You are here: American University Community Relations Newsletter October 2023 Neighborhood Newsletter

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October 2023

Ambassadors Up-Close: Finland and Estonia in the Age of Great Competition October 5 | 4 – 5 pm

Ambassadors Oct 2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the deepening Russia-China partnership continue to pose a major threat to the United States, NATO, and the European political and security order. Close allies Finland and Estonia have been at the forefront of this more volatile context with Russia and China, prompting key changes in their approaches (such as Finland joining NATO earlier this year).

H.E. Mikko Hautala, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the United States, and H.E. Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States, will discuss these major challenges in conversation with SIS Professor Garret Martin

Register for the event here.

AU Family Movie Night October 27 | 7pm

10.27.23 Family Movie night correction v2

Please note: Family Movie Night has been moved to Friday, October 27th. All are welcome to join us!

AU Community Relations is excited to partner with Horace Mann Elementary School to host a fun-filled movie night on Friday, October 27. Bring some blankets and the whole family to campus for an outdoor screening of the animated movie, Elemental.

The movie will be screened at the Woods-Brown Amphitheatre. The movie will begin at 7:00 pm. Free popcorn and crafts will be provided.

Please RSVP here so we can better estimate the number of attendees.

Moonlight Arboretum Tour October 27 | 6 pm

Moonlight Tour Oct 2023

We are excited to welcome back guided moonlight tours of the AU Arboretum. Join AU Community Relations and the AU Arboretum on Friday, October 27 at 6:00 pm for this special tour.

Did you know that the American University Campus is an accredited Arboretum with over 5000 trees and more than 500 different species and varieties of woody plants. Stroll with us through the campus under the light of the full moon and learn about the history of the university, as well the information on the trees, gardens and sustainable features throughout campus.

Please arrive in front of the School of International Service (SIS) building at 6:00 pm for refreshments and check-in. Parking is free after 5:00 pm in our AU garages. The closest garage to the check-in location is the SIS garage. The entrance is at the corner of Nebraska Ave NW and New Mexico Ave NW. This is a family friendly event and pets are welcome.

Please RSVP for the Moonlight Tour here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Group 93: EKPHRASIS: ART & POETRY Katzen Rotunda: September 18–October 16

EKPHRASIS Myrtle image 2023

Ekphrasis in ancient Greece was the skill of describing a thing with vivid detail. Today, ekphrasis is a genre of poetry written in response to an artwork.

Highlighting the exchange of thoughts and emotions shared through the practice of art, this exhibition pairs ekphrastic poems written in response to selected pieces in the show. The goal of these pairings is to open the door to deeper exploration of the work.

Viewers will be invited to leave their own responses in the exhibition log.

Group 93 is pleased to collaborate with these 15 distinguished writers including three who have served as poet laureates:

Ted Kooser, US Library of Congress, 2004-2006Grace Cavilieri, State of Maryland, 2018-2023Anne Becker, City of Takoma Park. 2007-2011

The group was formed in 1990 to explore the rigor of a critique method developed by artist, AU Professor Emeritus, Luciano Penay. The artists have diverse professional backgrounds and approaches to visual language.

 Artists: Joan Lewis Birnbaum, Lucy J Blankstein, Dorothy Fall, Michael Graham, Marjorie Hirano, Carol A Jason, Myrtle Katzen, Karen Kunc, Marc Pekala, Luciano Penay, Patricia Segnan, Romeo Segnan, Claudia Vess, Gail Watkins, and Ann Zahn.

Poets: Anne Becker, Barbara Berman, Grace Cavalieri, Kyle Dargan, Nicole Fall, Elise Fischer, Craig E Flaherty, Doug Hillmer, Frank S Joseph, Ted Kooser, Luciano Menetto, Seema Reza, Erich Schrader, Mike Wenthe, and Jacqueline R Werner.

Overture 2023 October 6 & 7

Overture welcomes to the stage AU’s newest actors from the dynamic class of 2027. Showcasing the talents of its performers, this production features music, text and movement assembled and devised by the student company, in collaboration with faculty director Nancy Bannon.

Tickets: Free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.

AU Farmer’s Market Returns!

Farmers Market april 2023

The American University Farmer’s Market is back! The Farmer’s Market is open every Wednesday, beginning August 30 through November 8, from 11:00 - 2:00pm on the Eric Friedheim Quadrangle.  AU's own Airlie Farm will have fresh meats, produce, and honey for sale brought in from the local Virginia farm.

Learn more about the Farmer’s Market featured vendors and their offerings:

Head Over Heels October 20 – 21 & 27 – 28

HOH 2023

A hilarious, exuberant celebration of love, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s, including the hit songs, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” and “Mad About You.”

Content: The production includes sexual innuendo, simulated intercourse, violence, and death.

Tickets: Free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.

Join AU - Airlie 5K Fun Run Race and Fall Festival November 11

Festival 2023

We are excited to announce the first ever AU-Airlie 5K Fun Run Race and Fall Festival this November 11 at AU’s Airlie Hotel, Conference Center and Farm near Warrenton, VA! This event is a partnership between Auxiliary Services, Human Resources, Airlie and our sponsor, Quantum Health, that is designed to offer the AU community a chance to enjoy health and wellness on our scenic Airlie property. 

The 5K race will be available for runners and walkers. The 5K is entirely within the Airlie property and will be followed by a Fall Festival. Lace-up those sneakers, grab your family and friends, and join us for a day of active enjoyment. Our 5K Fun Run is open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a leisurely stroll through beautiful scenery, this event is for you. 

After the run, the festivities continue with our Fall Festival. This family-friendly celebration will feature an array of exciting activities and attractions including live music, BBQ eats from our Airlie Berkshire Farm and Airlie Kitchen, lawn games, and hayrides. 

Please visit our registration website here to register for the 5K Fun Run, Fall Festival, or both. This event is open to the entire AU community. However, spots are limited to 200 and available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

If you are interested in staying overnight before or after the race and festival, please use this link when booking.

Osher Lifelong Learning Courses at American University

OLLI

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at AU fall semester begins on Tuesday, September 26, but there is still plenty of time to register for classes. Some of our open courses include The Grey Zone of War, Film Genres and Gender, Introduction to Cell Biology, Classical Indian Philosophy, and more! Take up to four classes for $300 (AU alumni, faculty, etc. receive a 10 percent discount). Registration is open until Friday, October 6. Be a part of a community where curiosity never retires! Go to our website: olli-dc.org or call 202-895-4860 for further information and to register for classes.  

View our fall semester course offerings.

Recap: AU’S Nonprofit Networking Fair

Networking 2023

On August 30, 2023, over 400 students participated in the Nonprofit Networking Fair hosted by American University's Center for Community Engagement & Service (CCES).

AU partners with local nonprofits across the DMV to foster "Community-Based Learning" (aka "Service-Learning"), an experiential learning approach that helps students build a deeper understanding of their course content through working with nonprofits.

Students go beyond the classroom and reflect on what they're learning in class with the added perspective of community experiences and observing how nonprofit organizations "take theory to action" with the services they provide.

Every semester, CCES hosts about 20 local nonprofit organizations from around the DMV that work with different communities and respond to local issues so that students can learn how they can contribute as Changemakers. Every year, hundreds of AU students are committed volunteers with DC schools and nonprofits and many students are inspired to join the nonprofit workforce after graduating to continue to make a stronger, more supportive DMV community.

This year, our Fair included organizations actively fighting food insecurity, providing care for senior citizens, empowering youth with disabilities, connecting housing services to those experiencing homelessness, preventing youth crime and gang violence, supporting refugees and immigrants with English lessons, and strengthening family wellbeing.

If you have a nonprofit organization you'd like to connect with AU, explore our "Nonprofit Partnership Center" here. If you'd like to support Service-Learning and empower more students to connect their academic experience to community-based organizations, you can donate to the Community Services Initiative Fund here.

Voices for Change: Music Transforming Conflict October 29 | 5-6:30 pm |Free admission

Voices 2023

Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and the Aspen Institute

Immerse yourself in the transformative power of music as we delve into its ability to heal wounds, bridge divides, and unite communities. This event is a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how music can break down barriers and ignite conversations that lead to lasting change.

The Jerusalem Youth Chorus is a choral and dialogue program for Palestinian and Israeli youth in Jerusalem. The evening will seek to explore the historic challenges faced by both Israeli and Palestinian communities and shed light on how music can build bridges that will ensure a brighter future for all. Performances by the Jerusalem Youth Chorus and AU Chamber Singers will be followed by a panel discussion.

CAS and the Aspen Institute are grateful to Bruce Levenson (WCL '76), for his generous support of this event.

Click here to register for the event.

The Child Development Center has Openings for Fall Enrollment

Child Development Center May 23

AU's Child Development Center provides high-quality education and care for children 2-1/2 to 6 years of age. The Center uses a research-based system that offers a comprehensive, evolving set of resources that emphasizes the developmental uniqueness of each child. The Child Development Center has openings for fall enrollment. You can learn more about the Child Development Center online. For questions, please contact Beth Root, Director for the Child Development Center at eroot@american.edu.

Ukrainian Poetry Reading October 21 | 4 - 6 p.m. | Free Admission

Ukraine Event 2023

Join us for a literary performative event with poems and literature by Ukrainian writers. This event is inspired by our photography exhibition Lost Europe, which explores the lives and culture of rural Ukrainians just before the current war. Included among the authors are Taras Shevchenko, 1814-1861; Ivan Franko, 1856-1916; Lesya Ukrainka, 1871-1913; Mykola Khvylovy, 1893-1933; Lina Kostenko, 1930; Vasyl Stus, 1938-1985; Serhiy Zhadan, 1974; Oleg Teplykh, 1971; and others. Reading of Ukrainian poems translated into English will be done by variety of participants including locally based curators, artists, and professionals from universities and their students.

Reader: Leeya Mehta, Interim Director, The Alan Cheuse International Writer’s Center, George Mason University

Reader: Irina Denischenko, Assistant Professor, Department of Slavic Languages, Georgetown University; Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Georgetown University

Reader: Aneta Georgievska-Shine, Senior Lecturer, Department of Art History at the University of Maryland 

…and others.

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Orientation to the AU Neighborhood Partnership

Please consider joining the AU Neighborhood Partnership which works to provide a consensus-based forum to resolve issues affecting the communities near American University. Interested members of the community may join one of the Partnership’s five standing working groups, comprising community stakeholders and AU leadership. 

The AUNP held virtual orientation sessions that served as an introduction to the partnership, explored Zoning and Campus Planning in DC and offered ways to get involved in the partnership through one of the five working groups.

If you did not have a chance to attend any of the sessions, the Zoom recordings can be found on AU's webpage under the AUNP Orientation Materials tab.  

For more information about the AU Neighborhood Partnership and the Office of Community and Government Relations can be found online at https://www.american.edu/communityrelations/.

Still have questions? Email us at communityrelations@american.edu.

American University Events

Selected
AU Museum
Athletics
Performing Arts

AU Museum

Join us for our upcoming October events!

  • Oct. 7th, 2-3 pm, join us for an engaging Gallery Talk where we will explore contemporary art from an architectural angle with artist Steven Cushner and architect David Jameson.
  • Oct. 21st, 4-6 pm, experience Ukrainian culture and literature as it comes to life with readings of poems by renowned Ukrainian authors in our Lost Europe exhibition space.
  • Oct. 22nd, 5-6 pm, immerse yourself in the abstract wood sculptures by artist Rachel Rotenberg as she speaks about her inspiring artistic journey throughout her 40-plus year career.

Be sure to mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss these enriching (and FREE) October events!

AU Athletics

BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW. SAVE OVER 40%

The AU men's and women's basketball teams look to capture Patriot League titles in 2022-23! Show your support by purchasing season tickets.

Full Season tickets are available and start at just $95 for Men's Basketball. Men's and Women's Combo Season Ticket Packages for all 29 games begin at $110. Women’s Only Season Tickets start at $85!

New Season Ticket Holders should secure seats online or by calling (202) 885-2617 or e-mail clawed@american.edu.

AU Volleyball Hosts Three Matches This Month in Bender Arena

 
AU vs. Colgate
Sun. October 15th at 1pm
 
AU vs. Loyola Md.
Fri. October 20th at 7pm
 
AU vs. Navy
Sat. October 21st at 7pm
 

For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUeagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Instagram (@AU_Volleyball), FULL SCHEDULE

Ticket Information

Single Game: Adults: $8
Youth (3-14)/ Senior (65+): $5
 

Military and Veterans: FREE (Must present military ID at ticket office, not available online)

Group Tickets (10 or more): Start at $3 each when purchased in advance. Call (202) 885-2617 to purchase.

Click here to purchase individual tickets

Bender Arena Sky Box Single Game Rentals at AU Volleyball

This luxury space at an affordable price seats 30 guests and includes snacks and soft drinks. Single match rentals are priced at $350. Additional catering is also available. Call (202) 885-2617 or email Clawed@american.edu to check skybox availability. 

AU Men’s Soccer Hosts Three Home Patriot League Matches!

AU vs. Colgate

Sat. September 14th at 1pm
 
AU vs. Lehigh
Sat. September 21st at 1pm
 
AU vs. Army
Sat. September 28th at 1pm

 

Single Game:
Adults: $8
Youth (3-14)/ Senior (65+): $5
 

Military and Veterans: FREE (Must present military ID at ticket office, not available online)

Group Tickets: Start at $3 each when purchased in advance. Call (202) 885-2617 to purchase.

Click here to purchase men’s soccer individual tickets

For the latest on American University Men’s Soccer, stay tuned to AUeagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MSoccer), Instagram (@AU.MSoccer), FULL SCHEDULE

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AU Women’s Soccer Hosts Three Home Games this Month on Reeves Field

AU vs. Navy

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
Wed. October 11th at 3pm
 
AU vs. Lehigh
Senior Day
Sun. October 15th at 1pm

 

AU vs. Loyola Md.
Cancer Awareness Game—WEAR PINK
Wed. October 25th at 3pm
 

ADMISSION IS FREE ALL SEASON LONG

For the latest on American University Field Hockey, stay tuned to AUeagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_WSoccer), Instagram (@AU_WSoccer),   FULL SCHEDULE

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AU Field Hockey Hosts Three Patriot League Home Games at Jacobs Complex

 ADMISSION IS FREE ALL SEASON LONG

AU vs. Bucknell

Pink Game
Sat. October 7th at 11am

 

AU vs. Maryland
Pride Game
Sun. October 8th at 3pm
 
AU vs. Holy Cross
Senior/Alumni Day
Sat. October 21st at 12pm
 

For the latest on American University Field Hockey, stay tuned to AUeagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_FieldHockey), Instagram (@AUFieldHockey), FULL SCHEDULE

Check AUeagles.com for complete sporting events schedule and ticket information!

Performing Arts

The Department of Performing Arts (DPA) presents its lineup of fall productions from the Theatre, Music, and Dance Programs. Featuring a Chamber Singers concert inspired by an AU Museum exhibition, music by The Go-Go's in Head Over Heels, original choreography from the Dance Program, and so much more.   

Tickets for DPA events are on sale now. Free for AU students with ID; $10 for alumni, staff, children (under 18), faculty, and senior citizens (55 and older); $15 general public. Students are encouraged to reserve their free tickets in advance. 

Sign up for updates from AU Arts and follow us on social media: Instagram @auartsdcTwitter @auartsdc, and Facebook.

From the Theatre/Musical Theatre program

Overture 2023

Department of Performing Arts Directed by Nancy Bannon

Overture welcomes to the stage AU’s newest actors from the dynamic class of 2027. Showcasing the talents of its performers, this production features music, text, and movement assembled and devised by the student company, in collaboration with faculty director Nancy Bannon.  

When: October 6, 2023, 8 p.m. and October 7, 2023, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Where: Katzen Arts Center, Studio Theatre, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Head over Heels

Songs by The Go-Go's

Based on ‘The Arcadia’ by Sir Philip Sidney  Conceived and Original Book by Jeff Whitty  Adapted by James Magruder  Department of Performing Arts Directed by Carl Menninger Music Direction by Kristin Stowell Choreographed by Cate Ginsberg

A hilarious, exuberant celebration of love, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s, including the hit songs, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” and “Mad About You.”

Content: The production includes sexual innuendo, simulated intercourse, violence, and death. 

When: October 20 and 27, 2023, 8 p.m., October 21 and 28, 2023, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 

Daughters of Leda

By Madeline SayetDepartment of Performing ArtsDirected by Shanara Gabrielle and Angelisa Gillyard

In this contemporary reimagining of epic tales from Ancient Greece, the seasons change, and Persephone returns to the underworld. A mortal girl arrives at the same time, asking questions that turn history upside down. The Fates have a game up their sleeve—they are tired, they need a vacation. But in order to depart, they have to give the stories they exploited back. In a whirlwind of events, Adam and Eve, Leda (and the Swan), Helen, Clytemnestra, Iphigenia, and Electra all come together to choose their own destinies and finally tell their side of the stories that have instilled fear of feminine knowledge for far too long.

Content: This production includes references to rape and suicide, and a depiction of domestic violence.

When: November 1-3, 2023, 8 p.m., November 4, 2023, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.Where: Katzen Arts Center Studio Theatre, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 

Damn Things Will Kill Ya

By Olivia Luzquinos Department of Performing Arts Directed by Aaron Posner  

"You can't choose who you love. It doesn't work like that."

A little thing like lung cancer isn’t going to stop Ruth from smoking—even in the hospital. As her children gather by her bedside, they struggle with the hard-headed, hard-hearted woman who raised them—and with each other. As events unfold, the family is forced to grapple with faith, fear, forgiveness, and the complicated consequences of letting go. Damn Things Will Kill Ya was written by recent AU graduate Olivia Luzquinos (CAS ’23) and features AU Theatre faculty member Tara Giordano as the matriarch Ruth. This production will be the first time the AU Theatre Program has fully produced a show by a recent graduate.

Content: This production includes adult themes and references to suicide.  

When: December 5–8, 2023, 8 p.m., December 9, 2023, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Where: Katzen Arts Center Studio Theatre, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

From the Music program

Choral Abstractions

American University Chamber Singers Department of Performing Arts Daniel Abraham, Director

By its very nature, though text, choral music is not often abstract. Frequently, however, contemporary composers have taken a more abstract approach by creating music without word, by adopting vocal devices, or even creating open approaches to shape and form that provide greater parallels to visual art. Join us for an inspiring earful of innovative approaches to choral sound in conjunction with the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center’s exhibition of large abstract works by Steven Cushner, this program with commentary will be a delight for the eyes, ears, and mind.

When: November 4, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. and November 5, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Where: American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 3rd floor, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Fall for Jazz

American University Jazz Orchestra Department of Performing Arts Joshua Bayer, director

The AU Jazz Orchestra plays swing, bop, funk, and rock! Each concert features a variety of these styles.

When: November 10, 2023, 7:30 p.m.Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

Florence Price Symphony no. 3

American University Symphony Orchestra Department of Performing Arts Matthew Brown, conductor

American University Symphony Orchestra will present, for the first time in its history, Florence Price's Symphony no. 3 in C minor. Florence Price was a Black female American composer who was largely overlooked during her career, and even more so posthumously, due to her race and gender. Her music is a force that the orchestral world is finally starting to reckon with.

When: November 11, 7:30 p.m. and November 12, 3 pm.Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall  

stay with me

American University Chorus Department of Performing Arts Casey Cook, directorBarbara Wilkinson, pianist

The AU Chorus fall concert explores the need for us to stay connected, to build a family and community, and to be together with those we love through the joys and sorrows of life. This concert will feature excerpts from Eric Whitacre's "The Sacred Veil." This concert will mark Casey Cook's 10th year as director of the American University Chorus.

When: December 1–2, 2023, 7:30 p.m.  Where: Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

American Landscapes

American University Symphonic Band Department of Performing Arts Matthew Brown, conductor 

The American University Symphonic Band explores a variety of works inspired by North America’s vast and varied natural world. Works include Copland's iconic “Appalachian Spring,” a delightful multi-movement work titled "A Little Mexican Suite" by Mexican composer Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, a modern setting of the classic song "Shenandoah" by Omar Thomas, and a variety of other works.

When: December 3, 2023, 3 p.m.Where: Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016

From the Dance program

Discounted package tickets for Allison Grant's Senior Dance Capstone + Fall Dance Concert on November 18 are available. Free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.

Fall Dance Concert 2023

Department of Performing Arts

The Fall Dance Concert is a mainstage event from the AU Dance Program featuring new work by guest artist Sarah Beth Oppenheim and selected student choreographers. Oppenheim brought Hardware to our virtual stage in 2021 and returns now to create a new work with AU dancers for the Greenberg stage. Her work will be shown alongside five student-choreographed, faculty-mentored protects – created this fall in our Choreographic Laboratory. Join us as we welcome fresh choreographic voices and new student performers to the AU stage.   

When: November 17, 7:30 p.m., November 18, 3 p.m.Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016Tickets: Free for AU students with ID, $10 for alumni, staff, faculty, children (under 18), and senior citizens (55 and older), $15 general public.

Allison Grant's Senior Dance Capstone Performance

Department of Performing Arts

Featuring a capstone choreographic research project by dance major Allison Grant.

When: November 18, 1 p.m.Where: Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 Tickets: $5, Free for AU students with ID