Marriott to occupy hotel building
February 28, 2008
Troy Anthony Lirette
March 3, 2008It’s not often your senses can be engrossed in the arts during a single event. Nicholls State University has an arts and humanities bonanza during its 10th annual Jubilee: A Festival of the Arts and Humanities.
From March 1 to April 29, visitors will enjoy cultural, artistic and scholarly events, including original plays, musical performances, art exhibitions, literary and historical presentations, scientific discussions, workshops, poetry readings, lectures and culinary demonstrations. The events are open to the public and most are free of charge.
The idea for Jubilee was originally conceived as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nicholls State University.
“It was supposed to be a one-year festival,” said Angela Hammerli, co-organizer of the event. “I don’t know how, but we just kept on going.”
Jubilee kicks off March 1 through March 31 with “Recycled,” an art show coordinated by NSU’s Kappa Pi art club. It will be on display at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum in Houma.
A free artists’ reception will be held at the museum March 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.
On March 12, at the Le Bijou Theatre on the NSU campus, “Gabrielle” will air. Directed by Patrice Chereau, the film is based on the novel “The Return” by Joseph Conrad. Local filmmakers Glen Pitre and Michelle Benoit will be on hand to introduce the French film.
Drs. Jean-Mark Sens, Martha Serpas and Richard Collins, along with Dave Brinks and Denise Rogers will host a poetry reading March 13, beginning at 6 p.m., at Ellender Library.
That same night, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Talbot Theatre, the Nicholls Players Production will perform Tennessee Williams’ classic “The Glass Menagerie.” The show closes March 16 with a 3 p.m. matinee.
Other Jubilee events scheduled this month include a Cajun/Zydeco Dinner and Dance March 28 at NSU’s Bollinger Union. Musician Geno Delafose and the French Rockin’ Boogie are scheduled to entertain.
“When you see Geno Delafose and (the band) perform on stage, it’s amazing,” Hammerli said. “You can actually see that they are excited about what they’re doing. It’s just as rewarding to see the people dancing to their music.”
On March 30, the annual Blessing of the Fleet is held at the Chauvin Sculpture Gardens.
Early April events include a one-man show of “Bent to the Flame: A Night with Tennessee Williams,” featuring award-winning actor Doug Tempos, on April 1; a lecture by world class pianist Leon Bates April 2 and concert April 3; and the 5th annual Jubilee Jambalaya Writers’ Conference on April 5.
For a complete list of Jubilee events, visit www.gumbo.com.
