Esbenshade Series, 2008-2009

Established through a generous gift in 1980, the series is endowed by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund to bring lectures, performing artists, and programs in the humanities to the Marietta community.

All events are free and open to the public.

Esther: The Feast of Masks

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, Alma McDonough Auditorium

Ellen Kushner, an award-winning novelist, opens Marietta College’s 2008-09 Esbenshade Series with Esther: the Feast of Masks. This unique event joins the biblical tale of Esther with the stories of four modern people, all dealing with their own issues of identity, disguise, revelation and personal power. Ellen's one-woman exploration of the Biblical heroine, Ester, takes on a contemporary twist, augmented by fiddler, pianist & singer.

In 2004, Esther: the Feast of Masks won a "Gracie," presented by the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television. The Gracie Allen Awards honor programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and web-based media. Kushner is the host of Public Radio International's popular program Sound & Spirit.

Veretski Pass

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, Alma McDonough Auditorium

The trio plays predominantly “Old World” music in the style of Carpathian, Jewish, Romanian and Ottoman cultures. Many pieces are traditional arrangements, though the group writes original music as well. Veretski Pass has played sold out shows from Amsterdam to Florida, and is currently on tour through the U.S. and Canada.

Leon Bates

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2009, Alma McDonough Auditorium

World-renowned pianist Leon Bates resumes the Series in the spring semester with a performance on Feb. 11. Bates has played with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Symphony, as well as numerous elite European symphonies. In addition to his career as a musician, Bates is a dedicated sports enthusiast and bodybuilder.

MANYA—A Living History of Marie Curie

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, Friederich Theatre in the Hermann Fine Arts Center

A living history performance by Susan Marie Frontczak entitled MANYA—A Living History of Marie Curie. Given the important scientific work done by Madame Marie Curie, the performance is also presented as part of Marietta's Ellis L. and Jennie Mae Krause Lecture in Science series. This one-woman drama exposes the struggles and triumphs of Curie, an academically impassioned, vehemently private, fervently Polish scientist, mother, and teacher. The event will be held in Friederich Theatre in the Hermann Fine Arts Center.