Independent Scholars'
Evenings Past Events
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
Intergrative Wholistic Healing
Past Events
2007
Integrative Wholistic Healing Retreat
2006
Integrative Wholistic Healing Retreat
2005 Image Guidance Intensive for
Professional Healers
1999 Integrative
Wholistic Healing Retreat
1998 Integrative Wholistic Healing
Retreat
1997 Integrative Wholistic Healing
Retreat
2007 Spring
Session
Energy Balancing and Healing
Stress Management Workshop 2007
“A Mind, Body, Spirit approach for Self-Healing using
Energy Balancing Medicine”
Event Hours:
Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2007 6:30-8:00pm
Wednesday, Mar.7, 2007 6:30-9:00pm
Topics Covered:
On Tuesday, Dr. Longworth will
present:
A free demonstration and introduction of Self Healing using
Energy Balancing Techniques.
On Wednesday, Dr. Longworth will present:
A Stress Reduction Workshop: “Using Energy Balancing
Techniques for Self Healing”
Where: The Moline Club, 2nd floor 513 16th
St. Moline, IL.
Ticket Information:
Tuesday’s event is FREE to the open public with the
help and sponsorship of The Cultural and Healing Traditions,
Ltd. Wednesday’s workshop is a special discounted
rate of $35 / person.
Concessions:
We will have refreshments available for guests.
Private Appointments:
Dr. Longworth is available by private appointment from Mar.6-9th.
Please call 309-762-9202 for scheduling information. A special
rate of $50 per appointment applies. Payments go directly
to Dr. Longworth.
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
February 2007
The Lion In Winter: Evergreen Poets
February 15th
Kathleen Lawless Cox
will read her new poetry as well as from her new book
" Citizens of the Earth."
February 22nd
Dale Haake
will read from his selection of his new and favorite poetry
compositions.
NEW SPECIAL SATURDAYS
2.00 p.m.
Also at The Moline Club, 2nd floor.
February 17th and February 24th
Review and discussions of the movie " The Secret."
The movie reveals The Great Secret of the Universe,
The Laws of Attraction
and the new discoveries of Quantum Physics.
The movie was shown at our Scholar's Evening, November 30th
2006 and is available for in-house review.
__________________________________
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
are dedicated to area residents for their ongoing work.
Please call 762-9202 to schedule
the presentation of your work.
The Lion In Winter
From February, 2005 and every succeeding
February, we will review those evergreen writers in the
literary forms they offer. These are the writers who defy
speed reading... whose rich and invigorating words stand
on their own accord. Like musical notes, the words interplay
in our lives, exploring their attraction in as many ways
as they can. Like music, it is the ability to listen that
makes the attraction more keen and more finely refined,
we read and reread the works in enjoyment, and with the
art of listening. It is this art of listening that is in
common with the writer and the reader.. To write well you
must learn to listen. To read you must learn to listen.
Imaginative literature is about listening
to a voice. A voice that is its very own, and like none
other. A voice that speaks to you and to you alone. In private.
It is this voice that you are communicating with, and which
the artist / writer is communicating with you. There is
a distinctive quality, partly because of the voice itself,
and partly because of the interaction the voice has with
your own voice. It is for you alone. The voice of the artist
speaks to you. And, subsequently, to each individual separately.
The details are merely matters of techniques. What is most
important is that you hear the voice.
Writers don't just "hold, as
'twere, a mirror up to nature" by creating an imitation
of life; they create a moment of life itself.
That is the the task, the art, the
skill of the writer as an imaginative writer.. be it poetry
or prose - to be able to stretch out and reach out to the
reader and let it have, with the reader, a life of its own.
Essentially it is this dual interaction, this two-way street...and
that is what the skillful artist is able to achieve.. to
arouse that exact note in the reader with the only tool
on the canvas .. the voice. A voice that, in Coleridge's
words, "contains in itself the reasons why it is so
and not otherwise"
It is the skill of the writer to
evoke, only with the voice on the canvas of a page, the
images for the the interpretations of the reader as one
listens to the overtones and the undertones, the disguises
that reveal more than they cover up and their imbedded implications,
the naturalness and the artificiality, the sound of the
silences, the meanings of the unsaid, the nuances of what
is said, the tone and the stress that lead the images, and
the listeners. The reader can recognize the depth of a master.
To write well, the writer and poet
has to listen well. To understand well the reader has to
listen well.
Often we do not know, clearly, why
we love certain poets. That is irrelevant. Like life, the
listening is a skill that occurs at a unconscious or super-conscious
plane. It is the refinement of the instinct that is finely
tuned, and that increases the ability to listen well.
A good poem is hard to find, but
when found the effect of it is to make you, the reader,
more alive.
What are the reasons you love what
you do? Why do you feel a poem is a good poem? It strikes
a cord. We enjoy the poems, and luxuriate in their sound
and in their voice, as we do in the grand idea of a symphony,
or in a musical piece, individual and complete in itself,
delighting the senses, stirring the intellect and stimulating
the heart, uplifting the soul.
Once you find a good poem, and recognize
it as such, frequently you will be reading the poem several
times before beginning to understand it fully. It is not
important to know why. 'Why' is an exploration reserved
for those who wish to culture the skill of reaching out
to the listener with the medium of voice on the canvas of
a printed page. 'Why' and 'How' is the invigorating discovery
of the writer and the pleasure in artistic freedom. That
is the catch - the search for artistic freedom. Much has
been written about that aspect, and many have searched hard
and long for their artistic freedom, struggling through
anarchy and confusion. Artistic freedom is anchored and
has its own perimeters without which it is lost in limitless
space. Artistic freedom is anchored in the discovery of
the writer's own voice, which enables the individual and
distinctive expression. The main question, then, is finding
the voice. It is equally important to know what to do/ what
to write, and what not to do/ what not to write. And when.
The fundamental question, then, is
the " finding of the voice."
There is a resonance that all writers
have, to know, instinctively, what is true and what is right.
It is the correct note that is sounded. The correct note
for which the writer has listened long and hard, learnt
much and practiced through many pages till the instinct
is finely tuned and the correct note soars in all its beauty.
for the listening pleasure of the readers.
Does the exploration end after the
voice is discovered? Hardly. There are the works of art
that are enjoyed by the individual, both the writer and
the reader, repeatedly over time, and then there are the
works of art discovered anew by the individual, both the
writer and the reader, to be delighted in and shared. A
new voice, and, as all voices, a distinctive and unusual
voice, true to its own self.
Those are the voices that deserve
to be called
"The Lion In Winter."
Your Presence is important in its support of original work.
Please be generous with your presence.
__________________________________
-
2006 Fall : Commencement
of the 11th Year of The Institute Keynote speaker:
Hon. Mayor Welveart, Mayor
of Moline, will be giving the address for the commencement
of the 11th Year of The Institute. Cocktails, refreshments
and music to follow.
September 28th - 7:00 p.m. Gene Huber, a published writer
and journalist, will discuss. "The Secrets of Publication."Please
bring your questions as well as your ideas for discussion.
October 5th. 2006
Jacob Rayapati, Prof. English,
Author and Essayist will discuss his current work: "Christian
Bhakti Tradition from Southern India"
October 12th
Author Sean Leary will read from his new collection of short
stories
"Every Number Is Lucky To Someone''
as well as his upcoming novel, Synchronicity"and speak
about the power of coincidence and connection in our lives.
October 19th
Jean Huber, Author and Journalist
will discuss her work on
"How History and Human Affairs Impact Your Lives"
October 26th
Narveen Virdi, Essayist, will read
a new work:
"Bhakti: Intoxication, Euphoria
or Delusion?"
Examples of Bhakti love poetry will
be circulated.
November 2006
November 2nd
The Democratization of Art
Open panel discussion.
November 9th
The Democratization of Art
Continuation of discussion with readings from circulars.
November 16th
Randy Arcenas
" 500 years of popular guitar music."
The history of popular guitar music compiled by guitar virtuoso
November 30th
The Obese Emotion
This is the second of our series.
Ellis Kell will play an original composition musical piece.
Following his musical rendering, will be a showing of the
movie
"The Secret"
December 7th
"Toward a Perception of Creativity: How it informs
our attitudes & actions."
Andy Hahn is an independent scholar with a background in
philosophy.
December 14th
Thursday, 7:00 pm Holiday Party.
ding Le Mekong, La Flama, and TGI Fridays.
Intergrative Wholitic Healing:
- The first weekend of December 2006:
2nd 3rd 4th and 5th. Tuesday morning.
Dr. Prachi Garodia will be visiting our area.
For the lay community,
Dr. Prachi Garodia will discuss:
1 - Eating according to the seasons and body type.
2 - Common spices used in Ayurveda.
For the Medical staff,
Dr. Prachi Garodia will discuss:
Diseases and medical researches done on herbs:
Gugulu - for obesity and high cholesterol.
Tumeric - for inflammatory conditions.
2006 Spring Session
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
February 2006
The Lion In Winter: Evergreen Poets
February 9th
General Audience - Bring your favorite poems.
February 16th
Quad Cities poet laureate Kathleen Lawless Cox.
February 23rd
Dale Haake - Reading his new poems as well as his favorite
poems.
March 2006
March 2nd
Michael Wenskunas - Cherry Mine Disaster.
History and the story of the Illinois mining disaster.
March 9th
The Rising: The end of the East India Company.
Showing of the new release.
March 16th
St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Music and dancing.
March 23rd
" Werther" by Goethe
Dr. Kim Vivian, Prof of German, Augustana College .
March 30th
Lina Grady - Feng Shui in Landscaping and house construction.
Certified Consultant in Traditional Compass School Feng
Shui.
April 2006
April 6th
The Story of My Music
Joe Nobling will trace the history and background of his
music.
April 20th
The Rising: The end of the East India Company.
Discussion will be lead by Jacob Rayapati.
The movie is available at The Moline Club for personal viewing.
April 27th
Michael Wenskunas - Cherry Mine Disaster.
History and the story of the Illinois mining disaster.
Presentation is the second in the series.
His interest in labor, work related issues, and the people
behind the modern conveniences we take for granted brings
his significant research to light during this time when
mining disasters are prominent in the news.
May 2006
May 4th
Jacob Rayapati - Native American Heritage in Place Names
May 11th
Open Session for ongoing work and support.
May 18th
Open Session for ongoing work and support.
May 25th
Open Session for ongoing work and support.
The Lion In Winter
From February2005, and every succeeding
February, we will review those evergreen writers in the
literary forms they offer. These are the writers who defy
speed reading... whose rich and invigorating words stand
on their own accord. Like musical notes, the words interplay
in our lives, exploring their attraction in as many ways
as they can. Like music, it is the ability to listen that
makes the attraction more keen and more finely refined,
we read and reread the works in enjoyment, and with the
art of listening. It is this art of listening that is in
common with the writer and the reader.. To write well you
must learn to listen. To read you must learn to listen.
Imaginative literature is about listening
to a voice. A voice that is its very own, and like none
other. A voice that speaks to you and to you alone. In private.
It is this voice that you are communicating with, and which
the artist / writer is communicating with you. There is
a distinctive quality, partly because of the voice itself,
and partly because of the interaction the voice has with
your own voice. It is for you alone. The voice of the artist
speaks to you. And, subsequently, to each individual separately.
The details are merely matters of techniques. What is most
important is that you hear the voice.
Writers don't just "hold, as
'twere, a mirror up to nature" by creating an imitation
of life; they create a moment of life itself.
That is the the task, the art, the
skill of the writer as an imaginative writer.. be it poetry
or prose - to be able to stretch out and reach out to the
reader and let it have, with the reader, a life of its own.
Essentially it is this dual interaction, this two-way street...and
that is what the skillful artist is able to achieve.. to
arouse that exact note in the reader with the only tool
on the canvas .. the voice. A voice that, in Coleridge's
words, "contains in itself the reasons why it is so
and not otherwise"
It is the skill of the writer to
evoke, only with the voice on the canvas of a page, the
images for the the interpretations of the reader as one
listens to the overtones and the undertones, the disguises
that reveal more than they cover up and their imbedded implications,
the naturalness and the artificiality, the sound of the
silences, the meanings of the unsaid, the nuances of what
is said, the tone and the stress that lead the images, and
the listeners. The reader can recognize the depth of a master.
To write well, the writer and poet
has to listen well. To understand well the reader has to
listen well.
Often we do not know, clearly, why
we love certain poets. That is irrelevant. Like life, the
listening is a skill that occurs at a unconscious or super-conscious
plane. It is the refinement of the instinct that is finely
tuned, and that increases the ability to listen well.
A good poem is hard to find, but
when found the effect of it is to make you, the reader,
more alive.
What are the reasons you love what
you do? Why do you feel a poem is a good poem? It strikes
a cord. We enjoy the poems, and luxuriate in their sound
and in their voice, as we do in the grand idea of a symphony,
or in a musical piece, individual and complete in itself,
delighting the senses, stirring the intellect and stimulating
the heart, uplifting the soul.
Once you find a good poem, and recognize
it as such, frequently you will be reading the poem several
times before beginning to understand it fully. It is not
important to know why. 'Why' is an exploration reserved
for those who wish to culture the skill of reaching out
to the listener with the medium of voice on the canvas of
a printed page. 'Why' and 'How' is the invigorating discovery
of the writer and the pleasure in artistic freedom. That
is the catch - the search for artistic freedom. Much has
been written about that aspect, and many have searched hard
and long for their artistic freedom, struggling through
anarchy and confusion. Artistic freedom is anchored and
has its own perimeters without which it is lost in limitless
space. Artistic freedom is anchored in the discovery of
the writer's own voice, which enables the individual and
distinctive expression. The main question, then, is finding
the voice. It is equally important to know what to do/ what
to write, and what not to do/ what not to write. And when.
The fundamental question, then, is
the " finding of the voice."
There is a resonance that all writers
have, to know, instinctively, what is true and what is right.
It is the correct note that is sounded. The correct note
for which the writer has listened long and hard, learnt
much and practiced through many pages till the instinct
is finely tuned and the correct note soars in all its beauty.
for the listening pleasure of the readers.
Does the exploration end after the
voice is discovered? Hardly. There are the works of art
that are enjoyed by the individual, both the writer and
the reader, repeatedly over time, and then there are the
works of art discovered anew by the individual, both the
writer and the reader, to be delighted in and shared. A
new voice, and, as all voices, a distinctive and unusual
voice, true to its own self.
Those are the voices that deserve
to be called
"The Lion In Winter."
2005 Fall Session
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6.30 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
__________________________________
Please scroll down for current schedule.
Annual Fundraiser
September 29, 2005 commencing our 10th year.
Annual Dinner Prepared by Chef Tim
of The Moline Club.
Cocktails at 6.00 p.m. Dinner at
6.30 p.m.
Presentation of annual program at 7.00 p.m.
Key note speaker:
Roald Tweet. Ph.D.
Retired Professor of English, Augustana College and writer.
Author of The Rock Island Lines.
Surprise event:
This year, our annual dinner coincides with the birthday
of Kathleen Lawless Cox, one of our earliest Independent
Scholars.
Ms. Lawless Cox has just been nominated Poet Laureate of
the Quad Cities. With great joy we will celebrate her birthday.
Please join us at
The Moline Club 513 16th Street, Moline
Please call 309-762-8547 for reservations.
Cost of dinner $ 15.00 per person all inclusive.
__________________________________
Creativity and Society
On Sept. 20th. 2001
Bruce Carter began our work on Creativity with his presentation
"Creativity: A lifelong project. "
In the month of October we will continue
our explorations
and look at the aspects of Creativity in Society.
Social Perimeters of Creative Thinking
October 6th
Bruce Carter
Artist and host for Art Talks on WVIK
October 13th
Sean Leary
Entertainment Editor for The Dispatch, and Author
October 20th
Creativity and Coffee
National Geographic Society issue on the ingesting of coffee
to maintain creativity.
General discussion
October 27th
Kathleen Lawless Cox
Artist and poet. Current Quad City Poet Laureate.
November 3rd
Narveen Virdi
Cultural Diplomacy New essay
November 10th
Neil Dahlstrom
Archivist. Deere and Company, Writer and
Current President, Moline Preservation Society
Lincoln’s Wrath New book
November 17th
Kathleen Cox
Current Poet Laureate of the Quad Cities. Artist
Poetry Reading most recent poetry
In the Month of December
Happy Holidays!
This month we have three diverse and very interesting speakers
who will be sharing their independent work with us. We look
forward to seeing you!
December 1st
Lars Rehnberg
"Should Music be Free?
File Sharing, the Internet, and the Price of Art"
Presentation on digital music and
Internet file sharing, focusing on phenomena like the MP3
file, CD burners, Napster, Kazaa, and the iPod. We’ll
discuss issues of intellectual copyright, ethics, distributed
cognition, and the speed of modern commerce.
December 8th
Ven. Hoeurn Somnieng, Theravada Buddhist
monk from the Kingdom of Cambodia
"Buddhism with Cambodian Society"
Presentation and question answer
forum
December 15th
Dr. Jacob P. Rayapati
Ph.D. in American Literature
"Christ in the Art of India"
The representation of Christ in the
Art of India.
Presentation and question answer forum
2005 Summer Events
Our next year begins with our Annual Fundraiser
in mid September 2005 when we begin our 10th year.
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
A Summer Reading book
Upcoming Event:
review Goethe's novel " Werther"
Dr. Kim Vivian
As a continuation of the presentation on Goethe by Dr. Vivian
on April 21st.
Goethe's Werther is the first novel in western literature
which examines the psychological deterioration of its hero.
That the novel was such a tremendous success shows that
it touched a nerve if not exposed then at least close to
the surface. The novel also takes a critical look at late
18th-century German society and the problems that a generation
of young men faced.
The mass appeal was so strong and historic that the two
main characters of the novel showed up on tableware china
in use at that time.
There is another novel that ties in well with Werther. It
is a novel that takes place in former East Germany in the
1970s and was also a sensation when it came out. The novel
uses " Werther " as a point of departure and does
so very well. The author's name is Ulrich Plenzdorf and
the title is The New Sufferings of Young W.
The review and discussion will be conducted by Dr. Vivian.
In the meantime, the novel " Werther " is readily
available at bookstores or over the web. It is a short novel,
about 100 pages.
" The New Sufferings of Young W." by Ulrich Plenzdorf
is even shorter than " Werther" and is still in
print at Amazon.
Please watch for the date announcement.
Your Presence is important in its
support of original work.
Please be generous with your presence.
2005 Spring Session
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
February 2005
The Lion In Winter:
Beginning Feb. 3rd. and going on
through Feb. 10th. Feb. 17th. and Feb. 24th. we will be
reciting works from the poets who are the evergreens.
February 3rd
session is lead by John McBride, President of Quint City
Poets.
February 10th
session is lead by Rebecca Wee, poet laureate of the Quad
Cities.
February 17th
session is lead by Rebecca Wee, poet laureate of the Quad
Cities.
This session will cover works of
William Blake and Anna Akhmatova -- two very different poets.
Please bring along your favorite
poems from established poets to share with the group.....
those poets who have influenced you and whom you enjoy reading
and rereading.
February 24th
session is lead by Ellen Tsagaris of the Kaplan University.
March 3rd
Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
Lars Rehnberg:
The first of a series about music will explore the scientific
underpinnings of sound and demonstrate interactions between
sound and the brain (psychoacoustics).
We will learn about harmonic overtones,
as well as hear musical scales from around the world.
March 10th
Opera
Lori Pement Anderson:
Will sing selections from her favourtie
arias. After the presentation, we will be discussing what
we do/don't like about adding music to pre-existing poetry.
March 17th
St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
March 24th
Easter Thursday.. TBA
March 31st
Stories on the Guitar
Mark Ridolfi:
Will present his compositions on the guitar.
April 7th
Mind-Body and Behavioral Medicine:
Understanding Chronic Health Conditions and Promoting Optimal
Health
Dr. James A. Nickel
Will discuss the foundations of Mind-Body and Behavioral
Medicine. The talk will include a discussion of applications
for chronic health problems, stress-related illness and
the maintenance of optimal health. A bio-psychosocial model
of health will be presented, examining the interplay of
physical, psychological and social factors in health at
the individual, family and societal levels.
April 14th
Emotional Memory - a self -reinforcing
loop
Discussions of the validity of a recent study from Duke
University. The paper will be circulated to attendees. The
discussions will be led by area psychologists.
April 21st
Goethe and His Poetry
Dr. Kim Vivian
Professor of German, Augustana College
Will be presenting an evening of Goethe's poems. A selection
of poetry from his various periods will be circulated during
the evening. Selected poems will be discussed.
April 28th
Are Critics Robbing Themselves of
Joy?' Happiness and the Reception of Films
Lars Rehnberg
from River City Reader
This is a paper about information-processing models (how
our brains process experience) and why the WAY you pay attention
influences your experiences. I look first at the model itself,
then at two films - Titanic, the highest-grossing film of
all time, and Citizen Kane, ostensibly the most critically
acclaimed.
May 5th. 2005
"EMOTIONS AS ENERGY FOR AFFIRMATION"
Leslye Killian
Based on the " S.P.I.C.E." model of "Fifth
Love" concepts
(see www.fifthlove.com), Leslye Killian, from Bettendorf,
will present a perspective on these renewed concepts of
emotions and affirmation, as a woman, wife and mother. The
concepts are examined in light of her awareness of multiple
cultural shifts, taking place while raising her family from
the late 1960's through the early 2,000's. Leslye has given
a "witness" talk on "Awareness" to her
Church Women's group, and participated in multicultural
groups while living with her family in Asia.
May 12th. 2005
" ACOUSTIC ACROBATICS"
Music by Randy Arcenas
Baroque to folk, blues to bluegrass, rags and jazz:
A brief survey of guitar permutations and musical peregrinations.
Randy Arcenas, from Davenport, has given guitar performances
for over 30 years. He has studied classical and jazz guitar
at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and studied folkloric
guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
He has taught guitar lessons for 10 years at the People's
Music School in Chicago.
May 15th. 2005
5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
at The Moline Club.
Kathak: Classical Dance from North
India.
Prashant Shah Reference: Previous
event - Fall 2002
A special dance choreographed for The Mississippi will be
performed.
International Kathak Dance artist Prashant Shah has choreographed
a special Kathak Dance peice in celebration of The Mississippi,
the great river.
He gives the following words for his creative expression:
River & Dance………
Rivers have frequently been the topic of dance in the Indian
art. Some dance forms tell of those who traveled these water
trails, some are about the river itself, while some spin
tales of events related to the river.
On the other hand, some touch our emotions with stories
of sorrow and woe or of joy and happiness.
The mighty Mississippi through its coarse and force has
left deep impression of human emotions in our lives down
the years. Here, I personally visualize two strong realities
which left positive and negative emotions on human lives,
which can be connected to the life of Mississippi. One,
“creation” and other “destruction”.
In other words, the creativity always brings joy, happiness,
pride etc whereas, the destruction is the end of everything.
Now the questions arise……………
What has dance got to do with rivers ? Well, in one sense,
the inexorable ebb and flow of the river waters is complementary
to the fluid movements of dance. Who better than a dancer
could convey the dynamism, the insurgency, the grace and
turmoil of these terrestrial circulatory systems ?
Though, Mighty Mississippi has holy spirit and will have
it forever – here the choreographer attempts through
the dance number ‘Aakar’ ( which literally means
Shapes ) to show the vigor, strong and destructive mood
of Mississippi river through Nataraja dance technique and
abhinaya ( Lord of Dance – Shiva’s expressions
) strong footwork, fast pirouettes and quality of father
of all rivers whereas in the other side of this same dance
piece, the choreographer visualizes the positive impact
of Mississippi river on human life through lyrical movements
identifying it to the flow of Mississippi river and also
people playing with water with respect to the Natwar dance
philosophy abhinaya and technique.
The word ‘Mississippi’
have several American Indian origins: Primary origins are
from The Sauk of our area who called it " Mase'sibowi
" , the Ojibwe name for the river, “Messipi”,
which means big river, and to the Algonquin " Missi
Sepe" , “great river,” literally, “father
of waters.” It is also named “ River of Holy
Spirit”.
Programme details…………
The programme will be divided into two halves………….
Aakar
……… the first half in connection to Mississippi
river
Traditional Kathak dance
…….. the second half, Krishna Vandana, Piya
Bawri, Tarana
Upcoming Event:
review Goethe's novel " Werther
Dr. Kim Vivian
As a continuation of the presentation on Goethe by Dr. Vivian
on April 21st.
Goethe's Werther is the first novel in western literature
which examines the psychological deterioration of its hero.
That the novel was such a tremendous success shows that
it touched a nerve if not exposed then at least close to
the surface. The novel also takes a critical look at late
18th-century German society and the problems that a generation
of young men faced.
The mass appeal was so strong and historic that the two
main characters of the novel showed up on tableware china
in use at that time.
There is another novel that ties in well with Werther. It
is a novel that takes place in former East Germany in the
1970s and was also a sensation when it came out. The novel
uses " Werther " as a point of departure and does
so very well. The author's name is Ulrich Plenzdorf and
the title is The New Sufferings of Young W.
The review and discussion will be conducted by Dr. Vivian.
In the meantime, the novel " Werther " is readily
available at bookstores or over the web. It is a short novel,
about 100 pages.
" The New Sufferings of Young W." by Ulrich Plenzdorf
is even shorter than " Werther" and is still in
print at Amazon.
Please watch for the date announcement.
The Lion In Winter.
This February, and every succeeding
February, we will review those evergreen writers in the
literary forms they offer. These are the writers who defy
speed reading... whose rich and invigorating words stand
on their own accord. Like musical notes, the words interplay
in our lives, exploring their attraction in as many ways
as they can. Like music, it is the ability to listen that
makes the attraction more keen and more finely refined,
we read and reread the works in enjoyment, and with the
art of listening. It is this art of listening that is in
common with the writer and the reader.. To write well you
must learn to listen. To read you must learn to listen.
Imaginative literature is about listening
to a voice. A voice that is its very own, and like none
other. A voice that speaks to you and to you alone. In private.
It is this voice that you are communicating with, and which
the artist / writer is communicating with you. There is
a distinctive quality, partly because of the voice itself,
and partly because of the interaction the voice has with
your own voice. It is for you alone. The voice of the artist
speaks to you. And, subsequently, to each individual separately.
The details are merely matters of techniques. What is most
important is that you hear the voice.
Writers don't just "hold, as
'twere, a mirror up to nature" by creating an imitation
of life; they create a moment of life itself.
That is the the task, the art, the
skill of the writer as an imaginative writer.. be it poetry
or prose - to be able to stretch out and reach out to the
reader and let it have, with the reader, a life of its own.
Essentially it is this dual interaction, this two-way street...and
that is what the skillful artist is able to achieve.. to
arouse that exact note in the reader with the only tool
on the canvas .. the voice. A voice that, in Coleridge's
words, "contains in itself the reasons why it is so
and not otherwise"
It is the skill of the writer to
evoke, only with the voice on the canvas of a page, the
images for the the interpretations of the reader as one
listens to the overtones and the undertones, the disguises
that reveal more than they cover up and their imbedded implications,
the naturalness and the artificiality, the sound of the
silences, the meanings of the unsaid, the nuances of what
is said, the tone and the stress that lead the images, and
the listeners. The reader can recognize the depth of a master.
To write well, the writer and poet
has to listen well. To understand well the reader has to
listen well.
Often we do not know, clearly, why
we love certain poets. That is irrelevant. Like life, the
listening is a skill that occurs at a unconscious or super-conscious
plane. It is the refinement of the instinct that is finely
tuned, and that increases the ability to listen well.
A good poem is hard to find, but
when found the effect of it is to make you, the reader,
more alive.
What are the reasons you love what
you do? Why do you feel a poem is a good poem? It strikes
a cord. We enjoy the poems, and luxuriate in their sound
and in their voice, as we do in the grand idea of a symphony,
or in a musical piece, individual and complete in itself,
delighting the senses, stirring the intellect and stimulating
the heart, uplifting the soul.
Once you find a good poem, and recognize
it as such, frequently you will be reading the poem several
times before beginning to understand it fully. It is not
important to know why. 'Why' is an exploration reserved
for those who wish to culture the skill of reaching out
to the listener with the medium of voice on the canvas of
a printed page. 'Why' and 'How' is the invigorating discovery
of the writer and the pleasure in artistic freedom. That
is the catch - the search for artistic freedom. Much has
been written about that aspect, and many have searched hard
and long for their artistic freedom, struggling through
anarchy and confusion. Artistic freedom is anchored and
has its own perimeters without which it is lost in limitless
space. Artistic freedom is anchored in the discovery of
the writer's own voice, which enables the individual and
distinctive expression. The main question, then, is finding
the voice. It is equally important to know what to do/ what
to write, and what not to do/ what not to write. And when.
The fundamental question, then, is
the " finding of the voice."
There is a resonance that all writers
have, to know, instinctively, what is true and what is right.
It is the correct note that is sounded. The correct note
for which the writer has listened long and hard, learnt
much and practiced through many pages till the instinct
is finely tuned and the correct note soars in all its beauty.
for the listening pleasure of the readers.
Does the exploration end after the
voice is discovered? Hardly. There are the works of art
that are enjoyed by the individual, both the writer and
the reader, repeatedly over time, and then there are the
works of art discovered anew by the individual, both the
writer and the reader, to be delighted in and shared. A
new voice, and, as all voices, a distinctive and unusual
voice, true to its own self.
Those are the voices that deserve
to be called
"The Lion In Winter."
Your Presence is important in its
support of original work.
Please be generous with your presence.
2004 Fall Session
Independent Scholars' Evenings
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
Sep. 30th:
The Annual Review
-and-
Discussion of the 15th c. painting
"St. Jerome with the Lion"
Dinner
Commencement of the 9th year for
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
Introducing the cuisine of Chef Timothy
Johnson
Note: Adopted use of the painting
because it embodies the philosophy or mission of the Independent
Scholars' .
Oct. 7th:
Western Insights into the POV
of the Inegmatic Oriental and a reading from
The Curse of Kim's Daughters
S. Keyron McDermott - free-lance
writer
__________________________________
Oct. 14th:
Business and Economics: 21st Century Snake Oil
Emeric Solymossy
Asst. Prof. of Management W.I.U. Quad Cities campus
__________________________________
Oct. 21st:
Open forum
__________________________________
Oct. 28th:
Experiences in Community Changes:
Father Anthony from Brazil
__________________________________
Nov. 4th:
Readings from recent compositons of poetry:
Kathleen Lawless Cox
__________________________________
Nov. 11th.
"John and Charles Deere: Beyond the Legend."
Readings from his current book in progress:
Neil Dahlstrom - Archievist - Deere
and Company
__________________________________
Nov. 18th.2004
"Old Man River."
Lisa Brothers Arbisser
__________________________________
Dec. 2nd. 2004
" The Obese Emotion."
Panel Discussion...
on the psychology and emotions of obesity.
Denise Strathdee, Rd. Ld. L.M.C.H.(
Regd. Lic. Dietitian and Lic. Mental Health Counslor) from
Genesis Medical Center and Kathleen Cox, who has had Bariatric
Surgery, will be among the panel for discussion.
__________________________________
Dec. 9th. 2004
" The Third Face and other Poems"
John McBride. President Quint City
Poets.
Award winning poet from Bettendorf including the Founders
Award in 2004 competition of the National Federation of
State Poetry Societies and finalist in our area's poetry
competition judged by Robert Pinsky, and many others listed
on our website.
__________________________________
HOLIDAY PARTY >>>> PLEASE
JOIN US >>>>>
Your Presence is important in its
support of original work.
Please be generous with your presence.
2004 Summer Events
Independent Scholars' Evenings:
Second floor of The Moline Club
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Events are free & open to the
public
Refreshments are served before and after the event
Oct. 7th:
Western Insights into the POV
of the Inegmatic Oriental and a reading from
The Curse of Kim's Daughters
S. Keyron McDermott - free-lance
writer
Oct. 14th:
Business and Economics: 21st Century Snake Oil
Emeric Solymossy
Asst. Prof. of Management W.I.U. Quad Cities campus
Oct. 21st:
Open forum
Oct. 28th:
Experiences in Community Changes:
Father Anthony from Brazil
Nov. 4th:
Readings from recent compositons
of poetry:
Kathleen Lawless Cox
Nov. 11th.
Charles Deere:
Readings from the book-in-progress
on the history of Charles Deere.
Neil Dahlstrom - Archievist - Deere
and Company
2004 Spring Session:
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
resume after the winter break.
Feb. 26th. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"What's Wrong with U.S.?
Human Nature and Life in American Society"
presentation by
James A. Nickel, Ph.D.
Dr. Nickel is a psychologist and
independent social science researcher. He is the founder
of Solution Society, an organization whose mission is to
deepen our understanding of the causes, consequences and
solutions to prevalent social problems.
____
MARCH 4TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"ENERGY STAR BUILDINGS"
Designing, building, and certifiing
Energy Star homes, schools, and businesses
presentation by
DALE HOFFMAN, President
Midwest Sustainable Energy Contractors Inc.
Mr. Hoffman is a life long citizen
of Moline and has over 30 years experience with the construction
trades. With his partners Lewis Demitri and senior engineer,
Blaise Stolltenberg Mr. Hoffman are all trained by the Department
of Energy and
certified in computer modeling and H.E.R.S- the Home Energy
Rating System.
THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC
WINE AND SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE DURING
THE SOCIAL HOUR BEFORE AND AFTER THE EVENT
____
MARCH 11TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Traditional Feng Shui."
presentation by
LINA GRADY
Mrs. Grady, 42, a U.S. citizen since
1989 and Quad Cities resident since July 2003, grew up in
a culture where Feng Shui was widely practiced. Her family
immigrated to Indonesia and took the traditional knowledge
of Feng Shui with them from China. Her heritage understands
that through the principles of Yin and Yang, Qi energy,
and the Five Elements we can cooperate with Nature and thereby
benefit from this cooperation. Feng Shui has nothing to
do with religion but with Nature and the balances of Natural
energy.
Traditional Feng Shui is derived from calculations based
on the magnetic compass. Traditional Feng Shui predates
the Black Sect or the Black Hat school which has recently
developed a pop following in America and is unknown is China.
Ms. Grady formalized her inherited
knowledge with extensive training at the American Feng Shui
Institute in Los Angeles, California becoming accredited
in advanced Feng Shui concepts. In the Quad Cities, Mrs.
Grady and her husband Michael started an organization called
the Red Phoenix Feng Shui organization with the goals of
correcting mistakes in various new age Feng Shui books on
the market and to prevent people from becoming victimized.
Also, to help citizens of the Quad Cities discern real professional
Feng Shui practitioners from impostors, and to set Feng
Shui apart from superstition, mysticism, and religion.
____
MARCH 18TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"REIKKI."
What is Reikki?
How can it assist you and those around you?
presentation by
Pat Christy R.N.
Pat Christy has over 30 years of
nursing experience and brings the practical as well as the
spiritual and mystical to her practice. She is a Certified
Holistic Nurse and a member of the Holistic Nurse's Association
as well as the Oncology Nursing Society. She is a Reiki
Master/Teacher and is actively engaged in teaching health
care providers how to incorporate Reiki into clinical practice
as well as teaching classes for the community. ____
MARCH 25TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Her Current Poetry"
presentation by
Kathleen Lawless Cox.
Kathleen Lawless Cox, an American
immigrant, weaves her Irish birth and heritage into her
work.
A free lance writer, poet and artist, Ms. Cox is a resident
of the Quad Cities where she pursues her 'métier'.
Her book " Maeve" has been published recently.
A familiar and respected figure in the area art community
she will be reading a selection of the poetry she has composed
most recently.
____
APRIL 1ST. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
Due to requests from the audience
for continuation of the very popular session in March
"Remedies of Feng Shui
based on Traditional Feng Shui calculations"
presentation by
Lina Grady, Consultant, Traditional
Feng Shui.
Please bring:
A layout and the compass directions of your home.
Lina Grady will be giving individual
Feng Shui calculations for members of the audience as a
follow-up of her previous presentation.
____
APRIL 8TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Passion and Violence.. a response
to the movie
Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ"
presentation by
Robert Haak. P.Hd.
Professor, Department of Religion
Augustana College
____
APRIL 15TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Women as Portrayed in the movie
The Passion of Christ."
presentation by
Kristy Nabhan-Warren, P.Hd.
Assistant Professor, Department of Religion
Augustana College
____
APRIL 22ND. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Let 'Em Whirl"
presentation by
Willa Moor MA, MT-BC
(Music Therapist, Board Certified)
Original songs, stories, poetry inspired
by and/or composed by Elders living in nursing homes.
____
APRIL 29TH. 2004
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Affirmation - The 5th. Love"
presentation by
Michael Grady .B.A.
Director of Visiting Angels Senior Care
____
MAY 8th. 2004 - THURSDAY
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Applications of Ancient Wisdom
to Modern Design"
presentation by
Joseph Gusse
Architect: Joseph Architectural Group. Rock Island, Illinois.
____
MAY 13th. 2004 - THURSDAY
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Life on The Mississippi - The
New Millennium"
additions to the manuscript will be circulated.
Readings from the manuscript as it
has been completed
thus far.
Reader: Michael Grady .B.A.
Director of Visiting Angels Senior Care
____
MAY 16th. 2004 - SUNDAY
7.00 p.m.
venue: 2nd. floor of The Moline Club. 513 16th. Street.
Moline
"Ram Lila"
Special Event: 7.00.p.m.
Stories from and about the Ramayana
with master storyteller, Michael Sternfeld - Ramayana scholar.
Featuring Sanskrit chants and devotional
songs with special guest, Sai Ganesh Nagpal.
____
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
will be at recess till September 2004 when we begin the
9th. year.
2003 Fall Session:
Augustana President and Mrs. Steven
C. Bahls
September 25th, 2003
6:00pm Cocktails and Hors dÂ’Oeuvres
6:30 pm Annual International Dinner
7:30pm presentation
at
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
venue:
2nd floor of
The Moline Club
513 16th Street Moline, Illinois, 61265
RSVP (309) 762-8547 - The Moline
Club
Attendance at dinner is not necessary
for attendance of the presentation.
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
sponsored by The Institute for Cultural
and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c)3 organization
1530 5th Avenue Moline, Illinois,
61265 309 762-9202 www.qcinstitute.org
"The Role of Liberal Arts College
in the Community"
presentation by
Augustana College President - Steven
C. Bahls
Commencing the 8th Year for
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
President Bahls, the eighth president
of Augustana College is fromDesMoines, and obtained his
bachelor's degree with highest distinction at the University
of Iowa College of Business.
He obtained his law degree, cum laude,
at Northwestern University School of Law.
Prior to his career in higher education,
President Bahls practiced corporate law in Milwaukee.
He then served as associate dean
and professor at the University of Montana School of Law,
and most recently as dean and professor at Capital University
Law School in Columbus, Ohio.
While in Ohio, he was a member of
the Columbus Downtown Rotary and served on the boards of
Columbus Works, an inner city job readiness skill training
program; the Discovery District Development Corporation,
the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Foundation.
A recognized and published scholar
in the area of business and agricultural law, he served
as president of the American Agricultural Law Association
in 2000.
President Bahls and his wife Jane
have three children.
Daniel is a math and English major
at Williams College, Timothy is a math and computer science
major at Middlebury College and Angela will be entering
seventh grade.
OCTOBER 2003 Events
2nd. Celebration of Expressive Arts.
Featured Writer Tony Cadoso, Musician Cathy Wetzel and Visual
Artist Tony Ledtje
9th. Healthy Eating for 2003 and
Beyond
Presentation by Dana Johnson Nutritionist at Trinity Hospital
16th. The DaVinci Code.
IONS book discussion let by Janet Darmour-Paul
23rd. Forum:
Exploring the Docu-Fiction Research for The DaVinci Code
30th. Discouse of the Hysterical
Jeanneth Vazquez, P.Hd. Assistant Professor of Spanish Augustana
College. Faculty for Women and Gender Studies.
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS' EVENINGS
Every Thursday : 7.00 p.m. 2nd. floor The Moline Club 513
16th. Street. Moline. Il. 61265
Free and open to the public.
Refreshments provided.
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
are sponsored by
the Institute for Cultural and Healing
Traditions, Ltd.
1530 5th. Ave. Moline. 309 762- 9202
November 2003
Thursdays. 7.p.m.
2nd. Floor of The Moline Club.
513 16th. Street. Moline. (309) 762-
8547
Nov. 6 - "Life on the Mississippi
- The New Mellinnium"
Reading from entries made in the
manuscript on the
Mississippi being maintained by The
Institute.
Nov. 13 - Gary Ecklund, publisher
of "The Multi-Cultural News"
Nov. 20 -"Raising Cain: Protecting
the Emotional Life of Boys"
book discussion presented by The
Institute for Noetic Sciences.
Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving! (no event)
Free and open to the public.
Refreshments provided.
The Independent Scholars' Evenings
are sponsored by
The Institute for Cultural and Healing
Traditions, Ltd.
1530 5th. Ave. Moline. 309 762- 9202
December 2003
December 4th.
Celebration of Expressive Arts.
Highlighting the work of the following
artists:
Featured Writer: Erskine Carter (poet)
Featured Artist: Bill Wohlford (wood carver)
Featured Musician: Michael DiFuccia (guitarist)
Guest Artist: Kathleen Lawless Cox.
December 11th
Virginia Melroy. Dances of Universal
Peace.
Virginia will be coming in from The
University of Iowa to conduct the dance of the Sufi. The
event is sponsored by The Institute for Noetic Sciences.
December 18th.
Libby and Curt Roseman: Illustrated
Presentation: The Grand Excursion of 1854 and th Upper Mississippi
River.
The 1854 Grand Excursion took 1000
guests on a train trip from Chicago to Rock Island, Illinois
and a steamboat ride to St. Paul in the Minnesota Territory.
It was hosted by the builders of the Chicago and Rock Island
Railroad, the first railroad to reach the Mississippi River
from the East.
This presentation features colorful
illustrations (nineteenth and twentieth century photos and
landscape art, color postcards, and maps) that tell the
story of the Grand Excursion and related aspects of the
history, environment, and geography of the Upper Mississippi
River. Based on a new book edited by Curtis and Elizabeth
Roseman, Grand Excursions on the Upper Mississippi River,
University of Iowa Press, spring 2004.
2003 Spring Session
INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS’ EVENINGS.
March 27th. 2003 - 7pm
By: Monica P. Castaneda:
"Feng shui for the Calmness
and Balance of the Home and Environment."
According to Oriental Philosophy
happiness is a state that comes from within when:
the CHI (life force) energy is flowing
smoothly
there is a balance of Yin and Yang
(negative and positive poles)
the five elements (water, wood, fire,
earth and metal) are in harmony with each other
Well being, according to this, is
independent from external factors. Furthermore, the state
of a person's mind, body and soul are mirrored in the spaces
in which they live and work.
Feng Shui is the art of Space Arrangement.
It operates from the premise that by making changes in our
homes and workplaces so that they will show the signs of
Life Thriving, we can influence our internal mental, physical
and emotional processes.
Monica P. Castaneda holds a degree
in Architecture from the Central University of Ecuador,
her native country. She has also received extensive training
as a visual artist. Her interest in Feng Shui led her to
study the principles behind the art in order to adapt it
to the needs and belief systems of the Western Culture.
She has studied meditation, metaphysics, and the native
North and South American approaches to space, and incorporates
these into her practice. She is also an instructor of Macrobiotics
Cuisine and a student of Tai-Chi.
At
The Moline Club
2nd. Floor.
513 16th. Street
Moline.
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
is sponsored by
The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd.
1530 5th. Ave.
Moline
309- 762-9202
April 10th 2003 - Download Information
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
April 17th 2003 - Download Information
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
April 17th 2003 (Chicago) - Download
Information
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Thursday, May 1, 2003 - 7pm
“Concepts and Tools for Anger
Management”
Presented by Jean Brownson, therapist for Catholic Charities
in Rock Island, specializing in anger management, grief/loss,
crisis and family intervention.
Ms. Borwnson has facilitated groups
for individuals to discover healthier responses to their
anger that would guide them into more effective ways of
understanding, communicating and caring. She will be sharing
her experiences and a few concepts that have helped others
deal with their feelings of anger.
The World Recipe Sampler for this
evening will be Miso Soup.
Thursday, May 8, 2003, 7pm -
Download Flyer (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
“The Poetry of Dr. Lisa Arbisser”
Presented by Dr. Lisa Arbisser, co-founder of Eye Surgeons
Associates
Like many of us, Dr. Arbisser has
a multi-faceted life. She is not only an accomplished eye
surgeon in the Quad Cities but also writes poetry. Come
hear her debut reading from her original works.
The World Recipe Sampler for this
evening will be Middle Eastern Chick Pea Soup.
Thursday, May 15, 2003, 7pm,
“Touch Therapy: The Benefits
of Bodywork”
Dino Hayz, Licensed Massage Therapist (Iowa and Illinois)
Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork,
Reiki Practitioner
Headaches, backaches, muscle tension,
short temper, the effects of stress...these things seem
to be the plague of the day in our society. What's the cure?
More and more people are turning to complementary and alternative
medicine to relieve some of the dis-ease they feel in their
lives. Dino Hayz, a licensed and nationally certified massage
therapist and bodyworker, will explain some of the different
forms of bodywork he uses to help his clients (massage therapy,
reflexology, reiki and polarity therapy) and will also give
you some tips to you in relieving your own ailments the
natural way.
The World Recipe Sampler for this
evening will be Japanese Seaweed Salad.
Thursday, May 22, 2003, 7pm, -
“Mississippi Valley Poetry
Competition: Poetry Reading”
Presented by local and regional winners and finalists of
the competition.
The World Recipe Sampler for this
evening will be California Rolls (avocado and cucumber)
Thursday, May 29, 2003, 7pm –
“World Rhythms in Original
Music”
Presented by singer/songwriter and recording artist Olenka
The rhythms of Brazil, Cuba, Africa,
Egypt, Bali, Finland, and Southern Poland, with touches
of South Indian drum language, will be presented Olenka’s
original songs, with previews of Olenka’s new CD,
Rhythms of Another Life.
The World Recipe Sampler for this
evening will be Peruvian “Ceviche Style” Rice
with Chicken.
2002 Fall Events
Annual International Dinner
Commencing the 7th Year for The Independent
Scholars’ Evenings
“LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI –
THE NEW MILLENNIUM”
initial reading from The Institute’s manuscripts.
and
A SOLO PERFORMANCE Of KATHAK:
CLASSICAL DANCE FROM NORTH INDIA
By PRASHANT SHAH
Guest performer, visiting Chicago from Europe and Asia.
September 19th. 2002
"The Virtues of Intolerance."
Dr. David Hill, professor of philosophy, Augustana. Rock
Island. Illinois.
7.00 p.m. The Moline Club.
September 12th, 2002
6:00pm Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Presentation
at
The Moline Club
513 16th Street
Moline, Illinois, 61265
RSVP (309) 762-8547
Dinner and performance is $ 35.00 Per person
The performance only is $15.00 per person
Attendance at dinner is not necessary
for attendance of the presentation.
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
1530 5th Avenue
Moline, Illinois, 61265 www.qcinstitute.org
Prashant Shah:
Born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Prashant Shah has trained
in the Classical Kathak dance for the past 20 years under
the guidance of the famous Kathak dancer – Choreographer
Smt. Kumudini Lakhia. He has given a number of performances
in the major cities in U.S.A.; U.S.S.R.; China, U.K., Netherlands,
Brasil, France, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Morocco and
India.
Prashant brings to his dance a sense of precision as well
as dynamism through his immense strength. His style is are
combination of aesthetics as also virtuosity.
Prashant has worked with the Sitar
maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar in his dance ballet “Ghanashyam”
which toured India extensively in 1990. Additionally, Prashant
has worked with the famous Kathak Guru Shri Birju Maharaj.
His association with his Guru Smt. Kumudini Lakhia.......
“Between birth and death, life
moves on, but it is the teacher (Guru) who moulds this world,
making it a better place to live in…….”
After spending over five decades
in the Kathak dance world, the renowned Kathak exponent
and choreographer Smt. Kumudini Lakhia has successfully
introduced and implemented a new direction in the Kathak
dance form deepening the texture of Kathak. The freshness
of her work stems from the exploration of vertical and horizontal
lines with an emphasis on body contours and dynamic formations.
She has exposed the flexibility and versatility of Kathak.
In addition, her subtle and meticulous taste for costumes
and lighting has invigorated the face of Kathak. She used
the Kathak vocabulary within which she had found all that
she needed to “tell the story of today, whicle not
forsaking the old soul”. It was a constant exploration
of body language, which had to be relevant ‘sociologically,
aesthetically and economically.’
I have been really fortunate and
blessed to be her disciple for the last 20 years. She has
not only imparted to me her knowledge and discipline of
Kathak technique but has also opened my mind to explore
beyond technique, which makes the dance an artistic and
aesthetic experience for both the dancer and the audience.
Brief History of Kathak Nritya (dance):
Kathak is one of the leading forms of Indian classical dance.
This ancient art of India derived it’s name “Kathak”
from “Katha”, the art of storytelling. The Kathak
dancers were excellent narrators and storytellers, and they
interpreted incidence from the great epics with gestures
and music. Through an aesthetically exquisite and continuously
evolving style, these storytellers of the past combined
dance and music and became the protagonists of the modern
Kathak dance.
Like many aspects of the cultural
life of northern India, Kathak developed through various
phases of Indian social, religious and political history,
thus reflecting their diverse impact. During the Hindu period,
this performing art of north India was nurtured in temples
for the glory of God. The dancers were mainly Brahmins and
were held in high esteem. Kathak dance suffused mainly with
Vaishnava philosophy and the Radha-Krishna theme, passed
through a period of renaissance and for some time became
a powerful vehicle of entertainment for the Mogul courts.
As a result of fusion of Indo-Mogul culture, Kathak emerged
into a new form of dance. Though the basic graces of the
old form were retained, a new format and a new idiom inevitably
came to be added. The Moguls brought their Persian art introducing
the geometrical patterns and designs music and dancing with
special emphasis on footwork and intricate rhythmic patterns.
During this period, however, Kathak became a favorite royal
past time. and a source of entertainment for rich and aristocrats,
thus falling into disrepute, particularly for women.
The British showed little interest
in Indian dance and music. Kathak was no exception. Maharaj
Bindadin, the greatest of Kathak gurus, provided the much
needed integration of Hindu and Mogul influences in this
dance form, and Kathak became a truly representative classical
dance form. The post-independence or modern Kathak is a
mixture of both the temple dance and the court dance. Kathak
has north Indian classical music as its cultural counterpart.
The rhythmic patterns and several other common areas for
these two art forms have reinforced each other.
There are three main ‘houses’
traditionally called “Gharanas” in Kathak -
Jaipur Gharana, Lucknow Gharana, and Benaras Gharana, each
having its own characteristics and peculiarities. Kathak
today has regained its old glory, its rightful place amongst
the classical arts of India and has inspired a number of
artist. Kathak has contributed to the modern cultural renaissance
in India, and deservingly is one of the most popular classical
performing art forms in India.
September 26th
“String Quartet #1” Joanie Johnson.
1st. 2 movements of her original
composition.
Joanie Johnson teaches upper strings
and string method at St. Ambrose University in Davenport,
Iowa and is part of the orchestra of the Quad City Symphony.
October 3rd
“ Grassroots movements” Vince Thomas
Vince Thomas has retired as Director
of Project Now and has started.
“Grassroots” an organization
involved with grassroots movements.
October 10th
“ The Virtues of Intolerance.” David Hill –
repeat presentation by request.
David Hill is professor of Philosophy
at Augustana and specializes on the History of Science.
He will be reading his original essay.
October 17th
"A reading from current as-yet-unpublished works and
commentary on pop culture and media.'' Sean Leary.
October 24th
“His Poetry” Dale Haake
Recitations from his original poetry.
Dale Haake is an attorney with the
firm of Katz, Huntoon and Feiweger specializing in immigration
law and bankruptcy. He received a national award.
November 14th
“Altered States of Consciousness in Early Christianity.”
Ritva Williams
Ritva Williams is a professor in
Religion at Augustana and will be reading from her work
on a chapter on ‘Prophets’ from a book-proposal
titled “ Stewards, Prophets and Keepers of the Word.”
October 31st…….no event……….Holiday………….
Our 7th. year… 2002 – 2003
The Independent Scholars’ Evenings
A non-profit free-standing public forum.
We continue… as before….on
second floor of The Moline Club building. 513 16th. Street,
Downtown Moline, every Thursday evening at 7. 00 p.m. during
the scholastic year.
Our Fall semester continues till
the 1st. week of December, 2002. Until then, the forum is
open every Thursday, at 7.00. Presentations will be posted
on the building window on 1530 5th. Ave. downtown Moline
address and on our web site: www.qcinstitute.org.
Independent scholars face serious
challenges and you can, as interested co-learners, assist
by offering your responses and suggestions and by helping
create a supportive atmosphere.
Your presence makes the difference…….
A rundown of highlighted work achieved
so far:
Kathleen Lawless Cox finished her
book “Maeve” and has successfully circulated
it in the community. Her essay “ God-Bothering”
has sparked original essays in response by David Hill and
Roald Tweet. Her ideas expressed in “Artists inspiring
Artists” have been read in the community.
David Hill has finished his book “The Sword of the
Nazarene” and has sent it for publication. His “Logos”
program teaching the history of science to undergraduates
is still being continued at Augustana. He has begun the
second book which is now under way. His essay: “The
Virtues of Intolerance” is ready for presentation.
Joan Johnson is composing a quartet
: “String Quartet # 1” part of which will be
presented during the fall session and again later on in
the year. Tom Moran essays “Am a Text?” and
“Lifelong learning for the authentic and healthy life”
have been circulated.
Ritva Williams “A Spirit That
is Holy”-excerpts from a chapter was completed and
submitted for the book “Handbook of Social Sciences
in Early Christianity”. Independent scholars face
serious challenges. Please congratulate them on their success
and on their achieving their accomplishment.
Due to the expenses of running The
Institute, we will not be able to send mailings every month
as before and will try and send them out as frequently as
possible.
Just note that the “Evenings”
are held every Thursday even when no program title is pre-announced.
We keep a schedule that is somewhat flexible. This is to
accommodate the impromptu work of the Independent Scholars.
A supportive core group will be regularly present. A presentation
event will be provided. Please keep checking our website.
You may call 309-762-9202 for further
information or email us at institute@qconline.com.
Thanks to you …and all…..for
your support in creating the atmosphere for creativity Enjoy
the new Institute year.
From the Core Group.
2002 Spring Session
March 7th
Dick Stahl. Poet Laureate of the Quad Cities will read his
current poetry and writings.
March 14th
Jamal Tayh : “All You Wanted
To Know About Islam But Were Afraid To Ask.”
March 21st
“God-Bothering” original
essay by David Hill. Inspired by the essay written by Kathleen
Lawless Cox.
April 4th
Poet : at the Bettendorf Public Library.
April 11th
Free Form. Open evening.
April 18th
Free Form. Open evening.
April 25th
“Tolkein” the man and
the author of “The Lord of the Rings”
Dr. Lars Scott, Augustana Dept. of Scandinavian Studies.
Essay and discussion.
May 2nd
"The Suastika. Or Swastika – Its meaning and
usage." Narveen Singh Virdi. Essay discussing the origins
of the word and the symbol.
May 9th TBA
May 16th TBA
2001 Fall Session
Annual Dinner
Opening 6th. Year for The Independent Scholars’ Evenings:
Sept. 20th. 2001
Bruce Carter: Creativity: A lifelong
project
Bruce Carter
Born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Brazil and the United
States, Bruce de Gouveia Carter received
