Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994 TAG: 9405170003
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV PAGE: 2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech, Radford University and New River Community College all offer a range of activities that spice life for residents who'd like access to all that a college offers - even if they don't want to return to the semester grind.
Lectures, theater and art give cultural texture to evenings and weekends, even as workshops or Elderhostel programs provide short-term learning opportunities.
In just one week this spring, Virginia Tech, through different organizations, brought three heavy hitters to campus to speak.
In one auditorium, New York Times best-selling writer and African American philosopher Cornel West explored his we're-all-in-this-together philosophy of race relations. In another room, populist anthropologist Stephen Jay Gould did his stream-of-consciousness, theory-of-evolution thing. And a day or two later, conservative visionary William F. Buckley showed up to hold forth.
Radford University, meanwhile, can be counted upon to do the high-profile and sometimes quirky - progressive bands such as Blind Melon or the Meat Puppets one night, a Taekwondo University another weekend.
This summer, from June 20-July 1, the university will explore a topic of much interest in this region: Appalachian heritage. The 17th annual Highland Summer Conference will explore the complexities of Appalachia. Or consider computer music classes, if you like electronic music.
New River Community College looks to the practical. Need a defensive-driving class? How about a 5-week microcomputer refresher course?
The college's annual poetry contest for senior citizens also is coming up, with deadlines for entries July 29. For information, call 674-3600, ext. 292.
Tech also has the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History, on Blacksburg's North Main Street, and the Geological Gem Museum, in Derring Hall on campus.
"And we also have the Smithfield Plantation House, which is open to the public," said university spokesman Dave Nutter.
The house was owned by the family that gave land to start Olin-Preston Institute, the precursor to Virginia Tech, more than 100 years ago.
Here are just a few organizations to contact if you want to find out about entertainment, lectures, and the like at the campuses. Lots of different student organizations also bring in speakers, so ask around.
Virginia Tech Division of Performing Arts puts on theater, music, and art openings and events for the two galleries on campus. Four mainstage performances are staged each year, in addition to student performing-arts workshops. The Audubon Quartet and New River Symphony perform three times a year. Call 231-5200 for more information.
Virginia Tech Union brings in Broadway shows, orchestras and ballets, or concerts from rock to jazz to rap. Recent performances included "Cabaret" and "City of Angels" on the stage, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Digable Planets and the Lemonheads on the concert scene, and popular movies. VTU also produces a Lively Arts Series popular with the public, who can see Broadway shows or companies such as the American Repertoire Ballet Co. for $16 or $14. It also keeps up with the lecture circuit. Although other campus clubs and departments sponsor lectures or various types of entertainment, Tech Union is a good place to start. Call 231-6865 for more information.
Radford's Heth Hall is the center of most activity there. From noted intellect Noam Chomsky to "LA Law" actor Blair Underwood, look to the Student Activities Department to find out who's sponsoring what. This year, RU hosted Arrested Development, Primus, and "Saturday Night Live" actor Adam Sandler. They're all sponsored by organizations on campus, but the Heth information scheduling office can help you find out what's up. Call 831-5420 for more information.
And if you're up for something like university Elderhostel, Radford sponsors a week of classes this summer: fitness, "Storytelling and Moses," and "Great Speeches." Commuters pay about $135. Call 831-5483 for more information.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***