Humankind series continues at WSCC.

January 17, 2018

Stephen Esquith

Humankind series continues at WSCC.

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — This semester, West Shore Community College’s Humankind Series is continuing its exploration of the parallels between Sub-Saharan Africa and western Michigan and will focus on farming and agriculture, health, arts, and culture.

The series will open with a new exhibit on Monday, Jan. 22, in the Manierre Dawson Gallery. “African Textiles and Beadwork: Color and Diversity Across a Continent” will feature textiles and beadwork which are an important part of the aesthetic language and traditions.

In the exhibit are pieces from Morocco to the southern fringes of the Sahara, through West Africa to Cameroon and on to the Congo Basin. Also on display will be mixed media portraits from Rwanda by Ellen Niemann.

The speakers’ series gets underway on Thurs., Jan. 25, and features Michigan State University philosopher Stephen Esquith presenting, Would you choose GMOs over hunger?”

Living in Michigan, with irrigated farms and ample food, Dr. Esquith will explore why countries in Africa might opt to grow genetically modified foods and how we might look at choices made by those facing circumstances different from our own.

There are two presentations with the first in the Center Stage Theater at 2 p.m. and the second in the upper lobby of Manistee’s Historic Ramsdell Inn at 7 p.m. The event is free.

“Out of Africa” is a special music and dance event on Friday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. in the Center Stage Theater. The concert will feature the leading Ghanaian dancer of this generation, Nani Agbeli, and award-winning player of the African kora and oud instruments, Kane Mathis.  Dane Richeson, a renowned percussionist from Lawrence University, will perform as well.

Earlier in the day, the performers will conduct workshops in area high schools.

Tickets for the concert are on sale now at the WSCC Box Office, 231-843-5507 or online at www.westshore.edu

Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Monday through Thursday and Friday9 a.m. – 1 p.m. or on evenings and weekends during events at the Center Stage Theater in the Arts and Sciences Center.         

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