Newspapers / Mars Hill University Student … / Oct. 2, 1987, edition 1 / Page 1
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duate rtmui" rk/stu ear-4Vol.61.No.2 y. isli Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North Carolina Friday, October 2,1987 angua' it a Gi acem move /here nd t progn sight f you md 10, m. to Students Voice Opposition to Community Life "program lien Kromer aff Writer 1 peric to beWhen the Community Life Program d servs introduced, individuals in both brouj sophomore and junior classes luggestire somewhat disgruntled by the nmittee;t that yet another requirement had chanfen added on to existing require- progr^nts for graduation, itry Co(n reaction to this new require- ist Bar.nt, a group of concerned students 1 popcts verbalized its opinion and has day. ten up the fight to do away with orm visw attendance requirements that will brb a result of the Community Lite nt ideaogram. ) your dScott McKinney, self-proclaimed us ytbkesman for the group, recently trifled the position that the pro- iters held and also discussed the lions that had already been taken the group. McKinney was also supportive of 0 concept of the Community Life •ogram and said that “it is impor- gA for the college to foster a sense of ^A^mmimity." He also added that by stilling community awareness, the culty was insuring that Mars Hill aduates of the future would “learn ore than to add and subtract,” >g :t is not an attack on the program, it s an attack on the implementation )f the program. “It is not an attack on the program, is an attack on the implementation the program” he stated. The major int of disagreement is the attend ee requirement that is in effect for rrent juniors and sophomores, he reason we are fighting it is that majority of the sophomore and jun- : classes is against it” he added. The members of this majority have pressed their support for with awing the attendance requirements signing a petition put into circula- jn by Scotty McNeil. McKinney esti- ated that more than fifty percent of th the sophomore and junior class- had signed the petition and had ex- essed concern about the outcome of 3 movement. In addition to the petition, other annels were being followed to ike the protest successful. McKin- y said that on Thursday, September , he was going to present the oup's complaint to the Curriculum immittee in an effort to make the at- idance void for sophomores and liors. Although he could not predict the tcome of the meeting, McKinney id that he thought that a compro- se would be the result. Since the licies concerning the Community "e Program were put into effect ring the spring of 1986, juniors ght be excused from the require- loe Pizzo — From Blue ind Gold To Brown lenn Smith aorts Editor Thanks to the strike by NFL play- ?s, former Mars Hill Lion standout le Pizzo is getting another shot at rofessional football with the Cleve- .nd Browns. Pizzo, an All-District srformer in his two years at MHC, ift Wednesday morning (9/23) on his ay to the Cleveland training camp in erea, Ohio. Pizzo received a $1,000 anus for signing and will reportedly iceive $5,000 per game. In reaction to NFL players reported ouse of “scab” players, Pizzo said. I’m sure we’re going to take a lot of at, but the money’s too good. And a 'IIIH SJEI/* people don’t even get one II.H ’^'lance to play in the NFL. I can’t pass UlJ3d up.” J Even though it would put his job in S n opardy, Pizzo says he would like to iljojj-uof® 3n early end to the strike. Pizzo Ided, “To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ay a game. It won’t last over a eek.” Regardless of the length of the strike, this will be another chance for professional scouts and coaches to get another look at Pizzo, and that can only be a plus for his future. A Dancer's Life: The North Carolina Dance Theater ments because they would have been attending Mars Hill College at that time. McKinney also theorized that the sophomores would probably be held accountable for attendance because the policies would have been in effect before they arrived as freshmen at Mars Hill. McKinney said that the students are not the only ones who are con cerned with the outcome of the pro test. He said that most of the faculty members that he had talked with had expressed disapproval for imposing new rules such as the attendance re quirements on upperclassmen. When the Community Life Program was approved in 1986, nineteen fac ulty members voted against the pro gram. Since then, other faculty mem bers have become disenchanted with the program, McKinney said. One controversy resulted from the list of approved events that the Community Life Program revolves around. McKinney said that some faculty members felt that the list was not ex tensive enough and did not accurately represent the concerns of the whole campus. If the decision reached by the Cur riculum Committee is unsatisfactory. Becky Horner Staff Writer The lights go down and the music starts. Figures materialize on the stage, moving with such grace that it is difficult to believe that they are subject to the laws of gravity. Anoth er night has begun for the North Caro lina Dance Theater (NCDT), and the dancers once more reap the rewards of long hours of hard work and dedication. Founded in 1970 by Robert Lind- gren, the NCDT is a professional ballet company. Currently, it has about 18 members and a support staff of nearly that many. The group tours the world 26 weeks out of the year, sometimes performing in a different city each night. Unlike the major dance companies which have more conservative reper toires of such things as “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty,” the NCDT provides an eclectic mix of more dra matic and adventuresome pieces in addition to some of the classical works. In last week’s performance at Mars Hill College, the company put on three numbers for the first time, in cluding the world premiere of “Ech oes of Presence” and the American premiere of “Fiesta,” The dancers have mastered more pieces than are usable in one performance, and each show is a slightly different combina tion of these works. It is this approach that sustains the variety of the perfor mances, and for this reason, a viewer could watch more than one show with out feeling that he’s “seen it all before.” It also serves a more practi cal purpose for the dancers — if one is injured or ill, the show can be re worked with a minimum of trouble, thus eliminating the need for under studies. :ti Besides the most obvious differ ence between the NCDT and larger companies — that of size — Traci Owens presents other contrasts which may not be evident to someone who is not familiar with both types of professional dance organizations. She has been dancing for 18 years, and has worked with a large company in New York. “When you’re with a larg er company, your first several years are spent waiting in the wings. You don’t get any on-stage experience at first. With a group like the North Carolina Dance Theater, you perform from the beginning because you have then McKinney said that a number of appeals to higher authorities could be made. The first of these would be to the Academic Dean, Dr. Donald Schmeltekopf. If a second appeal is necessary, then Mars Hill President Fred B. Bentley would be the final authority. Ironically, McKinney said that the exercise in protest fulfilled some of the aims of the Community Life Pro gram. By protesting, students are voicing their opinions and are gaining a sense of community spirit. He also said that the protesting students were following their sense of civic respon sibility. When asked about his acceptance of the spokesman role, McKinney said that a number of students approached him during registration about the new requirements. He felt obligated to voice their opinion because the stu dents had supported him in the past. That support resulted in McKinney’s election to the office of SGA Treasur er. McKinney stressed that the pro test was not affiliated with the Stu dent Government Association and that he was acting on his own in con junction with the other students. McKinney summed up the protest by stating that “We are going to ask them to make the requirement op tional for sophomores and juniors. That is what we want to do.” i The North Carolina Dance Theater in final dress rehearsal. to. There are only 18 people — every one has to dance.” The dancers are also much closer in a smaller company, whether or not they want to be. “Spending eight hours on a bus, several days a week .. .you’re forced to get along,” says Diego Carrasco, a member of the NCDT who has been dancing for six years. Although many people believe that the performing arts are quite lucra tive, glamorous, and not “real jobs,” this is not the case. As a career, danc ing is more demanding than almost any other job. To be successful and happy, a person must be “driven.” Much trainig is required, but if the prospective dancer is not talented to begin with, he or she won’t have a chance in the field. The dancers prac tice for eight hours a day, six days a week. They must also keep in top physical condition even when they’re not performing. Many more conser vative jobs pay as well or better. “You have to love it to do it,” says Owens. “The money isn’t enough.” Dancing professionally puts a huge strain on a person’s social life, as well. After hours of work, the per formers are not really in the mood to go out and “dance the night away,” and they always have to watch what they eat. In addition, dancing is a “young” career. The performer peaks at age 35, and then the down hill slide begins. At that point, the dancer is faced with an unhappy prospect — either return to college to get a job, or quit eating. Dancing isn’t terribly glamorous, either. Most of it is just plain hard work. The “vacations” are really lay offs, for which the dancers are not paid — and they can’t choose when they want to take the time off. They can’t just push their jobs to the back of their minds during the time when they are not on stage; they must prac tice daily to keep in shape. Often, they look for jobs as “guest dancers” with larger companies, or, when all else fails, a temporary job as a waiter or typist. All in all, they pay for their moments in the limelight. The field is difficult to break into especially for women. Since dancers are, to borrow a well-worn phrase, “a dime a dozen,” they must constantly be on their toes. One slip could be fatal to their career, and they are very aware of this fact. They can’t be satisfied with reaching a point and then staying there, for “to ‘maintain is to stagnate and decline,” according to the dancers. Their entire career is spent reaching ever-higher. Although the dancers gain a sense of personal accomplishment at the end of each performance and each time they master a new piece, this alone is not their motivation to per form well. Actually, they are on stage to please the audience; they are en tertainers. “Dance is for everybody,” says Carrasco. “Our aim is to touch someone’s heart; and if we don’t we’re not doing our job. We have failed.” The splash and glitter associated with the stage does not exist in the real world. Celebratory parties are really receptions to which the bone- weary dancers drag themselves after a long night. They smile and laugh, wishing that they could just go back to their impersonal motel room, take a long hot shower, and get some sleep. The North Carolina Dance Theater is imder the direction of Philip Burns company manager; Ed Thomas, pro duction manager; Salvatore Aiello artistic director; and Kim Abel, ballet mistress. In addition, the company benefits from the assistance of Craig Miller, a leading New York lighting designer and consultant; Mauricio Wainrot, a choreographer well- known for his work in Argentina and Europe; and a large technical and production staff, A Week-End of Mountain Heritage: the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival Lisa Ramsey Staff Writer Mars Hill College’s Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an impressive list of entertainment highlighted by a special appearance by the famous blind musician-singer. Doc Watson. The festivities will begin on Friday night, October 2, and last through Saturday, October 3. The festival is now the second old est festival in Western North Caroli na, “The purpose of the festival is to encourage the cultural traditions in the southern mountains; music, dance, and handmade items to cele brate these traditions and values,” Richard Dillingham, of Mars Hill Col lege’s Southern Appalachian Center, said. The celebration begins on Friday night with “The Folk Dance Festival” in McConnell Gym from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Various dance groups will per form, hosted by Mars Hill College’s Bailey Moimtain doggers. No admis sion will be charged for this night’s entertainment and members of the audience are encouraged to partici pate in some dance. Music will be provided by a live band. Students, parents, and their guests are wel come. On Saturday morning the festival officially gets under way with a storytelling competition for eighth graders to be held on the Moore Auditorium stage from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. “The Second Annual Ballad and Story Swap” will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Peterson Conference Center. The Madison County 4-H Fair and Community Organizations will dis play exhibits, demonstrations, and handmade items for sale on the Quad Green on the campus grounds from 1 p.m, to 3 p.m, TTie performers for Saturday night’s entertainment will be jamming on campus from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Doc Watson will have a command performance at 3:15 in Moore Audito rium along with the Bailey Moimtain doggers. Watson is a native of North Carolina. He sings everything from ballads to contemporary blues and plays five-string banjo, French harp, and guitar. Bill C, Malone, a professor of history at Tulane University said in a recent magazine. “No country musi cian has greater versatility than Wat son, and none has a wider following outside the country music main stream.” Admission will be free to MHC stu dents with ID and their parents with guest passes. Students attending this special performance will receive Community Life Credit. Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the “Minstrel of the Appala chians” program will be going with non-stop traditional mountain music and dance by over twenty performers including a feature performance by Doc Watson. “The Saturday night minstrel is most probably the most natural and authentic folk festival in existence. No electrical instruments are allowed and only traditional musicians and dancers are invited,” Dillingham said. During the “Minstrel of the Ap palachians” program, the 1987 Luns ford Awards will be presented to Dellie Norton, a Sodom Laurel Ballad Singer, and Mack Snoderly, Master Fiddler from Haywood County, Dill ingham said that these awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the folk traditions of the southern mountains. The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Moun tain Music and Dance Festival was founded by Ed Howard and Bascom Lamar Lunsford in 1967. Dillingham said that this festival is the only one Lunsford has allowed to carry his name. Continued on page 4 '•■Xi'K-;'-; TINISIDF Editorials p.2 Just the Facts Reel Talk p. 3 Crossword p.3 Football
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