Category Archives: Lead Story
Pierce College Puyallup choirs to highlight Northwest composers
Pierce College Puyallup choirs will celebrate the work of Northwest composers in a collage-style performance Friday, June 7.
Instead of the traditional set-up of singers performing on stage, members of the Puyallup Concert and Chamber choirs will be stationed at a variety of places within the Arts and Allied Health Theater, choir director Ken Owen explained.
The spotlight will move from location to location as segments of the choirs perform. The audience will be asked to hold applause until the end of the concert.
The program, called “A Northwest Collage,” also offers a rare opportunity to hear an entire concert devoted to the work of Northwest composers.
“Return to the Forbidden Planet” features huge cast, elaborate costumes and live band
Pierce College Theatre blasts off on a rock-and-roll flight to “Return to the Forbidden Planet” May 29 to June 1.
This family-friendly musical tells the story of mad scientist Doctor Prospero, who’s unknowingly jettisoned into space with his infant daughter. Their craft crashes into D’Illyria, the Forbidden Planet, and the adventure begins.
Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical, the play by Bob Carlton is loosely based on the 1956 film, “Forbidden Planet,” which was a sci-fi version of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”
The production features a 35-member cast of Pierce students and community members. A live, five-piece band directed by Nate Benson accompanies the cast as they belt out a raft of golden oldies, including “Good Vibrations” and “Born to be Wild.”
New registration form seeks students’ sexual orientation, gender identity
Pierce College registration forms now include two new questions: “What is your sexual orientation?” and “What is your gender identity?”
The questions aren’t meant to pry into students’ private lives. Instead, they are part of a student-driven, statewide commitment to make community and technical colleges welcoming to all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Students aren’t required to answer the questions, and an individual student’s information will remain confidential, said Sonja Morgan, student life coordinator at Pierce College Puyallup.
Enjoy international dance, cuisine and culture Saturday at Fort Steilacoom
A traditional Korean dance and drum troupe will headline the Lakewood International Festival this Saturday, May 18, at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood.
Festival-goers also can enjoy South Sound performances representing cultures from around the globe and sample Polynesian, Caribbean and other international cuisine. Vendors will sell jewelry, art and crafts.
International students attending Pierce College will show kids how to fold paper into origami creations, play games and write their name in different languages. Plus, children can see what henna painting is about, get their face painted and watch a magician.
The fun happens from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Cascade Building Student Activity Center.
Pierce College announces new vice president for administrative services
The City of Lakewood’s assistant city manager of finance and administration will become the next vice president for administrative services at Pierce College.
Choi Halladay, 44, will begin his new job on June 17. In Lakewood, Halladay oversees finance, human resources and other general services for a municipal government with a $90 million annual budget.
He earlier worked in several positions at Wenatchee Valley College, including vice president of administration, director of technology and tenured mathematics instructor.
Greta Matassa, Thomas Marriot among headliners at Pierce College Jazz Expo
Artists on the national jazz scene will perform at the Pierce College Jazz Expo on June 2.
In addition, four of the bands will offer mini-workshops.
The event will be at the college’s Puyallup campus. Tickets are just $10.
Artists scheduled to perform include: McTuff, Thomas Marriot Sextet (Tribute to Art Blakey), Greta Matassa quartet, Pierce College Jazz Ensemble and Pete Christlieb Quartet.
Adopt an adorable pet
Simba and Sydney want a window sill, Maddie likes to watch TV and Jasper loves to lay in the sun.
Most of all, these doggies and kitties are looking for new homes through the Pierce College Veterinary Technology Annual Adoption Event in Lakewood.
In conjunction with National Pet Week, the Annual Adoption Event is happening Monday, May 6, through Thursday, May 9. The program seeks homes for the animals that helped students prepare for careers as veterinary technicians the past academic year.
Activist Annie Leonard speaks on Tuesday about our excess stuff
Annie Leonard says people are stuck on the treadmill of buying stuff, keeping stuff and working to buy more stuff.
It’s a way of life that hurts the environment, wastes resources and robs people of time they could spend nurturing relationships with loved ones.
Leonard will discuss the consumer treadmill and how to get off of it on Tuesday, May 7, at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom.
See play about Anne Frank, listen to a Holocaust survivor at Fort Steilacoom
A one-person play and a survivor’s talk at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom will invoke the pain and inspiration of the Holocaust.
“Through the eyes of a friend,” a production exploring the life of Anne Frank as told by her fictional best friend, will be presented three times on Tuesday, May 7. The next day, Holocaust survivor Josh Gortler of Seattle will recount how he and his family evaded capture by the Nazis in Poland.
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Student Programs is sponsoring the events as part of the Roland Weis Lecture Series.
Bestselling Author speaks at Pierce Puyallup this Thursday, May 2
Author Richard Louv will appear on the Puyallup campus this Thursday to discuss “The Nature Principle,” this year’s Pierce College Common Book.
And in a late-breaking development, Pierce College students can now attend Louv’s talk for free.
“The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age,” advocates for a healthier balance between technology and nature so that we can experience the best of both.
