A film premiere, a lecture on privatized military forces and an art opening highlight Fanfare's first two weeks
by: Tonya Lowentritt
DAVIS OPENS THEN AND NOW LECTURE SERIES– Southeastern Louisiana University's Fanfare will present the first lecture in the
13th annual "Then and Now Lecture Series" on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. in Pottle
Auditorium. History major Bradley Davis will present "Outsourcing War: The Evolution
of Privatized Military Forces." The lecture is free and open to the public.
HAMMOND – An art exhibit opening, a film premier and a dinner theatre are just some of the events providing the opening flourish for the 28th season of Fanfare, Southeastern Louisiana University's annual October arts festival.
On Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, "Louisiana During World War II" will make its film debut. The film, produced by Jerry Sanson, interim chair of the Department of History and Political Science at LSU-Alexandria, and Southeastern History and Political Science Department Head William Robison, examines Louisiana's many contributions to the Allied victory in World War II and how the war affected the state. Funded in part by a U.S. Department of Teaching American History grant, the film is based on Sanson's book "Louisiana During World War II: Politics and Society 1939-1945."
"The film features commentary from a dozen experts," Robison said. "It addresses military maneuvers in Louisiana; the military installations at camps Beauregard, Claiborne, Livingston, and elsewhere; the contributions of Higgins Industries, Standard Oil, and many other Louisiana manufacturers to the war effort; and the war's impact on state politics, the economy, culture, race and gender."
On Oct. 2 the Department of History and Political Science's "Then and Now Lecture Series" officially kicks off its 13th presentation of free lectures.
Southeastern history major Bradley Davis will present the first lecture in the series, "Outsourcing War: The Evolution of Privatized Military Forces," at 1 p.m. in Pottle Auditorium.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991, a new trend has emerged in warfare – privatized military forces. Commonly known as PMFs, these units, Davis said, are more businesslike than traditional mercenary units, embracing capitalist thought and merging it with an increasing pool of former soldiers attempting to find work. However, PMFs create numerous ethical and political problems, Davis explained.
Oct. 10 marks the opening of free art exhibits that will run in Southeastern's Contemporary Art Gallery through Nov. 11. The opening reception is scheduled at the gallery from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
"Sign of Our Times: Text Based Art in the 21st Century," is a national group exhibition that explores the use of text in contemporary art and design in order to change or extend the meaning of a work of art. The exhibition will include the artwork of nationally recognized fine artists and graphic designers working in a variety of media. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fanfare's second week also includes:
▪ On Oct. 7, the Southeastern Faculty Chamber Music Recital will kick off the first
of many musical performances from the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. "Musical
Treasure for Piano and Strings," is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Pottle Auditorium.
▪ Octuba Fest follows on Oct. 8 and 10 in Pottle Music Recital Hall with performances at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
▪ A "Then and Now" lecture on "Helter Skelter: The Beatles, Charles Manson, and the Summer of '69" will be presented by Communication Professor Joe Burns, Oct. 9, 1 p.m., in Pottle Music Building Auditorium. In August 1969 Charles Manson's "family" committed the Tate-LaBianca murders. Los Angeles and the nation wanted the reason for this crime that seemed to come out of nowhere.
▪ Also on Oct. 9 the Louisiana Mystery Writers Panel Discussion: "We Done It! Mystery Writers Probe Their Craft" is scheduled at 4 p.m. in the Columbia Theatre Conference Center in downtown Hammond.
▪ On Oct. 11, the Amite Little Theatre and the Louisiana Center for Theatrical Arts present "Dealt a Deadly Hand," a murder mystery dinner theatre at 7 p.m. at the Amite Community Center. Tickets are $50 per person or $80 per couple and are available at Addington Chiropractic at (985) 747-2225.
Fanfare tickets are on sale at the Columbia/Fanfare box office, 220 E. Thomas Street,
985-543-4371. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
one hour prior to Columbia performances. For a complete schedule, contact the Columbia/Fanfare
office at 985-543-4366 or visit columbiatheatre.org.
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