Events

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Transylvania University community will mark Trans* Week of Awareness and Remembrance with a variety of consciousness raising events on and off campus Nov. 18-21. The week’s main event will be the Trans* Night of Remembrance Ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in Transylvania’s William T. Young Campus Center Gym. Sponsored by the Diversity Action Council, the public memorial service will include a candlelight vigil for those who have suffered violence because of gender identity.  A resource fair will follow. These events will provide not only an opportunity for Trans* people to get together, but also a chance for others to learn about something they may otherwise find uncomfortable to talk about, said Rayne Parker, an organizer and a Transylvania senior. “I hope this week accomplishes more visibility of Trans* persons.” The week’s other events will include a Positive Trans* Identity presentation by University of Kentucky professors and a Ph.D. student at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the UK Student Center Room 111; and a viewing of the movie, “Normal,” followed by a discussion in Transylvania’s Student Involvement and Leadership Center (in the Campus Center) starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. The local events coincide with the national Transgender Awareness Week. Trans* people are under-represented in society, said Zoey Peach, co-organizer and Transylvania junior. “They suffer a truly disproportionate amount of violence. We’re hoping that these awareness and remembrance ceremonies will bring light to the issues Trans* folks face, and connect

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LEXINGTON, KY— On Saturday, Aug. 9, Transylvania University will host an All Star Jazz Showcase of musicians on the lawn of Old Morrison during the 7th annual Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest. Presented by the African American Forum, Inc., the Summer Breeze Saturday Concert will feature singer Maysa Leak, keyboardist Brian Simpson and saxophonist Kim Waters. Maysa’s sensuous, sublime and lush voice is featured on numerous solo albums. She has been a member of Stevie Wonder’s Wonderlove, a vocalist in Incognito and a guest on “Oprah” and “The Tonight Show. Simpson is another smooth jazz favorite. He is not only a solo performer but also serves as music director and featured keyboardist for the Dave Koz Band. A winner of the American Smooth Jazz Keyboardist of the Year Award, Simpson often is a guest on national radio shows. The other all-star, Waters, has sold more than a million albums and performed with legends such as Patti LaBelle and Isaac Hayes. He is known for his romantic ballads, which are compiled on “Sweet and Sexy: The Ultimate Collection Of Kim Waters’ Romantic Classics.” This is the third year Transylvania has hosted the event.  Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30. The African American Forum is a non-profit organization based in Lexington. The group supports African Americans’ cultural, artistic and educational achievements. Money raised at the Lexus Smooth Jazz Fest will benefit the African American Forum Endowment

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LEXINGTON, Ky.—Keeping a  longstanding, locally-beloved tradition alive, Transylvania University will again host the annual Patriotic Concert on the Old Morrison lawn Thursday, July 3, at 8 p.m. The free concert draws around 5,000 people to campus each year to spread out blankets, bring a picnic dinner and enjoy music celebrating America’s heritage. Complementing the city’s Fourth of July Festival’s theme of “Celebrating Heroes,” this year’s music will be performed by the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard. University of Kentucky professor and director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre Dr. Everett McCorvey will direct the singers, and Dixieland jazz band Young at Heart will perform in Gratz Park before the concert. “It’s a wonderful evening,” Renee Jackson, president of the Downtown Lexington Corporation, said. “With the ‘Celebrating Heroes’ theme and the 202nd Army Band performing, it will be a real treat. If you haven’t attended one, it is definitely worth coming downtown and experiencing.” Jackson said that especially with this summer being the 70th anniversary of D-Day, this year’s event will be “extra special.” Free parking is available in the university’s general lots. Guests are encouraged to bring their own dinners, and food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Alcohol is prohibited. “With the rich history of Transylvania, it just makes it all the more special to be able to use the steps of Old Morrison and have that as the backdrop,” Jackson

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