Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504140015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS BANKS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Lu's parents were imprisoned during China's Cultural Revolution. His father, a Soviet-trained engineer, was accused of being a Russian spy and forced to work in a coal mine. His mother, a wealthy landowner's daughter, was sent to a "re-education" school.
In 1976, when he was 10 years old, Lu lived with a family in Tangshan, his birthplace. His adopted family perished, along with 240,000 others, in an earthquake that year. The Chinese government, Lu claims, offered no aid to the surviving victims. He later learned that a ban had been imposed on information about the earthquake and that the government had refused assistance from the International Red Cross.
Lu has said it was then that he realized how his people were written off by the country's leaders.
"There's a political term in China," he says. "We call it 'dirt people.' Nobodies."
So when he was 10 years old, Lu made himself a promise: "You must do all you can to help the helpless, to speak for the voiceless and to fight for the powerless and never forget these people."
In 1989, he lived up to his promise.
Lu was one of the young leaders of the peaceful demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. He was the official press spokesman for the Democratic Reform Movement. For three weeks, he helped lead the effort to petition the government for help in solving some of China's urgent problems.
He witnessed first-hand the killing that took place June 3, 1989, when government troops brought in tanks to crush the students who sat in the streets of Tiananmen Square. He saw others fall from the gunfire of tanks and guns.
Lu escaped and went into hiding. He was offered refuge in France and later traveled to the United States. He's now a law student at Columbia University.
His concern for China, however, is still resolute. He says here in the United States, he represents the hopes of millions of Chinese. He continues be the voice of the Democratic Reform Movement.
Lu will speak about his experiences and his reform efforts Tuesday at Virginia Tech. His talk starts at 7:30 p.m. in Squires Student Center's Colonial Hall.
Admission is free. Lu's appearance is sponsored by the Virginia Tech Union's Speakers and Issues Committee, the Asian American Student Union and Amnesty International.
BRRRRRING! "Bells Are Ringing," a musical featuring the lyrics of Betty Comden and Adolph Green and the music of Jules Styne, is the latest offering by Virginia Tech's Theatre Arts-University Theatre. It's playing through April 22 in Squires Studio Theatre.
"Long Before I Met You," "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over" are some of the tender tunes in this 1956 romantic comedy.
The plot involves Ella Petersen, a receptionist for a telephone answering service, and Jeffrey Moss, a wannabe playwright who's struggling with a new script. Ella finds Jeffrey via the telephone and becomes smitten with his charm. Although the two have never met, Ella takes on the task of helping Jeffrey through his writing woes. Things heat up when she begins a secret life as Melisande Scott and appoints herself as Jeffrey's guardian angel.
Barbara Carlisle, an associate professor in Tech's theater arts department, is directing and choreographing the production.
Curtain time each evening is at 8, plus there's a matinee at 2 this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets, $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens, are available at the box office in Squires Student Center. Call 231-5615 for reservations.
STRINGING US ALONG: Robert Trent will lead the Radford University Guitar Ensemble in its spring concert tonight at 8 in Preston Auditorium.
The guitarists will be joined by other Radford University students who will sing and perform on flute and clarinet.
Works on the program include a piece by Joseph Scartelli, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The ensemble also will play some light works by Peter Schickele, better known as P.D.Q. Bach.
Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children and free for Radford University students and staff.
HIGHLANDERS: The Mountain Fling Band, featuring the husband-and-wife team of Kathy and John Hollandsworth, Ed Ogle and Jim Lloyd, will entertain with something old and something new Monday.
The group is best known for its traditional old-time Appalachian music, but the foursome also plays some fresh tunes on instruments you won't find in the usual old-time band.
John Hollandsworth of Christiansburg plays autoharp and is a past winner at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax. Kathy Hollandsworth is the band's string bass player and frequently performs on hammered dulcimer.
Ed Ogle of Roanoke is an award-winning harmonica player. He also sings and plays guitar for the Mountain Fling Band. Rural Retreat's Jim Lloyd plays guitar, clawhammer banjo and a few other fingerpickin' instruments. Lloyd is a popular storyteller at regional festivals.
The band will perform Monday as part of the "Meet the Celebrity" series at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd. The evening begins with a reception at 7:30, followed by the concert at 8. Both will be held in the community room at the library.
Admission at the door is $4.
PAYING TRIBUTE: Virginia Tech's University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will honor William J. Svec of Roanoke at this year's spring concert. It's happening Saturday at 8 p.m. in Squires Student Center's Old Dominion Ballroom.
Svec, who has taught in Roanoke County Schools since 1969, has devoted 35 years to helping young people appreciate music. He has served as a cooperating teacher for Virginia Tech music education students for many years.
Svec will lead the wind ensemble in the "Elsa Procession" from Richard Wagner's Lohengrin.
The program also features trumpeter Kristine Mendoza, winner of the ensemble's 1995 soloist competition.
Professor David Widder and graduate students Christina Chang and Scott Humphries will lead the musicians in works by Paul Creston, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Paul Hindemith, Robert Russell Bennet and others.
Admission at the door Saturday is $2.
WRAPPING UP: Once again, the International Week celebration at Virginia Tech has given members of the community a great opportunity to experience the diverse cultures of the world.
The celebration wraps up this weekend with more good food and good entertainment.
Treat yourself to the African luncheon today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cranwell International Center. Afterward, you can take in the Latino dance lessons in room 116 at Squires Student Center. Fermando Espana will teach the meringue and salsa from 3 to 4 p.m.
Tonight, it's the International Talent Show at 7:30 in Burruss Hall. The free show features music and dances from all over the globe.
On Saturday, there's a table tennis tournament, starting at 9 a.m., in the recreation room at Squires Student Center. At 9 p.m., you're invited to a dance party in Commonwealth Ballroom at the student center.
For information on any of the International Week events, call 231-6035.
by CNB