Lafayette College's 1st Fall Arts Festival highlights diverse works, award-winning artists
EASTON, Pa. — In an effort to highlight the diverse works of students and staff, Lafayette College will hold its first Fall Arts Festival.
The arts-filled week showcases the works of Asian, Black and Latino artists. It will begin on Saturday, Sept. 28, and run through Saturday, Oct. 5.
It will feature free performances and exhibitions, along with ticketed events with award-winning authors and saxophonists.
Reception, student-directed play
The festival will begin with a chorus rehearsal by Lafayette College alumni from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday inside the Williams Center for the Arts at 317 Hamilton St.
Also on Saturday: The college's painting faculty member Sun You will present her new solo exhibition, "Fabulous You" at the Grossman Gallery, 243 N. Third St.; and student/director Ronnie Ward will present "Lift Every Voice" — a one-act play about politics in the U.S. as we approach the 2024 presidential election.
"Life Every Voice" will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Studio Theater in the 248 Building, 248 N. Third St. Tickets cost $10.
Porchfest jazz performances
On Sunday, the college will participate in the sixth annual College Hill's Porchfest with a performance by OwenBigOwen at 2 p.m. at the Williams Center.
Also on Sunday: Music professor and classic pianist Holly Roadfeldt will perform at 3 p.m. followed by a jazz concert with college senior Conrad Tilroe at 4 p.m., also both at the Williams Center.
Book signing, Indian dance
Monday's festivities include a book signing with Susan Choi.
Choi, who won the National Book Award for fiction in 2019, will read excerpts and sign copies of her novel, "Trust Exercise," at 4 p.m. in Room 104 inside Kirby Hall, 730 High St.
At 5 p.m. on Monday, Lafayette art professors Eric Hupe and Sarah Beck will present a virtual reality arts night at the Williams Center.
Attendees can visit Rome via a virtual reality walking tour that highlights famous artworks created by Raphael and Michelangelo during the Italian Renaissance.
On Tuesday, Nandini Sikand, a film and studies professor, and Sahana Hassan Balasubramanya, a math professor, will perform two classic Indian dances at 7 p.m. inside the Williams Center. Audience participation is welcomed during the workshop.
Highlighting Lafayette's history
On Wednesday, guest curator Ana Ramirez Luhrs will lead a lecture about the "Return to The Land of Genuine Freedom" exhibit, which showcases items from the college's special collections and archives of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette's memorabilia.
The event will take place at 4 p.m. inside Room 108 inside the Williams Center.
Also on Wednesday: Student-led film screenings will take place at 7 p.m. inside the Landis Cinema at Buck Hall, 219 N. Third St.
Grammy-nominated saxophonist
Lakecia Benjamin, a three-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, inside the Williams Center.
Benjamin, who has toured with Stevie Wonder, the Roots and Alicia Keys, will present a mix of jazz, hip-hop and soul music.
Tickets cost $33.
Closing celebrations
The festival ends on Saturday, Oct. 5, with two events on the Karl Stirner Arts Trail.
The "Red Sand Project" will take place at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 300 N. Third St., behind Don Juan's restaurant.
The public is invited to help students pour red sand on the sidewalks of the trail in an effort to bring attention to human trafficking.
The project began in 2014 as an art installation by Molly Gochman, a New York City-based artist.
At 1 p.m., a guided dance by poet Donia Salem Harhoor, along with performances by student and faculty, will occur along the Bushkill Creek on the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, along with a sounded bath meditation led by Meg Green.
Lastly, as part of Lafayette's faculty artist series, composer and saxophonist Kirk O'Riordan will present his new works for saxophone, electronics and video at 8 p.m. Saturday inside the Williams Center.
