Celebrating Japanese performance

PSU’s ‘Drama! Dance! Drums!’ features a kabuki play and taiko concert

Although no audience participation is required, it will be tough to sit still while witnessing the energy on display in Professors Larry Kominz and Wynn Kiyama’s upcoming Japanese arts showcase, “Drama! Dance! Drums!”

Scholar of language, literature and make-believe

A Q-and-A with PSU’s Professor of Japanese and prolific dramaturge Larry Kominz

Portland State Professor of Japanese Laurence “Larry” Kominz’s latest project—the first English-language translation of Yukio Mushima’s play The Black Lizard, currently showing at Southeast Portland’s Imago Theatre—is receiving rave reviews.

Breanna Webb wins big on Wheel of Fortune

PSU student takes home $60,200 during game show’s first Portland shoot

Portland State communications senior Breanna Webb now has enough money to buy 240.8 vowels.

Webb recently participated in Wheel of Fortune’s “College Week,” which was shot at Portland’s Oregon Convention Center. The episode, which aired Monday, May 14, featured Webb walking away as the show’s winner—with $60,200 in cash.

Cinema of empathy

PSU’s School of Fine and Performing Arts to host groundbreaking African American filmmaker Julie Dash

Portland State will host two special screenings with director Julie Dash Monday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 23.

A blessing for a black Mormon

There is far more to learn about Mormonism than what South Park has taught us.

Quincy Newell, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Wyoming, will discuss the history and practices of early Latter-day Saints Thursday in a workshop at Portland State titled “‘Is There No Blessing for Me?” Jane James’s Construction of Space in Latter-day Saint History and Practice.’”

Sound advice

Independent filmmaker, sound production expert Kelley Baker to promote his latest book at Northwest Film Center

For a man regularly referred to as “The Angry Filmmaker,” Kelley Baker is surprisingly mild and friendly.

Baker will offer filmmaking advice and sign copies of his newest book, Survival Guide Part Two: Sound Conversations with (un)Sound People, at the Northwest Film Center tomorrow evening.

Stopping abusers in their tracks

A Q-and-A with social worker and first-time author Lynn Fairweather

Here is one stop sign you definitely don’t want to zoom past.

In her debut book, Stop Signs: Recognizing, Avoiding, and Escaping Abusive Relationships, Lynn Fairweather offers information and advice to women who are currently in or hoping to avoid abusive relationships and exposes the common noticeable attributes, tactics and deterrents of abusers.

Martyrdom during the Reign of Terror

PSU Opera presents Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites

“Dialogues of the Carmelites is a very unusual and unconventional opera,” said David Edwards, stage director for Portland State University Opera. “It deals with a lot of serious issues, like death and religion. It’s a great crisis throughout.”

This infrequently staged opera, presented by PSU Opera, will open at Lincoln Performance Hall Friday, April 27. It will be conducted by PSU’s own Ken Selden.

The Bob Dylan of Iran

Iranian musician Mohsen Namjoo to perform at PSU

Mohsen Namjoo—a.k.a. “Bob Dylan of Iran,” according to the The New York Times—will perform tomorrow evening at Portland State’s Lincoln Recital Hall.

Honoring an artist among us

A Q-and-A with PSU professor and Bonnie Bronson Fellowship Award winner Pat Boas

Pat Boas, an assistant professor at Portland State, recently received the 21st annual Bonnie Bronson Fellowship Award for excellence in the field of art. A public celebration honoring Boas will be held Wednesday, April 18, in the Gray Center Lounge of Kaul Auditorium at Reed College.

Even more fun than a bar mitzvah!

Portland Jewish Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this month

L’chaim! This month, the Northwest Film Center and the Institute of Judaic Studies celebrate 20 years of exhibiting and advancing Jewish history and culture with the Portland Jewish Film Festival.