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Modlin Center for the Arts 2011-2012 Season

Treats for the Mind - Performing Arts
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Featuring Pilobolus, Esperanza Spalding, Joan Baez, Takács Quartet, The Indian Ink Theatre presentation of “The Guru of Chai,” Cirque Mechanics’ “Boom Town,” The Grascals, and much more

(RICHMOND, VA) June 8, 2011 – The Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond will launch its 2011-2012 season on September 7 with world-renowned Salsa Dura group, La Excelencia.  “The University of Richmond’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Department of Music, and our own ModlinArts Presents will come together to create a dynamic season with nearly 70 events and 96 performances,” says Executive Director Deborah Sommers, beginning her second season at the Center.  “We’ve worked hard to offer a line-up that includes a blend of new faces and old favorites while maintaining the level of performance for which the Modlin Center has become known.”

Following La Excelencia, ModlinArts will present the opera, “Rappahannock County” as the first performance in its Classical and Chamber series.  As co-commissioners for the piece, the Modlin Center and the University of Richmond provide audiences the opportunity to be among the first to experience this captivating new work.  Other performances in the Classical and Chamber series include the duo of Christopher O’Riley, piano and Matt Haimovitz, cello; the world renowned Takács Quartet; celebrated vocal ensemble Stile Antico; pianist Garrick Ohlsson; the Shanghai Quartet with guest artist Stephen Prutsman, piano; and ensemble-in-residence eighth blackbird.

The 2011-2012 season includes three Modlin Downtown events at the Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage.  The first of the Modlin Downtown events will be a co-presentation with the Richmond CenterStage Foundation of the National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China, Direct from Beijing.  As one of the most thrilling and influential acrobatic troupes, the performers will astound audiences with acts ranging from skillful to daring, set to a beautiful combination of traditional and modern music.  Rounding out the Modlin Downtown events will be the All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers in February, and soprano Dawn Upshaw with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in April.

In the ModlinArts Concert series, the Modlin Center will host a dynamic blend of contemporary music.  The Carolina Chocolate Drops kick off the series with what Rolling Stone described as “dirt-floor-dance electricity.”  Also including the Concert series are singer-songwriter Josh Ritter; Folk legends Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie; “Mr. Tambourine Man” Roger McGuinn; and three shows sponsored in part by the H.G. Quigg Foundation – perennial favorites, The Red Clay Ramblers; acclaimed Bluegrass group, The Grascals; and the Grammy® Award-winning Béla Fleck joined by the original Flecktones. 

On October 1, the Modlin Center, in partnership with the University of Richmond Museums, will host the Family Arts Day Celebration featuring Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players.  The Family Arts Day Celebration will include activity tables, art projects, food, and two performances by Grammy® nominated children’s singer Justin Roberts, considered one of the “all-stars” of the indie family music scene.  Children and families will also enjoy Cirque Mechanics’ latest production, “Boom Town,” and the interactive experience of Compagnia T.P.O. “Farfalle (Butterflies).”

The ModlinArts Jazz series swings into the Modlin Center beginning in October with a very special performance by the 2010 Grammy® Award-winner for Best New Artist, Esperanza Spalding.   A stellar line-up continues with the Hot Club of San Francisco, Grammy® Award winner Chucho Valdés and the Afro-Cuban Messengers, and two shows supported in part by the Mid Atlantc Arts Foundation – Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition winner Gretchen Parlato, and the award-winning René Marie.

The 2011-2012 season will include an eclectic and exciting array of dance events including the always entertaining and evocative Pilobolus, the critically-acclaimed Doug Varone Dance Company, the energetic Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, the visionary River North Dance Chicago, and the imaginative Shen Wei Dance Arts.  The finale of the ModlinArts Dance series will be a very special Moscow Festival Ballet presentation of “Swan Lake.”

The Modlin Center will criss-cross the globe in the World Arts series.  In addition to La Excelencia, the upcoming season will include Compañia Flamenca José Porcel, a premier Flamenco dance troupe founded in Madrid, Spain; Celtic Nights, direct from Ireland; and from the island of Mallorca, “Flamenco Queen” Buika.

Finally, ModlinArts will present a series of Theatre, Comedy, and Special Events, the first of which will be Indian Ink Theatre Company’s “The Guru of Chai.”  Now in its second decade, the Indian Ink Theatre Company is presenting a show that has been called “comic genius” and “absolute enchantment.”  Also included in the new Artist Voices series will be a very special performance created for the Modlin Center by master puppeteer Basil Twist.   Other performances include the Aquila Theatre Company production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” supported in part by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and the always hilarious, Emmy® Award-winning comedian and author, Paula Poundstone. 

For a full listing of 2011-2012 season events, please visit modlin.richmond.edu. Tickets are available at the web site or by phone at (804) 289-8980.

 

 

 

Survey of Modern Motorcyclists

Active & Adventurous - Motorcycle Mania
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Women Motorcycle Riders:

How Passionate Are They About their Sport?

FJRmay10NC2A new survey examined male and female bikers from the US, UK & Germany, determining how the “modern biker” (white collar, average age 48, with an assumed family) would ideally spend their time—for example, with infants or at a family Christmas.

The results from the men were no big surprise: 76% would rather spend time with women than on their bikes. Family time fared okay with men: though the overwhelming majority preferred biking to any other alternative, 32% of the participants would rather be playing with their kids and 29% would choose spending Christmas with the family.

The results from the women bikers were more surprising: they express even greater preference to biking over any other activity (85% of women would rather be biking as opposed to 74% of men), and fewer women choose family time, including time with a newborn—0% of women to 21% of men.

All About Bikes magazine online, in their LadyMoto department, looked at the survey’s comparison of men and women. “What the study magnifies is the loudening voice of the female rider. Motorcycling is the place where the glass ceilings, gender expectations and family roles disappear; there’s no negotiating, settling or compromising. Everything that happens on the road is between the rider and the machine.”

There are activities where women can rise above society’s expectations or constraints. Motorcycle riding is one of them. There is no glass ceiling on the asphalt playground!

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The survey was carried out by the University of Strathclyde in cooperation with motorcycle accessories manufacturer Scottoiler. Find more at the Scottoiler web site.

 

 

The Aging Adventurer: Allagash River Canoe Trip

Active & Adventurous - The Aging Adventurer
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Five Seniors on a 70-Mile Wilderness Canoe Trip 

Allagash portageI struggled to keep upright as we dragged our canoes through the narrow, rock-filled stream—too shallow for paddling. It would lead us to Eagle Lake, where we would begin our nine-day, 70-mile wilderness canoe trip on the Allagash River in northern Maine. This adventure, sponsored by Elderhostel, was led by Chewonki Outdoor Center staff. Alana and Colin, both in their mid-20s, were leading five seniors, two women and three men, ranging in age from 70 to 80.

I stumbled along holding onto the stern rope. My canoe partner, Dave, was in front pulling the bow rope. He was wading fast, and I leaned on the boat for support to keep up. It was heavily laden with supplies for nine days on the river. “Don’t lean on the canoe—it might tip,” Alana warned. “Just hold tight to the rope.” After a quarter of a mile of dragging our canoes, we finally reached Eagle Lake. Stepping out of the muck we boarded the canoes and paddled through tall weeds to enter the lake. Thus began our adventure.

Allagash with glass-like waterThe Allagash is a remote river edged by tall conifers spotted with deciduous trees—splashing reds, yellows, oranges and maroons against the dark green background. One evening we looked down river and saw a huge moose standing in the water—his large rack adding to his height and power. On another occasion a moose clopped through our campsite during the night, banging his rack against the trees. It was not unusual to see golden eagles and bald eagles flying high above. Groups of mergansers and solitary kingfishers followed us down river. The soothing calls of loons lulled us to sleep each night as we camped river-side. We saw very few people—the Allagash was all ours.

 

Heron Point Golf Course

Active & Adventurous - Fitness & Competition
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Women Golfers Will Enjoy Heron Point Golf Course

Sea Pines Resort’s Heron Point Named One of America’s ‘Top 50 Courses for Women’ by Golf Digest

Pete Dye Design Lauded for Playability, Conditions

Heron_Point golf course(HILTON HEAD, S.C.) – Heron Point, the acclaimed Pete Dye-designed course at The Sea Pines Resort, has been named one of America’s “Top 50 Courses for Women” by Golf Digest.

Featured in the magazine’s June issue, the accolade is a direct result of Heron Point’s playability, multiple tees rated for women, welcoming atmosphere and golf shop featuring a wide selection of name-brand women’s equipment and apparel.

“Anyone familiar with Pete Dye’s amazing body of work knows his wife Alice is intimately involved in the design process,” says Cary Corbitt, Director of Sports Division at Sea Pines Resort.  “Forced carries, tee placements, approach angles and difficulty are all carefully evaluated to ensure golfers have fun and fair playing experiences.”

 

MOTORESS Press Release, International Female Ride Day (May 6, 2011)

Active & Adventurous - Motorcycle Mania
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International Female Ride Day Rides Around the World for the 5th Year on Friday 6 May!

Toronto, February 17th 2011 – This year International Female Ride Day celebrates its fifth year of women riders getting on their motorcycles to JUST RIDE. With four years of history bringing awareness for women riders, the force created and expected for the fifth year of this globally synchronized action will be nothing less than phenomenal! More women, and more countries are including themselves in the campaign and those already participating are bumping up the game plan with expanded actions for Friday May 6th.

Countless women riders participate year after year delighting in their role to “just ride” on International Female Ride Day. For them, this annual occasion is unlike any other motorcycle event and has become the activity “not to be missed” in women riders’ agendas. “The growth and dedication each year of proud and enthusiastic participants who have supported the concept from the get-go, is wonderful. The excitement and enthusiasm for being part of the only global campaign for women riders continues to catch on like wildfire! Women devotedly prepare to ride and unite on this synchronized day around the world!” says Vicki Gray, the founder of the International Female Ride Day and of MOTORESS. “For the 5th year we’ve included an image of the world to the yearly icon. This of course signifies the campaigns global action. It will also be the design on our very sought after collectible International Female Ride Day t-shirt”.

Since its introductory year in 2007 International Female Ride Day has experienced spectacular growth along with endorsement by key motorcycle industry leaders, renowned female rider clubs and international governing bodies such as Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). “We here at BMW Motorrad Canada are very proud to be a supporter of International Female Ride Day”, states Norman Wells, Director of BMW Motorrad Canada. “For many years now we have deployed our own initiatives for female riders as we recognize this segment as a growing and very important one to overall success of the motorcycle industry. We wish all participants a great day and hope that MOTORESS will continue to experience growth with the event here in Canada and globally”, he adds.

The campaign’s growth continued even amidst a struggling world economy that heavily affected the motorsport industry at large. For this 5th edition, Vicki Gray observes the continuous recognition of the event. “The popularity of this event comes from the concept that it invites women riders of all ages, styles and forms of motorcycling to take lead and play a role. Plus it’s a lot of fun! The campaign is a reality and it’s obvious by it’s participated numbers, it’s here to stay!” adds Vicki.

Sport bike, cruiser, scooter, off-road, touring or competition, regardless of what type or style of motorcycling interest, International Female Ride Day makes one simple request of women – Just Ride! Get on your bikes, be out there and be visible. The concept has assembled its power and participation in this simple, worldwide-synchronized theme linking a chain of women through the shared activity of motorcycling. It is one day to celebrate and highlight the many numbers of women who share their passion for the sport. The fact that every female rider participating on May 6th is a role model for others not yet taken the step to enjoy motorcycling, has added to the event’s intentions and participation.

International FEMALE RIDE DAY “fever” significantly magnifies each year and 2011 expects to host and welcome more riders and participants than in year’s prior. Canada, United States, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Poland, Israel, Qatar, Denmark and Russia as well as other countries will again be contributing to the campaign in compelling numbers. In 2010, International Female Ride Day was recognized by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

The above article is a press release written by Motoress.  To read more about Motoress and the history of International Female Ride Day, visit www.motoress.com and click on INTL FEMALE RIDE DAY.  For more information about International Female Ride Day in Richmond (VA), contact: Marie Cammock, Cell 352.454.8482

marie.justrydin2

 

 

 
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