Campus events: Updates for May 7–31, 2017

An educator known for his innovative leadership of the Harlem Children's Zone, Geoffrey Canada is the featured speaker at Bates' 151st Commencement.

An educator known for his innovative leadership of the Harlem Children’s Zone, Geoffrey Canada is the featured speaker at Bates’ 151st Commencement, on May 28.

Hello from Bates!

This is an updated listing of public events at the college during May 2017.

Changes since the previous edition:

  • The Lewistunning Dragapalooza, the ninth annual benefit for Outright L-A, was added on May 6.
  • New Music Week listings for May 12–14 have enriched program information and a corrected time for the Maine Composers Concert on the 14th: 2pm.
  • The Water’s Edge dance performance on May 20 has been canceled.
  • A Scholar Tea with poet Charif Shanahan was added on May 22.
  • A Short Term recital was added on May 24.
  • A Strange Bedfellows improv show was added on May 25.

The public is invited to these events. Except as noted, admission is free.

Want the latest events information? Visit the daily Events page.

Can’t attend the game? Watch the livestream:

  • Go to athletics.bates.edu
  • Click the “Upcoming Events” tab
  • Find your event and click the “Video” link (not all games are available on video).

Questions or comments? Contact events editor Doug Hubley at calendar@bates.edu.


In concert May 12: the Momenta Quartet, with violinists Emilie-Anne Gendron and Alex Shiozaki, violist Stephanie Griffin and cellist Michael Haas. (John Gurrin)

In concert May 12: the Momenta Quartet, with violinists Emilie-Anne Gendron and Alex Shiozaki, violist Stephanie Griffin and cellist Michael Haas. (John Gurrin)

Recurring Events

Taking place while Bates is in session. Please confirm before you go.

4:15pm Mon–Fri | Buddhist meditation led by the Dharma Society. Beginners welcome. FMI 207-786-8272.
Gomes Chapel

12:15pm Mon | Noontime meditation: Different teachers bring different practices to this meditation circle each week. Beginners welcome. FMI 207-786-8272.
Gomes Chapel

6pm Wed | Life drawing with the Museum of Art: Dry-media easels and drawing benches provided, bring drawing board and supplies. $10/$9 museum members. FMI 207-786-8302.
Olin 259

10am Sun | Quaker meeting presented by the Lewiston Friends. FMI 207-786-8272.
163 Wood St.

4pm Sun | Bates Christian Fellowship chapel service with gospel singing, preceded by prayer time at 3pm. FMI 207-786-8272.
Gomes Chapel

6pm Sun | Community Sit: This hourlong gathering of a community of meditators offers mutual support through meditation and loving kindness, periodically varying its practice and sharing experiences with meditation. FMI cperlman@bates.edu.
Gomes Chapel


7 Sun

1pm | Food packaging event: Join the Bates Christian Fellowship for this interfaith service event, packaging meals to support local food pantries. FMI jkarsten@bates.edu.
Memorial Commons


Jigme Kelzang.

Jigme Kelzang.

9 Tue

3pm | American Red Cross blood drive: Hosted by the Bates Emergency Medical Services. FMI 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Chase Hall, Memorial Commons

7pm | Dharma talk with Jigme Kelzang: A talk about Buddhism by Jigme Kelzang, a trained Khenpo in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. An opportunity for questions follows the talk. FMI 207-786-8272 or multifaithchaplaincy@bates.edu.
Gomes Chapel


Pete's Posse: from left, Oliver Scanlon, Tristan Henderson and Pete Sutherland. (Jen Dean)

Pete’s Posse: from left, Oliver Scanlon, Tristan Henderson and Pete Sutherland. (Jen Dean)

12 Fri

7:30pm | Momenta Quartet: An ensemble known for its command of both established and contemporary work presents music from the 1960s, 1990s and 1820s: a string quartet by Guatemalan composer Joaquin Orellana; a piece by Arthur Kampela, visiting artist at Bates; Two Bagatelles for String Quartet by the late Ursula Mamlok; and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16 in F, Op. 135. Tickets are $25, but a limited number of complimentary seats are available for seniors (65+): batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. Part of the music department’s New Music Week. FMI 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Concert Hall

7:40pm | Contradance: This month’s Freewill Folk Society dance features music by Pete’s Posse and calling by Angela DeCarlis. All dances taught; beginners welcome, with a lesson at 7:40pm and dancing 8–11pm. Admission is on a sliding scale of $5 to $8. FMI dhartsho@bates.edu.
Muskie Archives


13 Sat

1pm | Stringfellow Alumni Panel: Honoring the work of William Stringfellow ’49, the Multifaith Chaplaincy’s Stringfellow Program hosts a discussion with alumni involved with activism and social justice work during their Bates years. They will share their experiences, and students will be asked to share their social change efforts as well. FMI arabidea@bates.edu.
Mays Center

7:30pm | Senior Thesis Concert: Thesis compositions by three music majors, along with a string quartet written by music professor Bill Matthews and dedicated to Bates’ late dance program director Marcy Plavin. Players in this New Music Week concert include the visiting Momenta Quartet. Free, but tickets required: batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. FMI olinarts@bates.edu or 207-786-6135.
Olin Concert Hall


Hiroya Miura, associate professor of music st Bates. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

Hiroya Miura, associate professor of music st Bates. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

14 Sun

2pm | Maine Composers Concert: The music department’s New Music Week concludes with a program by Maine composers, including Bates’ own William Matthews, Arthur Kampela and Hiroya Miura. Rounding out the evening is music by Vineet Shende (Bowdoin College) and Beth Wiemann (University of Maine). Free, but tickets required: batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. FMI 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Concert Hall


The Bates Gamelan Ensemble, led by Associate Professor of Music Gina Fatone, rehearses at the Olin Arts Center on Feb. 8, 2017.

The Bates Gamelan Ensemble, led by Associate Professor of Music Gina Fatone (at right), rehearses on Feb. 8, 2017. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)

19 Fri

8pm | Music of West Java, Indonesia: A program of traditional and contemporary music performed on Bates’ gamelan instruments by students in the course “Performing Musical Art of Indonesia.” Special guests are Een Herdiani, a dancer and director of a conservatory for the arts in West Java; and Undang Sumarna, a master drummer who teaches West Javanese gamelan at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Free, but tickets required: batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. FMI 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.
Olin Concert Hall


22 Mon

Scholar Tea: Charif Shanahan. The English department’s Scholar Tea series presents a reading and Q&A with acclaimed poet Shanahan, author of Into Each Room We Enter Without Knowing. FMI tpickens@bates.edu or 207-786-6420.
Commons 226


Student achievement in technology on display during the 2015 Curricular Innovation Showcase in Perry Atrium. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

Student achievement in technology on display during the 2015 Curricular Innovation Showcase in Perry Atrium. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

24 Wed

4pm | Short Term Curricular Innovation Showcase: An annual presentation of intensive, practical collaborations that are transforming teaching at Bates. In the Course (Re)design projects, students and faculty work side-by-side to redesign learning experiences of great meaning to them. Meanwhile, visiting Short Term Practitioners from all corners of industry bring skills and expertise to enhance the applicability of the Bates education to a life of meaningful work. FMI 207-786-6128.
Pettengill Hall, Perry Atrium

7:30pm | Short Term Recital: Students in the Short Term course “Performance in Western Classical Music,” taught by Christy Thomas, perform a program TBA. Free but tickets required: batesconcerts.eventbrite.com. FMI 207-786-6133 or acarr@bates.edu.
Olin Concert Hall


25 Thu

7:30pm | Strange Bedfellows: Bates’ only improv comedy group presents its final show of the year and celebrates three graduating seniors, Will Koller, Whitney Lees and Dan Peeples. FMI ierickso@bates.edu.
Chase Hall B18


28 Sun

10am | Commencement: Giving the keynote address at Bates’ 151st graduation ceremony is honorary degree recipient Geoffrey Canada, an educator nationally known for his work with the Harlem Children’s Zone. Also receiving honorary degrees are U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, art historian Wanda Corn ’62 and actor Patrick Dempsey.
Historic Quad


30 Tue

7pm | Zen Meditation: A traditional Zen sit with Bates Associated Buddhist Chaplain Heiku Jaime McLeod. Beginners welcome. FMI 207-786-8272.
Gomes Chapel


"The Evolution of a Still Life" (2017), an oil painting on canvas by Abigail Abbott, is one of the student works on display in the 2017 Senior Thesis Exhibition.

“The Evolution of a Still Life” (2017), an oil painting on canvas by Abigail Abbott, is one of the student works on display in the 2017 Senior Thesis Exhibition.

Museum of Art

bates.edu/museum

Through May 27, 2017

Senior Thesis Exhibition 2017: The museum’s relationship with the Department of Art and Visual Culture entails a commitment to supporting the work of Bates students through this exhibition showcasing work in diverse media from the thesis projects of graduating studio art majors — 17 this year. The program emphasizes the creation of a cohesive body of work through sustained studio practice and critical inquiry.