Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

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02/23/2015

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 and click on “Media” at the top of the page. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week
UMass Lowell experts are available to discuss:

  • Patricia Arquette’s Oscar acceptance speech Sunday night and why it ignited a debate about pay equity for women in the workplace;
  • Which types of buildings and bridges are in danger of collapsing due to the weight of snow;
  • What will happen to Department of Homeland Security operations if Congress fails to approve funding for the agency by the Friday deadline.

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

History of City’s Mills Focus of Free Book Discussion
Career Etiquette Event Teaches Students to Dine, Dress for Success
Moroccan Artist Exhibits Works at University Gallery
Acclaimed Poet Discusses Writing, Creative Process
Author Explores How Love and Lies Shape Romantic Relationships
Melissa Manchester Performs Benefit Concert, Mentors Students
Reasons for the Revival of the Irish Language Examined
‘Mothers of Rock’ Celebrates Women’s Roles in Popular Music

History of City’s Mills Focus of Free Book Discussion

When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7 to 9 p.m.

What: Martha Mayo, director of UMass Lowell’s Center for Lowell History, will lead a talk about the rise of the American Industrial Revolution based on the book “Lowell: The Mill City.” This is the second event in a four-part book discussion series that is free and open to the public. Subsequent sessions explore the history of the city’s firefighters and the significance of the Merrimack River to Lowell’s development. Books on each topic will be provided for free during each program. Members of the public are encouraged to pre-register by contacting UMass Lowell Outreach Librarian Sara Marks at Sara_Marks@uml.edu or 978-934-4581 or by going to (http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming) http://uml.beta.libguides.com/programming.

Where: 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

Career Etiquette Event Teaches Students to Dine, Dress for Success

When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 5 to 8:30 p.m. (Snow date is Wednesday, March 4)

What: UMass Lowell students will participate in a simulated business dinner designed to allow them to practice their etiquette and networking skills. Representatives of Kronos, Lowell General Hospital and PricewaterhouseCoopers will be among the professionals who will join in the exercise, helping students prepare for the working world and life after graduation. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Career Services and Cooperative Education Center.

Where: University Crossing, Moloney Hall, Second Floor, 220 Pawtucket 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

Moroccan Artist Exhibits Works at University Gallery

When: Thursday, Feb. 26, talk at 3 p.m., reception at 4:15 p.m. Exhibit runs from Wednesday, Feb. 25 through Friday, March 20. University Gallery hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What: The exhibit “Lalla Essaydi: Beyond the Veil” showcases the work of this internationally acclaimed artist. Many of Essaydi’s pieces focus on her childhood in Morocco and often combine Islamic calligraphy with representations of the female body, capturing the complexities of Arab womanhood. She works in a variety of media, including video, installation and painting. Photographs on exhibit as part of the show were selected by Ellen Wetmore, a faculty member in UMass Lowell’s Art Department. A talk about the importance of Essaydi’s work will be presented by Kristen Gresh of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Where: Talk – O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Reception and exhibit – University Gallery, Mahoney Hall, South Campus, 870 Broadway St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Gallery Coordinator Deborah Santoro, 978-934-3491, Deborah_Santoro@uml.edu or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

Acclaimed Poet Discusses Writing, Creative Process

When: Thursday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m.

What: Poet and playwright Claudia Rankine will read from her work and share insights into her creative process during this free, public event. Rankine is chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and her latest book, “Citizen: An American Lyric” was a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award in poetry. Her talk is one in the Writers on Campus Series presented by the UMass Lowell English Department and the Center for Arts and Ideas.

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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Author Explores How Love and Lies Shape Romantic Relationships

When: Friday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.

What: Philosopher and author Clancy Martin will discuss how romantic love, truthfulness and deception shape relationships in contemporary society – a subject he explores in his latest book, “Love and Lies.” Martin, who writes both fiction and nonfiction, is a Pushcart Prize winner whose work has been translated into 30 languages. His debut novel, “How to Sell,” was named a “Best Book of 2009.”

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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Melissa Manchester Performs Benefit Concert, Mentors Students

When: Concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. Master classes are Thursday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.; and Friday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to noon.

What: “You Gotta Love the Life – An Evening with Melissa Manchester” will be a unique concert celebrating the release of the Grammy Award-winner’s new CD while raising scholarship funds and featuring performers of all ages who have ties to UMass Lowell. The performance – Manchester’s only New England appearance on her current tour – will cap her three-day visit to the university as an artist-in-residence, during which she will teach master classes and mentor students in UMass Lowell’s renowned music programs. Manchester will lead master classes in songwriting, vocal performance and working in the music industry. The concert will benefit UMass Lowell’s String Project, which provides schoolchildren throughout the Merrimack Valley with instruction in stringed instruments such as the viola and violin. Ticket information is available at www.tsongascenter.com. Media interested in covering the concert or interviewing Manchester in advance or during her master classes should contact UMass Lowell media relations.

Where: Concert, Durgin Concert Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell. Details on the master classes are available from UMass Lowell media relations.

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

Reasons for the Revival of the Irish Language Examined

When: Thursday, March 5; reception at 5 p.m. and talk at 6 p.m.

What: Why did the Irish language almost vanish from use and who is leading its renaissance? Irish scholar and author Feargal MacIonnrachtaigh of West Belfast will answer these questions during a presentation based on his book “Resistance and Revival: Republican Prisoners and the Irish Language in the North of Ireland.” The story recounts the struggle between Irish Republican prisoners and the British state from 1972 to 2000, during which the Irish language was taught and spoken to inmates as a form of protest. As a result, the language became a source of pride in the greater community beyond the prison. The event, which is free and open to the public, is presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Irish Partnerships. Members of the public who wish to attend are asked to register at Victoria_Denoon@uml.edu.

Where: University Crossing, Room 480, 220 Pawtucket 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

‘ Mothers of Rock’ Celebrates Women’s Roles in Popular Music

When: Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell students and members of the community will pay tribute to female songwriters and performers from Amy Winehouse and Adele to Beyonce and Whitney Houston during the 11th annual “Mothers of Rock” concert. Pop-noir musician Ruby Rose Fox, who captured a Best Female Vocalist honor at the 2014 Boston Music Awards and is one of the Boston Globe’s 2015 “Acts to Watch,” will close the show. 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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

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