Evelyn Glennie is the first person in musical history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist. As one of the most eclectic and innovative musicians on the scene today she is constantly redefining the goals and expectations of percussion. By combining superb technique, a profound appreciation of the visual and her astonishing musicality, Evelyn creates performances of such vitality that they almost constitute a new type of performance. Oh, and she’s also legally considered “hearing impaired.” However one look at Glennie’s illustrious career makes it impossible to call her “disabled” (and she wouldn’t let you anyway): “I am not disabled from achieving anything in my career or private life. How then do the terms "disabled" or "Deaf" really apply to me? In short, they don't, not even the "Hearing Impaired" label works because in some respects my hearing is superior to the average non-impaired person. I simply hear in a different way to most people.” For Glennie, hearing defines her career. “Hearing is basically a specialized form of touch. Sound is simply vibrating air which the ear picks up and converts to electrical signals, which are then interpreted by the brain,” she explains. “With very low frequency vibration the ear starts becoming inefficient and the rest of the body's sense of touch starts to take over. For some reason we tend to make a distinction between hearing a sound and feeling a vibration, in reality they are the same thing. It is interesting to note that in the Italian language this distinction does not exist. The verb 'sentire' means to hear and the same verb in the reflexive form 'sentirsi' means to feel.” In 1993 Evelyn was awarded the OBE (Officer of the British Empire). This was extended in 2007 to 'Dame Commander' for her services to music and to date has received over 80 international awards. She is brimming with ideas to improve the experience for the audience and continues to redefine the very format of live performance itself. Quotes taken from Evelyn Glennie’s essays, “The Disability Essay” and “The Hearing Essay” (www.evelyn.co.uk)

For the last two years, JoAnne Finck, Fine Arts Center board member and co-owner of Finck & Perras Insurance, chaired the Friends of the Fine Arts Center Board with a level of commitment and enthusiasm recognized by her peers and lauded and appreciated by the Fine Arts Center stakeholders and staff. Under her leadership, the Fine Arts Center’s network of business Friends and sponsors were engaged in new and meaningful ways. She was also a stalwart ambassador for the Center at area community, business and civic events and cultivated new patrons by bringing them to performances and exhibits. During her tenure as Gala Chair, she led a committee of board and community members who worked tirelessly to make the benefit gala a success. Proceeds from the event were directed to fund Arts & Education: providing access to artists in schools, both K-12 and higher education, daytime performances for schools, artists in residence, workshops, and life-long learning in our communities. JoAnne is an exemplary leader, donor, and Friend of the community. We are grateful to JoAnne for her continued dedication and involvement. The Fine Arts Center is fortunate to have such a good Friend.

Back by Popular Demand Healing in Tibetan Buddhism Oct. 16-18, 2009 The Healing in Tibetan Buddhism series returns by popular demand for the 2009-2010 season in an elegant and larger community venue. The beautiful Florence Civic Center located at 90 Park St., Florence MA will be the setting for four workshops focusing on the theme Awakening to Happiness: Cultivating Compassion. The event is presented by the Asian Arts & Culture Program at the Fine Arts Center, UMass in partnership with the Friends of Khen Rinpoche, then Manjushri Institute for Buddhist Studies and the Smith College departments of Religion and Philosophy and Art History. The four sessions over three days will focus on learning and understanding the Tibetan Buddhist techniques for experiencing joy in our daily life. Khen Rinpoche, Abbot of the Tashi Lhumpo Monastery in Karnataka, India will speak about the central role of compassion in Tibetan Buddhist practice. Professor David Gardiner, Associate Professor of Religion at Colorado College will once again join Rinpoche is providing an overview of Buddhist thought and philosophy. Pianist Michelle Feldheim will open the first session Happiness through Cultivating Compassion on Friday, October 16th, with a sacred music offering at 7:00PM. On Saturday October 17 at 3PM, in the second session on Healing through Compassion: Exchange of Self and Others, Khen Rinpoche will teach the method of Tonglen, a powerful systematic healing method. At the third session at 7PM on Mantra in Deity Yoga Practice, Khen Rinpoche and Professor Gardiner will by joined by Phuntsog Wangmo, doctor of Tibetan medicine from the Shang Shung Tibetan Healing Center in a conversation on the experience and scientific basis of the Deity Yoga practice. The four part series will conclude on Sunday, October 18 with the fourth session (10:30- 12:30AM) with Avalokitesvara Blessing & Practice. Professor Gardiner will give an overview of meditative practices in the Buddhist tradition and Khen Rinpoche will give a blessing and lead a guided meditation. All workshops include opportunities for questions and answers and are open to all regardless of prior initiation or practice. Tickets: Advance $20 per session; Students and seniors: $10. Day of the event: $25 & $12 at the door. Call Fine Arts Center Box Office at 413-545-2511 or 1-800-999-UMAS. The Florence Civic Center is on the PVTA bus line and is located on Route 9 just west of the main intersection at Maple St.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 5:00 pm University Gallery Warhol photographer Christopher Makos and Filmmaker John Alper reminisce about their trip to China with Andy Warhol in 1982. Photos and film clips will be shown of Warhol at his most relaxed and personal. Andy Warhol called Makos "the most modern photographer in America." His photographs have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums internationally. John Alper is an award-winning storytelling spots director and documentary film maker. His film 'Living American Theater Dance' won him several film festival awards. He received an Emmy for outstanding camerawork at the Lake Placid Olympics. They are joined in conversation with UMass History professor and expert on contemporary Chinese history Sigrid Schmalzer who places this trip in its historical context. Warhol Film Screening - Warhol's 'Empire' Wednesday, October 7, 2009; 10am - 6pm (continuous screening throughout the day) University Gallery Empire (1964), one of Warhol's most significant and notorious films, is a silent black and white film consisting of 8 hours and 5 minutes of continuous real time footage of the Empire State Building in New York City, filmed from dusk to dawn.

WGBY welcomes David Brancaccio for a series of events featuring his film On Thin Ice. David Brancaccio, NOW’s Host and Senior Editor, will appear in person to screen the film On Thin Ice and host community discussions about the film and about sustainable solutions to glacial melt and the climate crisis. Tuesday, October 6 – Academy of Music, Northampton, 7:00 pm Sponsored by Smith College Please join WGBY members and support WGBY’s commitment to a sustainable western Massachusetts and a green economy by attending the event and adding local perspective to the post-film discussions. On Thin Ice is part of NOW on PBS’s Planet Watch—10 features to air in 2010 and 2011 that explore real strategies and real solutions to the climate crisis. “Planet Watch looks at the root causes of the crisis [and also] explores innovative solutions that are accessible, do-able and productive.” Tickets and space reservations are recommended. Visit www.wgby.org/onthinice or call (413 781-2801) for more information. Supported in part by the UMass Fine Arts Center Art for a Change and the University Gallery exhibit “Greening the Valley” Wednesday, February 10 - Sunday, May 16, 2010.