.
This year, Soul Food Day will include a "Best Sweet Potato Pie Contest." To enter the "Best Sweet Potato Pie Contest," individuals may submit their name, address, phone number, and $5 entry fee to: S-TAC, P.O. Box 2577, State University, AR 72467-2577 or email S-TAC at strongturnerasu@gmail.com.
Soul Food Day is open to all students, faculty, staff, Jonesboro community members, and others across the northeast Arkansas region.
For more details, those interested may contact Wright at (870) 680-8214.
Dr. Chris Wilson and Dr. Lauren Schack Clark, faculty members in the Department of Music at Arkansas State University, will present a recital Sunday, Feb. 9.
The recital, which begins at 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, 2412 Quapaw Way, is admission free and open to all.
Selections to be performed include: “Concerto in D” by Giuseppe Torelli, “Concerto in E-flat” by J.N. Hummel, “Avalon” by Sy Brandon, “Centennial Horizon,” for trumpet and piano, by Kevin McKee, and “Legend” by Georges Enesco.
Christopher Wilson, assistant professor of trumpet, is a native of Russellville. He completed his bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in music performance at the University of Arkansas, and received his doctoral degree in musical arts from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
He recently premiered David Sampson’s “Serenade for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble” at the College Band Directors National Association Convention in Las Cruces, N. M., as well as “Counterwork for Trumpet/Flugelhorn, Marimba, and Piano” at the International Trumpet Guild Conference. Last July he released his first solo album, “New Horizons.”
Prior to his appointment at A-State, Wilson was a member of the U.S. Air Force Band, with which he performed extensively. He also is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Lauren Schack Clark has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist throughout the U.S. and Europe, and is associate professor of piano and director of keyboard studies. Her CD on Centaur Records contains piano music by Boston composer Dr. Rosey Lee. She has also recorded on the Emeritus, Mark, and Vienna Modern Masters labels.
Her book, “Keyboard Theory and Piano Technique,” is published by Longbow Publishing. Among her many appearances, she has performed at the International Double Reed, Tuba/Euphonium, and Trumpet Guild Conferences.
She has been voted Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association, and her students have won first prizes in many local and regional competitions. She is the immediate past president of the Arkansas State Music Teachers Association.
Clark holds a doctor of music arts degree from Boston University, a master's from Northwestern, a graduate diploma from the Longy School of Music, and a bachelor’s from the Hartt School of Music.
