VOLTS series
The Valparaiso Organization for Learning and Teaching Seniors has scheduled fall semester programs featuring faculty and students engaged in a humanitarian engineering project in Africa, the architecture of ancient Rome, homelessness in Valparaiso and a variety of additional topics.
The group’s fall programs are:
Dec. 3: Current events discussion, Harre Union Ballroom, 9 a.m.
Dec. 7: “A Director Prepares,” presented by Dr. Lee Orchard, professor of theatre, Harre Union Brown and Gold Room, 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 10: Current events discussion, Harre Union Ballroom, 9 a.m.
VOLTS is a program for seniors who are interested in continuing to learn and in sharing their ideas and areas of expertise with others. Valpo faculty or other scholars and professionals make presentations on a variety of topics for VOLTS events. Participants are retired or above the age of 60. Seniors may join at any time during the year; dues are $20 per person or $35 per couple per academic year.
For more information about VOLTS or to register, call the Graduate School and Continuing Education at (219) 464-5313, send an e-mail to continuing.ed@valpo.edu or visit valpo.edu/continuinged/nondegree/volts.php.
Coffee hours
Kaffeestunde coffee hours are 4 to 5 p.m. Fridays at Kade-Duesenberg German House, 822 Mound St. Kade-Duesenberg German House holds coffee hours on Fridays throughout the academic year. Kaffeestunde give German-speaking people an opportunity to sharpen their language skills. Light refreshments are served. For more information, visit http://www.valpo.edu/germanhouse/ or call (219) 464-5344.
Film series
Valpo's International Film Festival features foreign films in their original languages with English subtitles. Tickets are avilable at the union welcome desk, by calling (219) 464-5415 or visiting www.valpo.edu/union. Upcoming films in the series are:
Jan. 22: "The Edge of Heaven"
Feb. 19: "Since Otar Left"
March 19: "24 City"
'Robes and Honor'
Valpo’s Chinese and Japanese Studies Program will present “Robes and Honor” which explores the ceremonial presentation of luxury garments to someone honored by a king in medieval times. The event will feature Dr. Stewart Gordon, senior research scholar at the University of Michigan's Center for South Asian Studies and author of the book "Robes and Honor." It begis at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Harre Union Ballroom A, 1509 Chapel Drive. For more information about the program, contact Dr. Jennifer Prough, assistant professor of humanities and East Asian studies, (219) 464-5492 or jeni.prough@valpo.edu.
'Christmas Star'
This next star-gazing opportunity for children to mark the International Year of Astronomy will be presented by Dr. Bruce Hrivnak, professor of physics and astronomy at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Neils Science Center, 1610 Campus Drive East. This event will be held in conjunction with an Observatory Open House, giving the public a closer look at planets, star clusters, nebulae and other celestial objects. The Open House will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. University faculty members will provide descriptions of the objects being observed through Valpo's computer-controlled telescope and answer questions. All open houses are held weather permitting. People should call (219) 464-5202 or visit http://www.physics.valpo.edu/astronomy/obsOpenHouse.html after 5 p.m. the day of the open house to confirm the weather is clear enough for the Observatory to open. If the sky is too cloudy for observing, there will be a planetarium presentation at Neils Science Center.
Legal services
The Law Clinic serves community members who would otherwise be unable to access the legal system. Eligibility is based on income, case type and clinic availability. The clinic assists with tenants’ rights, wills, divorce, domestic violence, child support, guardianship, visitation, debt collection defense, paternity and adoption. Indiana residents only can receive assistance with IRS problems, innocent spouses, tax collections and earned income tax credits. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, by appointment only. Call (219) 465-7903 or (888) 729-1064.
Christmas concert
A Christmas concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 p.m. dec. 5 at the Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Drive. tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens, and can be purchased by calling (219) 464-5162 or online at http://www.valpo.edu/vuca.
Sounds of the season
Julefest: Sounds of the Season begins at 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Drive. Traditional and popular songs of the Christmas season will be performed at the annual concert, which will feature the University's Luce Concert Band and Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band. The Luce Concert Band is an auditioned symphonic band of students from all majors that focuses on the development of performance skills. The Valparaiso Community/University Concert Band is an ensemble open to all students and community members that performs regularly on campus and throughout Northwest Indiana. Dr. Jeffrey Doebler, director of music education and bands at Valpo, conducts both bands. For more information, visit http://www.valpo.edu/music.
Christmas Vespers
Advent Christmas vespers will begin at 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 11 at Chapel of the Resurrection, 1600 Chapel Drive.
The event is free but tickets are required to guarantee seating. Assured seating cards are available in the Chapel office from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or call (219) 464-5093. Cards also may be ordered via e-mail to Barbara.Hoover@valpo.edu. Please indicate which service and number of cards. Only those with assured seating cards will be seated prior to 6:50 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. that night.
Paintings and sculptures
Thomas H. Kapsalis: Artist’s House Paintings and Sculpture, 1947-2008, are on display Dec. 4 through March 21 at the Brauer Museum of Art, located in the Center for the Arts, 1709 Chapel Drive.
The work of one of Chicago’s leading abstract painters over the past 60 years, Thomas H. Kapsalis, will be featured during a winter exhibition. The opening reception is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Kapsalis also will visit Brauer Museum for gallery talks on Jan. 13 and 27. Brauer Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during the academic year. For more information, call (219) 464-5365. Group tours may be arranged by calling (219) 465-7926. Upcoming exhibits include:
March 31 through April 19 – “Secondary School Showcase.”
March 31 through May 9 – “Valparaiso University Art Faculty Exhibition.”
April 21 through May 9 – “Valparaiso University Art Student Exhibition.”
May 14 through Aug. 8 – “The Art and Magic of Africa: Selections from the Lawrence P. Kolton Collection.”
