Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

02/03/2014

This is a notice of upcoming events, photo opportunities and story ideas at UMass Lowell, compiled by the Office of University Relations, 978-934-3224. In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowell’s weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, all events are canceled. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week are available to provide:

  • An analysis of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games’ security threats, such as suicide bombers and other acts of terrorism, and how authorities may address them;
  • Reflections on what it’s like to be an Olympic athlete as games get underway;
  • Commentary on the Beatles’ influence as the country marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s arrival in the U.S. on Feb. 7, 1964.

Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.

When: Drawing seminar, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. Exhibit runs through Friday, Feb 14. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What: Acclaimed visual artists Elaine Bay and Raul Gonzalez III will share their artwork during a talk and the exhibit “Riding toward Ninguna Parte,” which reveals Mexican and American culture. Described as comic, dark and graphic, their pieces are influenced by sources such as Mad magazine, Japanese prints, early American folk art, and Mexican-American border culture. The show is presented by the UMass Lowell Art Department.

Where: Drawing seminar – Dugan Hall, Room B21, South Campus, 883 Broadway St., Lowell; Exhibit – University Gallery, first floor, McGauvran Student Center, South Campus, 71 Wilder St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

‘A Conversation with Meryl Streep’ Postponed to April 1

When: Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.

What: Because of a winter storm predicted for Wednesday, Feb. 5, “A Conversation with Meryl Streep” at UMass Lowell has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. All tickets for the Feb. 5 event will be honored on April 1. Ticket-holders seeking refunds should request them through the point of purchase by Tuesday, Feb. 18. Those who purchased tickets by phone or online should call 866-722-8780 to obtain a refund. Those who bought tickets at the Tsongas Center box office should process their refund in person during normal business hours. For box office hours of operation, visit www.tsongascenter.com. Anyone with general questions about tickets should call the box office at 978-934-5738. Additional updates on the event will be available at www.uml.edu/streep and other questions may be sent to speakerseries@uml.edu. The event will feature the legendary actress discussing her career – which has included more than 100 roles on stage, screen and TV – with bestselling author Andre Dubus III, a UMass Lowell English Department faculty member. Streep will endow two new scholarship funds for UMass Lowell students with net proceeds from the event. Streep’s appearance – co-sponsored by the UMass Lowell English Department’s Theatre Arts Program and the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – is the second in the Chancellor’s Speaker Series. The first event in the series featured author Stephen King and raised $100,000 for a new scholarship fund King established for UMass Lowell students.

Where: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Lenny Clarke Headlines Comedy Series in Lowell

When: Friday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)

What: Funnyman Lenny Clarke will bring his stand-up show to Lowell as part of this new Comedy Night series. Born in Boston, Clarke is a comedian, writer and actor best known for his work on “The John Larroquette Show” and the films “Rounders” and “Me, Myself and Irene.” Tickets for Clarke’s show are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To reserve tickets, call 978-934-6920. For more information about the series, visit www.uml.edu/icc.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Leaders Gather to Develop Student Service Opportunities

When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

What: UMass Lowell faculty and representatives of Greater Lowell’s service organizations will strengthen their partnerships during the annual Community Connections breakfast. During the networking event, participants develop existing and new service opportunities outside of the classroom for UMass Lowell students to enrich their academic studies and enhance their civic engagement. UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff donate more than 120,000 hours in the community every year. The university has been named to the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service for the fourth year in a row and holds the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s designation of community-engaged campus.

Where: Alumni Hall, North Campus, 84 University Ave., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Broadway’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Comes to Local Movie Theaters

When: Local showings are Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m.

What: Movie-goers will experience the power of the theater as the 2013 Broadway production of “Romeo and Juliet – starring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad as the star-crossed couple – will be shown in cinemas across North America. Thanks to BroadwayHD, co-created by Tony Award-winning producers Bonnie Comley, a 1981 UMass Lowell graduate, and her husband Stewart Lane, live performances were filmed in high-definition and will be presented to the general public at their local movie theaters through a partnership with Screenvision. Comley and Lane’s commitment to the theater world runs deep; a gift from the couple in 2007 allowed UMass Lowell to renovate its stage in Mahoney Hall on South Campus and rename it the Comley-Lane Theatre. Comley, a native of Bedford, was the 2010 recipient of UMass Lowell’s Distinguished Alumni Award. For show times and tickets, visit www.BroadwayHD.com.

Where: Participating local movie theaters include – Lowell Showcase Cinemas, 32 Reiss Ave., Lowell; Woburn Showcase Cinemas, 25 Middlesex Canal Parkway, Woburn; Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington and Cinemagic 12, 11 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, N.H.

Contacts for media: Michele Clarke, 203-912-0560 or mclarke@olson.com or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

Free Orchestra Concert Celebrates Romance on Valentine’s Day

When: Friday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

What: Free and open to the public, UMass Lowell’s Valentine’s Day Concert will feature the University Orchestra in a program that celebrates the holiday. Performed under the direction of conductor Mark Latham, a UMass Lowell music faculty member, selections will include “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture” by Tchaikovsky, “Carmen Suite” by Bizet and the “Titanic” film score by James Homer. Acclaimed poet Paul Marion, UMass Lowell’s executive director of community and cultural affairs, will read from his work and baritone Mark Cleveland will perform a variety of arias. Donations accepted at the door will go toward UMass Lowell student scholarships.

Where: Durgin Concert Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Book Discussion Series Explores Lowell’s History

When: Thursday, Feb. 20, Tuesday, March 11 and Tuesday, April 8

What: The UMass Lowell Libraries is hosting a free, reading and discussion series about the history of Lowell. Remaining events in the series feature local historians including UMass Lowell professors Robert Forrant and Marie Frank, along with Librarian Martha Mayo. Each will lead discussions on books on the city’s past. The sessions will cover the books noted on the following dates:

  • “Images of America: Lowell Vol. 1” on Thursday, Feb. 20, led by Forrant;
  • “Campus History: UMass Lowell,” on Tuesday, March 11, led by Frank;
  • “Images of America: Lowell Vol. 2” on Tuesday, April 8, led by Mayo.

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to register in advance; free copies of the titles will be distributed at the program. To register, go to http://libguides.uml.edu/lowellhistory or contact Sara Marks at Sara_Marks@uml.edu. Support for the series is provided by the UMass Lowell Center for Arts and Ideas.

Where: Sessions on Thursday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, April 8 will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell. The Tuesday, March 11 session will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at O’Leary Library Learning Commons, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell.

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

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