It’s that time of year again — the lazy summer days are gone and replaced by the excitement and eventfulness of fall. Not only have classes begun, but so have the multitude of concerts, performances and special events welcome to all Pacific Lutheran University students.
Kicking off the year is the gallery opening for the art exhibition “To Be Human.” This event will be held on Sept. 11 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the University Gallery. Enjoy refreshments while appreciating the expressive, realist and abstract images that portray the human figure in work. All pieces in this exhibit are taken from PLU’s own permanent art collection.
While art appeals to some, others enjoy music more. Sept. 21 is Opera Night in Lagerquist Concert Hall. Singers from PLU will be performing in this traditional and talent-filled exhibition of opera music. Admission is free, and the performance will be from 8-10 p.m.
Also taking the stage this fall will be the cast of “Kiss me, Kate,” directed by Jeff Clapp,  associate professor of theater. This musical theater production was originally produced in 1948. It is a play-within-a-play in which the actors’ on-stage interactions become increasingly complicated by off-stage relationships. Go see “Kiss me, Kate” in the Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 19 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. or on Oct. 20 from 2-4 p.m.
If “Kiss me, Kate” just wasn’t enough musical theater for you, there will be an official “Night of Musical Theater” on Oct. 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Lagerquist. This PLU tradition is a student-led collaboration that will feature numbers from a variety of popular musicals.
Music will also be in the air during “The Candlelight Acoustic Set” at the Northern Pacific Coffee Company on Nov. 6 from 8-10 p.m. This event will be held in honor of the end of UnPLUgged — an electricity saving competition between PLU’s residence halls — and the winner will be announced during the evening. Come experience the wonderful atmosphere of this night of music, coffee and sustainability.
Taking a far more serious tone is the documentary film “Sin by Silence,” which will be shown in the Scandinavian Center on November 12 from 7-9 p.m. This film addresses the highly emotional issue of domestic violence through the eyes of women incarcerated for killing abusive husbands. Following the screening will be a discussion led by one of the domestic violence survivors featured in the film.
While PLUtonic and HERmonic do not yet have their own feature film, “Pitch Perfect” conveys the main idea. Like the students featured in “Pitch Perfect,” these two organizations are PLU’s competitive a cappella groups. Their first concert will be on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. in Lagerquist. Don’t miss out — take a seat and enjoy the remarkable performances put on by these gifted groups.
With all of these great fall events, this season will be one to remember.
