10/21/2003

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU ‘FOCUS ON FRENCH WEEK’ TO INCLUDE GILDING DEMONSTRATION, AFRICAN DRUMS

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –Slippery Rock University’s modern languages and cultures department will hold its annual “Focus on French Week” Tuesday through Thursday [Oct. 28-30] as a way of highlighting the wealth of diversity of the cultures of the French-speaking world, including a gilding demonstration and the sound of drums from French-speaking African nations.

           All of the events are free in the newly renovated Carruth Rizza Hall, the department’s new home. The public is invited.

Activities begin at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday [Oct. 28] with Dr. Thomas Daddesio, assistant professor of modern languages and cultures, delivering a presentation on French cinema. Daddesio will provide a general introduction to French films and show excepts from several recent examples. At 4 p.m., a  presentation by Joseph Youss Kadri, master gilder from Pittsburgh whose work can be seen on prominent buildings in France and across United States, will demonstrate his art by gilding a small statue.

At 6 p.m., Wednesday, the film "8 Femmes," featuring eight of France’s most famous actresses, will be screened. The work spoofs the “who-done-it,” melodrama and musical-comedy film genres. The week’s final event at 12:30 p.m. Thursday is a performance by the Wakongo Drum Company filling the hall with music from Francophone Africa. 

Co-sponsors of the week includethe SRU French Club,University Program Board, Office of Intercultural Programs,Office of International Initiatives, and the Dean’s Office of the College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts.

PN, PgN, WPN, PR