GRCC will kick off its 2017-18 International Guitar Series with a performance by classical guitarist Jordan Dodson at 7:30 p.m. October 12 in the Music Center’s Recital Hall. Tickets, which cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, can be purchased online or at the door.
The Avanti Guitar Trio is a world-class chamber ensemble whose performances are exciting, approachable and welcoming. Guitarists Jason Deroche, Julie Goldberg and Wesley Hixson blend together pristine technique and sensitive interpretation, earning critical acclaim for their engaging concerts and varied programming.
AGT repertoire ranges from the Baroque to contemporary and features newly composed music, engaging transcriptions of classical masterpieces, and an occasional rock/pop or jazz tune.
Based in Chicago, AGT has performed for the Waukegan Chamber Society, Chicago Composers’ Consortium, Illinois Wesleyan University, Quincy University, Church of Beethoven, and Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. AGT has shared the stage with renowned guitarists Benjamin Verdery, William Coulter, Las Guitarras de España, and Earl Klugh.
Formed in 2010 the Avanti Guitar Trio continues to expand the guitar trio repertoire by composing/transcribing new works and collaborating with established and upcoming composers.
Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. Parking is available in the GRCC parking ramp for $3.50. Be sure to ask for a parking voucher at the door.
Call 234-3940 for further information or e-mail: bmorris@grcc.edu.
The final performance in this year’s International Guitar Series will feature the Avanti Guitar Trio on March 16:
The International Guitar Series continues at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 with Professor Brian Morris and Libor Ondras, GRCC’s director of orchestras:
Psychology of political beliefs, why people prefer certain political parties
Oct. 27, 2016; WZZM
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – A Grand Rapids Community College Professor gave a lecture, open to the public, on why some people might side with one political party or another. Dr. Frank Conners, who is also the Psychology Department Head, recognizes the polarizing divide in the nation and believes the first step in bridging the gap is understanding why one party resonates with certain people.
Oct. 27, 2016; Local Spins
Lily Afshar, declared one of the world’s foremost classical guitarists by Public Radio International, is performing Friday at Hope College in Holland.
… Kalamazoo, Detroit and Grand Rapids are hosting 22-year-old French classical guitarist Thibaut Garcia, who is on a 50-city tour of the U.S. and Canada as the winner of the prestigious 2015 Guitar Foundation of America’s International Solo Competition.
Garcia is presenting the second concert of Grand Rapids Community College’s International Guitar Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 3) at Fountain Street Church.
American Seating Hosted Manufacturing Day Event for Union High School Students
Oct. 27, 2016; Mass Transit magazine
American Seating welcomed more than 50 students, teachers and other leaders from Union High School and Grand Rapids Public Schools for a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.
… The event additionally included presentations by American Seating team members as well as representatives from Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, who spoke about local manufacturing-education programs and scholarship opportunities.
GVSU and GRCC collaborate on first film festival
Oct. 23, 2016; The Lanthorn (GVSU student newspaper)
Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University’s French clubs have teamed up to bring the first annual Tournees French Film Festival to Grand Rapids Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Nov. 8.
Rattlers Bolster Secondary with Three New DBs
Oct. 26, 2016; oursportscentral.com
Phoenix, Ariz. – The Arizona Rattlers announced today that they have signed three defensive backs their inaugural season in the Indoor Football League (IFL). Damond Smith and Anttonio Brown join the team as rookies, while Nathan Lindsey will begin his second season in the league.
… Lindsey attended Fort Hays State University where he was a two-year starter for the Tigers, and in that time he recorded 113 tackles and three interceptions. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Lindsey also attended, Grand Rapids Community College and Eastern Arizona before eventually transferring to Fort Hays State.
Thibout Garcia, the Guitar Foundation of America’s 2015 International Solo Competition winner, will perform Nov. 3 as part of GRCC’s International Guitar Series.
GRCC International Guitar Series presents Guitarist Pino Forastiere
Oct. 11, 2016; Kulture Vulture
GRCC International Guitar Series presents Guitarist Pino Forastiere from Italy
Degage Ministries’ Marge Palmerlee on homelessness in GR, the greatness of Heartside & more
Oct. 13, 2016; rapidgrowthmedia.com
When Marge Palmerlee began volunteering at Dégagé Ministries in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood more than two decades ago, she wasn’t doing so because she had a background in social work or experience with issues like homelessness. As a single mother raising two sons while working as an accountant at the former Rogers Department Store on 28th Street, she did, however, understand what it meant to face difficulties and to be grateful for a helping hand or a willing ear and she wanted to give back.
… We did a survey recently, and people told us they’d like to work on job skills. They said they’d love to connect with Grand Rapids Community College, but don’t feel they fit in there. They said, “Is there anything you can do at Degage?” We toured [GRCC’s] M-TEC Center [which provides workplace training]; they have phenomenal programs that are 80 percent hands-on and in an environment where everyone’s accepted. We’re planning on having a partnership with them.
Students, faculty impact global health
Oct. 12, 2016; gvsu.edu
Students and faculty will share how they are impacting global health during the GVSU Global Health Showcase October 14, at the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The showcase is free and open to the public.
… In 2014, (Nkechy Ekere) Ezeh was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Great Start Advisory Council. In 2016, she received the 2016 Hattie Beverly Education Award from Grand Rapids Community College, given to an outstanding African American educator in the Grand Rapids area.
Love on the Blue Bridge a Stop Motion Proposal
Oct. 122, 2016; 95.7 FM
The newly engaged couple is Alex Saxton and Hannah Van Rees. Alex’s sister saw the share off Jen’s (Friend from GRCC) wall.
JP Morgan Chase, GRCC partner to boost minority skills training, job growth
Sept. 30, 2016; MLive
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids Community College is seeking to enroll at least 100 minorities in a new skilled trades program funded by a $40,000 grant from the JP Morgan Grant Foundation.
Fountain Hill Brewery and Peter’s Pub Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at GRCC
Sept. 30, 2016; 100.5 FM
Maybe you’ve heard about Grand Rapids Community College’s foray into the brewery world, well it’s no longer some nebulous idea. It’s real and it’s now open.
Local Spinsology 101: Music on Campus roundup for West Michigan
Sept. 29, 2016; Local Spins
Local Spins occasionally rounds up festivals and events, interesting people and intriguing musical projects at West Michigan colleges and universities. Today, we spotlight a few of those at Ferris, Grand Valley and Grand Rapids Community College.
Rate of student loan defaults slows in Michigan
Oct. 2, 2016; The Detroit Free Press
For the second year in a row, the federal government’s annual publishing of national student loan default rates was good news for Michigan.
(GRCC is included in the list.)
Sept. 30, 2016; Chimes (Calvin’s student newspaper)
It’s 6:15 a.m. The sun is rising over the horizon, the birds are chirping and most of Calvin’s campus is asleep. For cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), however, their day is about to begin.
… Currently, there are 30 cadets in the Grand Rapids program. Most of the four-year schools in the area are affiliated with the Bronco Battalion. This year’s program has cadets from Calvin, Hope, GVSU and GRCC.
Morning News
Sept. 30, 2016; FOX 17
FOX 17 is teaming up with Grand Rapids Community College to bring you another new “Classroom of the Week.”
Sept. 30, 2016; Oceana’s Herald Journal
… GRAND RAPIDS, Sept. 23 — The Hart girls cross-country team continued its strong performance this season by taking first place in the Grand Rapids Community College Invitational, edging Rockford by eight points.
The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet will wrap up the 2015-2016 International Guitar Series with a performance on April 2.
GRCC’s International Guitar Series will showcase the winner of the 2014 Guitar Foundation of America Solo Competition on February 18.
Ekachai Jearakul has won 12 first prizes at prestigious guitar competitions in Europe, Asia, and North America. He has performed in more than 16 countries, including China, France, Russia, England, Italy and Spain.
His performance starts at 7:30 p.m. February 18 in the Music Center. To purchase tickets, click here.
GRCC’s International Guitar Series concludes with a performance by the Canadian Guitar Quartet. It starts at 7:30 p.m. March 26 in the Music Center’s recital hall. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Parking is available in the student parking ramp for $1 with a guest parking voucher sold at the door.
Call (616) 234-3940 for further information. Click here to see the entire lineup for this series.
