First Senior Show: Graphic Design
Joan and Robert Rechnitz HallFeaturing the work of Monmouth University graduating seniors who will receive their degrees in Graphic Design. Opening Reception: Fri. Mar. 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
A Plastic Ocean
Free film screening and expert discussion presented by the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute and Clean Ocean Action
BLACK MARIA FILM FESTIVAL
Pollak TheatreThe Black Maria Film Festival was founded in 1981 as a tribute to Thomas Edison’s development of the motion picture at his laboratory, dubbed the “Black Maria” film studio, the first in the world, in West Orange, NJ. Now in its 36th year, the festival attracts and showcases the work of independent filmmakers internationally. The festival is a project of the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, an independent non-profit organization in residence at New Jersey City University’s Department of Media Arts. Unlike other major film festivals, the Black Maria Festival is not presented in only one location. Instead, the winning films are presented at universities, museums, libraries and cultural centers across the country all year.
ART+AUTISM
Pollak GalleryPresented in partnership with Autism Speaks New Jersey, this juried exhibition opening at the beginning of Autism Awareness Month will showcase the talents and abilities of artists living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and initiate a conversation about the unique power of art in the autism community. Each piece of work will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks. The opening reception will be presented in conjunction with the Bravo Amici benefit concert for Autism Speaks on April 2
Light it up Blue
The Great HallEach April 2nd, Autism Speaks celebrates the start of its signature campaign, Light It Up Blue ,
along with the international autism community in recognition of UN sanctioned World Autism
Awareness Day and April, World Autism Month . Thousands of iconic landmarks and buildings join the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities around the world to “light
blue” in support of people living with autism. Monmouth University will be joining the campaign lighting dramatically lighting up the Monmouth Library and Wilson Hall for the entire month of April.
BRAVO AMICI – FUNDRAISER FOR AUTISM SPEAKS
Pollak TheatrePresented in partnership with Autism Speaks NJ this special concert presentation held on World Autism Awareness Day will feature Geoff Sewell, founder of the classical crossover opera band Amici Forever and his cast of exceptionally talented Broadway performers singing favorite pieces from well-known musicals, operas and popular music. From classic opera favorites like La Traviata’s Brindisi to Phantom’s All I Ask of You and crowd pleasers like That’s Amore, audiences will delight in the uplifting performance by the gifted vocalists of Bravo Amici. The concert will also feature a special video presentation of Sewell’s song Heal Me co-written by his wife Simone and featuring daughters Olivia and Sienna (who has autism) highlighting the message that autism is treatable. This event will be held in conjunction with the Art+Autism gallery exhibition opening reception featuring juried work by artists with Autism. Proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks NJ.
WOMEN IN THE WORLD WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH FILM FESTIVAL
Pollak TheatreNow in its 8th year, Women In Media – Newark’s international Women’s History Month Film Festival continues to educate about, and advocate for global issues facing women. Films screened during the event include SOLD – a narrative, feature film adaptation of the globally acclaimed novel by Patricia McCormick. Based on true stories, SOLD, is the story of Lakshmi who journeys from a pastoral, rural village in Nepal to a gritty brothel/prison called Happiness House in Kolkata, India. There will be a post screening panel with about Human Trafficking with Wincey Terry Bryant and Susan Panzica, NJ Coalition Against Human trafficking; Dr. Guia Calicdan-Apostle, Vice President, The HEAAT Foundation; Keyla Munoz, FBI; Det. Shawn Murphy, SVU, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office
Visiting Writers: Colm Toibin
The Great Hall AuditoriumColm Toibin is the author of eight novels, including ‘The Master’ and ‘Brooklyn’, and two collections of stories. His play ‘The Testament of Mary’ was nominated for a Tony Award for best play in 2013. He is Irene and Sidney B. Silverman Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University.
World Cinema Series: Leviathan
Pollak TheatreIn a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend to help, but the man’s arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family.