UW-Parkside News: "The Rita" debuts Saturday, Jan. 28

"The Rita" debuts Saturday, Jan. 28

"The Rita" grand opening is Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. Join us!

The grand opening and dedication of the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities takes place Saturday, Jan. 28, on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus, 900 Wood Road in Kenosha.

Registration for the dedication ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. in the building's Brookwood Entrance. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. in the Main Stage Theatre.

Registration for the grand opening begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Brookwood Entrance. The evening includes a variety of events to showcase the arts, music, theatre, communication, English, and other cultural activities and programs.

"This is the community's first opportunity to see and enjoy this beautiful new building," said Dean Yohnk, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "The grand opening will give people a small taste of what this incredibly busy year at 'The Rita' will be like."

Following registration, a wide variety of arts and humanities-related events begin at 7 p.m. Sample student and faculty art demonstrations, musical performances, theatrical presentations, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive discussions, and much more. New events begin every 30 minutes and continue through 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy demonstrations of printmaking, ceramic, and airbrush art or tour and discuss the current West African and Liberian art exhibitions in the UW-Parkside galleries. For music fans, take in a classical, jazz, or vocal performance in the beautiful new and acoustically perfect Frances Bedford Concert Hall.

Theatre aficionados are invited to a presentation by senior Theatre Arts students on the "Veterans Book Project," to a voice class workshop, or to view scenes and monologues presented by students nominated for American College Theater Festival awards and Drama Club members in the new Black Box Theatre. And take a look behind the scenes at the Fireside Theatre Scenic Studios.

Those attending can also experience bilingual readings of passages from Dante's "Divine Comedy," a spoken-word performance followed by an interactive discussion presented by the university's Center for Ethnic Studies, or hear Shakespearean monologues and learn how The Shakespeare Project at Racine Correctional Institution is helping a former inmate make the transition from prison to a new life in the community.

The university has designated 2012 as "The Year of the Arts and Humanities" with more than 300 events planned during the year.

Admission to the dedication ceremony is by invitation. Admission to the grand opening is free and open to the public. Everyone planning to attend is asked to register at www.uwp.edu keyword: grand opening.

For more information, call 262-595-2457.

ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 1/18/2012