SWIC Arts & Humanities to present One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

November 5, 2019

Experience the indelible story of a mental hospital and its inhabitants, in the play “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Dale Wasserman.

Directed by SWIC Assistant Professor of Speech and Theatre Julie Willis and based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey, this iconic, pop-culture story will not be one to miss.

The performances will run Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. in the SWIC Belleville Campus Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” centers around a criminal who gets transferred for evaluation from a prison to a mental institution. He assumes a psychiatric ward will be a less restrictive environment; however, the mental asylum is run with an iron fist. Inevitably, a war ensues between the rebellious criminal and the inflexible mental institution’s administration, which affects all the ward’s patients.

Tickets are $5 with a student ID, $10 for general admission and can be purchased at the door, cash-only.

The play deals with themes of an adult nature and is intended for mature audiences.

For more information call Willis at 618-235-2700, ext. 4975. For more information on events offered by SWICarts, visit swic.edu or facebook.com/swicarts.

Trunk or Treat at SWIC Belleville Campus Oct. 25

October 8, 2019

Bring the kids to enjoy trick-or-treating in a safe environment at the Southwestern Illinois College Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 25 at 6-9 p.m. at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., in Parking Lot M5.

This event is free and open to the public. Families and kids of all ages are welcome. This is a great option for children who may not have a place to trick or treat. There will be plenty of candy.

Trunk or Treat is sponsored by SWIC Student Life and Student Leader Group.

For more information, call Director of Student Life Amy Brockman at 618-235-2700, ext. 5561.

Senior Companion Program looking for seniors or caregivers

October 15, 2019

Are you a senior who is feeling lonely, or are you a caregiver to a senior and in need of a little break? Senior Companions can help!

The Senior Companion Program pairs healthy, active people 55 and older with other seniors who otherwise would not be able to live independently. Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons sponsors the program.

“The companions provide supportive, individualized services to help clients maintain their dignity and independence,” said Carla Boswell, director of the Senior Companion Program at PSOP. “The goal is to foster their independence and keep them in their own homes. The program also serves as a support system for caregivers of homebound seniors.”

At no cost to the client, Senior Companions provide companionship and assistance to older adults who are homebound and want to remain in their home or may be socially isolated. They visit four hours per day, one or more days per week and can assist with daily tasks, as well as give support and a much-needed break to full-time caregivers. All Senior Companions must go through a background check and training before they are placed with a senior. Companions earn a nontaxable stipend, paid holidays, meal and travel reimbursement and other benefits.

For more information regarding the Senior Companion Program, contact Deena Duvall in Monroe or Randolph counties at 618-282-6682, ext. 8135; Deirdre Evans in the East St. Louis area at 618-874-8779; Elaine Roustio in Madison County at 618-797-7369; or Judy Foret in St. Clair County at 618-234-4410, ext. 7095.

SWIC Jazz Band to perform Nov. 4

October 29, 2019

Enjoy jazz music from a variety of composers such as Horace Silver and Charles Mingus, performed by the Southwestern Illinois College Jazz Band with Tom Birkner as leader.

The performance will be Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Belleville Campus Theatre 2500 Carlyle Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Other composers featured in the concert include: Allan Horney, Les Hooper and Frank Mantooth, Irving Berlin, John Mackin, Freddie Green and more. Mackin is a member of the SWIC Jazz Band and also wrote one of the songs in the performance.

For more information on events offered by the SWIC Music department, visit swic.edu/music or contact SWIC Music Department Chair Ed Jacobs at edward.jacobs@swic.edu. For more information on events offered by SWICarts, visit swic.edu or facebook.com/swicarts.

SWIC to celebrate art, film and music in fall 2019

August 29, 2019

Enjoy a film festival, purchase original art pieces or listen to the sounds of the SWIC Concert Band at Southwestern Illinois College this fall.

The college’s arts series, called the Southwestern Illinois Creative Arts Syndicate, features a variety of events ranging from a lecture from the SWIC faculty speaker series, titled “Architecture, Renovation & the Haunting of Hartmann Manor,” by SWIC Assistant Professor of Art Paula Haniszewski on Oct. 29, the annual SWIC Pottery & Art sale on
Nov. 28, the SWIC Holiday Concert on Dec. 3, to the first annual two-day Southwestern Illinois Film Festival held Dec. 13-15.

The fall 2019 SWICARTS calendar is below. For details on individual events, visit swic.edu or facebook.com/swicarts.

Oct. 2: Faculty Speaker Series: Thrice Homeless – Welcoming Gustav Mahler, with Associate Professor of Music Ed Jacobs, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

Oct. 29: Faculty Speaker Series: Architecture, Renovation, & the Haunting of Hartmann Manor with Assistant Professor of Art Paula Haniszewski, 1 p.m., The Schmidt

FILM

Sept. 26 – Filmmaker Spotlight: “In Memory of” with writer/director Eric Stanze (This film contains mature content and is not suitable for all ages.) 7:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Theatre

Oct. 17 – Filmmaker Spotlight: Experimental Filmmaker Zlatko Cosic,
7:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Theatre

Nov. 7 – Filmmaker Spotlight: “Dog Days” with writer/director Chad Carpenter, 7:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Theatre

Dec. 13-15 – Southwestern Illinois Film Festival: SWIFF A 2-day film festival. To apply or for more information visit FilmFreeway.com, Liberal Arts Theatre

Dec. 15 – Tim Venhaus Retrospective, 3 p.m., Liberal Arts Theatre

THEATRE

Nov. 15-17 – Fall Theatre Production: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Main Complex Theatre

ART

For exhibition information, visit swic.edu/theschmidt.

Aug. 22 – Exhibition Opening Reception: Todd May, Nanette Boileau and Daniel Stumeier, 4-7 pm., The Schmidt

Oct. 24 – Exhibition Opening Reception: Cory Sellers, Thomas Matthew Pierson and Amy Reidel, 4-7 pm., The Schmidt

Nov. 26 –Pottery & Art Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Schmidt

MUSIC

For concert information, visit swic.edu/music-calendar.

Sept. 17 – SWIC Music Faculty & Friends Recital, 7 p.m., The Schmidt

Oct. 9 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., Main Campus Theatre

Oct. 20 – SWIC Concert Choir & Chamber Singers: The Poet Sings, 3 p.m.,
Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville

Oct. 23 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

Oct. 24 – Choir Concert: No-Name Chorale & Friends, 7 p.m.,
St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 W. B St., Belleville

Nov. 4 – SWIC Jazz Band, 7 p.m., Main Complex Theatre

Nov. 5 – SWIC Concert Band: Musical Mixtures, 7 p.m., St. Clare of Assisi Church, 1411 Cross St., O’Fallon

Nov. 6 – SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

Nov. 7 – SWIC Piano & Violin Recital: The B Side, 7 p.m., The Schmidt

Dec. 3 – SWIC Holiday Concert featuring Chamber Singers, Concert Band & Jazz Band, 7 p.m., Varsity Gym

Dec. 4 – SWIC Student Honors Recital, 3 p.m., The Schmidt

Dec. 7 – SWIC Concert Choir & Chamber Singers: Carols by Candlelight V featuring St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Principal Harpist Allegra Lilly, 7 p.m., Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville

MASS COMMUNICATION

Oct. 18 – College Radio Day, Liberal Arts 1342, ALL DAY Listen on Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn

Oct. 18 – College Radio Day, Liberal Arts 1342, ALL DAY Listen on Blue Storm Radio on TuneIn

COLLEGE TRANSIT CHALLENGE AUGUST 28

August 20, 2019

Public transit is a safe, cost-effective transportation option for people of all ages, and in the St. Louis region, it’s proving to be particularly viable for students. High school, college and university students accounted for nearly 2 million MetroLink and 1.6 million MetroBus passenger trips during the last school year. To underscore the advantages of a robust public transit system and further boost ridership among students, faculty and staff at higher education institutions, Citizens for Modern Transit, Metro Transit, Metro Transit Public Safety and the Bureau of Transit Police are teaming up with St. Louis Community College (#STLCC), Saint Louis University (#SLU), Southwestern Illinois College (#SWIC), University of Missouri–St. Louis (#UMSL) and Washington University in St. Louis (#WUSTL) to host the first ever College Transit Challenge. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, those affiliated with the respective schools can help their college or university win by taking MetroBus or MetroLink that day. Ridership will be tracked via social media. Participants simply check in at a Metro Transit Center – via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – and post a status update or photo with #iTakeTransit, along with their school’s hashtag (ex: #iTakeTransit #UMSL).

The school with the most ridership will be awarded bragging rights and a MetroLink Train Trophy. All College Transit Challenge participants will be entered in a prize drawing for St. Louis Cardinals tickets and more. Plus, those who show their Metro U-Pass to the Bureau of Transit Police and Metro Transit Public Safety Officers when traveling via MetroLink or MetroBus that day may receive a special prize.

“One of the goals of this challenge is to spotlight the fact that academic institutions are helping to support sustainable transit access through transit fare programming,” commented Taulby Roach, President and CEO, Bi-State Development. “More than 100,000 passes provide students, faculty and staff unlimited access for MetroBus and MetroLink trips during the school year through Metro’s U-Pass program. In addition to getting to and from campus, these passes can be utilized to gain free access to restaurants, shopping, employment opportunities, sporting and concert venues, and St. Louis culture. It’s safe, convenient and far more cost effective than driving, paying for parking or utilizing on-demand ride services.”

College Transit Challenge partners are hosting a kick-off event at 8 a.m. at the Grand MetroLink Station. There will be formal remarks by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director, Citizens for Modern Transit; Taulby Roach, President and CEO, Bi-State Development; Colonel Jon M. Belmar, Chief of Police, St. Louis County Police Department; Thomas F. George, Chancellor, University of Missouri–St. Louis; and Ashley Williams, a student from Washington University in St. Louis who regularly uses the local public transit system. Mascots from each of the participating schools, as well as other representatives, will also be on hand.

“This day-long effort is an yet another opportunity for us to reinforce the key role a safe, integrated public transit system plays in providing access and opportunity to an array of resources, including education,” said Kimberly Cella, Executive Director, Citizens for Modern Transit. “We are grateful for our academic partners and look forward to a fun-filled day aboard transit.”

To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org or www.metrostlouis.org.

About Citizens for Modern Transit

Citizens for Modern Transit is a nonprofit, member supported organization that leads efforts for an integrated, affordable, and convenient public transportation system with light rail expansion as the critical component that will drive economic growth to improve quality of life in the St. Louis region.

About Metro Transit

Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system which includes 400 clean-burning diesel buses that serve 83 MetroBus routes in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Metro also operates MetroLink light rail vehicles on 46 miles of track serving 38 stations in the two-state area, and operates Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 122 vans. Metro Transit is a Bi-State Development enterprise.

Save lives, donate blood at SWIC Belleville & Red Bud Campuses Sept. 10

August 22, 2019

Save the lives of up to three people by donating blood during the upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Illinois Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., in the Main Complex Varsity Gym or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SWIC Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., in the Performing Arts Room.

“We need every donation we can get in order to maintain the supply in our region,” said College Activities and Student Life Director Amy Brockman. “Your donation truly will make a difference. We hope to see you!”

All types of blood are needed, especially O Positive. If you do not know your blood type, you can find out when you donate.

To donate you must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. If you are 16 years old and wish to donate in Illinois, you need a permission form signed by your parent or guardian. New donors should bring proper identification, such as a driver’s license or a state ID.

Individuals are encouraged to set an appointment time, but walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as quickly as possible.

All presenting donors will receive light refreshments and a place to rest briefly following their donation.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 618-235-2700, ext. 5561, or toll free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5561.

Explore ceramics and pop culture pieces at The Schmidt Art Center

August 1, 2019

Starting in August, three solo exhibitions at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center will offer art lovers varying views of American culture through ceramics, a large-scale installation, and drawings and prints.

Artists Nanette Boileau, Todd May and Daniel Stumeier’s exhibits will be displayed from Aug. 22 through Oct. 10 at The Schmidt. An opening reception will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22 and artist talks at 6 p.m. at the art center on the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave.

The exhibits offer viewers a chance to reflect on the timeless exploration of wheel-thrown ceramic forms using natural gas reduction; investigate a large-scale installation about varied and non-conformist paths of Americans fighting for their dreams; and view drawings and prints that examine Midwest American popular culture in light of current attitudes toward race and class.

“These exhibits give us a chance to discuss current events within our society and culture,” said Schmidt Curator Nicole Dutton. “As well as, reflect on the past and hopes for the future.”

For more information about these exhibitions, The Schmidt, the art center’s calendar of events and arts education programs, visit swic.edu/theschmidt or call 618-222-5ART (5278).

PSOP and RSVP to host Battle of the Bands fundraiser July 17

June 20, 2019

Hear the RSVP Orchestra and Country Western Band, as they join forces in a Battle of the Bands Wednesday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons, 201 N. Church St., in Belleville.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program will host the event, titled Keep the Music Playing, featuring live music, Pot of Gold drawing with multiple winners, a chance to bid on craft items, home décor and much more in a silent auction, and enter a raffle to win baseball tickets. Lunch will be offered for $10 per person.

Both the RSVP Orchestra and Country Western Band of Belleville will perform dance favorites for their fans. Proceeds from the event will support band related expenses to continue dances throughout the area and at PSOP during the coming year.

Reserve your spot for this event before Monday, July 15 at noon by calling PSOP 618-234-4410, ext. 7015, then press 5.

Explore Captivating Iceland with PSOP in 2020

June 17, 2019

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Let Southwestern Illinois College Programs and Services for Older Persons help make it a reality! Plan to attend the Travelogue program on Monday, July 15 at 2:30 p.m. at PSOP, 201 N. Church St., Belleville.

The meeting will highlight the following excursion:
Iceland Explorer – June 3-9, 2020

Discover picturesque landscapes created by volcanoes and glaciers, and learn about Viking heritage. The six-day, five-night trip includes roundtrip airfare from St. Louis, motorcoach transportation, eight meals, sightseeing and admissions per itinerary, five nights lodging, hotel transfers, baggage handling and a professional tour director. Highlights of the adventure include visiting several museums such as Iceland’s National Museum, Skogar Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum; view the Skogafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country; swim in a geothermal pool in the center of a large lava field called the Blue Lagoon; explore Thingvellir National Park; taste “Hot Spring Bread” which is cooked using the heat from geothermal activity; explore five original Viking ships from the 11^th century; relax in hot springs and mud pots; visit Bessastadir, an ancient site and home to Iceland’s president; learn Viking history and culture; and much more.

A valid passport is required.

For more information or to reserve a seat to the Travelogue program, contact Group Travel Specialist Nancy Bauer at 618-234-4410, ext. 7020.

Community

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