Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
02/29/2016
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, events are canceled. For more stories about UMass Lowell, visit www.uml.edu/pressroom. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication unless otherwise noted.
Sources of the week
UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:
- Where the presidential candidates stand leading up to and after “Super Tuesday” primary and caucus voting on March 1;
- How the film “Spotlight” could influence journalism after capturing the Academy Award for best picture;
- Why the Walt Disney Co. has changed the ticket-pricing structure at its theme parks and whether the move will result in increased attendance.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Acclaimed Artist to Explore How Animals are Portrayed in Creative Works
Innovative Research Takes Center Stage at Faculty Event
Wind Ensemble, Art Students Combine for Free Concert, Exhibit
‘Mothers of Rock’ Performance Celebrates Women in Music
‘Love of the Game’ Unites Athletes and Volunteers for Hockey Clinic
Influence of Latino Americans Explored in Free Program Series
Acclaimed Artist to Explore How Animals are Portrayed in Creative Works
When: Wednesday, March 2, 5 p.m.
What: Performance artist and painter Vitaly Komar will present “Year of the Monkey: A Depiction of Animals in Art,” a free program that is open to the campus and public. Born in Moscow, Komar arrived in New York in 1978 and gained worldwide attention for his professional partnership with fellow avant-garde artist Alexander Melamid. In one of their most famous undertakings, the duo produced a series of paintings created by elephants that were later sold at auction to raise funds for the animals’ care.
Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Innovative Research Takes Center Stage at Faculty Event
When: Thursday, March 3, 3 p.m.
What: From methods that may help discover new planets to wearable devices that can monitor personal health, cutting-edge projects pursued by UMass Lowell faculty in science, engineering and the humanities will be the focus of the 2016 Research and Creative Work Symposium. This year, more than 50 faculty members will participate in the event, which provides them with a forum to present their work to their peers and the public.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Wind Ensemble, Art Students Combine for Free Concert, Exhibit
When: Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.
What: “An Evening of Sights and Sounds” will pair UMass Lowell’s Wind Ensemble and graphic art and design students for a concert and art show. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a performance of composer Michael Gandalfi’s “Vientos y Tangos” and Frank Ticheli’s “Blue Shades,” followed by an exhibit of works by members of the Art Student Union. The concert’s finale will be a performance of “Van Gogh Portraits,” a composition by Aldo Forte that pays homage to works of the Dutch master. The paintings that inspired each of the piece’s five movements will be displayed during the performance. The ensemble is conducted by Dan Lutz, UMass Lowell’s director of university bands.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
‘Mothers of Rock’ Performance Celebrates Women in Music
When: Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.
What: Members of the UMass Lowell community and the public will pay tribute to female songwriters and musicians from Etta James to Katy Perry during the 12th annual “Mothers of Rock” concert. Open to the public, the performance is free but donations will be accepted to benefit Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell, which provides afterschool and summer enrichment programs that empower girls age 5 to 18. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s chapter of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
‘Love of the Game’ Unites Athletes and Volunteers for Hockey Clinic
When: Sunday, March 6, 2:30 p.m.
What: Teenagers with developmental disabilities from throughout the community will participate in a floor hockey clinic led by UMass Lowell student athletes and volunteers. Open to the public, the event is presented by Love of the Game, a nonprofit startup run by UMass Lowell students that brings together collegiate athletes and people with disabilities to experience sports activities. The community outreach program grew out of the university’s DifferenceMaker Program, which teaches students how to think like entrepreneurs in order to create products and services that solve real-world problems to benefit society. The event is presented in partnership with UMass Lowell’s Office of Disability Services and Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that provides social, career and leadership opportunities for people with disabilities.
Where: Campus Recreation Center, East Campus, 292 Aiken St., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Influence of Latino Americans Explored in Free Program Series
When: Tuesday, March 8 and Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m.
What: The history of Latinos in the United States and their contributions to American culture is the focus of a free event series presented by UMass Lowell Libraries and held at libraries on campus and in Lawrence and Lowell. During the Tuesday, March 8 program, “Prejudice and Pride,” Maria Matz, a UMass Lowell associate professor who teaches Latin American studies and culture, will lead a discussion about the labor movement led by César Chavez and the gains made by Mexican Americans in the 1960s and 1970s. During the program “Peril and Promise” on Tuesday, April 5, Matz will explore the rise of Latino American celebrities in popular culture. Members of the public interested in learning more may e-mail Sara_Marks@uml.edu or visit (http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming) http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming.
Where: Tuesday, March 8 – Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell. Tuesday, April 5 – Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu