Jazz music filtered softly through the hum of voices. People mulled about, their nametags referencing their names and positions. The smells of new wood, paint and carpet wafted through the air. And something else permeated the air, unseen but present all the same—pride. On Feb. 21, the new Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts…
The man behind the building: A History of Howard L. Schrott
Buildings around the world are named after people for any number of reasons. The Butler University community may be wondering who is behind the name of the school’s newest building. That mystery is revealed for Howard Schrott, the man whose name is now permanently part of Butler University’s campus in the new Howard L. Schrott…
Butler hosts ‘Impact: The Arab Spring’
This week, R.E.A.C.H. and the Butler International Club will present Butler University’s 23rd annual international dinner, “Impact: The Arab Spring.” Robert Oprisko, visiting assistant professor of international studies, and Sara Naama, a Lybian exchange student, will be speaking. Additionally, ethnomusicologist and Butler alumna Katya Faris will be performing a belly dance. The Arab Spring began…
‘Pigeons’ examines alcoholism, relationships
“Hating yourself is a form of egotism.” This is the central paradox of Dan Barden’s new play, “Pigeons,” which began its world premiere performances by the Butler University theatre department during its run last week. Barden is an associate professor in the English department. Barden’s play, his second written for the Butler theatre department, features…
For the love of locomotion (to 1/16 scale)
Stephen Nelson is a College of Business instructor. Fewer Butler University students probably know he is also a toy train collector. Nelson opened Mr. Muffin’s Trains, a toy train collection with an operating layout, in December. His interest in toy trains began when he was 14 and started working at Ed Schock’s Toy & Hobby…
Thomas Hampson to sing Mahler with ISO this week
The world-famous operatic baritone Thomas Hampson will sing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Friday. The orchestra will perform selections from Gustav Mahler’s “Des Knaben Wunderhorn” for the first time in its 83-year history. The pieces will feature Hampson as soloist. “Des Knaben Wunderhorn” is a collection of 12 songs set to the anonymous German folk…
Maya Angelou to return to campus after 25 years
Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The Butler community never did quite forget Angelou’s legendary presence back in 1988. After being the inaugural speaker for Butler University’s Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture…
In the dark, JACK Quartet comes out to play
The lights will dim and the room will go black—pitch black. Audience members will squirm in their seats, surrounded by darkness they won’t be able to escape. Then the music will begin. The Ensemble Music Society is bringing in the JACK Quartet, one of the nation’s top contemporary string quartets. The JACK Quartet will perform…
Butler grad student to perform with Butler Symphony Orchestra
Butler graduate student Kelly Swensson is one of the country’s finest young bassoonists. Swensson, 24, will be performing a solo in Butler Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on Feb. 24. Butler bassoon professor Douglas Spaniol remembers the first time he met Swensson. Swensson was a sixth grader who had recently picked up bassoon.…
One Billion Rising suggests dancing in protest tomorrow
American playwright Eve Ensler, the author of the play “The Vagina Monologues,” has called upon women across the world to stand up and dance in a protest against rape, sexual assault and domestic violence Thursday. History will be created as one billion people will rise up and dance in unison. Senior Kate Langdon said violence…